Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 563

Chapter 563: Lock Griffin Up

"I have to say..." Zara began as she settled on her seat with a regal posture, "it’s a real surprise seeing you here."

"Really?" Griffin said, giving her the look. "But should it be?"

"Excuse me?" Zara gave a light, awkward laugh, feigning confusion.

Griffin didn’t take his eyes off her. "You took Alaric back to the North Pack while every other cardinal alpha fulfills their duty in the West Pack. Did you really think I wouldn’t come back for him?"

Zara blinked, momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered, her pleasant mask slipping back into place. "Griffin Hale, I understand where you’re coming from, truly I do. But I have a very solid reason for my actions. "Compared to the rest of you, Alaric has always been... fragile..."

She paused, as though savoring the word before continuing, "After such a traumatic experience, even though he wouldn’t admit it, I knew my baby boy needed time away from all that chaos. My husband, Caspian, is in the West representing the North well. Alaric doesn’t necessarily need to be there, wouldn’t you agree?"

"Is that why I haven’t been able to reach him on the phone?"

Zara’s lashes lowered, her tone still sugarine sweet. "When the mind is unwell, the body suffers. Alaric doesn’t need distractions."

Griffin raised a brow. "I didn’t realize, Luna Zara, that even I had become a distraction." His lips curved into a humorless smile, his tone soft but cutting, "A distraction who risked it all, walking away from the West Pack to see how his friend was doing."

Zara gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "Oh my! Griffin, dear, that wasn’t my intention at all. Please accept my apologies." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"It definitely sounded that way," Griffin retorted.

He was pushing her on purpose, dragging this conversation out to buy Violet time. His instincts screamed that something here was wrong. Very wrong.

Throughout their years of friendship, Alaric had always preferred spending holidays at the East Pack rather than staying here in the North. Zara had never once been this guarded or possessive over him. The shift in her behavior was setting off alarms in Griffin’s head.

He could sense Violet through the bond. Times like this, he wished they could communicate telepathically like most mates. But for some reason, it didn’t work between them. Not that he was complaining, but it would have made things simpler. Now, he had to rely on instinct alone to stall for her.

Zara offered him a polite smile. "I truly didn’t mean to offend you, Griffin."

"It’s alright," Griffin replied, mirroring her fake warmth with one of his own.

Her smile wavered with relief, only to freeze when he abruptly said, "So, can I see Alaric?"

The pleasant mask cracked. "What?"

"Since I’m clearly not a distraction," Griffin said firmly, "I’d like to see Alaric."

For the briefest moment, panic flashed in Zara’s eyes. She recovered quickly, lacing her fingers together on her lap. "About that..." she began, her voice slow and careful, "I’m afraid you cannot see him right now."

Griffin’s muscles tensed beneath his shirt as he crossed his arms, giving her a look that was nothing short of a challenge. "Why not?"

"Like I said," Zara explained, "Alaric suffered deeply from recent events. I’ve enrolled him in a specialized restorative program for the mind and spirit." She gestured vaguely, her tone posh and clinical. "It’s a form of advanced therapeutic meditation combined with sensory recalibration. During this process, his mind must remain undisturbed. Any interruptions could be detrimental."

Griffin nodded. "Yes, yes, I understand. Very scientific."

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