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." Asher smiled faintly. "Good. Let them think that way. Pride goes before a fall." "There's Alpha Rowland," Ezra began, 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 his own alliances apart." Nancy's mouth pressed into a thin line. "A man who rules through rage will never last," she muttered, though her eyes flicked toward Asher, wondering how much of Henry's fire lived in his son.

"Then there's Alpha Cane." Ezra's continued. "He's politically minded, 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 one's looking.

"Alpha Marlow's pack is rich, but he's indulgent, given to women and wine. A man ruled by his appetites is easy to manipulate with the right temptation." Asher didn't need Ezra to explain. Marlow was weak, a pawn waiting to be bought.

"And then there's Alpha Drake," Ezra said, his tone heavy 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 dignity, humiliate him before the others, he'll crumble...

Just like that, Ezra laid out every alpha's strengths and weaknesses, including his own.

Asher wasn't sure he had ever seen 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 without flinching, as if daring him to use it.

Perhaps that was why it worked between them.

Then Ezra's voice dropped. "But there is one, above the rest, you must be wary of." Asher's eyes narrowed, and he said. "Dominic." "Exactly," Ezra concurred. "Your father's Beta is strong and respected. He knows these men better than you do, better than anyone. While Henry lived, Dominic forged ties with all of them. These Alphas will listen to him, more than they will listen to you.

Asher worked his jaw. "So Dominic is the true threat." Ezra nodded grimly. "If you fail to cut his influence, the others will not fear you. They will rally behind him, and you will be torn apart before you've even begun. I won't be surprised if they've already supported him as the next Alpha." Nancy sighed heavily. "The timing of your father's death is cruel, Asher. You've not even graduated from Lunaris yet. Once this burial ends, won't you be expected back in school?" Jeremiah's eyes darted to Asher, the implication clear as day. Asher couldn't lead the West pack while shackled to Academy walls. Someone had to take the lead of the pack while he was away. The only problem was, who could be trusted? While the question still hung between them, Asher gave Ezra a pointed look, and he understood perfectly.

"Hell no." Ezra shook his head in refusal.

"It has to be you, Ezra," Asher told him with a tone of inevitability.

"No." "Yes."

Ezra muttered, "I placed my pack away from the West borders onm was purpose. Henry's rule was too cutthroat, always stirring conflict. I didn't want my people caught in it." "It has to be you," Asher said simply. "You're the only one I can trust right now. The rest want my throat." Ezra scowled. "You're dragginginto fire."

"You'll survive it," Asher countered. "More than that, you'll have the m chance to change things once in power: You've wanted better for your people, and this is the way." "Damn you." Ezra cursed.

Asher smirked. "So we agree." "Fine." Ezra grumbled under his breath.

Asher said to them. "The tides are against me, and I'd wager Dominic has already rallied the others and crowned himself Alpha. Good. It savesthe trouble of cutting down twelve alphas. If I kill Dominic, the rest will fall in line." Ezra's expression hardened. "Dominic is strong, Asher." Asher arched a brow. "And I'm not? You forget, I'm a cardinal alpha." "Dominic hasn't forgotten," Ezra replied. "He'll carmed with that knowledge. He'll prepare for you in ways you don't expect." "Then let him." A faint smile tugged at Asher's mouth. "Let the best fighter win." He pushed to his feet, the conversation dismissed. "This was pleasant enough, Ezra, but I have a people to remind who their Alpha is."