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However beautiful the scene may have seemed — at least to Alaric — the moment of passion had reached a dangerous precipice.

Violet and Roman, completely overtaken by their desires, were preparing to cross the line.

Violet’s fingers were already working feverishly at Roman’s belt, while Roman tore his shirt off, his muscles taut with need.

The gods help them! Where the hell was Asher, and why was he taking so damn long?

"D-don’t do this...." Alaric managed to groan, his voice strained as he dragged his body across the ground, struggling against the venom coursing through his system. But his plea fell on deaf ears. Roman and Violet were too far gone, consumed by the fire that burned between them.

Violet had just succeeded in slipping Roman’s belt free, her hands moving to tug down his zipper when the door suddenly burst open.

All heads turned toward the sound, and for a fleeting moment, Alaric dared to hope it was Asher.

But instead, it was Griffin, standing in the doorway with a stunned, almost dumbfounded expression.

Finally!

Griffin’s sharp gaze darted between the tangled figures of Violet and Roman before settling on Alaric sprawled on the floor. His expression hardened in an instant, the shock replaced by cold resolve. Relief flooded through Alaric, hope filling him as he seized the opportunity to call out.

"Stop him!" Alaric commanded, his voice cracking but firm.

Griffin didn’t need further clarification.

He knew exactly who Alaric was referring to.

The bond between the two cardinal alphas had always been rooted in a shared disdain for Roman’s more reckless tendencies.

Closing the door behind him with a deliberate motion, Griffin stepped into the room, his movements slow and calculated.

Roman sensed the shift in the atmosphere immediately. His body tensed, and he instinctively pulled Violet behind him, shielding her as his own defenses rose. His eyes began to slit like a predator’s, and emerald-green scales rippled over his skin as his primal side took over, readying for a fight.

But Griffin was unshaken. He moved with precision, his eyes locked on Roman like a hawk stalking its prey.

Roman spat his incapacitating venom, the sharp, greenish liquid flying through the air with lethal accuracy.

Unlike Alaric’s earlier mistake, Griffin dodged each and every attack with astonishing ease.

Before Roman could launch another strike, Griffin closed the gap between them with a powerful burst of speed.

A single, well-aimed punch landed squarely on Roman’s jaw, the impact reverberating through the room like a thunderclap.

Roman’s body crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the floor.

Silence fell over the room, broken only by Alaric’s labored breathing. Relief coursed through him as he watched Griffin, standing tall as he cast a final glance at Roman’s motionless form.

"About time," Alaric rasped, his lips twitching into a weak semblance of a smirk.

However, Alaric had overlooked one pressing issue in the room—Violet. And the seductive siren knew exactly how to command attention. With an air of confidence and a sultry look, she approached Griffin, placing her hand boldly against his chest.

"You’re finally here, my big Alpha," she purred, her voice dripping with allure.

Oh no. The blood drained from Alaric’s face as he realized what was about to happen. "Don’t let her touch—" he began to shout, but it was already too late.

Violet grabbed Griffin’s face and kissed him, her lips crashing against his with a fervent need.

Oh, fuck his fate! Alaric cursed internally, watching helplessly as Griffin, the one person who could have ended this madness, succumbed to Violet’s spell.

The larger alpha kissed her back with reckless abandon, his strong arms pulling her small frame tightly against his. The kiss was desperate and consuming, leaving no doubt that Griffin was as ensnared by her as Roman had been.

By the time they broke apart, Griffin’s eyes were dilated, his pupils blown wide with unnatural desire. It was painfully clear that he was under Violet’s influence now too.

Alaric’s heart sank as he watched her shamelessly slide her hand down Griffin’s chest, her touch bold and deliberate.

"Take me, please," Violet begged, her voice thick with need. "I don’t think I can wait anymore. Fuck me!"

Griffin’s response was immediate, his deep voice resonating with a dangerous edge. "As you wish, my lady."

Alaric groaned inwardly, all hope he had harbored for Griffin’s intervention evaporating in that moment. This was it. The situation had completely gone out of control.

Violet, wearing a smug smile, bent over the desk in front of Griffin, clearly ready to be claimed. She smiled wider when his strong hands wrapped around her neck, seemingly interpreting it as a sign he wanted to play rough.

But her smile vanished quickly as Griffin’s grip tightened, and tightened, until her breathing became labored. Dots danced in her vision as panic flickered across her face. Moments later, her body went limp, collapsing unconscious across the desk.

Griffin stared down at her unconscious form, then groaned in frustration. "Can someone finally tell me what in the moon is going on here?"

Alaric’s lips twitched into a wide, relieved smile. "Thank the gods," he muttered.

Finally, the tension in the room finally cracked, and Alaric began to laugh. It wasn’t just a chuckle, but a full-bodied, hysterical laugh that echoed through the classroom. Tears streamed down his face as his body trembled with the force of his amusement.

Griffin, still standing over Violet’s unconscious form, frowned deeply. "What’s so damn funny?" he asked, his tone both irritated and confused.

Alaric struggled to catch his breath, wiping his tears away as he gasped, "Because this... this has been the craziest day ever! And, dude..." He paused, his laughter bubbling up again, "You should look down."

Confused, Griffin followed Alaric’s suggestion and glanced down. His eyes widened in horror as he took in the sight of the massive erection straining against his pants.

"Oh, hell," Griffin groaned, dragging a hand down his face in sheer annoyance. "Are you serious right now?"

But Alaric only laughed harder, not even realizing the venom’s hold over him had exhausted.

And it was in that moment that Asher came rushing in....