Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 734

Chapter 734: Violet Zinnia Purple

The Fae were struck with awe at the sight of their princess. She looked confident, unshakable, regal. But unknown to them, Violet was anything but calm.

Inwardly, she chanted with every step she took. You are a fucking princess. Don’t trip. Stare at their fucking faces. This is your night.

Violet was used to being stared at, but usually as the strange human girl with purple hair. Now, having finally found her people, their gazes cut the deepest.

She could see it all in their eyes.

The surprise.

The curiosity.

The judgment.

The half-breed princess who had to prove herself worthy to rule them.

Then the pressure hit her suddenly, constricting around her chest until her breath faltered and her steps nearly did too.

Fingers slid into hers.

Roman.

He must have felt the panic spike because he squeezed her hand firmly, grounding her, then shot her a wink. The simple gesture steadied her instantly. A slow smile curved Violet’s lips as her confidence came back in full force.

She straightened.

This time, Violet walked the path like a model on a runway, her chin lifted, and spine tall, daring them to look away. Her focus locked onto her mother standing on the dais, pride blazing openly on Queen Seraphira’s face.

"Zinnia."

Her mother had said it was her Fae name. But there was no way in hell she was answering to that alone. She had been Violet Purple her entire life, and she wasn’t about to erase eighteen years of identity just like that. The least she could do was attach it to her name, but nothing more. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

She wasn’t just Fae. She was wolf. And somewhat human too. She was all of it.

As messy as that sounded, she was Violet Zinnia Purple.

"Come, child," her mother said softly, gesturing to her as soon as she was close enough.

Violet stepped onto the dais, a raised structure made of gleaming crystal and stone. She alone was permitted to ascend it while her mates were directed to a slightly raised, semicircular platform just beneath the throne level.

They were seated with the noble Fae, the position close enough to signify honor, but

distant enough to draw a line.

While the cardinal alphas were her mates, they were not her equals in rule. They were future consorts, and nothing more, until Violet was formally recognized and had fully claimed her place as princess.

Violet stepped forward as her mother announced to the gathered crowd,

"Free Fae, I present to you, your princess."

There was no immediate reaction. Not even an applause or cheers. Instead, their low

murmurs rippled through the hall.

But Violet was not discouraged. She simply dipped her head slightly, a silent request to continue, and her mother yielded the floor.

Violet stepped forward, facing her people fully now.

"Dia duit is Violet Corcra mé. Hello. I’m Violet Purple." She began, then paused to study the people. "Nó in áit mar a tháinig mé ar an eolas Violet Zinnia Corcra. Or rather, as I have come to know myself, Violet Zinnia Purple."

It was comical the way the murmuring died instantly as every Fae turned toward her in shock. The princess was speaking their tongue.

Violet smiled, knowing she had their attention now. It was reassuring to see the plan working. She had known they wouldn’t accept her easily, not when they saw her as an outsider. And what better way to bridge that divide than by speaking their language? Communication, after all, was the first step toward belonging.

Of course, it was impossible to learn the Fae tongue in a single day.

That was when Asher had asked if the Fae possessed a spell or something that could grant temporary memory retention.

As expected, the Fae did.

However, the spell came with consequences which was a pounding headache. The Fae tongue was foreign to Violet after all, and forcing it into place through magic was not natural; she had to learn it.

Still, Violet had only needed to memorize her speech.

And now, as she had the attention of the Fae, she knew it was worth it – even if a headache awaited her after the party tonight.

Violet glanced toward Asher and smiled.

Violet stood there, stunned, her breath catching in her chest as the cheers washed over her. The judgment in their eyes hadn’t vanished, but there was a shift now. They were giving her a chance.

Queen Seraphira watched from behind, her eyes shining with pride. Just as she had known, her daughter had done it.

But the warmth of that moment died the instant her gaze caught on someone, or to be more precise, her husband.

Baron.

She had been so focused on Violet, and ensuring her daughter’s debut succeeded, that she had not spared him a thought until now. And of course, Baron would choose this moment of all moments to appear.

The bastard.

His arm was hooked possessively around his lover, the woman dangling against him as if she were a trophy. He made no effort to hide her. In fact, he flaunted her openly, parading her before the entire court.

The hall that had been moments ago buzzing with approval and celebration fell into a tense, brittle silence at Baron’s entrance. And just like that the happiness

curdled into unease.

Baron led his lover, Celeste, all the way to the foot of the dais and lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a deliberate kiss to her knuckles.

Celeste giggled shamelessly, fully aware she was parading herself on the arm of the Queen’s husband—and enjoying every second of it.

She slipped into the crowd of Fae afterward, casting a knowing smile toward Queen Seraphira as she went.

But the Queen did not react. She had never been interested in Baron, if anything, he was an irritation—an uninvited presence she endured rather than acknowledged.

Instead, Seraphira watched him coolly as he ascended the dais with infuriating confidence.

Baron paused, dipped his head just enough to be considered respectful, and said to her, "Your Majesty, the Queen."

Then his gaze slid to Violet, sharp and assessing, a glint in his eyes.

"Princess," he added.

Without waiting for a response, or further acknowledging either woman, Baron turned away and moved toward his seat which was a smaller throne positioned beside the Queen.

"You can continue," he said as if he hadn’t just fractured the fragile harmony of the hall.