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.

had even tried to pay her for "taking care" of their pet, a payment she refused but that Nancy had gladly

remember watching the man’s daughter, smug and satisfied, as she stroked Stray just like she had done only weeks before. If looks could kill, Violet would have riddled

leaned into the girl’s touch without the slightest protest, as if everything Violet had done, all their time together, had meant

sleep for days, nearly making herself sick with grief. It wasn’t until

deeply with that cat. She’d thought it would be her and Stray against the world, but in

starved of affection, it sure left a lasting mark. It had shaped her view of life and how she related to people. Yes, Violet had friends, but she kept them all at

no doubt

her intensity and asked, "What do you want?" while pulling

a uniform, she had to admit the Lunaris uniform was regal and, on her, fit like a glove, hugging her curves. It was

hoping we could go to breakfast together," Lila replied brightly, watching Violet struggle with the tie. When she finally ripped it from her neck and moved to toss it aside, Lila’s eyes went wide with

don’t!" Lila scolded, scooping up the tie

if you showed up with an incomplete uniform. Not to

and those rich female brats don’t

it into the top twenty. If you want to stay there, or climb higher, you’ll need every point you can get. It’s paradise if you can reach the top ten. They’re

care about their stupid ranking!" Violet

do," Lila said shamelessly, deftly looping the tie around Violet’s neck. "If you make it to the top, then I’ll be your lackey, scraping

already told you, I—" Violet’s words cut off as Lila yanked the tie tighter, making

smile, though the apology felt hollow. "You were