Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 604: No Longer The Same

Henry was not the martyr the whole pack made him out to be, and one of Asher’s first visions as Alpha was to tear down that illusion.

He would expose Henry for who he truly was, and it was an abuser, a manipulator, a liar, a psychopath. The list could go on forever.

Hence one could imagine the devastation twisting inside him as he stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, watching that performance unfold below.

"Who in the world arranged that?" His jaw was clenched, voice tight with disbelief as he turned to Jeremiah, standing beside him.

Before Jeremiah could respond, another voice came from behind.

"I did."

Asher froze. He turned, his breath catching when he saw it was Ezra.

"H-how could you?" Asher’s tone cracked, pain raw in his voice. "You know... you knew the monster he was. What he—" He stopped mid-sentence, his throat locking up.

The memories came rushing back at him, dragging him back to the memories of the bruises, and the constant fear. He shut his eyes and swallowed hard, forcing the past back.

Ezra said nothing for a moment. He simply walked forward, joining Asher at the balcony railing. The noise of the crowd rose below as the play reached its climax, featuring the scene of Asher and Dominic fighting for the position of Alpha.

When the character-Asher ripped Dominic’s fake heart out moments later, the crowd roared in triumph, their loud voices reverberating through the night.

suddenly. "Tell me, what do you see,

sarcastic curl of his

instead. The boy’s dry humor was

again," he

guess what Ezra wanted him to notice. After a moment his eyes

in love with Henry," he

back to him. "And now

at Ezra for a beat, then turned away. "I don’t need them to

pack is fractured," Ezra continued. "Your alphas might try to take your position,

his scowl deepening as his active mind

like desperate rats. Desperate rats do anything." Ezra’s voice hardened. "Right now all you

so they’ll bow whether

villain, but he wrapped himself in the face of a hero. You, Asher, are the real deal, fiercer, less forgiving, maybe wiser, but you lack his storytelling.

on day one. That performance you think glorifies Henry rekindles pack identity. It makes them see you as a continuation of greatness, not a threat to stability." He gestured to the crowd.

mouth tightened. "So you want me to

pretend?" Ezra replied evenly. "There’s a difference between pretending and being smart. You’re not your father, I know that. You’re better. But

say you’re too young or inexperienced. You can’t rebuild the pack

what

No. Ride the wave. Once they’re yours, you

him. Even Jeremiah stood so still beside them that one might have