Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 812: Last Night Together

Later that night, Violet picked at her food even though earlier her stomach had been grumbling with hunger. The mood around the table was heavy. Violet was sad, which meant her mates could feel it too, and it dragged them down with her.

"Do you think it’s wise for us to leave at a time like this?" Roman asked, peering at his Cardinal brothers.

Alaric lifted a brow. "If you really don’t want to go, just say the word, baby Roman. We understand you don’t want to leave Violet behind with us." His words were loaded with meaning.

Roman gave him the middle finger.

Asher spoke, his tone carrying that familiar authority. "If Nancy and Ezra are going to expose the truth, they’d need backup. We know what Elijah is capable of. The two of you will be there to secure his life and to confirm his story."

Roman made a sound at the back of his throat. Yeah, he had definitely been hoping to slip out of that responsibility.

"I’m going to miss you two," Violet mumbled, her mood dipping further. Why did it feel like everyone was leaving her?

She knew she was being a little dramatic, but between her mother’s condition and the looming threat over her own life, everything felt heavier than it should.

"We are not going away forever, my love. Once things are settled over there, we’d come find you—"

Alaric cut Griffin off. "Or we return after everything is done and join you guys."

"That too," Griffin agreed easily.

Time ran differently in the Fae realm. For all they knew, they could finish everything here and return to the human realm in what felt like a blink. Not to mention, the wolves, with their endless politics, would likely drag things out far longer than expected.

"It’s okay, I know that. Just saying. Everything’s just happening too quickly." Violet attempted a smile and failed woefully.

She will continue her training with Asher tomorrow—with Annequin in attendance. It was surprising how quickly Asher had forgiven her. Not that Violet planned to dwell on that. She needed as much help as she could get.

Alaric would not be present at the training. Apparently, he’d be meeting with Zuru to work on his solution for the queen. Soul transfer, as it stood, was all theory. Now they had to make it a reality.

Though Roman and Griffin would be there, it was only to spend one last stretch of time with her. Right after training, they’d leave for the human realm through the portal.

So yeah, Violet released a quiet sigh. Too many things could go wrong in the span of a few days. If she died at eve trial, then she wouldn’t even get to see Roman and Griffin one last time.

No.

Violet shook her head. There was no dying. No way in hell was Baron sending her to the land of the dead. That was never going to happen.

As if something inside her snapped into place, a renewed energy washed over her. She picked up her food and began shoving it into her mouth with more purpose. She needed the strength. Every bit of it for tomorrow.

Asher had already promised he would push her harder than before. It was going to be brutal.

"If you’re going to miss us that much..." Roman began tentatively, pushing his food around his plate, "then we could spend one last night together."

The food went down the wrong pipe.

Violet immediately doubled over, coughing violently. She hacked so hard her chest burned, her eyes watering as she blindly reached for the glass of water beside her.

"Here—easy, princess..." Griffin was already moving, lifting the glass to her lips while another hand—Alaric’s—rubbed slow circles against her back.

Violet gulped down the water like her life depended on it.

Roman Draven was going to be the death of her one day. She meant that. Literally.

Only when her coughing subsided did the tension in the room ease.

"I’m okay... I’m okay," Violet managed, waving them off when they continued hovering over her.

She deliberately avoided Asher’s gaze. Because she had no idea what he was thinking right now.

Thankfully, no one brought up the "late-night" activity again. Still, by the time they left the table and walked back to their quarters, an awkward tension hung thick between them.

Griffin walked ahead with her while Roman trailed behind like a lost puppy. He had already apologized before the meal ended, but this was Roman Draven. He’d commit something, ask for forgiveness, and then sulk for the rest of the day until someone caved and comforted him.

Yeah, definitely a puppy.

Alaric and Asher were way behind them, deep in conversation. Alaric was going on about some quantum physics explanation of the Fae portal and didn’t even notice that Asher had stopped listening a long time ago. He was startled when Asher suddenly pulled him into a corner.

"What are you—?" Alaric was startled, but Asher shot him a pointed look that cut the rest of the words off in his throat. That was when he understood.

Roman was the one who caught the whole thing. From his position, he cast Asher a questioning look, brows slightly raised. But Asher simply arched a brow back, as if to say, don’t you want the opportunity?

And that was when it clicked. Asher was giving them permission.

Roman’s eyes widened in disbelief before a slow, grateful smile spread across his face.

Meanwhile, Violet and Griffin continued their conversation about their return to the human realm and how his family would be thrilled to see him. They walked into the room, the door opening on its own accord to welcome them in.

It wasn’t until Roman stepped in and the door shut behind him that Violet paused.

Something was missing.

"Where’s Asher and Alaric?" she asked, a note of alarm creeping into her voice as her eyes flicked toward the closed door. For a brief second, she wondered if they had been taken while she wasn’t paying attention.

"They’re giving us privacy," Roman said simply.

"Privacy?" Violet frowned, confused at first. Then it hit her.

"Oh."

The single word came out slow. Heavy. Absolute.

And then the realization fully settled in. A blush crept up her face. Those idiots had been scheming behind her back.

Now that they were alone, Violet became acutely aware of the sexual tension humming in the air.

Looking at Griffin and Roman, she could see it in their eyes. Their wolves were right there beneath the surface, straining, barely held back by sheer control.

"Violet," Griffin said, his voice taut, controlled, "If you don’t want to do anything... we won’t. It’s your choice."

At that, Violet slowly lifted a brow in Roman’s direction. Sex was one thing a certain Alpha could never resist.

Roman huffed softly. "We can suffer a while longer," he said, though the restraint in his voice was obvious. "The anticipation would be worth it."

Violet blinked at him, mildly surprised. Roman, willing to wait? That was new.

Unfortunately for them, she was the problem. If they were going to leave, then she wasn’t letting them go without one last night.

Violet closed the little space between them deliberately. She stopped right in front of Griffin.

Though she was tall for a woman, Griffin still towered over her—a full neck taller—and instead of intimidation, it sent a thrill through her. The kind that curled low in her stomach and spread outward.

The idea that she could bring a massive, powerful Alpha like him to his knees did something to her.

Her chin lifted.

"Take off your shirt."

Griffin’s brow arched, his gaze sharpening as he studied her. He noticed the change

in control, in tone, and in presence.

Violet didn’t break eye contact. Her gaze slid to Roman.

"Both of you."

Griffin and Roman shared a look and grinned. There was something dangerous in that grin. Something knowing and said they were enjoying this far more than they should.

In perfect sync, they reached for their shirts and pulled them off. It was slow and

unhurried, as if they had done this before.

Violet’s breath hitched before she could stop it. Heat flared through her instantly, sharp and consuming, pooling low and heavy.

Her eyes locked on Griffin first.

Every inch of him was built for power. Corded muscles stretched beneath his skin, his arms thick and sinewy, veins subtly tracing their way down. His shoulders were broad, carved, slabs of strength with not a single ounce of softness.

He looked like he was forged by the gods themselves. A weapon of destruction.

Her pulse quickened and then her gaze shifted to Roman.

Where Griffin was raw strength, Roman was leaner. Every muscle defined, probably earned through his good werewolf genes and rigorous training over the years.

Her eyes dragged down his torso, slowly, appreciatively and then stopped.

That V.

Dear lord.

It was defined and acutely tempting.

A sinful line disappeared beneath his waistband like an invitation and her throat went dry. For a second, Violet forgot to breathe.

Goddess above, help her tonight.