Page 90

Violet left Adele’s office, exiting into the infirmary’s main corridor. The sterile, polished medical environment stretched out before her, and she couldn’t help but let her gaze wander.

So far, Adele’s office had been her only point of contact within the infirmary, but now, curiosity clawed at her now. What went on in the rest of the building? Why did they build this much space if Adele’s office was the only place she needed to get her wound healed?

Her eyes landed on the elevator just a few steps ahead, its sleek, metallic doors gleaming under the bright fluorescent lights. It stood out like a beacon, almost daring her to press the button.

Who had access to those upper floors? Were they reserved only for the elite students? Special cases? Violet was so damn curious, the mystery eating at her. Mary hadn’t spoken about that part of the infirmary either, and Violet found herself wanting to know more.

In the end, her curiosity won and Violet decided to take the bull by the horn and explore the area.

Unfortunately, she barely managed to take two steps toward the elevator when a firm hand reached out, grabbing her arm.

Violet spun around, her heart skipping a beat when she came face-to-face with a stern-looking Adele.

"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?" Adele’s voice was gravelly and sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade.

Everything happened suddenly and Violet was caught off guard by the intensity in her tone. She couldn’t help but stammer, "C—check-up."

"What?" Adele’s brow furrowed as she tightened her grip.

"I was supposed to have my weekly mandatory check-up today," Violet clarified, her voice coming out smaller than she intended.

"At what time?" Adele pressed, her eyes narrowing.

"6 p.m."

Adele glanced at the clock on the wall, her expression hardening. "It isn’t 6 yet, Violet Purple."

Violet swallowed, unnerved by Adele’s penetrating stare. The woman had a way of making her feel like she’d done something terribly wrong, even when she hadn’t.

"I thought... I thought I’d check out the premises before my appointment," Violet explained nervously. "It’s my first time after all. I wouldn’t want to get lost on my way here."

Adele’s eyes narrowed further, disbelief written all over her face.

"Well, it isn’t six yet, and you won’t get lost. Also," she added, "I’m canceling your appointment today. I already evaluated you yesterday, and you’re good.

There’s no need for you to come for any medical assessment.

And if I’m not wrong, you should be on your way to class right now. "

Violet stared at her, frowning. Something wasn’t adding up. Adele’s tone was too sharp, too insistent. It was as if she were actively trying to get her out of the infirmary. Why? That was the question.

"What?" Adele snapped, catching Violet’s scrutinizing look. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"You don’t want me here," Violet said slowly, her voice probing. "Why don’t you want me here? Why? What’s going on?"

Adele ignored the question entirely, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she said, "It seems to me that you like punishment. Should I add your name to detention? Perhaps you’d enjoy a good time with the delinquents in this school."

Violet held her gaze, searching Adele’s face for any cracks, any hints of the truth but the woman had such an impassive look that she couldn’t catch a whiff of anything. She was even worse than Asher.

Finally, Violet let out a resigned sigh and said, "Fine, I’ll leave for class. But don’t think this is over. I’ll get to the root of what’s happening in this school."

But Adele snarled, "Perhaps, put that energy into finding a way to defeat Asher’s games."

Fuck. That was a low blow. Violet went red in the face. Turning on her heel, she had already begun to leave only for Adele’s hand to clamp down on her arm once more.

"The next time you have a mandatory check-up," Adele said, her tone cold and authoritative, "come see me, and I’ll take care of it. If I’m not around, go to any of the cardinal alphas. They’ll handle it. Do you hear me?"

Violet opened her mouth to argue, but Adele’s tone grew even more commanding. "Do you hear me?"

"Fine! Okay!" Violet snapped, her voice raised in exasperation.

"Good," Adele said curtly. "Now leave."

Without another word, Violet yanked her arm away and stormed toward the revolving doors. Just before stepping outside, she glanced back.

To her shock, Adele was still standing there, arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed on her like a hawk watching its prey, making sure she didn’t try to sneak back in.

No one in this academy was normal, Violet muttered under her breath as she left through the revolving doors that swished open, and the chilly air outside hit her like a slap, contrasting greatly the sterile warmth of the infirmary.

Something wasn’t right about the infirmary, or Lunaris Academy in general. Violet thought as she crossed the small road that led to the school building. Nothing about earlier was normal.

The way Adele had insisted she never stepped into that elevator, her harsh tone, and the strange ultimatum to go to a cardinal alpha for her check-ups, it all reeked of secrets.

Although it seemed like Adele was just being overbearing.

But inwardly, Violet couldn’t help but sense that the woman was being protective.

Except it was the kind of protective that screamed that something was hidden.

And why involve the cardinal alphas in her medical matters?

Not unless they knew whatever she — Adele — knew.

If the cardinal alphas held the answers, then approaching them would be like walking a tightrope over a pit of snakes. Each one of them was dangerous in their own way. Especially Asher.

Asher wouldn’t give it freely, not without asking her to participate in his game again. And she would be a fool to give him permission to mess with her head again.

Alaric would never tell her either. That one was the most tightlipped out of all the alphas.

Neither was she getting entangled with Roman either. The playboy might look harmless but then, whoever was friends with Asher could never be normal. He would probably want something from her as well.

Griffin was the key. The brute had shown a surprising softness at times, and she could use that to her advantage. However, Violet knew she had to tread carefully. Griffin might appear straightforward, but he wasn’t stupid, and getting him to open up wouldn’t be easy.

Not to mention, the cardinal alphas were really sensitive about their secrets.

By the time Violet returned to the school building, the first lesson of the day had already ended. Students were milling about, preparing for the next one.

She noticed a few lingering glances and hushed whispers as she entered the hallway, but she ignored them. If Lunaris had taught her anything, it was to keep her chin up no matter what.

She glanced at the schedule on her phone and just like Griffin said, her lessons had been adjusted. Her next class was History of the New World.

Violet found the class and unlike the other times, she decided to sit in the front seat seeing the cardinal alphas were fond of the back seat. This way she could avoid facing any of them.

Violet barely finished settling into her seat when someone called, "Hello, Violet."

She looked up and froze. Standing in front of her was an impeccably dressed, stunningly beautiful girl. Violet’s breath caught as recognition dawned, and the blood drained from her face.

Oh, fuck.

"Urm, hey... hello," Violet stammered, swallowing hard. It was the girl who had given her the makeup that day, the same girl whose tea party she had promised to attend, and had failed miserably to show up. Fuck her life indeed.

"Natalie Avax," the girl introduced herself with a sweet smile, extending her hand for a handshake.

"It’s nice to meet you, Natalie Avax...." Violet trailed off, her voice faltering as the weight of the surname hit her like a truck.

Her mind raced as she hesitantly took Natalie’s hand, her grip weak. She said slowly, "Your name sounds similar to the company name on my phone."

"Yes, that’s right. The one and only Avax." Natalie giggled softly, her laughter melodic as their hands lingered in the handshake.

Violet gulped, her throat dry. "Your family made the phone I—no, the whole school—uses...." Her words trailed off again as the reality overwhelmed her.

She stared at Natalie, stunned. It was incredibly hard to get one’s hands on a good phone these days, and yet here this girl was, descended from a family that practically controlled communication in their world.

Violet had always thought herself impervious to intimidation, but now, standing in front of Natalie Avax, she felt small. Insignificant.

No wonder the students at Lunaris did whatever they wanted. These weren’t just kids, they were the children of the pillars of the new world.

And she, Violet Purple, was a nobody.