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Ba-dum! Ba-dum! Ba-dum!

Violet could hear the quick rhythm of her heart pounding in her chest. This was the closest she’d ever been with a man, and it bothered her greatly because she shouldn’t like it, yet her body seemed to.

No man had ever stirred her like this. Asher was a bad idea, every one of her principles went against getting involved with someone like him. And yet, tell that to the throbbing need between her legs.

But then, just because her body desired him didn’t mean she would give in to the bad idea. She controlled her body, not the other way around. Hence, she was determined to take back the reins.

"Get off me!" she hissed, her voice sounding as strong and confident as she could make it, despite the blush creeping up her neck, flushing her face with embarrassment.

"No."

"No?" Violet repeated in disbelief.

"Yes." He smiled that cunning, self-assured smile of his. "But you can make me."

Violet’s eyes flashed with defiance. Did he think she couldn’t? She would prove him wrong.

She pushed against his shoulders, attempting to throw him off her. Gods above! It was like trying to move an immovable wall. He didn’t budge an inch.

Though it stunned her how he wasn’t crushing her beneath all his weight, he remained infuriatingly immovable. Violet tried again and again, her muscles straining as she huffed in exhaustion. Her frustration grew until she could no longer hold back.

"Bastard!" she cursed, glaring at him with all the rage she could muster, especially knowing he was doing this on purpose.

Asher burst into laughter, his gaze never leaving hers. There was something dark and playful in his eyes, something that said he was enjoying this far more than he should. From the way he pinned her wrists, down to the way he hovered over her, it was as if he was relishing in her helplessness.

"Bastard?" He chuckled deeply, his tone mocking yet oddly affectionate. "Oh, darling, I’ve been called much worse. And the people who called me such usually lose a tooth or more. But you, my little purple queen, when you put it that way... somehow, it doesn’t sound like an insult coming from you."

His gaze shifted slightly, and the look in his eyes sent a chill down her spine. His vertically slitted eyes seemed to glow brighter, as if some beast was awakening and peering down at her.

Violet could feel her heart thudding against her ribcage, her breath catching. No, she forgot how to breathe entirely.

Asher’s face was so close, his lips only inches from hers. His dark, wild hair framed his features, the scrapes and bruises across his skin adding a rugged, dangerous edge to his already dangerously alluring presence.

He looked at her as though she were the only thing in his world, his eyes filled with an intensity that made her want to give in to whatever strange pull he had over her.

Violet could feel her nipples tightening, her skin flushed and hot under his gaze.

There was something about Asher, something about the power radiating from him that made her want to submit.

To let herself be taken care of by him. One who would care, provide and protect. An alpha. The best mating partner.

Oh Fuck. Oh fuck. She was doomed. Violet knew what this was.

His wolf was calling to her and her body, though human, had primal instincts too.

Just like natural selection, her body was recognizing a strong, dominant, powerful male for mating — in the case of the wolves — and reproduction — for the humans.

Except there would be no reproduction!

"Get. Off." She commanded him.

But all he did was raise a brow as if amused by her attempt at authority.

Realizing that wasn’t going to happen,Violet changed her tactics. "Please," she begged him, her eyes darting around nervously, "people are staring."

And she wasn’t wrong. Students were indeed staring. But this was Asher, and no one dared to stare for too long. They knew better than to test their luck with him, and those who did dare stare, kept their distance.

But Violet knew for certain that she’d be appearing on the Oracle’s post once more.

What a popular celebrity she’d become.

To her surprise, even after lowering her dignity to plead, Asher merely sighed regretfully. "I wish I could help you, but your king called earlier and you ignored him."

The gods help her. So this was what it was? Punishment?

She racked her brain, her nerves fraying. How had she gotten involved with this madman again? So much had happened in such a short span of time she had forgotten. Oh, right, the damned application! She’d put herself in this situation.

Well done, Violet! She chided herself inwardly.

Violet tried to hold back the anger, but the words slipped out anyway. "I swear, I will murder you if you don’t get off me."

"Too bad," he said, his grin widening, "you might just be the death of me."

Those words should be illegal, Violet thought as her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t just the romantic words, but the way he said it like he meant it. Every single word of it.

Before she could fully comprehend what had just happened, Asher finally got off her, only to lie beside her, pushing her to face him as they lay side by side.

"Let’s stay like this, then," he said, resting comfortably, his face inches away from hers.

Violet blinked, completely dumbfounded. She’d never met anyone like him before. She looked over her shoulder, catching sight of her friends, communicating with her gaze for them to help her.

But Dion and Lila looked away, purposefully avoiding looking at her. If anything, their expressions seemed to say, "Good luck with your boyfriend, Violet."

"No, look here," Asher said, gently turning her face back towards him. "I like it when your eyes are on me."

Her heart skipped a beat again, her breath hitching. Damn, he was smooth even without trying.

"Let’s talk this way." He said to her.

Violet had no choice but to indulge him, not that it was entirely terrible. She just hadn’t expected to spend the rest of her break lying in the grass with a cardinal Alpha, one who looked like he’d just had a fight with death itself, while basking in the warmth of the sun.

Very romantic, indeed.

Whatever man that would come after Asher would have to beat this record.

If only she knew.

So, to indulge him, she said with a hint of sarcasm, "Now, do tell, my king, what do we talk about?"

________

Hi everyone!

In case you received the notification, the Most Popular Character Selection competition is back! Exciting news, our beloved character, Violet Purple, has made it onto the list! The competition is divided into four stages, and for the first stage, Violet needs to secure a spot in the top 16.

Please help Violet maintain her position and aim for victory by voting with points or coins on the Defy The Alphas book details page or directly on the contest activity page. Both will count toward her progress.

As a special thank-you, if we win this competition, I’ll release five bonus Chapters (in addition to the upcoming release on the 11th. Yes, the secret’s out now!).

Thank you so much for your incredible support! Let’s make this happen!