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."

his friend. The first boy’s face drained

you doing, Daniel?!" the second friend cried, stepping forward to intervene, but Asher stepped in and spoke again with power, "Don’t

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!"

and for the first

her instantly and

need to ask what happened. The second she took in the bloodied boy and the frozen child, she stormed toward her

go right now!" she

started it!" Asher

Maria’s voice cracked like a whip. "Asher Nightingale Nightshade,

he looked at his bloody hands, then at his friend,

gave orders to the pack members now drawn

Maria and Asher remained. She spun on him and grabbed his shoulders

you?! How could you do that to

only taught him a lesson. If I’m going to lead this pack, they need to respect

you? Because if you

closer, forcing him to look at her. "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

Asher’s

who might end up as your mate one day, promise me, Asher. Promise me you’ll never raise your hand

weight of what she was asking, not fully. But for his mother’s sake, he answered

"I promise you."