Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 416: Griolet

"Is something going on today?" Violet asked the moment their car rolled past the school gates and she caught sight of the suspiciously extravagant decorations hanging on them.

"I have no idea," Griffin replied, his brows drawing together as he looked around too, noting how the entire school grounds looked oddly cleaner, brighter, and fancier than usual.

"Maybe Lunaris Academy has finally learned its lesson and... " But Griffin’s words trailed off abruptly. His mouth stayed open, but all that came out was, "Oh shit."

Violet pulse raced at his sudden reaction. She then turned in the direction of his stare, and the sight that met her eyes made her face fall.

"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered, her voice flat with disbelief.

Just past the fountain and sprawled in massive, sparkling letters across the school’s entrance was a banner that read:

"Welcome back to Lunaris Academy, our fated couple, Griffin Hale and Violet Purple."

And it got worse from there.

The walkways were lined with the students cheering like they’d just been told a royal wedding was taking place. Some of them waved tiny flags while the others held up signs with pictures of her and Griffin that Violet swore she’d never taken in her life.

Shirts, caps, and posters were all branded with "Griolet" slogans in ridiculous fonts. A deafening wave of screams erupted as students swarmed the car, some even slapping the hood in excitement like it was a good luck charm.

Who the hell was responsible for this? noveldrama

Violet didn’t have to think too hard because standing smugly at the school’s entrance was Principal Jameson, flanked on both sides by Daisy and Ivy.

For a fleeting second, rage, molten and unfiltered, coursed through Violet at the thought of her roommates putting her through this knowing how much she hated public spectacles like this.

But then the stiff smiles on their faces and the tension in their shoulders was enough evidence that the witch Jameson had orchestrated this whole PR circus and roped them in as props.

And as if that wasn’t enough, reporters were at the scene with cameras. Lots of them. Flash after flash exploded against the car windows as the vehicle was forced to slow down to accommodate the media swarm.

Violet’s left eye twitched. A vein popped on her forehead.

"Run them over," she told the driver.

"Wait, what?" Griffin choked, whirling to her in horror.

"Please don’t do that," he told the driver, then turned back and cupped Violet’s face between both hands. "Baby, what’s going on with you? Talk to me."

"That witch!" Violet growled. "I’m going to kill her! She’s using the mate bond for a media stunt! She had no right putting us in the spotlight like this, not without permission!" Her chest heaved, and her hands shook with fury.

Griffin’s voice was gentle but firm. "I get it. I do. But no killing, babe, not today. There are reporters out there just dying to spin a story. They’re looking for weakness, and we’re not giving them anything, right?"

Violet inhaled deeply, grounding herself. "Right," she said with a shaky breath.

"Good," Griffin said, pressing kisses to both her cheeks. But Violet needed more so she grabbed him and kissed him full on the mouth. Griffin happily obliged.

Their lips met, hard and hungry, until the commotion outside their window felt distant. The anxiety melted away, hearts syncing to the rhythm between them. When they finally pulled apart, Griffin gently traced the mating rune on her neck with reverent fingers.

"My mate," he murmured with a touch of awe in his voice.

Violet, not missing a beat, traced his rune in return, her voice possessive. "All mine."

"All yours," Griffin echoed, leaning his forehead against hers.

Then Griffin exhaled. "It’s time."

He pulled back and looked her in the eye. "But promise me if it gets to be too much,

I don’t care who’s in the way, I’ll knock every single one of them down to get you out of here."

Violet grinned, amused despite herself. "That’s so romantic. But as you said, the press is out there. We’re not adding scandal to this madness. We’re going to be on our best behavior." She kissed him again, short and sweet.

"Alright," Griffin said, shifting toward the door. "Ready?"

"As the day I was born. I mean, I didn’t exactly have a choice being brought into this world, did I?" Violet shrugged, dryly.

Griffin laughed as he opened the car door. "You are so weird, and I love it."

Then, with grace, he stepped out first and extended his hand, helping Violet out like the queen.

The noise tripled immediately. The deafening wall of sound smacking them in the face as students lost their minds. Someone even threw confetti into the air like this was a royal coronation.

"VIOLET! GRIFFIN! VIOLET! GRIFFIN!"

The cameras went off nonstop while reporters aggressively shouted overlapping commands.

"Turn this way!"

"Can we get a kiss?!"

And then it got weirder.

The beat of a marching drum suddenly blasted through the air, and the crowd parted like the sea, making way for a very enthusiastic, cheerleading squad strutted out.

"Is this happening?" Violet deadpanned.

"Oh, it’s happening," Griffin said grimly, watching as the cheer captain somersaulted to the front and struck a pose.

Then the music started.

"G! To the R! To the I-F-F-I-N!

V-I-O to the L-E-T! Again!

Griolet! Griolet!

Mate bond magic, too legit!

Alpha strength, purple storm,

They’ve got the love that breaks the norm!

Hey! Hey! Who’s that pair?

Griolet’s bond is RARE-AIR!"

The squad kicked, flipped, and twirled like their lives depended on it. Midway through, one of them launched into the air, did a backflip, and landed in a dramatic split while two others held up glittery signs shaped like their mating runes.

It was... a lot.

By the time it ended with a pyramid pose and a chant of "GRIOLET RULES!" the entire courtyard had broke into thunderous applause.

Students were celebrating as if the Moon Goddess herself had descended to officiate their bond. Someone even threw a flower crown at Violet’s head and it landed perfectly. While another shouted, "MAKE A BABY!" and they laughed at it.

All this for a mating bond? Violet was just left speechless.

Almost immediately, the long awaited Villainess, Principal Jameson stepped forward.

"Welcome back, Griffin Hale and Violet Purple, our newest fated mates!" she announced grandly.

A fresh wave of cheers came from the students.

Violet glared at the woman so hard that Griffin had to give her hand a squeeze. He whispered, "Smile and wave, baby. Smile and wave."

Violet did that.

She smiled only.

Not that it touched her eyes.

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