Alethea
Kayla’s sudden question catches me off guard. “Are you two fucking now?” she asks, her tone completely serious.
I throw my head back in laughter, unable to stop myself. “Kayla! Where is this coming from?” I ask between fits of giggles.
She simply shrugs, watching me with knowing eyes. When I finally manage to calm down, she suddenly lunges forward, wrapping her arms around my neck in a bone-crushing hug.
“Oh, my goddess, Ally! I missed you so much!” she exclaims, squeezing me tightly. “I was so worried when you disappeared without saying goodbye. But somehow, I just knew you were okay.”
Her words warm my heart, and I hug her back just as tightly. “Oh, Kayla, you’re going to make me cry,” I whisper. “Thank you for always looking out for me.”
She pulls away slightly, her face turning serious. “I hope you and Asher are back together,” she says softly. “I want to see him happy again, Ally. He’s been through so much.”
I hesitate for a moment before holding her gaze. Before I can say anything, she blurts out, “Did he find out about your child?”
My breath catches. “Why do you ask?”
Kayla sighs, rubbing her forehead. “He came to me, Ally. He asked if you had a child.” She shakes her head. “It was hard-I had to lie to him. I didn’t want your worst fear to come true.”
A wave of gratitude washes over me. “Thank you, Kayla,” I say with a small smile. “But it doesn’t matter anymore. He knows now. And he’s met him.”
Kayla’s eyes go wide with shock. “Oh, goddess! When am I going to meet him? What does he look like? Is he as handsome as my brother? Does he have green eyes? What color is his hair?” She pouts dramatically. “Why did Asher get to meet him first when I knew about him first?”
I burst into laughter at her over-the-top reaction. “Oh, Kayla, you’re adorable. You should see your face right now.”
She huffs, crossing her arms. “I can’t help it, Ally. I need to meet him!”
Then, just as quickly as her excitement came, it faded. She lets out a deep sigh, her expression shifting into something unreadable.
I narrow my eyes. Something feels off.
“Kayla…” I say slowly. “What’s wrong?”
Kayla’s expression darkens as she exhales heavily. “Shirley is back… and it doesn’t look good.”
I frown in confusion. “Who is Shirley?” I ask, furrowing my brows. “And what does she have to do with me?”
Kayla groans, running a hand through her hair. “Shirley is Liam’s sister. And, oh boy, let me put it this way, she likes Asher. No, scratch that, she loves Asher.” She gives me a pointed look. “Actually, obsessed is the right word. And the worst part? My dear brother has no idea.”
I blink, trying to process her words.
“Asher sees her as a little sister,” Kayla continues. “So, in his mind, she can do no wrong. But trust me, Ally, she will be a problem. If you think being with Asher is going to be easy now that he’s finally realizing he wants you, think again. With Shirley in the picture? It’s going to be a hell of a ride.”
A strange feeling settles in my chest. As much as I want to pretend this doesn’t bother me, I can’t deny that it does. I let out a slow sigh.
“One step at a time, Kayla,” I murmur, trying to reassure myself more than anything.
She nods, offering a small smile. “That’s the spirit. Alright, I’ll leave you to freshen up while I check on my brother.”
“Okay. Catch you later,” I say, watching her as she turns to leave.
But even after she’s gone, her words linger in my mind.
Shirley is obsessed with Asher.
And something tells me she won’t step aside without a fight.
Asher’s POV
Coming back to Redwood with Ally feels like winning a gold medal. But I know I can’t rush things. We need to have that heart-to-heart conversation first.
I know I want her. I’ve always wanted her.
But does she still feel something for me? Or is she only being civil because of Declan-because she’s afraid I might take him from her? That fear has been there from the beginning, and I don’t blame her.
Maybe co-parenting is all she’s willing to give me.
“Asher, are you even listening to me?” Liam’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
I rub my face, trying to clear my mind. “What?”
He sighs, shaking his head. “The Maya case… it’s not looking good. The Council of Elders is coming to hold a meeting with you. Her father is the Alpha of Bloodmoon Pack. You might have pulled some strings at Tarship, but this won’t be easy.”
I curse under my breath, clenching my fist and hitting it against my open palm. “Shit.”
“So, what are we going to do?” Liam asks.
I exhale sharply. “We wait for the Elders. But first, we need to figure out what’s going on. Why do I feel like I’m being set up for something I didn’t do?”
Liam narrows his eyes. “Because you are being set up.”
I turned to him, surprised by his certainty. “You believe me?”
He scoffs. “Of course, Asher. You might be a dickhead, but you’re not a murderer.”
I glare at him, and he smirks, slightly recoiling but not backing down. Only Liam can get away with calling me a dickhead.
I let out a long sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Then we need proof.”
Liam nods. “Yeah, but that’s easier said than done. The Council won’t just take your word for it. They’ll want solid evidence that you had nothing to do with Maya’s death.”
I lean back in my chair, frustration boiling under my skin. “Who benefits the most from framing me?”
Liam crosses his arms. “Maya was always power-hungry. Her father, Alpha Grant, is worse. With her gone, he might use this as an excuse to come after Redwood, maybe even demand a blood price.”
My jaw tightens. “I won’t let that happen.”
One thing is clear-whoever is behind this doesn’t just want me out of power. They want me dead.
The door bursts open, and before I can react, a familiar voice rings out.
“Oh, Alpha Asher!”
Shirley throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck in a tight embrace. Her breast pressed against mine, her curves more pronounced than I remember.
“Oh, Goddess, Shirley,” I mutter, gently prying her arms off me so I can get a proper look at her.
She steps back, beaming up at me. Shirley has always been like a little sister to me-Liam’s half-sister. She left when she was thirteen, and if I’m not mistaken, she must be around nineteen now. But she’s changed. She’s no longer the skinny kid I remember; she’s filled out, curvier, and undeniably beautiful.
“Wow, Shirley, you’ve changed a lot.”
She giggles.
Before I can say anything else, the door swings open again.
Kayla strides in with confidence, her sharp eyes scanning the room before they land on me. Without hesitation, she throws her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Oh, Alpha Asher, I’ve missed you!” she exclaims, squeezing me before stepping back with a grin.
I smile. “Missed you too, Kayla.”
She barely acknowledges Shirley, only a quick wave before gripping my arm and pulling me slightly toward her side. Her voice drops to something more serious as she looks up at me.
“Thank you for bringing Ally back home. I’ve missed her so much.”
Kayla’s eyes narrow slightly as she leans in closer. “You know, Ally is the best thing to happen to you, Asher. Don’t mess this up again.”
I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. “I don’t plan to.”
“Good,” Kayla nods, satisfied.
I glance at Shirley, and then, without warning, she steps closer, sliding her hand into mine. Her breast brushes against me, and I tense. Fuck.
Before I can pull away, a familiar scent drifts into the room, intoxicating and irresistible. My wolf, Kaidos, purrs in approval. Ally.
She’s close.
A soft knock sounds at the door.
“Come in,” I say.
But just as Ally pushes the door open, Shirley tiptoes closer, and at the same moment, she presses a kiss to my cheek.
Shit.
This doesn’t look good.