Chapter 354
Fame was blinding. And Violet meant it literally. There were so many camera flashes in her face she had to squint. Yeah, she was definitely not turning up bangers in those pictures they just took. Not that that was her problem, considering the questions were coming in like heavy rain.
“Violet Purple, you look dazzling, look this way, please!”
“Violet Purple, who designed your clothes? How much do they cost?”
“Violet Purple! Is it true you’ve officially replaced Elsie Lancaster as the Queen Bee?”
“You’re here with all four Cardinal Alphas, Violet, are you dating one, or all of them?”
“Rumors say you’re living in the Rogue shack. Is this some sort of rebellion against the school system?”
Although Asher had prepared her for this moment, Violet was still stunned by how much these people knew about her.
“Take her, I’ll handle this,” Asher said to none of the alphas in particular. But Roman and Alaric were already at her side, each taking one of her arms, while Griffin looked after her roommates. As if sensing they were about to leave, the reporters’ questions turned more heated and desperate.
“Violet, your mother is now with the West Pack. Does this mean you’ll be aligning with them politically and giving up your rebellion?”
“Are you following in Irene Hale’s footsteps? Two husband’s, perhaps four in your case?”
“Elsie’s been preparing for the Alpha Queen role her whole life. Do you think you’re better than her? Is that why you snatched her men?”
“If Asher wins the Alpha heir title and marries Elsie Lancaster, what will that make you? The concubine?”
“Are you just a passing scandal, or do you see yourself as a long-term choice for one or more of the cardinal alphas?”
“How do you respond to claims that you’ve manipulated your way into the spotlight using the Alphas?”
To be honest, Violet was a bit flustered. Was this what people thought of her? That she was using the Alphas like some gold digger?
She took a controlled deep breath, refusing to let it rattle her. People would always talk. Moreover, this was to be expected while dating not just one, but four of the most powerful werewolves to ever live. Now that she thought about it, it did sound a little “greedy.” Well, that wasn’t her fault. Her men chose her. People would just have to live with it.
Everyone was staring, and Violet realized she was still clinging to Alaric and Roman’s arms like they were hers. And indeed they were. So she walked with more sway in her hips and her chin lifted high.
Let them stare. Let them talk. She didn’t care. Tonight, all that mattered were three things: the party, her men, and her revenge.
Ivy and Daisy disappeared to do their thing, but not without dragging Lila along. The girls knew Lila would hover around Violet like a buzzing fly and intentionally pulled the Fae guardian away to give Violet her moment with her boyfriends.
Griffin left too. He needed to find his parents, unlike Roman and Alaric, who remained at her side, unmoving. It was a bit concerning though, considering their own families were probably somewhere in this ballroom. But then again, who was she to judge, with her complicated relationship with Nancy? She didn’t even know if the woman was still here or had left after that argument yesterday.
“Here, have this.” Roman handed her a glass of wine.
Violet raised a brow. “Roman,” she said with dramatic emphasis, “are you trying to get me drunk? Perhaps a ploy to get into my pants, is it, sire?”
Roman replied, “I don’t need to get you drunk to do that. Just say the word, and I’ll happily get into your pants any day, any time, anywhere.” He added a smug wink.
Violet’s heart skipped a beat as an illicit thought slipped into her head. Like those historical movies, she imagined Roman taking her hand and leading her to a secret garden for a bit of kissing—scratch that, lots of kissing. Maybe his hand would slide beneath her gown, past the voluminous layers, tracing the smoothness of her thighs and venturing higher to her—
Her imagination screeched to a halt when Alaric interjected, “Definitely not here.” He was silently scolding Roman for that last comment.
She turned to him just as Alaric threw his head back and downed his wine in a single gulp. It wasn’t the alcohol tolerance that caught her attention, rather it was the way Alaric’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank.
And suddenly, her imagination changed. It was no longer Roman in the garden. It was Alaric. They were seated on a bench, and she straddled him, tracing that same Adam’s apple with her lips and teeth, drawing a sinful groan from his throat as she rocked against him.
“Violet? Earth to Violet?” Alaric snapped his fingers in her face, rousing her back.
He looked genuinely concerned. “Are you okay? You looked lost there.”
“Oh, she was definitely lost,” Roman said, watching her from over the rim of his glass.
Violet shot him a glare. Sometimes, like now, she wondered how she got involved with him. But then again, that was the cross she had to bear.
Flustered and thirsty—for water, yes—she took a sip. Violet wasn’t new to drinking, not with Nancy around. But this one hit fast, and she shuddered.
“Damn, this is strong.”
“Yeah, that’s because it’s made for wolves, and whatever supernatural creatures are out there,” Roman said. “How do you feel? Not dizzy or anything, right?”
“No, I don’t—” Violet began but then paused mid-sentence. She looked up and met Roman’s gaze. He was watching her intently, and she realized what just happened. It was a test. A confirmation.
Just like Asher, Roman was interested in what she really was.
Before she could comment, Alaric leaned in and murmured, “Trouble approaching.”
Violet turned, and yep, trouble was heading straight for her. Elsie Lancaster marched forward with a stride so sharp it could split tiles.
The people nearby quieted, clearly expecting drama. Elsie stopped right in front of her with a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Hello Violet.” Her gaze swept Violet from head to toe. “You look… stunning. Almost like you belong here.”