Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 23: His Rebellion

This wasn’t a date; it was a kidnapping, plain and simple. The last thing Violet wanted was to spend any more time with this stalker, manipulator, emotionless jerk—you name it. But then again, she had no choice. If she was ever going to get out of this academy, she’d have to find some way to appeal to Asher. Hopefully.

So when Asher said, "You should sit," without the usual coercion following his command, Violet understood it was his way of giving her a chance to "behave" before he took away her choice altogether. The underlying threat was still there, just beneath the veneer of politeness.

Without a word, Violet walked over to the plush leather couch in Jameson’s office and sat down. She could only hope that Principal Jameson would walk in at any moment and perhaps change the outcome of this situation.

But even as she held onto that faint hope, Violet knew better. It was becoming painfully obvious that Jameson was nothing but a puppet, and the real rulers of this academy were the Cardinal Alphas.

As soon as she sat down, Asher followed, casually plopping down beside her. He sat facing her, one leg bent, relaxed, his entire demeanor as if they were friends about to have a casual chat, despite the tension crackling in the air.

"Turn towards me," he commanded, his voice holding the authority of a king who expected nothing less than obedience.

Violet obeyed, though she let out an exaggerated sigh, a subtle form of rebellion. Not that Asher seemed to care. As long as she followed his instructions, she would have worn a sackcloth, and he would’ve been indifferent.

They sat facing each other with Violet wondering what exactly he had planned. Asher, however, seemed completely preoccupied with typing something into his phone.

His hair fell messily over his forehead as he concentrated, and for some inexplicable reason, Violet had the urge to brush it aside. However, she clenched her fists slightly, shaking her head. What was wrong with her? There was no way she was catching Stockholm syndrome already.

Almost immediately, Asher looked up, a smile breaking across his face as he set his phone aside. It was so sudden, so genuine, it caught her off guard. The happiness seemed real, and it looked almost... good on him. And he took advantage of her distraction, grabbing her hand.

"So, about my powers..." he murmured, holding her hand firmly as she tried to pull it away, his warmth enveloping hers.

"Mind control and mind reading are two very distinct abilities, even though they both deal with the mind. Technically, it’s possible to possess both. In fact, if I really put effort into it, I could develop mind-reading as a secondary power. But, honestly, mind reading can be chaotic and exhausting, and I’d like to keep what’s left of my sanity intact."

Oh God, he just admitted his mind wasn’t complete. Violet cried inwardly.

as if they were in some twisted classroom setting, all the while drawing small circles on her arm. If

Asher began, "I can manipulate someone else’s thoughts, behaviors, and actions. It means exerting influence over their will, forcing them to act in ways they wouldn’t otherwise choose."

gaze flickered up to meet his heated eyes, first in shock, then disgust. But

kiss..." she said breathily, the air between them suddenly feeling thick and charged, "Is that what you want? Is that your

him back against the armrest of the couch, leaning over

a long moment, Asher just stared at her, stunned by her boldness, before he broke into laughter. Violet frowned, annoyed. She hadn’t been trying to be funny. Then she felt his hand glide up

"If all I wanted was a kiss, I would’ve taken it already. And while I do admire the fire in your eyes, when we kiss, it won’t be out of obligation. You won’t look as

only the force of his words that hit her so hard. She shifted back, allowing Asher to

grinned, knowing he had won that round. Without missing a beat, as if the moment between them had been just a brief interlude, he reached for her hand again. Violet resisted, baring her teeth at him. Asher didn’t back down, baring his own teeth in response, accompanied by a

look human, beneath that skin lay a beast. She hesitated, then reluctantly relented, letting him take her hand.

commands, subtly influence decisions, or even

him turning someone into a puppet. She wondered just how deeply he had already sunk his claws into her mind. How many of her

She knew herself well enough to trust that she wouldn’t willingly stay at this academy

my ability depends on my strength of will, my focus, and sometimes... the level of emotional connection between me

her, yet Violet’s heart began to race for reasons

recognize it’s happening," Asher explained, his voice almost teasing. "But since you’re basically a baby taking its first steps, it’s safe to say we’ll be having lots of

The thought frightened Violet, but at the same time, a rush of strange anticipation went through her. After all, it wasn’t every day one got

to understand. She wanted to understand. Sure, her application had been "creative," but there had to be

she nearly melted at the sensation. She shouldn’t have been getting comfortable with Asher, the mind-controlling psychopath, yet there was something vulnerable about the moment that

whispered, his eyes blazing with intensity. "You’re

"What?"

a damn map. But you, my chosen, will wedge the knife. You will tear them all apart

pulled away, unsettled as his laughter teetered on the edge