Chapter 59 Chapter 59

Chapter 59 Chapter 59
  Asher’s POV
  The moment she steps into my office, something inside me snaps. That face—the same one I used to look up to before it twisted into a frown —only ignites the fury burning in my chest.
  “What the fuck are you doing here?” My voice cuts through the room, sharp and cold.
  “Son…” she starts.
  “Don’t fucking call me that.” The words spit out of my mouth before I can stop them, thick with rage and disgust. “Get the hell out of here.”
  She flinches, but doesn’t move. “I just want to talk to you, Asher. I know things aren’t good between us right now—”
  I scoff, cutting her off before she finishes that sentence. Things aren’t good between us? She’s kidding herself.
  “You think this is just a rough patch? Things have never been good between us, Maris. Never. So do us both a favor and get the hell out of my office.”
  “I think I’ll step out now,” Michael says awkwardly from the side, clearly uncomfortable as he slips out and closes the door behind him.
  But she’s still standing there. Like she didn’t just hear me. Like she has some kind of right to be here.
  “Why are you still here?” I snap, my voice rising with every syllable. My fists clench at my sides, and I hate the way she just stands there—like her presence isn’t rotting the air around me. “Did you not fucking hear me?”
  “Asher!” she yells back, and her voice echoes against the walls. But it doesn’t faze me. I’ve lived through worse. Her anger means nothing now. “I’m here because you are my son, and I have every right to see you.”
  I laugh bitterly, the sound laced with venom. “Don’t ever call me that again, Maris. I’m not your son, and you—” I step forward, glaring directly into her eyes “—you are not my mother. You never were.”
  Tears slip from her eyes, but I see them for what they are—manipulation in liquid form.
  “You forget,” I continue, my voice now a low, dangerous growl, “you pointed a gun at me. You abandoned me. Left me to rot while you played the mother role to someone else. I’ve learned to live without you. I’ve learned to survive without a mother. So go. Get the hell out.”
  She doesn’t flinch this time. Instead, she takes a shaky breath, holding herself upright like she’s still got some dignity left.
  “I know you hate me,” she says, her voice cracking. “I’ve made unforgivable choices. But everything I did—I did it to protect you. That’s what mothers do. They protect their children.”
  Her words twist something in my stomach. Not guilt—just nausea. Disgust.
  “If that—” I gesture between us, eyes narrowed “—is your version of protection, then I want no part of it. I don’t want you near me, Maris. And I mean it. Don’t ever come back here.”
  My voice is cold now, terrifying in its stillness. She wipes her tears, steadying her breath.
  “I knew this would happen,” she whispers. “I knew you wouldn’t want to talk to me. But I came anyway, because I’m scared. I’m scared for you, Asher.”
  I stiffen, watching her carefully.
  She continues, quieter this time, her voice shaking. “Zachary… he’s moving forward with his plan. I know Lunareth is back, and I know Zachary wants to help her destroy you.”
  Her words sink into me like ice. My heartbeat slows, but my mind is racing.
  “What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice laced with curiosity, though a knot of unease was already forming in my chest.
  She met my gaze, her expression deadly serious. “I don’t know if anyone’s told you about Lunareth—or the kind of demon she really is,” she said slowly. “She’s here because she knows about your energy, your powers. She wants to destroy you… and become something far more powerful than she’s ever been.”
  The warning in her tone was sharp, nearly cutting.
  My jaw tightened. “What are they going to do?” I asked, a sliver of desperation slipping into my voice despite myself.
  Her next words hit like a hammer. “She’s going to take your child with Isabella. She’ll feed on that child to gain immortality—eternity, Asher.”
  I froze. My breath caught in my throat. What?
  “She feeds on children,” Maris continued, her voice quiet but steady, “but not just any child—only the powerful ones. And a child born from you and Isabella… a forbidden union? That child’s power would be unmatched. It would give her eternal life.”
  She stepped closer, slowly, like she was afraid I might bolt.
  “Zachary’s helping her,” she added, her voice tightening with concern. “With his own abilities—and with help from the humans—he wants to erase you. Forever.”
  My heart pounded like war drums in my chest. The room felt smaller. Hotter. My pulse roared in my ears.
  But I clenched my jaw, shutting down the panic. No. Not from her.
  “Why the hell should I believe a word you say?” I asked, my voice dropping to a cold growl. “Why are you even telling me this? What’s your angle, Maris? Trying to deceive me again?” I took a step back, shaking my head in disgust. “Whatever it is, it’s not going to work.”
  “I’m not lying to you, Asher.” Her tone softened but held firm. “I’m warning you. I tried to warn you before—back when Zachary first came for you. But you wouldn’t listen.” Her voice cracked just slightly, and I hated how real it sounded. “This time, you need to. Because Lunareth is involved now. And she’s not just dangerous—she’s the deadliest wolf you’ll ever face.”
  I stayed silent, staring at her. She might be full of shit. But something about the way her voice trembled when she said Lunareth made my gut twist.
  It’d be stupid to trust her. I knew that. But if what she said was true… if Isabella and my child were in danger…
  “Fine.” My voice was quiet but firm. “You can help. This is your one chance to prove your loyalty. One.”
  A slow smile spread across her face, relief washing over her like rain after a drought.
  “Thank you, Asher,” she said, her voice softer now. She stepped forward as if to hug me.
  I shifted away, not bothering to hide my disgust.
  “Don’t push it,” I muttered.
  Her smile faltered, and she stepped back, slightly embarrassed. “Right… of course. Thank you,” she said again, before quietly leaving my office.
  As the door clicked shut behind her, I let out a slow breath and leaned against my desk, a grim grin tugging at my lips.
  “You think I’m stupid enough to fall for whatever trap you’re setting,” I muttered to myself . “But watching you, hearing you—it gave me an idea. And I’m going to use it.”
  My grin widened.