Alpha Asher By Jane Doe
Chapter 119

Chapter 119 — “You're sure?” I asked Mason, my irritation increasing with each missing piece thrustin front of my face.

Mason met Asher and I on our way to Carson's parent's house, My stomach was rumbling from thelack of food, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep anything down if I tried. Just the thought of facingthe shattered remains of her family, it left my nerves frayed and exposed.

He nodded, just as perplexed. “Positive. Not only was Carson the only one with access to thesorority’s social media account, but the picture was also posted from her phone.”

“Thanks, Mason.” I sighed, feeling that familiar pang of guilt as I looked into his mossy hazel eyes.Asher’s phone began to ring. He frowned at the screen and turned away, placing the phone againsthis ear. The voice on the other end was muffled, but it was Mason I had my attention on.

“Don't feel bad, Lola. We've both been busy these last two weeks.” His easygoing smile gave mesome reassurance, but not much. “Once you start your training back up, we'll see more of eachother.”

"How has training been going?” I asked, feeling a little more lighthearted when some of the sparkreturned to his eyes.

“It's harsher here in the capital. Your mate was going easy on us back then, y'know?” He grinned,and it was impossible not to smile back. Even with my stomach full of dread, Maya and I were bothexcited to keep up with our warrior training. He got into the Chevy Asher loaned him and chuckled,"Give me a call when you're ready to join. There's still some empty slots left, not that it matters sinceyou're Luna and all.”

Facing Carson's parents, it was a sign of respect and something we were expected to do as Lunaand Alpha. It was the circumstance and cause of d***h that soured things, which made my hearthammer mercilessly as we climbed the cement steps of Carson's family home.

I wouldn't run, even if the cowardly voice in my head begged me to do so.

I could feel pieces of myself, of the carefully constructed facade I had erected, cracking andchipping away as I looked -saw the hole that had been torn through her family, and through theirlives.

Her parents were respectful and gracious to Asher and me, who had a hand in their daughter'sd***h, no matter how removed that hand might be. The grief in their eyes and hearts radiated fromevery pore, filling the house until the air was thick and heavy. Sounds were deeper, scents richer.

I couldn't smile this time, knowing how flimsy and fake it would look. These people, who held piecesof their daughter within their chestnut hair, pale eyes, full lips, and dimpled cheeks-they would seeright through it. Parents cursed with losing a child, they knew what fake smiles looked like.

The photos that lined the walls, framed in thick wood and covered in streak-free glass. Smiles andbright eyes, young baby -like faces that slimmed and lengthened with age. Missing teeth becamefull, toddler bob-cuts grew into long curls. They were whispers and echoes of the past carriedthroughout the future.

I stared at the last family photograph on the wall until my eyes grew painfully dry.

These walls showed the lives of Carson and her younger sister, showed them grow and mature overthe years. Carson, in her high-school graduation gown and her sister, wearing a dress of pink tulle.There would be no college graduation, no mate or grandchildren appearing in the family photos,tracking the milestones of their lives.

I wanted to apologize for their loss, but I knew once the words escaped, they'd bounce from pictureto picture until they too faded. Instead, I channeled the kindling of rage that had ignited themoment I saw her body. I let it smooth out the cracks and bumps of emotion in my voice until Isounded as harsh and unforgiving as a Luna should. Instead of promising vengeance, I promisedclosure.

I swallowed the emotion from my voice and sucked in another greedy gulp of fresh air, “why wouldthe k****r post that photo of Carson and I?” I asked Asher on our drive to the house the witcheswere staying at.

He said nothing about how I'd been fighting tears for the last fifteen minutes, and instead gave metime to sort through the hurricane in my head. The steady rhythm of his hand along my t***hsoothed the rain and harsh winds into something gentler.

He was reluctant to leave me there alone, especially since there was no solid way to vet Rowena orCordelia. All we had to go on was my illusive gut feelings and Holly's nightmares that she rarelytalked about. Asher's suspicion made him unnaturally careful. It's part of what makes him anincredible Alpha, but allowing two witches onto his land, within close proximity of his mate-therewas so much out of his control.

“To create chaos.” Asher grunted; his thick fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel. Justthe sight of him, tense and rough in all the right places, it took away some of the anxiety that mademy throat ache. “People like Carson's parents, they respect our family. No matter what they're goingthrough, they trust us to have their best interests in mind. We take care of our own, but that doesn'tmean everyone's on board.”

"We have to contain this, before anyone else is k****d.” I accepted every bit of strength Asher couldgive me, and let it chase away the chill of the shadows that were never far from reach, reminding methere was always another way.

We pulled into the curved driveway, stopping a few feet short of the two-car garage. I noticed ahead of glossy auburn hair, like rubies in the sunlight, from up on the porch.

