Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 817

Chapter 817: Getting Better

"Harder! Faster! Control! Deflect!" Asher’s voice echoed through the clearing as Violet executed the series of moves he had taught her that morning. Well, them.

Annequin was here. Except this time, she was the test subject.

Unlike her mates, Violet could not attack them, but she could attack the former queen of Astaria, and she very much enjoyed it. The silver lining was that even if Violet lost control, Annequin could contain her power. That made the exiled queen the perfect punching bag.

They moved through the drill again. And again.

Violet struck first, channeling just enough of her power, keeping it tight, contained. Control. She increased her speed, adjusted her pace, met Annequin’s counters, then reset.

Again. They repeated it. This time faster and

stronger.

Asher didn’t let up. "Don’t hesitate! Move!, move!"

Magic flared between them, volatile, but Violet held it. She shaped and directed it. Each strike more precise than the last.

Annequin met her head-on, deflecting, redirecting, occasionally pushing back just enough to keep Violet on edge.

They went on and on, layering movement with power, instinct with control, until Violet didn’t even realize it anymore, but she was wielding the darkness.

Not fighting, or fearing it. She was using it

like a weapon.

A brush of that power grazed Annequin during a parry but nothing happened. Because even now, even in the heat of it, Violet held the line. No matter how insufferable the Fae was, she still didn’t want her dead.

Roman and Griffin stood at the edge of the clearing, watching. As much as she tried to focus, Violet stole occasional glances at them whenever she could.

They were impressed. She could see it. And it stirred something in her chest. Pride.

Violet was like a peacock flaunting its wings, except this time, she was doing it for her mates. Her movements grew more fluid, more confident and a little arrogant.

She knew the rhythm now. The regimen. It was starting to feel like second nature.

Which was exactly why—

"Abandon drill. Fight."

Asher’s voice cut through everything.

Fuck her life.

Violet barely had time to brace herself before Annequin’s strike came for her side, a blade of condensed darkness slicing through the air.

Violet snapped her hand up, darkness forming instantly into a shield. The impact rang through her bones.

That evil Fae.

To think she even had her well-being in mind.

All bets were off now.

"Don’t block. Redirect!" Asher barked.

Violet grit her teeth and shifted. The darkness bent, curved, slipping the attack past her instead of stopping it. The strike hit the ground behind her and exploded in a burst of shadows.

She didn’t get time to breathe. Annequin came at her immediately, faster this time. No warning. No mercy.

Good.

Violet met her head-on.

Darkness flared around her hand, tightly controlled. She struck forward, aiming for Annequin’s shoulder. The Fae twisted, catching her wrist mid-motion.

"You’re slow, princess," Annequin said flatly.

Violet snarled and pivoted, her leg sweeping low but Annequin jumped back, barely avoiding it.

"Better," Asher said. "Now faster."

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