Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 273: Nightingale

The scene shifted again, and Violet found herself standing in front of a younger Asher surrounded by a handful of children around his age. They were clearly pack kids, judging from how familiar they were around him.

"Why don’t you ever play with us?" one of them asked.

"Only children play," Asher replied with that now-familiar scowl, as if the question itself was offensive.

"But you’re a child too," the child pointed out.

Asher narrowed his eyes at him. "I’m an heir. One day, I’m going to rule over all of you, so I don’t need to waste my time like the rest of you," he said unapologetically.

Violet watched the scene unfold with an aching heart. This was supposed to be the age of wonder, of scraped knees and make-believe, but here was Asher, already robbed of his childhood, being forced to grow up far too soon.

"That’s mean of you," the second child said, frowning.

A third boy chimed in sharply, "I don’t blame you. My mom says you’re miserable, and I don’t want to end up like you."

At once, Asher’s countenance shifted. "What did you just say to me?"

The boy’s confidence wavered for a second, but the presence of his friends emboldened him. He said, "Your father beats you and your mother all the time. My mom says kids raised like that will grow up to be trouble."

"Is that so?" Young Asher gave a chilling smile. "Let’s see who ends up being trouble, then."

His voice carried a dark promise that sent shivers down Violet’s spine. She had known adult Asher, and if his younger self was even half as dangerous, then whatever was about to happen next was going to be trouble.

He stared down the mouthy boy and commanded, "Punch your friend in the face. Don’t stop until I say so."

compelled boy turned to his friend. The first boy’s face drained of color, and

second friend cried, stepping forward to intervene, but Asher stepped in and

didn’t stop, not even when his friend’s face began to swell and bleed. Asher just watched, his arms crossed and his

people only learn their

"Asher!"

the scene, and

her instantly and it

didn’t even need to ask what happened. The second she took in

right now!" she

he started it!" Asher tried

don’t care!" Maria’s voice cracked like a whip. "Asher Nightingale Nightshade, release

his friend, now a crumpled mess on the ground. His cries pierced the air as the

crying boy, gave orders to the pack members now drawn by

Asher remained. She spun on him and grabbed his shoulders

wrong with you?! How

only taught him a lesson. If I’m going to

if you go down that path, you’ll end up ruling a

earned. And is

was a flicker of hesitation in Asher’s eyes. She saw it and pressed

as your mate one day, promise me, Asher. Promise me you’ll never

the weight of what she was asking, not fully. But for

"I promise you."