Blood of Ash

Chapter 14: Asher POV

I took her to the pack house that very night. The pack house was exactly what it sounded like: a house that the whole pack lives in, minus the Alpha and Luna and mated couples, if they so chose. It was just one of many properties that I as Alpha owned. We passed many wolves on our tour and a majority of them were either hostile or hesitant, which was to be expected. I had never shared about knowing my mate to the pack. All they knew was that I was friends with a vampire and I had just let one into our sanctum sanctorum. I mind linked the beta, the second in command of the pack, and asked him to call for a pack meeting at dinner that evening.

My Beta replied, Ash, there are some troubling rumors!

I furrowed my brow. What is it, Adam?

The rumor going around is that you let an evil vamp into our home! They're saying that she has wrapped around her little finger and that you're doing whatever she wants. The rumor is spreading discord between pack members.

I groaned. Adam, tell the pack that anyone who is caught spreading these rumors will be banished from the pack as they are spreading lies about their alpha and their Luna.

I could feel his shock and confusion as well as hesitation. Asher? We don't have a Luna?

Look, I'll explain the whole thing at the pack meeting, but I've known my mate for years, but she only just now acknowledged the bond. And before you ask, yes she is a vampire, but she's nothing like the rumors are saying. Lizzy threw a tantrum at school. I'm pretty sure she's behind the rumors.

Understood. I'll investigate.

I pulled Bella into our room and just held her. This whole transition was going to be harder than I had thought. I had expected some opposition, however I had truly thought that everyone would just accept her because I'm the alpha. I was a fool to believe that.

"Bells," I said. "Look, I have to drop a bomb on you."

She sighed and nodded. "What is it?"

I sat down on the foot of the bed and held her hands. "I intended to introduce you to the pack tonight. There's rumors about you and I here in this very pack, Bells. I had no intentions of telling them about you being their Luna or anything tonight, however I need to put a stop to these rumors. I NEED to tell the pack tonight."

She tucked my hair behind my ear and said, "Okay, Ash. I trust your judgement."

I nuzzled her palm. "I hate to ask this of you, but can you wear something tonight?" She nodded. I switched to the mate bond between us. As the packs's Luna, they're going to be expecting a lot from you. For pack meetings that expect me to dress a certain way and they'll expect you to as well. There's clothes in the closet. they should be your size.

I kissed the inside of her wrist and watched as she walked numbly over to the closet. Bells? She jumped in surprise. Easy girl. Why don't you take a nap? Or do you need to feed? You seem tired, Bells.

She sighed. Asher? Is this the right thing? Should I really be doing this?

What are you talking about, Bells? I hugged her from behind and just held her tight.

Ash, I don't feel right about being the Luna. At least if it means not being myself.

I kissed her neck. I know, Bells. Just trust me? I hand picked every single outfit to fit your personality. I promise you'll be yourself. She nodded. Now come to bed. You can feed if you need to. Just come to bed and take a nap. I'll have an outfit picked out for you, if you want.

She turned around in my arms and let me lead her over to the bed where she got nice and comfortable and curled up to go to sleep. I sat next to her and gently brushed her hair out of her face and rubbed her back until she fell asleep. She didn't need to be awake for what I had to do. I wasn't ready for her to see this side of me.

~time lapse~

I was dressed to the nines and ready to act as pack Alpha. My hair was tied back and my dress shirt was perfectly ironed and tucked into my jeans, all of which was skin tight hugging the muscles I typically hid from sight. I was sitting on my throne in the pack hall listening to all sorts of rumors swirl around me. Not even my own pack knew about my extra heightened senses so they all believed I couldn't hear them. I smelled the mixture of rage and disgust and fear swirling around me and it made me sick to my stomach.

Adam. He perked up subtly. Where have you been hearing these rumors from the most? He sent me an image and I growled. I received small satisfaction as every single one of the pack members in the room bared their necks in submission.

I refused to address anything until Bells came down, but I hated hearing the filth that was being said about her. I was just about to go off when her scent hit me and I relaxed. I growled to the room, "Bring the pack in here. The meeting is about to start."

As soon as everyone was assembled, I stated in very no nonsense tone, "These rumors are going to stop. Right now."

Jackson's friend raised his hand for permission and once granted he asked, "Sir? We were told that the rumors were lies told about our Alpha and our Luna, but sir, does that mean you haven chosen a mate?"

I felt my inner wolf rumble in pleasure. "I have."

"Then why were you seen walking around with some scumbag vampire today?" another pack member asked.

I growled yet again. "You! Get out! Now!"

"Ash!" I paused as I finally saw Bellalyse. As I thought, she looked absolutely stunning in the warm toned pinky orange dress I had picked out for her. It wasn't her normal color, but it was her typical style. Dressy, but in an I don't give a crap kind of way. All eyes went to her as soon as they saw my hesitation and I felt every single one of my pack tense up. She ignored it all just like I had hoped and glid straight up to me. She gently took my hand as she knelt in front of me before saying, "Asher, you promised you'd be calm!"

I felt like a puppy getting reprimanded for getting into things as I said, "I know, but you weren't down here. you didn't hear all of the awful things they were saying."

She sighed and shook her head. "You know it's just a petty jealous girl starting drama. You know I don't care at all what any of them have to say. I'm only here cause you asked me to, Ash. So let's let the nice boy be and finish the meeting, okay?"

"Fine," I said as I sent meaningful glares at each and every person who was eyeing her like an enemy. "Stand up, pack." They all obeyed. "Meet your Luna."

Outrage and chaos transpired and I saw her containing a full blown meltdown inside.