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