Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 17: Kill Her In Her Sleep

"Tell me you’re excited about today!" Lila popped up out of nowhere, scaring the life out of Violet, who screamed and promptly dropped to the floor.

Poor Violet had been balancing on one foot, struggling to get her sock on when Lila startled her.

"The moon weeps, I’m so sorry," Lila squeaked, reaching out to help her up. But one sharp scowl from Violet made her freeze and tucked her hands behind her, swallowing nervously. Violet could be terrifying.

Seeing the fear on Lila’s face, Violet let out a sigh and softened her expression. Lila reminded her annoyingly of a stray cat she’d once taken in.

The cat had been so scrawny it looked like it would drop dead any moment. Violet didn’t have much herself, but she’d managed to feed it, even going without food sometimes so the poor thing could eat. Because of that, the cat had grown attached, and they’d ended up forming a bond.

Violet had named it "Stray," fitting for the little wanderer it was. Their bond had grown over time, and they met daily at their usual spot. But one day, Stray didn’t show up. She remembered the sick feeling that had gnawed at her for days as she searched, fearing something terrible had happened to the little creature, maybe even because of her.

Regret weighed heavily on her. She should have taken Stray in when she had the chance, even if Nancy would’ve blown a fuse. Their trailer was cramped enough already, and adding an animal to the mix would have been pure chaos. Not to mention, Nancy hated animals. Not even the most adorable puppy could thaw her stone-cold heart.

Violet understood that life’s hardships had drained any warmth out of Nancy. There wasn’t room for love, not even for harmless little creatures.

Two weeks later, Violet learned the truth: Stray wasn’t actually a stray. It turned out the cat had a family and had only wandered a bit too far from home.

That was the last time Violet could remember crying. She had fought so hard to keep Stray, but she couldn’t win against the cat’s original family.

payment she refused but that Nancy had gladly pocketed. In Nancy’s words, at least her foolishness had

only weeks before. If looks could kill, Violet would have riddled the girl with holes then and there. Rage bubbled up inside Violet, and

to mind at all. The cat had leaned into the girl’s touch without the slightest protest, as

herself to sleep for days, nearly making herself sick with grief. It wasn’t until Nancy slapped her across the face and lectured

love and a real family had led her to bond so deeply with that cat. She’d thought it would be her and Stray against the world, but in the end, the cat taught her a harsh lesson that even family could walk away without a second thought — the same

her view of life and how she related to people. Yes, Violet had friends, but she kept them all

seemingly friendly new roommate get too close. In a school like Lunaris, no doubt everyone was waiting for a moment

sigh, she reined in her intensity and asked,

admit the Lunaris uniform was regal and, on her, fit like a glove, hugging her curves. It was just the tie that irked her. She

Lila replied brightly, watching Violet struggle with the tie. When she finally ripped it

scooping up the tie from

showed up with an incomplete

Alphas and those rich female

want to stay there, or climb higher, you’ll need every point you can get.

their stupid ranking!"

"If you make it to the

told you, I—" Violet’s words cut off as

said with a silly smile, though the apology