Holy creator of the universe.
Violet’s head spun as she finally grasped the reality of the situation. Alaric Storm was kissing her. Not just anywhere, but in front of everyone. Even the elites seated above them.
Fuck.
Reacting instinctively, Violet pulled back abruptly, her eyes locking onto Alaric’s. Her heart was pounding wildly as she stared into his gaze, trying to make sense of his actions.
Violet was not going to lie, she had somehow hoped that the time they had spent together hadn’t been meaningless to him. That it had meant something. Even if a bit. But this? This was far beyond anything she had dared to imagine. Hence, she needed answers.
So her eyes searched his, looking for any sign this might be some sort of game or that he had ulterior motives. But to her surprise, Alaric’s gaze was pure. There was no hidden agenda, no trace of doubt. If anything, his eyes seemed to sparkle with something genuine. They were filled with admiration, perhaps even affection.
Fuck her life. He wasn’t ashamed of her.
Something inside her snapped. Without hesitation, Violet stood up abruptly, grabbed Alaric’s face, and crashed her lips against his in a hard kiss. Alaric groaned, his hands gripping her waist as his tongue feverishly sought hers.
The dining hall erupted into chaos as the noise reached a deafening crescendo with students screaming, cheering, and pulling out their phones to capture it. Cameras clicked and flashes illuminated the scene as photos and videos of the two spread like wildfire. But Violet and Alaric didn’t care. They were completely engrossed in each other, oblivious to the spectacle they had become. Let the world watch for all they cared; it didn’t matter.
Yet, the crowd’s reaction was a blend of disbelief and exhilaration. Despite the fact that many students didn’t like Violet, they couldn’t resist the drama. It was straight out of a fairy tale, after all. The brooding, untouchable Violet and the charming Alaric Storm, the Lightning Prince? The audacity of the romance was intoxicating.
As usual, Lila, ever the enthusiastic supporter, let out a shrill whistle and clapped loudly.
"Go, Violet!" she yelled, grinning from ear to ear despite the public display of affection happening right in front of her.
Ivy, on the other hand, looked as though someone had slapped her. Her jaw dropped so low it was a miracle a fly hadn’t flown in, although hygiene standards in the Silvered Court would never allow it. After all, she was the least person to believe that Violet would be able to land herself a catch such as the lightning prince.
Daisy blushed furiously at the sight, trying hard not to stare at the couples too much.
However, not everyone shared the enthusiasm. From the elites’ table upstairs, Elsie’s eyes narrowed, her expression darkening with fury.
She gripped her spoon so tightly it bent under the pressure of her werewolf strength. Grace who was seated beside her swallowed nervously, her eyes darting between Elsie and the warped utensil.
The two other elite girls in Elsie’s table witnessed it as well and shifted uncomfortably in their seat. Elsie would be furious through out the whole day and undoubtedly take it out on them.
Meanwhile, Natalie, seated alone at her table, glanced down at the scene with mild amusement.
"Always full of surprises, aren’t you?" she murmured with a small, knowing smile before returning to her meal, unfazed by the chaos around her.
Back at the center of the commotion, Violet and Alaric finally broke the kiss, their breathing heavy as they stared at each other. Alaric’s lips glistened with her saliva and slightly swollen from the intensity of their kiss.
Violet felt a rush of possessive pride she hadn’t known she was capable of. He was hers. The thought sent a thrill through her, and she smiled at him. Alaric smiled back.
Breaking the moment, Alaric turned to Violet’s roommates, who were still staring at them with wide eyes.
"Do you mind if I steal her away?" he asked politely, his voice warm and charming.
Before anyone could respond, Lila practically bounced in her seat. "Yes! Please do!" she said enthusiastically, winking at Violet.
Violet shot Lila a cringing look, but Lila just grinned, her expression gleeful as if she already knew what they planned to do.
Alaric without wasting time, took Violet’s hand and began leading her out of the dining hall. The noise became even louder as the students captured every second of Violet and Alaric fleeing the scene with their hands intertwined, and leaving behind a trail of chaos and excitement.
Alaric walked briskly, his hand firmly clasped around Violet’s, practically dragging her along as though every second mattered and he couldn’t waste it.
His urgency wasn’t lost on Violet either, it was electric, like the storm he was named after. Violet’s heart pounded, not from fear but from sheer exhilaration. She didn’t know what was coming next, but the mystery only added to the thrill.
Ahead of them, parked a car in midnight blue. Alaric didn’t hesitate, opening the passenger door for Violet with a look that was both confident, commanding and sexy as hell.
"Where are you taking me?" Violet asked with a firm voice amid the butterflies raging in her stomach.
"To a place where we won’t be disturbed," Alaric replied huskily.
His gaze locked on hers, communicating his intention. But Violet simply slid into the luxurious seat, the faint scent of charged ozone and leather enveloping her.
With a smile, Alaric rounded the car and slipped into the driver’s seat. With a roar, the engine came to life, and they sped away. It wasn’t until moments later, Violet realized where they were headed.
They packed and trekked down the narrow clear path to his workshop.
Now it was morning, aside from the chipping of insects and singing of birds, it was quiet and secluded. The perfect place to hide from the world — and for murder.
So not going there.
Alaric opened the door for her, and Violet stepped in, her eyes scanning the room. The instant the door clicked shut behind her, she turned but Alaric’s lips crashed against her.