Chapter 62

Asher pov

The elders looked at each other and nodded. "All right, Alpha. We shall take you to her."

I followed the elders, my heart beating, ready for anything yet knowing full well that I had to face Sophia and bring the truth to the fore.

Tension wells up inside of me as I approach Sophia's quarters, the anger boiling over, the confusion, but above all, the hurt which was how could Sophia do this to me? How can she lie to me and manipulate the elders?

By this time, we were at Sophia's quarters. I pushed the door open and stepped in. She lay on the bed; white, almost weakened. But then I knew how great an actor she was; one way or another, anyone would yield for her.

 "Sophia," I rasped, sounding low and forbidding. "We gotta talk."

She looked up at me, a weak smile on her face. "Asher," she whispered. "I'm so glad you're here. I have been feeling so unwell."

I snarled; all my anger boiled then. "Don't play games with me, Sophia," I spat. "I know about your little scheme, the way you are not pregnant and do this to get your own way from the elders."

The smile faltered for one fleeting instant, and for that instant, pure terror crossed her gaze. Then it was gone as she regained control and a sly smile oozed across the face.

 "I don't know what you are insinuating, Lucian," she said, all innocent-sounding. "Just trying to think of our pack and our future.

I laughed-a cold, mirthless sound. "You're not fooling anyone, Sophia," I said. "Least of all me. I know that you're a liar and a manipulator, and I'm not going to let you get away with it."

For a moment this time, the smile faltered on Sophia's lips, flashing her anger in her eyes. "You will never be able to prove anything, Lucian," she spat. "I've covered my tracks too well."

I smiled cold and calculated. "We shall see about that," I said. "I have proof, Sophia. And with it, I will take you down.

"Take me down? How are you supposed to do that, remember I am your luna and our marriage is forever," Sophia said, her voice loud and firm.

"Sophia, what is wrong with you?" I asked, feeling frustrated.

"Asher, I am pregnant for you, and you would have to accept that whether you like it or not," she said.

"Sophia, how is it possible?" I asked, incredulous. "I could remember very well that it was two nights back at that hotel that we had intercourse, which I didn't know what came over you, and I was equally drunk. So, tell me, how is it that your baby develops within two days in your stomach?"

"Asher, you are not the woman here, I am, and I know what I feel inside me," Sophia said, hitting her chest. "I am equally a werewolf, and I have sensed it even immediately after we had sex together."

"Sophia, I don't believe you, and I don't plan to," I said, my voice firm. "The game you are playing, you wouldn't be able to play it forever, and it would be my turn. And promise you, I wouldn't go easy on you."

"Asher, I equally know the game you are trying to start too," Sophia said, her eyes flashing with determination. "My luna crown remains with me, and I am not ready to step down for anyone."

I took a step closer to Sophia, my eyes locked on hers. "You're not going to get away with this, Sophia. I know you're lying about the pregnancy. And even if you were telling the truth, do you think I would just accept it after everything you've done?"

Sophia's face twisted in a snarl. "You're just jealous, Asher. Jealous that I'm the one with the power and the control. You're just a weak alpha, trying to cling to the little bit of power you have left."

I felt my anger surge, but I kept my cool. "You're wrong, Sophia. I'm not weak. And I'm not going to let you manipulate me anymore. You're going to pay for what you've done." I said.

Sophia laughed, a cold, mirthless sound and said. "You'll never be able to prove anything, Asher. I've covered my tracks too well. And even if you could prove it, do you think the pack would turn against me? I'm their luna, and they love me."

I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "We'll see about that, Sophia. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. And I'm not going to stop until you're brought to justice."

Sophia's smile faltered for a moment, and I saw a flash of fear in her eyes. But then, she regained her composure, and her smile returned. "I'm not afraid of you, Asher. Bring it on." She said.

I turned to leave, but Sophia's voice stopped me, as she said. "Asher, don't think you've won. This isn't over. Not by a long shot."

I turned back to face her, my eyes locked on hers, as I said. "I'm not worried, Sophia. I know I have the truth on my side. And I'll make sure everyone knows what you've done."

Sophia's face twisted in a snarl, and for a moment, I thought she was going to attack me. But then, she seemed to regain control of herself, and she smiled again. "We'll see about that, Asher. We'll see about that."

I turned and walked away, leaving Sophia standing alone in the room. I knew I had to be careful, that Sophia was not going to go down without a fight. But I was ready for her. I was ready to take her down and reclaim my pack.

As I walked out of the room, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I was going to do whatever it took to bring Sophia to justice and restore order to my pack. I was going to fight for what was rightfully mine, and I was going to win.

I made my way back to my room, my mind racing with thoughts of what I needed to do next. I knew I had to gather evidence, to build a case against Sophia. And I knew I had to be careful, that Sophia was not going to make it easy for me.

But I was ready for her. I was ready to take her on and win. I was the alpha, and I was going to make sure everyone knew it.