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

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

stunt! She had no right putting us in the spotlight like this, not without permission!" Her chest heaved, and her

babe, not today. There are reporters out there

deeply, grounding herself. "Right," she

said, pressing kisses to both her cheeks. But Violet needed more so she grabbed him and kissed him full on the mouth. Griffin happily

commotion 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 touch of awe

his rune in return, her voice possessive. "All

echoed, leaning his

exhaled.

in the eye. "But promise me if it gets

I’ll knock every single one

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 and

Griffin said, shifting toward the

I was born. I mean, I didn’t exactly have a choice being brought into this world, did I?" Violet

as he opened the car door. "You are so weird, and I love

out first and extended

the face as students lost their minds. Someone even threw confetti into the air like this was a royal

"VIOLET! GRIFFIN! VIOLET! GRIFFIN!"

cameras went off nonstop while reporters aggressively shouted

"Turn this way!"

get

it got

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

this happening?"

watching as the cheer

Then the music started.

To the R! To the

the