Alpha Asher By Jane Doe
Chapter 98

One week-one entire week of planning out escape routes, defensive strategies, and safeevacuations. Getting through the week, knowing Lola was in constant danger, was the hardest thingI had endured since becoming Alpha. Each minute I felt the absence of the mind-link between us,was another minute I became closer to losing my sh*t.

The day Lola turned herself over to her father, Zeke found me in my office. Most of the furniture wasdestroyed, scattered along the room with shreds of paperwork. None of it mattered. Not thepaperwork detailing potential treaties and alliances, nor the computer-which held countless emailsbetween other Alpha's in need of assistance. Zeke was the only one I told, the only person otherthan my Beta and Lola, who had my full trust. Zeke and my Beta managed to gain my attention,setting me straight before I leveled the house. There was nothing I could do at this point, butprepare for the inevitable. Lola had her mission, and I had mine.

In between scouting safe places for the townspeople to evacuate to, I took the time to break thenews to Lola's family. Lola had asked that I told them the truth once she was far away, as shealready knew how her Dad would react. Her Dad turned an interesting shade of red, undoubtedlyfeeling the same helpless anger I felt. Sean placed a hand on his Dad's shoulder, keeping him sittingin the recliner.

"You let her turn herself in?” Lola's Dad sputtered, the red in his face spread down to his neck."What kind of f**king mate are you? Do you have any regard for my daughter's life?”

“Calm down.” Lola's Grandma snapped, silencing her son with a harsh look.

Lola's Grandma reminded me of my Aunt Kira. Quick to step into an argument, but also quick toshut it down. I learned from Lola that her Grandma had an uncanny ability to sniff out bullsh*t andlies. She reminded me of someone I had once met, someone I had long forgotten. It was a briefencounter, but the woman looked eerily similar to Lola's Grandma. There was no way I had metLola's Grandma before. Lola told me her Grandma lived in a small cottage in the forest, hundreds ofmiles away. The woman I had met was in my hometown, two days journey from where I stood.Regardless, I couldn't help but briefly wonder if Lola's Grandma had any relation to the stranger Imet-the one who knew too much.

“You're sticking up for him?” Lola's Dad scoffed, “He let Lola go, Ma. Let her walk into the enemy'shands. Do you have any idea what they could do to her-what he could do to her?”

“I know very well what could happen, not that I need to remind you.” Lola's Grandma scolded herson. “Since when have we been able to stop Lola from doing anything? What makes you think herown mate could control her?”

That got Lola's Dad to quiet down. Some of the redness faded from his face, and he let out anirritated grunt. Lola's Grandma flashed me a smile, but I couldn't miss the pride burning in her eyes.She knew what Lola had sacrificed. She knew why Lola had left, even though no one had told her.Seeing the pride and absolute trust in her Grandma's eyes solidified my own strength. I trusted Lola,and there was no one else better equip to help us all-to help rule this pack at my side.

I spent my days neck deep in work, never once taking a break for myself. Any time I had for myselfwas spent thinking of Lola, searching down the length of our ironclad bond for any whisper of hervoice. Each day without her, rattled my insides, making me realize how much I had come to dependon her. I promised myself, the day I got her home, I would name her Luna and complete theceremony at her side. I wouldn't stop until my people, and my mate, were safe.

Breyona and Giovanni made it back onto pack territory shortly after Lola's surrender. I was surprisedher Father had actually lived up to his word, as I had no expectations when it came to him. Giovanniand Breyona hid in her Aunt's old house, giving me a call when they had made it safely. The packwas still unaware of Giovanni's presence, a problem I would face when Lola was safe and by my side.Anger pulsed through me when Giovanni could give me no information on their whereabouts. Thesooner I could get Lola out of there, the better. Giovanni insisted her Father had changed locationsas soon as he heard of his betrayal. While he couldn't give me Lola's current location, he did giveme the location of their previous base.

Hope blossomed in my chest when Lola flooded my mind one night. I couldn't hear her voice, but Icould feel her lingering in my mind. It was the first time I had felt Lola since she turned herself in toher Father. I sat upright in bed; my eyes wide as I scanned the dark. Absentmindedly, my handwandered to her side of the bed, and I swore I could feel her right beside me.

