Alethea
Everything inside me stops functioning the moment I see Asher.
He’s been stabbed-multiple times. One deep wound in his chest and another near his ribs, both bleeding heavily.
The dark red liquid seeps out in alarming amounts, staining his clothes and pooling onto the floor. His breathing is shallow.
Then, his body gives out.
He slumps forward, and before he can hit the ground completely, I catch him, my arms barely strong enough to hold him up.
“Somebody help!” I scream, my voice breaking with sheer panic. “Get the pack doctors! Get the healer! The Alpha has been stabbed!”
My cries echo through the hallway, as it bounces off the walls as I desperately look around for help. My vision blurs with tears, and my heart pounds so hard it feels like it might burst.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps.
Then I see them-Liam and Ryder, covered in blood, their eyes wild with adrenaline from battle. They fought hard, but right now, all I care about is Asher.
“Please, help him! He must not die!” I plead, my voice shaking with desperation. “Asher must not die!”
Xena is going wild in my head, her fury and anguish mix with mine. She wants to tear through me, to take control, to do anything to save our mate. But I can’t lose myself now. I have to focus.
Liam and Ryder waste no time. They lift Asher carefully but quickly and carry him toward the pack hospital. I try to follow, my legs moving before I can think, but then-
I stop.
The elders.
I spin around, my eyes landing on them. Cowards. They had sat in this very room, doubting Asher, questioning his loyalty, while he had rushed in to save them. He had sensed the rogue’s approach and fought to keep them safe. And this-this was the price he paid.
Anger surges through me like wildfire as I meet their eyes, my voice shaking but firm.
“Alpha Asher fought for you all. He knew the rogues were coming this way, and that’s why he rushed in. He put himself in danger to protect you-and in the process, he was stabbed.”
“How are we sure he didn’t have a hand in this attack?”
I whip my head toward the speaker.
Alpha Craig.
Of course, it’s him. His dark eyes gleam with suspicion, his lips curled slightly as he watches me.
Disgust churns in my stomach. I clench my fists, struggling to control the rage.
“Are you serious right now?” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “You just watched him nearly die protecting you, and you’re still questioning his loyalty?”
Craig doesn’t flinch. “I only speak the truth. The timing of this attack is too convenient.”
My blood boils, and my body trembles with fury. How could someone be so blind? So arrogant?
“The truth?” I laugh bitterly, stepping closer. “The truth is that while you sat here, doubting him, questioning his every move, he was out there risking his life for you. If Asher hadn’t come, you wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
I take another step forward, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “So tell me, Alpha Craig, if Asher was really behind this attack-why would he be the one bleeding out?”
Silence.
I know I’m going to get in trouble for this-I know I should probably hold my tongue-but I don’t care.
“That man out there, fighting for his life, risked everything for you! And you stand here, suggesting he might have a hand in this? How despicable can you be?”
The alphas shift uncomfortably, clearly taken aback by my outburst. But I’m not finished.
I take a step forward, eyes blazing. “Tell me, are you so heartless that you’d call rogues to your packlands just to prove a point? Just to have someone to blame? What about the people you claim to care so much about? Were you willing to let them die just to justify your suspicions?”
Silence.
They have no answer.
I shake my head, my hands trembling at my sides. “No. Alpha Asher is not that kind of leader. He would never cower like you all have. If the situation were reversed, he wouldn’t hesitate to step up and fight for you.”
I scan their faces before I continue. “You don’t know who will be next. But mark my words-whoever is behind this wanted Asher out of the picture. They knew that without him, your packs would be vulnerable to attack. And yet you still think he had a hand in Maya’s death?” I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t think so.”
They stare at me, shocked by my boldness. But I don’t care.
They deserve every word-and more.
“Think about everything I’ve said. And while you do, maybe consider doing something instead of just standing here.”
With that, I bow slightly-a small, forced sign of respect-before I spin on my heel and rush out of the room.
I can feel their stares boring into my back, but I don’t look back.
A low, painful growl escapes my throat as I push forward and run toward the pack hospital.
My heart aches so tightly it feels like it’s being crushed in my chest. With every step I take, the fear only grows stronger.
I round the corner, my heart pounding, and then I see her-Kayla.
She’s crying her eyes out, her whole body shaking with grief.
The moment she spots me, she rushes forward, and I open my arms just in time to catch her. She clings to me, as she sobs uncontrollably, her small frame trembles in my hold.
“A-Alpha A-Ashe-r m-must not d-die,” she stammers between hiccup sobs. “Who will take care of me, Alethea? He’s the only family I’ve got.”
My chest tightens, but I push my pain aside. Right now, Kayla needs me more than anything.
I gently stroke her back, as I whisper, “He will not die, Kayla. If there’s anyone strong enough to cheat death, it’s your brother. He’s a fighter, and I know he’ll come out of this even stronger.”
Kayla sniffs, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, but the tears won’t stop. She pulls away slightly, nodding. “Okay… okay.”
Her voice is shaky, but I can tell she’s trying to believe me.
“You have to be strong for Asher,” I remind her softly.
She nods again, squeezing my hand. “I know, Ally… but it’s breaking my heart. He doesn’t look so good.”
I swallow hard, pushing down the lump forming in my throat. “Let me see him.”
I turn toward the hospital doors, my feet moving before my mind can catch up. I need to see him.
Liam and Ryder are standing outside, both covered in blood-some theirs, some not. The failure to protect Asher is evident in their exhausted, pained expressions.
“Where is he?” My voice is urgent. I search their eyes for any sign that they might be hiding something, but I see nothing but raw worry.
Liam exhales sharply and answers in a rush, “Go straight down the hall, turn left. That wing is for VIP patients. First door. That’s his room.”
I nod and take off.
Asher needs me. And I need to be there for him.
I’m not
I make my way toward the VIP room.
The moment I reach the entrance, Xena paces furiously in my head, growling in frustration, urging me to open the door.
My heart hammers against my ribs as I place a trembling hand on the doorknob.
I take a shaky breath and push the door open.
The second I step inside, my eyes land on Asher.
And I freeze.
The world around me fades.
Asher lies on the hospital bed, pale. His strong, powerful frame now looks fragile under the dim glow of the monitors surrounding him. His chest rises and falls in shallow breaths, each one looking like a battle of its own. Thick bandages cover his wounds, but I can still see the angry stains of blood seeping through the white fabric.
My breath catches in my throat, and my knees feel weak.
This isn’t Asher. Not the fierce, unshakable Alpha who could take down anyone in his path. Not the warrior who stood tall against every threat.
No.
This is a man hanging on by a thread.
A man who fought for his people and nearly lost his life for them.
Tears blur my vision, but I refuse to let them fall.
“Asher…” I whisper, my voice barely more than a breath.
But he didn’t stir.
And for the first time in my life, I feel truly helpless.