23: The Scar That Binds

ASHER’S POV

In the privacy of my room, I found myself pacing like a caged beast, each step echoing my growing restlessness. I had managed to deter my brother Jonas from claiming Lisa as his mate, but the ticking clock of uncertainty gnawed at me.

How long had it been before he sought the council’s permission? The idea that Jonas might possess knowledge about Lisa that I lacked was a persistent thorn in my side, continually pricking my curiosity. Moreover, the fact that she bore an uncanny resemblance to Kiara only served to further fuel the fire of my imagination.

She possessed the same delicate features, yet she was not Kiara, not my mate. I found myself at a loss, uncertain of how to approach Lisa under the hawk-like surveillance of Jonas. It was as if he kept her under lock and key, a precious gem hidden from prying eyes. His possessiveness was palpable, as though he feared someone might uncover the truth or snatch her away from him.

But who could blame him? She was a rare beauty,