Chapter 12- Is she worth it?

Asher 

The pain that was engraved in the deepest corners of my heart transformed quickly into a severe rage. I felt my anger fusing with my soul and my heart began to race hard in my chest, I was furious. If it was someone else who had walked into my castle, in my party spilling this utter rubbish, I would have had their hearts ripped out the second they started insulting my wife Kayla. But it was Louisiana. My dead mate’s mother. 

I rubbed my eyes and tried to stay calm. Louisiana was still Emily’s mother, someone she loved and cared about. I didn't want to disrespect her in front of the people and I also wouldn't condone her disrespect to Kayla. But what was she doing here? I can't remember inviting her to the party, and it doesn't look like an impromptu visit. How did she find out about Kayla? Could it be she heard the news and came here to find out or probably stir trouble? 

I hated how she hauled her venom at Kayla, making it seem like she didn't stand a chance in my life. She made it seem like Kayla wasn't beautiful enough. It's unusual, though I have never compared Emily’s beauty to another. The truth is that the two women are beautiful in their various ways. Emily was more docile and gentle while Kayla was like a storm difficult to control or dominate. 

“ Louisiana,” I called her name almost in a whisper. My voice was calm. Very calm. 

“What is it, Alpha Asher?” She leaned forward, so eager to hear my next words. Her sharp brown eyes gauged me, curiously.” 

“We need to talk,” I brushed my hair swiftly with my fingers, I was up on my boots reaching her side in two strides. 

“ What do you wish to talk about?” she said, and picked up her blue woolen cloak, wrapping it in her body and getting ready to leave. 

“ You can't say the things you said in front of Kayla, ever again. She is now my wife, and I won't tolerate you being disrespectful to her.”

“ What?” Louisiana blinked, taken aback for a second. I watched her brown irises burn with fury, she was offended by my words but more than that she seemed genuinely surprised by my outburst. She took a single step forward. 

“ What changed Alpha Asher? Emily has always been the center of your world even after death. You loved her more than life itself. Was I wrong in praising your dead mate? Have you forgotten the memories you shared with Emily? She asked.

“ You can always praise her without being condescending to my wife. And if that's the only thing you came here to say. Good, you’ve said it, leave now,”  I was brutally cold. This was the first time I had spoken to her this way. But she left me with no choice and I was doing my hardest not to lash my rage at her. Aside from the rage I felt, I also felt the urge to defend Kayla. I didn't want anyone, no matter who the fuck they were or what they meant to me, to speak ill of my wife and their Luna. 

“ Don't you think you are being cruel, Alpha? You recently got married to her and you have already wiped away Emily’s memories from your life. And now you want me to stop talking about my dead child. No way in hell, will I do that? Nobody will stop me, not even you Alpha Asher.” Her words were so deep that for a second, I had imagined an unwarranted hatred in her voice.

I clenched my hands and moved closer to her until we were a breath away. I gazed hard into her brown orbs. “Do as you please as long as you never step foot on my castle again,” I said, and stalked to the window, feeling the night's cool breeze on my skin. Outside had already been covered with darkness and the moon made little effort to shower its bright rays on the earth. 

“ What's so special about her? Is she worth it? I can't believe you could say that to me.” 

Her words forced me to swerve around and regard her. “ You can leave now. And today will be the last time you address your Luna with such disrespect. You know me too well, Louisiana. The next time, I won't be so forgiving,” My heart clenched tightly at the new emotion that seemed to envelop me. I returned my gaze to the darkness outside the window. 

“You are choosing her over Emily. How could you be this cruel? What happens to honoring her even in death? What changed?” Her voice sounded far different from the cool and soft voice I was accustomed to. Her words forced me to swerve around and regard her. My amber crystals shifted and pierced through her face and it was colored with rage, a murderous flash of hate, and something I couldn't decipher stalked her eyes. I pulled my gaze away from her and climbed the stairs. I had to get away from Louisiana before I lose my damn mind. I had a lot on my mind right now, I couldn't understand why Louisiana’s words about Emily didn't seem to bother me but her disrespect towards Kayla got me so riled up. Emily used to be the center of my world. No… She was my life and she took a better part of me with her when she died. 

What changed? And why was I too eager to defend Kayla? I didn't know that I had zoned out on her and was fighting against the bitter reality of my life. 

“Mark today Alpha Asher, you will regret this action of yours,” My eyes snapped angrily back at Louisiana. Immediately she walked out and slammed the door. I stood frozen for a moment, and the silence around me enveloped me. I fought hard to forget Louisiana’s last word to me but I just couldn't. Something about her words seems more like a looming curse than a threat.