Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 142: Queen Of Nothing

~ Alaric ~

Alaric Storm lifted his head from his phone as Griffin plopped down beside him on the plush sofa. The school’s common room was buzzing with chatters, the air still alive with the energy of their recent victory.

Members of the pack were scattered around, laughing, teasing, and riding the high of their win. But for Alaric, the noise barely registered. He felt detached from them, his mind occupied with something else.

"She still hasn’t picked up?" Griffin asked, his voice cutting through the haze.

"Not exactly." Alaric sighed, holding up his phone. "She sent me a message."

Griffin leaned over to read it aloud. "Apologies. Would meet you at the party. Making some quick bucks."

He arched an eyebrow, mirroring Alaric’s own puzzled expression. "What the hell does that mean? What’s she up to now? Is she selling something? Betting on fights? You’ve got your hands full with that one," he added with a laugh.

Alaric sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Do you think she needs money? Is that why she’s avoiding me? If she needed help, why wouldn’t she just tell me? I have more than enough money to last two lifetimes."

Griffin gave him a look that screamed disbelief. "Seriously, dude? Do you really not know your own girlfriend? Does Violet seem like the kind of girl who’d waltz up to you and say, ’Hey boyfriend, I’m broke. Can you wire me some cash?’" He mimicked a high-pitched feminine voice, his impression of Violet so absurdly off that Alaric couldn’t help but snort.

"So... I should send her money?" Alaric asked seriously.

"How is it that I know your girlfriend better than you do? Violet’s

of us grew up with three sisters," Alaric muttered. "The only sibling I have hates my guts and couldn’t care less about my love

in the family. Violet’s like your mom, you know, fierce, independent,

when you put it that way, I guess they

why you’re into her," Alaric teased, nudging him with

Griffin gave him a pointed look with a clipped tone.

in surrender, letting the matter drop even though inwardly, he knew it was far from

all the cardinal alphas, Griffin bore the worst treatment at Elsie’s hands. She dismissed his abilities and saw his beast as a liability, a manifestation of

but choosing a mate, especially an Alpha, was a sensitive issue. And to Elsie, Griffin was only good

surged through him. Griffin didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. He was more than his power, more than his beast. If anyone understood what it was like to

meant sharing the one thing he cherished most. Moreover, If

idea at first. But he’d seen the way her gaze lingered on his best friend, that flicker of curiosity in her eyes that she probably wasn’t even aware of. It would not be easy but he had

didn’t turn into the same painful story. He’d protect them both even if he had to go face to face with the son of a biscuit, Asher Nightshade. He would not let him win

really worried, talk to her at the party. Find out why she’s giving

a sudden commotion broke out nearby. His pack members were parting like the sea,

room shifted at once, and Griffin, who had been relaxed moments ago, went rigid. His jaw was clenched so tightly that a vein in his temple pulsed, his eyes narrowed into

scowl, her features twisted into a

her voice cutting through the common room like a