Defy The Alpha(s) - Chapter 699

Capítulo 699: Punishment And Rewards

For a moment, no one spoke.

The scene was just too heavy for anyone to form words. It was unbelievable how things had gotten out of control so quickly.

Rowland’s corpse still lay sprawled where he’d shot himself, brutally reminding the rebel wolves just how close they were to the grave right now. One wrong move and they would join him.

“Well,” Micah drawled, “I guess I’ll be visiting two new faces in hell now.”

Cane flinched, the memory of his own visit still fresh in his mind. He could almost imagine Drake and Rowland arriving in hell and realizing how much of a mistake they had made. Except it was too late.

Ezra took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the rebels. His wolf was still simmering under his skin, furious, and ready to kill.

“So,” he said slowly, “does anyone else want to die tonight?”

There was nothing but dead silence. The rebels didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.

“You rebels deserve to die,” Ezra began, his expression hard as steel. “Every single one of you. You turned your backs on your Alpha—the Alpha who won his position, the rightful heir of the West pack,and you rallied behind him….” He pointed straight at Cane.

Cane didn’t even dare lift his head, not when he wore shame like a sackcloth. No one would ever look at him the same again. He had lost his position, his respect — and he might very well lose his life too.

“A coward,” Ezra spat. “A man who wanted what didn’t belong to him. A man who tried to reap where he did not sow. And all of you—every one of you—followed him. Is that what the West pack has turned into? A pack full of sharks?!”

He paced before them, his presence towering and unrelenting.

“Where is the discipline drilled into our blood? The strength? The honor? What legacy do you think you were building? A future of betrayal? Of treachery? Of wolves stabbing wolves in the back? Is that the standard you want our children and grandchildren to inherit?”

Some of the rebels lowered their heads in shame. Others began to cry.

Ezra continued, his voice rising like an approaching storm. “Is this what we want the West pack to be known for? Cowards and traitors? Because that’s exactly what you became tonight.”

A broken voice rose from the back.

“sorry… I am… I am so sorry.”

Ezra stared at the wolf who spoke, who immediately bowed his head to the dirt.

And then like a dam breaking, desperate cries filled the field

“Have mercy on us!”

“We didn’t know any better!”

“We don’t want to die!”

“I swear—I’ll change!”

“Please, Alpha Ezra, don’t kill us!”

Ezra’s voice exploded like thunder.

“SILENCE!”

All voices died instantly, choked off like flames in a storm.

Ezra inhaled deeply, then spoke with clear, biting authority.

“The way of the West is to show no mercy.”

The wolves stiffened. They knew that, yet they weren’t ready to accept their fates.

“But,” he continued, “we might have a war on our hands soon and the werewolf population is fragile enough as it is. A rebellion like this is damaging, and right now, we cannot afford more losses. Not when our true enemies would rejoice at seeing us tear each other apart.”

Ezra paused, letting his words sink in.

“That is why…” He exhaled. “…we will have mercy on you.”

What? They could not believe what they just heard?

Then a wave of disbelief—and relief—swept through them. Murmurs broke out with some crying again, and others laughing shakily, overwhelmed.

But Ezra lifted a hand. “However.. .”

Their excitement froze.

“No rebellion goes unpunished. Not this one, and certainly not any that may attempt to follow it.”

He stepped further closer, saying in a dark tone, “You all will face consequences so that none of you ever again would let such treacherous thoughts cross your mind.”

Ezra listed the punishments one by one, his tone brooking no argument.

“Every Alpha who participated in this rebellion would be stripped of their position and imprisoned immediately.”

Murmurs arose amongst the wolves. If this was the alphas punishment, they could only imagine what awaited them.

“Not just the alphas, every single one of you will work the lowest duties in the pack until further notice. You will serve the widows and families of those harmed by your rebellion. You will rebuild what you helped destroy. And for the next three months, you will not leave pack grounds. Consider that leniency, because the alternative was death.”

Despite the harshness, none protested. This was better than death.

Ezra then turned toward Cane.

