Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 410: East pack’s Newest Member

The cheers from the crowd had grown defeaning, almost wild with anticipation, as if the very act of Violet cutting Griffin’s hair would summon down the heavens itself.

But Violet didn’t move. For over a full minute, she just stood there motionless, and made no attempt to reach for any of the tools laid carefully on the tray before her.

The pause was long enough that people began to notice and their excitement started to wane. Their roaring cheers suddenly became confused murmurs.

The elders exchanged pointed glances, their once warm expressions replaced with tight-lipped disapproval. The Alphas from the sub-packs shifted in their seats, some leaning to whisper, with the others others shaking their heads.

One of them said to his Luna with a low chuckle, "Seems like the great Irene ended up with a whim of a daughter-in-law after all. This is going to be fun."

The murmuring grew louder now, spreading like a slow-building storm. The air turned tense as the people became impatient and discontent with what was going on. They had come for a ceremony, not whatever was going on right now.

"What are you waiting for, child? Do it already! Don’t keep your elders waiting!" the priestess urged her sharply.

Violet’s eyes flicked to hers, then turned to Griffin who said to her. "Don’t worry, Violet, it will grow back soon enough and you’ll have it all to yourself."

A single tear slipped from Violet’s eye, trailing down her cheek. His beautiful reassurance had tore straight through her chest, yet, the same words also gave her strength.

With a deep, shaky breath, Violet reached forward and picked up the scissors.

She stepped closer while the crowd held their breath in anticipation. Her fingers trembled as she ran them through Griffin’s hair one last time. Then she took a fistful of those brilliant red strands and cut.

of wild celebration, howls of joy, hands clapping, and drums beating loudly. You would think Violet had

to hold back came harder now. This was stupid. Why were they celebrating this? Couldn’t they see how beautiful his hair

stop. She had started this and had to

waves now and she recalled the way her fingers would run through his hair. The way Griffin leaned into her touch. The times she shampooed and braided it. The way she tugged on it when they kissed like they

be doing that

for the clipper now, having cut it down. But the tears came harder to the point her vision blurred completely and she knew, without a doubt, she was going to ruin

let me help you." It was

Violet didn’t argue.

behind. Irene’s arms came around her, firm yet gentle, steadying her hands as she held the clipper with her. The celebration around them had dulled now, the sound of joy softening into a hush as the pack members

the hair was always left to the mate alone. It was a

the moment was warm and so heartbreakingly human that it tugged at something in them. Violet was human and was still learning. She didn’t know

not everyone was

be the first I’ve seen a mate disgruntled over such a ceremony," Elder Regina said with visible distaste,

first time for everything in one’s lifetime, don’t you think?" Elder Nulia replied, a knowing smile on

tongue. She couldn’t speak against Irene’s

clipper’s length when needed, and directing her. Together, slowly, gently, they worked until Griffin’s hair was

Then Irene stepped back.

head, her eyes closed. A single tear slipped from her cheek, landing softly on his scalp. Then she stepped back and Griffin rose to