Alpha Asher by Jane

Chapter 178

“What the fuck?” I deadpanned, staring at what could easily be my father’s clone like the

man himself had risen from the grave and sewn his head back on.

I couldn’t process the thoughts churning in my head enough to formulate any other

response, but I couldn’t help but feel as though those three words summed things up

brilliantly.

He had the same thick hair, composed of the darkest onyx, that Holly and I inherited, along

with the startling eyes. His build was definitely larger than my father’s, but his face, the

wide-set jaw and sloped nose—that was the same.

The man who claimed to be my uncle—as if that wasn’t the weirdest thing I’d ever said,

raised one of his dark eyebrows. “Well said.”

“You’re Deacon?” I managed, my voice a touch suspicious.

He nodded imperceptibly, “That’s what I’m called.”

“The former King doesn’t have a brother. I spent nearly all of my time by his side, and never

had he mentioned a brother. How is this possible?” Tristan grimaced, hovering protectively

at my side.

Deacon snorted at Tristan’s reaction, his broad shoulders shifting in the process. The other

Vampire’s in the warehouse, the one’s he’d been conversing with, stared with equal parts

curiosity and contempt.

“You think just because you spent your every waking moment preening after my brother,

means you get access to his secrets? Try again. My brother would’ve served your head to the

witches on a silver platter if it meant getting what he wanted, no matter how loyal you

were.” He replied, rubbing at the stubble on his chin as though he had a second, more

amusing thought. “No wonder you’re following this one around. You must be grateful she got

rid of him before he could get rid of you.”

The teasing and condescending tone laced within his rough voice made me bristle, sending

a rush of heat down my neck and arms.

“Lola. My name is Lola.”

“How right you are, Lola.” He replied, putting emphasis on my name as he stared at me with those glacier eyes—

cold, but not nearly as cold as my father’s. “You’ve changed since you beheaded my brother. You’re stronger, more

confident in yourself.”

I set my jaw stubbornly, refusing to break my stare from his, even with all the Vampire’s in the room hovering

nearby. “That happens when you kill someone.”

“That’s not all that happened though, is it?” Deacon asked, his tone implying he wasn’t expecting an answer. “Luna

and the Vampire Queen. You must have your hands full. Does your mate know you’re here? Alpha Asher is a well-

known name in this country, though you’re becoming more popular by the day.”

“You left out the part where I have a bunch of witches trying to kill me, and yes, Asher knows I’m here.” I kept my

voice hard, molding it into granite so nothing could slip through.

Deacon crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head ever so slightly. It was something my father would’ve

never done, a movement that lacked the class and etiquette he had prided himself on.

“Mmm, I think you’re lying, Lola. I think your mate has no clue you’re here, and even if he does, I have a strong

feeling he doesn’t know where here is. So, what’s keeping me from separating your head from your body like you

did my brother, and sending your little minion here marching out into broad daylight?”

At my side, Tristan went rigid. Waves of pure loathing radiated off of him like a furnace, so scalding that I thought

he might sink into a defensive position and attack.

“How would you know anything about Asher?” I snorted, smirking up at the man who had just threatened to lob my

head off. I craned my head to the left and right, pretending to look around. “As far as I can tell, you’re holed up

here, in a trashy warehouse. Some leader you are, Uncle.”

Deacon’s lips twisted upwards, and as they did so, I realized why my father never smiled himself.

He was horrifying in the same way my father was, eyes glinting with unshod knowledge and cruelty. Even though

there were differences between the two, I had a feeling they were alike in more ways than I could count.

“I have my spies scattered along my web like little spiders. They whisper information down the threads, and I hear

it. How else would I know about the murders in your pack, or of your mate’s unhinged nature? I can relate, you

know. Living with someone cruel and violent is draining—constantly on your guard, wondering when the day will

come when you see your blood being spilled.”

I swallowed a snarl, letting it rumble in my chest rather than giving Deacon the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten

to me. A thought slithered into my head, and rather than play it safe in hopes my uncle wouldn’t murder me, I

opted for reckless and impulsive.

“I’m impressed, truly. You know so much about my pack, it’s frightening.” I nodded solemnly. “It affects me so

deeply because a certain prisoner of mine, the one who gave me the directions to this place, she didn’t mention

anything about who you were. I can’t help but feel that Bridgette left out a huge chunk of information when we last

spoke.”

Deacon’s entire demeanor changed. Like a switch had been flipped, the cruel and almost humorous light to his eyes

vanished, blown out like a candle whose wisps of smoke trickled and faded into the air.

“Everyone, get the fuck out?’ His tone was flat, not too loud but not too quiet.

Without pause, the Vampire’s surrounding us began to move, bustling towards the fallen shelves, headed in the

direction we had come from.

“You can stay, Dina.” He grunted at the last second.

The African American Vampire who’d stopped our bike in the middle of the road nodded, and I swore a wave of

understanding passed between the two, one I wasn’t sure I’d ever understand.

Once every single Vampire was out of sight, Dina’s mate included, Deacon shattered the

tension-filled silence.

“I want you to tell me everything you know about Bridgette, and if she was with any other

Vampire’s when you found her.” His entitled demand coaxed a dry laugh from my throat.

“Yeah, and I want you to tell me how my father has a secret brother, and everything you

know about the witches that want me dead.” I retorted, losing some of my steam when his

eyes remained unbreakably hard.

I knew the look from staring at Asher half a dozen times. Deacon cared about Bridgette, but

he was a man carved from steel, honed by cruelty and a past most likely laced with

darkness. He’d burn down the world for her, but he’d never let it see him break.

“Look, she’s still alive. I didn’t have her tortured or anything. What information she gave me,

she did of her own freewill.”

Deacon didn’t let his relief show, but I had a feeling it washed over him the same way it had

washed over me when I heard Asher’s voice two night’s ago and realized he was alive.

“You didn’t use any magic on her?” He narrowed his eyes as he asked. “Yeah, I know about

your magic, and I’m not talking about the shadows, either.”

I wanted to know how he knew, and while I planned on asking that very question, the time

wasn’t right.

“No, I didn’t use magic on her.”

Deacon watched me, his expression rigid and unfaltering. I’d long mastered the art of

keeping a

Vampire out of my head, but I couldn’t help but reinforce my walls as his stare turned

penetrating.

“I was what the royal family called a ‘back-up child.’ If my brother were to\ defect, then I

would take the throne. As it turns out, I’m the one that defected.

When the eldest child takes over, there’s no need for a back-up anymore. The only mistake

my brother ever made, other than getting his head chopped off by you, was letting me live.”

Deacon huffed, launching into an explanation I knew was horrendously shortened. “ I was

banished, but I wasn’t alone. My brother had already been King for some time, long enough

for some of his people to see him for the madman he was. Some of those Vampire’s decided

to come with me. Now, tell me about Bridgette.”