The moment Alpha Henry’s footsteps faded down the hall, that was when Elsie snapped out of her daze.
"You little bitch! You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!" she shrieked, lunging at Violet with all the grace of a feral cat.
But she didn’t get far because Asher was in front of Violet in a blink. "Touch her," he snarled, his voice cutting through the hallway, "and I’ll rip your face off."
The Alpha power in his voice hit Elsie so hard that she froze mid-step, causing her eyes to widen and her breath hitched. Even Caroline staggered in place, her lips parting in stunned disbelief.
"Asher?" Caroline breathed out, as if trying to process what she was seeing, as if the boy standing before her wasn’t the same graceful heir she once praised.
But Asher didn’t even spare her a glance. His slitted gray eyes, sharp as glass, flicked to her with the cold disdain of a predator sizing up an insect.
Then, without a word, he grabbed Violet’s hand, fingers tight but sure, and stormed away leaving the stunned crowd.
Violet knew Asher was furious. She could see it in the tight line of his jaw, the sharp pull of his shoulders, the way his fingers curled around hers just a little too tightly as he dragged her along. She didn’t protest. Yes, not a word. Instead, Violet followed him quietly, and obediently.
The students they passed knew better and didn’t dare whisper, nor risk a second glance, not when Asher’s aura was crackling like a brewing tempest.
The halls gradually emptied as they walked, until finally, when there was no one in sight, Asher yanked her into an empty classroom.
The door slammed shut behind them.
In the next breath, Violet was pinned roughly against the wall with Asher’s face so close she could feel the heat of his anger.
"What the actual fuck is wrong with you?!" he snapped, his voice rough, and his nostrils flaring.
"I wanted you away from my father, and you go and throw yourself at him like some kind of sacrifice?! Are you out of your damn mind?!"
But before he could go on, Violet twisted quickly, spinning him so his back hit the wall with a thud. She pressed in close with her hips pinning his, her voice low and heated.
"First of all," she murmured, eyes flashing, "don’t yell at me."
Asher growled, his hands shooting up as if to shove her away, but she pushed back with her hips, just a little too hard, grinding into him unintentionally.
He let out a guttural groan, half anger, half frustration.
That was not what Violet planned, but it worked in her favour anyway.
"Secondly," she said, her voice a velvet threat, "I said, don’t yell at me."
Asher opened his mouth to bite back, to unleash everything knotted up in his chest, but Violet’s finger came up, gently pressing against his lips.
"For the third time," she whispered, voice like a dangerous purr, "still don’t yell at me."
For a long beat, Asher just stared at her, his chest rising and falling, tension coiled so tightly it might snap.
Then, with a muttered curse, Asher leaned his head back against the wall and let out a long breath, his shoulders sagging in surrender.
Violet was going to ruin him. And the worst part? He didn’t even care.
When Asher finally spoke, his voice was calm. "What were you thinking?"
Violet moved with lazy confidence, looping her arms around his neck, her lips curving in a faint smirk. "What do you think?" she asked him. "I was punishing him for you. Not that my little prank even scratches the surface of what he’s put you through."
Asher stiffened, his breath catching. "You did that... for me?" he asked, his voice rough with disbelief.
"Of course," Violet said lightly, brushing a quick, teasing kiss against his mouth. "Why else would I waste my time on the likes of him?"
For a second, Asher just stood there, as if the air had been knocked clean out of him. "No one’s ever done that for me," he murmured, the raw edge in his voice making Violet pause halfway to stealing another kiss.
She blinked, then grinned up at him, her fingers tugging gently at his hair. "Well, you better start getting used to it," she whispered, "because this is only the beginning."
And that was it. Asher snapped.
With a low, hungry sound, he pulled her to him and crashed his mouth onto hers, kissing her hard, like he’d been waiting his whole life just for this.
Violet melted into him, kissing him back with just as much fire. When Asher finally pulled away, it was clear it took every ounce of his control to do so. His breath came hard, and his eyes still locked on her like she was the only thing keeping him standing.
"I appreciate you standing up for me," Asher murmured, his thumb brushing her jaw, "but don’t do that again. Even a small prank like that, and Henry’s already looking to make me punish you. Only the gods know what he’d do next if you keep pushing him."
But Violet just smirked, eyes gleaming with defiance. "I’m not scared," she shot back. "Besides, that was the point. If anything happens to me after this, all eyes go straight to Henry and it won’t just be whispers. He’s a solid suspect."
Then her grin turned wicked, her voice dropping to a playful purr. "And did I hear ’punishment’ in there? Exactly how were you planning to handle that, Alpha?"
Asher let out a rough laugh, shaking his head. "Don’t even go there. You’re not ready for what I have in mind."
Violet arched a brow, her smirk sharpening into a challenge. "Says who? Try me," she dared softly, her eyes blazing. "I can handle you."
Asher’s eyes darkened in an instant, his voice dropping to a commanding edge. "Get on your knees."
Violet’s eyes widened, surprise flickering across her face as the meaning sank in.
Honestly, Asher hadn’t even expected her to take him seriously. He hadn’t even put much faith in her following through. But to his shock, without a word, Violet sank gracefully to her knees before him.