The sterile scent of old parchment and polished stone usually clung to the college halls, but today, it was almost entirely masked by the cloying sweetness of scandal. Kairo Virelx Duskwither sauntered, rather than walked, his broad shoulders easily cutting through the scattered groups of students. His usual smirk played on his lips, a silent challenge to anyone who dared meet his gaze. Today’s news, a delectable morsel of high society chaos, was almost as entertaining as the wary looks he received. "Did you hear about that Gravethorn brute?" Rhett Vale's voice, usually boisterous, was a low, conspiratorial murmur beside Kairo. Rhett, all lanky limbs and restless energy, practically vibrated with contained amusement. "Apparently, Torvin Gravethorn couldn't keep his fangs to himself. Marked the Silvermaine girl, of all people. Right in front of everyone." Juno Graves, always draped in shades of charcoal and cynicism, snorted. Her gaze, usually fixed on some distant, disdainful point, flickered to meet Kairo’s crimson eye. "Idiot. What was he thinking, marking her when his Fated Mate's breathing the same air?" She didn’t wait for an answer, instead nudging Elion Cross with her elbow. "Bet old man Gravethorn is having an aneurysm." Elion, ever the quiet observer, offered a faint, knowing smile. His silvery-blue eyes held a detached amusement. "The political fallout will be… extensive. Silvermaine won't let this slide. And Torvin's father values honor above all else." Kairo finally chimed in, his voice a low, drawling rumble, thick with mockery. "Honor? That's a rich one coming from the Gravethorns. More like brutal obedience." He adjusted the black steel cuff on his ear, his gaze sweeping over the nervous whispers and averted eyes around them. "Honestly, marking the Silvermaine girl? A bold move. Or a monumentally stupid one. Probably both." He chuckled, a deep, unsettling sound. "Wonder how his Fated Mate feels about being publicly overshadowed for a fling." He saw a cluster of Fangvale betas glare in their direction, their faces twisted in disgust. Kairo’s smirk widened, a silent invitation to their hatred. "The way I see it," Rhett continued, oblivious to the simmering tension Kairo effortlessly provoked, "it’s less about who he marked and more about the sheer audacity. Imagine the uproar in the Alpha council meeting. Pure gold." Juno cracked her knuckles. "Someone's going to pay for this. And it won't be Torvin, not really. It’ll be everyone else caught in the crossfire of their petty power games." Elion simply nodded, a silent agreement. "Indeed. The ripples from this particular stone will extend far beyond the Gravethorn and Silvermaine houses." Kairo pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against, the casual movement belying a coiled power. "Let them tear each other apart. More room for us to breathe, wouldn't you say?" His crimson eye glinted with dark anticipation, a predator watching the first tremors of an earthquake. "This college, these houses… they're always looking for a fight. Sometimes, you just have to give them what they want."