Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 641: Come Back Soon, Roman

Violet had no idea what to expect when she walked into the pixies’ home. She thought there would be some kind of structure or something, anything to show she’d crossed into their world. But the moment they stepped through the barrier, nothing seemed to change.

It was still the same forest. If anything, it seemed like the pixies hadn’t built a kingdom at all. They had simply claimed a piece of the forest as theirs.

And right in the middle of it all, was still Roman lounging on a couch made entirely of blossoms, looking far too comfortable, as if he’d just been crowned their king.

Violet wanted to walk over and drag him out of that flowery throne herself, but it seemed far too easy. And if the Fae had taught her anything already, it was that nothing in this realm ever was easy. There was probably a ward around him, or some sort of charm waiting for her to rush in. She was no idiot.

If she wanted Roman intact, she had to play this smart. If it didn’t go well, well then, rest assured she would erase them out of existence. Violet kept that thought in her mind.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long.

The pixies darted around them in blurs of color and laughter, trails of golden dust shimmering in the air where they passed.

On any other day, Violet might’ve thought them adorable with their tiny faces glowing with mischief, and bright eyes filled with innocent curiosity. But today, all she saw were little predators with glitter for claws.

Lila was the one to speak first, "Show your respect to the Princess."

A chorus of gasps and squeals filled the air, the pixies’ voices overlapping in a dizzying harmony that made Violet’s head spin.

"Ohhh," one of them exclaimed, clasping her tiny hands together. "Look at her! The princess of two worlds finally graces us!"

Another came in close, circling Violet’s head with wings. "Her hair! It’s black—no, purple at the ends! I heard she plucked it straight from the night sky!"

"That’s ridiculous," a third argued, her voice tinkling like a bell. "I heard she’s half beast! Does she snarl when she’s angry? Go on, princess, show us your fangs!"

The others giggled, spinning and swooping in a blur, their laughter both charming and maddening at, once.

"She doesn’t look like a beast," said another with coral-colored hair. "More like a doll. A soft one."

"But fragile things break so easily," a blue-winged pixie whispered with mock innocence, brushing past Violet’s cheek.

Their high, rapid, voices overlapped until Violet could barely tell who was speaking anymore. The pixies didn’t take turns to talk, instead they sang over each other, their curiosity so intense it bordered on insult.

Violet realized they weren’t scared of her. They thought she was fragile? She? Fragile?

At once, when a group of them flew too close, Violet bared her teeth, flashing the very fangs they’d been so curious about.

The effect was instant.

The pixies shrieked dramatically, their high-pitched squeals echoing through the air as they scattered in a flurry. Tiny wings beat furiously as they clung to one another, their faces twisted in comical horror before going to hide behind Ruman as if he could save them from their wrath.

peeked out from behind his

low growl rumbled

It was Asher.

The way he shifted his weight said he was getting tired of their games. She had to do something before the puppet master took matters into his hand - it never ended

stood tall and announced, "I am Violet Purple, your princess, and I’m here to take back my

a tiny gold-haired pixie said, flying close enough for her glow to

kept him because... well, he’s delightful company." The pixie’s smile widened, all sugar and teeth. "But if you want him back, Princess, you’ll have to pay a price." She giggled, like this was

she would have snatched the little thing and dizzy her until she learned some respect. But this was Fae territory, and Fae customs mattered. So she kept

I know that," Violet said confidently, "And that which is why I

wings flaring with giddy excitement. "A trade?

the others, their high, musical voices overlapping. "We

relief. At least

box with deliberate care.

through the

with awe, while the others who dared

"It’s beautiful," one breathed.

"No, divine!" cried another.

circled the box like bees around honey, their wings shedding flecks of dust. The pearls reflected in their wide, glittering eyes like twin moons

hunger bloom on their faces, their mouths parting

narrowing just

tired of this already. Her patience,

reached for

"What was that for?" she

"You trade with the queen’s

voice rose, echoing

can have your mate by day... and we’ll have the serpent at night. We love the cute

That did it.

her, ready to strike. Behind her, Asher, Alaric, and Griffin’s reactions mirrored hers, the air charged with growls and the boom of thunder across the

mind. Her expression shifted as a slow,

"You’re right," she said.

blinked, startled.

Violet replied smoothly, "We’ll

her

"Violet—"

"Absolutely not—"

arm, his eyes

yet

jaw tightened. He didn’t like this one bit. But when he caught that spark in her eyes,

"But if this goes south, I’m burning