When their eyes connected, it felt like the emotion slammed straight into Violet’s chest. She hadn’t helped her, having been busy with Ivy. And now the guilt hit her hard.
Lila must have noticed the exchange and picked up on her thoughts because she said, “It’s not your fault. You can’t save everyone, Violet.”
Then, as if to lighten the mood, she added in a chirpy tone, “At least, on the bright side, you’ve just proven you’re not as emotionless as stone.”
“And whose fault is that?!” Violet snarled and took off.
She couldn’t bear to be around Lila or stare at Daisy’s disappointed face right now, which didn’t make any sense because it was none of her business. This was a race. Everyone was on their own. But then she had helped Ivy, the roommate she liked the least, and abandoned Daisy, the warmer one. Well, “abandoned” being a strong word, but whatever.
This was why Violet preferred being on her own. It wasn’t because she was a social outcast, no, she knew better than that. Violet knew the truth, and it was because she cared too much. And in a brutal world like this one, caring too much only got you betrayed, a knife in the back for your trouble.
Violet took a moment to gather herself, forcing her emotions into submission. This was all Lila’s doing-her words, her presence, were making her feel things she didn’t want to feel.
But then, she wouldn’t let that girl’s influence undo her. By the time Violet opened her eyes, the tight grip of anxiety had faded, and she felt back in control once again.
In her effort to collect herself, Violet had moved to the back of the crowd, where she suddenly caught sight of Griffin.
Wait a minute, Griffin Hale?
Violet wasn’t sure she’d ever seen that brute smile, and he certainly wasn’t smiling now. The anger rolling off him was almost tangible, like a living force that made her skin prickle. It brought back memories of yesterday when he had nearly choked her to death. Was it really just yesterday? It felt like a week ago, with so much happening in between.
Violet froze as the space between her and Griffin closed up, and she expected him to grab her by the throat once again and perhaps this time finish her off for good.
But Griffin strode past her, his shoulder brushing by ever so briefly, but that small contact felt like she had been enveloped in flames. Heat traveled to every part of her body and left her burning.
She had caught his scent, and it was a rich blend of sun-soaked woods and warm amber, infused with hints of fresh summer citrus and earthy spices. He smelled full of life and strength.
Instinctively, Violet turned to follow him, curious about who had drawn his wrath this time. Others seemed to sense his rage too, parting before him like a sea of bodies. His strides quickened, his focus sharpening as if he had locked onto his target and couldn’t wait to unleash his fury.
Violet slipped through the opening in the crowd before it could close, trailing Griffin to the front. She arrived just in time to see the exact moment he locked eyes with his prey.
Oh, fuck.
Asher Nightshade was in the middle of a discussion with his friend and fellow cardinal, Alpha Roman, when Roman suddenly trailed off, his gaze shifting to the angry figure rapidly approaching them.
As if he could sense the storm brewing behind him, Asher turned at precisely the right moment, only to be met with a guttural roar from Griffin. The sound was wild and dangerous, cutting through the air with such force it sent shivers racing down Violet’s spine.
Almost simultaneously, Griffin’s fist connected with Asher in a punch so powerful it sent him flying meters away, a clear display of the stunning strength packed into that one strike.
But Griffin didn’t stop there. He advanced on Asher without hesitation, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and yanking him upright with an almost feral intensity. Then he began driving punch after brutal punch into him.
Each blow landed with such force and intensity that it made her stomach twist, a visceral reaction to the sheer violence unfolding before her eyes. It was horrifyingly clear. Griffin wasn’t going to stop, not until he killed Asher.
“Asher!” Violet screamed his name before she even realized it, her body moving instinctively as she took a step forward. She barely managed that step before someone grabbed her from behind, halting her.
She turned sharply to see who it was, her anger flaring, but the familiar face of Dion met her gaze.
“Let me go! That bastard is going to kill him!” Violet shouted, struggling fiercely against his grip.
“Are you out of your mind?!” Dion snapped, holding her firmly. “No one interferes between two alphas fighting, unless you want to end up dead.”
