Chapter 54 Chapter 54

Chapter 54 Chapter 54
  Asher’s POV
  “You heard me, Alpha. I want a child,” she repeated, a grin spreading across her face. My fists clenched at her audacity.
  “Don’t you ever kiss me again,” I snapped, my voice tight with irritation. Her smile only widened, and that smug look made my blood boil.
  “You’re feisty, you know that?” she said with an amused tone, eyes glinting with challenge. “And that just makes you even sexier.” She leaned in slightly. “You don’t want me taking your child away? Then you’ll compensate me by giving me one. Seems fair to me.”
  “I can get you a child if that’s what you want,” I spat, my voice sharp. “There are plenty of people I can offer up, but it will never—never—be from me.” My gaze hardened. “And don’t you ever make the mistake of asking me again.”
  Her jaw tightened, anger flashing in her eyes.
  “Fine,” she said coldly. “You’ve made your decision, and I’ve made mine.” Her voice was like ice. “I came here for a child—and I’m not leaving without one.”
  “And if that doesn’t happen?” I asked, my voice low, needing to understand the depth of what I was up against.
  She didn’t hesitate. A sharp laugh burst from her lips, cruel and mocking.
  “I’ll destroy you,” she said, eyes narrowing. “Everything you’ve ever cared about—gone. Don’t test me, Alpha. You won’t like the outcome.”
  There was something in her stare—something deeper than rage. Her eyes, completely white, seemed to shimmer unnaturally. I felt something shift in the room, something slipping through the cracks.
  “You can’t, Zara. You can’t destroy me, and you know it.” My words made her eyes flicker. I stepped closer. “You said it yourself—I’m special. That’s why you want a child with my blood. For your own selfish gain.” I shook my head, scoffing. “How didn’t I see it before?”
  She smirked, unbothered. “Glad you figured it out. But it doesn’t change anything. I will destroy everything, Alpha!”
  Her scream tore through the air, louder than anything I’d ever heard. My eardrums rang violently, pain searing through my skull. I covered my ears, but it was useless—the sound was everywhere. Glass shattered around us like rain.
  “Now leave!” she ordered, her voice cutting through the silence that followed.
  I stared her down, my tone deadly calm. “I’ll find a way, Zara. I will find a way to get rid of you—for good.”
  “Suit yourself then. I’ll be here waiting,” she said with a sly smile.
  I turned and walked out of her house, the weight of her words still clinging to me like smoke. As soon as I stepped outside, I spotted Michael and Sean. They stood stiffly, panic etched across their faces.
  “Asher, what the fuck happened?” Michael demanded, rushing toward me. “We heard screaming. What the hell is going on in there?”
  “I need to talk to you both,” I said, brushing past him. I didn’t answer his question, and they didn’t push it—they simply followed me in silence.
  Back at the house, I dropped onto the couch and began tapping my foot relentlessly. The silence stretched until Michael finally broke it.
  “Asher, what’s going on? You dragged us here—talk to us.”
  I lifted my gaze, my jaw clenched tight. “I fucked up. Big time,” I muttered, pushing my fingers through my hair in frustration.
  “Asher, what do you mean?” Sean asked, his tone low and cautious.
  I stood, needing to move. “Michael, remember when you asked me what Zara really wanted, and I told you it was nothing?”
  He nodded slowly.
  “Well, it wasn’t nothing,” I said, voice tight. “She came here for one reason—to have my child.”
  Their eyes widened, confused and alarmed.
  “She made a deal with me,” I continued. “Said if she helped save my people, I’d give her a child. At the time, I didn’t think Isabella would end up pregnant… I was desperate. I agreed.”
  The room fell heavy with silence.
  “We should throw her out,” Michael snapped, anger breaking through. “You’re still the most powerful man in the world, Asher. She can’t possibly force you if you refuse.”
  “No, Michael,” I replied firmly. “She can’t hurt me… but she can hurt the people I love. And I’m not willing to take that risk.”
  Frustration simmered beneath my calm tone. “I have to find a way to get rid of her—for good.”
  “You can’t just get rid of Zara,” a voice came from behind us.
  We all turned to see Isabella’s mother standing in the doorway. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes carried the weight of something darker.
  “The moment I saw her again, I knew something terrible was coming,” she said, stepping forward, concern slipping into her voice.
  “You’re here… I thought you weren’t feeling well,” I said, worry breaking through my hardened expression.
  She shook her head. “Don’t worry about me, Alpha. I’m strong enough to be here—to warn you.”
  Her eyes locked with mine.
  “Zara—or should I say Lunareth.”
  “Lunareth?” I repeated, the name foreign on my tongue.
  “That’s her original name,” Isabella’s mother said quietly. “Lunareth. During our time, she was the most powerful moon goddess. Everyone loved and adored her. She was kind… serene—the gentlest goddess ever known.”
  She paused, her voice growing heavier.
  “But everything changed when she fell in love—and was betrayed by the one person she trusted the most. She lost her unborn child because of him. After that, the gentle goddess we knew became a nightmare. A force of vengeance feared by all.”
  Her voice cracked slightly as emotion began to rise.
  “She despises weak men. Because the one she loved… he was weak. She believes if he’d been stronger, he wouldn’t have abandoned her when she needed him most.” Her eyes glistened as old memories haunted her. “She tore through the entire wolf clan. My husband and his pack tried everything to stop her—but nothing worked.”
  She drew in a shaky breath.
  “Then one day, she just vanished. No one knew what happened. We were relieved, grateful even, thinking her reign of terror was finally over. But then… we heard the screams again—echoing through the night. Again and again. That’s how we knew she was still around. Her screams… they’re a cry of pain. Of endless suffering.”
  Tears slipped down her cheeks. “And now… she’s come for my daughter.”
  “No,” I said firmly, stepping forward. “She won’t lay a hand on Isabella. I’ll protect her—always. Nothing will happen to her, I promise.”
  She looked at me, searching my face, then slowly shook her head.
  “Lunareth doesn’t accept ‘no,’ Alpha. Whatever you do, don’t provoke her. She’s more dangerous than you can possibly imagine.”
  “Wow,” Michael muttered, attempting to lighten the mood. “This feels like we’re living in some dark, twisted fantasy novel. Creeping me out a little.”
  “This isn’t the time for jokes, Michael,” Sean snapped, glaring at him. I shot Michael a look that silenced him instantly.
  He raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Too soon. I get it.”
  I turned back to Isabella’s mother. “Ma’am, your daughter is safe with me. I’ll protect her with my life.”
  She gave a small nod. “I believe you, Alpha… but still—don’t do anything to anger Lunareth.”
  With that, she turned and quietly left the room.
  I watched her go, then turned to the others, my tone urgent. “We need to find a solution to this—and we need to do it fast.”