Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 403: The Remaining Three

Lila sat on the hospital bench, her foot tapping impatiently against the floor in a constant, restless pace as she moaned over her decision to help Asher Nightshade.

Boosting Adele’s power had drained her, leaving her too depleted to continue the search for Violet. They had no choice but to stay behind and deal with the aftermath the operatives left behind.

Alaric and Roman had rounded up the remaining rogues who had tried escaping in the middle of the commotion. Adele, nearly collapsing herself, used the last of her strength to heal the injured and comfort the traumatized she-wolves, most of whom had never thought they’d be rescued.

In one word, the cleanup lasted well into dawn.

By the time the parents of the Cardinal Alphas arrived, they brought with them their usual entourage of pack members. Henry had personally arranged for Asher’s unconscious body to be transported under heavy care. Irene Hale had declared she’d be leading the mission to recover Violet and Griffin herself.

Of course, Lila had insisted on coming too.

"I understand you’re Violet’s friend," Irene had said, brushing her off cooly, "but you’ve done enough. Follow the others and leave this to me. I’ll find Violet and my son."

And that was that.

Lila had wanted to argue but she didn’t have a good enough excuse. Irene likely assumed she was human and had nothing meaningful to contribute to the mission. And Lila couldn’t exactly reveal that she was Fae.

It was already dangerous enough that the Cardinal Alphas knew about her identity, and even more dangerous that they suspected Violet’s roots. Their parents couldn’t know. Especially not their parents.

At least the Cardinal Alphas had a reason to protect Violet, but their parents didn’t. Fae power was coveted and werewolves, in all their strength, were still creatures driven by want. Greed was what got them all tangled in this mess in the first place.

Roman, at least, had offered to go with Irene, surprising her. The green haired, slightly likeable asshole had winked at her and Lila understood this was his way of saying, I’ve got your back.

So Roman left with Irene.

Meanwhile, his father, Alpha Leon, took the lead in rounding up the rogues and securing the scene for formal investigation. An investigation Caspian Storm had already launched into, inspecting the high-tech gear and weapons the operatives had used, even before the special werewolf-human alliance team arrived.

In short, she was shipped off with Adele and Alaric. Which led her to sitting here in the sterile hallway of the hospital, posing as someone waiting patiently for Asher’s recovery when in reality, she was simply waiting for any news of Violet.

Just then, a news segment flashed across the television mounted on the wall, immediately drawing her attention.

"We are coming to you live from the edge of the Wildveil Rainforest, located far beyond the structured borders of Aster City and its surrounding human districts. This dense, ungoverned expanse has long been shrouded in mystery, but we have come to confirm that it is indeed the stronghold of the rogue werewolves."

communities have surged, leading to rising tension between the packs and heightened security concerns. But it seems the rogues may have finally met their match following their brazen kidnapping of Cardinal Alpha Griffin Hale and Violet Purple, a well-known Lunaris Academy scholarship student with

has been no official confirmation on the whereabouts of Griffin or Violet, sources say a high-level search operation is already underway, led by none other than the formidable Alpha Irene of the

when heavily outnumbered. Tragically, the battle has left Asher Nightshade, son of Alpha Henry of the West Pack, hospitalized. No further updates have been

these young heirs already carry. With graduation just months away, many believe this is a glimpse into the future of pack leadership. The Cardinal Alphas are not just students, they are warriors, and if this is any indication, they’re already preparing to inherit the mantle of leadership

hopeful that

with us as we

was frowning now

being buried. They were keeping it from the public to prevent panic. But more than that, this was politics.The Alpha King was at the center of it all, and the case had to be

of the room, looking around only for her gaze to fall on Lila.

"Hey," Adele said.

Lila ignored her.

her. She was quickly getting used to

then glanced at the news screen before shifting her attention back to Lila. "So... Asher is stable now. We had to keep him sedated so his body could use the time to recover." She looked at Lila again hopefully, but there

just wanted you to

Still no response.

her mouth shut from this point

stretched for over a minute before Adele finally

closer, squinting at Lila. "Usually, I see these kids as just kids. But something tells me you’re not. How

time, Lila

raised both palms quickly. "I just need to know

I’m one of those kids and nothing has changed because it won’t. Once

widened. "Did you just say you’d erase my

secret has to be

say a word and I’ll carry it to

you," Lila said bluntly and

Then she composed herself, schooling her face into a neutral expression

think about me," Lila said without missing a beat. "My role here is to protect Violet. That is what

shook her head in disbelief, then looked past her. "Well,

follow her gaze, only to see Roman

like stone, his eyes dark, and the energy from him radiating menace as