Defy The Alpha(s) Chapter 608: Pack Of Wolves

"How dare you treat like this!" Alpha Marlow bellowed as the two wolf guards hauled him through the packhouse, his wrists cinched in suppressor’s cuffs. The tal was cold, and he couldn’t call on his wolf’s strength even if he could.

He spat and thrashed, but the guards were not moved at all. They shoved him down the corridor toward the cells, past the echo of the celebration that still droned in the courtyard.

Marlow’s face was livid, veins bulging on his temples, "Once I’m free from this place, I’ll make sure you —"

One guard pushed the heavy iron door to the dungeon open while the other stepped back, even as Marlow continued to curse them.

But a sudden yelp cut him off.

The guard who had his back staggered, hand flying to his mouth. Blood slicked his fingers while a silver dagger protruded from his chest. He dropped to the ground, dead.

The second guard turned with horror on his face. They were under attack!

But before he could send any order through the pack link, a blade ca flying and sank into his neck.

Then one of the assassins stepped into the lilight and ripped his heart from his chest, blood spilling to the ground.

Marlow’s heart thudded in his chest. For a beat he was frozen, disbelief twisting his features. He suddenly wished the cuff were off so he could fight for his life. This was such a cowardly way to die.

The assassins were three in number, fully cloaked with their faces half hidden in the darkness.

Marlow’s stomach turned cold when he saw the leader step forward, his boots soundless on the ground. The man’s grin was casual, and contemptuous.

"Who are you?" Marlow barked, trying to sound terrifying. But it ca out thin.

The leader removed his hood enough for Marlow to see a scar across his jaw, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Cane sends his regards."

The na hit Marlow like a blow. "Cane?" he repeated, disbelief giving way to fury. "Alpha Cane planned this?!" His voice was a broken thing, hope and horror warring in it.

The leader shrugged as if answering for a minor inconvenience. "He did."

The blood drained from Marlow’s face. He understood, in that instant, the machinery grinding against him. "You’ve co to silence so the truth can be buried," he spat, rage in his voice. "All of the alphas have turned their backs against . They’re using as the scape goat."

The leader answered, "Not quite, Alpha Marlow. You will die, sure. But first, Asher Nightshade must die. We’ll make it look like you after murdering the newly crowned Alpha. The search for you will be endless. But it’s all futile because you’d already be dead by then."

"So this is Cane’s plan, huh? That cunning animal! After everything I’ve done for him!" Marlow cursed.

Then he laughed, a high, hysterical sound. "You think you can kill Asher? He’s a cardinal alpha, he slew Dominic. He’s stronger than you think."

The leader’s chuckle was cruel. "Cardinal alpha or not, he is not invincible. Tonight he’s exposed and weak from all the battles. You should worry less about Asher and more about your own life. We don’t have ti for this."

He motioned to the two n flanking him. "Take him out of sight. Make sure the story looks clean, and everything goes as planned."

Marlow’s pleading turned to roaring as they hauled him away. "You’ll never get away with this! Tell that to Cane! He’d regret this!" he scread.

But none of the assassins took his words to heart, already moving to the next phase of their plan.

—------

The packhouse was almost empty when Asher finally returned to his quarters. He was drained from all the activities. So he shut the door behind him, exhaling deeply. The silence heavy but comforting.

He headed straight for the shower, and bathed. Stepping out, Asher wore nothing but his boxers as he collapsed onto his bed.

Tomorrow there would be war within his own house. He had plans to purge every Alpha who had fed on his father’s filth. It was going to be brutal.

So he closed his eyes, and for a brief second, there was peace.

Then he heard it.

Asher jerked sideways just as a blade cleanly landed where his throat had been. The mattress tore open, feathers scattering. He rolled off the bed, landing hard, already baring his fangs.

Three n stood in his room. They were not just wolves, these were rcenaries. He could tell from their scent and that brutal look in their eyes.

Asher said, cold fury tightening his jaw.

"So they couldn’t wait until morning to get rid of . I was giving them the courtesy of tomorrow."

One of them spoke, voice muffled under the black cloth mask. "Our orders are simple, Alpha Asher. Nothing personal."

Asher’s claws slid out, "Which of my Alphas sent you? ?"

None of them t his eyes. They knew one look into his slitted eyes and it was all over.

"Our job isn’t to talk," the leader said coldly. "It’s to kill you."

They lunged.

Asher ducked, his claws eting blade, and

sparks flew. He twisted, kicked one of them into the wall. The third ca from behind, slashing low. Asher pivoted, grabbing his wrist and snapping it clean.

But the second man wasn’t finished. He lunged again, and this ti the blade caught him across his abdon. The silver burned through and Asher hissed, staggering back.

The leader stepped forward slowly, admiring the scene. "Just as I thought," he said. "You are worthy of being Alpha. But we didn’t co to fight fair."

From his cloak, he tossed a small canister to the floor. It hit the ground and burst, thick gray smoke filling the air.

Asher’s eyes widened. He knew the scent imdiately.

Wolfbane.

He coughed violently, covering his nose with one hand, but the smoke had already slipped through his lungs. His vision blurred, his knees weakening.

The rcenaries didn’t wait and charged at him again with their swords.