Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 616: Her Rightful Place

The palace was as eerie as it was breathtaking. The foyer wasn’t guarded by soldiers but by colossal statues of stags. It was carved entirely from white stone and—call it strange—but the creature looked alive when she stared into its eyes.

Violet swallowed nervously. This place practically hummed with power. Yet she was struck by the grandeur of divine beauty that seemed to echo through every wall.

The hall stretched endlessly, its high vaulted ceiling inlaid with starlit glass that mimicked the real night sky. The floor was made of smooth moonstone tiles that reflected the stars above, giving the illusion that one walked on air. Floating lights drifted lazily through the air like fireflies.

A fountain stood at the center, its water glowing with magic, rising and falling in gravity-defying shapes—wings, crowns, and celestial patterns. The air smelled faintly of sweet jasmine, while hauntingly beautiful melodies echoed through the corridor, though no singer could be seen.

"Wow," Roman breathed, his eyes gleaming like a child taken to a one-of-a-kind amusement park. Violet could only wonder about the chaos he could cause in a place like this.

She silently prayed her mother had a sense of humor. If not, they were doomed.

"Come this way," Lila said, leading them toward a throne room at the far end, framed by an arched entryway.

The throne hall was vast, illuminated by natural light streaming through a dome of glass and leaves. The throne itself was imposing, but Violet’s attention was on the woman standing on the dais, her back turned to them.

They kept walking until Lila suddenly halted and turned.

"This is where you stop," she said to the cardinal alphas.

None of them protested. They knew this moment was private, belonging to Violet alone.

Violet felt their gazes on her back as she followed Lila forward. Her heartbeat quickened with every step until the dais loomed ahead, draped in soft light from the open dome above.

knees and bowed

her voice carried through the vast

Violet froze.

to do. Was she supposed to bow? Or curtsy?

decide, the Fae standing on the dais turned, and the breath

mother hit

was

Her mother’s hair was a cascade of Violet, silky and long. It was braided in parts and threaded with beads, while the rest flowed freely

that caught and held light. Even her lashes shimmered faintly, tipped with gold dust. Her skin was soft and flawless, not marked

young and ethereal that anyone looking at them could have mistaken them for sisters instead of

graceful, and deliberate as though the very air parted for her. She took her time, descending

looked at each other, mother and daughter, strangers bound

majesty? Or should I say mother—Queen—uh..." Violet

curved,

was the sweetest sound Violet had ever heard, like bells ringing

awkwardness in her chest doubled,

and took Violet’s hand. She lifted it and pressed their palms together,

felt warmth, then suddenly, a surge of energy burst through her veins. It was nothing like the thrill of Alaric’s lightning. It

For a fleeting moment, mother and daughter’s auras intertwined, Violet light and shadows

The Queen’s eyes softened.

my blood," she whispered, voice trembling

back, barely able to speak through

those words to you when you were in my womb," Queen Seraphira said, her gaze growing distant, filled with