Asher
“Shirley poisoned me.”
Liam looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads. His disbelief is evident. I nod again, silently confirming my words. I know it’s hard for him to accept, but he needs to hear the truth.
“Shirley is working with Xavier,” I continue, despite the rage that simmers beneath the surface. “She came back to kill me with that poison, but somehow… Ally saved me.”
“What?!” Liam snaps, standing to his full height. His expression shifts from shock to fury as he stares at me, now giving me his full attention.
“I knew it,” he mutters, rubbing his hands together as if trying to steady himself. “I was already questioning why she suddenly came back when she never wanted to be here again.”
I exhale slowly, trying to suppress the storm brewing inside me. “She’s family, but I won’t let this slide.” My voice is cold.
Liam stiffens, he looks uncomfortable with the situation. He knows what must be done. I can see in his eyes that loyalty is to me and the pack, but it doesn’t make this any easier.
“What do you think I should do?” I ask, watching him closely. I need his perspective, not just as my Beta but as someone who understands the delicate balance of power in our pack.
Liam stares at me, But when he speaks, his voice is firm. “Do whatever you think is right, Alpha. I don’t support betrayal. She made her choice the moment she agreed to work with Xavier.”
I hold his gaze, searching for any doubt. But there’s none. He means every word.
Shirley’s fate is sealed.
“Very well then, what’s the position of things with the loyal pack members?” I ask.
Liam straightens, a glint in his eyes. “I’ve prepared them for the moment we strike. They’ve sworn their loyalty to fight by your side when the time comes.” His lips twitch into a knowing smirk. “The pack members will be in for a shock when they see you alive. They all think you’re dead.”
I exhale deeply, gratitude settling in my chest. “Thank you, Liam.”
But he shakes his head. “I didn’t do this. Ally did. She planned everything; just followed her instructions.”
My heart clenches at his words. Ally did this? She was the one who orchestrated everything? The realization makes my chest swell with something fierce and unshakable. If she hadn’t come with me to the Redwood Pack, I don’t know what would have happened to me.
Liam crosses his arms, as he studies me with a mix of frustration and something else-disappointment, maybe.
“That’s her Luna instinct at play. And to be honest, I still don’t understand why you didn’t claim her the moment you found out she was your mate.” His voice carries a hint of anger.
I chuckle, as I am trying to ease the tension. “Relax, big man. You know everything that happened. You can’t blame me for being cautious.”
Liam exhales, rubbing the back of his neck before giving me a reluctant nod. “Fine.”
But there’s no time for dwelling on the past. I straighten. “When do we strike?”
Liam’s eyes darken with resolve. “The feeling is mutual, Asher. Let’s do it now.”
I nod, but he lifts a hand. “First, I need to gather the loyal pack members and get them ready.” Without waiting for my response, he strides out of the office.
I watch him go. I refuse to keep hiding in my pack. Xavier won’t know what hit him.
Turning on my heel, I head back toward my room, my thoughts consumed by Ally. This feeling-this need for her-terrifies me. But I can’t push it away anymore.
Just as I’m about to step inside, a familiar presence halts me.
Selena.
Her signature scent reaches me first, followed by the soft sound of her footsteps. I turn my head to find her standing a few feet away, a warm smile on her face. It takes me off guard.
I hesitate, then take a step closer, bowing my head slightly. “Thank you, Selena… for everything.”
She chuckles lightly. “Thank you for coming back from the dead.”
I smirk at her words, but I know she means more than she lets on. There’s always an air of mystery surrounding Selena, but I’m glad Ally has her.
As I turn to leave, her voice stops me. “Take care of her. She means the world to me.”
I glance back and nod. “I won’t let her go.”
With that, I step into the room.
Ally is still sleeping peacefully, her breathing slow and steady. I stand at the foot of the bed, just watching her. Damn. Even in sleep, she takes my breath away.
Her lips-full and inviting-draw me in, tempting me to steal another kiss. The way her body molds perfectly against mine, the way she fits me in every way imaginable, almost drives me insane.
Her soft, round curves, the way she feels beneath my hands… Goddess. She’s my addiction, the only thing that can quench my insatiable hunger.
“It’s time, Alpha.” Liam’s voice filters through our mind link, snapping me out of my daze.
I take a slow breath before stepping closer to Ally. Leaning down, I press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Wish me luck, my love. I’m going to reclaim what’s rightfully ours.”
She doesn’t stir too exhausted to even react. I won’t let her efforts go to waste.
I turn on my heel and head out, as I make my way toward the training arena where the pack members have gathered.
As I step into the open, my eyes immediately land on Xavier. He stands at the podium, addressing the pack as if he’s their rightful Alpha. The sight of him makes my blood boil. That throne isn’t his. It never was.
My power surges through me, leaking into the air like an untamed storm. My aura seeps over the crowd, making the pack members tremble, their eyes widening in fear.
One by one, heads snap in my direction, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief.
“H-He’s alive…”
“Alpha Asher is alive!”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd, with a sense of awe and confusion. But I don’t care about their reactions-I only have eyes for Xavier.
The smug confidence on his face falters the moment he meets my gaze.
Good. He should be afraid.
Just then, a familiar scent drifts through the air I haven’t smelled in so long. My body tenses as I slowly turn, only to find Kayla standing there, her jaw slack in utter disbelief.
“Oh, heavens…” she breathes, her voice trembling.
Then, before I can react, she rushes toward me, her movements quick and desperate.
“I knew it! I knew you weren’t dead!”
She throws her arms around me, as she sobs into my chest. Instinctively, I place a hand on her back, with soothing strokes.
But my eyes never leave Xavier.
“Alpha Asher…” Kayla gasps again, her hands trembling as she moves back slightly, scanning me from head to toe. Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, her expression a mix of relief and disbelief.
“Oh, thank the Goddess! You’re fine… you’re here!” she breathes out in one rushed sentence, as if afraid I’ll disappear if she blinks.
I open my mouth to respond, but a sudden shift in the dark, heavy, dangerous makes every instinct in me flare to life.
Xavier.
Coward.
Without thinking, I grab Kayla, pulling her with me as I dodge his attack at the last second.
He knows he just made his biggest mistake.