Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 496: Always War No one in their right mind would ever pray to be in Griffin's shoes. He stood stiffly outside the chamber door with his arms crossed and his jaw clenched so tight it might crack while Violet's moans reverberated through the corridor.

"Oh goddess... Oh yes...!" Just his luck as the moaning hit its breathy crescendo, a group of Novas-young trainees in pale robes-rounded the corner with scrolls in hand and curiosity in their eyes.

Perfect.

"It's uh... an intense prayer session going on in there," Griffin said dryly, catching the mix of curiosity and awkwardness on their faces.

Then, as if the moon goddess herself had a twisted sense of humor, Violet mewled again.

"Roman... mmh... yes... fuck-!" Griffin saw the realization dawn on the Novas like a bolt of lightning. Faces flushed, they exchanged wide-eyed looks and scurried off, whispering furiously among themselves.

Griffin dragged a hand over his face and muttered under his breath, "Blessed be the holy fuckery of my life." At this rate, their cover was going to be blown soon.

And yes, they were hiding in a temple dedicated to Selene, goddess of the moon, tucked deep in the outskirts of Aster City, the last place anyone would think to look.

Not in a place filled with incense, meditating priestesses, and chants for purity.

Which, clearly, they were ruining loudly.

Although that seemed contradictory since werewolves were, after all, deeply carnal creatures. But even so, the Moon Mother, head priestess of the temple, could not turn them away. Not when mates were involved.

Selene herself, the goddess of the moon, had forged the bond that tied them. It was sacred. It was eternal and demanded to be honored even in the most unlikely of sanctuaries.

Still, sboundaries had to be kept. A temple was a temple. A pleasure house was a pleasure house. And the two were not meant to blur.

Aside from that, Griffin's influence had done the rest. The East pack was hto the most devout temples, and the moment the Moon Mother laid eyes on him, the decision was as good as made.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Mother Thessara walked in.

"Holy Mother," Griffin greeted, placing one hand to his forehead and the other over his chest as he bowed respectfully.

Moonmother was the title bestowed upon the high priestess of each individual temple. The suprleader of all Selene's priestesses, however, was known as the High Mother. Though the seers and healers served distinct functions within the temple hierarchy, they were all sacred servants of Selene-each equally honored within their own domains.

The woman's gaze shifted to the sealed door, behind which the unmistakable sounds of passion grew louder. "Yes, baby... just like that." "Mmh... you're so deep. So full." "You love being stretched by your Alpha, don't you?" "Yes.. Oh goddess..." "Say my name. Let the whole temple know who's fucking you." Hearing those obscene, graphic words while standing in front of the priestess herself, Griffin wished the ground would split open and swallow him whole. Goddess, couldn't they at least keep it down? His face turned a furious shade of red, like he was about to combust. Mother Thessara, however, didn't so much as blink. Her expression remained serene, as though this was nothing new.

Her eyes drifted to the mating rune etched into his neck. "The fever rages strong with them, don't you think?" she remarked, almost amused.

It was probably her calm indifference, but Griffin managed a tight-lipped nod,grateful for her composure.

"Come," she said, turning gracefully. "Walk with me." Together, the both of them moved through the corridor, the moans and obscene declarations slowly fading, though not nearly fast enough for Griffin's liking.

Mother Thessara walked with grace beside him, her red robes flowing around her.

"I'll seal off this wing," she said with a voice as calm as water. "No one will disturb them until the fever has passed." Griffin nearly sagged with relief. "Thank you, Holy Mother. Truly." he murmured in gratitude.

She gave the smallest nod, then continued on.

The corridor opened up into a wide courtyard, and the morning greeted them with its shining rays. The temple's garden stretched out before them, wild and reverent in its beauty. The air smelled of morning dew and crushed sage, rich and clean while birds chirped softly from the branches of trees close by. Somewhere close, a bell chimed lazily, marking the first hour of morning prayer.

Statues of Selene stood tall throughout the grounds, carved from moonstone and white quartz each bathed in golden sunlight: In one, she in was depicted with her hands around a full moon, and her eyes closed as if in deep knowing. While in another, she cradled a wolf pup in her arms with a triumphant look. Griffin was the religious one, hence he felt conscious under the watchful eyes of the status. Perhaps, he should not have brought Roman and Violet here. But then, it was done already.

Thessara finally stopped and spoke. "The seer Alice calledthis morning." "She did?" Griffin asked, surprised.

These days, Alice was starting to get involved in their affairs more than usual. But then again, bringing Micah and Adele to the Ridge had saved their lives, so Griffin wasn't exactly complaining. Still, it wasn't like Alice acted of her own volition. She only moved when the goddess commanded her to.

And that was what left Griffin unsettled.

The Moon Goddess had taken an interest in them. That was never casual.

The prophecy said Violet would unite the realm. With Roman now mated, it gave Griffin a dangerous kind of hope that all four of them would eventually bond with her. That they would stand beside Violet not just as mates, but as rulers. The unification the prophecy spoke of would fall into place, like it was fated. But nothing fated ever cwithout a price. And that price was almost always war.

Griffin didn't like that. Not one bit.

Beside him, Mother Thessara spoke, drawing him from his thoughts. "Yes, Alice toldto meet you. She said you have something desperate to ask of me." Griffin's brows furrowed. "Desperate?" he said, confused.

Then it hit him.

Oh. So that was it.