My wolf snarled in outrage when I heard they had put silver cuffs around her wrists, though Iexpected nothing less. I cleared the overwhelming anger and worry from my mind and focused onwhat Lola was saying. Another act that was unbearably hard. All I wanted to do was soothe her pain,the anxiety I felt radiating down the bond. She was safe, for now-that was what mattered. Theinformation she gave me would be the tipping point of this battle, it would change everything. Icould only pray that her Father's plans hadn't changed.

Two days wasn't much time to evacuate the town and surrounding land, but it was enough. I put outthe mind-link immediately, telling every non-warrior family to begin leaving. I had all of the familiesin town pack their most important belongings days ago, hoping to speed up the process duringevacuation. I hauled myself from bed and threw on a t-shirt and some jeans, knowing tonight Iwould go without sleep. Zeke and my Beta appeared in the kitchen a few minutes later, looking asruffled and tired as I did. Zeke, Bran, and my Beta attended to many of the families leaving, andhelped those who stayed behind wishing to fight. I found myself heading over to Lola's Dad'shouse, determined to get them far from the fight. Lola would never forgive me if I let her stubbornDad stay in the pack. Unsurprisingly, her Grandma managed to convince her Dad to leave, whileSean stayed behind. After a stern conversation with Lola's Dad, telling me to protect his son anddaughter, they left the house.

The town was all but vacant when the sun began to rise. The only people left in town were warriors,dispersed between houses and hotels. I gathered everyone to the Northern side of town, leaving asmall group behind to a****k from the back. The small group would remain hidden until theVampire King's troops arrived, and until the fight began. I found myself walking the nearly desertedstreets, marveling at the dreadful silence that filled the town. Even without the many families thatlived here, the entire town was holding its breath. The houses and stores, the offices and schools-itwas all waiting, waiting to see the outcome. Would these buildings still be standing after this fight?Would the town and its rich history be preserved if we lost? What of the families who spentcountless generations in this town? What would they come back to if we lost?

What ate at me the most, was knowing I would be the one to give the final call. All of those familieswould be waiting, waiting for the outcome of this battle. I would be the one to tell them if we wonor lost. I could only hope, that if we lost, I could get the message out before I died.

Just as the sun settled in the sky, I called out to Sean and Mason, telling them to meet me at thepack house. I wanted nothing more than to leave this pack, to head to the location Lola gave meand storm the d**n warehouse. My muscles were tense, my body rigid, as I fought the urge toreclaim what was mine. As much as I hated it, Lola was right. The pack needed their Alpha fightingby their side. I wouldn't make the same decision Tyler made. If my pack were to d*e, I would standwith them until the end, and I knew Lola would do the same. Heeding Lola's words, I sent a group ofmy most talented warriors to her aid. I sent Sean and Mason as well, giving Lola familiar faces. Iwasn't sure what she had endured during her time with her Father, but I could only hope Sean andMason would remind her of what awaited.

Once the sun began to dip in the sky, most of the warriors headed to the Northern side of town.There was a small grassy area just outside of the forest line, and I hoped we could keep the brunt ofthe fight there. The least amount of damage to the town, the better. Apart from quiet murmurs, athick sense of foreboding lingered in the air. It felt like the entire town was holding its breath. Eachempty house, school, and store were waiting-waiting to see if they'd still be standing comemorning. I had sent a small group of scouts into the forest, telling them to remain hidden at allcosts. Their job was solely to alert us when the Vampire King's forces trudged through the forest.An hour after arriving at the battle site, Sean and Mason mind-linked me.

“We've got her, Alpha.’ Sean spoke through the mind-link, and I let out a long breath I didn’t know Ihad been holding. The tension from this week left my shoulders, making me feel lighter. Thesensation was short lived as Mason chimed in, his voice thick with suspicion and irritation.

“There's been a change of plans.” Mason grunted, “She's making us take Tristan with her, and somegirl she’s calling her sister.’

A ripple of anger pulsed through me at the mention of the Vampire's name. Tristan had donenothing but attempt to weasel his way into Lola's heart-and pants, all while working for her Father. Imight not have deserved Lola, but Tristan was far from ever being worthy of her.

“If we can't trust our mate, who can we trust?’ My wolf chimed in. Usually, my wolf was quick toanger, but the trust he held in Lola was unbreakable. As much as he hated Tristan, he trusted thatLola made the right decision.

