Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 544: Hand Her Over To Father

Neither Griffin nor Roman protested as Violet rose from her seat and walked toward her brother. Micah already had his hand out, waiting for her, and she slipped her palm into his. He led her confidently onto the dance floor.

The string quartet built into a romantic piece, the violins carrying a tender, aching melody while the cello pulled deep, mournful notes beneath. It was the kind of music that tugged at the heart, neither too sad nor too joyful, but somewhere in between. It made the chest tighten, like love itself pressed into sound.

Other couples were already dancing, but the moment Violet and Micah stepped in, the spotlight shifted. Their gazes followed them, conversation rising. They were two separately mated pairs dancing together. The goddess was really gracious to them.

They curtsied in perfect rhythm, and then Micah slid his arm firmly around Violet’s waist, guiding her into the first sway.

Violet was not exactly graceful, but the weeks at Lunaris Academy had refined her moves. She stepped light and effortless, letting Micah lead as they turned with the music. The crowd soon forgot about them, joining in on the dance as well.

Violet’s lips barely moved as she whispered, "I take it something is up?"

Micah’s voice was so low it was almost impossible she heard him. "I could have called," he admitted, "but this isn’t something for the phone. I said we’d talk face to face but my uncle has had his eyes on me, and this is the only way I could think of."

As if on cue, Micah dipped her low in a dramatic sway. From that tilted angle, Violet’s eyes found Elijah across the room. Except he was already staring at her. A knowing smile tugged at his lips and goosebumps erupted down Violet’s arms.

When Micah pulled her upright again, she whispered in a shaky tone, "Elijah is playing a strange game. He knows about me."

"What?" Micah stiffened, instinctively trying to look over his shoulder.

"Don’t!" Violet hissed, panic flashing in her eyes.

Micah stopped himself mid-motion, seamlessly shifting the dance so it looked natural. He said, turning her with ease. " You’re right, he’s testing us. Which means we need a distraction. We seriously need to talk, Violet."

Then

idea sparked. "Micah," she whispered quickly. "Dance close enough to

questioning brow, but he didn’t argue. Together they incorporated sharper spins, longer strides, slowly weaving their way across the

invisible thread between her and Roman flared

her. Their gazes locked across the

Violet mouthed: Do something.

gaze flicked between her

Roman’s eyes. She hoped to God she hadn’t

happened. Micah leaned down, whispering

hadn’t

Then it happened.

entire garden rippled with screams. Violet’s head snapped around just in time

was not just one, not ten, but what looked like a hundred of them spilling across the garden like

of socialites from all over the world, people who had never seen such vermin in their pristine lives. To them, it wasn’t a pest,

Screams tangled with the squeaks of the rats. Guests tripped over chairs and each other, gowns tearing, and shoes flying. A woman shrieked as one darted beneath her skirts, while a man

Violet and Micah,

as she stepped on a couple

we go?" Micah hissed, scanning

grabbed his arm and tugged him fast through the panic. Guards brushed past them, too distracted with the "rat epidemic" to give them a second

garden where a glass structure loomed, half-hidden by

as she shoved it open. The whole place smelled of damp earth and herbs. There was no moonlight hence the place was dark,