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."

smell like you were tossed into a tank of perfume but If you say you’re

lips to meet hers, their kiss gentle and familiar.

drawn her to him. But Violet’s heart twisted painfully, her own smile fake. She felt like a betrayer, a liar, and the weight of it

Violet thought bitterly. He deserves someone who won’t hurt him like this. Someone who will love him without this

was just training. And she couldn’t possibly do it here, in public, where everyone could see. Alaric didn’t deserve that level of humiliation, not from her. Neither

husky voice as he leaned close

a playful smirk onto her face, hiding the

for a moment, she swore she saw a flicker of lightning

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

laugh too. It was impossible not to, even as her heart ached. Before

his shoulder as he jogged

their interaction, cheered and whistled, feeding off the playful energy of the moment. Violet felt her cheeks flush, but her focus was on Alaric as he ran back to his team. She

connected with Asher’s across the bustling field and the emotion immediately died off as

unmistakable. It pierced through her 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 before looking away, turning

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