Gritting my teeth together until my jaw ached, I stifled the anger that pulsed through me. I had amillion and one questions running through my mind, none of which I could have answered at themoment. If we lived, I'd get those answers. I had a sneaking suspicion Lola's information came fromTristan, and wondered what side the Vampire had finally chosen. If the information he gave Lola waswrong, and this was all a set up, I would make it my mission to end his life first.

Trust Lola, Mason.’ I hardened my voice, but refrained from using an Alpha command. I had neverneeded to use one before, and I wasn't planning on it now. Taking away someone's free will was agood way to lose their loyalty.

Before I could say more, I felt the flicker of the bond in my mind. Lola's presence was faint, but Icould feel it. After a week of feeling nothing on her end, I could detect even the faintest trace ofLola in my mind. The memory of her scent wrapped around me, chasing away every emotion otherthan grim determination. We would see each other again, after this battle was won.

“Lola! Lola, are you there? I called out to her, willing the bond to strengthen, willing her to heal fromthe silver that blocked out connection. “I can feel you. The bond-it's faint, but I can feel it.’

Another voice echoed through my mind, one that made my muscles tense and my wolf snarl. Thescouts I had sent into the forest had news. The Vampires were coming, heading from the North, justas Lola had said

“We see them, Alpha.’ One of the warrior’s voices flooded my head, pushing Lola's to the side. “Threeminutes away.’

The small group of warriors I had sent into town confirmed the same. The Vampire King's troopswere on the move, pushing through town and heading North. What interested me the most, wasthat one of the warriors swore they saw the Vampire King in the midst of his own troops. Thewarrior wasn't certain, as he had never seen the man in person before, but noted how the otherVampire's seemed to form a barrier around the man-deeming him important.

“Circle around and come back here. I don't want any of you getting stuck behind them.’ I told thewarrior, and ended the mind-link.

I'm here! Asher, I'm here!’ She called out after a few moments of silence. Her voice was quiet, likeshe was shouting down a long hallway, but it still managed to make my stomach clench and myheart flutter. “Did something happen? What's wrong?’

“Everyone was evacuated safely.’ I told her, “Wherever you got your information from, they wereright. Your Father's men came from the North. The rest are moving through town, trying to ambushus. They're here, Lola. The war is starting.’

I had seen many battles as a teenager, and as a young Alpha-but I had never seen war. The secondthe Vampires cleared the forest line; all h**I broke loose. I had just a split second to watch therealization dawn in the Vampires eyes before they all charged forward, a sea of dark clothing andthe sly glint of a silver blade.

The sound of torn clothing filled the air as many of the warriors shifted into their wolf forms. Somedecided to stay in human form until the last moment, while others shifted and barreled into theVampire's. As the Werewolves and Vampire's clashed on the feild, the sound rang out into the night.I locked eyes with Zeke, who was normally care-free and playful, but held a similar look ofdetermination on his face. I called my wolf forward, and within seconds, was on four feet. Shiftinghad always come naturally for me, even during my first time. I locked eyes with Zeke's wolf, and anunspoken understanding settled over us. We'd go where the fight was at its worst, the thickest andbloodiest part.

Time seemed to slow as Zeke and I barreled through the crowd, dodging Werewolves and slashingat Vampires. Zeke let out a howl as his claws slashed through the chest and neck of a Vampire,nearly severing its head. The sharp tang of blood filled the air within seconds, and each Werewolfbody littering the ground was a wound in my chest.

“Asher? Lola's voice filled my mind, bringing on a wave of strength that pushed me through a groupof Vampires that had huddled together. “Where are you?’

I groaned inwardly, but I had expected as much. Some small part of me hoped Lola would havesome sense and seek shelter with Breyona and Giovanni. Somehow, I knew she would come andfight. She wouldn't leave my side, just as I wouldn't leave hers. It filled me with both love andirritation.

“In the middle of it all, where else?’ I smirked, my heart stuttering at the sound of her distant giggle.While fighting and watching Zeke's back, I spotted Lola barreling through the crowd. I had given hersh*t in the beginning, but I found myself in awe of how she moved. Her wolf was larger than most,but held a sort of grace that most lacked. She was an expert at evading an a****k, and missed theswipe of a silver blade from countless Vampires. A chuckle ran through me as I remembered whenwe first met, and how frustrated she had been when we fought during training. We were equals,even from the beginning, just as it should be.

