Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 612: The King’s Arrival

"Huh?" Violet blinked, caught completely off guard by the question. She hadn’t seen it coming.

Alaric’s gaze stayed fixed ahead. "You must feel relieved," he murmured, "that you didn’t have to go through all these betrayals."

"Well, technically..." Violet said, her tone thoughtful. "I wasn’t exactly an orphan. I had Nancy, and she was a pain in the ass. At least, back then."

Alaric pressed, "But you still lived like one. That must’ve been easier than mine."

"No, it wasn’t," Violet said flatly.

That made him turn to her, curious despite himself.

"There wasn’t a single day I didn’t wonder who brought me into this world and why they left me alone," she continued, her voice tightening. "I used to stare at myself in the mirror, look at my hair, and think, maybe it’s because I’m a freak."

Her fingers reached for a strand of that same purple hair now, running through it absently. "I cut it more than once. Thought if I chopped off the color, maybe I could start over. But it kept growing back, same damn purple, as if mocking me."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Those thoughts ate me alive, you know? I’d imagine what life would’ve been like if I’d had a real family. I had no identity, no roots, just me and Nancy, and she wasn’t exactly the model guardian. But she kept me alive, and protected me from the predators in District One. That was something."

Her tone softened, almost wistful. "Still, it couldn’t replace what it felt like to belong, you know, to have a name that meant something, a home that didn’t feel borrowed."

hardened. "Also, this is going to sound bitchy, Alaric, but I’m going to say it anyway since you’re comparing.

him off. "You practically lived like a prince your whole life, Alaric. You had everything anyone could wish for. You never had to

She was willing to endanger my life just to break the two of

through situations your princely life wouldn’t have survived. I’ve been inside Asher’s memories, too. He walked a thin thread

your pain, or make it sound like it’s nothing. But right now, I’m speaking for Ace. What he

people on your side right now, most of all, family. Because whether you see it or not, a war is coming. Finn was already bitter long before that letter.

crease in Alaric’s brow deepened. It was clear the gears were turning in

him. He would’ve demanded more... " Her voice dropped lower, thoughtful. "Maybe he even wanted your father to cast your mother aside to make his

but

one at fault. You, Alaric—you ignored Finn. You never treated him like an Alpha. Just like your father, you were too wrapped up in your own world of science until you met me. You practically

mate was right—he

hadn’t been Finn," Violet concluded, "Patrick would’ve found someone else. The North

you’re telling

Ace. Don’t push him so far he

longer this time, as if the weight of the

"for thinking

don’t worry," Violet said dryly, "you

frowned in