Chapter 7: Purple Flower

The air was cool against her skin, the grandeur of the academy almost making her feel small. Violet clutched her bag tightly, the rough fabric digging into her palm as she eyed the stone stairs leading up to the academy’s main building.

She was ready to step forward when a voice called out, “Hello.”

Startled, she turned, only to see a well-dressed man in a tailored suit striding toward her. He looked like he belonged here with his polished confidence. And though Violet should have been on edge, there was something oddly disarming about his smile, as if it had been practiced to put people at ease.

“You must be Violet Purple?” His voice was smooth, catching her off guard.

Violet blinked. How did he know her name? Then she remembered the guard from earlier typing her information into his device. Of course. The academy must have an efficient communication system. Information sure traveled fast around here.

“And who are you?” she asked, keeping her tone polite but laced with a thread of suspicion. Growing up in the ghetto had taught her not to trust anyone at face value.

The man’s smile widened as if her wariness amused him. “I’m Michael, a staff of this institution.”

Wow. Even their staff dressed fine. Violet thought.

“I’ve been tasked with taking your things to your dorm.” His eyes flicked to her bag, his smile faltering slightly as he took in the modest size. “Is that… all?”

Violet caught the flicker of disapproval in his gaze, and for the first time, she felt self-conscious. She hadn’t thought much about how many belongings students were expected to bring, but in an academy meant for the elite, the rich, and the privileged, it wouldn’t surprise her if others arrived with wardrobes fit for royalty. But she wasn’t about to let a stranger make her feel inferior.

Violet straightened her back and met his gaze head-on. “Yes, that’s all,” she replied firmly, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Michael raised an eyebrow, clearly reading her mood. He immediately backpedaled, his tone apologetic. “I’m quite sorry. It’s just that… well, we’re used to students arriving with more.”

Violet cringed inwardly but maintained her composure. “Well, this is me,” she said, her voice steady, though embarrassment burned her cheeks.

Without another word, Michael reached for her bag, lifting it effortlessly, as if it weighed nothing at all. Violet watched him with a mix of gratitude and lingering discomfort. Her belongings might be light, but they were hers. She half-expected another judgmental glance, but instead, Michael simply smiled.

“I’ll take your things to your dorm. You should head inside and get yourself set up,” he said, gesturing toward the tall double doors looming ahead.

“Well, thank you,” she murmured, watching him walk down a different path, likely towards the dormitories.

Despite the man’s reassurances, her old instincts flared. Violet had trust issues with strangers and always had. Growing up where she did, people went through your things if given half a chance.

Her gaze narrowed as she considered the possibility that Michael might rummage through her bag. But this was Lunaris Academy, not the ghetto. And, realistically, there was nothing of value in there anyway. Yep, her poor, pathetic life.

Still, if anything went missing, she’d hunt him down. After all, she knew his face now.

Taking a deep breath, Violet turned her gaze back to the academy’s entrance, the imposing structure seeming even more daunting now that she was alone. She squared her shoulders and began her ascent up the stone steps and walked through the door and was lost in a new world.

Students hurried around her, rushing out of classrooms, all dressed in the academy uniform—slacks for the boys and skirts for the girls. Back at her old school, they hadn’t bothered with uniforms, seeing it as a thing for elementary school students, and the fact they would look ridiculous in it. But that wasn’t the case here.

The Lunaris Academy uniform featured a sleek, deep forest green plaid skirt with gold and navy accents, paired with a tailored midnight blue blazer that hugged the figure perfectly, over a crisp white shirt. The left chest pocket proudly bore the golden crest of a wolf, finished off with a matching tie. The combination of rich colors and the detailed emblem radiated an air of elegance and prestige that made it anything but childish.

Not many things surprise Violet, but this school so far has left her gaping like a moron. She stood in the lobby still examining the school environment which might as well be akin to a five-star hotel when a commotion caught her attention.

A guy with striking green hair came barreling toward her, laughing like he was being chased. There was no time to dodge the impact, and he crashed into her with a force as jarring as his appearance.

Holy creator of the universe.

Before Violet could react, his arms were around her waist, steadying her, her face pressed into his chest—a hot, hard chest, packed with muscle. She could feel the power in his grip, his body solid against hers. He smelled incredible, like the promise of freedom carried on a wild breeze, and for a split second, she had the absurd urge to spread her arms and let the wind take her.

Yep, she was definitely losing her mind.

“Well, hello. Look what fate just dropped into my arms,” he purred, his voice smooth and velvety, slipping into her ear like silk against her skin.

His breath was warm against her neck, and Violet involuntarily shivered, realizing how dangerous this one was. She stepped away from him and looked up. Except that was a mistake.

Violet knew werewolves were hot, but this was next-level hot.

He had the most striking eyes Violet had ever seen, a vivid green with flecks of gold at the center, and they were locked on her, intense and unblinking. A slow, mischievous grin tugged at the corners of his lips, making her heart skip a beat. He also had green hair and for someone who often found herself in the same situation, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was natural or dyed.

Either way, it suited his rebellious look, complementing his high cheekbones, strong jaw, and those full, undeniably kissable lips. The gods help her, what in the world was she thinking? Hasn’t she learned enough with her mother’s, no, adopted mother’s experiences with men?

“As much as I would love to get acquainted with you, my purple damsel. There’s a monster about to murder me right now.”

