Chapter 267 267 The Theory of a Mad Alpha 2

Chapter 267 267 The Theory of a Mad Alpha 2
Joseph frowned at her, wondering where she had kept her brain all this while. What she said made a lot of sense if they were dealing with a dumb bastard, but this man had survived in the shadows for years. He was anything but dumb. Still, Joseph could not dismiss it. Mad people did not always need facts. Sometimes all they needed was a belief that fed their greed.
Ashley’s explanation was based on superstition, but it was plausible enough to consider. Joseph could admit that when he took over from Ethan, he had felt stronger in some ways. Maybe it was only the burden of responsibility forcing him to push harder, but people who believed in those old theories might interpret it differently.
“I know that school of thought, but it is a myth. Alphas can’t increase their strength by gaining pack members, but their sense of responsibility increases, causing them to take more significant risks. This might be an ego thing for this Alpha,” Malcolm said.
His explanation sounded more reasonable, and Joseph agreed with it more. A man chasing control did not always need some mystical reason. Sometimes ego was enough. Sometimes greed was enough.
“I know, but this guy might believe that school of thought because there are people that believe it,” Ashley said.
They all had to agree with that. There were strange people in the world. Dangerous people too. A man who had killed powerful Alphas, recruited rogues and tried to collect packs like trophies could easily believe something foolish if it promised him power.
“Guess we will never know why until we meet the asshole,” Sebastien said.
He kissed Ashley’s shoulder, and she giggled softly. Joseph watched them for a moment, still not used to seeing Ashley that way. Happy. Relaxed. Held by another Alpha and not looking like she was pretending. He had not expected to feel relief, but he did. Whatever happened between them in the past, Ashley looked genuinely happy, and that mattered. Maybe this was where she was supposed to be. Maybe neither of them had failed as badly as they thought. Maybe they had only been trying to force a door that was never theirs.
They spent the rest of the day planning how to stay in touch and how to come to each other’s aid when the unknown Alpha finally showed himself. They discussed signals, routes, forces, possible spies and how to avoid exposing Sebastien’s position too soon. No one liked waiting, but they all understood that reckless movement would only help the enemy. He had survived this long because he hid well. If they wanted to catch him, they had to let him believe he still had control.
As much as it would have been wise for Joseph and Adam to spend the night and leave the next day, Sebastien knew Boris and his gang would soon return from the errand he had sent them on. He could not risk the snitch having something to report back to the Alpha. Joseph also did not want to remain. His body was in Ceenas, but his mind had been halfway home all day. Adam noticed it too and did not even bother teasing him this time.
They said what needed to be said and prepared to leave. The alliance was not perfect, and trust would still take time, but it was a beginning. A strange one, but a beginning all the same.
Joseph and Adam got on the road to head back to Whitewood. While they drove, they discussed everything they had learned. The pieces were ugly and heavy, but knowing they were not alone gave them the courage they needed to keep pushing on.