Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 337: Out Of Lunaris

Roman sat beside Violet at the edge of the bed, unusually quiet as he focused on her injured hand, the first aid kit with its contents laid open between them.

Violet watched him in silence, noticing the way he handled her hand with so much care that a small smile crossed her lips.

"I didn't think you'd be this good at this," Violet said. "I usually assign medical competency to Alaric."

Roman gave a short laugh, glancing up at her. "Yeah, he'd probably love to hear that."

She tilted her head. "So? Where'd you learn?"

Roman's smile faded slightly, replaced with a more serious expression. "I didn't exactly have a choice. Growing up with Leon and Alexa, they weren't what you'd call involved parents. They were mostly distracted with their own needs and personal lives. So, I figured things out on my own."

Violet didn't say anything and let him talk.

Roman continued, his voice lower now. "I didn't grow into my powers easily either. People think it's all instant. Like, poof, I see a new animal and I become it. But it wasn't like that. Not even close."

He looked down at her hand, wrapping the last layer of bandage carefully.

"Sometimes I'd try to shift into something I'd seen, and only half of me would change. Like, one side of my body would be the animal, the other side still human. Bones cracking the wrong way. Skin not adjusting. I'd collapse half-shifted, bleeding all over the place. It was a mess."

There was a quiet bitterness in his voice. Not self-pity. Just the truth.

Violet reached out with her uninjured hand and gently touched his knee. "But you overcame it. Look at you now, Roman. You're in control. That's what matters."

Roman paused. Then slowly, he looked up at her.

the kind of life I've lived. Not after the things I did to you." His words were soaked in remorse,

matter anymore, Roman. The past is

eyes. Relief? Gratitude? Or maybe even

he said

to thank me for," Violet replied and

bandage. "Yeah. That should hold until

kiss to his cheek.

for just a second. Then, with sudden intensity, he grabbed her face and kissed her full on the mouth. Violet

tilted without warning and her breath caught as her back hit the bed, and Roman's body followed, his mouth still on hers, kissing her like he

carried

would have let him. Violet was dangerously close to letting go. But then

his phone without looking, answered it in one word,

announced. "We should

that had

up quickly, her heart thudding in a completely different way now. Roman stood and offered

of the parents had already left and the students were back in their dorms. Just like earlier, when they stepped onto the path, the students' eyes followed

different now. The students stepped aside, clearing the way, not out of fear

a glance but said nothing.

were waiting right outside Griffin's door with her roommates. It was almost

"Nancy?"

into

say, but Nancy's eyes caught her bandaged hand, and her face tightened with

"You're obviously hurt."