Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 180: Shatter

All eyes were on them now, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. What house would the purple storm choose? They couldn’t wait to find out.

"What are you waiting for, drama queen? Pick a house already and stop wasting our time!" Elsie snapped with an impatient huff.

"Let her be, Elsie," Alaric told her off.

"No, Elsie’s right," Asher cut in, his voice edged with mockery. "It’s time for her to make a decision. We don’t have all night... or do we, little human?" His dark eyes gleamed as he fixed his stare on her.

Violet squared her shoulders, lifting her chin with forced confidence, her hands trembling so subtly she barely noticed, until Lila reached out and intertwined their fingers, squeezing gently.

When Violet turned to her, Lila offered a small smile, as if silently saying: No matter what, I’m with you.

The simple gesture strengthened her resolve. Violet sucked in a shaky breath, then let her gaze sweep over the alphas, reading each of their faces.

First was Asher, looking smug and composed, but Violet could see the tension beneath the surface. The bastard knew she was not going to choose him. Good for him.

Griffin was relaxed but watchful, giving her a friendly smile instead.

Roman looked intense, his gaze pinning her in place like a warning: Don’t back down now. Not after coming this far.

And then, Alaric. His eyes held pure, unfiltered hope, as if he was willing her to choose him but unwilling to pressure her.

Violet hesitated upon that look in his eyes, her chest tightening knowing she was about to break his heart. It was the hardest thing to do but Violet tore her gaze away. If she let herself linger, she might not have the strength to go along with the plan.

She took a deep breath. Then, blurted out, "I reject all the houses."

The reaction was instantaneous.

"What?!" Gasps and startled murmurs rippled through the crowd, voices layering over one another in disbelief.

then repeated, louder this time, "I decline the offers from all the houses. I

suffocating. It was the kind of silence that felt fragile, as if a single

nothing short of horrified, as if Violet had

looked bewildered, exchanging wide-eyed glances. They had never even heard of rejecting the packs as an option. What would

process it, Lila stepped forward to say. "I also

gasp rang out, the student’s whispers turning frantic. What was happening? What in the goddess name

her expression

wait... let’s think about this," Daisy hesitated, her

to pass up a dramatic moment, stepped forward with a theatrical flourish. "I decline the honorable offer from the four packs. I think I’m

of murmurs emerged.

hissed, eyes

on, don’t make us

her head.

Lila reminded her, her

her be. I told you all not to follow

we’re supposed to stick together," Lila argued, only to flinch

lips twisted into a dramatic pout. "Go ahead... leave us. Move on. Join your fancy new house, make new friends, gossip,

for fuck’s sake—FINE! I’ll do it!"

that spread

to regret this. Daisy knew it, but she had no

"All four of us reject the

became

lost their fucking

houses make them...?" another voice trailed off in

third voice finished

poison and the moment it was spoken, a low hiss of disdain followed,