Chapter 446

Roman and Alaric swaggered out of the fitting room to the sharp glares waiting for them—Griffin Hale’s, in particular.
“You do know Griffin began, his voice gruff and his breathing heavier than usual, “I can feel everything when you mess with that mating rune.”
Roman raised a brow, clearly intrigued. “Interesting,” he murmured, a wicked thought already forming at the back of his mind.
Still, he gave an easy shrug. “I had the main course, that’s on him.” He tossed the blame without shame, gesturing casually to Alaric.
Alaric didn’t even deny it. “I’m not even sorry. Our girlfriend had a good time.” He looked far too pleased with himself.
As if summoned, Violet appeared, and just like that, four pairs of eyes locked onto her at once, drawn like moths to flame.
Violet paused, slightly taken aback by the intensity of their stares, then she squared her shoulders and walked forward confidently.
Still, just to be sure, Violet asked, “Do we have a problem?”
Griffin, ironically the first to complain earlier, was also the first to reply, “Never.” Right now, Violet was glowing, her skin kissed with a flush that made her look so sweet he could practically eat her. He swore she’d taste like strawberry rose tartlets drizzled with white chocolate. Yummy.
“No,” Roman and Alaric answered almost in sync.
Asher, of course, didn’t bother joining in the chorus. He just said, “You look good.”
Thanks to the little moment back there, Violet had ended up changing into a pair of black jeans Asher had chosen, a designer shirt from Griffin, the wristband picked by Roman, and the shoes from Alaric. In short, she was wearing pieces of all of them, quite literally.
Violet trusted their relationship, but she wasn’t stupid. It wasn’t difficult for doubt or misunderstanding to creep in. She was dating four different men, all with their own baggage. No way she was going to leave room for unnecessary drama.
“Thank you,” she said brightly, before clapping her hands and grinning. “But flattery isn’t going to save you from what’s coming next.”
Asher groaned, and Violet smiled at his reaction. Honestly, it was kind of cute.
“So, who’s going first?” she asked.
“Me!” Roman was already standing in front of her like a kid called for recess.
“Alright,” Violet chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Let’s start with sunshine-boy.”
She took his hand and dragged him forward as he practically skipped beside her.
Fifteen minutes later, Violet emerged from the fitting area with her masterpiece behind her.
“Hello, co-boyfriends!” Roman dramatically strutted out from behind her with a pose, one hand on his hip and the other tossed behind his head.
Griffin, who was sipping a milkshake—where in the world was he even getting all the food from?—spat it out in shock.
“Dude, what the fuck.” Alaric burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. God, this was funny.
Even Asher, who tried his best not to show it, couldn’t hold it in anymore. He covered his face, clearly feeling the secondhand embarrassment.
Could one blame him? Even Violet, the mastermind of the whole thing, was failing at stifling her laughter.
Roman Draven was wearing a deep sapphire-blue satin shirt, unbuttoned halfway down his chest to reveal smooth, sun-kissed skin. The sleeves were snug and cuffed at the wrists, a silver chain glinting under the store lights.
He paired it with white, tight, high-waisted pants that shimmered faintly with a metallic sheen. They hugged every inch of his long legs and sinful hips, flaring slightly at the ankles.
On his feet were black platform boots with a silver star embossed on the side. The finishing touch was a pair of tinted aviator sunglasses perched on his nose, hiding his eyes, but not the cocky grin on his lips.
Roman twirled. “Yeah, I know. I look like a disco prince.”
“More like a dancer,” Alaric jibed.
But Roman, surprisingly, didn’t take it to heart. “Oh yeah?” he said with a cocky smirk, then launched into a dramatic hip swivel, rolling his shoulders and snapping his fingers to an imaginary beat. He threw in a cheeky body roll, then spun on one heel. Smooth.
Violet was the only one who clapped at the performance. The others didn’t.
“Jealousy,” Roman said, snapping his fingers toward each of them, “is a disease. Get well soon. As for me ”
He reached for Violet’s hand and twirled her right into him.
“I’m the best.” Ruman declared.
Violet, laughing so hard she could barely breathe, played along. “Okay, okay,” she gasped between giggles, “you win. You’re the best.”
Roman grinned, sweeping her into a final dip. “Obviously. I was born to shine.”
Asher rolled his eyes. “Born to blind, maybe.”
Griffin raised his milkshake. “To our peacock in platform boots.”
Alaric took a picture of him. “I can’t wait for when this goes viral.”
The only problem was he couldn’t post it yet. But one day, he would make sure the whole world saw it.
“If you guys are so perfect, why don’t you try yours? I’m sure Violet has something special for each of you,” Roman said, his voice thick with dark anticipation.
At that, Violet smiled sinisterly. “So, who’s next?”
None of the men said a word.
“Don’t make me choose,” Violet sing-songed.
The guys looked at each other, waiting to see who would willingly sacrifice themselves.
Finally, Griffin sighed. “Fine. I’ll go,” he offered. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
“Way to go, big guy.” Roman slapped him on the back, clearly delighted, before settling into the spot Griffin had just vacated.
Violet took Griffin by the hand and winked at the others. “We’ll be back shortly.”
Then they left.
Alaric asked, “What do you think she’s dressing me up as?”
Roman stretched in his outfit and said. “I have no idea He casually reached over, grabbed Griffin’s half-finished milkshake, and took a slow, obnoxious slurp. “But I’m going to enjoy every piece of it.”
Asher didn’t say a word, but the small twitch at the corner of his lips gave him away. He was definitely curious too, even though he’d rather die than admit it.
Minutes later and Griffin stepped out.
Asher took one look and completely lost it.
“You have got to be kidding me,” he wheezed, the words exploding out of his mouth before he doubled over with laughter.
For once, even the perpetually composed West Alpha couldn’t help himself because standing there was Griffin Hale, dressed in something no one saw coming.