Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 163: The Running Game

Violet looked around, taking in the glow of the street lights lining the forest path, their cold illumination stretching endlessly into what remained of the Silver Glade since they were in the middle of it already.

The sheer amount of effort and resources put into this so-called initiation unsettled her. Presumably, it was for their safety, but most of all, this was undoubtedly a spectacle. A stage, carefully set for whatever twisted initiation the Alphas had devised.

A shiver ran down Violet’s spine. What in the world were they planning?

The group of newbies —a mix of first-year students, new admits, and scholarship students like herself—stood together, their confusion and anxiety saturating the crisp night air. At least, in this moment, there was no divide between them. They were all equally trapped.

Surrounding them were the elites and older students, standing in a loose circle. They were unable to hide their laughter, whispers, and amused smirks as they watched them, ensuring there was no way to escape. They were the enforcers in this initiation.

Violet’s pulse quickened as she searched the sea of nervous faces until she spotted her roommates. Relief flooded her veins like a sudden breath of air breaking through suffocation.

Lila was the first to shove through the tight cluster of newbies, rushing toward her. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Violet in a tight hug. Ivy and Daisy followed suit, their presence grounding her.

"Are you hurt in any way?" Violet asked, her gaze going from one girl to the next, though it was Lila she focused on first.

"No," Lila answered with a firm shake of her head.

"Me either," Ivy added, though she fidgeted restlessly, as if bracing for the worse.

Daisy, however, crossed her arms, her gaze scanning their surroundings. "I don’t like this."

Violet turned to her, reading the tension on her friend’s face. Daisy was smart. If anyone could figure out what the Alphas were planning, it was her.

"What do you mean?" Violet asked, watching her closely.

Daisy’s lips pressed into a thin line before she answered. "It’s a chase."

turned to

once overheard some older students whispering about a running event for

a chase or a run, it doesn’t matter." She lowered her voice, saying seriously. "Your biggest concern should be, if

her mind already supplying the

"The wolves," she whispered.

of fear spread through

shoulders, attempting to inject optimism into the moment. "Then we just

the air suffocating enough.

blared through the clearing and every

were

exuding raw dominance. Their gazes were unreadable yet imposing. Their mere presence alone speaking volumes about the night ahead

their own ambitions and rivalries, yet united. And

everything, but when it came to

had to be him. He was the only one who would take pleasure

his voice a chilling mix of cold authority and twisted amusement. His eyes scanned their faces, feeding off their fear like a predator savoring the scent

you might be scared..." he mused, letting his

dragged the word out, feigning

"Angry..."

smirk. As if her anger was the most entertaining thing he’d seen

her fists so tightly that

he continued smoothly, his tone mockingly reassuring. "This is tradition. One that those before you have endured

eager. They had suffered through this before,

under her breath. "Such a

Asher, her lips curling in rare defiance. "I’d love to wipe that smug look off his