CHAPTER 41
ASHER P.O.V
I sat in the room with Allen, Hayden… and Tyler.
From the moment he walked in, his eyes were locked on me—cold, sharp, filled with nothing but hatred.
"If you have something to say," I muttered, taking a slow sip of my whiskey, "say it. No need for the staring."
"I'll kill you, Asher."
I let out a dry chuckle. "Tell me something I don't already know."
"You're heartless," he snapped. "Killing innocent people—"
"Your kind isn't any better."
"For goodness' sake, it's my wedding," Hayden cut in, clearly irritated. "Whatever you two need to settle, do it later. I don't like where this is going."
"Same here," Allen added.
I leaned back slightly, my gaze shifting to Hayden. "You brought us here to talk about the Whites, didn't you?"
He nodded.
"Their forces are getting stronger by the day," Hayden began. "They're eliminating anyone who stands in their way. But that's not all… Recently, my team discovered something."
I raised a brow, signaling him to continue.
"A few days ago, some thugs tried breaking into my office. We apprehended them—but when we tried to interrogate them…" he paused, jaw tightening, "…they exploded."
Allen stiffened. "You don't mean—"
"Yes. They just… burst. It was a bloody mess."
Silence fell over the room.
"What I'm saying," Hayden continued, "is that the Whites are planning something bigger than dominance. Something we don't understand yet."
"This is serious," I said, setting my glass down. "I'll have my men look into it immediately."
For once, Tyler said nothing.
Too quiet.
He knew something.
"Is there something you'd like to share, Tyler?" Hayden asked.
"…Nothing."
"One more thing," Hayden added. "With everything going on, we need stability. That's why I suggest a pact."
"Pact?" I echoed.
"Until this storm passes, both of you stop killing each other's people."
I scoffed. "And what makes you think a halfwit like him can keep his word?"
Tyler's eyes darkened. "I could say the same about you… dog."
"This isn't about either of you," Hayden snapped. "It's about your people. Your loved ones. How do you expect to protect them when their leaders can't even act like adults?"
I went silent for a moment, weighing it.
"…Fine," I said at last. "As long as he keeps his side of the deal and stops hunting my pack."
"Same goes for you."
We shook hands.
A temporary peace.
Then chaos erupted downstairs.
I walked to the window and glanced down just in time to see Julia making a complete fool of herself… while Alexia stood there, staring her down.
"Seems I need to attend to my guests," Hayden said, already heading out. "Make yourselves comfortable."
Moments later, my phone rang.
I stepped outside to answer—but all I got was static.
Then I smelled it.
Blood.
I followed the scent into the woods behind Hayden's estate, moving deeper into the darkness—
And then they surrounded me.
Hybrids.
Dozens of them.
Growling. Circling. Waiting.
My jaw tightened.
"Tyler, you bastard…" I muttered under my breath. "It hasn't even been an hour, and you've already broken the pact."
The first one lunged.
I caught it mid-air and slammed it into the ground, bones cracking beneath my grip.
Another came from behind—I spun, claws slicing through flesh. Blood sprayed across my face, warm and thick.
More closed in.
Teeth. Growls. Death.
"You picked the wrong night," I said coldly.
The forest echoed with snarls and the sound of tearing flesh.
When it was over… bodies littered the ground.
And I stood in the middle of it—covered in blood that wasn't mine.
I pulled out my phone.
"Felix, come pick me up. I'm at—"
"Sir, where are you?" his voice cut in urgently. "There's been an attack at the party… your sister—she's been shot."
Everything inside me went still.
Then I ran.
By the time I got back, chaos had taken over.
People everywhere. Guards shouting.
Clara was being wheeled into an ambulance.
"Clara…?"
My chest tightened.
Who would target her?
Or…
Was she even the target?
"Sir, we caught the attacker."
"Take him to Kyle."
"Right away, sir."
Three hours later
"I'll talk! I'll talk!"
The man was barely holding on—bloodied, broken, terrified.
I stepped closer slowly.
"I'm listening."
"I… I wasn't supposed to kill her," he stammered. "It was a mistake."
My eyes darkened. "Then who were you supposed to kill?"
"I—I don't know her name! I was only given a picture!"
"Describe her."
He swallowed hard. "Tall… long black hair… blue eyes…"
My heartbeat slowed.
"…Alexia."
