Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 156: His Foolish Girlfriend

"I don’t think I can do this anymore," Violet sobbed, her voice breaking like shattered glass. The guilt and judgement she was about to face made her unable to look him in the eyes.

"Hey, hey," Alaric’s voice was soothing, gentle yet firm as he lifted her face, forcing her to look at him. Violet resisted at first, but he was persistent.

"Look at me," he demanded.

And she did.

Through tear-streaked lashes and blurry vision, she met those piercing blue eyes, full of concern.

"Good girl," Alaric murmured softly, his fingers brushing against her cheek to wipe away her tears.

But his tenderness only made it worse. How could she betray this? How could she look into those eyes, see all the warmth and devotion he had for her, and still crave another? Others. Was she truly that broken?

"I betrayed you," Violet confessed, her throat tightening around the words. "I kissed Asher behind your back."

The moment stilled, the silence stretching unbearably with unspoken tension. Alaric’s blue eyes widened slightly, but that was it. His grip on her didn’t tighten. There was no explosion of rage, not even a breeze of tempest. He didn’t look angry?

Instead, his gaze flickered around the area, scanning the surroundings as if ensuring no prying ears were listening in.

"Come on." He took her hand, his grip strong yet absent of aggression.

Violet blinked in confusion. Wasn’t he supposed to be furious? To yell, you know, demand answers, and break something?

Instead, Alaric’s voice was calm as he explained, "This isn’t my turf. Anyone could be listening."

Neither did he drag her, nor hold her with the bruising grip of a betrayed man. No, his touch remained gentle, guiding her through the maze of bodies.

And indeed, it was not his turf, as he called it. Violet glanced around, realizing for the first time that she wasn’t in familiar territory. There were different faces and no sign of Alaric’s packmates. No wonder there were four bonfires set up. One for each pack and she had wandered all three in a haste to get away.

Just like in school, the hierarchy still ruled even in a party meant for everyone. Packs stuck to their own. Yes, it ruined the fun of mingling together, Violet had learned to respect werewolf custom. It was the way of the wolves.

Although now that she looked around, there seemed to be a neutral point where they all met, but most still hung with their pack members.

And now, Alaric was leading her, no, guiding her, through the shifting territories, moving with the kind of unchallenged authority only a Cardinal Alpha could possess.

It was not long before Violet began to recognize familiar faces, and realized Alaric had led her into his domain. The North pack’s turf — it was, at least for tonight.

Most of the pack members barely paid them any attention, too caught up in the celebration. A few mischievous wolves howled, cheering on their Alpha for bringing his girlfriend. But not everyone was happy to see her.

her skin and it was Elsie Lancaster, the so-called Queen of the

on her. Elsie might be queen in name,

in disgust as she watched them pass. But Alaric didn’t even acknowledge her. He didn’t acknowledge anyone. Alaric kept walking, leading her

crept up her

Oh, hell no.

heart pounded harder, her mind jumping to the worst possible conclusions. Dark, secluded forest. Furious

had heard enough horror stories to know how this scene played out. She was about to be murdered

swallowed hard. Alaric

came down to that before Alaric turned to face her,

again, what did you

in his voice. No sharp edge of rage or judgment.

but she forced

everything. What had happened in Micah’s office with Asher. And—God help her—the way she lusted after Griffin, his best friend. Her mating dance—or whatever the hell Lila

finished, her face was flaming red and she could barely look

breath.

Violet nodded, biting

moment of silence

before she could

Violet recoiled, holding her forehead, gaping at him in shock.

you really think I didn’t

jaw dropped.

mouth opening

shaking his head. "Of course I did. I have known Asher longer than you know him, no, all through my life. It would

his fingers traced her jaw gently, tilting her chin so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. "It’s my fault. I knew how obsessed Asher was with you, and

She had spent days drowning in guilt. Fucking

realization hit Violet like a collapsing building and tears spilled over before she could stop them, her body trembling. She

more tears spilling as she flung herself

ease, wrapping her up in the kind of embrace

didn’t rush her, nor did he tell her to stop crying. He just held her like she was something

fingers wove into her hair, soothing, grounding. "Shh," Alaric murmured, pressing his lips to the top of her

only made her cry

the time she pulled back, Alaric’s white polo was thoroughly ruined, soaked with her tears. It left Violet mortified, and she

so sorry," she muttered,

catching her hands before she could fuss over

soft, tender press of his lips that was reassuring and