Alpha Asher and Lola novel Chapter 69

Read Alpha Asher [by Jane Doe] Chapter 69 – “I want to see Sean first.” I frowned, my eyes flickering to the mess in the fighting ring.

“Of course.” Tristan’s velvety voice caressed my skin, but did nothing to erase the disgust burning in my stomach.

The fighting ring was cleaned quickly, not a trace of blood lingered on the white floor. Some people in the small crowd grimaced or mumbled angrily over the loss of their money. It was unnerving how these people could watch such brutality.

My heart leaped in my stomach as two more men were pushed onto the stage. Sean’s face came into view, looking haggard yet defiant. One of his eyes had been blackened and looked to be slowly healing. His lip was split, a thick line of blood running down the center. From the angry glint in his eye, Sean had not been broken by these Vampires.

“What’s your price?” I spoke without thinking, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. My heart thundered in my chest at the sight of Sean. His skin was pale from lack of sunlight, the hair on his head d***y and unruly. “What do you want for him?”

“What I want—is you.” Tristan breathed, his voice calm and his eyes steady on me. My eyes snapped over to Tristan, reading the sincerity in his eyes. Tristan wouldn’t budge, that much was clear.

“Name something else.” Alpha Asher snapped, anger seeping into his eyes.

“A life for a life. Lola for Sean.” Tristan murmured, his eyes burning into my own. He hadn’t spared an ounce of his attention, placing it all on me. “Is your brother worth your own life? How far would you truly go?”

Alpha Asher stiffened, his anger rolling in waves through the mind-link. I could feel Breyona and Mason tense as they heard our conversation through the mind-link. Tristan’s words replayed in my head, bouncing between the six of us.

‘Don’t you dare, Lola.’ Alpha Asher snarled through the mind-link, sensing my hesitation.

I wanted to deny I had even contemplated it, but I couldn’t. I hadn’t the time to properly mourn my Mom’s d***h, but I refused to mourn Sean’s. I refused to let him suffer because of what I am. Alpha Asher could sense how far I was truly willing to go.

‘Breyona, we could use that distraction now.’ Alpha Asher growled through the mind-link. I stifled the surprise that crossed onto my face, wondering what Alpha Asher had planned.

‘Alright, give me a minute.’ Breyona huffed, leaping into action. ‘Stall him or something.’

“Why do you want me?” I stared at Tristan, my gaze hard and unyielding. ‘Is it because of my father?”

If Tristan was surprised, it didn’t show. His lips simply turned up in a mischievous grin, his seafoam eyes dancing.

“I thought someone was listening in on us.” Tristan chuckled, before leaning in. “Messing with the shadows already? I hope you’re a fast learner.”

“I didn’t bring myself there.” I scoffed, shaking my head. “For whatever reason your King wanted me to be there.”

Tristan’s eyes conveyed nothing, not even the smallest trace of lingering emotion.

“Vampire’s choose their own mates. From the moment I met you, I knew you were mine. This was before I learned of your—heritage.” Tristan murmured, his voice a silky whisper. “You had felt it then as well. I looked into your mind, saw your desire for me.”

Tristan had successfully taken my mind off of the fight, gaining all of my attention. Guilt swarmed me as I had forgotten about my brother in those short moments. Sean and the human had lunged at one another. Steady fists and heightened speed gave my brother the advantage against the average sized human.

“You were just some hot guy in a club.” I muttered, my eyes filling with anger.

“Your words lie, but your thoughts do not.” Tristan murmured, and I fought against his intense gaze. “I know what you feel for me. I feel the pull as well.”

Deny, deny, deny.

Tristan would never know the full extent of my longing for him, the irritating pull in my veins whenever I thought of his face. I would hide that from the world, accepting the discomfort and pain before I told anyone the truth. Alpha Asher chased those emotions away, dulled the part of me that longed for Tristan.

A silver dagger clattered onto the fighting ring. My wide eyes met Tristan’s; a sly smile had already formed on his face.

“Even the odds?” Tristan questioned, his voice light and caressing.

Sean and the human scrambled for the knife. I found myself leaning forward, anticipation and fear suffocating me. Just as Sean’s hand wrapped around the hilt of the dagger, an explosion sounded.

All at once everything went to h**l. Fire alarms blared in unity; sprinklers spewed water onto everything below. Those watching stood in surprise, hair slick as the water rained down.