Rage of the Alpha (Part 2 of the Alpha Queen series)
Chapter 8

ASHER

Stumbling into the village, he could not decide who was holding up whom. Both of them tried to support the other, but the ground seemed to invite them closer with each step, becoming even friendlier as they went.

Just as Asher felt Saber finally accept the peace they were both being offered, there were arms and hands all over them. Then Sebastian briefly came into focus, and Asher followed Saber into the sweet oblivion of nothingness.

At first, it was comfortable enough that he could just… be. No war-talk, nothing to disturb the peace of the silence surrounding him. It was wonderful, and he could rest. But then, ever so subtly, images started appearing, eventually bringing his mind back into focus.

The images were patient at first, but as they went by and Asher regained the knowledge that they presented him with, they got more hurried. As though they were getting impatient that he was taking too long to remember something important.

He didn’t relish the many moments of truth - each one hitting harder and deeper than the one before. And then came another he hadn’t come to terms with yet; his mother and the fantastic tale she had revealed to them, making something else stand out as well.

“What do you see?” A voice boomed through his very being. Asher found himself answering without a second thought.

“Saber doesn’t make sense. How could she be conceived if the Deamon-race can’t reproduce with anyone from this realm?”

“Your Queen has a superiority complex. She believes everyone here to be inferior - that is why she could never conceive. Your mate’s mother knows the truth because she was raised as a denizen of this world. Also, Neall could very well be stronger than Mab because of her parentage. But we can’t say for certain until we meet the man.”

Asher’s mind was racing at the implications of Neall being alive. There was no way the Queen knew. Before he could ponder the situation further however, more images appeared for him to process. This time - the Winter King of the Fae; his true father and the Elven Queen with all her darkness following behind her - it sent a pang through his heart.

“What do you see?” The mysterious voice boomed again. Asher replied once more without much thought.

“My parents. I believe the Elven Queen went dark because I was replaced as an infant. That is what the math suggests anyway.”

“Correct. It cannot be known widely but it brought balance between the good and bad in this realm. All the races in this world were living in harmony before Mab appeared and reinvented everything. No balance was necessary since only good existed. As soon as she entered the equation, however, things became unbalanced. By turning the Dark Elves and Vampires, Mab unconsciously brought about an equilibrium which the demon-race needs to survive. She still mistakes this missing component as loneliness, and she almost died because of its absence in this world.”

“How can you know that for certain? Who are you?” Asher wanted to kick himself for not demanding more information about the voice’s identity sooner.

“When Lamia spelled your emotions, I was created to guard you from them. Because the spell has been broken by your mate and not unraveled by Lamia, I remain. I am you, in a sense, but not. Though I was created to be a temporary solution, I will remain as your guardian forever. I cannot be undone because of your mate’s actions. Every hit you took from her forced my permanence, her every intention during the battle was to reveal what was ‘wrong with you’, ensuring my existence as a fixture into your very being.”

“Fuck,” Asher growled in annoyance. Always some consequence to their fucking spells!

“Indeed,” replied the voice. “Which brings about our next conundrum - your bond needs to be solidified once more. To which ‘fucking’ would be my suggestion. Both of you said far more than was needed with your battle. I do believe she would kill you for your own good. That might be something you will need to consider one day, but right now you need to bond thoroughly so that you are aware when the time comes.”

“What do you mean? I don’t follow.” It sounded to Asher that his guardian was suggesting killing Saber. This was extremely unsettling. “Do I need to be worried that you could control me?”

“You do not need to worry. Think of your mate lying beside you. Think of how you can revere her, how she smells, how she tastes, how she sounds, how she feels, how you can bring her ecstasy…”

After being away from Saber for so long, Asher’s amorous Fae nature could not be denied after hearing those words. He awoke to his groin straining painfully against his pants, bringing his attention to the weight resting on his side and shoulder. Inhaling deeply, he found Saber’s scent intoxicating.

Asher rolled himself on top of his mate, burying his nose in her hair, just breathing her in. Sliding his nose down her neck to where his mark still lay, he ran his tongue along it, knowing it would stir her consciousness. A soft sigh escaped her lips and it was music to his ears.

SABER

It was bliss - knowing that Asher was back to himself. Even here in the darkness, the comfort she felt in having him at her side once more was everything to her. She could die from pure happiness just having saved him from himself and whomever put the spell on him.

But somehow Saber knew it was because of her that he had fallen victim to someone. Maybe he even offered himself up hoping magic could rid him of the pain of their broken mating bond. It was fitting that she should be the one to save him since it was her doing in the first place.

Contentment filled her as Asher’s mark on her neck started tingling. That mark was proof of their acceptance of each other. It felt like someone was paying attention to it. The tingles were spreading outward through her body, creating an electrified field of arcs which ran every crevice of her, slowly nudging her limbs into action.

The mark felt like it was being suckled and suddenly, sharp canines pierced her skin deeply, sending a multitude of sparks through Saber’s core. The tension became unbearable and with more pressure from the foreign objects, she realized that Asher was reinforcing the mark.

