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

happened, he shrugged and said louder, "Open

door opened right before

curved. "Of course."

back into his smaller, snake form, he slid through the gap before the door could change

hallway beyond was quiet, eerily so. Fae magic was so thick in the air even he could feel it, not to mention every corner he

all beautiful statues of animals, but there was something

that was his imagination. Either way,

into the outer grounds. And if

free of pollutants that was common with their

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

fern and bloom, and it wasn’t

clearer, a strange melody

of

that, curiosity—and maybe 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 twigs snapped under his coils as he crept toward

that this was a terrible idea. Strange glowing lights in a magical forest at midnight?

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

knew it, he was no longer slithering but gliding, drawn

sparking in his serpent eyes as he reached the edge

beneath the enormous tree,

bodies slender and

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

intoxicating it made his serpent

— and dangerous

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

notice when

head, her bright eyes glinting with mischief. Then she

"What have we here?"