From those words, Violet could tell this one was a lady’s man but the mention of murder made her blood run cold, and whatever attraction she felt towards the stranger vanished at once. She sincerely hoped he didn’t mean those words literally.

However, fate seemed to have other plans because a deep roar reverberated through the hall, scaring everyone. What the hell was going on? Before she could say a word, he was already on his heels. Again.

Violet was about to get out of there when she spotted something.

“Hey, you dropped this!” she shouted after him, guessing he must have dropped the necklace when he ran into her.

He shouted, “Hold onto that for me, darling, would you?” he winked before disappearing out the door. And he didn’t even offer an apology for knocking into her.

Violet shook her head, bewildered. “What a weirdo.” Although a cute one. Yep, she was not going there.

“At least he knows good stuff.” She muttered, examining the necklace.

It was a delicate piece, adorned with a single teardrop-shaped sapphire pendant encircled by tiny diamonds. The sapphire gleamed with a deep, oceanic blue, catching the light at every angle. Violet frowned, realizing this wasn’t an ordinary necklace. The engraved details told Violet it might as well be a family heirloom and she felt uneasy holding onto such a personal item.

Violet was still looking it over when a growl that made the hairs on edge came from behind her. She turned slowly to see a furious red-haired werewolf stalking toward her, his muscles taut with barely restrained anger.

The gods help her. Why was the universe doing this to her?

If the green-haired wolf from earlier had been hot, this one made her swallow hard, torn between fear and anticipation. He was so tall that she could almost call him a giant. His long red hair was tied back in a bun, a style that should’ve made him look effeminate, but it only enhanced his raw, masculine presence.

He looked like a Viking straight out of an old movie, with thick, sculpted muscles that made his biceps and pecs bulge under what could barely be called a uniform. His blazer was nowhere to be seen, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a hard, tanned chest and a teasing glimpse of a tattoo she couldn’t make out from her angle.

In short, the red-haired male was dangerously attractive. And unless she was into some dark beauty-and-the-beast romance, this was the moment of reckoning because the beast looked like he was about to snap her in half.

He towered over her, hatred burning in his eyes, with his lips curled into a snarl. Violet whimpered inwardly, what did she do wrong, Mr. Beast?

His eyes locked onto the necklace in her hand, and without warning, he lunged to snatch it. Violet acted instinctively, dodging and pushing it away from his reach. “Hey, that’s not—”

Violet couldn’t finish it because he grabbed her by the throat, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. What the fuck? Her eyes nearly bulged out of her eyes. What in the name of madness was going on here? And why was no one stepping out from the sea of students to help her?

It dawned on Violet no one was coming for her. If anything, they looked away as if she was not getting strangled in the lobby by some brute. Cold dread washed over Violet as she realized this guy could murder her right here and then and no one would say a word. What kind of crazy was this?

“I don’t know what you and Roman are up to,” he hissed, his voice thick with menace, “but touch my stuff again, and I’ll kill you. For real.”

His stuff?

Oh no.

Violet instantly figured out that he was the owner of the necklace. In that case, does that mean the green-haired guy stole from him? It finally made sense why he had been running. And thanks to the asshole, she was about to be murdered. Was that the punishment for stealing in this institution? Somebody help her! Nobody informed her about this.

Violet’s vision blurred, the edges of her sight darkening as she struggled for air. His rage was overwhelming, radiating off him in hot, angry waves. She could feel his hands shaking, not from fear, but from the sheer effort it took to hold back his strength from crushing her neck.

And then, just as quickly as it started, the brute flung her away like she was nothing.

Violet hit the ground hard, pain shooting up her spine as she crumpled in a heap. She watched as he bent down and picked up the necklace that fell on the ground and left her alone, thankfully.

Breathless and trembling, Violet lay there, the sting of humiliation and the terror of nearly dying clinging to her skin. Before she could gather herself, a shadow fell over her.

God, who was it this time?

She looked up and forgot how to breathe. Does this academy only accept fine, attractive males, or what?

A tall and commanding guy stood before her. He wore dark shades, indoors of all places, and something about his presence made her instincts scream. Who wears sunglasses inside? Call it instincts but something told her the shades weren’t just for fashion but necessity. It was something else, something darker.

And yet, she found herself checking him out. His jet-black hair was faded at the sides, while the longer strands fell messily over his face, screaming he was due for a haircut soon. Broad-shouldered and muscular, he didn’t carry the bulk of the redhead or the lean grace of the green-haired thief. Yet his uniform clung perfectly to his athletic frame, highlighting his jock-like physique. Violet’s heart pounded, and an inexplicable tingle spread through her, heat pooling low in her belly.

What the hell was wrong with her today? It had to be the overload of handsome faces; if she’d known Lunaris Academy had this many striking men, she might have mentally prepared herself better.

For a split second, their gazes locked, or at least, she thought they did. Beneath those shades, she sensed the weight of his eyes assessing her. Part of her hoped, foolishly, that he’d help her up. But that wasn’t the case. Instead, his lips curled into a cold, mocking smile, the kind that made Violet feel like prey—a plaything to be toyed with.

His eyes roved up and down her body and her breath hitched, not out of attraction, but sudden fear. She had dealt with guys like this before back at her old school, and Violet knew better than to trust men with that dark, brooding intensity. Whatever drew her to him, it was nothing good.

Suddenly, his lips curled into a wild, unsettling smile. “Welcome, my purple flower. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”

What the hell?