Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 104: No Help From The Universe

"So, what does this mean for me?" Violet’s voice was edged with panic as she stared at Alaric. "Does it mean that I’m not human?"

"I don’t know," Alaric admitted, clearly frustrated with himself.

"Wait a minute..." Violet’s eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Am I a werewolf?"

"I don’t seriously know!" Alaric snapped, throwing his hands in the air.

"How can’t you know that? You’re supposed to be the smart one! You should know everything!" Violet’s exasperation bubbled over as she glared at him.

"Well, I don’t know everything, Violet Purple! I’m not a fucking computer!" Alaric shot back, his voice rising.

The tension between them was intense for a moment before Violet caught herself. She took a deep breath and rubbed her hands down her face. "Fuck... I’m sorry," she muttered an apology.

Her tone was softer as she continued, "I’m not trying to be a bitch, okay? It’s just... I’ve spent my entire life believing I was human. And now, suddenly, nothing feels normal anymore. Ever since you cardinal alphas barged into my life, it’s like everything I thought I knew about myself is being unraveled."

Alaric calmed down as well. "No, it’s alright. You’re just confused and scared. You’re questioning everything, and that’s understandable. And for all we know, you might still be human, just... a human who’s immune to lightning."

Violet scoffed at the idea. "That doesn’t sound very human, does it?"

Alaric shrugged, his lips quirking in an awkward half-smile. "Maybe you’re like one of those old-world superhero stories. You know, like Superman? He was human, wasn’t he?"

"Superman was from another planet," Violet corrected, crossing her arms.

Alaric argued. "He got his powers after being struck by lightning while standing next to

raised an incredulous brow, giving him a look that screamed

sounds stupid, I know," Alaric admitted, looking away and scratching the back of his

a hand through her hair, trying to process

how we recognize our kind. Trust

head.

the tension in the room easing

a brow, a teasing smirk on her lips. "And how would you know that?" She let out an exaggerated gasp, her tone mockingly

haven’t done that. But if you want me to..." He leaned in suddenly, his face

amusement filling the

in the room suddenly shifted. It was subtle in the way the air grew heavier, the way his gaze softened yet burned all at once. He leaned in closer again, and this

murmured, his

She tried to ignore the way her pulse quickened, but then he added, "Do you know that werewolves mark their prospective mates on the neck? And you,

What was she supposed to

intensity in Alaric’s tone, paired with his words, sent a shiver down her spine. Unlike the

another scathing thought screamed just as loudly: She’d kissed Asher an hour ago.

lusting over the four cardinal alphas. Surely, she — Violet — had liked them at some point when she didn’t know them better. But that was all it was all. A crush. She was not the type of girl to play around with different boys at the same time. It

Alaric began leaning in. Fuck her life. She needed self control

hand on Alaric’s chest—his very solid, very muscular chest. The universe was really not helping her right now —and tried to gather her scattered

"Alaric, I don’t think—"