Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 131: Are You The Oracle?

Violet’s throat tightened as she watched Alaric break away from his team, approaching her in strides. His pure, unguarded smile, so full of trust and excitement, made her stomach twist painfully.

Shame clawed at her, threatening to overwhelm her entirely. He didn’t know—he couldn’t possibly know. Her chest felt heavy with guilt, and for a brief moment, Violet thought she was going to be sick.

"Hey," Alaric greeted her, his voice warm and boyish, carrying the kind of unfiltered joy that only made her feel worse. His smile was the kind of thing people fought wars to protect, and she was about to shatter it.

"Hey," Violet replied, her voice shaky as she fought to calm herself. She tucked her trembling hand behind her back, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

Alaric stepped closer, cupping her face with a tenderness that nearly broke her heart.

"Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I was almost tempted to have Richmond arrested if you didn’t show up after this."

It was clearly a joke, one meant to make her laugh, but Violet could barely muster a smile. She forced her lips into a weak curve, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her stomach churned as Alaric chuckled at his own humor, his eyes crinkling in the corners.

"I, um... I had an emergency," she lied smoothly, fidgeting under his gaze. "But it’s fine now. I’m fine."

were tossed into a tank of perfume

hesitated, every fiber of her being screaming at her to pull away. But she didn’t. Instead, she allowed his lips to meet hers, their kiss gentle and familiar. She hated how right it

heart twisted painfully, her own smile fake. She felt like a betrayer, a liar, and the weight of it was almost

someone who won’t hurt him like this. Someone who

to break his heart. This wasn’t the moment to tell him the truth, not when he needed to focus on his games, even if it was just training. And

husky voice as he leaned close to her ear. "We’ll

no choice but to play along. She forced a playful smirk onto

for a moment, she swore she saw a flicker of lightning in his eyes. The air

across the field, snapping them out of the moment. "I’ll shove a thunderbolt up

and despite the guilt gnawing at her, Violet couldn’t help but laugh too. It was impossible not to, even as her heart ached. Before she could blink, Alaric

shoulder as he jogged

playful energy of the moment. Violet felt her cheeks flush, but her focus was on Alaric as he ran back to his team. She caught herself watching

even know she was still smiling until her eyes connected with Asher’s across the bustling field and the emotion immediately died

like a blade, cutting through the brief joy she’d felt. Violet’s scowl deepened, but Asher didn’t flinch. He simply held her gaze for a moment longer

that nearly made her jump. The girl’s stare was unnervingly sharp, as though she could see straight