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."

"You smell like you were tossed into a tank of perfume but If you say

she didn’t. Instead, she allowed his lips to meet hers, their kiss gentle and familiar. She hated how right it felt, hated how much she was betraying him

drawn her to him. But Violet’s heart twisted painfully, her own smile

better, Violet thought bitterly. He deserves someone who won’t hurt him like this. Someone who will love him without this guilt hanging over

he needed to focus on his games, even if it 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,

he leaned close to her ear. "We’ll spend more

were loaded, but Violet had no choice but to play along. She forced a playful smirk

Alaric’s grin widen, and for a moment, she swore she saw a flicker of lightning in his eyes. The air around them

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

burst into laughter, and despite the guilt gnawing at her, Violet couldn’t help but laugh too. It was impossible not to, even as

as he jogged back to

her cheeks flush, but her focus was on Alaric as he ran back to his team. She caught herself watching the way his ass moved. Really good ass...

her eyes connected with Asher’s across the bustling field and the emotion immediately died

gaze was 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

a shaky breath and turned away, only to find Natalie watching her with a scrutinizing gaze that nearly made her jump. The girl’s stare