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"You shouldn’t take it to heart," Lila tried to console the shell-shocked Violet after reading every single comment under the Oracle’s post.

"They think of me as a whore," Violet said numbly, turning to Lila."They’ve already made up their minds about me. ’Like mother, like daughter,’ that’s probably what they’re all thinking right now." She chuckled mirthlessly.

Lila gave Violet a concerned look, then turned to Dion, hoping he might offer a solution. However, he simply shrugged; this was not his forte.

With a note of frustration, Lila reached out and took Violet’s hands in hers.

"They’re simply jealous of you. Moreover.

.." She straightened up. "It’s not exactly unheard of to be dating two or more werewolves. In the old world, according to the texts, their moon goddess blessed them with multiple mates. In other words, you’re not a whore, Violet. "

But instead of relieving her, those words only further traumatized Violet.

Why in the world would she want four mates, and to mention those four assholes?

! That was a death sentence, plain and simple.

Moreover, how did the moon goddess blessing people with more than one mate correlate with her situation?

Dion seemed to think the same, because he leaned in and whispered to Lila, "I think this is the point where you stop talking. You’re not making things better." He swore the girl can be dumb sometimes.

"Don’t be sad, Violet." Lila pouted, giving her a sympathetic look.

"I am not sad. I would actually care to be sad. People have the right to believe what they wanted. It only took me by surpise, that’s all." Violet." She said with a smile.

But Lila and Dion saw through her act even though they didn’t call her out on it. Violet might pretend to be tough, but she still human and hurt like other normal girls out there.

As if to further prove she was okay, Violet grabbed her fork and dug into her now cold macaroni and cheese, along with a few other cold and half-eaten dishes. Deep down, she knew the food would be wasted.

Having come from a poor background, Violet hated nothing more than wasting food, especially now when it was in abundance. But what could she do? Even as she swallowed, she couldn’t taste any of it, having lost her appetite.

The table fell into an awkward silence as they ate, until Dion lifted his head and seemed to stare at something intently, his brows furrowed in confusion. He muttered, "Isn’t that your boyfriend, Violet? Also, why is he coming our way looking like that?"

Even without a name being mentioned, Violet knew instinctively who it was, and when she turned, there he was.

Asher freaking Nightshade.

But Violet’s expression did not show anger over his earlier actions, instead she looked bewildered. What in the moon was going on here?

Asher was still in his sports gear from earlier, but it was now bloodied and torn in several places. But that wasn’t all.

The cardinal Alpha of the west was covered in dirt from head to toe, evidence of his brutal fight with Griffin’s beast side.

However, his appearance was unsettling; his lip was busted, his face marred by cuts, and both eyes were blackened. But even with the severity of his injuries, his body was already beginning to heal.

Minor wounds had already vanished, and the deeper gashes were slowly closing up, all thanks to his superior Alpha healing abilities. Still, his disheveled, bloodied appearance unnerved anyone who looked at him.

He was walking towards them causing a sudden tension to swell in the air. Violet couldn’t deny, Asher looked intimidating with all the blood streaks, the torn fabric, the wildness in his eyes. It was enough to send anyone running. But she was furious and an angry Violet was a fearless one.

And perhaps, Asher knew that because he came to a stop a short distance away, his eyes never leaving her. He didn’t even say a word. Instead, he simply hooked a finger towards himself, gesturing for her to come over, as if she were some dog summoned by its master.

What the....?

Violet ground her jaw in fury. Who did this asshole think he was? The nerve of him! Her blood boiled at the sheer arrogance Asher exude, a tightening feeling in her chest.

Yet, even with her murderous gaze, Asher inclined his head, watching her, as if he was expecting her to obediently approach.

Violet scoffed, as if she would ever yield to his will. No. Not today. Not ever.

With an sickly sweet yet defiant smile, Violet turned her back to Asher, a deliberate, bold move.

It was considered a grave insult to turn one’s back on a wolf, most especially an Alpha like the likes of Asher. But Violet didn’t care. Let him seethe. Let him throw a tantrum. He could go rot in hell for all she cared.

She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the stares of the students around them, who were now wide-eyed at the audacity she displayed.

She knew what this meant, defying an Alpha, especially a psycho like Asher, was risky. And yet, she did it with no second thought, standing her ground in her own way.

Perhaps, she was asking for death or simply a sucker for punishment. To be honest, Violet had no idea whatever stirred her! What pushed her into playing this risky game with Asher. He provoked her enough she lost all manner of reasoning around him.

With her back turned to him and her heart racing, Violet half-expected Asher to storm after her, but the seconds passed in silence. She didn’t dare turn to look at him again. She wouldn’t give him that satisfaction — plus she was scared to know what he was up to.

Asher both thrilled and scared her.

Then she heard a low growl behind her, barely audible, the kind that would send chills through anyone else. But Violet held her head high, asserting her refusal to be intimidated even when she felt a warm body press against her back and hands sliding around her waist.