Chapter 548: A Better Rain

After Irene left the party, the other Alphas followed one by one. They all knew tomorrow would be a long day, and with the responsibility of leadership weighing on their shoulders, rest was non-negotiable. Wolves might be stronger and more resilient than humans, but even their bodies needed downtime.

The humans, however, were another story.

Most of the high-ranking dignitaries had retreated for the night, but plenty of others stayed behind. Right now, they were drunk out of their minds, laughing too loudly, swaying on their feet, and making an absolute spectacle of themselves.

Violet, Roman, and Griffin sat at their table, quietly watching them with growing annoyance. Even though the punishment was given to Roman, there was no way on earth they were leaving him to deal with the mess alone. They were in this together.

"I wish Alaric was here," Violet said. "He’d just make it rain on them and clear this place out."

"Same," Griffin sighed, rubbing his temple.

But Roman perked up suddenly, his grin spreading wide and positively sinister.

"Don’t worry," he said, leaning back with that glint in his eyes Violet never trusted. "I can make it rain something else."

"Roman?" Violet asked, suspicious.

He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, speaking in an exaggerated, fake accent. "Don’t worry, mademoiselle, it will be harmless fun. Absolutely magnifique."

Violet groaned. That didn’t reassure her at all, but she let it go.

Roman released her hand and focused forward. The next moment, the black of his eyes shifted, twisting unnaturally until they mirrored the glossy pupils of a bird. It was startling, but Violet didn’t flinch. She just held her breath, and watched him, intrigued.

Roman’s gaze went distant, as if he were seeing through someone else’s vision. Then came the first sharp caw. Then a second. And a third.

At first, the guests ignored it. The music was still going, and the dancing didn’t stop, not until a single bird swooped low and plop! It dropped poop on a man’s suit. The poor victim screamed, spinning in a circle as his friends laughed mercilessly.

And then came the second bird. The third. The fourth.

Heads turned upward, and dread dawned on every drunken face as nearly fifty birds darkened the sky.

As if Roman had given a silent command, the birds dove as one. What followed was a rain of bird poop pelting the guests like nature’s cruel joke.

Chaos broke out. Guests and reporters shrieked and scrambled, shoes flying, dresses torn as they tripped over each other in blind panic. This wasn’t like the rat epidemic — no one was sticking around this time. They bolted, fleeing the garden entirely.

In less than two minutes, the once-packed garden was deserted.

From behind a hedge, Violet, Roman, and Griffin came out.

"Viola!" Roman shouted with glee, throwing his arms wide triumphantly. "It got the job done!"

But Violet’s smile vanished when she noticed the streak of blood trailing from Roman’s nose.

"Roman!" she gasped, rushing to his side. Without hesitation, she wiped the blood away with her thumb, her face etched with concern. "Enough animal control for today."

"Aww, she’s worried about me," Roman teased her.

"Of course I’m worried about you, idiot!" Violet snapped. "For a skill you haven’t trained in years, you’re pushing yourself way too far."

Roman smirked, though it was tired around the edges. "You know what would make it better? A kiss or two." He waggled his brows playfully.

To be honest, he hadn’t expected her to take him seriously. So when Violet cupped his face and kissed him square on the lips, Roman froze.

It was a warm, lingering kiss, and his only regret was that it didn’t last longer.

"Better now?" Violet asked softly when she pulled back.

Roman’s grin spread so wide it was ridiculous. His cheeks burned red. "Yeah, more than better."

Griffin’s dry voice cut through the moment. "The same can’t be said for the garden."

They turned to look, and sure enough, there was bird poop everywhere.

"You’ve officially increased the workload," Griffin deadpanned.

Roman just shrugged, utterly unapologetic. "Manure’s good for the plants."

Griffin sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat. Roman was absolutely insufferable. There was no point in trying to reason with him.

"Let’s just get this over with." Griffin muttered.

They started cleaning with Violet doing her best to keep them focused, while Roman whistled cheerfully as if this wasn’t a task at all.

It went smoothly for about five minutes.

Then Roman, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, scooped up a small clump of wet leaves and tossed it at Griffin’s back. The clump hit with a soft splatt.

Griffin froze mid-motion, his spine going rigid. Slowly, he turned his head, his brown eyes narrowing.

"Roman..." Griffin’s voice was dangerously calm. "Don’t. Do. That. Again."

Roman placed a hand over his heart in mock innocence. "Of course, big guy. I’d never dream of it."

A minute later, splatt.

This time, the clump smacked Griffin right in the chest.

Roman grinned. "Oops."

Griffin didn’t even reply. He charged at him.

"AHH!" Roman shrieked, taking off like his life depended on it. He darted between the scattered chairs and half-toppled tables, laughing wildly, but Griffin was surprisingly agile for his massive size.

"Come here!" Griffin roared.

"Nope! Nope! Nope!" Roman cackled, dodging left, then right, until — WHAM!

Griffin tackled him to the ground, his full weight crashing down.

"Oof!" Roman gasped, the air whooshing out of his lungs. Okay, that hurt a little bit. But then, he asked for it.

Griffin straddled him, playfully landing punches to his chest and arms.

"Ahh, yes, Daddy! Harder!" Roman moaned dramatically, wiggling beneath him. "Punish me!"

Griffin’s punches grew sharper. "Shut up!"

Violet groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh, come on, guys!"

At once, Griffin shot off Roman scowling, while Roman lay there, laughing like a lunatic.

Then Violet froze as a sharp, pricking sensation crawled up her spine. It was the unmistakable feeling of being watched. She turned around, her eyes scanning the hedges and trees surrounding the garden.

But there was nothing, just swaying flowers and still darkness.

"What is it?" Roman asked, his laughter dying when he saw her tense expression.

"Nothing," Violet said finally, though unease lingered in her voice. She turned back to them, forcing a smile. "Let’s just get this done. I’m tired already."