Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 730

Chapter 730: Kill Baron

You know the wonder on a child’s face the first time they saw the galaxy. Yes, this was how Asher stared at her, as if she were his Milky Way. His world. His everything.

Call it instinct, but Violet knew the bond between them was close to snapping into place. The attraction was sizzling, and heavy in the air. Like the breath a diver held just before plunging into the deep, they were both suspended in that moment.

Violet wasn’t naïve. Three of the matebonds had already formed in moments of extreme danger, and she knew this one would be no different. But she was ready for it. No one was taking Asher away from her, not after all the waiting, and the hard-won steps that had led them here.

"Is it disturbing that I get blue balls when you two eye-fuck like this?" someone said, snapping Violet back to the present.

It was Roman of course.

Violet took one look at him and her stomach took a dizzying flip.

Roman Draven was practically engineered to destroy her self-control, and she bet her ass he knew it. Otherwise, he would not be dressed like that. Her gaze dragged helplessly over his arms as he deliberately shifted into a pose that emphasized every sculpted muscle. Then there was the glimpse of his chest, toned in a way she was painfully familiar with in more ways than one.

Holy creator of the universe.

Violet cleared her throat loudly, her hand lifting on instinct to her scalp before she remembered the sheer effort that had gone into fixing her hair and stopped herself just in time.

But Roman caught it all and his grin spread slow and wicked, all traces of earlier sulking gone. He had gotten exactly the reaction he wanted.

Needing distance before she did something reckless, Violet tore her gaze away from him, and that was when it landed on Griffin, and something finally clicked.

"Wait a minute..." Violet’s expression turned comically shocked as her mind finally registered Griffin’s long hair. She had already gotten used to it being short—and her mates were far too much, and far too damn hot and distracting—that it hadn’t fully hit her until now.

"No way..." Violet breathed in disbelief, her eyes lighting up with excitement at the same time.

As if to prove it was very real, Griffin ran a hand through his hair and actually flipped it, smooth and dramatic, like he was shooting a hair commercial.

Violet was still trying to recover from that when Alaric stepped fully into view—and his hair was long too.

"No... no... no..." Violet said, caught somewhere between shock, disbelief, and pure delight. "This is not possible!"

She threw her hands up in frustration, half laughing, half overwhelmed. "Ugh! You can’t tell me otherwise, you guys are actually trying to kill me!"

Yes. They were absolutely trying to sabotage her.

Because right after the long education about Fae culture, Nirmal had taken exactly three steps toward the door before stopping.

"Oh. One more thing," she had said, turning back far too casually.

Violet had still been riding the fragile relief of that’s over when Nirmal continued, her voice perfectly even, "Following your rather

atmosphere-disturbing intimacies last night, Her Majesty has issued a temporary decree."

Violet already knew this was going to ruin her life.

"Until lightning dampeners and grounding rods are installed across the realm," Nirmal went on, "the princess is to refrain from further rumpy-pumpy for the safety of infrastructure, and trees, and faetizens." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

At that moment, there had been a silence so loud she heard her dignity die.

Violet had not said a word. No, she had simply stood there, face burning, while Roman wheezed laughing, Griffin tried to look respectful and failed, Alaric stared up

at the ceiling as if he wasn’t the perpetrator of the crime.

And now, they dare to show up like this with glorious, traitorous, finger-combing, pull-able long hair. Her very own brand of kink. Violet died a little inside.

In all honesty, she tried to hold it inside but was unable to. At once, Violet moved towards Griffin and then ran both of her hands through his red hair and moaned.

Goddess. It felt so good.

Thalia’s voice roared in her head, urging her to show her mate exactly how much she loved his gift. Violet shoved her down into the deepest recess of her mind. That greedy, horny animal was not about to get her into trouble tonight.

She was so tempted to kiss him. But Violet knew herself. Once she started, she would not stop. And right now, with the entire kingdom waiting and the very real risk of another storm, restraint was important.

So instead, Violet leaned in and rubbed her face against Griffin’s in an unmistakable show of approval. A deep, satisfied rumble rolled through him in response.

He definitely liked it.

Then she turned to Alaric.

Unlike Roman, who always vibrated with excitement and never hid his need to be in her arms, Alaric was more composed.

But Violet saw the subtle excitement in the way his eyes followed her every movement. Alaric was just quieter and restrained, but no less intense.

In the Queen’s Quarters...

The Fae Queen was already prepared for the party, dressed in deep, regal purple with a fitted bodice embroidered with ancient runes. Soft furs lined the collar and sleeves, it was silver-white and impossibly fine, resting against her shoulders. Even unwell, the Queen of the Free Fae did not look diminished.

Zuru knelt before her, careful hands glowing as they traced patterns over Seraphira’s wrists and sternum. The healer’s expression was grave, tight with concentration as she worked in silence.

After a long moment, the glow faded.

"You are stable enough, Your Majesty," Zuru said. "However, you must refrain from channeling any magic tonight, especially if you intend to train the princess tomorrow."

Seraphira exhaled softly, then nodded. "I understand. No dramatic demonstrations for my people, then."

Zuru rose, smoothing her robes. "I will check on you again after the gathering."

With a respectful bow, she slipped from the chamber, the doors closing gently behind her.

Only then did Seraphira allow herself to lean back slightly, tension easing from her shoulders. Lila stood nearby, watching her queen with quiet concern.

"Well?" Seraphira asked. "How fares the party? How many of my people honored the invitation?"

"I would say nearly all of them," Lila replied. "They may not be open to the idea of a foreign princess, but they are certainly curious about Violet." She paused, then added carefully, "Your husband as well."

Seraphira’s lips curved faintly, humorless. "I expected nothing less. Baron would never pass up an opportunity like this to irritate me."

Her gaze hardened. "Make sure eyes stay on Baron. If he so much as makes a move, incapacitate him immediately."

Lila stiffened. "Your Majesty... if I do that, your life—"

Seraphira cut her off, her voice absolute. "I have no life anymore, Lila. Better I fall with him than leave Violet vulnerable. It is the least I can do."

The room seemed to tighten around her words.

Seraphira looked directly at her and said, "It is a command, Lilarin."

Lila had no choice but to bow her head slowly. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Seraphira drew in a steady breath. "To the party, then. It is time for my daughter to take her rightful place."