Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 644

Chapter 644: Finally Meet, Daughter

"You mean the same daughter you left powerless in the human realm?" Asher said, his unflinching gaze locked on hers.

The queen’s composure faltered. The polite warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a chill that made the entire hall feel smaller.

Violet did not know it, but her aura shifted too as her dark magic stirred, ready to defend Asher if the need arose. Seraphira might be her mother, but she was still a queen, and Asher was overstepping. This was supposed to be her conversation.

Just as expected, there was darkness in the Queen’s gaze. Like Violet, her aura pulsed, a dangerous glint flashing in her amethyst eyes.

Seraphira’s voice trembled with leashed anger. "You think I was happy to leave my daughter in the human realm?" There was no softness in her voice now, only fury and pain tightly coiled together.

But Asher wasn’t intimidated, even as the air they breathed thickened with power, sharp as pins and needles.

"I don’t fault the circumstances," Asher replied evenly. "But from what I’ve gathered, Lila found Violet months ago, if not earlier." He hinted that Lila might not have told the full truth.

"That was enough time to train her, to prepare her for what lay ahead, especially knowing the kind of husband you had. Maybe then Baron wouldn’t have nearly killed her during her dreamwalk."

Asher’s words struck like lightning.

For a heartbeat, Seraphira’s mouth parted in disbelief, guilt flashing in her blazing eyes. Just like that, the pressure of her magic in the air eased.

Even Violet, who sat ramrod straight, gripping her spoon so tightly her knuckles had gone white, exhaled shakily. The suffocating tension began to dissolve, replaced by guilt and shame.

The queen’s eyes softened, the fire in them dimming into sorrow. For the first time, Violet saw not the immortal ruler of the Fae, but a mother who had made impossible choices and was now forced to face them.

Not just her, Asher saw it too. But unlike Violet, he wouldn’t let emotions dull his instinct to protect her.

"I made a stupid decision," Seraphira admitted, staring at them yet seeing nothing, lost in whatever memory had been stirred.

"I was scared of leaving Violet with powers that Angus might exploit, and at the same time, I was terrified of unlocking powers that would draw Angus to her like a moth to flame."

Her eyes gained focus now, pinned on Asher. "But do you dare judge me when you have not walked in the shoes I have walked in?"

She paused, then went on, "Every night I have cursed the bonds that kept me chained to both wretched men while my daughter grew up without me. Do you know what it means, wolf? To watch your child from afar and be unable to reach her because every step closer risks her life?"

This time she studied Asher with such intensity it was unsettling, almost as if she could see straight through him.

"You pursue perfection. You seek control. Yet you forget, Asher Nightshade, life is anything but perfect."

Asher shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He hated being under scrutiny, and right now the Queen held him under her gaze like a specimen beneath glass.

"Tell me then," she said softly, "have you not committed mistakes? Not even one?"

Asher didn’t need to answer, because Violet knew.

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