Chapter 76

Asher pov

As I looked at my cell phone's screen, this time it was Johnson. "Where are you?" it read. I heaved a sigh of relief and dialed Johnson's number.

"Hello, bro, I am being followed by an SUV," I said to him, checking around and behind if the vehicle was still behind.

"What do you mean you're being followed?" he said over the phone, firm but inculpating. "Actually, where are you now?"

"Don't worry bro, I lost them, I'm okay now," I replied, trying to start my car which wasn't starting.

"Dude, just tell me where you are," Johnson told me, his voice laced with concern. "It is not safe out there. I will also bring some guys with me along the way."

"As I said, I am fine. but it seems like my car is not attempting to start," I explained, as I opened the bonnet of the vehicle.

"You see what I am saying?" Johnson said. "I am on my way." He dropped the call.

I was out on the street, utterly bewildered but aware. I am the alpha; there is nothing to be scared of. Whoever it was, I would face it. My wolf sense was on high alert.

Within minutes, I saw a car flashlight in the distance driving in my direction. I scampered into the dark area in front of my car, where I reached and started turning into a wolf. My face contorted, teeth pointed, and hair started to grow. It had been years since I turned into a wolf; it felt like it was my first time turning into a wolf. I just stood there as a wolf.

The car approached, its headlights cutting through the gloom of the street, and I let out a low snarl, raising my hackles. I could smell the scent of my pack members, Johnson and a few others, but I was still cautious.

It pulled up alongside my wrecked vehicle, and Johnson bounded out of it, his gaze raking the ground and stopping when it came to me in wolf form. He nodded in approval. A slight smile teased at his lips.

"Ah, glad you're looking for a scrap, Alpha," he said low, in that easy, conversational voice.

I growled again, ears forward, as the others spilled out of the car. All in human form, yet tensed to shift at a second's notice and defend themselves.

Johnson strode toward me, his hand out, and I sniffed at it warily before nodding my great wolf head. He scratched behind my ears-a soothing gesture-and I relaxed further.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly. "Who was chasing you?"

I growled again, sensing that feeling of threat and nervousness still dangling in the air. Johnson's face hardened, and he nodded.

"We'll know who it was," he promised. "And we'll see to it they don't disturb you again."

I nodded, a wave of gratitude for Johnson and the rest washing over me. It was their duty as my pack to defend me, but I knew they would anyway, out of loyalty and friendship.

We stood in silence, eyes darting around the area surrounding us, waiting for whatever would happen.

We waited, and I felt the rise of adrenaline within me, my senses starkly tuned. Nobody was talking; they scanned the shadows for a glimpse of movement.

Johnson's head jerked up, his nostrils flaring. "Do you smell that?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

I followed his direction, my nose wrinkling as I picked out the scent: faint but unmistakable, Sophia.

My hackles were up, a snarl in my throat. Sophia was here, and she wasn't alone. I could smell the others with her, their scents mingling with hers.

Johnson's eyes locked on mine, silent comprehension between us. We knew what was brewing. Sophia had made her move.

Johnson nodded, gesturing to the others, and they fanned out, a semicircle around me. I stood firm, my eyes raking the darkness, waiting for Sophia to show herself.

The tension hung palpable, the only sounds that of the growl of an automobile from a distance away, and the rustling of leaves. And then, from the darkness, Sophia stepped into the light, the sly grin spreading across her face.

"Alpha," she said, malice oozing from her voice. "I can see you're ready for me."

"I don't understand, Sophia. We're supposed to be meeting with the elders. What are you doing here?" Johnson asked, in confusion.

"I followed you, Johnson," she told him, "when I saw you answering your call in such a manner. I knew it was related to Asher."

Johnson's face turned from confusion to shock, and he stepped backward, looking at me and then to Sophia.

"Sophia, I-I didn't know you were following me," he stuttered.

The grin on Sophia's face expanded, and with a sensual swagger, she moved closer toward Johnson. "I'm always watching, Johnson," she purred, her voice dripping with menace. "And I'm very aware of Asher's little problem."

I snarled, my hackles rising at the tone Sophia used. What did she know about the SUV and the strange texts?

Sophia's eyes met mine, and she laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, Asher," she said, her voice running with sarcasm. "You're so predictable. You think you're the only one who can play games?"

I growled, baring my teeth, and Sophia stepped back, her eyes glinting with excitement.

"Johnson, don't be that way," she cooed, the tone of her voice dripping poison. "What's going on with Asher? What has put him in so much fear?"

Johnson prevaricated; his eyes shot over to me, then returned to Sophia. "Sophia, I really don't think that's any of your business," he replied carefully.

Sophia's smile spread wide, and she took a step closer to Johnson. "Oh, but it is my business," she spat, her voice venomous. "You see, I've been watching Asher, and I know his little secret."

My heart dropped, and a shiver ran down my spine. What did Sophia know? And how did she know it?