Exploding into tiny pieces, Saber opened her eyes while her arms wrapped around him. She never wanted this feeling to end, never wanted to release him. Too soon, her being was pieced together slowly by Asher’s ministrations over the rest of her body. There were no thoughts as he ravished her, sliding his tongue over the bundle of nerves at her center.

Completely at his mercy, Asher brought her to breaking point over and over, not giving her time to recover before continuing with his total conquest of Saber. Only when it seemed she might lose consciousness, did he kiss her deeply and bury himself to the hilt.

The mating bond preened and shone brighter than the sun when Saber finally caught up with him and bit into her own mark on his skin. Asher roared as instinct took over and they no longer had any limitations between them, no boundaries as their souls combined once more.

SEBASTIAN

Jealousy is a nasty thing. But if you see it for what it is, then you can manage it properly. At least, that was how he viewed it. Being Alpha, there was no way - and he had tried for a few moments - to rid himself of Saber’s emotions. She was so far gone that she was broadcasting not only to him, but to every wolf.

It was all could do to shield his pack after that initial lust-filled wave hit them. He’d had to retreat to his home to be able to focus on doing just that. The fact that Neall had been in the pack-house had almost distracted him. She was damned beautiful and if he hadn’t left, he might’ve done something worth regretting as it didn’t seem as though she could feel it.

He only hoped the other Alpha’s had caught on and was doing the same as him. Saber might not be able to handle the embarrassment if not. Being linked to every wolf in the realm certainly had its down sides.

He had thought about being with Saber a lot these past few days. He could not deny her allure, but he’d known he would just be someone to scratch an itch for her. That was where Sebastian’s jealously truly stemmed from, not just from wanting her, but more than that; he was jealous of the mating bond.

It was becoming rarer with each passing generation to replace your true mate - for the wolves at least, he didn’t know about the other races. It was bound to differ from one species to the next.

But, Gods! The lust he was filled with at the moment was almost terrifying. He was on the verge of losing control anyway when he decided to give in. Making his way to his sauna - the most private place he had - he sparked the flints into the kindling to warm up the bricked coals.

There was no need for any fantasies this time. The moment Sebastian was unclothed and touched himself, he lost all thought. Almost from far away, he remembered to keep the shield intact so his wolves wouldn’t be affected. Vaguely, he wondered what his mate would be like if she existed.

Eventually, after what could have been days for all he knew, a faraway knock gained his attention. Lifting his spent body from the floor, Sebastian successfully made it to the front door of his dwelling after donning his wrinkled pile of clothing.

“Why do you look like shit?” A very chipper Saber greeted him.

Fucking idiot - “I’ve just exhausted myself is all,” he grinned lopsidedly at her, giving Asher a quick nod. Asshole - although he wasn’t capable of holding a grudge or even any kind of emotional conversation at the moment. Sebastian felt like he’d been trampled by some or other herd of animals.

“Come on in, I need a ton of coffee. Want some?” he announced looking over his shoulder as he left them standing there. It felt like an age passed when at last he was in the kitchen.

Lining up some cups, he put some water over the fire and sat down heavily on a chair. Saber entered the kitchen and extinguished the fire, heating the water herself and finishing up the brew. Asher remained standing as she sat down at the table beside Sebastian.

“Are you alright?” She wanted to know.

Sebastian gave them a tired chuckle, “Never better, just tired like I said.” He debated a moment and added, “We really need to work on your shielding.” A short silence descended as his words were processed, then Saber’s eyes widened.

“Oh Gods! Seriously?” Immediately her hands went to cover her face as she turned beet-red. “I’m so sorry!” the muffled cry came through the gaps between her fingers.

The revelation that their consummation had been broadcast was news to Asher, who hadn’t known about her link to the wolves, although it should have been obvious.

“It might not faze a Fae, but the wolves still have some modesty regarding copulation Prince,” Sebastian clarified.

“I understand the implications,” he said while holding Saber’s mortified face to his stomach. “Were there any ramifications?” Asher really hoped there weren’t hordes of unconscious naked bodies or orgies they might run into.

“No clue about the other packs, but I was able to take the brunt of it for hours after the initial wave came through,” he added with a smile, “I have to admit Saber, that… was quite the doozy.” Saber just squealed still hiding her face.

“There hasn’t been a Queen of the Wolves in… Since before I was born if I recall my lessons correctly,” Asher pondered aloud, “If it will ease your mind,” he tipped her chin up to gaze into her eyes,” the Alphas could mark you. They will essentially become your cadre and their packs would be shielded automatically.”

Sebastian nodded with closed eyes, taking a much-needed sip of coffee. “Yes, you’re right. I completely forgot about that. There should be some sort of ritual or something, but I’ll have to do some research. I don’t remember any of it. At the moment my mind seems mushy.”

With the last part of his words, Sebastian opened his eyes and winked with a crooked smile at Saber, who only blushed deeper. The sight made Asher smile for the first time in too long.