Alpha Asher
Chapter 41

Mason's P.o.V

Everything hurts-Quite literally.

My body aches from the weight of my own emotions, pressing down on me until the claustrophobia hits. The air turns thick and stagnant in my lungs.

There were moments when I had convinced myself I had some semblance of control. I was now beginning to realize, I never had control. The illusion of control kept me sane for so long, and it's absence was tearing me apart.

i shuffled through the thundering club, keeping my eyes glued to Breyona.

I refused to look at the dancing couples-Refused to acknowledge the smell of lut and sx in the air. It was all too painful, resurfacing images I had spent a year trying to forget.

I refused to look back at Lola-Ignoring the insane urge that always came over me when she was around.

Lola-A little bundle of fire and spice, but her heart was still pure.

She hadn't known it at the time; but the first time we trained together, my heart was hers.

I never expected to feel that particular emotion again, convinced it was gone from my heart for good.

My wolf tried to convince me, tried to make me see reason but soon he too was swept away. What chance could we have when two other men already craved her heart?

She was not our mate, her mate was out in the world somewhere. What right did I have to take that from her? Could I truly expect her to pick me?

Nonetheless, I couldn't continue ignoring how I felt. Lola had been the first one to grab my heart after what happened last year.

We had moved from the pack a year ago. My Grandfather on my mother's side became ill. He was an old man, so his condition wasn't surprising.

I know it sounds harsh; but my Grandfather wasn't a good man. He spent his life molding my Mom into a submissive she-wolf, beating any form of disobedience from her. Maybe that was why I fell for Lola, her strong will remained unbroken even with everything life threw at her. I could only stand idle while my Mom cared for the man that caused her years of trauma and pain. The sight was sickening, driving me from the house at every chance I had.

We lived in a small shack, right on the outskirts of the city. This gave me ample opportunities to go out and replace something to do.

For the time being, I found myself a job. It wasn't anything flashy, just a simple job at a family owned sandwich shop. This got me out of the house, and gave me some spare money. My Grandfather had a hefty will, leaving everything he owned to my Mom. She was numb with shock for hours after hearing the news.

I suppose somewhere in his sick and twisted heart, a part of him loved his daughter.

Months had passed, my Grandfather continued clinging to life. A stubborn man for the entirety of his life, of course he would fight death.

My Dad was much like myself, fighting the urge to end my Grandfather's life at every chance. Dad couldn't stand the pain he caused his mate, but my Mom insisted.

She didn't want him murdered. After all, what satisfaction could be gained from killing a man already on deaths door?

Dad complied, and somehow found the strength to be in the same room as the man.

Grandfather caused no issues while we lived with him. I think he knew my Dad would end his life if he so much stepped out of line.

It was just another day leaving Dev's Deli. My shift ended late into the night, but I didn't mind. Night had always been peaceful to me, clearing my head with the crisp breezes that drifted by.

I had turned eighteen three days ago, accepting the crudely made birthday cake from my Mom with a goofy smile. Mom had never been good at cooking; that was something my Dad enjoyed.

On my seventh birthday I insisted Mom make my cake. Year after year, I watched my Mom's face light up as my Dad made my birthday cakes. Her eyes would trail over every step he went through, asking questions along the way.

Her birthday cakes were a horrible replica of my Dad's, but I didn't have the heart to make her stop. Each year I'd eat my full of cake, telling her it was even better than Dad's. He knew of course, but couldn't stand to see his mate unhappy. The two of us protected my Mom in every way we could, making up for the worst years of her life.

I had left Dev's Deli, taking deep breaths of the crisp night air when a smell hit me. It was mingled with the smell of smoked meat and freshly baked bread from the Deli. The scent of daisy's and cotton swirled around my mind, my head turning in the direction of the scent. I turned down the road, any thoughts of walking home were long forgotten. The delicious smell grew stronger as I turned the corner and continued down the road.

"Come on sweetheart." A gruff voice chuckled lowly, "Just a little taste."

"f**k off, Steph." A rich voice snapped, fear absent in her tone. "You know I don't answer to no one else."

My wolf surged, forcing me into a run as I turned the corner into the alley way.

A girl was pushed against the brick wall of the alley way, her face contorted into a glare as she looked up at the man before her.

The man looked amused, his eyes glinting as he stared the little female down.

"Steph, I'm gonna f**k you up if you don't back off." The woman snapped.

"You can't f**k anyone up." The gruff man chuckled, "You still need Felix to fight all yer' battles."

"Come next week you'll see." The woman spat.

The entire exchange was weird. It seemed like the two knew eachother, hated yet tolerated oneRead more