h4Chapter 448: The Secret Footage/h4

    ric Storm looked like a page ripped straight out of an old-world mafia movie, except he was far more cuter than should be.

    He wore a jet-ck trench coat that hung open just enough to reveal the tailored, double-breasted suit inside. His crisp ck shirt was buttoned up tight, save for the top, where his pale, wless throat teased the eye.

    A ck leather gun holstery snug around his shoulder, while he held a toy gun for effect, and on his head sat a ck beret-style t cap, tilted just right to cast the faintest shadow over one eye.

    To top it all, he had a cinger in his mouth toplete the aesthetic, blowing a puff of smoke like he’d been doing this his whole life.

    "Well?" ric said with confidence. "Do I look like trouble?"

    "Foul y!" Roman dered dramatically, standing. "This is foul y. I want a recount. Where’s the judge?"

    Griffin paced once like a man trying to do math. "This is unfair, Violet. You gave him a mafia look, like straight-up organized crime Prince Charming, and gave me ruffles andce!"

    "You looked adorable, Moreover, I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d look like leaning to the dark side." Violet said.

    "I wore a superman’s outfit." Asher argued.

    Griffin scowled at him. "Try wearing mine."

    ric removed the cigar with a slow grin. "Not my fault I cleaned up fine as a viin."

    "Oh, go to hell," Roman muttered, flopping onto the couch like a scandalized Victorian woman.

    "Guys,e on," Violet pleaded. "This is all for fun. Remember, I did wear the clothes each of you chose for me?" She reminded them.

    At once, the boys groaned, muttered, and exchanged long-suffering nces.

    Roman dragged a hand down his face. "She’s got a point."

    fr\eewebno vel .c(o)m

    Griffin sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Fine."

    Asher looked tired. "Let’s just get it over with."

    Violet pped once, delighted. "So ten out of ten for the mafia prince. You’ll be wearing that again."

    ric bowed slightly with a gleam in his eyes. "Only if you promise to be the one interrogating me, officer."

    Unfortunately, that earned a gasp and an eye-roll from everyone at once, especially Roman. He couldn’t believe ric pushed him off his throne.

    And that marked the end of the shopping spree. It was time to go.

    "I’ll be right back," Asher said, vanishing without exnation. Violet didn’t need to ask—she already knew.

    A few momentster, Asher reappeared, giving nothing away. But Violet knew he had taken care of their problem. And perhaps that was why she liked Asher, always willing to sacrifice without making a show of it, even when the person he helped might not bother to show appreciation.

    "Let’s move." Roman hoisted his share of the mountain of bags. None of the boys allowed the boutique attendants to carry their selections and thanks to that, each had their arms full.

    "You guys do know I’m not disabled, right?" Violet asked because she was the only one walking out empty-handed.

    "It’s our treat, woman. Move that ass," Roman said without thinking.

    Violet paused mid-step, her brow lifting slowly in challenge.

    Roman immediately caught himself. "Please?"

    "Better." She shed a sweet, innocent smile and turned forward again.

    Before the security team could even react, Violet was already ahead, swinging the doors open for each of them to pass through. She waited until thest of them exited before shutting the doors behind them like a properdy escorting her beloved men.

    The security men was taken aback by the action. That was a first.

    Griffin, watching her, muttered under his breath with a crooked grin, "Isn’t she just the damn best."

    ric said proudly. "Amazing."

    Violet blushed. This vacation was the best thing that has ever happened to them.

    Meanwhile.....

    Alpha King Elijah sat behind his obsidian desk, flipping through a stack of reports, while his beta updated him.

    "The interview went without a hitch as expected. Natalie Avax would be the face of the humans at the school and the fifth house will be officially installed as agreed."

    Elijah didn’t look up. "Finally, the humans managed to wiggle their way in." he muttered, his jaw tightening. The thought of humans gaining a foothold in their world was a bitter pill to swallow, one that left a sour taste in his mouth.

    Marcus continued, undeterred by Elijah’s frustration. "I know you might not like it, your majesty, but public opinion about Lunaris Academy has risen favorably to ny percent since the interview. The humans just want a voice."

    Elijah gave a scoff, his gaze still on the reports in front of him. "A voice today, a seat tomorrow. Humans greed to dominate never ceases, in case you don’t know that, Christian."

    The beta hesitated before adding, "Well, its nice to know that Elsie’s scandal has beenpletely drowned out. Right now, the only thing anyone can talk about is the matebond between Griffin Hale and Violet Purple. The fact that Violet is a human seems to appeal to them. Although as usual, there seems to be a minority who are concerned we’ve stolen one of their own as usual."

    Elijah’s attention caught at the mention of the Matebond. "I take it they had the interview then?" he asked.

    The beta cleared his throat. "About that..."

    Elijah set the document down and narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"

    f.(r)eew ebnov\ll

    "Not just Griffin and Violet, sir," the beta said grimly. "None of the Cardinal Alphas were present at the interview today."

    At once, Elijah leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. "What have I been missing out on?" he asked, a hint of irritation slipping into his tone.

    He had been so consumed by the betrayal from Patrick and the relentless maneuvering of President Roy that he had neglected the very heirs he was meant to "babysit".

    "The alphas are away from school," Marcus replied, his voice steady. "All of them." He paused, allowing the information to sink in. "So when I didn’t see them at school, I looked into it. You should see this." He handed Elijah a tablet, the screen showing a paused footage.