“Anything happens, you call or mind link.” Asher’s stern voice made my stomach flutter and broughta smile twitching at the corners of my lips.

I held it back as best I could and leaned towards him. He made no movements as I brushed my lipsagainst his, once and then twice, savoring the clash of sparks that tickled my skin.

“I thought you Alphas were used to taking risks.” I peered into his toffee colored eyes, mesmerizedby the shimmer of gold in their depths.

"You're worth too much to risk.” His voice was sincere but held a hint of darkness made it growdeep.

That possessive glint in his eyes, for a moment I swore he contemplated locking the doors andspeeding away, giving into those instincts that told him to protect at all costs. He knew I'd fight,though. That there was no way in h**I he could control me, and even though it infuriated him, it waswhat kept us clawing at one another.

“Your mate struggles to control his instincts.” Rowena said in a voice void of judgement. I couldsmell the lavender wafting from the cup of tea in her hands and noticed a few small buds floatingon the surface. She looked up at me from where she sat on the porch, reclined on the plush cushionof a wicker bench. “It's what sets him apart-what makes him a ferocious Alpha, but it is alsoweakness.”

“Weakness? How is it weakness?”

“His need to claim and protect. Too much can interfere with fate, and fate...she rarely likes to bemeddled with.” Rowena shook her head, chasing the momentary fog from her emerald eyes.

She stood and smoothed out the form fitting dress she wore, which was cinched at the waist with athin belt and ended just above her knees. With the sleek heels and updo, she looked nothing likethe pre school teacher I had imagined.

I followed her through the front door, catching a strong whiff of dried herbs and petals. Nearly adozen bundles sat on the kitchen table, bound in frayed twine. It gave the house a sweet scent withan earthy undertone.

Rowena passed the living room and kitchen, venturing down a short hallway to where the den was.Bookshelves lined the walls, circling an oak desk stacked with old looking texts. The window seatwith its dainty throw pillows and the armchair with it's clawed feet were the only comforting thingsin the room

“He knows he can't protect me from everything.” I assured her.

Trusting Asher was second nature, and while he'd do everything possible to keep me alive, onlytogether could we protect the pack.

“I'm sure he does.” The worry faded from her eyes, and her nude painted lips tilted up in a relievedsmile. “I apologize... the young girl's d***h has me a bit shaken up. It's taken some time for theseverity of the situation to sink in.”

“I understand this isn't what you signed up for-*

“Training two young witches is exactly what I signed up for, regardless of everything else going on.”Rowena waved a hand dismissively, turning away just as the door swung shut.

There was nothing connecting her motion to the door closing, and yet I knew it was magic she hadused. I could feel it's gentle charge in the air, almost untraceable as it fizzled out ever so quickly.

“In time, doing trivial things like that will become second nature.” She explained, directing metowards the armchair. “For now, let's see what I can learn about your magic.”

Her hands were cold and steady as they sought out my own, “Witches naturally have a betterintuition than most, but our skill still varies. Most of us get feelings through touch, but the rare fewcan pick up bits of information.”

“Can you do that?” I asked, forcing the unease far from my eyes, shoving it down where it couldn'tbe seen.

“Really, it's not as ominous as I'm making it out to be.” Her laughter was light, making her shouldersgently shake. “Every witches energy is different. By holding your hands, I'm able to seek out thatenergy with my own. First lesson, this particular trick is a form of passive magic. It happens on itsown without my control or say. Active magic requires concentration and intent.”

“Like what you did with the door.” I commented, glancing across the room.

“Exactly.” She nodded, sounding just as a proud teacher would. Her manicured nails rested alongmy hands, “this might take a few seconds, maybe even a minute or two. I've never tried to get aread on a Luna or Vampire Queen.”

I watched and waited as Rowena closed her eyes. The golden light trickling through the partedc******s made the highlighter across her cheekbones and eyelids sparkle. I had to admit, I wasexpecting a zap or tingle. Something like the foreign rush that was actual magic. It reminded me ofshifting, letting this wild energy burst free. There was nothing, not the faintest whisper of magic northe slightest movement beyond the protective boundaries of my mind

As Rowena's confident smile lessened, morphing into a confused frown, I felt my expectations fall.“Well, that's certainly odd. There's something different about your magic, which I'd assume wasobvious since you're the first tribrid in existence.” She sighed, though not in defeat. “I have a fewwitch friends. I can make a few calls, see what they can replace out through the grapevine. If there'sanything you know about your heritage, even if it seems useless or obscure, please make me aware.Even the smallest bit of information can be useful.”

The name Renaldi danced on my tongue when the weight of a freight train forced the air from mylungs. The gut feeling was more like a punch in the face, but its message was well received. Forwhatever reason, my witchy intuition was telling me to keep my mouth shut.