Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 540: Griffin’s Move

"What?!" Violet blurted out, her eyes widening as it sank in what she had just said. "No, I’m not—" She tried to fix it, fumbling instead. "I mean—no—it’s not that, I mean, it’s not like I’m part of your family and when you put it—"

Violet stopped. She was babbling, and judging by the looks she was getting, she was only making it worse. Her face heated with embarrassment and she wished the ground would open up and swallow her at this point.

Elijah’s lips curved into a sly smile. He was enjoying this. "Of course you’re not part of the family," he said, tilting his glass in her direction. "But then, Micah now wears a rune. And you, Violet, are mate-bonded to not just one, but two of my heirs." His eyes glinted. "I’d say that makes you family, in a certain way. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Every word was a trap.

"If you say so, Your Majesty." Violet laughed weakly, the sound awkward and thin. She tried to calm her breathing, but her heart was hammering like a drum. And she knew Elijah could hear every beat.

His eyes stayed on her a little too long as if he was peeling away her skin to see what lay hidden beneath.

And inside her chest, a heavy, dreadful thought took root.

Elijah knew.

Violet felt it in her bones. He was onto her.

Her hands shook under the table where no one could see. She wanted to get up, leave, and breathe, but she couldn’t. If she moved now, it would only confirm whatever piece Elijah already had on her. But what did he know? What part of her secret had slipped? And worse, what would he do with it?

Her heart was pounding so loudly she was certain everyone at the table could hear. Roman must have sensed it because he reached for her hand. She gripped him tight like he was her lifeline. The warmth of his skin anchored her, and when his thumb brushed slowly across her palm, the simple rhythm soothed her just enough to keep her from falling apart.

You’re up

her chest like a knife. He flipped to a fresh page in his notebook,

No.

inside. Not

too rattled

even. If she spoke now, Vincent would

force words past her

"No. Ask me next."

his head, one brow arching in challenge.

Violet froze, every nerve on fire. Vincent had seen her crack. If ever there

And Vincent knew it.

"And I order you to interview me now, or I’ll

whistle, grinning at Griffin’s

gaze darkened. "You wouldn’t

size casting a shadow across the table.

the sharp glares both men were trading across the table, Violet leaned closer to Roman and

here, in Aster City, where humans pull

as it clicked. Griffin had just