"I swear I didn't mean to shoot the blonde one!" he cried. "She just got in the way—"
I was already moving.
My hand shot out, gripping his throat, lifting him off the ground.
"Who sent you?" I growled.
"I… I can't say…"
"Speak!" I roared.
"I—"
A faint beeping sound came from behind his head.
Heat.
Too much heat.
I let go instantly.
The next second—
He exploded.
Blood. Flesh. Silence.
I turned away coldly. "Clean it up."
In the car, my mind raced.
This was exactly what Hayden had warned us about.
But why Alexia?
What did the Whites want with her?
Julia? No.
Henry White? Unlikely.
So who?
Someone else was behind this.
Someone we hadn't seen yet.
And I would find them.
At the hospital, Tyler was already there.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly.
He scoffed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
I grabbed him and slammed him against the concrete wall outside.
"Don't play dumb. You sent those hybrids after me."
His eyes flared. "What are you talking about?"
"You were the only one who knew where I went."
"I sent no one!" he snapped, shoving me back. A blue light flickered across his fist as he struck—but I dodged. The wall behind me shattered.
"Funny," I said coldly. "Because they're all dead now."
"Unlike you," he shot back, furious, "I actually kept my word. And now my people are dead because of you."
"If you respected the pact, maybe they wouldn't be."
"I told you—I sent no one!" he growled. "This pact is over."
"I couldn't agree more."
"Listen carefully," he said, voice low and dangerous. "If you touch my people again, it's war. Stay away from me… and stay away from Alexia."
I said nothing.
Just turned and walked away.
The next day, I returned to the hospital.
Alexia's scent hit me immediately.
Was she already here?
I reached Clara's room—
And froze.
Allen and Alexia stood too close.
Too close.
Their faces inches apart.
About to—
I stepped in sharply. "What's going on here?"
Allen straightened. "I was helping her back to her room."
"What is she even doing here?" I snapped. "Can't she walk on her own?"
"She came to see Clara."
"No one is allowed to see her."
"Relax," Alexia muttered. "I was leaving anyway. No need to be so grumpy."
My mood shifted instantly.
"Allen. Leave."
"Asher—"
"Go."
He left.
Silence fell.
I stared at her—conflicted, irritated… something else I couldn't name.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," she said.
"What's your relationship with Tyler?"
She frowned. "Why do you want to know?"
"Answer me."
"I won't. It's none of your business."
"Why do you always have to be so stubborn?"
"At least I'm not inconsiderate."
She turned and started walking away—
Limping.
I froze.
How did I not notice?
I moved quickly, lifting her into my arms.
"Put me down," she protested. "I'm not talking to you."
"Stop moving."
"…Fine."
She pouted.
And for a second… I almost smiled.
I carried her to her room and gently set her down.
"Thank you for saving Clara," I said quietly.
"She's my best friend. Of course I would."
I nodded.
I wanted to say more—
But she cut me off.
"I'd like to rest now, Mr. Slade."
Mr. Slade?
I stared at her for a moment… then left.
The next day—
A male scent lingered outside her room.
Not Tyler.
I stepped closer.
"…I like you, Alexia."
My blood ran cold.
I pushed the door open.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
The man turned calmly. "And who are you?"
"Leave."
He smirked. "Not happening."
"Dylan," Alexia said softly. "You should go."
"Are you okay?" he asked her. "You can tell me anything."
"I'm fine. Just tired."
He hesitated… then left.
I turned back to her.
"What's your problem?" she snapped.
"You need to be careful who you trust."
"Dylan has done nothing wrong!"
"The man who shot Clara was after you."
Silence.
Her face drained of color.
"What…?"
"He missed. Clara didn't."
Tears filled her eyes.
I stepped closer, gently wiping them away.
"It's not your fault."
"But it is…"
Before I could respond, Tyler stormed in.
"What did you do to her?!"
"Nothing that concerns you."
"Liar—"
"STOP!" she shouted.
We both froze.
"Both of you… leave."
I hesitated.
Then leaned closer to her, brushing her hair back gently.
"Get some rest."
She nodded weakly.
And I walked away.
As I stepped out of the hospital, my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
I opened the message.
"How's your sister? Good I presume?."
My jaw tightened.
Another message came in.
"Next time… we won't miss."
My grip on the phone tightened.
Whoever this was…
The real game had just begun.