Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 600: New Alpha Of The West

"Careful," Nancy said firmly as Asher was guided into his quarters —formly Henry’s— his arms thrown around Roman’s shoulder while Jeremiah cleared the way.

Though Asher’s jaw was set, his breathing was shallow, and he was weak as hell. As the new Alpha of the West pack, it had been pride alone that kept him standing before his people. The West valued strength above all else, and even after a brutal battle, he could not afford to show weakness.

Only when they crossed the threshold of his home — where no outsider could witness his fall — did he finally allow himself to let go.

"On the bed," Nancy instructed.

Roman adjusted his grip, lowering him slowly. As soon as Asher’s body hit the mattress, a deep groan tore from his throat. He could only lie on his side; his shoulder was ruined, half his flesh bitten clean through where Dominic’s fangs had sunk deep.

The wound on his ribs was no better. Three claw marks slashed across his side, healing painfully slowly. Unlike a clean break or even a knife wound, wolf-inflicted injuries resisted their natural regeneration. Some said it was the venom laced in a wolf’s saliva, others blamed the disruption of pack magic, but everyone knew that claw and bite wounds lingered longer than they should.

At least the bleeding had stopped. That was something. The raw, angry flesh gleamed but no fresh blood seeped. Asher exhaled through clenched teeth and tried to shift his position on the bed, but that move made the pain flare up and he groaned.

Roman leaned over him. "Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Irene’s already called for a healer. They should be here soon."

Asher gave a small nod, though his thoughts weren’t on healers. Pain was nothing new; he could endure it. What he wanted and longed for was Violet. If she were here, it would be different. Her touch would soothe him and her voice would turn this pain into nothing more than background noise.

The door creaked, and Nancy reappeared with a basin of water and cloth. She set them down and knelt beside the bed, her sleeves already rolled up. Roman instinctively reached for the towel. "Let me."

so sharp it stopped him cold. "Move

held up his hands in surrender and stepped away for her to do

cool water, wrung it out, and began to wipe the dirt and blood

noticed Roman’s

wouldn’t have met Ezra. I wouldn’t have this life.

cracked open, his voice hoarse.

"I’m sure my daughter

was no point in arguing. Stubbornness was clearly a trait that run in

She cleaned him carefully, her

animal," she muttered

a low, humorless laugh. "Killing was the objective of the match, anyway?" Then

pack of hyenas," Nancy said, her tone dripping with

the pain. "Lucky them. Your husband is kind. Unlike me." His voice was edged with steel, a threat even

"You’re right. Ezra is kinder. But everyone has a violent side, Asher. Your sub-alphas would do well not to

for a while, until he couldn’t hold it in anymore, "Violet? Have you spoken

paused. "Not since last night. Today has been chaos. But I’ll call her when I’m finished

Asher admitted

too. You’ll see. Soon you’ll be together, and bonded,