“Where's Breyona and Giovanni?’ She shouted through the mind-link, her bright eyes meeting myown. Lola rolled to the side, narrowly missing the swipe of a silver blade. “Are my Dad and Grandmasafe?’

“Breyona and Giovanni, at her Aunt's place. Your Dad put up a fight, but he’s far from town with yourGrandma.’ I replied, keeping my words short as two Vampire's lunged at me. One of the Vampire'swas larger than most humans, broad shoulders with thick, tree-trunk arms.

The large Vampire grinned at me, showing a set of b****y teeth. His companion was much smaller, afemale with an even happier look on her face. They were enjoying this, I found myself scoffing atthem both. I lunged at the big one first, determined to knock him off his feet. Even with theVampire's enhanced speed and strength, they were no match for me. Werewolves were strongerthan Vampire's, it was what kept us alive for thousands of years. Our animalistic side worked with us,supported us-while a Vampire's animalistic side controlled them, made them eternally bloodthirsty.As I dodged the smaller Vampire, I felt a silver blade graze my ankle. The pain was brief, and mywound healed fairly quickly. Little did they know, it would take more than a thin slice to bring mepain. I let out a dry laugh as I charged at the two Vampire's, feigning left and sinking my teeth intothe female's throat. I tossed her body aside and watched as the larger Vampire screamed in outrage.His b****y teeth gnashed together, while his dark eyes burned murderously. I couldn't muster up asingle ounce of guilt as I realized I had k****d the Vampire's mate. The loss made the Vampirefrantic, swiping wildly with the silver blade clutched in his meaty hand. It was all too easy to disarmhim, watching the knife become engulfed in the long tendrils of grass that spanned the field. As Isank my teeth into his neck, severing his head from his body, I sent him back into the arms of hismate.

As I turned on the nearest Vampire, a strange feeling came over me. Unbridled warmth flooded myveins along with a sickly feeling of panic. My eyes found Lola on their own, as if they knew thefeeling was coming from her. She was on the ground, writhing in the grass. Loud whines escapedher muzzle, and the hair on her body began to thin. She was going into heat, I realized. A snarlechoed through me, ringing out into the night, registering with every wolf nearby.

I charged forward, barreling through two Vampires who turned to a****k. I couldn't get to her intime, that much I knew. The two Vampire's I barreled into joined a third, and all three of themapproached me. As I fought against the three Vampire's, I noticed Mason protecting Lola, who hadshifted back into human form. She was b**e as she laid in the grass, her arms tightly wound aroundher torso. An echo of pain ran through me, along with a rush of longing so intense, it wavered myown concentration.

“We need to get her out of here.” My wolf snarled, “l won't be able to hold back for long.’

The urge to claim her was overwhelming, spurred on by the other wolves around us. Each onewould catch her scent; each one would fight at the chance to mate with her.

“Get her out of here, Sean.’ I snapped through the mind-link. Sean held Lola in his arms, movingthrough the crowd of Vampire's and Werewolves with wary eyes. “I can smell her from over here.Take her somewhere safe, just get her out of here.’

It took every ounce of my concentration not to snarl at the wolves glancing her way. Not only was Iworried about my mate, but I was also worried for the warriors in my pack. Lola would serve as adistraction, one that would cost many lives. It was best to get her out of here, to replace somewheresafe, despite what my instincts were telling me.

“Mason and Ethan, shield them both. I snarled, “Watch their backs until they get away.’

Mason and Ethan charged over, surrounding Sean as they moved through the battle field. I watchedas Ethan's wolf stiffened, baring its teeth at Sean and Mason. Before he could take a step forward, Ishouted through the mind-link. I used just a shred of my power as an Alpha, just enough to getthrough the haze that had become Ethans mind.

“Ethan, if you touch her-I f**king swear, I will k**I you." I promised, “Sean, take her to Breyona. She'llbe safe there.’