“But he’s going to kill him,” Violet snarled, her hatred for Griffin bubbling to the surface. It wasn’t as if she was a die-hard supporter of Asher, but if there was anyone who had helped her since she arrived at this academy, it was the West Alpha. Whatever his twisted motives might be, at least he wanted her alive and thriving. She needed an ally like him alive, not dead.
“No, he won’t kill him. This isn’t the first time two alphas have fought,” Dion said with a sharp edge, his voice intense, leaving her momentarily stunned. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, fighting is the way of the wolves. They fight to survive. Fight to prove themselves. Fight to own the things they want. Fight to be at the top.”
The heat in his words seemed to hit her harder than his grip, but it also worked to settle her nerves. Her anxiety dropped slightly as she turned her attention back to the fight. Asher was finally landing punches of his own, but it was clear Griffin still had the upper hand.
As if to prove Dion’s point, the coach stood casually from his seat, his demeanor entirely unbothered, as if this fight was nothing out of the ordinary. It was no cause for alarm at all.
At once, Violet felt a sudden wave of embarrassment for overreacting.
The coach’s voice carried over the chaos. “Alright, this is the point where we’d unfortunately have to call it a day. You should return now.”
Some of the students cheered at the prospect of skipping another round of grueling training, but not a single one moved. Their attention remained glued to the fight.
“I don’t understand,” Violet said, her brows furrowed. “Do they just wake up and pick fights like mad dogs, or is there a reason Griffin is doing this?”
Dion turned to her, his expression incredulous. “You haven’t figured it out yet?”
“Figured out what?” she asked, confused.
His gaze grew serious, his voice low as he said, “Clayton is part of Griffin’s pack. Asher beat him up. Think of this as Griffin getting revenge.”
“Oh, fuck,” Violet breathed, her chest tightening.
This fight was because of her.
Asher was taking this beating because of her, and she had no idea how to feel about it.
Asher’s glasses must have fallen off during the fight because, in a sudden and horrifying turn of events, Griffin was ferociously punching his own face. The sight froze everyone, their expressions full of shock and disbelief. It was then that Violet realized that Asher had charmed him into doing it.
However, before things could escalate further, Roman stepped in, positioning himself between the two alphas. Even from where she stood, Violet could hear his commanding voice, “Let go of him, Asher. This has to end now.”
But Asher’s response was anything but calming. He bared his bloodied teeth, a crazed smile stretching across his bruised and battered face. Violet felt her stomach churn having recognized that look. Asher didn’t want this to end. He wanted it to escalate. Chaos was his element, and he thrived in it. The guy was insane, for crying out loud.
Her attention shifted to Griffin, who had managed to grab his punching hand with his free hand, desperately trying to stop the self-inflicted assault. The struggle was obvious in his eyes, his face contorted with the effort of holding back his own strength. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the hand continued to rise, inching closer and closer to strike his face again.
Asher’s power was in the psych, giving him control over his opponent’s brain, and in turn, over motor functions. He had willed Griffin to harm himself, manipulating his mind like a puppet. But Griffin was a Cardinal Alpha, his will and strength unmatched by most. Violet couldn’t help but wonder if he was strong enough to resist Asher’s powers.
That wasn’t the only alarming development. Violet’s eyes widened as she noticed Griffin’s body begin to swell, muscles expanding as his mass increased. It shouldn’t have been possible, but nothing was impossible with the Cardinal Alphas.
She wasn’t the only one to notice. Beside her, Dion let out a sharp intake of breath. “Fuck, this is bad.”
Violet’s heart raced. “What’s going on?”
Dion’s tone was grave as he explained, “Griffin’s main power is his strength, but it also gives him the ability to rage out. When that happens, he’s hardly in control. It’s not safe anymore.” He glanced around, his eyes scanning their surroundings nervously. “We have to get out of here.”
Violet had no idea what “rage out” meant but something told her she didn’t want to find out.
Dion wasn’t the only one coming to that conclusion. The once-calm coach now wore a look of sheer panic, his composed demeanor completely gone. He began yelling at the students, his voice booming with urgency. “Get away from here! Get inside right now!”
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