Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 897: Newest Development

The moment Irene set eyes on her husband across the field after he had just popped back into existence thanks to Micah, Griffin already knew trouble was coming.

Relief flooded him at seeing both his father and Roman alive, but at the same time, he also knew his mother well enough to understand someone was about to suffer.

And unfortunately for Aeron, that someone was him.

Irene strode toward her husband with an unreadable expression, every step carrying enough weight to make Aeron hold his breath like a criminal awaiting judgment.

Even Roman slowly edged away from him.

Smart move.

When Irene finally stopped in front of Aeron, he visibly braced himself for the slap he absolutely deserved.

So when Irene suddenly moved, Aeron flinched instinctively, only for her to wrap her arms tightly around him instead.

Oh.

Relief visibly spread across Aeron’s face.

"Thank the goddess," Irene breathed shakily, her composure cracking apart completely now that he was finally standing in front of her alive.

Even Griffin looked stunned by his mother’s reaction. So stunned that he secretly flashed his father a discreet thumbs-up behind Irene’s back.

Aeron immediately returned one right back with all the confidence of a man who thought he had survived. Unfortunately for him, his celebration ended quickly.

The moment Irene pulled away, she smacked him hard across the chest.

"You fucking idiot!"

"Ow!" Aeron yelped while clutching his chest. "Woman!"

He immediately looked toward Griffin for support only to find his son suddenly very occupied consoling his mate instead.

Griffin firmly believed everyone should handle their own relationship problems.

"That little traitor," Aeron muttered in disbelief.

"Ow!" he cried out again when Irene hit him a second time.

This time Aeron complained louder, "Are you trying to send me back to my ancestors where Angus failed to?"

"What do you think?" Irene shot back with annoyance.

This was coming from the same woman who had spent the entire night silently crying into her pillow while desperately hoping her husband somehow survived.

The terrifying Alpha of the East Pack jabbed a finger against Aeron’s chest.

"The next time you decide to tango with death," she warned darkly, "then fully commit to it and don’t bother coming back."

Aeron stopped joking after that. Instead, he simply stared at her quietly and suddenly, Irene’s eyes filled with tears again.

She wiped at them furiously.

"I’m not crying."

"Yep," Aeron agreed immediately.

Then he pulled her back into his arms while Irene buried her face against him and cried anyway.

Aeron gently rubbed her back.

"Didn’t I promise you?" he murmured. "The day you die is the day I die too."

His hand slid into her hair comfortingly.

"So relax. I’m not going anywhere." He pressed his forehead lightly against hers. "I came back to you, didn’t I?"

Unfortunately, those words only made Irene cry harder and in such ugly way.

Goddess above, her pack would never let her live this down. The terrifying Irene Hale crying publicly over her husband.

Although honestly?

She would very much like to see whichever suicidal idiot planned to bring it up to her face.

Meanwhile, Violet and her mates were busy having their own reunion nearby.

"Dude," Griffin practically swallowed Roman whole in a crushing hug.

"Ow! Ow! A little room please!" Roman wheezed dramatically. "Normally I’d appreciate all these muscles wrapped around me, but my internal organs are currently fighting for survival."

Griffin immediately loosened his grip with guilt.

Roman grinned weakly afterward.

"Still worth it though."

Alpha King Elijah stepped out as the noise outside grew louder.

At first, his attention landed on Roman and Aeron and genuine surprise crossed his face. But then Elijah noticed the nine unfamiliar faces standing nearby and suspicion darkened his expression.

So when Violet walked towards him, he demanded, "Who are those?"

Violet simply told him.

"You might want to come inside for a little meeting."

Elijah looked at her like she had lost her mind. "A little meeting? We do not have the time for that."

"Trust me," Asher cut in from beside Violet, locking eyes directly with the Alpha King. "This is absolutely worth it."

Something in Asher’s tone made Elijah pause, and just like that, the decision was made.

Roman and Aeron were immediately escorted toward the infirmary alongside the eight rescued humans from outside the academy walls. Only one of them was kept behind for the discussion Violet and the others clearly wanted to have.

Inside the meeting room, the atmosphere remained tense. All the Alphas and sub-Alphas were already gathered there waiting impatiently around the large strategy table.

The moment Elijah stepped in, sub-alpha Will immediately raised his hand with visible annoyance.

"What exactly is this delay about?" he questioned. "Or are we suddenly dragging our feet now that Roman Draven and Aeron are back?"

His eyes narrowed critically.

"Or do I need to remind everyone that there are still some of our wolves being held captive? Or the fact Angus will not stop until he gets what he wants?"

Even though Will addressed the room generally, the accusation was very clearly aimed at Elijah.

Elijah glared at the sub-Alpha so hard one would think he was imagining murder. His greatest disappointment in life remained the fact that Will somehow survived the battle like an immortal cockroach.

"Trust me," Elijah said dryly, "I had nothing to do with this delay for once."

He jerked his chin toward Violet. "Your messiah here demanded the meeting."

The sarcasm was impossible to miss. Fortunately, Violet no longer cared enough to react to his nonsense.

She lifted her chin high. "I have a valid reason for calling this meeting."

"There’s been an urgent development," Asher announced from beside her.

Immediately the atmosphere shifted. Every Alpha in the room exchanged curious looks. They all assumed this had something to do with Angus.

Violet motioned toward the nervous man standing near the doorway.

"Come forward."

The man hesitated before slowly stepping into the center of the room. Several wolves frowned at him in confusion. He looked completely ordinary.

Then Asher dropped the bombshell.

"Up until a few minutes ago," he said, "this man was one of the zombies outside the academy gate."

Utter silence swallowed the room whole.