Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182: War Of The Rogues And Cardinal Houses

The meeting hall buzzed with conversation, agitation in the air as the cardinal alphas and the elite students gathered in their exclusive space.

Unlike the rest of the school, which had already dispersed, the real power brokers of Lunaris Academy remained to decide the fate of Violet Purple and her friends after the chaos they had ignited.

And it was not surprising that Elsie Lancaster was at the center of it all. She

stood first, saying with righteous indignation.

"Violet Purple and her friends rejected our ways, our laws, and our protection.

A rogue has no place in our hierarchy. I demand that Violet Purple be removed from the rankings immediately!"

Murmurs rippled through the room with some students nodding in agreement, while the others thought the opposite, uncertainty written across their faces. This was the first of its kind, at least since their rise to power, it didn’t mean their predecessors didn’t have a sensitive case like this.

"You’re right," Amanda chimed in smoothly, siding with Elsie like a vulture smelling blood."Allowing a rogue to remain on the rankings undermines the authority of the houses. We can’t have a rogue queen. That would be devastating."

A scoff pierced followed her words.

"For a harmless human, you seem awfully eager to rip her down," Natalie remarked, her arms crossed, and her razor-sharp gaze brimming with mockery. "Do you have that much of an inferiority complex, Amanda Raynes?"

Amanda’s mouth opened in fury, but before she could spit out a retort, Asher’s stare landed on her, and she snapped it shut. There were certain lines even she wouldn’t dare cross especially when the west house Alpha looked at her that way. Cold and deadly. She quickly realized her place.

Natalie took advantage of the silence to say."Last time I checked, rogues are werewolves. Violet and her friends are human. Their decision makes them outcasts, not something as offensive as going rogue. It’s not the same thing." _{freewёbnoνel.com}

"Last time I checked," Roman interjected, lifting a brow, "You’re human too, and yet you live under the protection of his pack."He tilted his chin towards Griffin, making his point loud and clear.

"Because I have no choice," Natalie shot back. "If I did, I’d be on my own and perhaps, be branded a rogue." She challenged him.

Roman clicked his tongue, as if in sympathy. "And there lies the problem," he mused. "Violet is a natural-born leader. If she gains followers, she could rally other misfits, the weak, the outcasts, and lead a rebellion against us. It would be first of its kind, the war between Rogues and the Cardinal Houses. "

A murmur rippled through the student council. The idea was absurd, yet... plausible.

Natalie scoffed. "You’re being dramatic. Violet is human. What could a human possibly do?"

"A lot," Asher’s words carried heavy meaning. He wasn’t condemning Violet but indirectly reminding them all of the war that nearly brought them all to ruin.

Griffin, who had remained largely impartial, finally spoke. "Violet earned her place. Stripping her of her ranking because she chose independence would be unjust."

"Her independence is a threat to our conformity," Roman countered, "And let’s not pretend she truly earned that spot. Asher’s pack backed her from day one. He was her patron."

The room stilled when the secret was out. It was something everyone had suspected, but none had dared to voice aloud because they feared Asher.

Eyes turned to Asher. If he was rattled, he didn’t show it. He remained composed, unnervingly calm. But the look he gave Roman was pure venom. Their friendship had clearly been in the past because now, it was clear that Asher Nightshade despised him

"So much for making history," Sharon muttered bitterly.

At that statement, a harsh chuckle rumbled from the far side of the room.

Alaric Storm.

His laughter was bitter, condescending, and reeking of resentment. Everyone watched as he tilted back the dark amber liquid in his glass, swallowing it in one smooth gulp before slamming it down on the table.