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.

frowned, scratching his head. "Open sesame?" he joked

and said louder, "Open

the door opened

curved. "Of course."

form, he slid through the gap before

air even he could

of animals, but there was something off

his imagination. Either way, he decided against testing whether they

at all to slip into the outer grounds. And if the

free of pollutants that was common with their

fairies, lighting his path. The air was rich with perfume; some flowers

and bloom, and it wasn’t long

Then it grew clearer, a strange melody that tugged at the chest, threaded with laughter and

fucking party in the middle of the night?

closer, weaving through grass slick with dew. Leaves brushed against his sides, and twigs snapped

known better. Every instinct whispered that this was a terrible idea. Strange glowing lights in a magical forest at midnight? That was disaster waiting to

The rhythm slid under his skin, curled around

no longer slithering but gliding, drawn forward through the

spilling color and movement. Roman slowed, curiosity sparking in his serpent eyes as he

the enormous

tiny, barely the length of his palm, their bodies slender and luminous. Their wings shimmered under the moonlight, and they twirled and swooped

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 before

so intoxicating

and

turn back. Every instinct screamed at him to leave. No mortal, wolf, or snake had any business near such magic. But the melody coiled tighter around his mind, soft and sweet,

even notice when one

her head, her bright eyes glinting with

"What have we here?"