The final part of the wake keep was when the priestess stepped up and prayed for Alpha Henry’s soul. They entreated the goddess to give him smooth sailing through the bowels of death and grant him the rest he deserved.
The scene was laughable to Asher, considering he knew where Henry was truly resting, and it wasn’t in the bosom of the goddess, but in the fiery torment of hell. Perhaps if Micah had been present, he could have given them a personal tour of the underworld so they could see Henry’s "place of rest" for themselves.
Micah, however, had been excused by Alpha King Elijah to tend to his hospitalized mate, Adele.
As soon as the ceremony was over, Elijah gave one of his usual motivational speeches. And of course, he couldn’t leave without the final word.
"Tonight was interesting. We’ll see how tomorrow turns out then." He chuckled darkly and departed the same way he had arrived.
Asher was then left with the alphas of the West Pack, who had surprisingly been on their best behavior all evening. Although they were doing their best to impress the Alpha King and uphold the discipline of the West Pack, Asher knew feel the tension beneath their civility. They were merely biding their time.
Once Alpha Henry was buried, this fragile illusion of peace would shatter.
"You’re surprisingly good at this, Alpha Asher," Dominic assessed him, though the distaste in his tone was hard to miss.
"Of course. I was trained by the best of the best," Asher said proudly, lifting his chin high. "You should do well to remember that."
Their gazes locked, a silent challenge passing between them. But Dominic was the first to look away, feigning deference.
"Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less." he said lightly, meeting Asher’s eyes again.
But that politeness was all teeth, and both men knew it.
Asher’s attention was drawn away by Patricia’s sudden sniffing. She sat at a corner, dabbing her eyes with a damp handkerchief, surrounded by women who murmured soft words of comfort.
"I didn’t realize Patricia loved my father that much," Asher remarked dryly, his gaze fixed on her.
Dominic, who had been doing his best to remain stoic all night, couldn’t resist glancing her way.
"You’re right," he said slowly. "Luna Patricia was extremely loyal to your father. She’s a role model to the women of the West Pack in the way she served your father."
"Served my father," Asher repeated, his tone edged with derision. "That almost sounds like a slave relationship, not a union between a husband and wife."
Dominic stiffened at the comment. "It’s a woman’s place to be submissive to her husband. Luna Patricia never once complained."
"Of course, submission..." Asher said with a twisted curve of his lips. "A word most men of the West Pack love to abuse." He paused, his gaze narrowing. "And you seem to know my stepmother very well, Beta Dominic."
Dominic nearly slipped at that moment, but he quickly masked his emotions. "I was your father’s beta. That means I was privy to the relationship between your father and Luna Patricia."
"Uh-huh." Asher gave a convincing nod, though he wasn’t fooled. "That means you were quite close to her."
Dominic’s composure slipped further. "I don’t understand what you’re suggesting here, Asher. Luna Patricia was your father’s wife."
"Why so defensive, Dominic?" Asher asked casually. "Of course, you were my father’s beta and wouldn’t dare do anything inappropriate with his wife. That would be so... scandalous." His tone was deliberately provocative.
Dominic’s frown deepened as unease gripped him. Did Asher know about his affair with Patricia? Many thoughts began to run through his mind, panic creeping in.
Asher suddenly laughed, the sound loud and jarring. "Don’t look so serious, Dominic. All I’m saying is that Patricia is quite young to be left alone. Once I’m crowned Alpha, I’m considering demoting her from her position as Luna and gifting her to you. It’s been years since your wife died, hasn’t it? You must have been starved for a woman’s touch. Tsk, tsk. What a poor life you’ve lived." He clicked his tongue in false sympathy.
Warning bells blared in Dominic’s head. Those words didn’t sound like innocent teasing, they were veiled threat. When his eyes met Asher’s slitted gaze, it dawned on him.
Asher knew.
"Are you alright, Beta Dominic?" Asher asked, his tone dripping with mock concern. "You suddenly look ill."
"I think the stress is catching up with me," Dominic muttered tightly.
"Then you must rest. Retreat for the night," Asher said, his smile cold and calculating.
"Yes, I’ll do just that." Dominic cleared his throat. "And thank you for the offer, but I must decline. I’m sure Patricia would not be pleased to be demoted from her position as Luna. I don’t want her to resent you for that."
"Oh, don’t worry about me," Asher dismissed easily. "She’s a woman, after all. She’s meant to be submissive and would serve you just fine." He threw Dominic’s earlier words back at him with a venomous twist.
Then he leaned in close, whispering. "She’s young, too. I’m sure you’d enjoy her energy in bed. With her by your side, you’d live longer. Women do have a revitalizing touch, don’t you think?" Asher laughed cruelly.
Dominic’s smile was now stretched so tightly it hurt. "Thank you for your concern, Alpha Asher. But I’ll take my leave now."
"Of course. Go on. Tomorrow will be a long day for all of us," Asher said.
Dominic bowed respectfully, but the moment he turned away, his smile dissolved, replaced by restrained fury.
That insolent pup!
He clenched his fist, only to find it trembling with fear. If Asher had gotten into Patricia’s head, how much did he really know? This was bad. No, he had to act now.
Asher watched Dominic go, smirking.
"I didn’t think you’d play that card so early," Roman said, appearing beside him with two glasses of wine.
Asher took one. "I wasn’t going to, until I remembered people make the worst mistakes when they’re pushed to the wall." He savored a slow sip.
Roman studied him. "You’d make a perfect Alpha King. You’re just like Elijah."
Asher raised a brow.
"If not worse," Roman added with a half-smile. "Speaking of Violet, I just got word from Aeron." His eyes locked on Asher’s. "The third bond is locked."
Asher froze mid-sip.
"Good," he said finally, draining the rest of the wine and setting the empty glass down.
He knew what this meant. He was the last bond waiting to be sealed.