LOGINShare
126
Last Updated:
2025-01-10 08:02:52
Related chapters
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 127
Violetta"Nobody can be trusted, witches included."I stilled at the sound of my mother's voice, but Ferrara squeezed my hand. Katherine walked out of the shadow and through the scene that had become frozen in time. "This is the first time you've actually made it inside the den. Those creatures were not of my doing, you know. This was never supposed to be a nightmare.""Who did it?" Ferrara asked.Katherine glared at him and sighed. "I don't know, although it's got the Darkwyn Coven stink all over it. I imagine the three of them did it to make sure that you never saw them. Ironic since they would have approved of what I've done.""Approved?" My eyes filled with tears. "You seem like you love me. How could you do this to me?""Andrea, my baby. I did this because I love you. As long as you didn't know who you were, you were safe. I gave you a chance at a happy life, but someone just had to chip away at something he didn't understand. Who taught you to read, Violetta?" Katherine mimicked
Last Updated : 2025-01-10He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 128
FerraraShane and I both raced to the same spot. I pulled Violetta away just as the heartbreaking notes of anguish erupted from her, and her father pulled away the invisible figure of her memory."Wolves are not meant to be nulls," the Crone spat. "She's not strong enough to handle the responsibility. Put her out of her misery and save us all."The walls began to crack around us, and I pulled Violetta up and held her. There was nothing that I could say to her now that she would listen to, but I could hold her and whisper that she was loved and protected and so strong. I said these words over and over again as the den began to crumble around us.None of the people from her memories reacted, so this wasn't the memory. This was Violetta, working through her pain. Stroking her hair, I let her bury her head in my chest as she trembled. When the shaking stopped, I still didn't let her go, but she popped her head up. "What happened? Did the shadows take us?" she asked tiredly."Not this time
Last Updated : 2025-01-10He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 129
Violetta"What have you done? You killed her! You killed her! Dane, you killed a Darkwyn witch!" Katherine screamed in hysterics."It's Shane," he snapped. "And lower your goddamn voice. You brought this on yourself. Your own daughter! You could have killed her!""Andrea is fine. She'll wake up soon, and she won't even remember that she has magic. She won't remember that I have magic, but you...I didn't even know you were capable of murder," Katherine whispered. Tears tracked down her face.My heart hammered in my chest. I couldn't let go of Ferrara. He'd walked me against the wall, as if he could protect me from what was happening here.Bile rose in my throat. All the horrible things that happened here, that were done to me and things that I did, remained with me, but over the past few months, the imprint had faded. It made coming back here all the worse.We hadn't stayed here all that time. Of that, my memory knew. We moved frequently, but we often came back here, and when Ferrara f
Last Updated : 2025-01-10He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 130
FerraraVioletta's whole face went slack as Shane advanced on the past version of herself. Not wanting to see what happened next, or wanting Violetta to see what happened next, I pulled her into my arms and toward the door. "They're not real, Violetta. Just me. I'm real. Focus on my heartbeat," I ordered as I tried to open the door to the hut.It didn't budge.God fucking damn it, we were not going to be trapped in here. For all I knew, Violetta was still linked to little Violetta. What kind of terror was gripping her? Pain?Katherine's dead body disappeared, and I slammed my shoulder against the door. There was a satisfying crack, and I smiled grimly. Behind me, Shane roared."Don't look, Violetta. Stay with me." I slammed my shoulder into the door again. This time, the whole cabin shuddered.Third time's the charm. I slammed my shoulder again, and we broke free. The scene around us fractured, and I closed my eyes and held her tight as the ground shook. Above me, the window howled th
Last Updated : 2025-01-11He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 131
ViolettaAt some point, I slept. It seemed strange considering my body was already unconscious, but I did feel better when I opened my eyes. Ferrara was behind me against a tree trunk with his arms wrapped around me. Nothing had changed about the scene in front of me.Why this particular forest? Was it random? Was it attached to some memory? If so, it must not have been an important one."I'm here," Ferrara said behind me."I know." With a small smile, I shifted so I could tilt my head up and look at him. "How long have I been asleep?""No clue. Not long. How do you feel?""More rested. It's strange to think that I might have been tired, but I guess I needed to stop running for a little bit. I owe you for breaking me out of the memory cycle." I wasn't quite ready to get up yet. Instead, I enjoyed the sensation of being in his arms. It wasn't my body or his body, but it certainly felt real.It was comfort."It's been a lot to learn all in one go. I'm glad you could rest. I have a feeli
