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Silence hung in the room for what felt like forever, until Elsie whispered, "That’s impossible."

But Asher, lifting a daring brow, replied, "You mean to say congratulations are in order?"

Elsie opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She glanced at Alpha Henry, silently begging him to step in, but his brows were deeply furrowed, and he said nothing.

Desperate, she turned to her mother, hoping she would have a defense in this critical moment, but Caroline was silent too, her expression tense and thoughtful.

Finally, Elsie looked at Asher. That infuriating, taunting expression was plastered all over his face, the same smug look that said loud and clear that he had just won.

And that was when Elsie snapped.

"This is all a lie! He’s lying!" She pointed at Asher, then at Alpha Ezra. "And he’s lying too. I bet the two of them planned this together!"

"Elsie!" Caroline hissed, trying to rein her in, especially seeing the way Ezra’s expression had darkened. But Elsie was too far gone.

She went on, loud and unhinged now, her words aimed straight at Henry, knowing he was the only one whose judgment mattered.

"Can’t you see? He’s even lying for her! I told you that bitch Violet had her claws deep into your son! Just like her whore of a mother, Violet Purple has—"

Elsie didn’t get to finish because everything happened in a blur.

One moment she was spewing her venom, and the next, Alpha Ezra moved like lightning, slamming her up against the nearest wall.

The impact cracked the wall, and Elsie gasped in pain.

Ezra’s hand was around her neck, squeezing tight as he snarled, "Did you just call my mate a whore? "

"Elsie!" Caroline screamed in terror. She spun to Henry. "Do something!"

"Ezra," Henry said sharply, expecting him to obey.

But Ezra was no longer in control. His wolf was.

And now the creature demanded justice for his mate’s honor.

Ezra’s grip around Elsie’s neck only tightened, and she gasped, eyes wide with pain, realizing just how deep in trouble she was.

This was why it was always warned to never get between mates.

They would defend each other to the bitter end. Like now.

"Alpha Henry!" Caroline cried out again, panic rising as Elsie struggled desperately for breath.

At once, Henry rumbled an Alpha command. "Let go now, Ezra."

The power in his voice rolled over Ezra like a crushing wave, suppressing his wolf and forcing it into submission. Ezra’s eyes cleared as he returned to himself and he released Elsie. She crumpled to the floor like a rag doll.

Gasping, Elsie scrambled backward, crawling frantically to a corner where she huddled, hacking and choking like someone on their last breath.

"Leave us. Now," Henry ordered coldly.

Caroline lifted her head, only to meet the hard look of disappointment on Henry’s face. She opened her mouth, rushing to do damage control as always.

"Alpha Henry, I understand you are—"

"Leave. Now." Henry’s voice was final, leaving no room for argument.

Caroline’s lips clamped shut. With no other choice, she reached for her daughter and helped her up, quickly guiding her out.

Once the door closed, a heavy silence fell over the room. Henry’s eyes moved from Ezra to Asher, finally settling on his son. Of course, Henry wasn’t stupid. This had been perfectly timed, and it had all the marks of his cunning son’s handiwork.

"What is going on here?" he demanded, his voice icy cold.

Ezra adjusted his jacket, straightened, and said, "Apologies for not coming earlier to pay my respects and introduce my mate properly. Nancy and I were caught up in the mating fever, and then we came here. Nonetheless, since we are here, I’ll say my piece.

Nancy is my mate, and while I am obliged to protect her, her daughter’s well-being is also my responsibility.

I don’t fully understand what’s going on here, but if so much as a single hair on Violet’s head is harmed, be assured I will come after whoever is responsible with the full fury of a spurned mate. "

Ezra didn’t mention Henry’s name outright, but the warning landed squarely where it was aimed.

Henry’s face darkened, his expression like thunder, and for a moment it looked like he might explode. But he held it in, his voice taut as he turned to Ezra. "I need to speak to my son. Alone."

Ezra didn’t protest. He simply gave Asher one last long, concerned look, then turned and left.

And maybe Ezra’s concern was justified, because the moment the door shut behind him, Asher Nightshade took a hard blow to the face.

"You fucking bastard!" Henry roared, his anger unleashed at last.

Asher’s head snapped to the side from the force of the punch. But he took it all in stride, laughing, "Okay, maybe I deserved that one."

Unfortunately, that laugh only enraged Henry further. He lunged to punch again, but Asher dodged easily, grinning. "You’re getting rusty, old man."

The next punch came fast, and this time, Henry didn’t miss. But just as it was about to land, Asher locked eyes with his father and, used his compulsion. "Halt."

And just like that, Henry froze mid-swing.

Asher smiled that cruel smile of his, the one he wore whenever things were going exactly as he planned. He taunted, "How’s that mental wall of yours holding up? Seems like you miss me so much, you’re even slipping there."

Alpha Henry straightened, his expression like ice now. "Why don’t you try again and find out."

Of course, after raising a son with mind control abilities, Henry had become a master of mental shielding.

But Asher only chuckled darkly. "Of course. How could I defeat the great, disciplined Alpha of the West Pack? Not when he’s at full strength."

"Don’t push me," Henry warned, his voice low and deadly, the game ending in an instant.

"Don’t lay a hand on Violet," Asher shot back, his tone just as sharp.

Father and son locked eyes, the tension crackling between them like static. Neither looked away, until Asher finally did, casually wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth where the wound from the punch had already begun to heal.

"That’s all for now, Father," he said mockingly. "If you don’t mind."

And with that, he turned his back and walked out, unbothered, not even glancing back to see if Henry would strike again. That alone was the deepest insult because it meant Asher was no longer afraid of him. Not anymore.

The moment Asher left, Henry let out a thunderous roar, then tore through the office, destroying everything in sight, smashing anything he could get his hands on.

The kid thought he was grown? Fine. He’d teach him a lesson.

And as for Violet...