Alpha Asher and Lola novel Chapter 81

Read Alpha Asher [by Jane Doe] Chapter 81 – I laid awake until Asher’s breathing grew heavy, slowing as he fell asleep. With his arms wrapped around me, and the heat from his body warming my bones, I closed my eyes and thought of Tristan.

It was harder than I expected, tapping into that sliver of myself, the part of me that longed for Tristan. Hour after hour passed as I stared at the backs of my eyelids, until a tugging sensation formed in my gut.

Instead of fighting the intrusive feeling, I allowed myself to be pulled away. The world around me faded into black until my surroundings changed completely. This room was different from the one I had previously met Tristan in. The walls were b**e, rough as if the room itself were carved from stone. A plush bed sat in the middle of the room, large enough for four people to sleep comfortably. A Persian rug sat across the tiled floor, golden whorls and shapes glittered on its surface. Across the room sat a gilded fireplace, the edges were etched in gold, reflecting light as the fire within blazed merrily. In front of the fireplace sat a long couch, deep maroon in color. As my eyes wandered over every feature of the room, I nearly missed the figure sitting on the couch.

I circled around the couch and faced Tristan. His blonde hair looked gold as it attracted light from the blazing fire. His hands were clasped tightly, anger burning in his gaze as he stared into the hungry flames. I watched in silence as he noticed me, the anger replaced itself with amused interest.

“Well, hello beautiful.” Tristan purred, leaning back on the couch as his eyes roamed me lazily.

I ignored the tingling of my scarlet mark and gave Tristan a hard look. I could still see the remnants of anger burning in his eyes, though he tried to conceal it with a sly grin.

“Rough night?” I asked, my eyes probing the depths of his own. Tristan hid his irritation skillfully, a look of mock offense forming on his face.

“Clearly.” He scoffed, but continued eyeing up my b**e legs. “Though, you could drastically change that.”

“Don’t count on it.” I snorted, “Does it hurt? To know one of your own betrayed you for the love of a she-wolf.”

“Hurt?” Tristan mused; his eyebrow cocked. “It does not hurt. Is it a horrible inconvenience? Yes. Regardless, Giovanni will be dealt with in time.”

“If you say so.” I shrugged, schooling my face into a mask of indifference. “Giovanni’s loyalty will be useful. I can’t wait to hear what he knows.”

“My dear, you believe you are the only ones who have spies?” The corners of Tristan’s lips twitched, his eyes playful and amused.

“Really?” I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. “I highly doubt your spies would get past Alpha Asher for long.”

“You think too highly of your Alpha.” Tristan chuckled, his ocean eyes burning into my own. “Though, I’ll let you find out for yourself.”

“Is Brittany one of those spies?” I mused, paying close attention to the emotion burning in his eyes.

Whether Tristan had anticipated my question or not, his eyes revealed nothing. His lips twitched into a smile, one that sent irritation flooding my veins.

“Brittany?” Tristan smirked, “The mate of your prior boyfriend?”

“You know who I’m talking about.” I rolled my eyes, his smirk widening. “Is she a spy?”

“And why should I give you anything, beautiful?” Tristan asked, “You have given me nothing in return.”

“What do you want?” I asked, my eyebrow raised as I anticipated his response.

“You.” Tristan shrugged, flashing me a predatory grin.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” I shook my head.

A headache danced around my temples, and I wondered how that was possible. Tristan’s eyes trailed over my body, and yet he made no move to approach me. His eyes flickered from my own to the far wall, lingering on the clock for just a few moments. When his eyes met my own, a joyful grin formed on his face.

“I suppose it would do no harm to tell you now.” Tristan shrugged, “By the time you wake up, it will be too late.”

“Tell me what?” I asked, wondering if he could hear the affect his words had on my heart.

“Brittany is much more than meets the eye.” Tristan smirked, “She is quite the mastermind. Your Alpha suspected, and yet she remained alive. Such a shame, the consequences won’t be pleasant.”

My stomach dropped as his words settled in my mind, each word piercing my skin like shards of glass. Tyler could have avoided all of this and told me himself, but he continued playing games. I wasn’t sure what Tristan meant when he said it would be too late, but I couldn’t risk staying around any longer.

“Goodbye, beautiful.” Tristan purred, “Until we meet again.”

The connection between the two of us snapped like a thin sheet of glass, shattering to the floor as I awoke in bed. The sun was beginning to rise, casting hues of gold along the damp earth. Stray beams of light ebbed through the c******s, though the room was still cloaked in darkness.

I pulled myself from bed and quietly slipped on some clothes, noting how calm Asher’s breathing sounded. The entire house was silent, and I saw no point in needlessly waking Asher up.

I tiptoed downstairs, shuddering at how dark and eerie the house felt at night. I headed down to the basement, feeling the overwhelming need to check on Brittany and Tyler. Tristan’s words had embedded themselves under my skin, filling me with a sense of dread and paranoia.

As I made it down to the basement, I nearly screamed as Luna Freya emerged from the dark dungeon tunnel. Surprise flooded her eyes as she placed a hand against her heart.

“Lola, you nearly gave me a heart a****k.” Luna Freya exhaled sharply, humor dancing in her eyes.

“Same here.” I nodded, letting out a breathless chuckle. “What are you doing down here?”

“I needed to check on Brittany.” Luna Freya frowned; concern etched onto her face. “I understand Alpha Asher is suspicious after the a****k last night, and I allowed him to–question her, but I needed to make sure she was alright.”

I wondered what unsavory methods Asher had resorted to in order to get answers from Brittany, though I couldn’t blame him. Holding the title of Alpha wasn’t an easy job, especially when you looked over the largest pack in the world. Sometimes cruelty and ruthlessness were required, though I had seen many sides of Asher.

“I understand.” I grimaced, and for a moment I wondered why I had come down here in the first place. “How is she–“

My words caught in my throat as the dark stain on Luna Freya’s jacket made itself known. Deep in color, shining under the poor basement lights. The blood on her jacket was still wet, though her skin was free of blemishes or wounds.

Every ounce of motherly concern drained from Luna Freya’s face as she caught the location of my gaze. Something dark and feral crossed her eyes, and without hesitation, she lunged for my throat.

I had just enough time to scramble backwards, knocking into a stack of boxes. I grunted as something hard slammed into my head, but remained focused on Luna Freya. I steadied myself as the boxes crashed to the floor, and I hoped the noise had woken the entire house.