Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 517: Alphas Of Power

"I’d say all of them."

Ezra’s words echoed, haunting the room. Nancy and Jeremiah stiffened, trepidation filling them for the young Alpha.

But Asher, the one they feared for, didn’t seem affected. He didn’t even flinch or blink. If anything, he rubbed his jaw, absorbing the information. He had expected no less.

"Then," Asher said coolly, "let’s know exactly who I’ll be cutting down."

Ezra exhaled what was almost a scoff, but there was nothing amused about it. He admired Asher’s confidence, but the situation was dire.

The West Pack was unlike the others. They did not thrive on open-handed faith like the East Pack, nor did they drown in indulgence like the South Pack. Neither did they cling to blood pride like the North. No, the West Pack was built on discipline and ambition.

Education, order, and strategy.

Every child was drilled to see beyond survival, to scheme, to climb, to fight not only with claws but with wit. Women were silenced, tucked away into the shadows of their men, but that only made the men hungrier.

Henry had raised an empire on their hunger, whipping them into unity with his dominance. But Henry was gone, and now the scent of blood was everywhere.

And where blood spilled, ambition rose.

There were fifteen minor Alphas under the West pack banner. Fifteen packs bound beneath Henry’s domination, each one restless now that the old wolf lay cold in the ground.

Ezra explained to Asher, "Three of the alphas, myself included, have packs outside the West borders, in scattered districts. We are weaker, less likely to press for your throne. But the other twelve..." He shook his head. "They are sharks circling, Asher. Henry kept them on a leash, but you—" his eyes locked with Asher’s, a heavy, uncompromising look, "you are young, untested, and vulnerable. They will resent the idea of bowing to you. Each one secretly believes he deserves Henry’s chair more than his son."

them think that way. Pride goes before

his tone edged with distaste. "He’s fierce in combat, but rash and too quick to anger. If you strike his temper, he’ll tear

line. "A man who rules through rage will never last," she muttered, though her eyes flicked toward

one you have to watch out for, a spider

pack is rich, but he’s indulgent, given to women and wine. A man ruled by his appetites is easy to manipulate with

Ezra to explain. Marlow was weak, a pawn waiting to

with irony. "The oldest, and he parades it as wisdom. But he’s nothing more than a cunning old fool. If you strip him of his

Ezra laid out every alpha’s strengths and weaknesses, including

a man so blunt about his own flaws. Most alphas he knew wrapped themselves in armor of pride, never letting anyone close enough to see the seams. But Ezra laid it bare

why it worked

is one, above the rest, you

narrowed, and

better than you do, better than anyone. While Henry lived, Dominic forged ties with all of them. These Alphas

jaw. "So Dominic is the

will not fear you. They will rally behind him, and you will be torn apart

Asher. You’ve not even graduated from Lunaris yet. Once this burial ends, won’t you be expected back

to Academy walls. Someone had to take the lead of the pack while he was away. The

gave Ezra a pointed

Ezra shook his head

be you, Ezra," Asher told him with a tone

"No."

"Yes."