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."

faintly. "Good. Let them think that

combat, but rash and

mouth pressed into a thin line. "A man who rules through rage will never last," she muttered, though her eyes flicked

surrounded by too many friends. He’s the one you have to watch out for, a spider in the web. He’s quiet but dangerous, weaving alliances when no

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

Ezra to explain. Marlow was weak,

he’s nothing more than a cunning old fool. If you strip him of his dignity, humiliate him before the others,

out every alpha’s strengths and weaknesses, including his

of pride, never letting anyone close enough to see the seams. But Ezra

why it worked

one, above the rest, you must

narrowed, and he

anyone. While Henry lived, Dominic forged ties with

worked his jaw. "So Dominic

his influence, the others will not fear you. They will rally behind him, and you will be torn apart before you’ve even

heavily. "The timing of your father’s death is cruel, Asher. You’ve not even graduated from Lunaris yet. Once

walls. Someone had to take the lead

the question still hung between them, Asher gave

shook

has to be you, Ezra," Asher

"No."

"Yes."