Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 878

Chapter 878: Bonding Time With Aeron

Aeron Hale groaned, finally stirring back to consciousness. Goddess above, his head hurt like a bitch.

"You’re finally awake," a very annoyingly familiar voice shattered whatever remnants of sleep remained.

With effort, Aeron turned his head only to find Roman Draven staring at him with a toothy grin.

The boy looked relieved.

"I mean, thank the goddess you’re alive. I had no idea what I’d write on your eulogy if you died considering we haven’t spent enough time together." Roman shook his head solemnly. "Would’ve been awkward. I can’t exactly write, Here lies Aeron Hale. We bonded briefly through mutual kidnapping."

Aeron stared at him blankly.

Roman continued anyway.

"But if we survive this, I swear we’re making memories together, Aeron. Real ones. Griffin would probably cry knowing I was there for his old man during his darkest hour. We’d write books about this. Go on tours. Retell the story over expensive champagne while people applaud our bravery." He paused suddenly, his expression turning thoughtful. "Although, that might be difficult."

Aeron immediately regretted asking, "Why?"

Roman sighed deeply. "Because I can’t really afford to be away from Violet for long periods of time. Or Griffin." He winked at him. "Mostly because of the matebond, and sex."

Aeron’s face twitched.

Roman noticed instantly.

"Oh, goddess, I’m sorry." He winced. "I forgot how weird this must be for you considering your son and I share the same woman."

Aeron closed his eyes.

Too late. Roman was already going again.

"You’re probably wondering if Griffin and I do all that adult stuff with her at the same time." Roman lowered his voice confidentially. "Which, for the record, yes. Absolutely yes."

"Roman," Aeron warned him.

"But if it makes you feel any better," Roman pressed on, "I’m definitely better in bed than your son."

Aeron looked genuinely offended on Griffin’s behalf.

"I mean, Griffin’s thing is raw power." Roman gestured vaguely. "Very aggressive. Very throw-you-against-the-wall-and-ruin-your-life energy. Women apparently love that. But there’s an art to pleasing someone, Aeron. Precision. Technique. Emotional delivery—"

"Goddess help me," Aeron groaned, dragging a hand down his face. What fresh version of hell had he woken into?

Honestly, he would rather pass out again than spend another hour listening to this boy. How Griffin tolerated Roman on a daily basis remained one of life’s greatest mysteries.

"But the point is..." Roman thankfully drifted away from the topic of sex. "We’d be together. And in case you’re scared, I can hold your hand—" he actually started reaching toward him.

Aeron’s response came instantly.

"Touch me and you’re dead."

Roman immediately pulled back. "Okay. No holding hands then."

At least the boy respected boundaries.

Annoyed, Aeron forced himself to properly take in their surroundings. They were trapped in some sort of underground dungeon. Honestly, it was not surprising. This was exactly the sort of dramatic nonsense Angus liked.

The place smelled damp and metallic, the stone walls slick with moisture. The electric bulbs glowed weakly, barely illuminating the surroundings. Somewhere farther down the corridor came muffled screams, low groans, and the occasional sound of chains dragging against stone.

They weren’t the only prisoners. Wonderful.

As Aeron tried to sit up properly, something cold shifted against his throat. His hand immediately flew upward and traced a collar.

"What the—"

"I’d suggest not—" Roman started, but it was too late.

Aeron grabbed the collar and tried ripping it off only for pain to explode through him immediately.

Electricity ripped violently across his body, slamming through his nerves hard enough to lock his muscles. A sharp groan tore from his throat as he crashed onto the floor, his entire body jerking from the shock. For one horrible moment, he could smell something burning.

Possibly himself.

"Well," Roman winced sympathetically, "that was the part where I was going to warn you."

Aeron lay there breathing hard, his vision swimming slightly as the aftershocks continued to twitch through his muscles. Slowly, he forced himself upright again, his chest rising unevenly. That was when he noticed Roman wore the exact same collar around his own neck.

"What the hell is that thing?" Aeron managed in a rough, breathless voice.

Roman lifted a hand and flicked the metal around his throat lightly. "A suppressor cuff. Witch version. Honestly, witches are committed, thinking up psychological torture with extra voltage."

Aeron glared at him.

Roman shrugged. "I’m trying to appreciate the craftsmanship here."

"You’re insane."

"Violet says that too." Roman beamed. "Usually right before kissing me."

Aeron closed his eyes slowly. No. Forget dying. At this point, surviving Roman Draven might genuinely be the harder challenge. The witches knew the fine definition of torture when they kept them together.

Roman apparently was not done. He said, "I mean, it probably has something to do with all the dark romances girls consume these days. After all, who actually wants to date someone crazy?"

His eyes gleamed. "Although my purple love is the perfect amount of crazy for me, and she doesn’t even read those romance books." There was an unmistakable note of pride in his voice when he spoke about Violet.

Having heard enough, Aeron was seconds away from telling the boy to never speak again when he took a proper look at him.

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