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.

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

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

horrified, as if Violet had just

rejecting the packs as an option. What would

stepped forward to say. "I also reject the four

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

expression expectant, waiting

let’s think about this," Daisy hesitated, her gut screaming that this was a bad

one 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 better

round of murmurs emerged. More

Daisy hissed, eyes darting

on, don’t make us do this

head.

deal, remember?" Lila reminded her, her voice

I told you all not to

to stick together," Lila argued, only

leave us. Move on. Join

do it!" Daisy snapped, throwing

that

was going to regret this. Daisy knew it, but

"All four of us

became tumultuous

fucking minds," someone

make them...?" another voice trailed

a third voice

moment it was spoken, a low hiss of disdain followed, as if