She took a step back, visibly rattled. Her hands trembled as she gripped the counter, trying to steady herself. “I…" "You can start with an apology." She set her jaw and turned to the door, but I heard it just as the door swung closed. "I'm sorry." "The offer stands," I said, loud enough f
Olivia’s smile returned, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, Shelter in particular seems to have sparked quite the debate. It’s rare to see something so… divisive. But that’s the beauty of the system, isn’t it? The law must be carefully considered before such changes are made.” She was careful
Violet I bit my lip, listening to the conversation rather than joining Theodore again. It was a beautifully worded question and the silence that followed the question spoke volumes. Victor stammered, unable to answer, but a reporter had a response. "Are you suggesting that all rogues should be k
“And so you're suggesting that we let murderers and thieves live among us?” Theodore shook his head. “I’m suggesting that we stop pretending exiling them makes us safe. That we acknowledge the role we play in creating the monsters we claim to fear and hate. We have to take responsibility for the m
Violet I watched them leave, then I looked up at Theodore who was glaring after the man, looking just as furious as before. If this was broadcast live, plenty of people saw it, and with any luck they'd start thinking. But more than that, I felt a bit hot under the collar. There was something inc
I set my jaw, glaring at the screen, seeing the paparazzi following Theodore and Violet walking down the street. Smiling at one another, seemingly overly happy, and blissful. The faint glow of the bands on their heads were clearly visible, just as visible as they had been since they were married.
Owen There were too many people in the country who were doing whatever it took to not be a rogue and they knew it. If I hadn't restricted the number of people and how people can transfer between packs, a lot of packs who supported me would have lost all of their standing and power by now. I had
I scoffed. "He should have had the decency to kill her, at least I wouldn't be dealing with Theodore." I rubbed my forehead. "How much longr can we keep the records hidden?" "Indefinitely," he said. "The sector of the national system that is still managed by the crown is separate from the rest.
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
Theodore’s POVIt was like a fog had settled in my brain. A fog laced with pain.The fog took me under at the temple. Scrambled my senses in what appeared to be a hospital. Only one thing kept me conscious.Alari. My wife, my mate, my Violet.Anger dissipated the already fading fog as I put together
"I don't imagine you're here to check on your brother," I said, not looking at him directly. "So, what brings you here, dear brother-in-law."I let my gaze drift toward him, taking in his irritation. He looked furious behind his almost placid expression."More on business," he said."We will be retu
VioletHe passed out as I expected, but the fact that he didn't even know who I was talking about spoke volumes. He was sickly pale, drained, flushed. Blood still smeared on his face and neck.Lily said he'd started to bleed from his nose and ears, convulsing and speaking a language neither of them
“Theodore,” she whispered, her voice soft, reverent. “I’ve been looking for you. Don't turn away from me.” A strange pressure coiled in my chest, the same unnatural pull I’d felt at the temple. I felt nauseous. Sick. I turned away from her. Looking, squinting through the haze to see the other figu
VioletDarkness stretched endlessly before me, vast and empty. Then, the dream took shape. The two wolves from before stood on a precipice, their fur illuminated by an unseen light. The white wolf stood firm, waiting, watching. The black wolf was near, coming up behind the other. Their bands of li