Chapter 38: The Warning

Asher’s POV



Earlier tonight, I was sitting on the back porch enjoying a beer with Jack while we watched the sunset. The air was chilly, but the heat from sparring was keeping me warm.

I was sipping on my beer when I saw Harper and Amaris come stomping out from the woods. Harper looked pissed and Amaris looked confused. Harper grabbed me by the arm and walked us away to a private spot on the porch.

She proceeded to tell me what she saw in the woods between my uncles, Drake and Zoey. As she continued to talk, I could feel my blood beginning to boil and the heat rose up my neck.

When Harper finished speaking, I calmly told her I would meet her in the bedroom before going to dinner and walked off without another word.

That was almost an hour ago now. I’ve been pacing the floor in Julius’s room, waiting for him to return so I can have it out with him. It’s been a long time coming, and frankly, there is a lot of things I want to say to him right now.

The longer he takes to return, the angrier and more frustrated I become.

Not even five minutes later, the door handle begins to turn. Julius walks in but stops in his tracks when he sees me. He looks confused for a moment, but hides it in an instant.

“Asher,” he says, greeting me with a smile, “What brings you here?”

“There are a lot of reasons why I’m here,” My words are blunt, “You’ve got some explaining to do.”

Julius doesn’t move from his position in front of the door, “Explain what exactly?”

I rub my chin, as if I’m thinking, “Okay, let’s start with why Drake and Zoey are here.”

“They told you why. They came for supplies that only our territory have,” he scoffs, speaking as if I’m dumb.

“You know that’s not the real reason,” I say, folding my arms across my chest.

Julius frowns, eyeing me up and down, probably trying to figure out how much information I know before he speaks.

“Because I think you know exactly why they’re here,” I say, walking across the floor to sit at his desk, “You would know because you brought them here for your plan.”

I can see the gears turning behind his eyes, trying to think of a way to get himself out of this.

“How did you find out?” He asks.

“That doesn’t matter,” My voice is hard, “I know everything around here. Nothing gets past me.”

“What are you going to do about it? Huh?” he says, a stupid smirk forming on his lips, “The plan didn’t work, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, but I do,” I lean forward, putting my elbows on my knees, “You just won’t stop until you have complete control over this pack. You will stop at nothing to get what you want, even going as far to poison my wife.”

He scoffs, “You have no proof that was me.”

I stand to my feet, walking towards him until I’m only a few feet away.

“Yes, I do,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him, “I have all the proof I need. Mrs. Lang was able to test the poison in Harper’s blood to figure out its source.”

I pace back and forth in front of him, hoping to appear intimidating, “Strangely enough, she traced the exact same substance to what was found in my Father’s system the day he died.”

Julius’s face drops, as if he’s seen his life flash before his eyes.

“I was told that this poison can only be found in the woods surrounding this compound. Which means, someone likes to stick to what they know.”

I stop pacing and step towards Julius; I’m so close there is nowhere for him to go, “And I think that person is you.”

Julius scoffs, “You have no proof that it was me.”

“I don’t need proof,” I spit, “No one here wants Harper gone besides you. When it came to my Father, you were jealous he inherited the Alpha title over you.”

I look him up and down, I can feel the nerves radiating through his body, “You have an obsession for power, and when he wouldn’t give you any, you decided to take it for yourself.”

I move away and pace around the room again, my steps long and slow. I want to see this man sweat under my gaze.

“But you didn’t account for the fact that I was to inherit the title when I turned twenty-five. So, for many years you had all the power you could’ve wanted, but when I came of age it was suddenly stripped away from you, leaving you with nothing.”

“I never-“ I cut Julius off; I’m sick of hearing his voice and the lies that he spills.

“You groomed me for many years, making me think that it was normal to allow my uncles to help with how I lead the pack, when I should’ve been doing it myself,” I stop pacing, ready to hit him with the final blow, “You killed my Father for power, and now you’re trying to kill Harper in hopes you can regain your control from me.”

“Asher, listen,” Julius stammers, “I can explain.”

“I don’t want your explanation,” I snap, “I could understand if you were trying to kill me for the title but involving my wife was the last straw. I’m done playing your games. If you continue trying to harm us, I will have no choice but to banish you from the pack.”

Julius’s eyes darken at the mention of being banished, “You wouldn’t do that to your family. Dean and I are the only blood relatives you have left.”

“So, murdering your own brother is okay then?” I ask, “I think being banished is the least of your worries.”

Julius hangs his head, “I didn’t mean for it to get to this point. I loved your Father, and I love you. I promise I won’t cross you again.”

“Murdering someone you claim you love, doesn’t mean you love them,” I say, walking towards him.

I walk past Julius to the door, getting satisfaction as I watch him flinch when I take a small lunge towards him.