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.

skin and it was Elsie Lancaster, the

her. Elsie might be queen in name, but Alaric hadn’t chosen her. That had

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

crept up

Oh, hell no.

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

horror stories to know how this scene played out. She was about to

swallowed hard. Alaric wouldn’t do that....Would

it came down to

again, what did

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

was dry, but she forced herself to

Micah’s office with Asher. And—God help her—the way she lusted after Griffin, his

face was flaming

out a slow, deep breath. "Is that

Violet nodded,

of silence

before she could react,

forehead, gaping at him in

I didn’t expect

dropped.

mouth opening and closing. "You expected

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

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 instead of addressing it. I just let it be when

both stupid and furious, not at Alaric, but at herself. She had spent days drowning

spilled over before she could stop them, her body trembling. She had carried this burden alone when she

out, more tears spilling as she flung

ease, wrapping her up in the kind of embrace

her to stop crying. He just held

hair, soothing, grounding. "Shh," Alaric murmured, pressing his lips to the top

made her cry

soaked with her tears. It left Violet mortified, and she tried

so sorry,"

catching her hands before she could fuss over it. "Shh.

her. A soft, tender press