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

looking away and scratching the back of

sighed and ran a hand through her hair, trying to process everything. "You really

smell like humans. Werewolves smell like werewolves. It’s how we recognize our kind. Trust me Violet when I say you don’t smell like a

muttered sarcastically, shaking her head. "Now I’m questioning

in the room easing slightly. "You smell fine,

out an exaggerated gasp, her tone mockingly scandalized. "Alaric Storm, have you been sniffing me out like

you want me to..." He leaned in suddenly, his face nearing

laughter, her 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,

he murmured, his voice husky and

but then he added, "Do you know that werewolves mark their prospective mates on the neck? And you,

she supposed to reply

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

control of the situation. Unfortunately, another scathing thought

clearly 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

leaning in. Fuck her life. She needed self

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

"Alaric, I don’t think—"