Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 635: Pet Snake

So much for keeping watch over them.

Roman Draven’s slit pupils narrowed as he studied the picture-perfect scene before him.

Alaric was sprawled across the end of the bed, dead to the world. Of all the people to keep watch, it was Alaric who could sleep through an earthquake.

Griffin of course lay flat on his back, while

Asher, the mighty paranoid knight who’d sworn Queen Seraphira might "hack their necks" in their sleep was fast asleep too, arm slung possessively over Violet’s waist like she was some plush toy.

Typical.

Roman hissed softly in disapproval.

"Brilliant job, everyone. Outstanding teamwork," he muttered to himself in his serpent tongue.

Fine. If no one else was awake, he’d take on the role of night watch. Not that he’d mind. He’d been itching to explore their new home anyway.

He slithered down Violet’s body carefully, until he reached the floor. Then he stopped before the door that didn’t possess a handle.

Right. The sentient door that apparently responded to "the needs of the occupant."

Roman tilted his head and waited for the door to open, but there was nothing.

He hissed at the door. Did it not count snakes as occupants?

With a sigh, he shifted into his human form, stretching until bones cracked and the familiar warmth of his skin returned.

Then he waited for the door to open. Still, nothing happened.

head. "Open sesame?" he joked

he shrugged and said louder,

door opened right before

curved. "Of course." He was fucking

snake form, he slid through the gap before the

magic was so thick in the air even he could feel it, not to mention every corner he

beautiful statues of animals,

that was his imagination. Either way, he

to slip into the outer grounds. And if the inside of the palace was breathtaking, the outside

fresh and free of pollutants that was common with

The moonlight kissed the sheen of his scales, and fireflies danced around him like tiny fairies, lighting his path. The air was rich with perfume; some flowers glowed blue, others pink, while some were shaped so strangely he half-expected them to

past fern and bloom,

drifting through the trees like wind. Then it grew clearer, a strange melody that tugged at the chest, threaded with laughter

middle of the

a bit of his usual recklessness—got the better of him. He slithered closer, weaving through grass slick with dew. Leaves brushed against his sides, and

this was a terrible idea. Strange glowing lights in a magical forest at midnight? That was disaster waiting to

sound; it was pulling him. The rhythm slid under his skin, curled around his mind, and

knew it, he was no longer slithering but gliding, drawn forward through the foliage

glow ahead grew brighter, spilling color and movement. Roman slowed, curiosity sparking in his serpent eyes as he reached the

enormous

slender and luminous. Their wings shimmered under the moonlight, and

like polished pearl, and their hair came in every color imaginable. One had flaming red curls that blazed like sunset, another wore locks of ocean blue, a third shimmered in forest green, and the blonde at their center glowed like bottled sunlight. Whenever they moved, their wings left trails of glittering dust that floated in the air

nowhere and everywhere, a melody so intoxicating

— and dangerous — thing he had ever

wolf, or snake had any business near such magic. But the melody coiled tighter around his mind, soft and sweet, promising warmth,

when one of them

one tilted her head, her bright eyes glinting

"What have we here?"