<h4>Chapter 252: A Little Victory</h4>


    Silence fell among the alphas, so heavy it seemed to stretch on forever. But that was until Asher spoke again, his tone final. "Fine, then. I’ll chase after her alone. She’s mine."


    At once, a rumble of protest erupted with all three of the other alphas speaking at once. Their voices ovepped, their words tumbling over each other, and making little sense, except for the collective tone that clearly said, <i>You’re not taking her for yourself without a fight.</i>


    Roman was the first to speak up.


    "She’s a rogue," He reminded Asher, as if thebel was enough of a reason to deter him from going after her.


    <i>And yet, you had no issues sneaking into her bed</i>, Asher wanted to snap back, but he bit his tongue. Griffin had already warned about them bickering and there was so much still to uncover. Normally Asher would have kept the information to himself, but even he couldn’t shoulder that many secrets alone.


    So instead, Asher answered, "I believe we can all agree that thisbel isrgely meaningless. No human can genuinely be a rogue. Not in the way we define it."


    "But she rejected the Houses," Griffin interjected, "This is a werewolf academy, Asher. We have rules. A structure. A legacy. If we bend the system out of emotional attachment for one girl, what stops another human from doing the same?"


    He breathed, "I feel bad for Violet, especially after Roman’s little stunt." Griffin red at Roman, but pressed on, "But I’m thinking ahead. Jameson expects us to keep order. The humans here already fear what we can do. That fear is what keeps the bnce. If they even sense a weakness in us, they’ll take it. The pack lines will blur. The system will copse. We’ll lose control of the school."


    It was a hard truth, one that even Asher with his deep desire to protect Violet, couldn’t easily dismiss.


    Roman added, "Not to mention, these rules were put in ce by Elijah. If we defy them, what makes you think he won’te back to enforce them himself?"


    "Then I say fuck him," Asher said bluntly, making everyone freeze.


    "Asher," Roman’s voice was edged with warning, "it’s Elijah we’re talking about."


    "I know who we’re talking about," Asher snapped. "But I also know Elijah graduated zillion years ago. So how long are we supposed to live under his ghost? This is our reign. We’re the cardinal alphas. We should be the ones making the fucking rules now."


    "That’s open rebellion he’s speaking of," ric pointed out to the others, shaking his head. "I’d advise not to take it."


    Asher’s lips curled into a mocking smile, sickly sweet and venomous. "Of course you would rather stay under your little safety. No wonder you found it so easily to betray Violet."


    ric’s jaw clenched, but what could he say? It was the truth, and Asher would cling to that fact until he exacted his pound of flesh. Griffin and Roman exchanged uneasy looks, recognizing there was no easy fix to this hostility.


    Griffin cleared his throat. "Asher does have a point. Elijah treats us like pets under his control, assuming we’d never challenge him. I’m not afraid of him." He looked toward Roman and questioned, "Are you?"


    The question hung quietly in the air until Roman finally answered, "No."


    The word was a spark and just like that, the tides shifted. But one person hadn’t shifted with it.


    Griffin leaned closer as he addressed ric. "Look, no one mes you if you choose to stick to your safety," he said. "We all know what Elijah is capable of and I wouldn’t want you getting into trouble again... like thest time."


    ric’s jaw ticked, his eyes darkening at the memory. Yet instead of shutting down, it only seemed to steel his resolve.


    His head jerked toward Asher. "What do you have in mind?"


    For a fleeting second, Asher practically glowed with victory. Not too long ago, they had all resisted the idea of him choosing Violet for them. Finally, here they are, circling the idea of chasing Violet like moths to me.


    He rxed into his throne, fingers drummingzily on the table. "We let her maintain her rogue status. On the surface, nothing changes. That way, order stays intact."


    ric arched a brow. "And underneath?"


    "We begin revising the rules that cut her off from basic ess," Asher continued smoothly. "Rogues aren’t allowed in the cardinal houses, some certain sses, or even events. That has to change."


    Roman let out a low whistle. "You do know most people in our packs will resist, right? We’re talking centuries of tradition here."


    Asher’s expression hardened. "Thenmand them to obey. You’re their Alpha—act like it."


    ric tensed. "You don’t break custom and expect no rebellion. Push too hard and you’ll ignite the exact chaos we’re trying to avoid. People are a lot more likely to revolt if they feel something’s forced on them. So we take it slow."


    Roman nodded, a teasing grin crossing his face as he nced at ric. "Not a bad idea. Nice one, thunderboy."


    ric growled at the nickname, but itcked the hostility from earlier. Just their usual friction. For once, they were all on the same side.


    Griffin folded his thick arms, thinking. "Even better, we exploit the loopholes in the rule book."


    He turned to Asher. "This is your domain. You y the game better than anyone. You’ll find a way in."


    Asher exhaled through his nose, annoyed. He didn’t want patience. He wanted Violet. Now. But the others had a point. This wasn’t about brute force, it was a game of chess. One that he loved ying, and Violet Purple was worth every move.


    "Fine," he grumbled. "I’ll go through the rules and find the perfect loophole."


    "Good," Griffin said with finality.


    Then ric asked the question everyone had forgotten.


    "What about Elsie?"


    Just like that, the excitement in the room vanished.


    Four sets of eyes connected and held, understanding passing silently between them. Because if Violet was the spark they all craved, then Elsie was the wildfire that would consume everything.