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 amusement on my

are you doing here, Lars?”

He shook his head, and I was surprised to see he looked a bit pained. A second later the emotion vanished, replaced by 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

me

less than effective pout, I started to roll the

up in surrender. “I promise, just give me

the d**n car,

five minutes were quiet, but there was a tension building that I swore I wasn’t imaging. Lars seemed completely at ease; 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 feeling became so overwhelming that there was no stopping myself from asking the first and least suspicious thing

out here?” There was just the right amount of disinterest in my voice to make it seem like I was

property. He lets me park my camper there.” He replied, watching the passing evergreens through the

up over

spot on when he scoffed and

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

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

the directions Lars provided until I

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

thought you said you

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

his lips was sinister or if he was just trying to flirt again. Either way it did nothing to quell the bad feeling brewing in

the ride, Luna.” He

the direction of the barn. It replayed itself in my head while the scent of dirt and machine oil clung to my nose. Even with the windows

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

closed my eyes and allowed myself to slip into