Cane’s breath stuttered, fear gripping him like ice.

Ezra picked up one of the guns seized from the rebels and Cane scrambled backward immediately, hands raised.

“Please—please, don’t do that— Ezra— Alpha—please—”

But Ezra’s eyes were cold and final. His decision was made.

Cane bolted to his feet to run when — BANG

The shot struck his kneecap.

Cane screamed, collapsing hard, and clutching his shattered knee.

Ezra approached him without rush or pity.

“You said I could do anything,” Ezra reminded him, kneeling beside him with dark amusement curling his lips. “And I’ve decided what I want to take.”

He pressed the gun barrel to Cane’s other knee.

“Your legs.”

Cane sobbed, shaking violently.

“No—no, please—please—”

BANG.

The second kneecap exploded.

Cane howled in agony, writhing on the ground, broken.

Ezra stood and looked down at him like the worthless creature he’d revealed himself to be.

“Now,” he said coldly, “you won’t have the freedom to walk, run, or plan another rebellion.”

Cane choked on a sob, clutching what remained of his knees.

Ezra continued, “This is a temporary punishment. When your Alpha, Asher Nightshade, returns, he will decide your final fate.”

Ezra stepped back and folded his arms.

“Let’s all pray,” he added with a mocking smirk, “that you’ve made enough penance by then.”

Micah let out a long, exhausted breath and slumped onto the ground, sitting with his back against the wall. His strength had finally fizzled out, leaving his limbs heavy and his vision dipping in and out.

“Now that we’re done with them, can we concentrate on me for a minute?” Although his voice was laced with sass, his face was pale.

Alexa came to his side and crouched down, her eyes scanning his torso. “Your wounds have healed with the bullet and that’s not good.”

Micah said to her. “Since when did you become a doctor?”

Alexa snorted. “I’m the Luna of my pack. I’ve picked up more first aid tricks than you think.” She grabbed the torn edge of his shirt and ripped it open without hesitation.

“Oy,” Micah hissed, “you could’ve warned—”

He didn’t finish because a voice so sharp rent through the air.

“Take your hands off my mate.”

Alexa froze mid-movement.

Micah’s eyebrows shot up, and despite his pain, a slow smirk curved his lips. “No way.”

They both turned.

Adele was storming toward them and her eyes were dark, and deadly, fixed on Alexa with a glare that could peel bark off a tree.

Alexa stood up so fast she nearly tripped. “You know what, fine,” she muttered, throwing her hands up. “Take him. I’m not touching anyone’s mate. Goddess forbid.”

She rolled her eyes dramatically and stalked away, mumbling something under her breath about “overprotective possessive wolves” and “why mates were always a headache.”

Adele ignored her completely.

She dropped to her knees beside Micah, her anger slipping away long enough for worry to creep into her eyes.

Micah managed a small grin. “How are you even here?”

Adele scoffed. “You think I’d let my mate walk into a rebellion without backup? I left the hospital as soon as I could.” Her gaze dropped to his side, her breath hitching. “And I was right. You’re a mess.”

Micah winced. “It’s just a scratch.”

“Sure,” she deadpanned. “And I’m the Moon Goddess.”

Then her expression hardened. “This is going to hurt.”

Before he could ask what would hurt, she flicked out her claws.

Micah hissed as she dug them into his side, searching through his flesh for the embedded silver. His jaw clenched so hard his teeth creaked while sweat broke across his forehead.

“There,” Adele muttered, pinching the bullet between her claws and pulled it.

Micah’s breath exploded from his lungs in a harsh, agonizing hiss as the bullet tore free. She tossed the bloody silver aside, then immediately placed her glowing palm over the wound.

Warmth spread through him, knitting muscle and sealing the torn skin. His pain receded in slow waves until all that remained was the throb of leftover adrenaline.

The moment the wound closed, Micah didn’t even wait a second. He reached up, curled his hand around Adele’s waist, and tugged her against him.

And without a word, he kissed her hungrily, pouring his feelings into it.

Adele didn’t resist at all. She dug her hands into his hair, melting into him.