Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 516: Challenge The Alpha

Asher barely inclined his head at their greeting, his eyes already past them. He walked forward, and naturally they followed, their footsteps quick to fall into line behind him.

They were being respectful around him but Asher wasn’t deceived by the act. He knew the difference between loyalty and courtesy.

"It’s nice to finally have you home, Asher," Luna Patricia said, her tone sweet as honey. "I’ve had your room prepared in advance."

Asher paused mid-step, his gaze cutting briefly to her before turning forward again. "I’ll be staying in my father’s quarters."

There was an immediate shift in the air, and Asher even heard someone exhale sharply. Luna Patricia’s smile faltered for a fraction, and Beta Dominic seemed taken aback, but they were quick to mask it.

Staying in Henry’s room wasn’t a request but a declaration that he was here to take his father’s place. Yes, Asher was not beating around the bush. He had just sent out a warning. His enemies better start preparing because his knife was sharpened already.

"Of course," Patricia said quickly, covering her slip. "If that’s where you’d rather stay. I’ll have the staff clean—"

"You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll do it myself," Asher cut in.

"But—" Patricia tried again.

Asher suddenly stopped. His movement was so abrupt that everyone trailing him came to a halt. He turned, his eyes sweeping over the faces of the sycophants who had followed.

"I appreciate your support," he said, his voice carrying across the passageway. "But I wish to mourn my father in silence."

needed something tangible to strip them off

Patricia, his gaze firm. "Make sure the Alphas are

off, Jeremiah falling into step beside him, while the rest of the entourage stood watching him go. None dared

groaning on its hinges. The room had been shut for days, hence the air that met him was thick, and stale. Jeremiah followed close behind,

oak shelves lined the walls, stacked with carefully arranged ledgers, and records. At the center stood the massive desk with papers neatly aligned as if their owner would walk back in any moment. An adjoining door stood slightly ajar, leading into the room

was everywhere, soaked into the wood, the curtains, the floorboards and it suffocated him. Asher went to the windows and pushed them open, letting the cold air rush

the canvas, hard and commanding. The painter had captured every detail: the squared jaw, the proud tilt of his chin, the aura of

lips pressed into a line. "It’s still hard to believe

He stood behind his

himself to feel the loss. They had been enemies more than father and son, but blood was blood, and the ache still found its way into

Then it was gone.

hardened. "Get rid of the picture,"

the wall while Asher watched with contempt. He couldn’t bear those eyes staring back, the face carved with lines of cruelty and disappointment,

He would be

sweep of the room," Asher ordered next. "Check for

of that, but Asher had learned

when the

and Ezra King walked

Asher. She