Alpha Asher

The facts were battering my mind faster than I could handle.

My Mom's rejected mate was a Vampire-She cheated on Dad with him and got pregnant. Sean was already born, leaving me the only other option.

My Father was a vampire-Making me half vampire, all of which culminated in leaving this scarlett mark on my chest.

"How do I get rid of this mark?" I snapped. I couldn't control half of what I was, but the mark was something I could control. I wanted it off of my body, as well as any trace of Tristan.

Grandma frowned, "Unlike werewolves, Vampires get to choose their mate. It's likely the Vampire chose you for a reason. If he's not your Goddess-given mate, that should be able to over-ride the Vampires mark.

Grandma was lost in thought, and I clenched my teeth together in frustration.

"Should?" I grimaced, "You don't know for sure?"

"Your Mom was marked by her mate, and it looked similar to yours." Grandma sighed, looking much older than she truly was. "The mark wouldn't come off, cause they were destined mates. I'm guessing once you're marked by your actual mate, the Vampire's should leave your skin." "And what if Tristan is my mate?" I frowned, ignoring the small part of my heart that fluttered at his name. "What if I'm mated to a Vampire?"

"We can only pray the past hasn't repeated itself." Grandma frowned, looking at me with so much saddness.

I couldn't help but feel truly wounded as I looked on at my Dad. His face looked pain, but you could clearly see the love in his eyes. I wasn't his biological child, but he had been there my entire life. Even being half-vampire, he loved his daughter. What also broke my heart was the fact that Grandma and I weren't truly related. It was hard to believe, considering how much I looked like her. I suppose there were plenty of other people who had black hair and bright eyes.

"Don't." Grandma grimaced and shook her head. "I know what you're thinking and I'm telling you to quit it. Doesn't matter what you are, family is family.”

I nodded at the two of them, "It doesn't change anything?"

I sounded fragile, as though my whole life depended on their next words.

"Doesn't change one thing." Dad shook his head, and I wanted to burst into tears. I had no idea if Sean knew the truth, but I could only hope he'd accept me the same.

"I'm afraid I have to confess something." Grandma pursed her lips, "And you aren't going to be happy."

"What?" My stomach sunk, and I could taste my breakfast from earlier. I wasn't sure I could survive any more lifelong secrets.

"I had to let Alpha Asher know what happened." Grandma sighed, "He's on his way back."

Something new ignited in my stomach, other than fear. It was the longing for Alpha Asher that had somehow been suppressed. It felt like a crudely made dam inside of me had finally broke, and I remembered how Alpha Asher made me feel. "What did you tell him?" I exhaled, my mind thinking of all the ways this could end badly.

"Everything." Grandma frowned, averting her eyes from my shuddering form.

"Why tell him everything?" I growled.

"Lola, he's our Alpha." Dad grimaced, "We shouldn't have kept it secret to begin with."

"I think you know why." Grandma frowned, "If these deaths are Vampire related, it could easily be the same one who attacked you at the club. The body outside your window proves my point."

I bit my tongue hard enough to draw blood. What would Alpha Asher think when he saw the mark on my neck? I wasn't sure why I cared what he thought, but the idea of hurting him sent pain twisting into my stomach. "Alpha Asher knows the Vampire gave you his mark unwillingly." Grandma nodded, "He knows it's not your fault."

Grandma was wrong, it was my fault. I could've fought against him, or tried to resist. There was still that small part of me that wanted Tristan, was allured by his looks and aura of danger.

"Starting tomorrow, I'm going to be training you." Grandma wiped the tired frown from her face and looked at me with determination.

"Training me?" I couldn't help but raise my eyebrow, "Grandma, I'm already trained."

"Not here." Grandma rolled her eyes, poking my unmarked shoulder. "Here." She had a hint of her usual smirk as she pointed at my head.

"You're going to train my head?" I forced a playful smirk onto my own face.

Grandma rolled her eyes, some of the tension gone from her face. "I'm going to help you prepare yourself if any Vampires try and mess with your mind. If a Vampire wants my Grand-daughter, we're not gonna make it easy." "I'm all for it." Maya nodded with a huff, "I have a feeling the Vampire isn't fond of your wolf side."

"Too bad." I muttered back to her, "You're not going anywhere."

"Don't plan on it." Maya nodded, pleased with my response.

"Alpha Asher wanted me to pass along a message." Grandma's voice cut through my thoughts. "He expects you to mind-link him once you're awake."

"I've been awake for almost an hour." I cocked my eyebrow at Grandma.

"Alpha's." Grandma shook her head but a small smile graced her lips, "Never was fond of them."

"I'm gonna go lay down for awhile." I smiled softly at the two of them, "I'll have Mason and Breyona over later."

"I wouldn't wait to long on contacting Alpha Asher." Dad grumbled, "I can't protect you if you piss the damn Alpha off again."

"Never expected ya to, Dad." I forced a cocky grin on my face.

Dad raised his eyebrow, "You're lucky Alpha Asher hasn't bitten your head off already."

"I think Alpha Asher enjoy's Lola's head intact." Grandma snickered like a teenage girl, and I gave her a wide-eyed look. This woman would be my downfall, I swear.

Even if Grandma and I weren't related by blood; We were definitely related by soul. We were too much alike with our strong willpower and arsenal of snarky comments.

"Is that code for something?" Dad growled, a grimace forming on his face as he glared at me and Grandma.

"Not at all." I gave him an innocent grin and darted down the hallway towards my bedroom.

"Close the curtains in your bedroom." Grandma chimed in as I walked down the hall. "The light will only hurt your head."

I flopped back down in bed, feeling much too jittery for what I was about to do.

Even though there was a smart part of me that called out for Tristan, my feelings for Alpha Asher were more present than ever. They were no longer held back by Tristan's mind-games. Some part of me feared Alpha Asher might hate me; might throw me from the pack without a second thought.

If he were to throw me out, who would I go to?

That small part of my mind screamed Tristan's name while Maya promised Alpha Asher would never do that.

My nineteenth birthday was more important than ever now. Finding my mate was crucial, and I was desperately hoping the past hadn't repeated itself.

I took a few calming breaths, trying to still the torment in my mind. In order to mind-link someone, you had to clear your mind and think of them. Any additional thoughts could bring other people in the pack into the mind-link. Alpha Asher's face flooded my mind. His husky scent paired with his unruly chocolate colored hair. His honey colored eyes were vibrant in my mind. I could feel the connection form and solidify as if it were tangible. All that was left was to speak. "Alpha?" My voice sounded unsure, almost timid. It was hard forcing my usual confidence back into my words.

I was feeling guilty for practically forgetting about Alpha Asher, but my mind had been muddled beyond belief. How could I forget the weird way I felt about him? My heart was pulling me in two separate directions. One part yearned for Tristan, while my other half and Maya called for Alpha Asher.

My heart nearly jumped from my chest when Alpha Asher's rough voice filtered through my head. The sound of his voice chased away all lingering thoughts about Tristan, making me feel almost giddy.

"Lola." Alpha Asher's voice was rough and gravely, "Always getting into trouble, and now I seem to understand why."