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Violet stood alone in the darkened area, a creeping unease curling in her stomach especially as she stared at the forest behind her.

She shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself.

The shadows between the trees stretched unnervingly and though she wasn’t a child anymore, scared of the dark and the unseen horrors it harbored, but right now, Violet found herself praying for Alaric to return quickly.

After all, the wolves weren’t the only creatures that lurked in the night.

And it wasn’t long before her prayer was answered. Familiar footsteps approached and she breathed in relief. Except that relief was fleeting.

As soon as she caught sight of the hulking Alpha, her throat went dry.

Violet’s stomach twisted with anxiety and every ounce of confidence she had built up minutes ago vanished like smoke in the wind.

Maybe this had been a mistake. Maybe wanting to see him had been the worst idea she’d had in a long time.

However, Violet wasn’t a coward so she planted her feet firmly, resisting the urge to fidget as he approached. Griffin in question

suddenly stopped in his tracks, throwing out an arm to halt Alaric as well.

Their body language shifted, and Violet narrowed her eyes, watching as they turned toward each other, their voices dropping into hushed whispers.

They were arguing about her.

Violet knew it instinctively from the way Alaric’s gaze flickered toward her before focusing back on Griffin. Her pulse quickened with curiosity. What were they saying? Before they reached a conclusion, she managed to catch a single fragment of their conversation.

"She’s not Lucille."

Her frown deepened at once.

Lucille?

What did Lucille have to do with her apology? A sense of unease curled in her stomach, a gnawing awareness that there was something she wasn’t being told.

Violet intended to question them and get answers. But the moment Griffin stepped forward, Violet forgot everything just like that.

She swallowed thickly, feeling the weight of his gaze as if it had a physical hold on her.

And then there was the hair.

Oh, for the love of all things holy.

The very thing that had started this mess was pulled into a messy bun atop his head. Since when had a man bun become this dangerously attractive? Since when had it made her want to unravel it with her fingers, just to see how it would fall around his face?

No. No, no, no.

She was here to apologize, not stand there and lust after Griffin like some weak-kneed idiot.

So get a grip of yourself, Violet!

She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to focus.

"Hi," she breathed, her voice embarrassingly unsteady. She rubbed her clammy hands down her pants, barely suppressing a wince.

God, why was she so nervous?

"Listen, about earlier, I—"

"I think I have something to confess first."

"Huh?" Violet blinked, his words catching her off guard.

She then glanced at Alaric for an explanation, but the lightning prince remained as unreadable as ever. A wall of stoicism that offered her no clues.

That didn’t help her nerves at all.

"...Okay?" she said uncertainly, bracing herself.

Griffin hesitated for a moment, watching her cautiously before he finally spoke. "I think it’s better if I show you."

Her brow arched in interest, though she shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Sure. Go on then." She straightened, making a show of preparing herself.

But nothing—absolutely nothing—could have prepared Violet for what happened next.

Griffin’s gaze locked onto hers, intense, burning, making her heart race in anticipation.

What was he up to? Violet wondered. The air had already thickened between them, crackling with something she did not understand.

Except it was a second too late when she caught the flicker in his eyes.

The hunger. The intent.

Her body barely had time to react before he grabbed her face and kissed her.

Holy creator of the universe.

What in the actual hullabaloo was happening?

It was just a mere press of his lips. There was no urgency, no overwhelming force. And yet, it was enough to render her completely catatonic.

Ten seconds. That was all it lasted. She had counted.

And yet, time stretched infinitely in her mind, every detail burned into her senses from the warmth of his lips, the roughness of his hands, the way the scent of fresh summer citrus and earthly spices wrapped around her like a spell.

Even when Griffin pulled back, even when he studied her expression as if gauging her reaction, Violet still didn’t move. Didn’t react.

Didn’t breathe.

Then, a frown tugged at Griffin’s lips. He turned to Alaric. "Do you think we broke her?"

Alaric stepped closer, scrutinizing her carefully. "At this point, I think we did worse."

He reached out, giving her a gentle shake. "Violet, baby? Are you alright?"

And finally she roused. But words failed her.

Her mind was a hurricane of confusion, emotions, and sheer disbelief. All Violet could do was lift a trembling hand and point at him, her voice barely managing to come out.

"Y-you...!"

Her heart pounded as she turned to Griffin, realization striking her like a bolt of lightning.

He kissed her. Griffin had kissed her.

Right in front of Alaric.

And Alaric had done nothing.

Her cheeks burned, a fierce heat creeping up her neck as her brain fought to make sense of what had just happened.

Why wasn’t Alaric mad?

Why had Griffin kissed her in the first place?

What universe of madness had she just stumbled into?

Her thoughts spiraled into chaos, her pulse thundering, her entire world tipping dangerously on its axis.

And the worst part?

Neither of them looked remotely surprised.

Griffin looked at her amused, saying, "I think she needs more demonstration."

No! No more demonstration, mister!

Violet wanted to say except Griffin’s lips crashed against hers with devastating effect. He kissed her with a desperate hunger, as if he had been starved for her touch for too long and now, he couldn’t get enough.

Shock froze her in place for a heartbeat, her thoughts scrambling to catch up. Perhaps, this was a dream. Unfortunately, there was no mistaking the warm sensation of those lips.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Goddess save her. What was going on here?

And why was her boyfriend’s best friend kissing her like a man staking his claim right in front of him?

She should stop this madness now!

And yet the moment she attempted to move, Griffin let out a deep, guttural sound in the back of his throat.

His large hands found her waist, pulling her flush against him, and the heat of his body seared through the fabric of her clothes. And just like that, her breath hitch as every nerve in her body buzzed with awareness.

That was all that was needed to make Violet cave in.