~ 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.
mbers 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 sothing 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 a ssage."
Griffin leaned over to read it aloud. "Apologies. Would et you at the party. Making so quick bucks."
He arched an eyebrow, mirroring Alaric’s own puzzled expression. "What the hell does that an? What’s she up to now? Is she selling sothing? 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 ? If she needed help, why wouldn’t she just tell ? I have more than enough money to last two lifetis."
Griffin gave him a look that scread 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 so 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 rcy," 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 won 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 treatnt 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.
A wave of protectiveness surged through him. Griffin didn’t deserve that kind of treatnt. He was more than his power, more than his beast. If anyone understood what it was like to be judged unfairly, it was Alaric.
That’s why he’d do whatever it took to make sure his friend was happy, even if it ant sharing the one thing he cherished most. Moreover, If there was anyone he would trust with Violet’s heart, it was Griffin.
It would seem strange to Violet and she would probably protest against the idea at first. But he’d seen the way her gaze lingered on his best friend, that flicker of curiosity in her eyes that she probably wasn’t even aware of. It would not be easy but he had enough faith for the three of them.
Violet wasn’t Lucille. And Alaric would make sure this didn’t turn into the sa painful story. He’d protect them both even if he had to go face to face with the son of a biscuit, Asher Nightshade. He would not let him win this ti.
Griffin, who thought Alaric was still worried about Violet, said to him. "Look, she’s probably fine. But if you’re really worried, talk to her at the party. Find out why she’s giving you this distance. Just... don’t smother her. Violet’s not the type to take that well."
Alaric nodded, already deciding to shift the conversation elsewhere when a sudden commotion broke out nearby. His pack mbers were parting like the sea, murmurs rippling through the group as Elsie Lancaster strode into the room with her usual air of arrogance.
The mood in the common room shifted at once, and Griffin, who had been relaxed monts ago, went rigid. His jaw was clenched so tightly that a vein in his temple pulsed, his eyes narrowed into slits.
Alaric turned his attention to Elsie, watching as she marched toward them, her heels clicking against the floor. She wore her signature scowl, her features twisted into a look of irritation as she ca to a stop directly in front of them. Ignoring Griffin entirely, her focus zeroed in on Alaric.
"What do you think you’re doing?" she snapped, her voice cutting through the common room like a whip.
Alaric was caught off guard by the bluntness of her question. "What?" he asked, his confusion showing in both his expression and voice.
"I know you’re dating that bitch just to get my attention," Elsie declared, her chin tilting upward haughtily. "But this has gone too far. You have my attention now, so break up with her. Imdiately."
The room fell into an eerie silence. Every single pack mber present had heard her demand, and their conversations halted mid-sentence. They now watched to see how he would respond to that.
Alaric and Griffin’s gazes locked for a brief second, and then, as if choreographed, they burst into laughter.
The laughter was loud and unexpected such that it stunned everyone. Alaric laughed so hard he doubled over slightly, clutching his stomach, while Griffin’s deep chuckles rumbled in his chest. The sheer absurdity of Elsie’s statent had completely undone them.
"What’s so funny?" Elsie hissed, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she glared at them. "I didn’t say anything funny!"
But Elsie’s outburst only made the alphas laugh harder to the point Griffin wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, shaking his head in disbelief. Was she fucking kidding him? Soone was really living in delulu land.
It was only by sheer grace that Alaric was able to calm himself. But even as he t Elsie’s furious glare, he didn’t bother dignifying her demand with a response. It was a waste of ti and energy.
Both Alaric and Griffin rose to their feet at the sa ti. Without a word, they began to walk away, leaving Elsie standing there, her face a picture of shock and indignation.
And that provoked her.
"Don’t you dare walk away from !" Elsie snapped, stepping forward and grabbing Alaric’s arm to stop him.
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