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Violet’s back was pressed firmly against the wall, her heart pounding so furiously as she stared into the abyss where Richmond’s eyes had once been. Holy creator of the universe.What in the hell was going on in this school?

Suddenly, as abruptly as they’d changed, Richmond’s eyes shifted back to normal. The tension in the room eased instantly as he threw his head back and burst into laughter. The rich, deep sound echoed off the walls, incongruously carefree.

"I don’t think I’ll ever get over scaring newbies like this," he said, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye.

He stared at Violet who looked like every atom of blood had been drained from her life, saying, "You took it well, to be honest. Most first-timers usually run out of my office screaming."

"Although," he added with a cackle that reminded Violet of an old-school villain, "they have no choice but to come back for their counseling session."

"What are you?" Violet gasped, shaken.

Her mind was racing. While she knew of the supernatural creatures officially acknowledged by the world that existed, nothing about Richmond fit those descriptions. Why would the school even harbor whatever he was?

Plopping down on his seat, Richmond leaned forward with the confidence of one that knew he had her cornered. "Want to know?" Richmond asked smoothly with a hint of challenge.

He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Sit, then. We’ve got a counseling session."

Violet hesitated, her thoughts warring within her.

Their counseling time was technically up, and she could always ask someone —preferably Lila—about him later.

But deep down, she knew no one could give her a clearer answer than the man—or creature—in front of her.

And if he had any bad intentions, surely he wouldn’t have revealed himself like this.

Moreover, when did she become such a coward?

Straightening her spine, Violet forced herself to walk toward the chair and sit. She made a point of looking as composed as possible, her expression schooled into a neutral mask. The best way to throw off a predator was not to be scared of them — or pretend not to be scared of them.

Richmond, or whatever he called himself, studied her with an amused expression as she sat down. "Well," she began, her voice cool and formal, "Richmond—"

"Micah," he interrupted.

"What?"

"I’d prefer if you called me Micah," he said casually, though his eyes held a trace of annoyance. "Richmond is a surname I’d rather not be associated with."

Violet raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "If you say so." She locked eyes with him. "So, tell me, Micah. What are you?"

"Half werewolf, half incubus," Micah said, his tone calm, as if he’d just declared his favorite color.

"What?" Violet’s jaw nearly hit the floor. "No way," she gasped.

"Surprising, right? I’m a legend." Micah grinned dramatically, spreading his arms as if basking in imaginary applause.

"No, it’s impossible," Violet said, her voice rising slightly as disbelief overwhelmed her. She shook her head, trying to piece it together. "Sure, demons exist, but a werewolf and a demon... mating? That’s unheard of."

"That is," Micah interjected with deliberate emphasis, "if they ’mated’."

Violet frowned, the hint in his voice and the firm look on his face making her stomach twist. Her blood chilled as the raw implications hit her like a brick wall.

"Fuck," she muttered under her breath, the curse escaping before she could stop it.

"It is indeed fucked up," Micah agreed, his tone almost indifferent despite the gravity of his words. He spoke as though he was recounting someone else’s story, unaffected by the tragedy that shaped him.

He folded his hands on the desk. "My father, the Alpha King at the time—"

"Wait," Violet interrupted, her eyes growing wide. "Your father was the Alpha King?"

Micah nodded. "At the time. Now, his brother rules."

It dawned on Violet, the pieces clicking into place. "The current Alpha King is your uncle," she was completely dumbfounded.

Violet stared at Micah, still unable to believe it. She was sitting in front of royalty. Royalty who worked as a counselor in this... twisted school. And offered sex to students. That didn’t sound right.

Micah continued, his voice steady but darkened by a deep bitterness.

"After the war, it was clear the werewolves had suffered the greatest losses. My father became obsessed with creating absolute power. He wanted power that would make him invincible, you know, a ruler unmatched by anyone. And his ’brilliant’ idea was to summon a demon. "

He paused, his jaw tightening before he continued. "But he didn’t consider that demons are cunning creatures who answer to no one. The demon he summoned didn’t grant him power. Instead, it raped his mate, my mother, right in front of him. And when it was done, killed him."

Violet felt her stomach churn, horror curling through her chest. She didn’t know what to say, but Micah wasn’t finished.

"No one knew the full extent of what happened," he said coldly. "Not until my mother died giving birth to the monster that I am. It would’ve been the right thing to kill me, an abomination, but I was the Alpha King’s only living heir.

Out of respect, they spared my life, but I could never become Alpha King. Not as long as I lived. "

Micah continued with a voice that was lighter but no less bitter. "And so here I am, exiled to a school of horny teenagers who are more than willing to give me the fuel I need to survive. Sexual energy."

By the time he finished speaking, Violet’s head was spinning, her brain struggling to process the enormity of what she’d just heard.

The initial judgments she had towards Micah made her feel embarrassingly small-minded now.

Not when the tragic truth of his existence was horrifying, and none of it was his fault.

If anyone was to blame, it was his father. The greedy, power-obsessed Alpha King who had unleashed a nightmare upon his own family.