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.

new. Give it time,

say that..." Violet’s voice shook, her own tears now

out of all of us, the

don’t say that. Please, Roman..."

it was short, the moments I spent with you were the best I’ve ever had. I’ll never

bond, so what? Let’s call it a blessing and move on. Maybe if

never happened before and you don’t just force the goddess’s hand. We’re already

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

He was right.

about Griffin. Not really. Not about what this

there was something special between

Violet said firmly, surprising

him hard, pouring all of her emotions into it. Shocked gasps resounded from the diverse pack watching nearby. What was

face as she turned toward her son, likely expecting him to be barreling toward Roman with

Griffin didn’t move. He just stood

her temple. This

of her lips, scent, and the ache

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

away, grabbing

in his voice, he said, "You have to stop now, Violet. Don’t

"Roman, please..."

without another word, he turned and walked

first,

But he didn’t.

climbed now,

was still

urgency. "You can’t just leave

Griffin’s voice

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

Griffin reached her, grabbing

against his hold. "He’s leaving me! I have to make

authority unmistakable. "The best thing you can do right now is let him

he lowered his voice, eyes sweeping the

close, whispering in her ear, "There