A piercing scream snatched Violet from her peaceful slumber, jolting her awake like a gunshot in the dead of night. With her heart pounding, she shot up in bed, blinking rapidly as she struggled to rember where she was.
Right. Her dorm.
Before she could even exhale in relief, another scream sent a shockwave of panic through her.
Shit.
Violet leaped off the bed, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she rushed toward the source of the chaos.
When Violet burst into the hallway, she was t with the sight of Ivy collapsed on the floor, her face drained of all color, and her body trembling as she muttered under her breath, "I hate snakes."
A crowd had already ford, drawn in by the commotion. So students whispered among themselves, others peered over shoulders to catch a glimpse of the scene. Violet scanned the area, but there was no sign of an actual snake anywhere. The hallway was normal, save for Ivy, who looked like she had just seen death itself.
"Hey, what happened?" Violet crouched beside Ivy, gripping her shoulder. She could feel her friend stiffen beneath her touch like a board.
Ivy tried to speak, but the words lodged themselves in her throat. Finally, she managed to choke out, "Roman, he...."
Fuck.
That was all Violet needed to hear.
She had woken up to an empty bed, which ant that slippery bastard had already left. And if Ivy looked this traumatized, that could only an that Roman had made his grand exit in snake form.
Daisy and Lila arrived at that exact mont, panting slightly, eyes flicking between Ivy—who looked one scream away from cardiac arrest—and Violet, whose expression looked two seconds away from murder.
"What the hell happened?" They asked in unison.
Violet took a deep, calming breath before answering, her voice flat with irritation. "Roman happened."
"Oh"
Daisy and Lila instantly understood.
Violet clenched her jaw. That asshole. Instead of coming after her directly, he had gone for her friend. And why? Because he knew that would piss her off more.
And it worked. Violet was pissed.
By the ti they dragged Ivy back to their dorm and gave her so water, she had mostly cald down. Her fingers still shook slightly around the glass, but at least she could speak properly now.
"I’m okay now," Ivy said, brushing off the concern. "It just... happened so suddenly, and I wasn’t ready. That’s all."
Although Ivy’s tone was casual as she tried to wave it off, Violet wasn’t fooled. Ivy was proud, and Roman had reduced her to a screaming ss in the hallway. That was sothing she wouldn’t forget.
Violet sighed, "I’m so sorry. This is my fault." She apologized, guilt eating at her.
"That’s no fault of yours," Lila said firmly with her arms crossed and her voice laced with righteous fury. "Roman Draven is an asshole. Final."
"Well... we did provoke him first with the Kitten Roman show," Daisy said pointedly.
Except that was the wrong thing to say in that situation as three pairs of eyes snapped toward her like sniper rifles locking onto a target.
Daisy shrank in her seat. Shit. Bad move. If looks could kill, she’d be buried six feet under by now.
Before they could fully roast Daisy alive, Lila suddenly perked up, rembering sothing.
"Oh right, Violet! This is for you!" She reached out and pulled out a big ribbon-bound package, shoving it into Violet’s hands.
Violet blinked, taking it with confusion. "What’s this?"
"One of the students found on my way back and asked to give it to you," Lila grinned. "Said it’s from your boyfriend."
Violet’s eyes widened. "Alaric?" she whispered.
As if on cue, her phone beeped. Her stomach did a flip as she picked it up and discovered it was a ssage from Alaric.
"Alaric sent a text," she announced.
Before Violet could even finish, three bodies crashed into her, pressing against her shoulders to peer at the screen.
Lila, Daisy, and Ivy were practically suffocating her, their excitent electric as they read the ssage out loud:
*"I know you wouldn’t like making the choice for you, but I couldn’t help but think you’d look electrifying in these tonight. Your thunderboy."*
There was silence for seconds. Then—
"AHHHHHHHH!!!"
Lila squealed so loudly their ears nearly bled.
"He’s so sweet!!!" She grabbed Violet’s arm, shaking her violently.
"Damn," Daisy breathed, clearly impressed. "I think I need to get myself an Alaric Storm."
Even Ivy, the one usually jealous of the attention Violet gets, gave an approving nod, "He’s good." And coming from her, that was high praise.
"Now open it!" Lila practically bounced on her heels.
"Yes! Open it!" Daisy chid in.
Violet, completely overwheld, had no choice but to comply. She carefully untied the ribbon and peeled back the wrapping, her breath hitching the mont she pulled out the first article of clothing.
It was a black, fitted crop top with delicate lace detailing along the upper chest and shoulders. The V-neck dipped just enough to show off her collar bones but not plunge into anything too scandalous.
Violet swallowed hard and reached for the second piece, a high-waisted, dark-wash distressed skinny jeans. The rips along the knees and thighs gave them a rugged, rebellious charm, while the snug fit would no doubt hug her legs and hips just right.
Holy shit. How the hell had Alaric known?
This wasn’t just a good outfit, it was perfect and exactly the kind of thing Violet would have picked for herself. It was almost as if Alaric had crept into her mind, read her thoughts, and materialized them into reality.
It was... touching. Except Violet rembered right at that mont why she couldn’t accept it.
Guys," she said slowly, biting her lip. "I don’t think I can wear this." Not when she planned on breaking up with Alaric tonight. It would be cruel to take his gift and then shatter him.
But the mont Violet said those words, three pairs of eyes turned on her so sharply the room temperature dropped.
Violet froze. Why were they looking at her like that? As if they were about to murder her.
"Get her," Ivy commanded.
Violet had never known fear until this mont.
"No—wait—!!"
But it was too late as Lila pounced.
"Ahh—!" Violet yelped as the breath was knocked out of her, Lila’s full weight pinning her to the bed.
"What the hell are you doing, you crazy girl?!" Violet protested, kicking, struggling for dear life. But there was no escape.
"Grab her legs!" Ivy ordered.
Daisy, who usually preferred staying neutral in such fights, quickly complied, grabbing hold of Violet’s struggling legs as Lila fumbled with the outfit.
No. This was not happening.
But it was happening.
"Guys, wait—!!"
Ivy cut her off, saying with determination. "You are not making a fashion disaster at your first official party as a cardinal queen. That would be a social death and I will not allow it."
"You guys have lost it!" Violet wailed as Lila tugged the top over her head.
"Just let it happen, honey." Lila grinned. "Resistance is futile."
Alaric’s outfit it was.
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