Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 543: Confess To Elijah

"Don’t turn back," Violet said quickly when Roman started to glance behind them.

Roman obeyed without a word, sliding his arm across her shoulders and making it look natural.

"There’s the banquet table," Griffin said, and they understood at once.

The three of them moved together in that direction. The table was already crowded since wolves always ate plenty, their higher metabolism demanding it. Some of the guests ahead noticed them and immediately stepped aside, smiling as they gave them space.

"No, you don’t have to—" Violet began bashfully. They were older, and had come first. She wasn’t even here for the food. But the sight of the richly prepared dishes, especially the glistening meats had her mouth watering before she could stop herself.

"Having two mates is a miracle," one elderly woman said warmly. "You’re goddess-blessed, child."

"Oh..." Violet blinked, intrigued. So having more than one mate came with privileges. Nice, she’d remember that next time.

She went ahead, choosing mostly meat dishes despite herself. Griffin and Roman noticed too because their plates ended up nearly identical.

"I think your wolf side is stronger," Griffin muttered under his breath once they were away from the crowd.

They chose a table tucked near the hedges, far from the center. Yet still, people’s eyes flickered toward them, heavy with curiosity and awe.

"You think so?" Violet asked surprised because she didn’t feel that way. Yes, her wolf stirred restlessly inside her, but there was also a vortex of magic whirling inside of her, untamed. And it was harder to control than the wolf. The wolf had its own mind, but the magic felt like a storm waiting to break with the wrong move.

"That should be the least of our problems right now. We’ve got a much bigger issue at hand," Roman said, his tone unusually grave.

jester of the group, the

with Griffin. "I think Elijah knows about

low. "I thought I was the only one who noticed he was baiting me from the very start." She scratched at

he knows a

be surprised if he’s always known Angus was alive. The elders couldn’t

suspects Violet is his brother’s heir," Griffin added, the realization fitting

edged. "At the very least, he doesn’t know what Violet really is.

interbreeding between werewolves and humans, different names have been used to separate the kinds

possessing full traits and abilities. They stood as nobility among the packs, holding power and maintaining

a werewolf, they often carried mixed traits. Depending on which parent’s genetics are dominant, they might have limited transformation abilities or diluted werewolf strengths. They are often caught between

smaller, and weaker wolves, often born of bad luck, poor bloodlines, or even, anomalies in their nature. Even purebloods weren’t spared from birthing runts. They were still wolves, but lacking

the imps. Unlike runts, the insult of "imp" wasn’t tied to size or frailty, but to appearance. Imps

Or..." Roman’s gaze sharpened. "He thinks she’s hiding her ability,

of the time,

suggest we do? Run?" Griffin

expects," Roman said,

tomorrow," Violet reminded, thinking

lifting a hand to ruffle his hair out of habit. His palm hit his buzzed scalp. Right.

if my mother would be able to help out. Not to mention, we’d be leaving

won’t be able to do much," Roman murmured. "Not while we’re in transit, and even less on West Pack soil. But don’t