Page 307

"...and yes, Nancy is mated to a werewolf from Asher’s Pack. That’s pretty much all," Violet finished, narrating her earlier conversation with Asher to her roommates.

It was night, and although the visiting parents had left, a few of the Houses were still throwing parties.

Unfortunately, as rogues, they weren’t permitted to attend.

Not that they cared, not when it gave them time to fine-tune their plan.

While the students were busy drinking and having fun, they were preparing a well-palated revenge dinner to be served on Gala Night.

"Wow," Ivy breathed, clearly mind-blown. "That’s a lot we weren’t aware of."

"I think I trust Asher. I should tell him the truth," Violet said, but all three pairs of eyes pinned her to the spot with startling intensity.

She gulped and quickly rephrased, "A bit of the truth?" Violet grimaced when their expressions didn’t change at all.

Trying again, she offered a valid reason, "Asher won’t hurt me. He’s proven that several times. And look how much information we got from him in just one day. If he and I work together, we might finally uncover the truth about my father—about my background."

"Maybe we should wait until after the revenge plan before telling him a bit of the truth," Daisy said, using air quotes. "Just in case he doesn’t like what we do and decides to use your secret as payback."

Violet nodded. "I get your point. But Asher isn’t like that. No matter what I do, he’d never reveal something that could hurt me."

"After revenge or not, we are not telling Asher Nightshade or any of the cardinal alphas anything," Lila suddenly said, her voice like steel. All three of them turned toward her.

"Why?" Violet asked, her voice strained. She was sick and tired of all the secrets. "We could make him swear a pact never to speak of it."

"Still no." Lila’s tone didn’t waver.

Daisy and Ivy exchanged glances, sensing the rising tension.

Violet stood up, eyes locked on Lila, her jaw clenched. "Why? Is it because you’re scared he’ll find out the truth about my father? A father you refuse to tell me anything about?"

Lila sighed. "Just let it go, Violet." She stood up languidly, clearly intending to leave.

She added quietly, "Also, I didn’t want to say this because I thought you needed a bit of happiness in your life, but don’t fall too deeply for the cardinal alphas. It’s for your own good. That’s all I have to say."

She turned, heading for her room, but Violet’s voice cracked like a whip.

"Don’t you dare move another step!"

"Violet?" Daisy said cautiously.

But Violet ignored her. Her eyes were blazing, her chest heaving with emotion.

"You don’t get to throw bombs like that and just walk away! No—you don’t get to do that! I am so sick of your cryptic messages! So explain yourself right now! What do you mean I should stay away from the cardinal alphas?!"

"You shouldn’t trust them, that’s all. They might turn against you in the future, that’s all."

"Exactly, why?!" Violet demanded.

"I already told you, Violet. Everything will make sense in time."

"Time? Time?! What time exactly?" Violet’s voice rose, having reached the end of her patience. "You won’t tell me about my mother! Or my father! Not even about my powers! You say I’m Fae, but I don’t feel like anything at all!

And now you’re telling me to stay away from the Alphas? Why, Lila? Why?!"

But Lila didn’t answer, she simply kept walking. Violet rushed after her and grabbed her arm, yanking her around. "Don’t ignore me, Lila. I’m talking to you!"

That was when Lila snapped, eyes flashing. "Because you are a threat to their throne!"

Violet froze. "What?"

"You’re Fae, Violet. Fae are stronger than werewolves.

Do you honestly think they’d let something like you walk freely among them?

Do you really believe you’ll end up with all four of them?

One of them will be Alpha King one day and he’ll marry Elsie.

It’s time to wake up from your delusions, princess.

Your little harem fantasy won’t survive outside the walls of Lunaris Academy. "

It was safe to say Violet was shell-shocked. She hadn’t expected those words to come from Lila. But most of all, it felt like reality had just slapped her in the face. And yet, something clicked in her head. Her eyes narrowed.

