Fated

Chapter 16

Asher waited patiently for the cleaning ladies to finish in his hotel room. Lucas walked in and, sensing Asher in the closet, ushered them out.

Once the room was clear, Asher burst out of the closet.

“What happened?” Lucas asked, surprise covering his features.

Asher was covered in blood, dust, and water.

“Winchester found her, and I did what had to be done.”

“Fuck.” Lucas sat down abruptly on the bed.

“Tell me about it. I am so grateful that tomorrow is their last full day here. She’ll be safer going home.”

“Why aren’t you getting ready for the Railroad museum?” Lucas asked, perplexed by Asher not being with his Beloved after the incident.

“Alashia was unwell, Winchester was trying to force his persuasion on her, and her nature was fighting it. She needed some rest before we head out. I need to change.” Asher realized he was covered in blood still as he leaned on the desk. Thank the gods it wasn’t the bed.

“Why didn’t her nature fight your persuasion the other night?”

“Honestly, it didn’t need to. She can sense intent. Additionally, her soul calls to me since we are Beloveds.”

Asher threw his ruined clothes in the tub and burned them, rinsing the ashes down the drain. Cleaning himself up, he threw on a simple black sweater and blue jeans. He checked his boots and was pretty sure they were fine, the soles were clean, and he couldn’t actively smell the blood on them. Then again, their room had the faint odor left, so he just couldn’t be sure. Shrugging, he put them back on, grabbed his fresh jacket and headed out the door. He rushed to the foyer after realizing he was running ten minutes late.

He arrived just in time to see his family heading out the door.

His family? Did he really just think that? He rushed to their side, calling out their names. They all turned in unison and smiles broke out on their faces.

“Hey man, we thought we would be missing you this time around,” Chase greeted.

Alashia got on her tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek. She blushed seeing his nose flare, taking in her scent.

Lance gave him a hug, and Ricky took his hand, asking, “Asher owie?”

Everyone turned to look at Asher, inspecting him, not seeing any injury. However, Ricky kept insisting Asher had an injury.

“Where honey?” Alashia finally asked, and Ricky pointed to Asher’s foot.

On the bottom portion of the toe, there was blood.

“Oh, I’m okay buddy. I had a bloody nose and must have missed that.” Asher was furious at missing the spot, of course the child would pick it up.

“Nose?” Ricky asked, and Asher nodded firmly. “Nose.”

They all chuckled as they headed into the van.