Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 805: Stay In The Free Fae Realm

"All I did was for the prosperity of Astaria," Annequin began, pacing now as her voice rose with indignation. "Even though every single citizen there hated my ass..."

Violet and the Cardinal Alphas stood silently, watching as Annequin ranted with a fervor that felt wildly out of character compared to the smug Fae they had met earlier.

"What did I even do wrong?" Annequin demanded, throwing her hands into the air. "Perhaps I imprisoned a few council members who insulted my dear family. And yes, I may have turned their relatives into peasants."

She waved a hand dismissively.

"Okay, maybe I also ordered a statue or two built in my honor. But the point is I made Astaria the stronghold it is today!"

Her chest heaved with pride.

"I eliminated every threat that dared to suggest my family wasn’t worthy of ruling Astaria. While my parents were busy fulfilling their sacred duty of replenishing the Dark Fae population, I was the one holding the kingdom together."

She scoffed bitterly.

"And what did they call me in return? Heartless. Entitled. A spoiled brat rotten to the core."

Annequin laughed incredulously.

"Rotten? Can you believe that?"

"Oh, I certainly believe that," Violet said flatly.

Annequin shot her a glare but continued anyway.

"Regardless," she said stiffly, "my father banished me. Told me to go learn what it means to be a leader." Her voice dropped mockingly as she quoted him.

"’Do not return without a mate.’"

She rolled her eyes.

"And just to make matters worse, he ordered Uncle Zal not to offer me sanctuary in his kingdom."

She gestured around them.

"So here I am."

Violet stared at her, stunned.

"And you thought what exactly?" she asked slowly. "That my kingdom would become your asylum?"

Annequin shrugged.

"Your mother treats me like the royalty I am. There’s a roof over my head, and food for me and the loyal soldiers who followed me into exile."

"In one word," Violet said coldly, "you’re a freeloader. Leeching off my family."

Annequin rolled her eyes.

"Oh please, it’s not permanent. Once I find my mate, my father will welcome me back and I’ll be queen again. You’d certainly want me in your favor by then, wouldn’t you, Princess Violet?"

"And so you assumed I was your mate?" Asher asked.

Annequin didn’t even hesitate.

"I certainly hoped you were."

She studied him openly.

"You may be a shifter, but you have the qualities of a strong consort. Someone who could rule beside me." Her lips curved. "It’s quite unfortunate you belong to the spoiled princess."

Violet growled."You might want to watch how you speak to me, considering you’re nothing more than a refugee in my mother’s kingdom right now."

"Your mother’s kingdom," Annequin corrected pointedly. "Not yours yet, princess."

The audacity of this Fae. Violet saw red.

But before she could lose control and give Annequin a piece of her mind, the Fae queen added casually,

"But a kingdom that will soon belong to you once I help you destroy your enemies and win the Trial of Ascension."

Violet stopped.

Roman chuckled from where he leaned against a pillar. "She’s a scheming one."

And yes, Violet could see that clearly.

However, there was no denying that having this bitch as an ally—not a friend—could be useful.

"Moreover..." Annequin added, looking entirely too pleased with herself, "if I end up finding my mate among the Free Fae, wouldn’t that make us something like in-laws?"

Somebody kill her now.

Violet groaned inwardly.

Inside her mind, Thalia grunted.

I don’t want to die before tasting our pending mate, the wolf muttered darkly, but death does sound tempting right now.

See? Even her wolf thought Annequin was an insufferable bitch.

Still, Violet forced herself to rein in her temper. She was the Princess of the Free Fae and that meant making difficult decisions.

She turned inward.

What do you think? Violet asked Thalia. Is she trustworthy?

Trustworthy? No, the wolf answered immediately. Useful? Yes.

Violet looked back at Annequin.

Even in her current situation—exiled and dependent on another kingdom—the woman didn’t look the least bit rattled. She stood there like she still ruled half the world. Her confidence was a case to be studied.

Violet narrowed her eyes. "Without the Free Fae," she asked, "what’s your plan B?"

Annequin shrugged.

"The human realm."

Violet blinked.

"That’s where my father met my mother," Annequin continued casually. "Well, more accurately, that’s where he kidnapped her. That’s my plan B."

She sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, I’d be a nobody there. Just another face among millions." Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Not to mention I’d have to glamour myself constantly and live far below my potential. That’s why the Free Fae is the far better option."

Then she smiled again, a little slyly.

"Besides, your mother is beloved by the entire kingdom. Perhaps she can teach me how to be a good leader like my papa wants me to be. And once I find my mate..." Her eyes glinted. "I’ll be out of your hair."

Ugh. Violet made a face of pure disgust.

She had no idea how she would manage the arrangement between the human realm and the Fae realm in the future, but she silently prayed Annequin never found her mate here. It would be a repeating nightmare knowing there was a bond tying their lives together.

Violet turned back to her.

"I’ll speak to my mates, then we’ll let you know our decision."

Annequin merely shrugged.

The Cardinal Alphas caught Violet’s cue immediately and followed her to the far side of the training field.

"Tell me this is a bad idea," Violet said to them under her breath.

"I can still hear you from over here," Annequin called lazily, brushing imaginary dust from the tip of her finger.

Roman rolled his eyes.

"Bitch, shut up."

Good luck to whoever ends up as her mate. She would drive the poor bastard insane.

Griffin crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"I don’t trust her," he admitted. "But I can’t deny it’s better to have someone like her as an ally than as an enemy."

A quiet chuckle drifted across the field.

Annequin was clearly listening with her sharp Fae hearing—and enjoying every second of it.

Asher spoke next, his tone calculating.

"We don’t have to like her. Or trust her, but with the dangers surrounding us right now, having a force like her could be useful. We just need precautions."

Violet understood exactly what he meant.

"She’ll have to swear an oath. Lila told me Fae oaths are binding. She helps us, and we make sure she doesn’t stab us in the back."

She glanced toward Annequin again.

"If that bitch plans to stay here and torture my life, she’s going to earn her keep."