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"Are you sure you don’t want me to escort you to Richmond’s office?" Alaric asked, stealing another kiss from Violet’s lips.

Violet returned the kiss briefly and replied, "Sorry, but I can go on my own."

Besides, she was certain the news of her and Alaric was already spreading like wildfire. She didn’t want to draw even more attention to herself.

"Fine," Alaric groaned, but not before seeking her lips once more. Her lips tasted like honey and he was addicted to it. And this time, the kiss was deeper, more intense, leaving her breathless when he pulled away. "I miss you."

Violet blinked in surprise. "But I’m still here."

"That’s the point," Alaric said, wrapping his arms around her possessively, pulling her close as if she were his personal doll. "I’m already missing you. I wish we could stay like this all day." His grin turned mischievous. "And maybe do something naughty."

Violet couldn’t help but burst into laughter, lightly smacking his arm. "You’re acting like a baby."

"Only when I’m with you," he admitted shamelessly, his grin growing wider.

Violet scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. Who would’ve thought the cold, aloof Alaric Storm could be this childish? But before she could say more, Alaric suddenly sat up, his expression changing.

"No, this won’t do," he declared.

"What won’t do?" Violet asked, sitting up as well, but Alaric gently pushed her back down onto the bed.

"I need a souvenir," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Before Violet could process what he meant by that, Alaric’s hands had already slipped under her skirt, firmly gripping her hips.

"No, Alaric, there’s no time!" she protested with a mix of panic and disbelief. "I’m running—"

But Alaric didn’t stop. He easily slid her panties down her legs, pulling them free with a triumphant look.

"What the...?" Violet stammered, even though she had lifted her hips to help him. What in the world was wrong with her?

"Yes, this will do," Alaric said, lifting the delicate fabric to his nose and inhaling deeply. The sight made Violet’s cheeks burn red. It should have disgusted her, but instead, she found the act oddly hot, leaving her both mortified and flustered.

But that was until reality hit her.

"Wait. No, Alaric, I can’t walk around without panties!" she said, horrified.

"Yes, you can," Alaric replied smugly, slipping the panties into his pocket. "And you will. It’s a good reminder for Richmond to know where he can’t put his hands."

He then playfully slapped her thigh. "Now go."

Violet stood up, glaring at him with a pout. Fine, she thought. She’d stop by her dorm to grab a fresh pair.

But as if reading her mind, Alaric added, "And don’t even think about putting on another pair. I’ll know, Violet. You should let your lady bits breathe today, trust me, they’ll thank me later." He smirked, lounging back on his bed as if he owned the world. "Now go, my little minx of a girlfriend."

Muttering under her breath about domineering alphas and their annoying antics, Violet left the room. To think she had assumed Alaric was the normal one among the cardinal alphas and that she had made the right choice.

As Violet stepped out of the woods and onto the paved path leading back to the academy, she realized just how far she’d have to walk.

Perhaps she should’ve let Alaric take her.

But then again, what next? Would he command her to go braless, too?

The thought made her shake her head. So Violet decided to walk.

She needed the fresh air to think anyway.

Right now, she had made so many choices that would affect the rest of her schooling here for good or better.

Violet hadn’t been walking long when she heard the sound of a car horn from behind.

Her heart leapt with hope as she thought perhaps Alaric had changed his mind.

But when she turned, her face fell. It wasn’t her new boyfriend as she wanted but a certain Alpha she promised to strangle the next time they met.

Roman.

He drove a flashy green car with its roof down, exuding luxury and arrogance in equal measure. The car’s engine purred arrogantly just like its driver.

Roman didn’t give up. He pulled up beside her, slowing to a crawl. "Care for a ride to school?" he asked with his haughty demeanor.

Violet ignored him, her expression turning icy. She hadn’t forgotten the humiliating scenting ceremony or how Roman had fooled her from the get go. Although their last encounter had been kind of... misleading? It didn’t mistake the fact she had not forgiven him and would not. Not until her revenge.

"Fine, suit yourself," Roman said, shrugging as if he didn’t care. Then, in a deliberately teasing tone, he added, "I’m sure you’re not running late for whatever important class you have right now."

Damn him for being right!

Violet had wasted too much time with Alaric already. And no matter how much her sexy boyfriend had claimed Richmond was habitually late, it probably was never this late for an hour-long session.

Hence Violet cursed under her breath, weighing her options as Roman’s smug grin widened, daring her to accept.

"Fine," Violet said through gritted teeth.

Roman fought to keep his grin in check, but the smug satisfaction in his eyes was evidence he knew he had won.

Violet pulled open the passenger door and slid into the car, her movements jerky with irritation. With a huff, she slammed the door shut, the force of it causing a gust of air to lift her skirt slightly before it fluttered back down.

And that was when it happened.

Roman suddenly gasped sharpy, catching her scent. His head turned toward her with alarming precision, his green eyes locking onto hers.

Violet froze.

Roman’s pupils had dilated impossibly wide, swallowing the green in an almost hypnotic black. And through those piercing eyes, she saw it. His wolf staring back at her, raw and unfiltered.

For a moment, the air inside the car thickened, charged with an intensity that made her chest tighten. Violet swallowed hard, the dry click in her throat loud in her own ears.

She felt like prey under his gaze, as if Roman were seeing her not as a person but as something to be consumed, devoured, making the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

Violet’s muscles coiled instinctively, every fiber of her being screaming for her to stay as still as possible, not daring to make a careless move that might provoke the predator beside her.

Time stretched unbearably long, the moment suffocating.

Then, almost as quickly as it began, it was over. Roman blinked, his pupils shrinking back to their normal size, and the wolf retreated to the depths of his gaze.

A disarming, almost casual smile spread across Roman’s lips, replacing the earlier edge that had left her unsettled.

"You and Alaric have been a naughty pair," Roman said lightly, as if they were discussing the weather.

Before Violet could respond, Roman turned away, starting the car with a rumble of the engine.

Though Roman didn’t seem like he would harm her, Violet’s hands gripped her lap tightly until her knuckles turned white, the memory of his wolf’s gaze burned into her mind.

It reminded Violet that though these people wore the skin of men, they were still beasts capable of devouring her without leaving a single bone behind.