Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 769: Witches At Lunaris

"You know, you didn’t have to do this for me." Natalie Avax told Dion.

They were lying on her outrageously huge bed, facing each other. Dion was propped slightly on one elbow, their faces close enough that she could stare into his beautiful black eyes.

"I know," he replied. "But I wanted to." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Natalie shouldn’t even be back on campus yet. Everyone knew that. The doctors had insisted she rest, and supervision. But the hospital had felt unbearably empty and her father—busy, distant, and brilliant as always—hadn’t been there.

So she came back — or more precisely to spend time with her new love interest, Dion.

He’d brought her meals, and checked her vitals over and over again. It was beginning to get annoying. But Natalie knew he was only worried about her. He kept her company and made her feel less miserable — especially after being in the spotlight in a not so positive way.

Her father David Avax hadn’t objected to her move. He wouldn’t even dare. And with the lockdown in place, Lunaris had become the safest place she could be, warded and sealed tight. Not that the lockdown would stop him from reaching her if he truly wanted to—but Natalie knew this was his way of giving her space.

"I didn’t just do it for you," Dion said to her, "Nicole’s been getting on my nerves for years. I merely took advantage of the moment to encourage her retirement."

"Well, look at you," Natalie teased him. "Micah would be so proud of you."

Dion sighed. "I don’t know about that." He had been operating without orders and he didn’t know how his boss, the original Oracle, would feel about that.

Natalie reached for her phone and tilted it between them. "Well, if it makes you happy, you should see the comments."

She cleared her throat dramatically and began to read.

"’Nicole thought she was the Oracle but ended up being a background zombie.’

Dion snorted in laughter.

"Oh, this one’s good," Natalie continued, her voice warming with amusement. "’Forget the apocalypse, the real infection was bad journalism.’"

She laughed then, a real laugh, bright and rich laughter that filled the room. Dion watched her closely, satisfied by the happiness on her face.

"Zombie holiday seems to be a hit," she added, scrolling. "’Ten out of ten, would survive the lockdown again.’"

Natalie laughed so hard she had to set the phone aside, wiping at the corner of her eyes. "I shouldn’t laugh this much. It probably hurts my ribs."

"After what you’ve been through, I think you have every right to happiness right now, Natalie." Dion breathed, tugging her hair away from her face.

Natalie was speechless. She stared at him for a long time, then whispered, "Thank you," she meant more than the article this time.

"You’re welcome."

Silence settled between them, not awkward, just charged. For days now, Dion had been coming in and out of her room.

People had talked. Of course they had. Lunaris thrived on whispers after all. But Natalie didn’t care.

She didn’t know what they were yet. There was a small, nagging fear that she might be leaning on him too much, that the grief and shock had blurred lines. or that Dion might be drawn to her because of her name. But Natalie refused to let fear steal the one thing she’d found that felt real.

She leaned forward first, slowly, giving him time to pull away if he wanted.

He didn’t.

Her lips brushed his in a light, careful kiss. Just enough to test the moment. Dion closed his eyes, breathing her in, and savoring it like something fragile.

But It wasn’t enough.

Natalie moved closer, erasing the space between them. She fisted her hand in the fabric of his shirt as she kissed him again, this time, deeper. A soft sound escaped her, as her other fingers threaded into his hair, tugging him closer.

Dion responded, but carefully, hands steady, mindful of every breath she took.

When Natalie tried to shift over him, her body protesting, and she hissed in pain.

Dion pulled back instantly. "Hey—no. Don’t do that."

She scowled. "This is stupid."

"No," he said softly, brushing her hair back. "You’re healing and that is what matters. No need to rush things, Natalie. We’ve got time. All the time in the world."

She stared at him, annoyed, and then sighed, the fight draining out of her. "You’re annoyingly reasonable."

"I’ve been told," he said with a small smile.

He shifted, carefully drawing her against him, one arm secure around her shoulders. Natalie settled in, her head resting against his chest as they cuddled.

They lay there in silence which didn’t last because Dion’s phone rang suddenly.

He groaned softly and reached for it, squinting at the screen as he read the message and his expression changed.

Natalie caught it. "What is it?" she asked, lifting her head from the pillow.

Dion exhaled. "Well. Speak of the devil." He looked at her. "It’s Micah. He and Adele are coming back."

Natalie swallowed.

She’d known this moment would come, but that didn’t make it easier. Micah had called her throughout everything and though his voice had been calm and reassuring, she also knew Micah was good at hiding his emotions.

"Well," Natalie said, trying to lighten the mood, "Lunaris won’t be boring anytime soon."

Dion breathed. "That’s one way to put it."

---

Much later that night, two figures stood before the towering gates of Lunaris Academy.

Layla tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Do you feel that?"

Laura reached out instinctively, fingers brushing the air—

Zap.

"Ouch!" She yanked her hand back, scowling. "Since when does the school have a ward?"

"Since now," Layla replied calmly, stepping closer. The barrier shimmered faintly, a bluish glow rippling beneath the surface. She hummed, impressed. "Whoever cast this knew what they were doing. Clean work."

Laura rubbed her fingers. "But we can do better. Right?"

Layla’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk.

"Oh, hell," she said softly. "We absolutely can."