Theodore The banquet hall hummed with laughter and chatter, but I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling crawling under my skin. Violet had stepped out with Helena a while ago, but I hadn’t seen her return. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a flash of her dress or the shine of her hair, but she
I stumbled, my legs barely holding me up. “I’ve had enough of this!” He kicked me hard, back into the pool. Then his hand was in my hair again holding me down as I struggled. My lungs burned. I reached down into the pool, hoping for a weapon. My hand fell on a rock. I grabbed it and slammed it aga
Violet Lucas’s scream echoed through my ears, sharp and furious, but not loud enough to summon help. I didn’t unclench my jaw even as he hissed and tugged. “Let fucking go, you bitch!” I snarled, keeping a hold of him until I couldn’t, and he ripped his hand out of my mouth. I spit out the t
The first thing I would do was kill him. It was a small comfort as he shoved my legs apart and started to rip my dress’s skirt, shoving it up and fighting with the delicate beading that wouldn’t tear easily. “This fucking dress,” he snarled. I felt his gritty hands on my bare legs, ripping at my
Theodore The ambulance ride felt like an eternity, the sterile smell of the vehicle mingling with the sharp scent of blood that lingered on her clothes. Violet’s body was unnervingly still on the stretcher. They’d left her wrapped in my jacket, but they were struggling to stabilize her as whatever
“Did he… He looked like he was going to—” I couldn’t even say it. “Or that maybe he already had…” Her gaze softened. “Would you like me to add that to the list of examinations?” “Yes.” I took a deep breath. I’d need to add it to the case. “Would you like to stay for it?” “Yes.” He paused a
Theodore I was across the room before I realized it. She blinked slowly, confusion clouding her gaze at first. But then she looked at me, and I could see the recognition in her eyes. I wrapped my hand around her. Her lips twitched with discomfort. She tried to speak, but her throat was dry. She
Her brows furrowed. “Acknowledge what?” “That we’re mates,” I snarled. “You know it. I know it." I gestured to my forehead where I was sure the band still was. "The Goddess has said it. What more do you need?” She flinched. Her lips parted, but no sound came out at first. Then, like a dam breaki
Theodore’s POVEvery time Eva brushed her knee up against mine in the carriage or leaned her head on my shoulder or interlaced our fingers, I breathed through my nose and reminded myself that it was better than the reverse scenario. I’m not sure I’d be able to go through with this plan if some other
Violet’s POVLily and Kincaid gaped at me in shock. Lily glanced to Kincaid, clearly expecting him to say something. When he didn’t, she stepped forward so that she stood next to him.“Violet,” she started carefully. Even as a Gamma, I would never ask her to call me by my title because she was my be
Violet’s POVI was following my staff to my room where they were carrying my belongings, when a figure sitting at my desk caught my attention through the open door to my study.“Auntie!” I grinned widely as I broke off from the caravan to my bedroom to hug the High Priestess in my study. She grinned
I took comfort in the knowledge that he was clearly stronger than her, and I promised traumatic vengeance if his strength wasn’t enough.“Alpha Donovan,” I corrected.“I beg your pardon?” she asked, confused.“You called me Violet. I am the Alpha of Darkmoon, and since you are only a Luna, it is cus
Violet’s POVTheodore and I scrambled to separate from each other as Eva’s steps thundered closer. Being found in nothing but towels wouldn’t particularly help craft the illusion I was aiming for, but there was nothing to be done about it now.By the time Eva flung open the bathroom door, I managed
Theo’s gaze became unfocused, and I knew he was replaying the scene from dinner. “So you faked your reaction,” he concluded, but then his brows bunched. “To the point of vomiting?”I hesitated at that. “That was unintentional. I imagined losing you to make my response more believable, but I must hav
Violet’s POVI had been greedy.I could see how distraught Theo was, how deeply he had believed my false devastation. But as he set me down in my shower, I realized what I needed to do. I realized this might be the last minutes I had with him for an unknown amount of time.So instead of comforting h
Theodore’s POVI didn’t understand why the Moonstone glowed.Yes, I felt some sort of pull toward Eva, but everything about her felt off. And I still also felt a pull toward Violet, even if it did feel battered and beaten. Then I turned in horror to Violet out of habit, turned to my mate who I had p
Violet’s POVYou knew this would happen.A remnant of a long-lost fear whispered in my ear, reminding me of the belief I once felt so strongly: that Theodore and I were only together because of a contract, a transaction, a business arrangement and that I would be smart to never become emotionally en