<h4>Chapter 19: Marry A Cardinal Alpha</h4>


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


    From her ce 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. Afterst 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-proimed Queen, or Violet would have beenpletely done at this point. She could spot the elite students on the upper floor, mostlyposed of girls, eating like the nobles they imed 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 shed back to L’s earlier im about wanting to be herckey. Was this what she meant? The gods help her, this school never failed to shock her.


    "Earth to Violet," L 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 L 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 re 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 te and utensils, and began piling her te high from thevish 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," L 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 shees out of nowhere, helps herself, and no one says a word?"


    "That’s because it’s Grace!" L hissed, exasperationcing 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," L 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.


    L 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.


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


    Violet almost felt bad for her, but L 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 disy. Violet wondered if Principal Jameson noticed that, or if her immunity covered dress code vitions as well.


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


    "She’s not in the top twenty," L 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?"


    L 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 maic.


    Before Violet could look away, L 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.