Chapter 19: Marry A Cardinal Alpha

Violet and Lila stood in the breakfast line, with Lila chattering on about something, completely unaware that Violet’s mind was somewhere else entirely.

From her place in the line, Violet could only get a partial view of the four thrones—as she called them—but she was hyper-aware of their presence and, to her immense relief, the fact that they were empty. After last night’s encounter with Asher, she wasn’t sure she could handle seeing any of the Cardinal Alphas, least of all Griffin.

Turns out, not only were the Cardinal Alphas psychopaths, but they were narcissists too. Who in their right mind kept thrones for themselves in a school cafeteria?

Well. Them.

Just to cement their authority, they had crowned themselves kings of Lunaris Academy. At least there wasn’t a self-proclaimed Queen, or Violet would have been completely done at this point. She could spot the elite students on the upper floor, mostly composed of girls, eating like the nobles they claimed to be.

While the rest of the students on the lower floor served themselves, Violet noticed a few students actually serving the elites. Her thoughts flashed back to Lila’s earlier claim about wanting to be her lackey. Was this what she meant? The gods help her, this school never failed to shock her.

"Earth to Violet," Lila snapped her fingers in her face, snapping her out of her daze. "The line is moving."

Violet noticed the space she had left between her and Lila from standing still, along with the grumbling impatience from those behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone trying to overtake her, but she quickly closed the gap, shooting a glare at the opportunist.

She heard the student mutter a curse under his breath but ignored it. She didn’t want any attention today. However, just then, Violet watched as a student brazenly cut past the entire line, casually stepping in front of those who had been waiting.

Without acknowledging anyone, the girl made her way to the front, grabbed a plate and utensils, and began piling her plate high from the lavish buffet.

Violet’s irritation grew as she watched, expecting an uproar, maybe some angry words from the other students. To her surprise, no one even blinked; their expressions stayed neutral, as though this scene was entirely normal. As if they were pretty used to it.

"Why aren’t they doing anything?" Violet couldn’t stop herself from asking.

"Shh, lower your voice," Lila scolded her, eyes wide.

"Exactly, why?" Violet asked through gritted teeth, her voice still loud enough. "I linger for a moment, and these assholes behind—" she gestured to the students behind her, "—try to push me out of the line. But she comes out of nowhere, helps herself, and no one says a word?"

"That’s because it’s Grace!" Lila hissed, exasperation lacing her tone.

"So who the hell is Grace?!"

"Moon help us, Violet, keep your voice down, or you’re going to get us in trouble," Lila said seriously, looking around nervously as though someone might be listening.

The seriousness of her tone made Violet calm down, though her curiosity still burned. "Fine. Tell me then, what am I missing this time?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

Lila shot her a scowl. "You didn’t bother researching the top twenty elite students, did you?"

"No, I didn’t. Why would I? It’s none of my business. Nor do I care who they are or what pathetic privileges they get from bullying everyone." Besides, she’d been too busy dealing with Asher in her dream—or whatever that encounter had been.

Lila face-palmed, muttering something that sounded like, "Goddess, help me with this one."

Violet almost felt bad for her, but Lila was the one obsessed with the hierarchy and school politics. If it had been anything worthwhile, she wouldn’t have had a headache about her.

Just then, Grace walked past them, her tray held confidently as she strode toward the staircase leading to the elite floor. Violet’s gaze narrowed as she noticed Grace’s skirt, which was noticeably shorter than the required length, her creamy thighs on full display. Violet wondered if Principal Jameson noticed that, or if her immunity covered dress code violations as well.

"What rank is she?" Violet asked out of curiosity.

"She’s not in the top twenty," Lila replied.

Violet raised an eyebrow. "Then who is she and what is she doing up there?"

"She’s Elsie’s hand."

"Elsie’s hand?"

"Lackey. Servant. Aide. Follower. Whatever you want to call it."

"Who’s Elsie?"

"Number one."

Violet’s interest was piqued. "You mean she’s the number one on the Lunaboard?"

Lila nodded, her eyes serious. "Yes, Violet. Elsie Lancaster is the number one elite student, and she’s the only pureblooded she-wolf in this academy."

The words caught Violet off guard. Though she didn’t care much for the academy’s internal politics, this was different. This was a pureblooded she-wolf they were talking about.

Pureblooded she-wolves were celebrated, practically revered as near-goddesses. They were almost extinct, and alphas would fight each other to death for the chance to marry one. After all, marrying a pureblood meant the chance to have a true werewolf offspring, untainted by the watered-down lineage resulting from human-werewolf unions.

It wasn’t hard to spot Elsie. Violet’s gaze followed Grace until she set the tray down at a table where a silver-haired girl sat, her presence striking. The girl’s silver hair seemed to glow under the dining hall’s lighting, almost otherworldly, and Violet found herself unable to look away. Elsie’s aura was intimidating, almost magnetic.

Before Violet could look away, Lila added in a whisper, "Not only that, but I heard Elsie is set to marry one of the Cardinal Alphas upon graduation."

It felt like a bomb went off in Violet’s mind. Elsie was going to marry one of the Cardinal Alphas? Which of them? Violet could not even understand why she was curious about that. It was none of her business yet she wanted to know.

As if sensing their eyes on her, Elsie turned and locked eyes with Violet.