Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 280: A Rogue’s Punishment

Where was her fucking head?!

It always seemed to vanish whenever it came to these cardinal alphas. Violet internally berated herself. She hadn’t intended to sleep here until morning. The plan had been simple: catch a little shut-eye, then have Asher sneak her back to her place by five, quietly and without any witnesses. Hopefully.

Unfortunately, the Asher she had pinned her hopes on had failed her. Utterly. Instead of waking her, he had indulged her.

Now, Violet was pacing up and down the West Alpha’s room, mentally spiraling over what to do next. Sure, Asher had said he’d handle it, but she was beginning to worry about "how" he planned to handle it. After all, his methods were rarely what one would call conventional.

Not to mention, the bastard didn’t even seem half as concerned as she was. He was in the bathroom, casually taking a bath with the door wide open, no less. It was an invitation to join him if she dared. That absolute rascal.

So now Violet was alone with her thoughts, stewing in her paranoia, until she stopped herself.

Why the hell was she even scared?

She was Violet Purple. She’d slept at the West House. So what? What could they possibly do to her that would hurt more than what they’d already tried?

With that, Violet forced herself to calm down and wait. She could handle the consequences. And Alaric. Fuck her life!

Almost immediately, Asher strolled out.

"What’s your—" Violet’s words cut off the moment her eyes landed on him.

Holy creator of the world.

Her jaw nearly hit the damn floor.

Violet never thought a man could look that sexy fresh out of the shower, until now.

Asher stood there with nothing but a towel slung low around his hips, his body still dripping from the shower. Moisture clung to his tousled dark hair, then trickled down the sharp angles of his face, neck, and along the planes of his chest. It slid over the ridges of his abs, and her eyes followed the tantalizing trail of the deep V etched into his hips—down, down, down—until it disappeared beneath that dangerously small scrap of cloth.

Violet swallowed hard, her brain wandering somewhere it absolutely shouldn’t have.

It wasn’t like she hadn’t seen him naked before. Not just during the Games, Asher often shifted during training, like most wolves, leaving nothing to the imagination. Nudity was normal to them.

his room, with him looking at her like he knew exactly where her thoughts had

to his body. Then he added with a teasing tone, "Should I

revealing how much fun he was having. Though she was thoroughly annoyed, Violet couldn’t help but feel a bit of

and smooched her once. Again. And again. And

chuckle, she pushed him away. "Go away!

laughed smugly. "Someone’s

prove a point—without thinking it through—she lifted a hand

smirked darkly. "I’m going to get back

disappeared into his walk-in

posh life, with their large, lavish rooms, so unlike the shared dorms the rest of them had

A shift that both scared and excited Violet. Would things get better from here on out,

she was still going ahead with her

the cardinal alphas had done things that they needed to be held accountable for. This mission was no longer just about her. It was about the welfare of every

would understand her intention at the end. Maybe even forgive her and move on.

time. He returned, impeccably dressed in his full uniform, every button fastened,

respected the school’s dress code. Alaric came in second on good days while Roman

a single time he’d worn a tie, and he always had his shirt unbuttoned just enough to show

other hand, was a perfectionist. No doubt a trait hammered into him by his father. He had to be in control. Unruffled. Perfect. So rigid

lips twitched into a smile. One of these days—if things were good between them by

her arm, his grip gentle yet guiding as he moved to

But Violet pulled back.

she asked with

studied her face,

get hurt. Although... " he added, "I might have to be a little rough with you. Think you can handle

"Asher—"

shoulder before

returned a few seconds later with an oversized shirt in hand. He didn’t even wait for her to argue and slipped the shirt over her head, letting it fall over the nightgown she still wore. It swallowed her frame, covering the skimpy fabric that clung

said, clearly satisfied. "Now trust me. Let’s

but she followed him anyway, choosing for once to trust

corridor, laughing, barking out jokes, a general camaraderie hanging in

like a