Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 225: Secret War

"There will be no discussion of numbers."

Samuel’s words fell like a thunderclap in the room.

For the first time that night, Umal’s face went slack, the smug curl of his lips vanishing in an instant. The way his expression shifted from self-assured to rattled was nearly comical.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice dropping in dangerous disbelief.

Samuel simply nodded toward Xander’s horrifying remains on the floor. His skull lay cracked open, the blood pooled thickly beneath his corpse.

"Someone just died because of your product."

Umal scoffed. "That’s the point," he countered, regaining his composure. "Besides, you were the one who provided the victim."

Samuel, still staring at Xander’s body, clenched his jaw. The sickening and haunting sound of his death still echoed in his ears, playing in a repeat in his head. He had seen killings before—he had even ordered them —but this? This was

beyond a simple execution, it was inhuman.

Samuel gestured toward the tester, who was still in his euphoric, frenzied high. "That thing isn’t a man anymore, but a beast."

Umal only smiled, a knowing, dangerous look.

But Samuel wasn’t finished.

limits. If this is what Ignis turns a man into, then anyone who touches it could go on a rampage and harm innocent bystanders, my men, and turn District One into a

superhuman strength and causes near-instant addiction?" He scoffed. "That’s an open invitation for both the authorities and the Alpha King to crack down on us. And

to

of the Red Dragon gang. We’ve survived this long by keeping our heads down. I’d like it to continue

argument, Umal offered a thin, unruffled smile. "No road to greatness is easy. There’ll be casualties along the way, but what matters is who

ease despite the growing hostility in the room. "I’m not just here to sell you a drug, Samuel." His voice lowered, almost seductive in its persuasion. "I’m here to offer you power. One that could change the entire fate of District One, if not the whole

the table contemplatively. Umal

a little more modification, we could

a joke," One of Samuel’s men scoffed. "There’s no such thing as modification, a drug’s a drug. All it needs is the slightest nudge, and your so-called super-users unleash their

who can control their baser instincts. We don’t push this onto commoners, they’re too unpredictable. Instead, we market it to those in power. The rich. The elite. Those who have everything to lose if

getting their hands on this. They have a public image to maintain, meaning they can’t afford to cut loose and

a whiff, have you forgotten that part?" His

voice rose in challenge. "I said richer districts. With withdrawals so severe, addicts will do anything for another fix, including offering you protection, and even killing your enemies. And by the time

One. Let the other districts take the hits, while you funnel Ignis in from behind the scenes. No other supplier has it, so

cautious, intrigued looks, others were still repulsed by the memory of Xander’s

Finally, Samuel spoke.

might happen if my own men get bright ideas, like doping themselves with this stuff for some power grab. A scenario like that spells internal chaos. Anyone with a