Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 290: Elsie’s Secret

School had ended for the day and night had fallen.

Violet and her girls were gathered in the living room, huddled around Daisy as they watched the footage from Elsie’s bugged room playing on her laptop. Apparently, Elsie and the elites were throwing some kind of post-party celebration, likely in anticipation of what they already assumed would be tomorrow’s successful Legacy Luncheon.

It was happening right there in Elsie’s room and, as expected of a party, there was a lot of drinking. Except, unlike the cheap beer most kids sipped at parties, these girls were clinking crystal glasses filled with obviously expensive wine. They were really living the life most people dreamed of. If only they weren’t so damn vain, even Violet might’ve felt a tinge of envy.

And of course, as expected of a party, there were lots of conversations aka gossip. Not that any of it was useful to Violet. It was the usual shallow chatter about who slept with who, and yes, her name came up more times than she could count. And the things they said about her? Nasty didn’t even begin to cover it.

Not that Violet cared. In fact, she considered it an honor to be that famous as she practically took up sixty percent of their conversation. But gossip wasn’t what Violet wanted. She was hoping someone would say something incriminating about Elsie. Or even give her a hint of the big secret.

But no. No one exposed anything. Not while they were in her damn sanctum. They obviously had to keep face.

So instead, Violet turned her attention to Natalie Avax.

The girl smiled and made small talk whenever approached by the others, but she was clearly alone. Detached. And at one point, Violet could’ve sworn Natalie stared straight into the camera while sipping her wine calmly, like she knew exactly where it had been hidden.

"I don’t know about you, but this girl gives me the creeps. She’s too smart for my liking," Daisy muttered, witnessing the same eerie moment.

"Or maybe," Ivy said casually, "you’re just jealous she might be smarter than you."

Daisy turned and glared so hard it could’ve peeled paint off the walls. If looks could kill, Ivy would have dropped dead.

Violet said nothing. Even if Natalie turned out to be a bigger obstacle in the future, for now, an enemy’s enemy was still a friend.

They watched as Natalie stood up and dropped her empty glass. Then she bid Elsie goodnight, even though the queen bee had been talking to another one of the elite girls. Elsie acknowledged it with a polite smile, and Natalie took her leave.

As soon as she vanished, the conversation turned against her at once.

"Just look at her, acting all high and mighty like she owns the school." one of the girls sneered now Natalie was gone.

Sharon let out a mocking laugh. "Please. All she has going for her is Avax’s family name. Without it, she’d be nothing. And yet she thinks she’s better than us."

She flipped her glossy hair like she was starring in her own shampoo commercial. "She’s not even that pretty."

snorted. That

was hot, and she knew it. The girl flaunted it with zero shame, walking like she knew every head would turn and didn’t

be real," another girl chimed in, wrinkling her own nose like she

her boobs," added another, clutching

perfect," one girl sighed

to her like she’d just announced she was

her slip, the girl rushed to save herself. "I—I mean, I

"I’d never join that clique even if the invitation came with a free car. They’re so

Lila’s words, but then her phone beeped with a

absentmindedly, only for her eyes to widen at the name

"Asher Fucking Nightshade."

As she saved it.

mild panic, scanning to see if anyone had seen it. But

right back," Violet murmured, already on her

the cool wall before finally

everyday could be

it was

of her lungs. It was a photo. One he’d clearly taken

purple hair spread across them like silk, and Asher had the

beautiful. Violet stared at it, her lips forming a

girl. She was so

right back to him

after one night with me, I can’t wait to see your face after two. Or three. Also,

silly but whatever. She pressed

to a minute, Violet got a response from

girl

Violet whistled. The guy was

dizzying feeling that Asher’s message stirred inside her, Violet knew she had to rein herself back. She had a mission

her girls. She didn’t sit back in her previous spot. Instead, she remained standing behind the sofa, arms crossed, her eyes trained

we’re not gonna get anything substantial," she then added with a rare softness, "It just isn’t working, V." She used Violet’s nickname, a sign

least, based on what they had seen so far. The conversation had been