My words seemed to register in Ethan's mind, and his stiffened posture relaxed. Ethan threw himselfat a nearby Vampire, one that had noticed the small party moving through the crowd. I watched thetension leave each werewolf as Sean carried Lola off the battlefield and out of sight. The fightresumed at full force, the wolves ripping through Vampire's left and right. I turned my eyes awayfrom the werewolves that had fallen and pushed forward, stopping when I found who I was lookingfor.

Standing at the center of a circle of Vampire's, was Lola's Father. I couldn't be sure it was him, butwho else would the Vampire's protect so vehemently? His hair was the color of night, his eyes astartling shade of blue, just like Lola's. I could see her features mirrored in his face, and wonderedhow my beautiful mate had come from someone like that. The Vampire's that circled him tore downwolves left and right, all while keeping their King-their master, safe.

The Vampire King's crystal eyes locked on me, feeling my heated stare b**n into his skin. Aserpentine smile formed on his face, stretching the taught skin on his face. He was pale-horribly so,and his skin reminded me of old, worn leather. Somehow, he still managed to look young, but hiseyes burned with malicious intent.

Zeke stood close by, and I flashed him a hard look that I hoped he would understand. I noddedtowards the Vampire King, growling when Zeke nodded his head. I needed him to cover me, to helpme disable the Vampire's surrounding Lola's Father.

Any one of my warriors had the right to k**I him, but I wanted that honor. It sounded horrible,murdering my mate's Father-but the man was not family, he was a monster. I had never been fondof Vampires, but my hatred never spanned as far as Bran’s. With Lola at my side, I knew that being aVampire was as much a part of her as being a Werewolf. She couldn't have one without the other,and I accepted that fact wholly. Things would change if we won this battle, and I could only hopethey would change for the better.

With that thought in mind, and the image of my beautiful mate seared into me, I charged theVampire King and the group of warriors that surrounded him. With Zeke at my side, we dodgedstray Vampire's, jumped over fighting wolves, and barreled into the circle of Vampires thatsurrounded Lola's Father.

I took two down with ease, while Zeke took down one. Our presence on the battle feild was noticed.Warriors looked to their Alpha's, seeing the importance of the person the Vampires were protecting.Bran charged forward, snapping and snarling as he took out another one of the Vampire King'sdefenses. Left and right, the Vampire's began to fall, but not without loss of our own.

I faced Lola's Father, seeing the calculated malice on his face as he realized the war was nearing itsend, and that he was standing on the losing side. A familiar cold front passed over me, chilling meto the bone, sending liquid ice rushing through my veins. The night seemed to grow darker, theshadows gathered at the edge of the forest eagerly. None of the other werewolves seemed tonotice, but I couldn't ignore the pulsing shadows that twitched with anticipation.

I charged forward, skidding across the grass as Lola's Father dodged my a****k. Zeke and Bran ranforward, both aiming for the Vampire King. The a****k gave me enough time to run forward, takingadvantage of the distraction. I could hear the shadows hushed whispers, and knew we were runningout of time

Just as the Vampire King opened his mouth to speak, Zeke dove forward, clipping his leg. TheVampire King fell to one knee, his lips moving as he stared at the gathering shadows. I wasted notime, darting forward and sinking my teeth into his flesh. My heart hammered with each dull thud ofthe Vampire King's heart, with each pulse of blood that squirted from his wound. Zeke and Branlatched onto one of his legs, pulling one way as I pulled another. The sound of tearing flesh filledthe air, and I watched as the Vampire King's head rolled across the grass, his blue eyes shiningsmugly.

The shadows that gathered along the forest line darted forward, slithering across the grass untilthey reached the corpse of the Vampire King. Zeke and Bran's eyes widened as they too saw theslippery tufts of shadow that inched forward. The shadows descended on the Vampire King's body,stealing every droplet of blood that stained the earth, leaving behind emerald grass in its place.

The Vampire King was d**d, and the remaining Vampires seemed to notice their leader's absence.One by one they stopped; hands raised in surrender. Zeke, Bran and I sent out a mind-link to ourtroops. The war was over, the fighting was finally finished, and we had won. Each wolf lifted theirhead to the night sky, the full moon our beacon of light, and unleashed a deafening howl into thesky. Even with the joy and sorrow of victory pulsing through our veins, I couldn't shake the icyfeeling that lingered in my bones, the feeling that told me I had been too late.