Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 408: East Custom The first tthey arrived at the East pack house, Violet hadn't taken the tto look around. It was late, she was tired, and everything had been a blur. But now, standing in broad daylight, the place left her dumbfounded. It wasn't just a house. It was a freaking mansion built across several hectares of land, with winding stone paths, wide verandas, and forested groves surrounding the main building. Griffin had told her earlier that it wasn't just his family living here, but smembers of the pack too. A communal style of living, still practiced by swerewolf clans.

And that was how Violet ended up lounging in the pool area with Griffin's family.

Griffin, in his ever-resourceful fashion, had found her a fitted swimsuit-God knows where from-and she hadn't questioned it.

Violet and Kaia were reclining side by side on long, cushioned sun loungers, soaking in the warm rays, while Griffin's younger twin sisters, Vivain and Blaire, fussed over her like she was a life-sized doll.

They were performing skind of skincare treatment on her. Violet had willingly let herself be their experiment. The girls were lovely, so why not? She was relaxed, half-listening to the banter between the twins, until she felt something cold and wet spread across her skin.

Violet tried to lift the cucumber slices off her eyes but Vivain slapped her hand away, followed by a soft, muffled giggle.

Something wasn't right.

"What are you rubbing onright now?" Violet asked warily.

Blaire answered with the utmost seriousness. "A homemade mud skincare formula developed byand Vivian." "Oh," Violet muttered, both impressed and suspicious. Nah, she'd trust the girls. They wouldn't do anything to her.

The twins continued to smear it across her face. The mixture was cool and had a strange, herbal scent. Her nose twitched. "What's in this, exactly?" Vivian listed proudly, "Neem leaves, rose water, turmeric, ground aloe, goat milk, and dried chamomile petals." Violet was just beginning to relax again when Blaire added casually, "And cow dung." "What?" her entire body went stiff.

"Do you know that cow dung is packed with antiseptic and exfoliating properties," Blaire continued calmly. "That's why it's the key ingredient in our recipe." Vivain, ever the mischief-maker, kept spreading the paste on her cheek, grinning. "You're going to be the most beautiful bride at the Cnáimhseáil Anama tonight." That was it.

Violet yanked the cucumbers from her face and bolted upright. "Griffin!" She took off screaming, her feet slapping against the pool deck.

Griffin, who had been in the pool with Callen, heard her and rushed out, water dripping down his chest. "I'm here, Violet!" She rushed into his arms, wiping furiously at her face. "Your sisters put cow dung on my face! Can you believe that? Freaking cow dung!" But instead of helping, Griffin was busy stifling his laughter.

"Are you kiddingright now?" she snapped.

Oh, he couldn't hold it any longer. The laugh burst out from his throat. "God, you should see the look on your face." Right on cue, Vivain appeared and flashed a camera in Violet's face. "This one's staying for the record," she giggled.

Violet stared, dumbfounded. What the hell was going on right now? Griffin finally put her out of her misery. "There was no cow dung in that. Congratulations, you've just been successfully pranked by the twins." "What?!" Violet turned slowly toward the girls, who were laughing their heads off.

"Oh, I'm going to kill you once I get my hands on you." She looked scary as she walked towards them..

The twins screamed and took off, still laughing while Violet gave chase.

Left with no choice, the girls ran straight to the pool and jumped in, one after the other.

Violet stopped at the edge, hands on her hips, watching them with a deadly glare. The twins swam happily, unbothered.

"Loser!" Vivian shouted, hands cupped around her mouth.

"Cjoin us!" Griffin called.

That was the only warning Violet got before he grabbed her by the waist and leapt into the pool.

"Ahhh!" Violet screamed right before the water engulfed her and she kicked her way up, gasping for air once they surfaced.

"Seriously!" she shouted, punching his chest.

Griffin only laughed, water streaming down his face. Then he pulled her in gently, kissing her. It started soft, offering a quick apology.

But the fire built fast, and soon they were locked in a passionate kiss. Griffin backed Violet against the edge of the pool, his hands sliding under the water. One of his hands gripped her thigh, while the other cupped her ass, pulling her in tighter.

A splash of water hit their faces.

"Get a room, you two horny rabbits! There are minors here!" Vivain booed, while Blaire shielded Callen's eyes.

Kaia, who had pretended not to be paying attention all this while, sighed and returned to scrolling through her phone.

Griffin retaliated first, splashing Vivain in the face.

"Ow! That's unfair, you big bully!" she shouted.

"You didn't think it was unfair when you smeared fake cow dung on my face," Violet said, splashing her right back.

"Oh, it's on now!" Blaire declared, gathering water in her palms.

And just like that, the water fight began.

Water flew everywhere as Griffin and Violet teamed up against the twins against while Callen was caught in the ΕΠ crossfire, squealing with delight. There was nothing but laughter, shrieks, and splashes as they had fun. It was a rare chaotic, beautiful kind of joy that Violet wished she would have one day when she starts her family.

And that was exactly the scene Irene walked into when she arrived at the pool.

Violet knew instinctively that the woman was here for her.

Griffin grabbed her waist and lifted her effortlessly onto the onto & the pool deck! Damn, that was hot. She was so lucky to have a mate like him. Griffin followed after her, and they walked over to his mother.

"What's up?" he asked.

"The Cnáimhseáil Anama won't be happening. Your mother threatened to killif I don't send you back," Irene said flatly.

At once, Violet and Griffin exchanged a look, but said nothing.

Irene sighed. "Yes, I know, Violet. You setup for failure." Violet shrugged. "If she said yes, I would've done it. Mama knows best, doesn't she?" her smile was wicked.

"Anyway," Irene continued, "while we Anama, m won't perform the Cnáimhseáil there's another part of our custom we can't ignore. It has to be done before you leave." "What is it?" "You have to cut Griffin's hair." "What? No!" Violet rejected it immediately, but the look from Irene and Griffin told her that was final.

"Nooooooooo!"