"So, what does this mean for me?" Violet’s voice was edged with panic as she stared at Alaric. "Does it mean that I’m not human?"
"I don’t know," Alaric admitted, clearly frustrated with himself.
"Wait a minute..." Violet’s eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Am I a werewolf?"
"I don’t seriously know!" Alaric snapped, throwing his hands in the air.
"How can’t you know that? You’re supposed to be the smart one! You should know everything!" Violet’s exasperation bubbled over as she glared at him.
"Well, I don’t know everything, Violet Purple! I’m not a fucking computer!" Alaric shot back, his voice rising.
The tension between them was intense for a moment before Violet caught herself. She took a deep breath and rubbed her hands down her face. "Fuck... I’m sorry," she muttered an apology.
Her tone was softer as she continued, "I’m not trying to be a bitch, okay? It’s just... I’ve spent my entire life believing I was human. And now, suddenly, nothing feels normal anymore. Ever since you cardinal alphas barged into my life, it’s like everything I thought I knew about myself is being unraveled."
Alaric calmed down as well. "No, it’s alright. You’re just confused and scared. You’re questioning everything, and that’s understandable. And for all we know, you might still be human, just... a human who’s immune to lightning."
Violet scoffed at the idea. "That doesn’t sound very human, does it?"
Alaric shrugged, his lips quirking in an awkward half-smile. "Maybe you’re like one of those old-world superhero stories. You know, like Superman? He was human, wasn’t he?"
"Superman was from another planet," Violet corrected, crossing her arms.
"The Flash, then?" Alaric argued. "He got his powers after being struck by lightning while standing next to some chemicals, I think."
"Really?" Violet raised an incredulous brow, giving him a look that screamed disbelief.
"It sounds stupid, I know," Alaric admitted, looking away and scratching the back of his neck.
Violet sighed and ran a hand through her hair, trying to process everything. "You really don’t think I’m a werewolf?"
"You don’t smell like one," Alaric said bluntly. "Humans smell like humans. Werewolves smell like werewolves. It’s how we recognize our kind. Trust me Violet when I say you don’t smell like a wolf at all."
"Great," Violet muttered sarcastically, shaking her head. "Now I’m questioning whether I smell weird."
Alaric chuckled softly, the tension in the room easing slightly. "You smell fine, Violet, even for humans."
Violet arched a brow, a teasing smirk on her lips. "And how would you know that?" She let out an exaggerated gasp, her tone mockingly scandalized. "Alaric Storm, have you been sniffing me out like some kind of weirdo?"
Alaric laughed, shaking his head. "I haven’t done that. But if you want me to..." He leaned in suddenly, his face nearing hers as though he was about to scent her.
By sheer grace, Violet placed a hand on Alaric’s chest—his very solid, very muscular chest. The universe was really not helping her right now —and tried to gather her scattered thoughts.
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