Chapter 267

Natalie kept true to her word. By the time Violet and the others returned to the shack, there was already a package waiting for them.
They carried it inside and opened it, finding not just one but two recording devices that were so small and sophisticated that Violet knew she could never have acquired such a model on the open market. If they hid these properly, no one would ever realize they were there unless they looked closely.
“I’ll plant it in her room tomorrow after she leaves for school,” Lila offered at once. “I’ll use my ability to conceal myself. Not even a shadow would notice me going in or out of her room.”
“I’ll guide Lila enough to ensure we get the best view,” Daisy contributed, grinning.
And just like that, their plan for the next day was sealed. They’d have their moment, and it would be perfect.
Then they had dinner, their stomachs growling after the day’s events. The whirlwind of gossip about Roman’s mishap had so consumed the school that none of the other students paid much attention to them grabbing food in the dining hall. Even so, the girls were too pleased by their own successful scheme to eat much.
“So, I guess Asher’s next,” Daisy said, eyes twinkling with intrigue.
Violet hesitated for only a second. “We can’t strike at Asher the same way we did to Roman,” she said with a deep exhale. “Besides, he didn’t hurt me like the fox did. Not to mention, the guy’s too careful and smart. We’d only be shooting ourselves in the foot if we tried. The best we can do is use Lucille’s matter against him when the time comes. The world needs to see the kind of games he plays with his power. He needs to be curbed. He needs to learn restraint. Consent.”
“I’m all for that,” Ivy said. “I definitely don’t want Alpha Asher’s wrath pointed at us. He’s scary.”
“Fine. Alaric, then?” Daisy asked.
At the mention of his name, Violet’s expression darkened. Her shoulders stiffened, and her jaw set. “We’ll go ahead as planned. He hurt me, I hurt back.”
“Fair enough. I’ve prepared his punishment.” Lila pulled out a white paper covered in strange symbols.
Violet raised a brow. “What is that?”
Lila’s eyes glinted with mischief. “Some humans think talismans confer only things like good luck, health, or power. What they don’t know is that it can work the opposite way. This hex is from my people and it’s designed to bring bad luck for an entire day.”
She said in a lowered tone. “I could stretch the effect to weeks, maybe even a month, but I don’t think you’d want that…”
Violet’s heart picked up speed. “A day is more than enough. Thank you,” she said, feeling both grateful and a little frightened. Lila could be terrifying at times.
Clearly, Violet wasn’t alone in thinking that, because Daisy said ominously, “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
Lila blinked. Why were they overreacting? It was just a little hex.
“What’s the catch?” Violet prodded, knowing there usually was one. Roman’s hex had required his DNA, after all.
Lila explained. “This paper has to stay in close contact with the intended target for at least three hours for the bad luck to fully settle in. Since it’s nighttime, the best place would be his bed, but you’ve told me that Alaric rarely spends time at the North house.”
“Yeah. He spends most of his time at his lab, especially when his head is full of ideas or if he’s stressed and needs to distract himself with work.” Violet said.
Lila tapped the edge of the paper thoughtfully. “So, we can’t know for sure if he’s at home or in the lab. Breaking into his lab would be difficult, to say the least.”
“So, how do we get him to sleep in his bed? If he’s not home, the hex won’t work. Even if he is, he could leave before the three hours are up unless we… I don’t know, drug him or something, but that’s basically impossible. How do we pull this off?” Daisy asked.
“Maybe we think of something else,” Ivy suggested. “A different hex?”
“We don’t have time.” Violet groaned and pressed her palms to her face. “Parents Week is almost here.”
“Well, if it doesn’t work, we can—” Daisy was mid-sentence when Lila suddenly raised a hand to her lips, hushing her immediately. The room went still.
An abrupt seriousness took over Lila’s face as she tilted her head, ear cocked as though listening intently to something outside.
Without saying a word, Lila picked up her phone and typed something. Then she lifted the screen to their faces, the sentence reading : Talk naturally.
Violet’s brows furrowed slightly, but she trusted Lila’s instincts and right now, it seems something wasn’t right.
So she cleared her throat and said casually, “What happened to Roman today was quite unfortunate.”
Daisy caught on quickly. “Quite unfortunate indeed,” she echoed, nodding along.
Ivy added with melodramatic flair, “Poor Roman.”
Right then, a knock came at the door and all of them tensed, their thoughts leaping to worst-case scenarios. Then again, if someone meant them true harm, would they knock? Most of the time, no.
They rose to their feet and Lila signaled for Violet to stay behind her. She strode to the entrance and swung it open, fearlessly, only to feel her jaw drop.
“Oh,” was all she managed.
“Who is it…?” Violet unable to resist, stepped closer and peeked out.
Her breath caught because standing outside was the last person she expected to see. The one person who had betrayed her in front of everyone. The North Alpha.
Alaric Storm.
But instead of anger, a strange calm settled over Violet. Because at that moment, all she could think was one thing.
The gods were on their side.
“Hello,” Alaric Storm swallowed nervously as four pairs of angry eyes pinned him on the spot.