"You said I’m a threat to their throne," she repeated slowly, her tone suspicious. "What does me being Fae have to do with their throne?"

Lila gulped. A flicker of fear flashed across her face, as if she had let something slip that she wasn’t supposed to say.

Violet stepped closer, saying with a low tone. "You’re hiding something. What are you not telling me, Lila?"

But Lila hardened her expression and rephrased carefully, "You’re a threat to the alphas."

"That’s not what I heard." Violet hissed.

"Believe whatever you want, princess. I’m done for tonight. So if you’ll excuse me." Lila turned away.

"Stop right there!"

Lila halted with an irritated sigh.

Violet stepped in front of her, fists clenched at her sides. "As the rightful princess of the Fae folk, I invoke the authority vested in me. I demand you tell me the truth right now."

The room fell deathly still. Lila’s expression went pale. Everyone knew the laws. The Fae were bound by their words and their hierarchy. And with Violet invoking her royal authority, Lila had no choice but to obey.

But at once, an unsettling smile curved Lila’s lips, and just like that, she slipped back into her cold, unreadable self.

Her voice was almost mocking as she said, "Next time you want to invoke a command, you should probably know what kind of Fae you are. And just so we’re clear, you’re an uncrowned princess. That means you have no authority."

She stepped closer. "Even if you did, your authority still falls beneath that of the Fae Queen..." Lila’s eyes gleamed as she delivered the final blow. "—and the Fae Queen says no."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the silence to settle behind her like frost.

Violet couldn’t believe what had just happened. No, she was in shock, frozen to the spot as if her feet had grown roots.

"Violet?" Daisy called out, concern lacing her voice.

Violet didn’t even realize the tears had slipped down her cheeks until she wiped at them furiously. Her mind was made up.

"Violet?" Ivy asked more cautiously as she watched her grab her phone and jacket, clearly preparing to leave. "Where are you going?"

But Violet didn’t answer. She stepped into the night, their worried voices echoing behind her. Everything was falling apart. And right now, she didn’t know who to trust anymore—if anyone.

Through her tears, Violet fumbled with her phone, the screen blurring as she tapped Alaric’s contact. It didn’t even take three rings before he picked up.

"Hey," his voice came in, sounding distracted as usual. "What’s up?"

But then Violet sniffled, and he noticed at once, his tone shifting.

"Violet? What’s going on? Are you okay?"

She tried to steady her breath but failed. "Where are you?"

There was a pause, then, "I’m at the lab," he replied carefully, as if trying to read between her words.

Violet let out a watery laugh, wiping at her cheeks. "Of course you are," she muttered, trying to mask her ache with humor. Only Alaric would be buried in books and formulas when everyone else was out having fun.

"I’m coming, " Was all she said and ended the call. Violet shoved the phone into her jacket pocket, wiping her face with the back of her sleeve. She strode towards his private abode.

Thankfully, it was the lab and not his house—an oversight the elites never caught in the Rogue Rule. That loophole was about to become her saving grace tonight.

When Violet arrived, Alaric was already waiting at the entrance with his arms crossed and posture tensed.

"What’s going on?" Alaric started to ask, walking toward her, brows furrowed. "Did Asher do anything again—?"

He didn’t get to finish.

Violet reached him in a rush and flung her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. His warmth engulfed her, and he wrapped his arms around her just as tightly.

"What’s wrong?" he asked gently, running his hand through her hair in a soothing motion.

Violet shook her head, not ready to explain. Infact, she didn’t even want to remember what happened tonight.

"Can I spend the night at your lab?" she asked, trying to make light of it. "I promise I won’t take up much space."

Alaric didn’t say anything in response. Instead, he gently pulled back, and before she could blink, he scooped her into his arms.

Violet let out a soft yelp, clutching his shoulders. "Alaric!"

But the lightning prince didn’t stop, nor say a word. Alaric carried her through the lab entrance like she weighed nothing at all, the doors closing shut behind them.