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 in

told the driver, then turned back and cupped Violet’s face between

kill her! She’s using the mate bond for a media stunt! She had no right putting us in the spotlight like this, not without permission!" Her chest

was gentle but firm. "I 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

grounding herself. "Right," she said with a

But Violet needed more so she grabbed him and kissed him full on the mouth.

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 rune

mate," he murmured with a

rune in return, her voice possessive. "All

echoed, leaning

exhaled. "It’s

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

way, I’ll knock every single one

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 kissed him again, short

shifting toward

was born. I mean, I didn’t exactly have a choice being

as he opened the car door.

stepped out first and extended his hand, helping

immediately. The deafening wall of sound smacking them in the face as students lost their

"VIOLET! GRIFFIN! VIOLET! GRIFFIN!"

nonstop while reporters aggressively

"Turn this way!"

we get a

then it

the crowd parted like the sea, making

this happening?"

grimly, watching as the cheer captain somersaulted

Then the music started.

the R!

the L-E-T!