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.

goddess," he said quietly. "You’re probably only feeling this way because the bond is new. Give it time, Violet and neither me,

say that..." Violet’s voice shook, her

lips quivered as he whispered, "Maybe it’s a good thing that out of all of us, the

that. Please, Roman..." Violet’s heart

spent with you were the best I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget them. God, this

can go back to the way things were. There’s a mate bond, so what? Let’s call it a blessing and move on. Maybe if we try hard enough, the goddess will give

before and you don’t just force the goddess’s hand. We’re already perfect examples of that. I’m sorry, Violet,

How might this affect him? Mates are possessive,

He was right.

thought about Griffin. Not really. Not about what this

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

said firmly,

her emotions into it. Shocked gasps resounded from the diverse pack watching nearby. What was the girl doing? Was she out

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

didn’t move. He just stood there watching with

rubbed her temple. This was

He could already feel the temptation of her lips, scent, and the ache to

could also hear the murmurs, and judgment radiating off the others. What Violet was doing right now was seen as an abomination. He had to stop it

himself away, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her

to stop

"Roman, please..."

word, he

Her voice was soft at first, somewhat

But he didn’t.

voice climbed now, panic settling around

still no

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

voice boomed behind

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

was still chasing after Roman when Griffin

she cried, struggling against his hold. "He’s leaving

"The best thing you can do

eyes sweeping the crowd

in her ear, "There are people