Alpha Asher By Jane Doe

Chapter 147 – “Sacrifices…” I said for the third time, narrowing my eyes as I followed the curvy backroad in the new car Asher reluctantly loaned me.

“The red-haired witch, doesn’t she know how to do blood-magic?” Mason asked, refusing to let me stew in silence. “She really can’t think of a reason for these… sacrifices?”

I hated having control over Holly’s life. Making decisions for her, forcing her to see a therapist, it made me feel like she was a prisoner and not part of the pack. I didn’t want to make her feel how our father did, like pretty bird shoved into a cage, left to rot as it sang itself to d***h.

Only one other person truly knew how I felt, and it was Tristan. The sour vampire seemed like the only person able to get through to Holly. It made me feel marginally better that Tristan and I agreed on one thing vehemently. The soft-spoken, raven-haired girl I now called my sister could never, ever meet the woman that birthed her-the world’s most powerful blood-witch and the one coming for my head.

My thoughts drifted to Lars and those scuffed boots of his. At one point I’d been positive he had something to do with all of this, but now I wasn’t sure. The more I let my mind wander, the easier it was to convince myself that it wasn’t his specific pair of boots I had seen.

A jolt shot down my spine, electrifying my nerves as it forced my attention back onto the road.

I’d been following a sharp curve when a figure darted out of a cut in the forest. My heart seized in my chest as I yanked the wheel to the side and sent us careening out of the way. Instinctively, I slammed my foot into the brake which sent Mason and I flying forwards.

Panic lodged itself in my throat, growing larger until only a sliver of oxygen could pass through. Lars’s hand froze mid-wave from where he stood on the shoulder.

Even though my heart still raced from shock, he hadn’t caused the emotion currently choking me. For a split-second, day was replaced by night. There was no Mason by my side, no help or rescue on the way, yet I wasn’t alone. Only those scuffed boots kept me company, but they were also the countdown to my d***h.

“Are you alright, Lola?” Mason asked, his voice low. The sound of his concern sucked me right out of my thoughts.

“I am really beginning to hate driving.” I replied through clenched teeth, tightening my grip on the steering wheel to keep my hands from trembling.

It took every ounce of patience within me not to jump out of the car and strangle Lars. What mostly stopped me was the lingering thought that he could somehow be involved.

“D**n, Luna. You tryin’ to k**l me?” Lars asked, his arm resting on the roof of the car.

a hint of

doing

his usual charming grin. “I got a buddy just inside town whose got a shop, he can put my bike in his truck. I’ll be forever indebted to you if you give

make me want

a less than effective pout, I started to roll the window

behave!” He held his hands up in surrender. “I promise, just give me

the d**n car,

his arms draped across the backseat like we were his personal chauffeurs. The voice of curiosity in my head, which sounded suspiciously like Maya, poked and prodded me with all the questions that needed answering. The

in my voice

buddy I mentioned has some property. He lets me park my camper there.”

torn up

assumption; one I knew was spot on when he scoffed and took it

time and money I put into her, you’d understand. Some of those parts took months to come in, and I’m still paying them off. She’s in perfect shape…makes no sense why the engine seized.” He grumbled, but I was only half listening because Asher’s deep voice began to rumble

the tapes, and there’s something you need to see. If you’ve got a minute, I need you to scan through what I watched. There was a witness, someone walking down the block, but that’s not all-its easier if you see for yourself. The picture wasn’t the greatest, but it’s not anyone I recognized. Before we release the image to the public, I want another set of eyes

followed the directions Lars provided until I turned down a narrow dirt road that

here the guy had just about every other mode of transportation sitting around the barn. There was nearly a dozen rusted cars, a few street bikes, and even a four-wheeler or two. I even spotted a tractor trailer that had seen better days. What I didn’t see was the camper Lars

you parked

Last couple of nights I’ve been camping in the woods.” He nodded at the barn. “You can

and peered through Mason’s open window. I couldn’t tell if the smile that tugged on his lips was sinister or if he was just

for the ride, Luna.”

his jeans, he whistled a tune under his breath and headed in the direction of the barn. It replayed itself in my head while the scent of dirt and machine

you are.’ I mind-linked Asher, steering the car onto the shoulder

my head, I closed my eyes and allowed