Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 785: Call Back Home

Annequin pouted dramatically. "Oww, is that really how you welcome your savior?"

Great. Violet groaned inwardly. This was officially the worst day of her life. Now this bitch would hold that little act of rescue over her head for as long as Violet lived.

Annequin continued, entirely unbothered. "I mean, I did stop you from tearing your kingdom apart." She tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief. "You should be thanking me. On your knees, preferably."

Before Violet could unleash the string of creative violence forming on her tongue, Asher stepped in at once.

"Let’s not make a spectacle of this," he commanded. "You claimed you had something to discuss with my mate, so say it and be done."

He emphasized mate deliberately.

Asher wasn’t stupid. He saw the game Annequin was playing. She was provoking Violet on purpose, testing boundaries, and enjoying the reaction.

"You’re right," Annequin said cheerfully, clapping her hands once. "I was merely checking in on our little princess before sharing the good news."

"Good news?" Griffin straightened immediately.

He wasn’t the only one. The other cardinal alphas subtly tensed, curiosity sharp and cautious. None of them trusted Annequin, not even a little.

"Yes!" Annequin said brightly. "From today onward, I’ll be Violet’s teacher."

"Excuse me?" Violet’s expression changed instantly. "What did you just say?"

Annequin didn’t flinch at the danger suddenly radiating off her. She delivered the announcement like it was a gift being unwrapped on a christmas morning.

"After today’s incident, the Queen decided I’m the best suited to help you master your unmaking powers." She shrugged. "Your mother is simply being proactive."

For the first time since arriving in the Fae realm, Violet cursed—in fluent Fae, no less, courtesy of lessons she’d been taken.

Was her mother serious?

This had to be a joke.

Asher, Alaric, Griffin, and Roman exchanged looks. This was news they hadn’t seen coming. None of them spoke. Not when their mate looked one breath away from detonating the room.

Annequin hopped to her feet and approached Violet so suddenly that Violet shifted back, instinctively uncomfortable.

The queen didn’t seem to mind at all. She burst into giggles, eyes alight. "You know, I can’t wait for us to get started..." There was a voracious gleam in her gaze now. "I’ll make a queen out of you, and a weapon powerful enough to destroy your opponents during the competition."

The simmering anger on Violet’s face shifted into confusion.

Why did it almost sound as if Annequin wanted her to win? At least to some extent. Even if it was in a deeply unsettling way.

Before Violet could sort through the thought, Annequin leaned in until there was absolutely no space between them. The cardinal alphas went taut at once, bodies tense and ready to react should the Fae Queen try anything reckless.

"Don’t arrive late tomorrow," Annequin murmured, her voice low, and edged with something that sounded dangerously close to a threat. "I take my lessons very seriously."

Then, just as abruptly, her lips curved into a bright, friendly smile as if moments ago she hadn’t been radiating menace. The sudden shift in mood was unsettling as hell.

"That will be all," she said.

She turned to leave, then stopped directly in front of Asher.

Violet caught the way Annequin’s gaze lingered on him, and a snarl slipped past Violet’s lips before she could stop it. For half a second, she’d almost believed Annequin had changed.

Clearly not.

Annequin ignored Violet entirely, instead gesturing toward the alphas. "Bring them along," she added cheerfully. "They’ll make excellent practice."

And with that, the Queen of Astaria sauntered out, the door closing behind her on its own.

Silence settled over the room. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Then Alaric broke it. "What in the world just happened?"

Roman shuddered. "And I thought Asher was the crazy one."

Violet finally snapped. "What the hell was my mother thinking? Seriously—Annequin training me?"

"Yes," Roman agreed, already moving toward her. "What was she thinking?"

He gently took her by the shoulders. "Maybe sit down, princess. We should probably talk about this."

Violet didn’t resist. Roman guided her to the same seat Annequin had occupied moments earlier.

She scrunched her nose. Annequin’s perfume still lingered, clinging to the air like an annoying stench.

"Who does she even think she is?" Violet continued, ranting. "She parades around like some untouchable, powerful queen, when really she’s just a rich, spoiled brat desperate for attention."

"Mmm-hmm," Alaric and Griffin nodded in unison. No one was about to argue with her.

Roman appeared with a glass of water. "Here. Drink this. It’ll help you calm down."

"I am calm," Violet snapped. "I’m just pointing out the fact that she—"

"Drink," Roman said firmly, pressing the rim to her lips.

Violet had no choice but to swallow it down. By the time she finished, the heat of her anger had dulled, her temper settling.

That was when she noticed Asher.

"You’re quiet," she said slowly, studying him. Then it hit her.

Her face fell.

"You support her."

Asher didn’t dodge it. "It makes sense," he told her. "She’s the only one capable of helping you control that aspect of your power. And she can contain you if something goes wrong."

"Really?" Violet sneered. "Is that the only reason—"

"I love you."

The words came out so fast Violet nearly stumbled over them.

"Huh?"

Asher met her gaze, unflinching. "I love you, Violet. Not her. I’ll die for you, not her. I’ll fight for you, bleed for you, spend eternity with you. Not some pointed eared female from some kingdom. Should I keep going, or have I made it clear that you are the one who matters?"

"Oh."

Heat rushed to Violet’s face, her heart hammering wildly. She fanned herself. Why was it suddenly so hot in here?

Being unmated to Asher had been weighing on her more than she liked to admit. The thought of losing him—

No. She couldn’t go there.

Behind her, Roman—whose hands she now realized were kneading her shoulders—snickered. Alaric and Griffin didn’t even try to hide their amusement.

Violet groaned softly, embarrassed. If anyone had told her months ago she’d be fighting for a man, well four men to be precise, she’d have laughed them into oblivion.

Asher’s voice cut through her thoughts. "Since you’re here," he said, "I’ll assume you’re ready for the conversation I mentioned earlier."

Her muscles tightened instantly.

He continued, "Your mother gave permission. We can make contact back home."