Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

Chapter 164 – ‘You’re telling me that not even twenty-four hours after I left, you’re driving to some creepy guy’s camper in the middle of the forest because Cassidy made the mistake of hanging out with him after you warned her not to?’ Breyona deadpanned. The dry tone of her voice through the mind-link made me clench my hands tighter around the steering wheel.

‘Yep.’ I replied, popping the ‘p’ for emphasis. ‘Even though that’s not why I mind-linked you.’

‘I’m not driving into certain doom.’ I rolled my eyes, ‘…but yes, that’s what I’m doing and no, Asher does not know about it. If he did, he’d turn right around and demand he come with me.’

‘Well, since there’s no talking you out of it and Cassidy needs help, you need to take someone with you.’ She insisted, right as always even though I was currently low on available werewolves.

‘Who said they have to be a werewolf?’ Maya mused.

Without needing further clarification, I let out a long sigh and adjusted my route to a certain vampire’s house.

When I strolled through the front door, taking a mental note that it was unlocked, and popped my head into the dimly lit kitchen, it wasn’t Tristan’s lean form I saw standing at the stove, but Holly. It had been so long since I’d seen her that I didn’t even notice the charred grilled cheese sitting on the plate she cradled in her hands. Her pin straight hair was the same silken ebony as mine, though she often wore hers in a long braid that fell over her shoulder.

“Oh. Hello, Lola.” She said softly, in a voice much higher than my own. Her eyes rested on my face and were unblinking in a way most people found unsettling, but I knew she was simply giving me her undivided attention. There was a wispy quality to her voice that reminded me of wind chimes swaying in a gentle summer breeze. She blinked once and tilted her head. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it? Tristan will be back shortly. He left to get me more cheese. I’ve been trying to cook, but I’m afraid this stove works too well.”

She gestured to the stovetop, which was set on high heat until the burner glowed a bright shade of red. I glanced down at the square shaped charcoal on her plate and reached over the stovetop to turn the dial down to medium heat.

“Try it again, that should help. Tristan didn’t teach you how to control the heat?” I questioned, watching as she tossed the charred sandwich in the trash and grabbed two more slices of white bead. “As for what’s wrong, a friend is in trouble, but Tristan should be able to help.”

“He breezed through it, but I’m afraid I wasn’t paying much attention. He was in one of his moods, you know. Didn’t quite understand why I wanted to learn to cook to begin with, especially since he can make me anything I want.” She half shrugged, the serene expression on her face unfaltering. “I’m sure he’ll help, but only if it’s you or I who asks.”

“Is he ever not in one of his moods?” I joked but found myself wondering what she meant with that comment. Holly let out a quiet chuckle and began smearing butter along the slices of bread. “I didn’t know you didn’t know how to cook, but I suppose that makes sense.”

She hummed under her breath, and as she finished the beginning stages of her grilled cheese, she set the butter coated bread down and turned to

reply, but nothing came out. Surprise unfurled across my face, lifting my eyebrows, and reddening my

you see this in a

pick up while I’m awake.” Unblinking, she hit me with a look that made

skepticism that bled into my voice, along with the kernel of hope that she was being truthful. “Even if it

than pissed at me, but I’d risk everything-right down to our bond

Lola.” She reassured me with a small half-smile, but it was her knowing tone that struck me

I said, “…I

wasn’t surprise that morphed her heart-shaped face and lifted her soft eyebrows but

normal to some people, I could tell there

night work for you? I need the day to gather the supplies and study the spell book I have.” I told her, leaving out the part

group he’d assembled would make it to the borders of the deserted pack by tomorrow night, but only if

don’t tell Tristan-” I began but was cut off by the front

Vampire asked, his pale eyes washing over my face before flitting to Holly’s. They had lingered on the marks on my neck for a fraction of a second, and I ignored the slight pull I felt in his

said in her sing-song voice, closing her eyes as

girl’s night…” He grunted, his sandy eyebrows gnashing

be so sour, it’s not that bad.” I snorted on impulse, rolling my eyes at the grim expression on his face. The Vamp had brooding down to

going to be at her house, Tristan. What better way to finally leave the house than to visit my sister’s?” Holly scolded him, but it was almost playful how she laughed and tugged the package of cheese out

on where she was going with this, but before I could play along I had to s*****w the nervousness I felt when realizing