It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the cardinal alphas rarely occupied the same space unless there was some purpose behind it. They sitting together like some elite council of chaos, was anything but comforting.
They weren’t the best of friends by any stretch, only tolerating each other when it suited their individual agendas. If they were gathered like this, it could only mean trouble. And judging by the way all four of them were focused on her, she had the sinking feeling that trouble might involve her.
“Miss Violet, I assume?” the teacher’s voice broke through her thoughts, snapping Violet back to the present like a slap of icy water.
Violet’s head shot up, her golden eyes meeting the teacher’s eager gaze.
“Yes, ma?” she responded, unsure and already feeling the knots in her stomach tighten.
“Good,” the woman said, sounding definitive, if not almost gleeful. “We have been waiting for you for so long, and I’m so glad you’re finally here.”
“We?” Violet asked, her voice faltering as she swallowed hard. “I don’t understand.”
The teacher, Mrs. Clarkson, placed her sleek tablet onto her desk with an air of finality, her polished heels clicking against the floor as she approached. “You have not been scented, Violet, and that is a requirement for this class, in case you haven’t noticed.”
The breath hitched in Violet’s chest, her pulse quickening. She struggled to keep her expression neutral, but her nervousness betrayed her unease as she stuttered, “S-scented? I um… don’t understand what you mean by that.”
“It’s nothing to be afraid of, Violet Purple,” Mrs. Clarkson said with an almost maternal smile that did nothing to settle Violet’s nerves. “It’s something every human in here has gone through, and no one was harmed. Trust me, it’s for your own safety and good.”
At her words, a ripple of anticipation coursed through the room. The atmosphere shifted with thick tension. Students exchanged knowing glances, some barely stifling their laughter while others wore grins that sent a chill down Violet’s spine.
Her anxiety climbed higher as her golden eyes darted around the room. What did they mean by “scented”? She knew werewolves had lots of unique customs but she had no idea what being “scented” entailed.
When her gaze landed on Lila, her so-called friend, Violet saw her quickly avert her eyes, guilt written all over her face. Of course. Conveniently forgetting to mention this little tidbit, huh, Lila?
Violet had a lot of thought going through her head as she searched for an escape plan, but Mrs. Clarkson’s next words sealed her fate.
“Since the situation calls for it, let’s take this outside, shall we?” the teacher announced.
Before Violet could even protest, the students burst into motion, eager and electric with excitement. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor and eager whispers filled the room, drowning out Violet’s growing panic. Her heart began to pound wildly, each beat echoing in her ears like a drum.
“Come along now, little one,” Mrs. Clarkson said, her grip firm as she grabbed Violet’s arm and began to steer her toward the door, ignoring any attempt at resistance.
Violet stumbled after her, half-dragged, half-walking, as they exited the classroom and spilled into the sprawling lawn. The open space was vast, lush, and deceptively peaceful. But the energy crackling in the air made it feel like she was stepping onto a battlefield.
The students quickly formed a loose circle around her, their faces alight with anticipation. Violet’s gaze darted from one face to another, her unease growing with every knowing smirk and glint of mischief she caught. She was surrounded, encased in a wall of predatory excitement that made her stomach churn. What exactly did they plan to do to her?
Mrs. Clarkson’s voice rang out cheerfully, breaking the tense silence. “All right, everyone, let’s proceed. I’ll be handing over to the wolves, you all know what to do, right?”
Wait, what?!
Oh God, not again.
Violet’s heart nearly gave out at that moment. And just as she had feared, all four of the Cardinal Alphas had stepped forward. Not just them, the other wolves seem to follow after them.
“Are you ready, my purple queen?”
“What’s happening?” Violet’s voice cracked with fear. She cast a desperate glance around the circle of werewolves surrounding her, but no one answered. Not even Asher.
Instead, they began to strip.
“What the hell…” she whispered, watching every single one of them
remove their clothing.
It didn’t stop at shirts. To Violet’s mounting horror, they undressed completely. In no time, every werewolf stood before her, stark naked.
Violet froze, her muscles locking in place as she was overwhelmed by panic and disbelief. She could have turned away, but where? She was surrounded, hemmed in on every side by naked werewolves.
Her feet felt glued to the ground, her tongue heavy in her mouth. Her wide, golden eyes bulging as they involuntarily took in the sight of so much exposed flesh.
And there, standing directly in front of her, was Asher.
Her gaze locked on him, trailing over his broad shoulders and down his muscular frame. She wanted to scream, to demand an explanation for what was happening, but her focus wavered as she noticed something that made her pause.
Scars.
Asher’s body was riddled with them. Jagged, cruel scars marred his otherwise flawless skin. Some of the scars were faint and old, while others looked more recent, as though they’d refused to fade.
Violet’s heart clenched in her chest. She didn’t understand why, but staring at those scars felt like someone had physically squeezed her soul. Werewolves were known for their rapid healing abilities, their bodies rarely leaving any trace of injury behind. And yet these scars remained. There was only one weapon capable of leaving such marks
Silver.
From the look, it was obvious that someone had tortured Asher, over and over, with silver. Who could have done such a thing to him? And why? Violet didn’t know why it mattered so much to her, but an unexpected great anger surged through her. Whoever had done this to him, they deserved to pay.
“Like what you see, princess?” Asher’s teasing voice broke through her reverie, shattering the moment like glass.
Violet’s head snapped up, anger flashing in her golden eyes. How could he smile at a time like this? After everything someone had put him through? And yet, his teasing words unintentionally drew her gaze downward again.
Her breath hitched for an entirely different reason.
A very prominent, very large erection jutted out boldly in front of him.
Asher made no attempt to hide it. His unashamed desire was written all over his smug expression.
Her cheeks burned as rage mingled with embarrassment. He was shameless, absolutely shameless.
Determined to look anywhere but at him, Violet turned her head, only for her gaze to land on Griffin.
Grinding her teeth, Violet tried to look away, only for her gaze to unfortunately land on Griffin next.
The Cardinal Alpha was a walking tower of muscle. Built like a mammoth, his body rippling with stocky muscles that spoke of brute strength. And unfortunately, her eyes betrayed her yet again, landing on his… thing.
It was enormous. If there was ever a weapon to fear, it was that. He could slice a lady in two with that.
Such an unlucky lady.
Violet inhaled deeply, steeling herself. They wanted to intimidate her, to make her squirm. But she wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction.
Had they forgotten who she was?
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