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Werewolves were naturally aggressive and hot-blooded creatures, so clashes over power, dominance, and pride were frequent.

Challenges to the Alpha’s authority, even within a tightly controlled pack, were not uncommon.

These contests of will, particularly among those coveting leadership, were as expected as they were brutal.

Unlike Griffin, Roman, and Alaric, who maintained friendships or close relationships within their packs, Asher treated his members merely as soldiers—subordinates who followed orders while he provided the necessary resources for their survival and prosperity.

He believed in his father’s admonition that friends were often the first to betray you. Thus, he ruled them without seeking personal bonds, keeping them firmly in their place under his command.

In that charged moment, Asher’s Alpha presence filled the space, his authority emanating like an unstoppable force. The tension between him and his beta, Jeremiah, was palpable, their standoff teetering on the edge of violence.

The rest of the werewolves exchanged uneasy glances, clearly uncomfortable with the unfolding drama. They knew such confrontations rarely ended without injury, and it seemed inevitable that Jeremiah would be the one to suffer.

Asher stood tensely, every muscle coiled and ready as he addressed his challenger. "Do you really want to do this now, Jeremiah? Do you truly think you can take me on?" His voice dripped with a taunting confidence, an unspoken reminder of his unbeatable prowess.

Jeremiah’s defiance flickered in his blue eyes but quickly extinguished under Asher’s oppressive certainty. Knowing the futility of rebellion, he dropped his gaze, submitting with a bowed head.

"Thought as much," Asher remarked smugly.

He approached Jeremiah deliberately, each step measured and imposing, until he stood directly before him. Gripping Jeremiah’s chin, Asher forced their eyes to meet, his golden gaze burning into Jeremiah’s now-subdued blue.

"When I give an order, you follow it," Asher spoke with chilling control. "Next time you think of challenging me, be ready to see it through to the end. I don’t tolerate cowards." His words were a mockingly gentle caress, belied by the steely undertone.

Jeremiah clenched his jaw, his initial resolve dissolving under the weight of Asher’s stare. The defiance drained from him, replaced by acquiescence. "It will never happen again, Alpha," he murmured submissively.

"Good. For your sake," Asher replied emotionlessly, his warning clear and ominous. "You may leave now."

As Jeremiah and the other werewolves hastily retreated, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group. The encounter had been so fraught with tension that many had feared for Jeremiah’s life, convinced he would not survive a direct confrontation with Asher.

After his pack members had dispersed, Asher lingered outside, his posture rigid against the evening air. Minutes ticked by in silence until he broke it with a calculated coolness. "Aren’t you tired of hiding, Roman?"

From the shadowed corner of the West House, Roman emerged, a sheepish expression etched on his face as he stepped into the open.

As Roman approached, he challenged Asher’s leadership style. "You do know that’s not the way you rule your pack members?"

Asher faced him with a hardened expression, a clear indication that he knew where this conversation was headed. They had traversed this ground before, and it invariably spiraled into an argument.

Typically, Asher would avoid such confrontations, but fresh from his altercation with his beta, he was primed to redirect his aggression. Roman, unlike the beta, presented a formidable challenge, promising a confrontation that could prove cathartic.

"What do you want me to do? Kiss your bum and thank them after a challenge like that?" Asher retorted with a sneer.

"That challenge only happened because you lord over them, not rule over them," Roman countered calmly.

"I’m their Alpha. I protect and lead them. The least they can do is follow my orders," Asher snapped, his voice tinged with irritation.

"Perhaps try leading them with kindness, and they might not be so defiant with your orders," Roman suggested, his tone steady yet insistent.

"Sorry, but I’m not you," Asher replied coldly. "My wolves are the best, the strongest, most disciplined because there’s no room for vulnerability. They have a reliable Alpha who isn’t blinded by emotions."

"Being vulnerable is not a weakness, Alpha," Roman said, pausing hesitantly before adding, "You’re not your father, Asher."

The mention of his father sparked a flash of anger in Asher’s eyes. His voice dropped to a dangerous tone as he confronted Roman directly. "Is that what you came here to do, Roman? Because if that’s the case, then you’re beginning to piss me off."

Roman understood the unspoken threat; these would escalate soon if he provoked him further.

"Fine then, " Roman straightened up. "What are your plans with Violet?" He asked seriously.

"Why is everyone asking me that?" Asher chuckled, brushing off the question as though it were part of a running joke among them.

However, Roman’s expression remained unamused, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with Asher, signaling the gravity of his concerns.

"I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. You’re only going to put that girl in danger," Roman stated flatly, his voice steady and firm. "Neither would I be a part of it. Challenging the Alpha King is a death sentence, Asher."

His expression softened and he said, "For all we know, there’s a higher chance Elsie would not choose you. Her family has not failed to show their displeasure for you. So perhaps, you don’t have to go this far."

Unfortunately, those words were lost on the Alpha of the west. Asher’s laughter faded as he leaned in closer, his expression turning sly, his voice a whisper of insidious charm.

"You might never know what might work until you try," he teased, a dark edge to his words. "Neither would you know what you like until you have a taste of it."

Roman was taken aback, knowing he wasn’t just speaking figuratively, but literally this time and it was all about Violet.

His features registered shock and disapproval.

The implications of Asher’s words was heavy.

Not to mention, he got reminded once more of Asher’s unpredictable nature and his willingness to manipulate others to achieve his ends.