Alpha Asher By Jane Doe
Chapter 62

Read Alpha Asher [by Jane Doe] Chapter 61 — I promised Luna Freya I would speak to Alpha Asherabout Brittany before the day ended. It was just another thing on my already full plate. I couldn'tignore the look of concern in Luna Freya's eyes, nor the fear she felt for her own daughter. I fullybelieved Luna Freya had faith in her daughter, but I remained rightfully suspicious. The last time Ihad met Brittany, she knew about the Vampire's they worked with. While she could have found outlater on, my suspicion remained intact.

I met up with Mason and Breyona outside of the training building. The moment I stepped outside;their eyes were locked on me. Concern and curiosity filled their gaze's and I knew what they wouldask before their lips parted.

"What did Luna Freya want with you?” Mason was the first to ask, his light-colored eyes filled withinnocent curiosity.

My gaze flickered to Breyona, her eyes holding the same emotion. The two of them looked muchlike myself. Hair messy and face's red from training, but wearing clean clothes. Breyona looked alittle more worried than usual, but it seemed the entire pack was on edge.

There hadn't been another m****r since Kanyon, and I hoped he would be the last. Alpha Bran,Alpha Zeke, and Luna Freya each brought a handful of men with them. Their men added to our ownpatrol, increasing security around our small town. I doubted the Vampire's would strike with theadded security, but it was best to always stay on guard. They had slipped through our defensesbefore, certainly they could again.

I debated telling Mason and Breyona the truth. I had already trusted the two of them with so muchand felt guilty keeping this bit of information from them. I decided to tell them about Luna Freyaand her daughter, desperate for another opinion on the matter.

“I'll tell you at your house.” My eyes were set on Breyona. She shifted to her other foot, confusionfilling her eyes. “I need to see that book your Mom showed me.”

“Alright.” Breyona nodded, “She won't be home for another half hour. She's already curious aboutyour sudden interest in Vampire's, asking a second time will make her suspicious.”

“That works for me.” I nodded, “I'm not sure Alpha Asher wants everything out in the open rightnow.”

Alpha Asher had been honest with everyone in the pack. They knew the a****k had something to dowith Vampires, but hadn't a clue of the severity of the situation. I could tell Alpha Asher hatedkeeping everyone in the dark, but he had to prevent panic from rising. Everyone was already onedge, but panic would lead to chaos.

The three of us headed to Breyona's house. Her parents were teaching extra classes at the localcollege, but Breyona was used to living in a near-empty house. Her Mom and Dad both held astrong love for History. Their interests weren't designated to a specific species. Vampire, Werewolf,Human, they were interested in all.

“It's on her special bookshelf. Give me a minute.” Breyona huffed with an exasperated eyeroll"Special bookshelf?” Mason snorted, plopping down on the antique looking couch. “Who has aspecial bookshelf?”

“My parents do.” Breyona grimaced, the large book in her hands. “It's where they keep all of theirimportant texts and artifacts. They don't like me touching it, so this stays between us three.”

“How priceless can a book be?” Mason raised his eyebrow at Breyona, but she merely shook herhead.

“My parents have enough books and artifacts to fill a small museum.” Breyona chuckled dryly as shesat beside me on the couch.

l ignored the two of them as they began full-scale bickering. My fingers ran against the jaggedpages, faded and stained with age. The book itself smelled old and musty, looking as though itwould crumble to dust at any moment. The repairs Breyona's parents had made to the book were allthat kept it from falling apart. A grimace formed on my face as I reread the information.

“Did you expect it to change?’ Maya chuckled humorlessly, “It says the same thing as before."

I'm part of the Kouritis bloodline—we know that much.’ I frowned, discomfort filling me as therealization hit.

“Which is why the shadows answer to you.’ Maya grimaced, recoiling at the idea

“Did you replace what you're looking for?” Breyona frowned, her full lips puckered as though shewanted to say more. Something troubling flashed in her eyes, gone before I could look any further.“Not really.” I sighed, closing the book gently. “Only reaffirming what I already know.”

“What are you looking for, Lola?” Breyona grimaced, “Did something happen?”

If only you knew, I wanted to say. While I wasn't sure I wanted to mention my trip to visit theVampire King, I needed to give her something.

Instead of mentioning my visit, I told them about my fight with Alpha Bran. From the shock on theirfaces, neither of them had noticed anything strange that night. Only Alpha Asher had seen thegathering shadows, had felt the cold chill rush against his skin. Part of me wondered if my Grandmahad seen the same, that would explain the sour expression on her face. Grandma wasn't one to missthings, she had the uncanny ability to see through people. I wouldn't be surprised if she saw exactlywhat happened that night.

