Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 375: The Boys Left Behind

"What do you think Asher and Violet are up to right now?" Alaric asked no one in particular, his expression distant as he stared out the window, the cocoa mug untouched in his hand.

"Fucking, obviously," Roman replied, leaning over to stick his tongue into Alaric’s cup and lap at the drink like a dog.

"Dude, what the fuck!" Alaric recoiled, pure disgust written across his face.

"I licked it. It’s mine now." Roman showed no remorse as he snatched the mug and chugged it down. When he drained the last drop, he let out a deep, satisfied burp.

"Thanks, Momma Griffin," he greeted cheerfully just as Griffin walked in, an apron tied around his waist. "That was divine."

With Asher and Violet gone, Roman had been restless. Nothing—not even the company of his own pack—could soothe the strange ache in his chest caused by Violet’s absence. So, without thinking much of it, he found his feet dragging him to East House.

He hadn’t expected to run into Alaric in the foyer and the both of them froze mid-stride, locking eyes. Violet’s presence had been a balm over their constant feud, but now that she was gone, the scab had ripped right off.

Alaric, sensing Roman’s intent, sprinted for Griffin’s room like it was war. Roman, swearing under his breath, bolted after him. Alaric arrived first and locked the door behind him, triumphant, until Griffin, curious about the commotion, opened it moments later to a breathless Roman.

And just like that, both idiots were inside, and handed mugs of Griffin’s famous cocoa, the one that was almost, mark the word "almost" better than an orgasm.

"Really?" Griffin’s expression brightened, lingering between bashful pride and doubt. "You like it that much?"

Roman clutched his chest. "Like it? Griffin, I am obsessed. This cocoa didn’t just warm my stomach, it healed ancestral trauma. I took one sip and I saw my entire life flash before my eyes, except this time it was happier."

Griffin blinked.

"I’m serious," Roman went on, deadpan. "If Violet is the sun of my universe, you’re the soothing moonlight that reminds me it’s okay to feel things. I’m in love with it, and maybe a little bit with you. Not like Violet-love," he added quickly, "but you’ve definitely claimed whatever remains of my giddy, emotionally unstable heart."

Griffin looked stunned. Then, slowly, his face split into a grin so wide it could’ve powered the East House on joy alone. He looked like a kid who’d painted his first masterpiece and had it declared a national treasure.

Alaric’s jaw dropped, stunned by the sheer audacity of Roman’s flattery skills. He groaned, burying his face in his palm. "Don’t tell me you believed that? He’s so dramatic." he said to Griffin.

your friends?

in salute. "Dramatic? No. I just know when a man deserves his flowers. And cocoa. And maybe a

of still-warm double-chocolate marshmallow swirl

he said, "You know what? Roman, have

Alaric nearly choked on air.

him slowly, like a disappointed parent catching their child with bad grades. "Well," he said with a perfect raise of his

it, letting out an exaggerated moan of satisfaction. "Mmm. Tastes

still between his teeth, he turned to Alaric and added with a devilish grin, "You heard him, big bro. Mama’s chosen. Your new favorite sibling has

looked like he’d just been kicked in

he declared as he lunged at the

Roman, ever the drama king, just threw his head back and laughed like a madman, even

only

into Roman’s gut, knocking the

okay! He’s serious!" Roman wheezed, gasping

Then chaos broke loose.

with a loud thud, fists flying. Their fight wasn’t exactly graceful and

deeply like a tired mother

so done," he

to intervene this time, instead, he sat away from them and took a

across the floor like deranged puppies and in the process sent a lamp flying, followed by the shattering of a decorative vase. While all this carnage

his wrists above his head

I’m stronger," he

a shutter clicked and both

to see Griffin

so good together. I figured Violet

with mischief burning