Defy The Alpha(s) - Chapter 668
Chapter 668: It’s Her BirthRight
Had anyone told Asher Nightshade that a day would come when he and the other Cardinal Alphas would sit together discussing the affairs of their mate, he would have laughed them out of the room.
Sharing one mate?
That was a far stretched fantasy.
In the past, Asher had always assumed he would one day choose a wife — someone he could control, and would not bother him — after he claimed the Alpha King’s throne. That throne had been his purpose, his obsession. The fight for it had fractured his bond with the other Cardinals, but it gave him something to live for.
But now?
Now they weren’t just brothers. They were family. And only when he truly felt that unity did he finally understand how powerful they were together and why Elijah had wanted them divided all along.
He should have known.
The boys had all taken up different corners of the room, and though they all had a shared purpose of gathering here, they couldn’t help but stare at each other in an awkward manner.
Alaric was the first to break the silence, his piercing blue gaze fixed on Roman. “How did we even get to this point? Because I knew I always hated your ass.”
Roman smirked. “Yeah, well, same here, you smug bastard. Always acting like your bloodline was better than ours, when in reality you all are…” He stopped himself before the words slipped too far. Even for him, that was crossing a line.
Alaric knew exactly what Roman had been about to say. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t bite back. There was truth in Roman’s unfinished insult and, strangely, he didn’t feel the urge to fight his mate-in-law. Not this time. Roman hadn’t meant it as an attack.
“Yeah,” Griffin said. “I’d say we’ve come too far, considering I’d rather die than be caught with a Nightshade.”
He didn’t mean it as an insult, though it sounded like one.
The message was clear. The East Pack treated their women like goddesses, while the West treated theirs like property. With such opposing values, Asher and Griffin should have never gotten along.
“Yeah,” Asher said in his husky tone, a strange heaviness rising in his chest. “I never thought I’d tolerate you guys.” He paused, clearing his throat. “Or that you’d tolerate me.”
Roman made a face. “Well, you have your charming days.”
Alaric snorted, half-laughing.
Griffin leaned back. “We all know it’s because of one person. Someone we have to protect by all means.”
All three of them nodded in agreement.
Asher asked, slipping into business mode, “What do we know about the Fae realm so far?”
“Nothing much,” Alaric replied. “Aside from a few fables scattered through human texts, I doubt the legitimacy of most of them.”
“One thing’s for sure, they hate iron. It’s as poisonous to them as silver is to us,” Griffin said.
“So we dip our claws in iron?” Roman suggested.
Alaric shook his head, expression flat. “We’re in an unknown realm. Where exactly do you expect us to find iron?”
“The guards carry it,” Asher pointed out. “Their swords are iron. I noticed it yesterday. Though they keep them carefully sheathed.”
The other three looked at him astonished. They’d barely settled, and he already had a contingency plan.
“So with all their magical prowess, they still need swords?” Alaric muttered, unimpressed.
“Magic can be incapacitated,” Roman said.
“I know that. Just saying.” Alaric smirked. “But that’s the smartest thing you’ve said in a while.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “Wow. Thanks, smarty panty-ass.”
“Alright, enough,” Griffin cut in, stepping between them before the bickering escalated. In his mind, they were two children in grown bodies. “It’s time to focus.”
With everyone settled, Asher stepped into the center and said, “We have a lot on our plate. First, Violet can’t control her powers, yet she’s expected to participate in a trial to claim her throne. Second, there’s her stepfather, Baron. I’d bet my ass he’s already plotting her death. And lastly, we have no idea how long we’re expected to stay here, nor do we have a way out of here.”
Roman raised his hand like a student in class.
Asher arched a brow. “What is it, Roman?”
“You forgot the annoying bird, Lucen,” Roman reminded him.
At the mention of that name, Griffin and Alaric’s faces twisted in disgust, a low growl rumbling from their throats, saying all that needed to be said about their feelings toward him.
“He’s not a threat. Yet.” Asher’s eyes narrowed. “I trust you can handle him.”
For the first time, Asher assigned Roman a task, one he knew the wolf would take great pleasure in.
A wicked glint flashed in Roman’s eyes. “You can trust me with that,” he said, intertwining his fingers, grinning.
Alaric shook his head. He wasn’t so sure handing Roman that responsibility was wise. Well, he’d keep an eye on him, after all, the reckless snake had a talent for turning small missions into full-blown disasters.
“With everything that’s happened,” Asher said, “I’m confident Violet doesn’t want this responsibility on her shoulders.”
“I beg to differ,” Griffin countered. “It’s her birthright, whether she wants it or not. And we both know Violet, the tougher the challenge, the more determined she becomes. Give her a day or two. She’ll bounce back.”
“Griffin’s right,” Roman added. “Our mate’s stubborn. No matter how brutal the trial is, she wouldn’t want to be remembered as the princess who ran away.”
“You’re scared,” Alaric said suddenly, his eyes fixed on Asher.
“What?” Asher tensed, almost defensive.
“You’re scared she’ll choose to stay in the Fae realm. And you’re not sure how that would play out for you. For us. Because we can’t live here. This isn’t our home.”
Alaric’s words cut deep because they were true. Griffin and Roman’s gazes drifted toward Asher, then away, each of them silently acknowledging the same fear.
A heavy tension settled between them, the dread tightening like a noose around their neck.
Griffin finally broke the silence. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, our priority’s helping Violet win this trial and taking down that good-for-nothing Baron.”