Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 80: Join The East House

Violet stared at Griffin, a lot of thoughts running through her mind. The Oracle’s leverage over the alphas, the supposed rulers of their world, was both intriguing and unsettling.

She had always considered the Oracle a gossipmonger, but now, the realization that this mysterious figure held secrets powerful enough to keep even the strongest alphas in line made her seem more dangerous than Violet had ever imagined.

What kind of secrets were Griffin, Alaric, Roman, and Asher hiding? And if she happened to uncover them, what kind of damage could she cause by letting them out?

Her lips pressed into a tight line as she mulled over the possibilities, her gaze drifting back to Griffin, who was now watching her with a knowing look.

"Whatever you’re thinking, trust me, it’s a bad idea," Griffin said, holding back the next piece of bread he was about to feed her.

Violet raised a brow, leaning back against the pillows. "What do you think I’m thinking?"

Griffin tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You’re a proud, strong woman, which means your probably scheming a way to contact the Oracle, dig up Asher’s secrets, and plot your revenge."

She blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his accurate assumption. "Adele told you?"

Griffin chuckled, shaking his head. "Adele didn’t need to tell me anything. This is my suite. I heard everything from the other room."

"Oh," Violet muttered, the realization dawning on her. She felt a slight flush creep up her cheeks at the thought of him overhearing everything. She tried to hide it by looking away, but Griffin’s amused expression told her he’d noticed.

Griffin broke a piece of bread and brought it to her lips. "Eat," he said simply, his tone firm yet oddly gentle.

Violet complied, taking the last bite, and as Griffin lifted the remaining bowl of soup to her, she took it and drank it all in silence. The warmth of the soup spread through her, but it didn’t soothe the questions and plans in her mind.

Griffin had missed one crucial fact in his analysis: what made him think Asher was the only one she wanted revenge against?

The memory of how he had manhandled her on her first day was still fresh in her mind. Although his attitude toward her had turned for the good since then, she hadn’t forgotten, and she certainly hadn’t forgiven. One way or another, he would pay for that.

Finished with her meal, Violet reached for the plates, intending to clear them herself, but Griffin intercepted her with ease.

"Let me handle that," he said, already removing the bed table and gathering the empty dishes.

moved toward the desk to set everything down, Violet said. "If I asked you to have revenge against Asher, would you do

guard by the question. After a moment, he continued to set the plate aside, but the air between them

while it might satisfy you for a moment, trust me when I say physical

slightly. "What is it?" she asked

Griffin replied without

in

he said. "Asher has developed

interrupted, her curiosity

her question, continuing as if she hadn’t spoken. "I’m forbidden to tell you everything, but trust me on this: something significant is going to happen soon at Lunaris. When it does, you’ll have a choice to make.

as she tried to decipher his meaning. "And why would I

influence over you will diminish greatly, and I’ll protect you from him. That’s how you get your revenge, Violet. That’s how you win." He

which were wrapped in layers of mystery and suspicion. Griffin called the name Lucille. And

Lucille had to be the one before her. The ’first’ that happened. And now, she was the ’second.’ It

then," Violet said curtly, cutting off the trail of her

vague response. But he stopped himself, catching the warning signs in

Objectively, he was strikingly handsome. Broad shoulders, a strong jawline, and a powerful frame that practically screamed dominance—he was every inch the dream man

dumb as people think you are," she remarked

as smart as Asher or Alaric either, nor as cunning

into a wry smile. "Asher is a psychopath, Alaric

am I?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes

"You’re strong."

flickering to life in his expression, only to falter when Violet added, "And a big

of his mouth

playing on her lips. "But you’re a big bully with a heart.

inexplicable look crossing his face. "You’re a very complicated woman to

countered. "Don’t all men love

a tone that suggested he was even more intrigued by her now than

felt heat rush to her cheeks, and it didn’t help that memories of the earlier incident

her throat awkwardly and said, "About earlier...