Chapter 72

Asher pov

My mother nodded, seeming to accept my promise. "See that you are, Asher. I don't want to see you get hurt again."

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for worrying my mother. "I'll be fine, Mother. I can take care of myself."

My mother raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Can you, Asher? Can you really take care of yourself when it comes to Aurora?"

I felt a surge of defensiveness, but I knew my mother was just trying to protect me. "Mother, I'll be fine. I promise."

My mother nodded, seeming to accept my reassurance. "Alright, Asher. Just be careful, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "I will, Mother. Thank you for worrying about me."

My mother smiled, her expression softening. "That's what mothers are for, Asher. Now go, and be careful."

I nodded, turning to leave. As I walked out of my mother's house, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking into a storm, one that would test my resolve and my heart.

I walked back to my car, my mind racing with thoughts of Aurora and the task ahead. I knew I had to be careful, not just for my own sake, but for the sake of the pack.

As I drove away from my mother's house, I couldn't help but think about Aurora and our complicated past. I had hurt her deeply, and I knew I didn't deserve her forgiveness.

But I also knew that I needed her help, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get it. I just hoped that I wouldn't lose myself in the process.

I arrived at my apartment, my mind still reeling with thoughts of Aurora and the pack. I knew I had to focus, to come up with a plan to take down Sophia and uncover the truth.

I sat down at my kitchen table, pulling out my phone and dialing a number. It was time to gather my allies and come up with a plan.

As I waited for the person on the other end to answer, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What lay ahead? And would I be able to overcome my past mistakes to succeed?

But there was no answer. With worried looks, I stood there as different thoughts occurred in my head. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to look, and it was the maid.

"What is wrong?" I asked, looking confused.

"It's Luna Sophia, my alpha," she said, bowing her head.

"And so, what is it?" I asked angrily.

"She wants to see you now," the maid said. "It's urgent."

With a deep breath, I followed the maid I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Pregnancy matters again? Sophia's pregnancy is getting distrubing I couldn't believe it. And what was she talking about, needing love from me? I thought we were just allies, as she wants it, not...not something more.

"Sophia, I...I don't know what to say," I stuttered, trying to process the information.

Sophia looked up at me, her eyes flashing with anger. "You don't know what to say? You're the father, Asher. Or at least, I'm reassuring you that you are."

I felt a wave of panic wash over me. The father, it was just a casual thing. We had never been serious.

"Sophia, I...I don't think that's possible," I said, trying to reason with her.

But Sophia just laughed, a cold, calculating sound. "Oh, Asher. You're so naive. You really think you're not the only one I've been with? I've been playing the field, Asher. And now, I'm pregnant. And you're going to take care of me, and this baby."

I felt a chill run down my spine. Sophia's eyes seemed to gleam with a sinister light, and I realized that I was in grave danger.

I took a step back, trying to create some distance between us. "Sophia, I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'm not buying it. We've never been serious, and I'm not the father of your child."

Sophia's smile grew wider, and she leaned forward, her eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, Asher. You're so predictable. You think you can just deny it and walk away? I have proof, Asher. Proof that you're the father."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "What kind of proof?"

Sophia leaned back, a self-satisfied smile on her face. "Let's just say that I have a certain...witness who can attest to our little tryst. And I have a feeling that this witness will be more than happy to come forward and confirm that you're the father."

I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine. Who could Sophia possibly have as a witness? And what did she mean by "our little tryst"? I knew I had to think fast, to come up with a plan to counter Sophia's claims.

But before I could say anything, Sophia's face lit up with a cruel smile. "And by the way, Asher. You're not going anywhere. You're going to stay right here with me, until we can figure out the details of our little family."

I realized with a jolt of fear that I was trapped. Sophia had me right where she wanted me, and I had no idea how to escape.

I tried to think of a way to reason with Sophia, but her eyes seemed to gleam with a manic intensity that made me doubt my chances of success.

"Sophia, listen to me," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'm not going to play along. I'm not the father of your child, and I'm not going to be trapped into some kind of fake relationship with you."

Sophia's smile grew wider, and she leaned forward, her voice taking on a menacing tone. "Oh, Asher. You're so wrong. You're going to do exactly what I say, or else."