Page 315

It had barely been a few minutes since Alpha Henry arrived at Lunaris Academy, and Asher was already at the end of his rope.

"Why are students running around like wild animal? This is an academy, not a playground," Alpha Henry muttered as he strode beside his son.

"Because it’s Parents’ Week, and they’re happy to spend time with their families," Asher replied flatly.

"And? Can’t they do it with some order?" Henry scoffed. "This school’s gone downhill since our day. Maybe I should write to the Alpha King and suggest replacing that human principal. It’s about time someone from our own ranks took charge. Someone who actually understands how to lead."

Goddess help me, Asher groaned inwardly. The man hadn’t even been here a full minute, and he was already plotting how to drain the joy out of the students. If not, take over the whole academy.

Asher was still mulling over how to survive the rest of the day with his father when Principal Jameson appeared, smiling brightly as she approached.

"Alpha Henry," she greeted with the kind of warmth meant to charm, clearly ready to extend a handshake.

But Henry didn’t so much as glance at her. He walked right past without a bit of acknowledgement.

It was no secret that Principal Jameson’s power only stretched as far as the walls of her little school.

Everyone knew she bent over backward to please the visiting parents, desperate to curry favor wherever she could.

So, even with the blatant snub, she pasted on a tight smile and hurried after him like a determined sycophant.

"Alpha Henry, I must say, it’s a pleasure to have you with us today," she tried again, voice bright with forced cheer.

All she got was a disinterested, "Hmm," as Henry kept striding forward like it was the wind speaking behind him.

Undeterred, Principal Jameson kept pace, intent on getting his attention. "If you don’t mind, Alpha Henry, perhaps we could continue this conversation in my office?" she offered hopefully.

But Henry shot her down without so much as a pause: "Apologies, but I have plans with my son."

And oh, did he have plans. Asher already knew exactly what was coming.

His father intended to meet with the West House members, under the charming pretense of "addressing" them. But Asher wasn’t fooled.

This was all about sizing him up, testing his leadership, and judging whether he was still worthy of one day taking over the West Pack.

He never changed after all.

For a man who claimed he had no time for the principal, Alpha Henry sure knew how to pause when the right audience appeared.

Alpha Henry’s long strides came to an halt when he caught sight of Elsie approaching.

Flanked by her mother, Caroline, and her perfectly coordinated elite squad, Elsie moved like royalty on a parade.

Their matching outfits turned heads as they glided down the hall, looking every bit like they were preparing to welcome a king.

At once, a rare smile tugged at Alpha Henry’s lips. Of course, he loved attention and the little display suited his ego just fine.

But just before Elsie could reach him, a voice rang out:

"Incoming! Look out!"

For a man who rarely expected anything to touch him — much less strike him — because really, who would dare?

Henry barely twitched. He turned lazily, only to catch a water balloon square in the face.

Pop!

Sticky liquid splattered across his face and dripped down his expensive, tailor-made shirt.

The gasp that rolled through the hallway was almost musical. Elsie stopped so hard her heels nearly skidded. Caroline’s mouth hung wide open, and the elite girls gawked like dolls knocked off balance. Even Asher stood like a statue, wide-eyed and unmoving as though his brain short-circuited.

The emotions that flashed across Henry’s face that period was nearly comical. At first, his expression was just blank, right before crumbling into a mix of disbelief and pure, seething rage. He had never been this embarrassed.

His jaw tightened, and his hands clenched into fists, but before he could so much as snarl, a flash of purple hair zipped toward him.

"Oh my gosh! Alpha Henry, I’m so, so sorry!" Violet practically sang, eyes wide with dramatic horror.

Without waiting for permission, she frantically dabbed at his drenched shirt with her handkerchief, which only smeared the sticky mess around and made it ten times worse.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from Henry’s throat, his fury snapping loose as he reached toward her with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

But before he could grab her, someone else stopped him. And it was no one other than his son Asher.

The hallway stilled at once.

To be honest, Asher didn’t even remember moving. All he knew was that his father was about to hurt Violet and his body moved before he could reason it.

Henry turned, his gaze dropping to the hand clamped around his arm as if he couldn’t quite believe Asher had just stopped him.

His eyes dragged up to meet Asher’s, and Asher in question swallowed hard, realizing exactly what he’d done.

His heart thudded in his ears, but the resolve in his chest didn’t waver.

Even if it were the devil, he would fight him to the death just to protect her.

"People are watching," Asher murmured with a low but firm voice.

Henry’s nostrils flared and then his sharp eyes swept across the hallway, and yes, students, parents, teachers, were all staring at him. Some were wide-eyed, but there was no mistaking the judgemental looks they were giving him. Was he seriously about to hit the poor girl?

Alpha Henry hesitated at once.

Seizing the moment, Principal Jameson hurried forward, her voice as smooth as butter.

"Alpha Henry, why don’t you come with me? Let’s get you cleaned up," she offered sweetly, as though this was all some charming accident.

This time around, Henry didn’t ignore her. But as he brushed past Asher, his lips dipped close to his son’s ear, and let out a venomous whisper.

"Take care of her."

The gravity of his words and the glare he shot Violet on the way out left no room for misinterpretation.

Alpha Henry wanted Violet Punished.