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It was two hours to the gala event, and yet the students, especially the females, were running amok as if they were already an hour late. They had to look perfect, and two hours, in their definition, was simply not enough.

Violet and the girls were in the living room going over their dresses. Just like the other students on the day Griffin had announced the gala, they too had placed their orders, and now, the night had finally come.

Daisy had gone for a sleek, midnight black satin gown with a high neckline and delicate cap sleeves.

The dress hugged her figure gently before flaring into a soft mermaid silhouette that brushed the floor.

The back was then opened in a tasteful teardrop cut, adding a quiet sensuality to her otherwise modest style.

Ivy had chosen a rich sapphire blue gown made of satin and tulle. The dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline with dramatic puff sleeves and a fitted corset bodice. The skirt was voluminous, with layers of structured tulle underneath, giving her that classic ballroom drama she lives for.

Lila herself had surprised everyone by going for a pale lavender gown with a halter neckline and a crisscross back that left her shoulders and upper back bare.

Threadwork in the shape of tiny butterflies scattered down the bodice and trailed onto the flowing skirt, finalized with an unexpected slit on one side.

As for Violet, she had opted for a deep emerald green satin slip dress with thin spaghetti straps, a low open back, and a thigh-high slit on one side. The dress was meant to hug her body effortlessly, giving her a confident silhouette without trying too hard.

At the moment, they were arguing makeup options with Ivy, their "honorable makeup artist," when there was a knock on their door, and the girls halted at once.

"Are you expecting anybody?" Daisy asked Violet.

"I don’t think so."

"I’ll see who’s at the door," Lila said with a tone of finality, her voice already hardening as if she were about to gut someone and not just answer it.

"I’ll go too, just in case," Ivy said, running after Lila at once.

Daisy and Violet simply looked at each other and sighed. Hopefully, there would be no more drama, since the night was already set for the actual drama.

"So..." Daisy turned toward Violet, narrowing her eyes with that usual keen expression. "Are you and Lila good now?"

"Kind of," Violet answered honestly, "I haven’t gotten all the answers I want, but she’s given me something, and for now, that’s enough."

But the way Violet said it with that determined glint in her eyes, made it very clear to Daisy that "for now" had an expiration date. Violet was not someone who let mysteries rest for long.

Right then, Lila and Ivy came back. Except Ivy, had a suspiciously huge box balanced in her arms with a grin that looked entirely too mischievous.

Violet’s brows pulled together. "What is that?"

Ivy giggled. "What do you think it is, if not a gift for you?" She handed over a small note tucked into the ribbon and waved it teasingly in Violet’s face.

Daisy leaned over her shoulder before Violet could even open it. "I know you already have plans," she read aloud, "but we were hoping you’d wear this instead."

Ivy squealed, clapping her hands. "Did you hear that? Not ’I’ but ’we’. That means all your boyfriends planned this. All of them! You are one lucky bitch!"

Violet licked her lips, anxiety and excitement tangling together. The idea that her boys—her Cardinal Alphas—had picked something out for her together was a moment she wasn’t forgetting anytime soon.

"Open it! Open it! Open it!" Ivy bounced.

Honestly, if this had been any other day, that level of excitement would’ve been all Lila. Ivy was more of the reserved, sarcastic type, but tonight, she was giving all kinds of high-energy cheerleader.

Under the living room’s light, Violet pulled back the ribbon and opened the box. What she pulled out made everyone stop.

"Holy mother of God," Ivy breathed.

"Fuck me," Daisy whispered, stunned.

"Goddess me," even Lila muttered, eyes wide.

Violet could only gape. The dress was something else.

It was a flowing, deep royal purple gown that shifts slightly in color under the light, giving it a soft violet glow. The dress has a fitted corset-style bodice with a subtle V-shaped neckline, covered by a sheer mesh embroidered with silver details.

The sleeves are sheer and designed to fall off her shoulders, and flow down to her wrists with delicate flower and vine embroidery. While the skirt flared out in soft, layered waves

Inside the box was a pair of dangerously high amethyst-crystal heels, and resting beside it was a black velvet choker with a single moonstone pendant.

Violet held her breath. The dress was out of this world and she couldn’t believe it.

Without warning, Ivy screamed so loud that the girls instinctively flinched and shut their ears, bracing like the roof might actually collapse. When they opened them again, Ivy was on her knees, dramatically grabbing Violet’s legs like a woman begging for salvation.

"You have to teach me how you got the Cardinal Alphas, Vi!" she cried. "I want to have my own handsome, rich, possessive harem too!"

The sheer sincerity in her voice paired with the full-blown dramatics left Violet utterly dumbfounded. Lila just blinked. Was this how she used to act in the past? Daisy facepalmed.

"Ivy..." Violet began, completely lost for words, "it’s really not that deep."

"It is!" Ivy wailed. "I want a harem that looks like sin and fights like war!"

Before Violet could even attempt a response, her phone vibrated with a soft beep. Grateful for the distraction, she pulled it out and checked the message.

It was from Griffin.

Would you be our queen tonight?

Violet’s breath caught. Just six words, but her heart raced.

Her fingers moved before her brain could stop them, a soft smile curling her lips as she typed back.

Definitely.