Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 36: Fight Like Dogs

Violet was not the first to finish the race; there were already human males who made it with their masculine strength, not to mention Lila as well. But then, she wasn’t the last either.

However, the race was over, and right now, the result was obvious—those who had made it and the ones who quit halfway. And among the quitters, Violet saw Daisy Fairchild.

"Fuck!" Violet cursed when she saw Daisy looking around with what looked like a crestfallen expression and tears in her eyes.

When their eyes connected, it felt like the emotion slammed straight into Violet’s chest. She hadn’t helped her, having been busy with Ivy. And now the guilt hit her hard.

Lila must have noticed the exchange and picked up on her thoughts because she said, "It’s not your fault. You can’t save everyone, Violet."

Then, as if to lighten the mood, she added in a chirpy tone, "At least, on the bright side, you’ve just proven you’re not as emotionless as stone."

"And whose fault is that?!" Violet snarled and took off.

She couldn’t bear to be around Lila or stare at Daisy’s disappointed face right now, which didn’t make any sense because it was none of her business. This was a race. Everyone was on their own. But then she had helped Ivy, the roommate she liked the least, and abandoned Daisy, the warmer one. Well, "abandoned" being a strong word, but whatever.

This was why Violet preferred being on her own. It wasn’t because she was a social outcast, no, she knew better than that. Violet knew the truth, and it was because she cared too much. And in a brutal world like this one, caring too much only got you betrayed, a knife in the back for your trouble.

Violet took a moment to gather herself, forcing her emotions into submission. This was all Lila’s doing—her words, her presence, were making her feel things she didn’t want to feel.

But then, she wouldn’t let that girl’s influence undo her. By the time Violet opened her eyes, the tight grip of anxiety had faded, and she felt back in control once again.

Violet had moved to the

a minute, Griffin

smiling now. The anger rolling off him was almost tangible, like a living force that made her skin prickle. It brought back memories of yesterday when he had nearly choked

and she expected him to grab her by the throat once

so briefly, but that small contact felt like she had been enveloped in flames. Heat traveled to every

it was a rich blend of sun-soaked woods and warm amber, infused with hints of fresh summer citrus and earthy spices.

Violet turned to follow him, curious about who had drawn his wrath this time. Others seemed to sense his rage too, parting before him like a sea of bodies. His strides quickened, his

trailing Griffin to the front. She arrived just in time to see the exact moment he locked eyes with his

Oh, fuck.

fellow cardinal, Alpha Roman, when Roman suddenly trailed off,

behind him, Asher turned at precisely the right moment, only to be met with a guttural roar from Griffin. The sound was wild and dangerous, cutting through

it sent him flying meters away, a clear display of the stunning strength

stop there. He advanced on Asher without hesitation, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and yanking him upright with an almost feral intensity. Then he began driving punch after brutal punch

with such force and intensity that it made her stomach twist, a visceral reaction to the sheer violence unfolding before her eyes.

screamed his name before she even realized it, her body moving instinctively as she took a step forward. She barely managed that step before someone grabbed her from behind,

it was, her anger flaring, but the familiar

go! That bastard is going to kill him!"

holding her firmly. "No one interferes between two

who had helped her since she arrived at this academy, it was the West Alpha. Whatever his twisted motives might be, at least he

first time two alphas have fought," Dion said with a sharp edge, his voice intense, leaving her momentarily stunned. "In case you haven’t figured it out yet,