Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 538: What Happened At The Pine Lodge

Roman immediately tugged Violet into his side, his glare promising blood if anyone got too close. Griffin stepped in front of them, his broad shoulders blocking the cameras, and he growled, "Back. Off."

The reporters slowed at last, but the damage was already done.

Roman and Griffin each grabbed Violet’s arm and steered her through the throng, shielding her with their bodies. Flashes still sparked from behind as a few persistent reporters tried to follow them, but security formed a wall at the threshold.

"No further," one of the guards barked.

Violet’s pulse was still racing. She felt flustered, like some cheap product displayed at a market stall for anyone to appraise. The Matebond was important, yes, but she was more than just the mark on her skin. And damn it, a little warning would have been nice.

"Wasn’t this supposed to be a small party?" she asked, annoyed.

Where did the reporters come from?

Roman exhaled loudly, his hand rubbing her arm. "Elijah does whatever he likes."

Griffin’s jaw was clenched hard. He said, his voice clipped. "And I bet he did this on purpose to rattle us. We should be ready for whatever else he has planned tonight."

They stepped into the center of the garden, and Violet immediately felt the weight of dozens of stares. Not just the wolves, important humans too, probably politicians, and businessmen, all mingled together, sipping wine under the glow of the lights strung from the branches.

Their gazes slid toward her, curious, awed and impressed. Violet’s throat tightened. She had never been a fan of attention, and certainly, not now.

Draven standing with Alexa. Roman’s father looked straight at his son, hurt flashing in his eyes when Roman pretended not to

Roman’s parents deserved every ounce of his silence

"Here you are."

body filling out a red dress that bared her strong arms. The fabric hugged her figure, bold

lighting up. "You look marvelous in that

you," Violet said, managing a

boys. "Both of

Roman grinned as

into business. "Come. Elijah

his name,

between them, Violet looped her arms through theirs. With her shoulders

garden, her stride powerful. A thought nagged at Violet until she leaned closer to Griffin and whispered, "Why does your mother look like she’s running

of pride, hence seeing her act as though she were Elijah’s attendant felt

answered. "Better one of our own at Elijah’s side at a time

thought eased something in her chest, and

long before they found

the heart of it all, dressed exquisitely in a tailored black and gold apparel, a glass of wine balanced in his hand. His attention was on the

Irene announced, "Violet Purple and

at the spot, as if he could strip her secrets bare with his eyes. Slowly, and deliberately, his gaze dropped,

Elijah said, turning slightly toward his companion. "This is