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.

gaze narrowed, unimpressed. "More like a

face, the amusement vanishing, replaced by a darkness that made her heart skip a beat. For a split second, she feared she’d pushed him too far. But just as

a note of confidence that made her stomach clench. "I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon

said her name, with a slow emphasis, reminded her all too clearly that he was the reason she’d been

special in her, that her rough, blunt application had somehow captured their

effort to get off him this time. She’d noticed he enjoyed it when she squirmed, so she wasn’t

and though Violet couldn’t deny that being this close to him sent heat coursing through her, she held firm.

do you think I want from you?" Asher

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

the point. "Be mine, my purple flower," he said proudly, as

shock quickly faded, replaced by a sharp sneer. "That would

then. So,

of color as his words

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

fingers grazing her skin inch by inch, each touch more electrifying than the

she was more

beat. She couldn’t fathom why she was entertaining this nonsense but

locked eyes, the air between them crackling

into a maddeningly slow smile.

enough to leave her body humming with anticipation as he withdrew,

asshole, now let me go," she

you’re the only one who can speak to me like that and walk away

me, just do

lengths to bring you here only to kill you? Why would you even

your end game?" she demanded,