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 first boy’s face drained of color, and before he

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

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 his face twisted in

people only learn

"Asher!"

onto the scene, and for the

and it was

happened. The second she took in the bloodied

go right now!" she

started it!"

"Asher Nightingale Nightshade, release him from your

his friend, now a crumpled mess on the ground. His cries pierced the air as the horror of what he had done sank

the pack members now drawn by the commotion, and ensured the

remained. She spun on him and grabbed his

the hell is wrong with you?! How could you

him a lesson. If I’m going to lead this

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

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?

of hesitation in Asher’s eyes.

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

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

"I promise you."