Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 13: Choose An Alpha

"Who said they aren't special?" Ivy whispered, her eyes like shards of ice. "What other alphas have you seen possess the godly powers they do?"

"W-what?" Violet stammered.

Ivy groaned, pressing her palm to her face. "Please don't tell me you don't know about their abilities too. At this point, I'm starting to think you must be really dumb."

For the first time, Violet was speechless, an embarrassed flush spreading across her cheeks.

Lila turned to her, eyes wide in disbelief. "You really don't know the cardinal alphas have powers?"

"Who doesn't know the cardinal alphas have powers?" Daisy echoed.

Violet suddenly found herself in the spotlight, feeling foolish for her lack of knowledge. She didn't care about the cardinal alphas, but now it seemed like everything here revolved around them. Not knowing anything made her look like a clueless outsider, and Violet resolved to learn all she could to avoid looking like an idiot again.

Still, Violet's pride wouldn't let her back down. She tried to shrug it off with a smirk. "All right then, enlighten me. What amazing powers do they have that makes you want to practically throw yourselves at them?"

"You!" Ivy snapped, pointing a finger at her, nearly suffering an aneurysm.

Before the argument could spark up again, Lila, ever the peacemaker, stepped in with a cheerful smile. "That's where I come in. Since you missed the orientation, I'll give you the crash course."

The way Lila's eyes gleamed with excitement made it clear she'd been waiting for this moment to show off her storytelling skills. Before Violet knew it, Lila had gently but firmly guided her back to her bed, making her sit. Without wasting a second, Lila plopped down beside her, as if afraid Violet might change her mind if she hesitated even for a moment.

With lightning speed, Lila tapped away on her phone, then held up the screen with a gleam of excitement. "These are the four Cardinal Alphas."

The screen displayed a photo of the so-called Cardinal Alphas all together. It took Violet roughly thirty seconds to recognize each one, and when she did, a curse slipped from her lips. "You have got to be kidding me!"

"Why? What's wrong?" Lila straightened up, concern flickering across her face.

Violet's eyes were wide as she launched into a frantic explanation. "This guy," she jabbed her finger at the green-haired alpha, "he's the idiot who gave me Griffin's necklace, and the burly one nearly choked me..." Her gaze landed on the alpha wearing shades. "And then, this creep just stared at me..."

Lila looked down at the alpha Violet was pointing to. "You mean Alpha Asher?"

"Alpha Asher?" Violet's voice came out in a croak, dread knotting in her stomach. This can't be happening.

"Alpha Asher is the leader of the West House," Lila confirmed, solidifying her fears.

Damn. Violet's stomach dropped. She was under the guidance of this creepy guy. How could she have ended up in this situation?

Completely oblivious to the turmoil brewing inside Violet, Lila continued excitedly, pointing to another figure. "And here's Aldric. Isn't he so handsome?"

picture, and her breath caught. It was him, the white-haired

named after the region their packs hail from. What's even more fascinating

answering back after humans committed mass homicide against the she-wolves, wiping out nearly ninety percent of them. The Cardinals were given their powers so they could bring humanity to its knees, exacting revenge and

to call the stories bluff but for some reason, it sent shivers down her spine. If the humans knew these were the werewolves' intentions, then why give them that much power? Why pretend they were not aware of their

Violet's eyes narrowed in anger, the memory of his assault still fresh in her mind. But that didn't deter Lila, who grinned and said in

shot her a withering glare and Lila

break through virtually any obstacle, and his combat skills are unmatched in direct confrontation. His senses are heightened, giving him an edge

grabbed her, still feeling the phantom ache. If what Lila said

of the South, " Lila said, swiping to the next image, a photo

tiniest flicker of admiration, despite her resentment towards him. Roman's toned torso took center stage, each muscle etched like

under the light in the image as if he'd just stepped out of water. His tousled green hair framed his face in a disheveled, irresistible way, and with his eyes closed, he looked

hated to say this, but Roman Draven was downright

and stealth. He's the most likable alpha and

scrunched her

if she and Roman were to mate,

head, horrified. Get out of my head, you ridiculous,

else you should know," Lila continued. "While not all alphas get along, the rivalry between Roman and Griffin

any animal he chooses, especially ones that can match Griffin's power. That's why there's

knowing smirk. "And Griffin? He hates that. He's always up for a fight, so the idea of anyone

back of her mind. Something told her it might just come in

is Asher Nightshade, alpha of the West and also our house captain," Lila announced, her finger swiping to reveal his solo

locked on the photo, and the first thought that came to

and chiseled, with an intense, vacant look that sent chills up her spine. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes, giving him an air of

on fire just to amuse himself.

fought back

"Now, Asher is—"

her tone ice-cold. "The guy's a psychopath. Trust me, you'd be

once, Violet found herself silently agreeing with

tone, "Asher is a mind fucker. He's most feared because of his ability to control minds, which is why he's rarely seen without his glasses. He can plant thoughts, compel actions, and erase memories, making him the ultimate puppet master, as he's called. So yes, Ivy is right in telling you not to associate with him at all. Asher Nightshade

and would do well to avoid

least, our charming prince Alaric." Lila

unaware expression as if someone had caught him in a rare, unguarded moment. He exuded a calm, serene energy that radiated a quiet innocence, a purity that was disarming in

something undeniably a hardened resilience that hinted at the darkness he possessed. The contrast was magnetic,

intrigued by Alaric, at least for a few seconds, until she

chirped excitedly, cutting through her thoughts, "Alaric is the Alpha of the North and wields the raw power of lightning, capable of summoning storms with just a flick of his wrist. His power allows him to unleash bolts that can paralyze or incinerate enemies in an instant. When pushed to his