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The kiss between them was fiery and unrestrained now that they were alone. Alaric’s lips devoured Violet’s with the intensity of a storm, leaving her breathless. Violet responded with equal fervor, her hands gripping his strong shoulders as her body pressed into his.

Alaric walked her backward until her back met the cold wall, trapping her against it as his lips claimed hers again with the force of his raging emotions.

As if the kiss wasn’t enough, Alaric broke it briefly, his breathing heavy. He took off the gloves that he had been wearing all this while to protect the truth that Violet was immune to his lightning. Not in front of the whole school.

But now they were alone, he wanted to be free. To kiss her without any hindrance knowing he could never hurt her. He wanted her to feel every brim of her power, for her to soak it up, to know how much his lightning raged for her.

When his bare hands touched her, the energy rushed into her like a current. Violet gasped, her head tipping back as the power surged through her veins, igniting every nerve ending.

Alaric had let his lightning flow freely, and now it sang inside her, amplifying her arousal until it was a raging storm. She looked into his eyes, now electrified and glowing with his power, and understood why he loved his gift. It was intoxicating. Addicting.

He kissed her again, harder this time, and Violet couldn’t stop the loud moan that escaped her lips.

The raw power coursing through her body only heightened her need, making her molten core flood with desire.

Her pants felt damp, clinging to her skin, and she was sure they’d dissolve entirely if this continued.

But Violet hadn’t come here for just this. Gathering all her willpower, she pushed against Alaric’s chest, breaking the kiss. His hooded, intense gaze burned into her as he groaned, clearly frustrated. He tried to lean in again, but Violet sidestepped him.

"We need to talk about us." She said to him.

Alaric sighed, the sound heavy with reluctance. "Fine," he said, his tone low and rough. "Let’s talk. What do you want to know?"

Violet held her ground as she asked, "Are we together, like... together? Or is this just casual?"

Alaric didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, forcing Violet to step back until her hips hit the edge of his work table that was cluttered with electronic components and laptops.

With effortless strength, Alaric swept everything to the side and lifted Violet onto the table.

Then he positioned himself between her thighs, spreading her legs to pull her closer.

"Does this look like something casual to you?" he asked, his voice intentionally slow, as he ground his restrained erection against her, leaving no room for doubt.

Violet swallowed hard, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Her body ached for him, but she needed clarity.

"I’m addicted to you," Alaric said, his voice low and gravelly. "And I’m afraid there’s no going back now." He leaned in, his lips trailing down her neck as he nipped and kissed her skin, leaving her gasping and sighing.

Violet was tempted to give in, but she still had questions. "I know about Elsie and the deal with the Alpha King."

Alaric froze against her, his guilt visible in the tension of his shoulders. Pulling back, he met her gaze.

"I don’t have feelings for Elsie," he said honestly. "But I won’t lie.I might end up with her. It’s... complicated."

"I understand," Violet said, surprising him. "I don’t mind your situation, as long as you don’t cheat on me with her while we’re together. When we graduate, if you choose her, so be it. But while we’re together, you’re mine."

Alaric’s lips curved into a smile. "It’s you and me, Violet. No one else."

With that, he kissed her again, this time slower and sweeter, a promise wrapped in tenderness. Violet melted into him, her resolve faltering until she remembered her boundaries.

"Also," she said between kisses, "no sex. Not now. Not today. I’m not ready yet."

Alaric chuckled, pressing his forehead against hers. "Fine," he agreed. "Let me take you somewhere more comfortable, then."

Before Violet could question him, he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of flour.

"Be gentle!" she yelped, laughing despite the situation.

In response, Alaric smacked her bottom playfully, making her gasp. Violet, not one to back down, reached down from her upside-down position and smacked his butt in return. His laughter echoed through the space as he carried her to a hidden door she hadn’t noticed before.

Pushing it open, Alaric stepped into a small, cozy bedroom tucked away behind his workshop. It was simple but inviting, with a bed, a couch, and a desk.

He set her down gently, and Violet looked around, surprised. "How did I not notice this before?"

"It’s my retreat," Alaric explained, smiling. "A place to crash after late nights working."

He walked over to the couch and sat down, tapping his leg to indicate where she should sit. Violet was unable to resist the gesture. She smirked, swaying her hips as she approached. Then she straddled him, sitting directly on his erection, and drawing a groan from his lips.

"You’re a little minx, aren’t you?" Alaric teased, his hands slipping under her skirt to cup her bare bottom, pressing her closer.

Violet leaned forward, capturing his lips in a deep, lascivious kiss. Her hips began to move, grinding against him as he guided her rhythm with his hands. Their moans filled the room, the heat between them intensifying until—

A loud, insistent ringing shattered the moment. Violet tried to ignore it, but the sound persisted.

"Fuck. Answer it," Alaric muttered, his frustration clear as he muttered a curse under his breath. Why does the universe hate him?

Reluctantly, Violet pulled away, her breath uneven as she climbed off Alaric’s lap. His flushed face and the way his chest rose and fell told her he was still struggling to catch his own breath. He groaned softly, running a hand through his disheveled hair, the tension in his body palpable.

"This is killing me," Alaric muttered, his voice low and filled with a mix of frustration and amusement as he adjusted his position on the couch, his need for her obvious.

Violet smirked slightly but didn’t respond, turning on her heel to retrieve her phone from the main workshop. When she returned to the small room, her brow furrowed and Alaric immediately noticed.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, sitting up straighter with concern, his piercing blue eyes searching her face.

Violet let out a sigh, holding up her phone. "It’s a message," she said. "Apparently, I missed my earlier counseling session with Mr. Richmond, and now, it’s been rescheduled for today."