Griffin was in charge of the program's order, so Violet knew exactly when Elsie Lancaster would be hosting the mory reel. Everyone was seated now, even Asher had found his way back just in ti with Nancy. Her mother joined her friends at a table just beside theirs.
Violet subtly questioned Daisy with her eyes if everything was ready and the girl nodded in affirmation.
Good. It was ti to tango.
Let the fun begin.
The lights dimd slightly and a soft spotlight bathed the stage in front till
Elsie's red gown practically shimred. She was the picture of elegance and control.
"I can't tell you how much of an honor it is to have you all here tonight and to be the one given the privilege of showcasing our elegant institution, Lunaris Academy," Elsie continued after everyone had settled down, her voice soft and sweet, oozing grace and polish. It was the kind of tone that chard parents and masked poison.
She continued. "Lunaris Academy is more than a school. It is history. It is legacy. A stronghold that stood tall during the darkest of tis. A safe haven for werewolves during the great war. And it was from those ashes that we rose united."
There were murmurs of agreent across the room. Elsie Lancaster was playing to her audience. She always did.Violet had to give her that for a talent.
"And then ca the ti of the late Alpha King Angus…" Elsie's tone softened, almost reverent. "Who, in his wisdom and unmatched vision for unity, birthed the humans into the system. Humans who never thought they would share the sa system of education with werewolves. Goddess bless his soul."
At that mont, heads turned subtly in the direction of Michah, who sat in a quiet corner of the hall. The soft buzz of conversation dipped as people were reminded, once again that he carried royal blood.
Elsie pressed on.
"It was because of his vision that the Conscription began. Welcoming not just humans of high blood but also those from the outskirts. Those who had never dread of a place like this. Humans from less privileged districts."
Although Elsie didn't outright insult anyone, the disdain and polished arrogance in her tone rang clear. Especially as her eyes locked deliberately with Violet's.
Violet didn't flinch. She just smirked, cocking her head slightly, like a queen watching a jester dance.
Let the girl play. It won't be long now.
Elsie's voice rose slightly again, drawing the room's attention back. "This short video presentation will show us how far Lunaris Academy has co. How much it has contributed to the unification of werewolves and humans, not just here in the United Dorminia, but perhaps, around the world?"
She turned to the large screen behind her with a bright smile and a graceful step to the side.
The lights dimd.
And the reel began to play.
Violet's hand found another glass of wine and sipped slowly.
It was about to go down.
At first, the ballroom was quiet with anticipation, the video opening with a soft royal tune that made everyone sit straighter. Elsie's syrupy sweet voice flowed through the speakers, playing over the visuals.
"For over a century, Lunaris Academy has stood proud. A sanctuary, a beacon of excellence even before it earned its title..."
The cara panned through the front gates, then the grand courtyard, then soared in an aerial view that made the school look like a palace in the clouds. Students, parents, staff, and reporters watched like it was a campaign ad.
Then a sharp glitch rippled through the screen, the music cracked and all fell silent.
There were low murmurs around the room as all presud it was a technical fault.
Suddenly, the blackened screen ca alive with the words in bold, jagged, blood-red font :
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW LUNARIS ACADEMY?
Elsie stiffened. What the fuck? This was not what she prepared.
Before anyone could speak, the video slamd into motion again and the upbeat royal fanfare was replaced with deep, cinematic drums. The next fra was grainy but everyone saw Asher Nightshade, in his gym wear, as he snapped Clayton's arm without rcy.
The footage froze on Clayton's twisted face and the words, "NO RESTRAINT" flashed across the screen in red, stamped font.
At this point, the murmurs had picked up.
The next scene rolled with no rcy and it was of Griffin mid-shift into his beast form, roaring and lunging at Roman and Asher as students scread in the background.
UNCONTROLLABLE
There were more gasps now. Soone dropped their glass. Parents were now fully alert.
"What is going on?" Elsie hissed under her breath. She had no idea where this chaos was coming from and why.
But it didn't stop there.
The next scene was of Roman Draven, naked and rubbing himself against a tree.
Soone clearly choked on their wine.
"WILD PASSION" slamd across the screen.
The video cut again and this ti, it was Violet. It was the popular video of her
Pinned between Griffin and Alaric, their lips locked and hands tangled in passion.
IS THIS LOVE OR LUST?
Lightning danced on the screen. Alaric Storm stood on a hill, arms spread wide as thunder bood overhead. The sky opened and rain poured down on scrambling students in the field.
Another clip rolled and it was Griffin again. This ti, it was him throttling Violet on her first day.
TOO MUCH POWER?
The reporters pushed forward to the stage with their caras like hounds after blood. The dia zone was forgotten, this was the real news, and none of them wanted to be left behind.
"Soone shut that down!" Principal Jason barked, her heart pounding loudly in her ears.
The tech crew scrambled. One yanked the plug from the control unit. Nothing. The video kept playing even though the wires were dead.
"We pulled everything. It's not from us," one of them said, pale-faced.
"What?" Jason was bewildered.
Of course, that was because it wasn't technical but magical. Violet Purple had foreseen this part happening and had employed Lila's help.
The screen kept rolling and this ti clips flashed by in rapid fire showing close up images of the Luna board, the human elites on it and so videos of them bullying the scholarship students.
THE RANKING SYSTEM AND THE ELITES. IS THE CONSCRIPTION A FAUX?
The murmurs had beco a full-on buzz.
"This is a misunderstanding," Jason said through a tight smile.
And then ca the final blow.
AND WHAT ABOUT ITS QUEEN BEE?
Elsie's blood ran cold, an ominous feeling curling in the pit of her belly.
The screen flickered again and there she was on all four, naked.
Oh God, no.
Grace stood behind her in an Asher mask, leather whip in hand and began to hit her on the bottom while her lascivious moans echoed across the hall.
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