Griffin might not have been the most intellectual of the alphas, but he certainly wasn’t blind to what was happening around him. Right now, Alaric looked like a deer caught in headlights, guilt practically oozing off of him.
Griffin narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "Don’t tell me you two fucked."
"No, we didn’t!" Alaric blurted, nearly choking on his own spit in his haste to deny it. "We just... made out. Not once," he admitted reluctantly, scratching the back of his neck. "And, uh... under the rain."
Griffin let out a low whistle, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It was that good, huh?"
Alaric’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as he fumbled for words, his gaze darting away.
"But you do want to fuck her, don’t you?" Griffin pressed, his tone casual but his gaze scrutinizing.
Alaric shot him a challenging look, finally regaining some composure. "And you don’t?"
Griffin shrugged, "She’s hot, strong, my kind of woman. Of course, I’d want to. But shouldn’t you be jealous right now? I mean, we’re talking about some girl you want to bone."
Alaric surprised him with his answer. "I strangely don’t feel jealous. Besides..." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "It’s not the first time we’ve shared a woman anyway..."
Griffin’s eyes glazed over slightly, as if recalling a distant memory.
Alaric leaned in, adding in an enticing tone, "And it was very good."
Griffin exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Yeah, until the girl decided to play us against each other. So no, I’m not doing Lucille again."
"Violet is not Lucille," Alaric argued firmly.
"She’s not," Griffin admitted, his voice hardening, "but they share the unfortunate similarity of being under Asher’s control."
"I don’t know what Asher’s done to Violet," Alaric replied, "but her mind is strong. And she’s immune to my electricity. Lucille wasn’t. Maybe, just maybe, Violet can somehow resist him."
Griffin’s head snapped toward him. "Wait, is that what this is about? Is that why you want to bring her out of the West House? You want to pull her into your house, groom her into your perfect version of Lucille, and keep her away from Asher?"
Alaric scowled, his voice laced with frustration. "You know that’s not what this is."
"Then convince me," Griffin challenged.
"Whether or not I have personal motives," Alaric said evenly, "we both know Violet can’t stay in Asher’s house. That’s a fact. Moreover, If the plan goes well, Violet would be the one choosing what house to stay in."
Griffin apologized. "Fuck. I’m sorry. Whether she’s under his control or not, I should have your back, even if it’s a terrible idea and you’re bound to get your heart broken again."
Alaric couldn’t help but laugh at that, the tension between them dissolving as Griffin joined in. They laughed until their sides ached, the camaraderie between them momentarily easing the heavy conversation.
"Thank you," Alaric said to him.
"You’re welcome," Griffin replied with a chuckle.
Just as the moment settled, a sharp vibration filled the room, making them both pause. Alaric, sitting closest to the phone on the table, picked it up. His face paled when he saw the name on the screen.
"Shit. It’s Ironlady."
"What?!" Griffin shouted, shooting up straight. Alaric handed him the phone, and Griffin immediately cleared his throat, bracing himself as he picked up his phone. He greeted his mother, "Hello, Mama."
The stern voice that responded was unmistakably that of his mother, the infamous Ironlady, Irene. "I received a video recording today, and I have to say, the fight I witnessed was not impressive."
Griffin muttered a curse under his breath, his jaw clenching. There was no doubt in his mind who the culprit behind this video leak was. It was his beta, Oscar. He would be having a serious talk with Oscar later about where his loyalty lay.
"Are you losing your touch or something? Have you forgotten the way of the East? We crush our enemies, not have fun with them," his mother continued in her uncompromising voice.
From the corner, Alaric mouthed ’feral’ to Griffin, barely stifling his laughter. Griffin in return shot him a glare.
"It won’t happen again, Mom," he assured her through gritted teeth.
"It better not," she replied, her voice as hard as steel.
"Yes, ma’m."
And then, almost as if a switch had been flipped, her tone softened, becoming unexpectedly sweet and maternal. "Nonetheless, how’s my baby doing?"
Griffin couldn’t help but smile, even as he protested, "I’m fine, but please stop calling me baby. I’m a grown man, Mom."
At this point, Alaric could not hold his amusement anymore and burst into laughter.
Unfortunately, Irene’s sharp ears didn’t miss it, her attention shifting from her son. "Is that Alaric’s voice I hear?" she asked, her tone turning curious.
"Yes," Griffin replied, shooting Alaric an exasperated look.
"Hand him the phone," Irene demanded.
Griffin happily handed the phone over, mouthing, ’lie on your grave
"Hello, Irene," Alaric greeted her with his charming voice.
"How are you doing, my dear?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine affection.
"Doing well, Irene. And yourself?"
"Good, good," she replied before adding in her usual no-nonsense tone, "Now I won’t bother you with school stuff which I’m sure you’re good at, just keep an eye on my baby boy, will you? You know how he gets sometimes."
"Of course, my beautiful Irene, I’ll keep an eye on your baby for you." Alaric said with emphasis, blowing Griffin an air kiss.
Griffin gave him the middle finger and Alaric laughed as he handed the phone back to him.
Before Griffin could say a word, Irene asked quickly. "So, what’s your progress with Elsie? Is she into you these days? What’s your progress with her?"
Though Griffin was accustomed to his mother’s nosiness regarding his relationship with Elsie, today it grated on him more than usual.
To be fair, it’s a valid question considering the East wants Elsie to be their Luna. It was quite unfortunate he was the least of the cardinal alphas Elsie liked. And yet, he had to pursue the girl because his people wanted her.
"The time you use to gossip about my love life, you could use it to take care of both your husbands," he reminded her.
"Oh, don’t worry about your papas," Irene said breezily. "They’re perfectly fine. And for your information, they’re dying to hear this news as well—"
Almost on cue, Griffin could hear the voices of his fathers in the background, bickering loudly about who would braid his mother’s hair.
Griffin seized the opportunity, "I think that requires your attention before it turns into a full-blown brawl and they destroy something at home. Have a nice day, mama." He blew her a kiss through the phone.
"Griffin, don’t you dare—!" Irene began, but Griffin had already ended the call.
He took a deep breath, exhaling heavily, relieved to have escaped further interrogation.
"That was a close one," he muttered to himself.
Griffin then glanced at Alaric, who was still chuckling at the whole exchange.
"Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you baby, " Alaric mimicked Irene’s voice, touching him on the shoulder.
At once, Griffin pounced on Alaric. He was going to kill him tonight!