Chapter 79

Asher pov

Knowledge that it had been my mother who'd done that to the SUV rolled through me in angry waves. "You had no right to do that," I growled; my voice came out low, threatening.

Even though her face was even, there was a glimmer of something akin to defensiveness in her eyes. "I was trying to protect you, Asher," she told me. "You're going to be future alpha, and I won't let anyone touch that.

I stepped forward, my eyes ablaze with anger. "You had no right to interfere in my life like that," I repeated. "And you certainly had no right to put Aurora in danger."

Sophia's eyes slitted as she glanced interchangeably between me and my mother. "Aurora?" she spat. "You're still defending her? After everything I've told you?

My eyes cold, I turned to Sophia. "You have told me nothing but lies and half-truths, Sophia," I said. "And I am not buying it."

My mother's voice cut in, firm. "Asher, that's enough. You will respect Sophia and the child she carries."

These words from my mom brought just an outburst of indignation in my heart, but I knew I should not be emotional. I breathed and did not remove my gaze from Sophia's face: "I will respect the child, but I will not respect Sophia's manipulation and lies."

It swelled within my veins, and with every word from Mother, the sensation of betrayal sprang up. "You are telling me it was you who sent those people to follow me?" I reiterated, and the volume of my voice increased as outrage overpowered me. "And you, the person, behind those mystery texts sent to me?

My mother's face was impassive, her eyes the only things to give away the guilt inside. "I was just trying to protect you, Asher," she said. "I knew that Sophia was a good match for you, and I didn't want you getting in the way of.other people."

A wave of disgust washed over me. "Other people?" I repeated. "You mean Aurora? You were trying to keep me away from her?

Mom didn't bat an eyelid. She nodded. "Yes, I was. And I would in a heartbeat. Aurora is not good enough for you, Asher. She's.defective. And Sophia is the perfect choice for you strong, intelligent, and loyal."

These words from my mother triggered my anger. "Defective?" I repeated. "You're talking about Aurora like she's some kind of broken object. She's a person, Mother. A person with feelings and thoughts and dreams. And she's the person, not like Sophia."

My mother went cold; her face set in a mass of unpleasantness, and she stepped back from me. "Very well, Asher," she said, "if that is how you feel, then perhaps you are not the son I thought you were."

The now-purpled Sophia took a step forward, her hands balled into fists. "How dare you," she spat. "I'm carrying your child, and you have the nerve to question my integrity?"

My mother's voice cut in sharp. "Sophia, calm down. This isn't good for the baby."

But Sophia was beyond reason, furious, and wasn't going to let anyone calm her down. "You're just defending her because you're still in love with her," Sophia spat, flashing her eyes in anger. "You're still in love with that mute girl, aren't you?"

It was an infuriating thing for her to say, but I knew I couldn't lose my temper. I sucked in deeply, my gaze locked on Sophia's face. "I'm not going to dignify that with a response," I said. "But I will say this: I'm not going to let you manipulate me into doing something that's not right. I'm the alpha, and I'll make my own decisions."

The white of rage on Sophia's face made her take a backward step, and then her eyes flashed. "You'll regret this," she spat. "You'll regret not choosing me."

And with that, she whirled around and left, leaving my mother and me staring after her in shock.

"You see what you are doing to yourself?" my mother said. "You are broken, confused, and angry, and your family is falling apart."

"Mother, you are making the whole thing unstable here," I said. "I don't even know who you are supporting, me or Sophia? This whole thing is very confusing."

Son, there is nothing confusing here," my mother said. "You are making things difficult for yourself. You have a family, an heir to be born. That at least is within your power, despite Sophia's wrongs. Sophia has not gone that extent. And again, what do you see in that wretched girl, Aurora? Since the time she came back, your problems have started deteriorating. Mute, what is she? I don't know from where she got her sudden wealth that she is trying to deceive you with, but you are also a wealthy man. That means it's not her wealth you're attracted to." My mother looked more confused.

"Mother, the only reason why I am putting up with all this is because of Sophia; she is pregnant. Let us just wait till she gives birth. You shall see the true me," I said as angry emotions overcame me.

"Will you shut up?" my mother exclaimed. "Who do you think you want to end up with? After this, your attitude.Aurora? Over my dead body!

I felt my anger boil by the words of my mother. "What," I growled low, the menace fairly dripping from my voice. "You have no right to tell me who I can and can't be with. I am the alpha, not you.

The whole face of Mother had become beet red with anger, and the woman took a step forward: "I'm your mother, and I couldn't let that you just fool around with the future of Sophia and your baby.".

I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You are not considering my future, Mother," I said. "You consider your own power and influence. You want me to marry Sophia because it will benefit you, not because it's the best thing for me."

My mother's face went white with rage and she raised her hand to slap me. But I caught her wrist, holding it in a tight grip.

"Don't," I warned, the anger blazing across my eyes. "I'm not a kid anymore, Mother. I'm the alpha. I won't be treated that way."

She let her flash of anger flash across her features, but smartly didn't push me much further. In one swift turn, she wrenched her arm free and swung out of the place, which left me fuming...