Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 417: New Quarters

Before Violet even knew it, Principal Jameson was already there, arms wrapped around her mate Griffin in a hug.

"Get off him!" A snarl left Violet’s throat before she could stop it.

The words were sharp enough to startle the few students near the front, while Jameson in question flinched in surprise, quickly releasing Griffin as murmurs began to circle through the crowd.

Everyone stared to see what would happen, but then, Jameson turned to the press with a breezy laugh, her voice woven with charm. "Fated couples, so adorably possessive, aren’t they?"

The students burst into laughter, and the press ate it up like starved piranhas. Their camera shutters clicked faster now, casting Violet Purple in the flawless role of a fierce, territorial mate.

Jameson, clearly milking the attention, added with a grin, "I’d hug you too, Violet, but I wouldn’t want Griffin tearing off my head. Not that I’m any threat to your bond, of course. But I understand, I was quite the beauty in my day." She finished with a dramatic pose.

Was this woman seriously kidding her?

While everyone else found the scene hilarious, Violet didn’t find the situation amusing one bit. Her expression was caught between a grimace as she fought the very real urge to reach out and deck the principal square in the jaw.

Sure, Jameson looked good, but it was only because she tried too hard. The woman wore heels high enough to make her look like a giraffe and probably slept in a vat of night cream.

But still, Violet had to give credit where it was due: at least she didn’t touch her. That might’ve ended badly for both of them. Well, one of them. Lucky Jameson.

Thankfully, her roommates Daisy and Ivy took the opportunity to engulf her in a hug. A moment the media gleefully captured. Couldn’t someone get some privacy around here?

"Thank God you’re safe," Daisy said. noveldrama

"You don’t know how worried we were," Ivy added.

"I know. I’m so sorry," Violet murmured, hugging them tighter. She missed them terribly.

"Don’t apologize. You didn’t ask to be kidnapped," Ivy said gently.

Still, Violet couldn’t help but notice someone was missing.

"Where’s Lila?" she asked.

"Long story. But we can dive into that after we escape this circus," Daisy said, shooting a look at the crowd of gawking students.

"If we ever get out of it," Ivy muttered with a chortle that sent a chill through Violet. "You won’t believe the changes Jameson’s made."

"What changes?" Violet asked, dread already forming in her gut.

As if summoned by Violet’s anxiety, Principal Jameson took the spotlight again. "Now, we wouldn’t want to exhaust our fated mates too soon. It’s time for Violet and Griffin to retreat to their quarters. All interviews will commence tomorrow."

"We didn’t agree to any interview," Griffin said firmly.

"Oh, darling, you’re fated mates. Interviews are just the beginning," Jameson replied sweetly.

"Great," Violet muttered, her hand instinctively touching the mate rune on her neck, a gesture instantly immortalized by flashing cameras. Goddess, this was a nightmare.

"The East House has been prepared for both of you. So chop chop, lovebirds. The media wants to capture the moment for posterity. This is history in the making." Jameson looked unreasonably proud of herself.

Violet’s expression shifted instantly. Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean the East House has been prepared for both of us? You mean Griffin, right?"

Jameson laughed it off. "You’re fated mates, silly. According to Academy rules, bonded pairs stay together. Your belongings have been moved to Griffin’s quarters. Your friends’ things, too, to ease your transition."

That was it. Violet lunged at her. Daisy and Ivy, already anticipating it, grabbed her arms before she could commit any regrettable assault.

"We’ll be leaving now," Ivy said quickly with a nervous laugh, dragging Violet away.

Griffin stepped close to Jameson, and leaned in. He whispered, "The next time you pull something like this without asking, I promise you won’t like my response."

Despite the threat, Jameson kept her expression neutral, and her gaze professional to the end.

Griffin turned and waved at the crowd, blowing kisses as he followed after Violet.

Meanwhile, Daisy and Ivy didn’t loosen their grip on Violet until they reached the East House.

"Welcome, Luna Violet," students from East House greeted her with giddy enthusiasm.

What fresh madness was this?

She was still Violet. Not Luna.

Finally, they reached Griffin’s room. Immediately the girls released her, Violet let out a scream so loud the walls might have trembled.

Daisy and Ivy winced from the corner as she poured out her frustration.

When Violet was done, she was heaving, slowly calming down. That felt a little better.

She looked around and saw her things neatly stacked in a corner of Griffin’s living room.

Daisy explained, "It felt wrong rummaging through your stuff. Oscar didn’t let us touch Griffin’s either. So we just stacked everything for you."

"I can’t believe you two let Jameson do this," Violet said, exasperated.

"What exactly were we supposed to do against Jameson?" Daisy replied, hands raised.

"Besides," Ivy added, "you’re mated to Griffin. Everyone knows mates move in together. Or were you expecting him to sneak into your shack every night and do the mating mambo on that torture slab of a bed you call furniture in our miserable shack?"

"God," Violet groaned, rubbing her forehead. Why did fated mate always translate to nonstop sex in everyone’s head?

Well, kind of. Griffin was irresistible. Sometimes she did lose control. Whatever.

"Babe," Ivy continued, "I know you won’t like it, but I’m saying it anyway. The new room they gave us is way better, and I’m not going back to that deathtrap. Not unless a fifth house opens."

Violet had no words. Not one.

Right then, the door opened and Griffin stepped in.

Daisy and Ivy exchanged a glance, taking his appearance as time to go.

"We’ll let you settle in. But seriously, we have to talk. Soon," Daisy said with pointed emphasis.

"If you need us, we’re downstairs," Ivy added. "Girls’ wing of the dorm, of course."

The door closed behind them.

Violet exhaled. It was just her and Griffin now.