Chapter 42: The Brother's

Harper’s POV



“Artemis?”

Ansel gets out of the passenger seat, looking tired and drained. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days. Whereas Artemis looks like he’s drunk five energy drinks and is bouncing off the walls.

The two of them walk along the pathway leading to the porch. It feels like my heart has stopped beating in my chest, and the tips of my fingers have become numb.

I’m beyond shocked to see my brothers here. A million things are running through my head right now, but the only thing I can pull from the chaos is the simple question; why are they here?

“This isn’t much of a welcoming party,” Artemis says, dusting the snow off his coat.

“Maybe if you would’ve given me a heads up I could’ve pulled something together,” I say, trying to regain my composure.

Ansel takes a seat across from me, “It was a last-minute trip.”

At that moment, Asher walks through the front door holding two cups of coffee in the one hand and a plate full of pieces of toast in the other.

“I hope your fingers aren’t too cold.” Asher is stopped in his tracks when he sees Artemis and Ansel on his property.

He looks at me confused, “What’s going on here.”

Artemis speaks before I get the chance to, “My brother and I thought it would be nice to stop in and see how our sister is doing with her new husband.”

“Well, you’ve seen me,” My words are blunt, “Now you can leave.”

Artemis throws his hands in the air, “Hang on now, that’s no way to greet a fellow Alpha.”

My heart plummets from its spot in the middle of my chest all the way to the bottom of my feet.

“Wh-what?” I ask, anxious to hear his response.

His smile is wide, “You heard me. I’m the Alpha now, so you better show me some respect and invite me inside.”

I look at Asher, and his mouth is hanging open. I’m sure he’s just as shocked as I am. What’s happened there since I left?

“Where’s Father,” I demand, standing to my feet.

Artemis looks smug in his fur coat, “He’s dead.”

This is bad, very bad. I’m sure I’m just in a dream like when I was poisoned, except this time it’s a nightmare that’s far beyond reality.

Asher places a hand on my back when my words fail me, attempting to comfort me in this moment.

“What happened?” I ask, holding back tears.

Artemis shrugs, “Old age caught up to him, and the issues you caused put a strain on his health, too.”

I frown, “The issues I caused? All I did was get married and move away.”

“You kicked up a stink about inheriting the Alpha title, which caused him to become stressed and anxious that you would attack the compound in order to take it from me,” Asher says, eyeing me carefully.

That’s complete bullsh*t.

I shake my head, trying to understand everything that’s been said. Processing the death of my Father is going to be hard when Artemis is throwing the fact that he’s Alpha in my face.

Asher steps in when he notices my need for help.

“I haven’t formally introduced myself yet. I’m Asher Black, Alpha of the Rising Moon Pack,” He places a gentle hand around my waist, “May I offer you and your brother the hospitality of my compound, and maybe we can meet for dinner tonight.”

Artemis shakes his head, looking between me and Asher, “No need. I only stopped in to tell Harper of the good news.”

“You’re so evil,” I spit, finally finding my words, “How dare you come here to gloat when our Father has passed away.”

Artemis chuckles, “Get over yourself. You’re just salty I’m Alpha and you’re a sad Luna living in this dump.”

Asher steps in front of me, blocking my view of Artemis, “Watch your mouth.”

His words are firm, almost threatening. Seeing Asher stand up for me against my own brother shows just how far he’s come since the beginning of our fake marriage. He’s stepped into the role of the strong, protective Alpha who looks after his wife.

Artemis steps up to Asher, looking up at him because of the height difference, “What are you going to do about it?”

Asher cracks his knuckles, “I’ll pound you and your brother into the ground with my bare hands if you don’t get off my f*cking property.”

Artemis flinches, attempting to look around Asher’s massive body to look at me. I smirk at him, knowing he’s a coward and would never take on Asher in a fist fight.

Ansel pulls on the back of Artemis’s jacket, sensing the tension between everyone, “Maybe we should leave.”

Artemis looks between Asher and I, a grin appearing on his face, “You two aren’t worth my time anyway.”

He turns around, following Ansel down the pathway. They both get into the car, but before Artemis closes the door, he pops his head out.

“It would be in your best interest to stay here, Harper, because you’re not welcomed by the pack anymore.” With that he gets in the car and drives away.

When the cars leaves my sight, I drop to the floor, cradling my head in my hands. Asher kneels next to me, rubbing a gentle hand up and down my back.

“Harper, are you okay?”

I shake my head, “Everything has gone to shit.”

This isn’t how I imagined my plan playing out. I had high hopes of returning home after a year and proving to my Father why I should be Alpha. But falling in love with Asher and my Father suddenly passing away have complicated things more than I had anticipated. My plan is falling apart at the seams.

“Artemis has ruined everything,” I say, looking at Asher with tears in my eyes, “This isn’t how it was supposed to happen.”

Asher cradles me in his strong arms, stroking my hair, “Everything will be okay.”

“No, it’s not!” I shout, holding back the tears, “Getting the Alpha title off Artemis is going to be impossible. He’s an evil person and I know what he’s capable of.”

“I know what you’re capable of,” Asher says, forcing me to look at him, “You’re so strong and powerful. You can get the title by force if need be; I’ll always be by your side.”

I wipe away the stray tears, “You’ll help me?”

Asher uses his hands to cup my cheeks, “I would fight until my last dying breath for you.”

I place a kiss on his cheek, trying to hide my smile, “Let’s take back what is rightfully mine.”