Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 16: Souvenir

For over a moment, Violet unleashed a string of curses that would’ve made any sailor proud. Nancy had once teased her about her foul mouth, warning it would land her in trouble one day.

But really, what did she expect, raising her in a place like the ghetto? However, the situation right now deserved every bit of curses she could heap on the fool who had expertly manipulated her fate.

Nothing stung more than the burn of regret. She should have known! The signs had been there, clear as day, but she’d ignored them, blinded by her hunger for a better life. No legitimate school would have taken her with that crass application she’d sent in. And yet, somehow, they did.

She should’ve seen the scholarship for what it was. A trap, plain and simple. And now, she has landed in the arms or crotch — considering their intimate position right now — of one of the psychopaths the school had to offer. The most dangerous, at the moment.

The first thought that came to her was to get off him, and she moved to do just that except Asher’s power was still active and it hit her like a wall. She halted mid-motion, accidentally grinding against him in the process.

"Fuck!" he groaned, hands gripping her hips tightly, as if any further movement might push him over the edge.

His breath came ragged as he said, "I might be in your head right now, but this feels real enough to me. And it could be real for you too..." His tone softened to a darkly seductive whisper as he traced a finger down her back, watching with interest as her skin responded to his touch, every hair standing on edge. "...if you’ll let me in." He held her gaze, his eyes full of a twisted, inviting allure.

But the cold, lethal glare Violet shot him in return made it clear that she would rather cut him down to size before she’d ever surrender to his sick games.

"Where am I?" Violet demanded.

"My room," he replied casually.

"I mean, where is my body right now?" she snarled, frustration biting at her tone. She’d figured out that this wasn’t reality after she’d thrown herself out the window and landed back in his room without a scratch. This was all some kind of twisted mind game.

"Oh." A smirk crept onto Asher’s lips. "To be precise, your body is in your room while your mind is here with me."

Violet’s brow furrowed. "I didn’t look you in the eyes. So how am I here? What did you do to me?"

Asher chuckled. "It’s amusing, watching you think you know all there is to know about my ability. Besides, what kind of gentleman would I be if I gave away my secrets?" His tone dripped with amusement.

unimpressed. "More like a

replaced by a darkness that made her heart skip a beat. For a split second,

confidence that made her stomach clench.

said her name, with a slow emphasis, reminded her all too

her rough, blunt application had somehow captured their interest. Now that she understood the real

you want from me?" Violet asked, making no effort to get off him this time. She’d noticed he enjoyed it when she

used this tactic plenty of times, and though Violet couldn’t deny that being this close to him sent heat coursing through her, she held firm. He’d started this game, and if

I want from you?" Asher echoed, toying with

know he’d rattled her, keeping her expression blank. "I don’t know how long this game of ours will last, but just a quick

to the point. "Be mine, my purple flower," he

still shook her. Violet’s shock quickly faded, replaced by a sharp sneer. "That would only happen in

this is my dream, then.

color as his

what I—" She started, but before she could finish or backtrack, Asher tightened his hold on her. The warmth of his hand felt like a brand on her skin, and her heart began to pound so loudly she swore

shifted as his hand drifted downward, fingers grazing her skin inch by inch, each touch more

Why, though? She had no idea if she was more terrified or entranced by the thrill of

fathom why she was entertaining this nonsense but allowed it to happen, maybe to test how far Asher would go. Besides,

abruptly. They locked eyes, the

mouth curved into a maddeningly slow smile. It was the smirk of someone fully

next time," he murmured, his hand lingering just long enough to leave her body humming with anticipation as he withdrew, clearly savoring the effect

will be no next time, asshole,

one who can speak to me like that and walk away unharmed?" he

me, just do it. I’m not

he purred, "why would I go to such lengths to bring you here only to kill you? Why would you even

end game?" she