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"How are you able to eat in this condition?" Lila asked, her fork hovering uncertainty over her plate.

She spent more of her time peering out at the elites that surrounded them. She couldn’t help but wonder what was going through Violet’s mind when she chose this spot. They were like small fishes surrounded by sharks and it was frightening.

"You mean, why shouldn’t I eat in this condition?" Violet retorted, as she continued to eat without a care.

Lila gave her an incredulous look, her brows furrowed as if trying to decipher an alien. "You do know you’re insane, right?"

"Maybe," Violet replied with a casual shrug, shoveling another bite into her mouth.

"But at least I’m not weak. And to deal with people like them.

.." She subtly nodded toward the table where the cardinal alphas sat in all their dominating glory. "You can’t show weakness. The moment they sense it, they’ll pounce on you like vultures on a carcass. "

Lila swallowed nervously, her appetite entirely gone.

She couldn’t help but glance toward the alphas’ table.

Even amidst the din of the hall, they stood out like kings on their thrones, drawing attention without putting effort.

The aura around them was thicker, charged with a subtle authority that made the rest of the room feel insignificant.

Thankfully, the dining hall had gradually returned to its usual buzz of chatter as if nothing happened. Although she could still sense their gazes, it wasn’t as intense as before. Especially the cardinal alphas who discussed animatedly amongst themselves.

Violet in question observed their table and it looked less like something offered by a school cafeteria and more like the dining table of a five-star restaurant.

A pristine, luxurious tablecloth adored their table, they had shining gold plates and cutlery, and glasses that seemed far too delicate for casual use. Yep, these guys were in a league of their own.

The food was the real showstopper. Platters of delicacies, steaming and fragrant, were spread out like a feast meant for royalty. Each dish looked meticulously crafted, the kind you’d only see in magazines or at exclusive high-end events.

Violet’s nose caught a whiff of something buttery and rich, her stomach growling involuntarily despite the meal she was eating.

She couldn’t help but wonder if this really was made by the same cook who prepared the cafeteria meals? Or did the alphas have private chefs hidden somewhere, crafting these decadent dishes exclusively for them?

Sure, the food she ate here was leagues better than the garbage her old school served, but whatever the alphas were eating was in a category of its own. And then there was the wine too. Yes, wine. On a school morning.

What kind of school was this, where students casually sipped wine before classes? It was absurd. Yet, at their table, the cardinal alphas embraced the extravagance as if it were their birthright.

And perhaps it was.

"You’re right," Lila said, surprising Violet, who raised a curious brow. "It can’t be anything good when they’re all gathered like that."

"What do you mean by that?" Violet asked, her interest piqued. She took another mouthful of food, waiting for an explanation.

Knowing they were surrounded by werewolves with super hearing, Lila leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"The alphas prefer staying with their packs during meals. It’s a tradition.

Eating with their pack fosters unity and presents a strong, cohesive front.

But for the alphas to be sitting together like this. .. it means something is up."

"Even Asher stays with his pack?" Violet asked.

"Not really. Kind of." Lila scratched her head, wondering if she should say it, "unlike the other Cardinal alphas, Asher isn’t really close with his pack members. Even when with them, he prefers solitude. His pack members are more like little soldiers to do his bidding than actual pack family. "

Violet paused mid-chew, her frown deepening. Werewolves were known to be tactile, social creatures who thrived on physical connection, especially within their packs. The idea of a wolf so disconnected from its pack seemed unnatural, almost wrong.

"That’s strange," she murmured, a lot of thoughts running through her mind. "The pack is supposed to be like family. What went wrong with him?"

Lila shook her head, her face clouded with unease.

"Who knows? But the point is, the alphas only come together like this when they need to show unity, to make a statement. It’s never just casual.

It’s when they’re making decisions, big ones.

And trust me, Violet Purple, those decisions are never going to favor you.

Not when you’re already on their radar."

A foreboding feeling settled over their table and Violet paused, her spoon halfway to her mouth. The ominous undertone in Lila’s voice sent a chill down her spine, but she refused to let it show.

Just as she was about to brush it off, Violet’s gaze was involuntarily drawn to the alphas’ table where her gaze connected with Asher’s.

And it was the dark, knowing smile curling on his lips that made her heart skip a beat.

It wasn’t just a smile; it was a promise of trouble, a silent declaration that whatever storm was brewing, he would ensure she was at the center of it.

The food in Violet’s mouth turned to ash, and her appetite vanished entirely. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.

And the smug bastard was indeed out to make her life miserable.

Asher rose to his feet with the confidence of someone who knew he owned the room. Then, with deliberate flair, he tapped his spoon against the wine tumbler in his hand. The sharp, rhythmic clinking echoed through the hall, silencing the chatter as all heads turned toward him.

Unlike the judgmental and mocking looks they had given Violet earlier, the crowd gazed at Asher with awe and reverence, as if they were in the presence of a god. The gods help her, It was nauseating.

Asher said smoothly. "Can I have your attention, please?"