Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 275: The Broken Heir

Henry had Brian killed. Public execution style.

He brought the man out in front of the entire pack, dragging him like a sacrifice meant to appease the gods of his own paranoia. Then, with his usual flair for theatrics and that commanding voice that made people forget how twisted he was, Henry made his speech.

"If I hadn’t been fast enough, I would have lost both my son and wife," he said, tone righteous, like he was the victim here. "I still don’t know Brian’s true intentions, but I suspect he planned to hand them over to my enemies.

"I know not many of you like how I rule. I don’t care. I don’t need your approval. My intention has always been to make the West House great again. And to do that, some thorns need to be pulled from the garden."

Then he ended with the words that made Violet’s stomach churn.

"I am your Alpha. I know what’s best for my people. And I will make the West House thrive."

Of course, some fools clapped. Some even cheered. But not everyone. Others stood frozen, confused, even shocked, while Brian’s family sobbed quietly in the corner. It had to be set up, the sympathetic ones thought. Brian was kind. Loyal. A good man. And he would never have done something like that.

And yet he confessed his crimes right before Henry decapitated his head in front of everyone. And just like that, he was gone.

Some suspected foul play, but there was no proof, just their whispers, and a crowd too scared to voice them.

But the truth was this :

The same way Henry had Asher compel his mother, he also had him compel Brain too. He set him up for death.

It had never been about justice for Henry.

Only control.

The scene shifted again, and this time, Violet’s eyes widened with horror as she spotted Asher with his arms suspended above his head, chained to the ceiling. He was completely bare, save for the black shorts he wore.

Asher was his own father, Henry Nightshade, with a wicked-looking whip in

No, no, he wasn’t actually going to hurt

course, he

an end? And yet..." He shot Asher a look full of disdain, "you tried

his body jerked slightly, he didn’t utter a word. There was

though her brains urged her to. She needed this moment burned into her memory as fuel for

broke the skin. Blood ran

grabbed Asher by the chin, and forced him to meet his eyes. Those slitted eyes were glassy from pain, yet still

legacy, it’ll all be yours one day..." Then his voice suddenly dropped,

his lip. The boy staggered but didn’t fall. Didn’t

"Pain is just a note away from pleasure. And you must learn to take it

until Asher’s body sagged, blood soaking his shorts and trailing down his legs. Until Henry’s arms were tired, and his breathing came in short, ragged

did he toss the whip aside and

himself. And then, little Asher looked up and stared Henry dead in the eyes. That

to his son’s with eerie affection.

Then he stepped back.

ordered. "I’m sure she’d like to clean you

without a

changed

front of a half-opened door, cold dread seeping in before she even touched it. Something was wrong. Very

She stepped inside.

the bed.

her heart pounding, and

Maria.