Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 546: Roman and Violet Sitting On A Tree....

Violet asked, "What do you think we should do, Micah?"

Micah’s expression was thoughtful, his eyes half-lidded like he was weighing too many things at once. "For now," he said, "I’ll try looking into the presidential candidates and flagging down whoever Father is sponsoring. But knowing Angus, he’ll be careful. He doesn’t make mistakes unless his ego blinds him, and that day we met, I think it did. Good thing about confidence, it makes people slip."

He shifted, straightening his jacket as though signaling the conversation was over. "That’ll be all for now. I’ll keep in touch. Should you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to ask."

Almost immediately, the words tumbled out of Violet’s lips. "About that, I need your help with something."

Micah’s brows rose. "What is it?"

Her throat tightened, but she forced it out. "I don’t think Alaric is safe. We plan to go rescue him tomorrow."

Micah’s sharp inhale told her he hadn’t expected that. His gaze flicked toward the garden beyond, as though thinking over every possible consequence. "Escaping under Elijah’s nose is going to be difficult," he admitted. "But not impossible. What do you need from me?"

"I don’t need you to do anything reckless," Violet said firmly. "The Cardinal heirs have leverage. Elijah won’t move too hard against them, they’re his ’heirs,’ and saving face matters more to him than killing them. But you..." She met Micah’s eyes. "He has no reason to spare you. All I want is information. I just need to know how Alaric’s holding up. Surely you’ve got contacts in the North—"

Then, trying to lighten the conversation, she added with a small grin, "Or maybe you can make a trip to hell and find out if someone from the North Pack died with news about him."

Micah’s lips quirked, the faintest smile tugging his features. "I have contacts in the North," he said evenly. Then, with a dryness that made Violet pause, he added, "And trips to hell aren’t exactly fun."

clipped edge in his tone hinted there was more behind those words than he wasn’t willing to share. Violet sensed it, but she didn’t push. They were only just beginning to trust one another; she wasn’t going to ruin it with

bet the

"Sure." He replied casually.

"See you later, brother."

possessed her to call him that, but the word was already out before she could stop herself. Micah froze mid-step, clearly caught off guard. Then slowly, a huge grin broke

promotion." His grin turned sly. "See you too,

the warmth in her chest betrayed her. She actually liked the sound of it—though she’d never admit that to his

the faint hum of the party reaching their ears again. But when they

for tension the moment she returned to the garden. She imagined walking into the scene of Elijah’s wrath bearing down on Roman after that reckless stunt earlier. Instead, what greeted her was laughter, glasses clinking, and couples spinning to the rhythm of live

was the punishment? Where was

her thoughts shattered with

the world spun around her. Strong arms had hooked her waist, twirling her up like she weighed nothing.

half outrage, and half laughter, as her vision blurred

his grin wide and

the ground!" she promised, though her laughter

her before she could fall. Instinctively, her

just from the spin