Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

Epilogue (Clara & Mason)

Four Years Later – Clara’s P.O.V.

“Don’t you dare, little witch.” Mason warned in a low voice.

A shiver worked its way down my spine when he placed his hand against my back. Even through the thin fabric of the dress I wore, I could feel the heat he exuded. One of the first things I’d learned about Werewolves was that they ran hot.

Despite how hard I tried, a smile worked its way onto my face. My chest quite literally ached with the urge to cackle, but I couldn’t help it. It’s not my fault Tristan’s expression was absolutely to die for.

Even Lola was having a hard time containing herself, snickering behind her hand as she watched the scene unfold.

Tristan had been locked in place for the last minute in a half, staring at Holly like she had grown three extra heads. No one could blame the poor guy considering he was the only one who didn’t know his mate was pregnant.

“You’re pregnant.” He repeated for the thirteenth time.

A laugh exploded from my mouth seconds before Mason wrapped his arms around me and hauled me into his arms. I wriggled against his ironclad hold, knowing I stood no chance fighting my way out of his grasp.

Good thing I didn’t need strength to overpower him.

I sent a small jolt of magic crackling down my skin, just enough to provoke a reaction. Since Holly and Tristan were being all lovey dovey, wrapped in each other’s arms, the only ones left to notice were Lola and Asher.

“You little cheater, using your magic against me.”

Mason chuckled in my ear, his voice simultaneously rough and silky. There was a softness to it that stirred the butterflies camping out in my stomach.

Dancing out of his grasp, I wiggled my fingers at him. There was a playful tilt to his lips, that when paired with the beard he’d been growing, was devastatingly handsome. His eyes twinkled as he stalked towards me, both emerald and brown depending on the source of lighting.

There was once a time where that playfulness was nonexistent, where his carefree nature was an act he put on for the world. Despite how much Lola and Breyona cared about him, they never truly realized how much he was suffering inside.

I didn’t either. Not for a while, anyway.

Mason’s arms slid around my waist. It didn’t take much to send my mind drifting back into the past, to how our relationship first started. Admittedly,

I’d gotten on his nerves, but I liked to think that he needed the challenge. More than once we teetered on the verge of enemies, but for the most part, we lingered on the cusp of something more.

I sighed when his lips skated along my cheek. His touch was soothing, relaxing in the best way. It was nothing like the otherworldly sparks fated mates felt, but it was close enough.

“You know, I wouldn’t mind seeing you pregnant. Your skin glowing, stomach round with my child, your scent even sweeter than it is now.”

My heart skipped a beat. Hell, it might’ve stopped completely if it weren’t for my magic. In the four years we’d been dating, he had never said anything quite like this. There was so much between us that remained unspoken.

Like the topic of his actual mate.

“Oh, is that so?” I chuckled, craning my head to smirk up at him. The strands of his light hair fell across his forehead tickling my nose. A smile spread across his face as I wrinkled my nose and blew the hair out of the way.

Despite how relaxed I felt around him, how my feelings had long surpassed a simple crush, the thought of Mason’s actual mate was never far from my mind.

Lola herself had warned me ahead of time. Hearing the story of how Mason was not only rejected but suffered through his mate’s death was agonizing.

pain I could never fully understand, but with it

him? Would he ever truly be happy

a smile, but no matter how far my cheeks stretched and how brightly my eyes sparkled with joy for Holly and Tristan’s baby, I

have I wanted one

announcement blended into one. Each and every morning I’d venture off to work, spending those precious minutes before my shift with Mason, who never once failed

I think that I’d be teaching the next generation

happiness in my life, there was something missing-something I craved more and more with each passing day. Perhaps I was selfish for wanting this

is exactly why I called on the one person I knew

wanted to hang out. Gives me a

ordered our coffee’s ahead of time, along with an assortment of pastries. Given Lola’s sweet tooth, I figured she wouldn’t have any specific

constant string of admirers was beyond me, but that’s why she was the

crumbs from the croissant I’d been picking at off my la*p. “They tiring you out already? Those terrible two’s sure are something, aren’t

Lola huffed, snatching her coffee off the table. She scooped the dollop of whip cream off the top and plopped it into her

on, lay it on me.” I encouraged her with

only Ramona can use magic, because I’m not sure what I’d do if it were

in surprise. “He’s two years old and already worried about

loves the stuff. Loves it more than people food, which is a bit concerning. Tristan and Giovanni say this is normal for a Vampire child though.” She huffed, her

on her plate already. Adding two magical children to the mix was bound to cause some additional stress. “If

deep drink from her coffee, a speculative look crossed her

motions of hosting a big get together. Holly had little

was probably the last thing I needed during a time like this. I pushed the steaming cup closer to the center of the table, focusing my nerves on a blueberry muffin

out for I my hand. The ridiculously long strands of her ebony hair fell over her shoulder, inches away from the cinnamon bun with it’s sticky

friendship hasn’t changed.

a deep breath before forcing the words past my lips. Hesitating would only prolong

anyone, even if that person wasn’t their Goddess given mate.” It took a great deal of effort not to cringe at myself. Anyone with two ears and a working brain would know who I was talking

they want-” She stopped in her tracks, and this time I did

eyes, making her unnaturally bright

you know. Clara, he’d be a fool not to mark you. I’m sure if you asked him, he’d leap at

I’d been picking at no longer seemed appetizing. “I can’t just ask him that. What if he thinks I’m trying to replace his actual

ever seen him this happy before. I think you should take the

spoke with such confidence that it was hard not to buy into it. It filled my chest, mingling with the mouthwatering scent of roasted coffee beans and

see his mark on your

at me

her throat as she gazed at it almost lovingly. “Actually, there was something I needed to ask you

once she becomes of age, but I wouldn’t mind starting some

take you up on that offer. This is more about Mason and whether or not you think

he didn’t have a set job here in the pack. He’d run patrol with some of the other’s when he was on call, but that was about

the job for?” I

retiring. He’s getting up there in age and his mate is pregnant

to have a pack of his own to run.” Lola said with

to me to reveal the good news, not that I minded one bit. I all but raced home, barging through the front door of our little town house

head appeared from around the corner, a lopsided grin spreading across

back so soon?” I smirked.

that sounded a whole lot like an avalanche of