Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Queen Of Nothing

~ Alaric ~

Alaric Storm lifted his head from his phone as Griffin plopped down beside him on the plush sofa. The school’s common room was buzzing with chatters, the air still alive with the energy of their recent victory.

Members of the pack were scattered around, laughing, teasing, and riding the high of their win. But for Alaric, the noise barely registered. He felt detached from them, his mind occupied with something else.

"She still hasn’t picked up?" Griffin asked, his voice cutting through the haze.

"Not exactly." Alaric sighed, holding up his phone. "She sent me a message."

Griffin leaned over to read it aloud. "Apologies. Would meet you at the party. Making some quick bucks."

He arched an eyebrow, mirroring Alaric’s own puzzled expression. "What the hell does that mean? What’s she up to now? Is she selling something? Betting on fights? You’ve got your hands full with that one," he added with a laugh.

Alaric sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Do you think she needs money? Is that why she’s avoiding me? If she needed help, why wouldn’t she just tell me? I have more than enough money to last two lifetimes."

Griffin gave him a look that screamed disbelief. "Seriously, dude? Do you really not know your own girlfriend? Does Violet seem like the kind of girl who’d waltz up to you and say, ’Hey boyfriend, I’m broke. Can you wire me some cash?’" He mimicked a high-pitched feminine voice, his impression of Violet so absurdly off that Alaric couldn’t help but snort.

"So... I should send her money?" Alaric asked seriously.

"Goddess have mercy," Griffin groaned, running a hand down his face. "How is it that I know your girlfriend better than you do? Violet’s too proud for that. She’d probably punch you in the face if you even suggested that."

Alaric retorted, "Not all of us grew up with three sisters," Alaric muttered. "The only sibling I have hates my guts and couldn’t care less about my love life."

"Moreover... " Alaric said, perking up. "You forget, stubborn women run in the family. Violet’s like your mom, you know, fierce, independent, and not afraid to smack sense into you when you’re being dumb."

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess they are similar.", Griffin reluctantly agreed.

"Maybe that’s why you’re into her," Alaric teased, nudging him with his elbow.

But Griffin gave him a pointed look with a clipped tone. "Don’t even start."

"Fine, if you say so." Alaric raised his hands in surrender, letting the matter drop even though inwardly, he knew it was far from over.

Out of all the cardinal alphas, Griffin bore the worst treatment at Elsie’s hands. She dismissed his abilities and saw his beast as a liability, a manifestation of chaos rather than true leadership.

The East might be rich in resources but choosing a mate, especially an Alpha, was a sensitive issue. And to Elsie, Griffin was only good for smashing and breaking things. Brute strength was not enough of a quality in a mate for her.