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Asher felt peace like never before. As if the world’s burdens were off his shoulders and he could finally rest. But even in the middle of such a glorious transition, there was this deep gnawing inside him, like he was leaving something important behind. Something he couldn’t let go of. Not yet.

Then his eyes finally opened, the steady beeping of the heart monitor in his ears, alongside two very annoying familiar voices.

"You know, I still can’t believe we nearly lost him last night," Roman said.

He and Alaric stood side by side, staring out the window as the morning sun rose over the horizon.

Alaric answered, "Yeah. This is going to sound weird, but I’ve gotten used to the idea of the four of us. Suddenly being three rubs me off unnaturally. So yeah, I’d rather endure the annoying asshole than never see him again for eternity," he muttered.

Roman lifted a brow. "So that means you like me now?"

Alaric gave him a deadpan look. "Don’t push your luck, Roman. Just let it be."

But of course, conversations like these often stirred up Roman’s playful nature, and it was no surprise he turned to Alaric with a glint in his eyes.

"So between Asher and me, who do you like best?"

"Asher. We have more use for his brain than your dick," Alaric said unapologetically.

Roman mock-gasped, hand on his chest. "Really, Alaric? You’d give up my precious dick—my blessing to the female generation—over that robot called Asher? You’re not a smart businessman."

Then a small groan came from Asher’s throat, and both Alaric and Roman’s eyes snapped to the bed.

"...If I die for real next time," Asher rasped, voice hoarse, "my eulogy better not be read by that bastard."

Roman’s eyes lit up at once. "Aww, someone’s a sunshine this morning."

"Go fuck yourself, Roman."

"You mean with my dick around your mouth?" he retorted with a smirk.

"I take it you’re fine if you have time to banter with him. Nonetheless, I’ll still call Adele. Welcome back to the land of the living, Asher Nightshade," Alaric said before leaving to fetch the healer.

It was just Asher and Roman now. The green-haired Alpha stepped closer to the bed with that wolfish grin plastered on his face.

"You know, you really are a romantic, Asher. Because nothing says ’I love you’ like a seizure beneath our girl," he teased. "It’ll make a great story to tell the kids one day."

"Roman," Asher called him wearily, "I just returned from the dead. Don’t send me back."

"Sure, sure," Roman said, lifting his hands in surrender.

However, the silence barely lasted a minute before Roman was asking, "How was the experience, though? Did you reach heaven’s gate? Although with a heart like yours, hell’s gate feels more accurate. Or did the goddess welcome you into her bosom?" He enunciated the word "bosom" on purpose.

"Dear Lord," Asher groaned, turning the other way.

But that was when he looked around and realized his purple queen wasn’t there. "Where’s Violet?"

"I sent her back to your place with Griffin," Roman replied. "She looked like she was a breath away from collapsing after yesterday’s traumatic experience. Dude, you scared the hell out of all of us. What the hell happened?"

At that question, Asher’s throat bobbed. He knew exactly what had happened. He’d known the risk from the start, and he’d taken it. And he’d take it again. But Violet would never forgive herself if it happened again.

Fuck his life. He had to come clean.

"Asher Nightshade," came Adele’s voice as she strode in at that exact moment, with Alaric right behind her. "You are one hard nut to kill, aren’t you?"

Asher slumped back with a sigh. So it was going this way, then.

Adele continued, "This has to be the toughest job I’ve ever kept, and I fully intend to make Elijah raise my pay. The trouble you four bring me is just too damn much."

She walked over to him confidently.

"I’ve spoken to the doctor," Adele began, her voice calm and professional. "I’ll treat you first and if there are still lingering issues, then the werewolf doctor can step in. But for now, it’s just me and you. I know how you get with doctors, so I figured you’d prefer a familiar face."

"Better," Asher said with a clipped tone.

Without asking, Adele climbed gently onto the hospital bed, positioning herself so she could cradle the back of his head.

Her hands glowed with a soft greenish hue, spreading warmth like a cocoon across his temples.

It pulsed softly with healing magic, soothing some of the ache that throbbed just behind his eyes.

As Adele worked, she talked. "While I was with your attending, he mentioned the aneurysm. He thinks it was triggered rather than spontaneous."

Her fingers slowed their movement slightly. "Violet gave us her version of what happened, but we need to hear it from you. What really happened, Asher?"

Roman, leaning lazily against the wall with arms crossed, chimed in. "Yeah, tell us what happened, pretty boy."

Asher shot him a glare, but that was all. Then he returned his attention back to Adele, the look in his eyes darkening with a heavy emotion.

"Can I trust you?" His voice was suddenly serious. "Can I trust you not to repeat anything you hear in this room to anyone? Not even the Alpha King. If the answer is no, then don’t bother asking me anything at all."

For a minute there was silence. Adele didn’t blink, rather she held his stare unwaveringly.

"Fine. I promise you, Asher." There was no hesitation in her answer. She added quickly. "And if my word isn’t enough, you can compel me and make sure this never leaves this room. I’m giving you full permission."

Asher’s jaw twitched.

"About that..." he grimaced, "I’m not even sure you’d want me anywhere near your mind after you find out what I did."

"Excuse me?" Adele asked, her tone suddenly sharp.

Even the usual mirth faded from Roman’s demeanor as tension took hold. He pushed away from the wall, now standing straighter, his eyes locked on Asher. Same thing with Alaric.

"What did you do, Asher?" Roman asked, no longer playful.

Asher exhaled slowly, then confessed to Adele.

"I stole a memory from you."