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.

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

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." He paused, adding casually, "For

gaze flickered up to meet his heated eyes, first in shock, then disgust. But as she searched those strange, captivating orbs, an

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

respond, Violet had already pushed him back against the armrest of the couch, leaning over him, their bodies pressed close as

been trying to be funny. Then she felt his hand glide up her neck, his fingers brushing against her lower lip, and she shivered despite

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 you’re doing me a favor. Your eyes will burn with passion, Violet,

though it was only the force of his words that hit

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

might look human, beneath that skin lay

saying..." he continued, "I can directly give commands, subtly influence decisions, or even

sunk his claws into her mind. How many of her actions were her own? Had he planted the idea of her coming here,

that she wouldn’t willingly stay at this academy after everything that had happened between her and this psycho. This was her

her thoughts. "The effectiveness of my ability depends on my strength of will, my focus,

a simple gesture, something that shouldn’t have affected her, yet Violet’s heart began to race for reasons she

happening," Asher explained, his voice almost teasing. "But since you’re basically a baby taking its first steps, it’s safe

planning on visiting her dreams tonight. 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 a stalker pervert invading her dreams. No, it wasn’t romantic at all. Yet Violet was still

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

Asher ran his fingers through her hair. His touch was gentle, massaging her scalp, and she nearly melted at the sensation. She shouldn’t have been getting comfortable with Asher,

it?" Asher whispered, his

"What?"

damn map. But you, my chosen, will wedge the knife. You will tear them all apart and, perhaps then, rip out my bleeding

his laughter teetered on the edge