A little farther out, under the shade of an old pine, stood Dante . He watched the entire scene unfold while sipping lazily from a silver flask. "If I were you, Dante said, voice dry. "I'd either kill him or kill myself after being humiliated like that in front of the entire Academy Reed clenched his fists, practically vibrating with fury "I'm going to kill that little mutt," he growled. "The only reason he's still breathing is because Ronan's always hovering aroun like a damn shadow. But that ends now. His countdown has started. I'll gut him when no one's watching, when he least expects it . " Dante let out a disappointed hum. "Such an easy death for such a grand humiliation," he said quietly, almost with pity. Reed turned, confused. "Then what? What do you suggest if not death?" "Humiliation," Dante replied smoothly. Reed's eyes gleamed with renewed interest "How?" Dante tossed him a thick, dark berry-one Reed caught midair. This. His grin curled wickedly. "A death by humiliation, Dante murmured, "just like Seth Darven brought low by his own shadow protector." Reed studied the berry, and a cruel smile spread across his face. He already had a plan. Dante, however, turned his gaze back to the clearing-to Ronan and me. "As I said," he murmured to himself, "unacceptable." Back in the clearing, I exhaled slowly and focused once more on Alpha Asher "Sorry for the interruption. As I was saying-here and now, in front of every Alpha who saw me strike you-I was wrong. And if a punch is what it takes to settle the matter, I'll take it." There was a stunned silence. To my surprise, Asher's ears flushed red. He looked like a completely different person. He slowly let go of my collar. His gaze dropped, avoiding mine. "I'll let you off this time," he muttered, voice gruff. I blinked Was he shy? A small smile crept across my lips. "Thanks , that's very kind of you" His checks flushed a deeper red , and I couldn't help but think he was kind of cute when he was flustered. But beside me, someone wasn't amused Ronan's expression darkened . Without a word, he tossed the half -eaten steak back onto my plate and stormed out of the clearing his aura simmering with fury 1 watched him go, frowning What's his deal? I muttered