Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 246: Where is Asher?

~ Griffin ~

Alaric, for once, didn’t resist as he steered him away from Jameson’s floor and into one of the vacant classrooms. Classes had been canceled for the day, probably the only blessing in this mess. If Alaric went nuclear again, at least there wouldn’t be any casualties.

Griffin watched as Alaric slid down to the floor with quiet resignation, his back against the wall. His cardinal brother pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around himself, his shoulders hunched, and his head bowed. The storm that had once threatened to destroy the school now sat like a broken boy, unraveling from within.

Despite how furious he’d been, seeing Alaric like this made his heart twist painfully. So Griffin sighed, walked over, and lowered himself to the floor beside him in silence.

Alaric lifted his eyes, glassy with emotion, and rasped out, "I fucked up big time, didn’t I?"

He offered a succinct reply, "No point beating yourself up over spilled milk."

Alaric’s throat worked. "She’ll never forgive me. I broke her, Griffin. I destroyed whatever trust she had in me."

Griffin sighed heavily. "You’re right. Violet might never forgive you. But she’s not exactly heartless. If she finds out that Elsie—"

"That’s no excuse," Alaric cut in sharply, shaking his head. "Some part of me wanted to hurt her, Griffin. Deep down, I was angry about her and Roman. I let my emotions get the best of me and Elsie used me just fine."

"You don’t know that," Griffin snapped, eyes narrowing. "This could all be one big misunderstanding. And all of you need to sit down and talk it out with her before you ruin something that could’ve been real."

"Or maybe it’s better this way," Alaric met his eyes, exhaustion etched on his face. "All we’ve done since Violet got here is to make her life miserable. Maybe she’s better off without us."

"So you’re fine leaving her to Asher? You know he won’t give up on her," Griffin pressed, brow furrowing.

way he looked away said it all. Alaric scrubbed his hands down his face.

what to do," he muttered, voice

him. "I for one know what you must do. For starters, you need to apologize to Violet. Find her and make things right, even if your face is the last thing she’d want to see right about that and you’re liable to get one or two punches,

said her name, Alaric’s face twisted with pure loathing. Whatever pity he once held for Elsie, it was gone after this stunt

her too much power since

Unfortunately, Violet isn’t Lucille, and she’s too hot-tempered to be even

sighed in unison. Then Griffin suddenly perked up, giving him

thinking what

confused at first, only for his eyes to widen the next second. "No. No

say anything." He added

girl. What makes you think she’d give up whatever leverage she has over Elsie just like that? If even Asher couldn’t

don’t

her name gives me PTSD," he added wryly, leaning his head against

"You’re not alone, brother."

that word, "brother", Alaric paused. Back in the hallway, when Griffin had punched him, he’d

guilt written all over his face. "I should’ve told

a brow, unimpressed. "We might be close friends but you don’t owe me every detail of your life. However, pull another stunt like that, and I swear to the goddess, I’ll pulverize your face so badly Zara and Caspian wouldn’t be able to fix it even with their

mention of his parents, both boys broke into unexpected laughter, sharing a

But it didn’t last.

the hinges.

in right after him, calm and collected, and closed the door behind them with