chapter 37
Asher’s POV
All I wanted to do right now was to go back to our home with
Violet. But the royal family was here already. It would be
disrespectful for me to go and greet them.
Violet knew about this too. She struggled down and held my
hand, “Let’s go and see them. Shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
I was so lucky to have her.
By the time we reached the front gate of the packhouse, my
parents were already there with my uncle and aunt. The
atmosphere was far from being easy.
Having them stand side–by–side with each other, I could see
how much they resembled each other. Blood tightly bounded
them tightly together, but the only feeling my father had ever
expressed toward my uncle was dislike. I never understood
their brother rival growing up. I used to find it unnecessary… Until I learnt about my twin brother Isaac’s presence.
Now I had mixed feelings about my uncle. He was my family but was also the potential reason Isaac had become a rogue.
The mystery about Isaac would be unraveled sooner or later.
Until then, I decided to keep my guard high around my uncle.
My uncle spotted me from a distance. “Asher!” he called out
warmly, spreading his arms wide to welcome me. “It’s so nice to
see you son.”
I went over there to hug him, “Thanks for coming, uncle.” From
a peripheral look, I noticed my dad’s grim face.
“And this is my mate, Violet.” I introduced Violet to them.
They welcomed her warmly, and, almost as if on cue, didn’t ask
where Kylie was. My uncle was especially sharp about these
things–something I used to see as one of his strengths. But now,
it’s becoming a reason I needed to stay on guard around him.
My aunt was sweet as ever, holding Violet’s hands and asking
about her hairs and nails and stuff. My cousin Matthew had
come with them as well. Now looking at him at this proximity, I
could see why my father used to think he was my twin brother.
The resemblance was indeed shocking.
My uncle didn’t show any suspicious signs, and nor did my
aunt. I was starting to doubt if they really had anything to do
with Isaac becoming a rogue. The stories I heard was
contradictory. I didn’t know which one to trust.
I could take down as many enemies as necessary. Yet the
problem was, my current enemy might very well be my own
family.
After the appropriate amount of chit–chat, I left my uncle’s
family to my parents and left with Violet. It had been a long day
for us. I needed to be there for my mate while she recovered
from her own trauma. And also it might be a good idea to give
my parent some time to sort things out themselves.
We went back to our home. Violet insisted on making dinner. I
went into Mia’s room to check on her.
Our girl was asleep. I quietly knelt by her bedside and watched
her sleeping face as guilt surged up in me. I promised to treat
Mia as one of my own. But lately with all the crazy shits going
on, I could hardly remember when was the last time I spent time
with her.
A gentle knock on the door called me back to reality. “Dinner’s
ready.” Violet whispered.
I got up and left the bedroom, quietly closing the door behind
- me.
“I have been neglecting her,” I sighed as we sat down at the dining table. “This isn’t right. This is not how you be a good
father.”
Violet reached over and grabbed my hand, “Don’t beat yourself
- up. You are also an Alpha. You need to deal with the rogues and
the crisis first. Mia would understand.”
“I will end this. Won’t let the rogues hurt any of you.” I gave her
my promise.
“And when you stumbled upon that Isaac out there, what are
you going to do?” Violet asked. I noticed hatred flickering across
her eyes.
That was what I had been struggling with. As an Alpha, I had a
responsibility to avenge for my Gamma and member. But as a
brother, I ought to protect my own family.
This dilemma had been tearing my soul apart lately.
“I get it. You can’t do it.” Violet said lowly, pulling away from
- me.
I grabbed her hand hastily and tightened my grip, “I know you
are angry. You lost your best friend and Mia lost her parents…
But Isaac is my twin.”
“And Kylie is mine. Blood can’t erase the sin they had made. You
know your responsibility, Asher.” she said sharply.
“Yes. But we don’t know the full picture yet. He might be
misguided at the time. What if he was already starting to regret everything he did?”
“Are you saying that a word of apology from him is enough?” Violet gritted. I noticed gleaming tears in her eyes, which made my heart ache. “Elena and Patrick lost their lives! I don’t want any goddamn apology. I want my bloody revenge. Even if he is your brother!”
“Can we do this another time? We don’t even know where Isaac is right now.” I tried to postpone our fight.
She pulled back her hand forcefully. This time I didn’t hold onto
her.
“You can’t run away from the problem forever. And I won’t let
you do it. Who knows, maybe you’ll pardon Isaac tomorrow. So
I need to know your stand on this right now.”
What did she want me to say? That I wouldn’t hesitate to kill
my brother the next time I saw him? We both knew that would
be impossible! Elena and Patrick were important to her, just like
my brother was important to me.
We glared at each other in silence, both too stubborn to cave in.
Just then, a series of sharp cries and yells pierced through the
silence.
“FIRE!!”
“There’s a fire…Save the fire!”
We both jumped to our feet, horrified.
“Mia!!!” Violet let out a sharp scream and dashed to the door
with me on her heels. Horror had filled my mind. No, not Mia too!
Yet when we came into the hallway, we saw everyone running toward the opposite direction of Mia’s bedroom.
The fire was in my parent’s suite.
1
