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.”

truthfully I prefer human food.” 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 meet my stare. Her nails drummed across the countertop softly. “There’s something you want to do, but you’re feeling guilty about it. I can’t tell anything else, other than it has to do

expecting my brain to catch up and formulate a reply, but nothing

this in a

lovely, it’s been easier to use my magic. The less nightmares I have, the more I seem to pick up while I’m awake.” Unblinking, she hit me with a look that made me wonder what exactly went on in that head of hers. “You can ask me for help,

me?”‘ I couldn’t help the surprise and skepticism that bled into my voice, along with the kernel

everything-right down to our bond if it

me with a small half-smile, but it was

back a wave of indecision I said, “…I want to put a protection spell

surprise that morphed her heart-shaped face and lifted her soft

and while the gesture would’ve seemed normal to some people, I could tell there was an eagerness within it that hadn’t been there

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

mate and the group he’d assembled would make it to the borders of the deserted pack by tomorrow

tell Tristan-” I began but was cut off by the front door swinging open, followed by the scent

had lingered on

I are going to have a girl’s night tomorrow, isn’t that wonderful Tristan?” Holly said in her sing-song voice, closing her eyes as

gnashing together as

the grim expression on his face. The Vamp had

but it was almost playful how she laughed and tugged the package of cheese

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