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.

circles on her arm. If it was meant to soothe her, it sort of

actions. It means exerting influence over their will, forcing them to

entire body stiffened, her back going rigid. Her gaze flickered up to meet his heated eyes, first in shock, then disgust. But as she searched those strange, captivating orbs, an idea formed in her mind, maybe this was the key to solving

the air between them suddenly feeling thick and charged, "Is that what

clearly taken aback by her words. Before he could respond, Violet had already pushed him back against the armrest of

stunned by her boldness, before he broke into laughter. Violet frowned, annoyed. She hadn’t been trying to be funny. Then she

her lips, the intensity of it causing a warmth to rush to her cheeks. Asher finally spoke, "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 if

though it was only the force of his words that hit her so hard.

been just a brief interlude, he reached for her hand again. Violet

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

I was saying..." he continued, "I can directly give commands, subtly

how deeply he had already sunk his claws into her mind. How many of her

well enough to trust that she wouldn’t willingly stay at this academy after everything that had happened between her and this psycho. This was her decision, no

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

simple gesture, something that shouldn’t have affected her, yet Violet’s heart

if they recognize it’s happening," Asher explained, his voice almost teasing. "But since you’re basically a

After all, it wasn’t every day one got a stalker pervert invading her dreams.

Violet whispered. She needed to understand. She wanted to understand. Sure, her application had been "creative," but

His touch was gentle, massaging her scalp, and 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

his eyes blazing with intensity. "You’re

"What?"

been laid out for us like a damn map. But you, my chosen, will wedge the knife. You will tear them all apart and, perhaps then, rip out my bleeding heart. How poetic would that be?" He laughed,

his laughter teetered