Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 416: Griolet

"Is something going on today?" Violet asked the moment their car rolled past the school gates and she caught sight of the suspiciously extravagant decorations hanging on them.

"I have no idea," Griffin replied, his brows drawing together as he looked around too, noting how the entire school grounds looked oddly cleaner, brighter, and fancier than usual.

"Maybe Lunaris Academy has finally learned its lesson and... " But Griffin’s words trailed off abruptly. His mouth stayed open, but all that came out was, "Oh shit."

Violet pulse raced at his sudden reaction. She then turned in the direction of his stare, and the sight that met her eyes made her face fall.

"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered, her voice flat with disbelief.

Just past the fountain and sprawled in massive, sparkling letters across the school’s entrance was a banner that read:

"Welcome back to Lunaris Academy, our fated couple, Griffin Hale and Violet Purple."

And it got worse from there.

The walkways were lined with the students cheering like they’d just been told a royal wedding was taking place. Some of them waved tiny flags while the others held up signs with pictures of her and Griffin that Violet swore she’d never taken in her life.

Shirts, caps, and posters were all branded with "Griolet" slogans in ridiculous fonts. A deafening wave of screams erupted as students swarmed the car, some even slapping the hood in excitement like it was a good luck charm.

Who the hell was responsible for this?

Violet didn’t have to think too hard because standing smugly at the school’s entrance was Principal Jameson, flanked on both sides by Daisy and Ivy.

For a fleeting second, rage, molten and unfiltered, coursed through Violet at the thought of her roommates putting her through this knowing how much she hated public spectacles like this.

But then the stiff smiles on their faces and the tension in their shoulders was enough evidence that the witch Jameson had orchestrated this whole PR circus and roped them in as props.

And as if that wasn’t enough, reporters were at the scene with cameras. Lots of them. Flash after flash exploded against the car windows as the vehicle was forced to slow down to accommodate the media swarm.

Violet’s left eye twitched. A vein popped on her forehead.

"Run them over," she told the driver.

what?" Griffin choked, whirling to her

then turned back and cupped Violet’s face between both hands. "Baby, what’s going

no right putting us in the spotlight like this,

get it. I do. But no killing, babe, not today. There are reporters out there just dying to spin a story. They’re looking for weakness, and we’re not giving them anything,

grounding herself. "Right," she said

But Violet needed more so she grabbed him and kissed

outside their window felt distant. The anxiety melted away, hearts syncing to the rhythm between them. When they finally pulled apart, Griffin gently traced the mating

he murmured with a touch of awe in his

not missing a beat, traced his rune in

Griffin echoed, leaning his forehead

Griffin exhaled. "It’s

looked her in the eye. "But promise me if it

who’s in the way, I’ll knock every single

despite herself. "That’s so romantic. But as you said, the press is out there. We’re not adding scandal to this madness. We’re going to be on our best behavior." She

Griffin said, shifting toward

exactly have a choice being

door. "You are so weird, and I

with grace, he stepped out first and extended

tripled immediately. The deafening wall of sound smacking them in the face as students lost their minds. Someone even threw confetti into the air like this was a royal

"VIOLET! GRIFFIN! VIOLET! GRIFFIN!"

nonstop while reporters aggressively

"Turn this way!"

get a

then it got

drum suddenly blasted through the air, and the crowd parted like the sea, making way for a very

happening?"

cheer captain somersaulted to the front and struck

Then the music started.

the R! To the

the