"So, you can control shadows?” Mason gaped, his eyes wide with a renewed sense of curiosity. “Likesome kind of superpower?”

“Not everything is about superheroes.” Breyona rolled her eyes.

"Well excuse me for trying to lighten the mood.” Mason narrowed his eyes at Breyona, who in turnscoffed.

“I wish it was like a super power.” I chuckled lowly, “It feels a lot darker than that.”

“I wonder if you can also get into people's minds—like that one Vampire did to you.” Breyonahesitated, not wanting to speak Tristan’s name. If only she knew the mere mention of Tristan send ashard of longing piercing within me, one I ferociously fought against.

"She's part of the Kouritis bloodline—but she’s not a pureblooded Vampire.” Mason pointed out,earning a surprised look from Breyona and I.

“I hadn“t thought of that.” Breyona frowned, “So I guess you can't get into people's minds.”

“I can live without that.” I chuckled dryly as I remembered what it felt like to have my mind invaded,“I don't think anyone should have that kind of power.”

I told the two of them what I heard that night, and how the shadows had fed from the blood leavingmy ankle. Today, the cut on my ankle was nothing more than a pink line but the searing pain thatrushed through me would linger in my mind forever. The pain I had felt as the shadows fed from myblood was horrifying, so cold it almost felt hot.

“You have to pay for their services?” Breyona shifted uncomfortably, “That sounds kind ofdangerous.”

“It does, doesn't it?” My face mirrored her own. Slowly, Mason's curious gaze faltered and turnedinto one of worry.

“I wouldn't use a gift like that.” Breyona shook her head, her short hair bouncing from themovement. “It doesn't sound like a gift at all.”

"A gift you have to pay for in blood.” Mason added in, a frown forming on his boy-ish face.

“The bigger the request, the higher the price.” I recited the words my Father had spoken last night.“Like more blood?” Mason frowned, “What do shadows need blood for?”

“I'm thinking the price isn't just about blood.” Breyona frowned, “To me, a high price would besomeone's life.”

“I wouldn't be surprised if they asked for that.” I murmured, “I don’t plan on using that—gift again.”I silently promised myself to keep far from the shadows. The power to control them felt dark andalluring, a power I could see myself yielding completely to. The power was tempting, a soft caressagainst my cheek. I could see myself using this power, giving into it completely. It was a temptingidea, to use the shadows against my own Father. What price would they command if I asked for hisd***h? For the deaths of the Vampires against us? The idea's that crossed my thoughts sent an icychill down my spine.

“Is that why you wanted to see the book again?” Breyona frowned, another hidden flash ghostingpast her almond shaped eyes.

“I wanted to see if anything else fit, now that I know more.” I sighed, “I really want to know aboutthis stupid mark on my skin.”

Breyona hesitated, clearly debating on whether she should say something or not. Her eyes werepained, her lips pressed tightly together.

“My Mom has a secret stash of books; one’s she won't let me see.” Breyona spoke the words quietly,as though her Mom were hiding in the walls listening to our conversation. “I was thinking aboutreplaceing them—to help you, of course. They might have more information about Vampires.”

I couldn't help but linger on Breyona’s words. She had clearly thought of these books long before Imentioned my heritage, but decided not to speak on it. I couldn't shake the feeling she had her ownreason for wanting those books.

"Would you be able to replace them?” I frowned, my eyes sparking with interest.

“I already know where they are.” Breyona's eyes flickered to the hallway in her house. “Locked in asafe, that's how important they are. She'd k**I me if she ever found out I touched them.”

“Can you get into the safe?” I pressed, “Can I see them now?”

“Not now.” Breyona shook her head, her eyes glancing to the large clock on the wall. “Mom will behome in ten minutes. We can get them tomorrow after training, her and Dad have tons of lecturestomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.” My stomach twisted into knots at the thought of learning more.

“I can't promise they'll have anything about Vampires.” Breyona frowned, “But it's the only place Iknow to look.”

“It's a start.” I nodded, “Your Mom keeps those books hidden for a reason, let's hope it helps.”Breyona had tucked away the old book before her Mom came home. The three of us stayed on thecouch, our faces lighting up with innocence as her Mom walked through the door.

“Where's Dad?" Breyona quipped calmly, tucking a strand of her light-colored hair behind her ear."A student needed his help with their presentation, he'll be home in an hour or so.” Breyona's Momshot the three of us a smile, one that said she was glad it wasn't her staying behind at work.Breyona's Mom offered to cook the three of us dinner, to which we wholeheartedly refused.Breyona's Mom couldn't cook to save her life, and had given up many years ago. The three of usmade sandwiches, eating them in silence. While I wanted to continue talking about my complicatedlineage, I couldn't do so in front of her Mom. My fingers were practically twitching at the thought ofgetting my hands on those books.