Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 558: Oscar? Violet?

Jeremiah hadn’t been kidding, the cold here stung the cheeks and brought tears to the eyes. The moment they disembarked from the chopper, they were swallowed by a crystal-white field, the snow so deep it reached up to their knees.

Violet shivered violently as they trudged through it, each step crunching underfoot. The mid-day sun hung overhead, pale and weak, casting a dull light that made the world feel like it was already evening.

"So..." Violet’s breath puffed white in the air, "I was thinking about our plan."

Griffin glanced at her, his grip tightening protectively around her hand as he guided her forward. "What about the plan?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it — a subtle readiness to adapt if needed. If Violet would let him, he’d gladly carry her on his back, but he knew better. Her stubborn independence wouldn’t allow it.

Violet hesitated, biting her lip before blurting out, "What if you didn’t need to sneak me in at all?"

Griffin froze mid-step, boots sinking deeper into the snow. Slowly, he turned to face her, his brows furrowing. "What?"

Closing the space between them, Violet looked up at him with a spark of determination in her eyes. "I’ve been thinking about this since the ride. If I can glamour myself to look human, what if I can glamour myself to look like someone else entirely?"

Her voice quickened with excitement, even as her teeth chattered. "I mean, come on. From all the books I’ve read, Fae are tricksters. Illusions, mimicry, that kind of magic runs deep in our blood. Why shouldn’t I be able to use that to our advantage?"

Griffin tilted his head, unsure. "I don’t know, Violet. I guess it’s possible. But these powers are still new to you, and I don’t know what it will cost to pull that off."

"But I can still try. Please." Her eyes pleaded with him, full of stubborn determination and raw hope.

Griffin sighed. Unfortunately, he could never refuse her anything.

"Fine, you can try. But the moment you show even the slightest sign of distress, I’m pulling you out. I mean it."

smile so bright it seemed to shame the dull sun

"Fine," she agreed eagerly.

released his hand, flexing her shoulders as if preparing for battle. Alright, she told herself,

her eyes, Violet focused. She conjured the image of the person she wanted to mimic, bringing every detail to the forefront of her mind. Then, she imagined her own body melting away, reshaping into theirs. It was like

wasn’t prepared for

trembling as sweat broke

grew louder, her face twisting with agony. She looked like she

"I said we’d stop if it came

violently, slamming into his chest. Griffin was thrown backward,

glaring up at the gray

arms stretched first, bones lengthening until they no longer felt like her own. The sleeves of her coat split at

her knees sinking deep into the freezing powder. The cold bit into her, but she barely

series of pops echoing through the silent field as her back broadened, her chest expanding. It felt as though invisible hands were pulling her apart

Thalia, howling with confusion in

her head,

asked in

voice rough.

tried to stand but staggered, and Griffin caught

she muttered. Even while speaking, her voice

was skeptical now, his brows furrowed.