Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 402: Tears And Heart Break

Violet felt dread like never before. God knows what Roman was thinking, but she didn’t like the look in his eyes, not one bit.

"Roman." She took a step toward him, but two women suddenly approached her with clothes in their hands.

"No, wait—" she tried to tell them, but they weren’t listening. They were already fussing over her, forcing the fabric onto her body. Violet had no choice but to comply, even as she caught Roman turning away in her peripheral vision.

She barely let them finish tugging her pants on before she took off in a sprint. "Roman, wait!"

But Roman wasn’t listening.

He was storming away, each step hard and fast, his shoulders stiff, and his energy radiating such coldness she felt it pierce her chest. It was like he couldn’t even bear to be near her right now.

Left with no choice, Violet pushed harder, running until she overtook him, and cut him off.

"I said, wait!" she gasped, bending over, and catching her breath after the short but desperate chase.

Then she straightened and faced him. "Where are you going?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Or do I have to spell it out for you?" Roman snapped, his voice cutting through the air with an edge she hadn’t heard from him before.

Violet laughed, uneasy. "Why are you suddenly acting like this?" She pointed to her neck. "This is not a big deal. It’s just some tattoo or something."

"What do you mean it’s not a big deal? It is a big deal! You’re mated to Griffin Hale! You have a mate bond!" Roman shouted, his voice breaking.

"Well, I don’t fucking care!" Violet snapped back, loud and unapologetic. She didn’t care that others were watching them, with whispers flying around.

"It doesn’t change how I feel about you, Roman, or with Asher, or Alaric." Her voice turned desperate now. "I like you all. No—I love you all. And I’m not going to let some divine tattoos ruin that."

"You don’t understand, do you?" Roman’s eyes shone with unshed tears. "You have an eternal bond with Griffin. One blessed by the goddess herself."

"Then what about our bond?" she asked, pointing to her heart. "Roman, you told me your animal side bonded with me. That has to mean something, right?"

"I don’t know," Roman shook his head, his voice breaking. "I told you—I don’t always understand how my powers work and it might even mean nothing. There’s no bond that can be compared to the mate bond. Violet, it’s an abomination* to get between mates."

"Hey, hey," Violet grasped his face in both hands, trying hold on before he slipped away for good. "I’ve heard that already. That mates are content with each other. But I’m not. I still want you. I want the others too. There has to be a mistake somewhere, or an explanation for what I feel."

For a fleeting second, it seemed Roman fell for it. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into her touch, his face contorting with barely restrained emotion. But when he opened his eyes again, they were steeled with resolve.

with the goddess," he said quietly. "You’re probably only feeling this way because the bond is new. Give it time, Violet and neither me, nor Asher, nor Alaric will matter to you anymore. You’ll only want Griffin

no, don’t say that..." Violet’s voice shook,

as he whispered, "Maybe it’s a good thing that out of all of us, the goddess chose Griffin. He’s

Please, don’t say that. Please, Roman..." Violet’s heart was

I spent with you were the best I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget them. God, this is not easy..." His breath hitched as emotion threatened to crush him

what? Let’s call it a blessing

a bitter laugh. "It doesn’t work like that, Violet. Such thing has never happened before and you don’t just force the goddess’s hand. We’re already perfect examples of

when he asked, "Have you even thought about Griffin? How might this affect him? Mates are possessive, Violet. You

He was right.

Not really. Not about what this

was something special between her and Griffin now, but it hadn’t dulled her love for the

said firmly, surprising

all of her emotions into it. Shocked gasps resounded

turned toward her son, likely expecting him to be barreling toward Roman with death in his

just stood there watching with an

temple. This was

of her lips, scent, and

radiating off the others. What Violet was doing right now was

himself away, grabbing her shoulders

he said, "You have to stop now, Violet. Don’t make this harder than it

"Roman, please..."

another word, he

Her voice was soft at first, somewhat hopeful

But he didn’t.

now, panic settling

still

screamed, running after him with urgency. "You can’t just leave me like this. I’m not going to let

Griffin’s voice boomed behind

wasn’t listening. She didn’t want to listen. They were making a

Roman when Griffin reached her,

Let me go!" she cried, struggling against his hold. "He’s leaving me! I

authority unmistakable. "The best

eyes sweeping the crowd

leaned in close, whispering in her ear,