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."

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

forward to intervene, but Asher stepped

boy froze in place, watching helplessly as his friend unleashed a flurry of brutal punches. Daniel didn’t stop, not even when his friend’s face began to swell and bleed. Asher just watched, his arms crossed and

was right, people only learn their

"Asher!"

scene, and for

her instantly and it was Maria,

what happened. The second she took in the bloodied boy and the frozen child, she stormed

him go right now!" she

he started it!" Asher tried

voice cracked like a whip. "Asher Nightingale Nightshade, release him from your compulsion right

a pout, Asher did as commanded. As soon as Daniel was freed, he looked at his bloody hands, then at his friend, now a crumpled mess on the ground. His cries pierced the air as

quickly. She calmed the crying boy, gave orders to the pack members now drawn

and Asher remained.

is wrong with you?! How could you do

coldly. "Besides, he started it. I only taught him a

your father told you? Because if you

"Respect is not demanded, Asher. It’s earned. And is that really the kind of Alpha you want to be? One who’s feared? One who hurts his own pack members?

was a flicker of hesitation in Asher’s eyes.

sake of the woman who might end up as your mate one day, promise me, Asher.

Asher didn’t understand the weight of what she was asking, not fully. But for his mother’s sake, he

"I promise you."