Last Updated : 2025-01-11He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 132
ViolettaI felt the invading magic before I even cracked open my eyes. Immediately, I dispersed it. My ears filled with screams, and I opened my eyes to chaos. Saul, Finn, and London were trying to reason with Ferrara's furiously angry wolf. Lunessa, Irene, Janelle, and Ava were on the floor. Ferrara's wolf was circling the room."Hey!" I bellowed. "Can't a woman in a coma get a little peace and quiet?"Everybody stopped, and I slid off the bed. My knees buckled as I tried to stand, and immediately, Ferrara's wolf was there, trying to keep me upright. I stroked my fingers in his fur. "It's all right. I'm here. I'm safe. And you are beautiful."A growl rumbled from his chest, and I kissed the top of his head. "Stop hiding from Ferrara. He needs you, and he misses you. You can rest now. I'm here."Nobody said a word as he nuzzled under my chin and started to shift with a sigh. I looked over at the witches. "Sorry about that.""No, we knew it might happen," Lunessa said as she stood and
Last Updated : 2025-01-11He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 133
FerraraVioletta was quiet while we showered, except for when I was on my knees again. The orgasms were the only times she didn't seem bothered. I let her dress, and when she reached for the door, I gently took her hand and guided her away. "Tell me what's on your mind, baby. What happened after that bitch kicked me out?""Just Katherine running her mouth," Violetta said and sighed. "I wanted to leave my magic locked up. To just take my wolf and run, but I had to take both.""They're both part of you, Violetta. They always were, you just didn't know it. Do you feel your magic?""I don't know. I feel different, but when I try to focus on it, like I can focus on my wolf, it just seems to scatter. I can't call to it or reach it, but I can feel it there."There was uncertainty there, but also something beneath. Fear.That bitch had done something to Violetta to make her doubt her strength. I wanted to wring her neck.Which reminded me. I couldn't touch Katherine, but there was a witch who
Last Updated : 2025-01-11He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 134
Violetta"I give up."Irene smiled at me like I was a petulant child, maybe because I was acting like one, and gestured to the candle again. "It's only been an hour, Violetta. It's a little early to be giving up."Only an hour? It felt like we'd been at it for days. Lunessa, Irene, Janelle, and even Ava were all circled around me in the woods. Kenzi kept her distance, but I could feel her closeness. There was a flat boulder in the middle with a single lit candle on it. My instructions were simple.Put out the candle, and they didn't mean with my breath or a snuffer. Frankly, that would have been easier."Maybe my magic doesn't put out fires. Have you ever considered that?""Every witch can call on every element, to some degree," she said easily. "Learning to put out a single flame is one of the earliest forms of magic we learn. I imagine it's easier for children."I glared at her. "That's a little insulting.""It's not meant to be, Violetta," she laughed. "Children are naturally bonde
Last Updated : 2025-01-11
Latest chapter
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 205
ViolettaI did as much good at Indigo Peak as I could while I was there, but few of the wolves were happy to see me, so I spent most of my time in my room reviewing Maeve's books in an attempt to help Finn get organized. I ignored all the massive journals the crazed woman had collected. I was no longer the ternary, and they had nothing to do with me.Lunessa, Irene, and the other witches helped identify the small faction of witches who'd been working against Maeve. Most of them were imprisoned. Some were in the field when Lunessa stole their magic. And some were dead. There were enough that, in a few months, the land might be healed enough to start growing again, just in time for spring.At least, that was the hope.Leaving Finn was difficult. I didn't know where he was mentally, but I knew Indigo Peak needed his help, and he would provide it.And when Amelia returned with us, tears in her eyes, I tried not to get involved. Finn was making a mistake, but he would realize that. In due
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 204
ViolettaImmediately, I stepped inside the circle and felt the magic drain away. "I don't have magic anymore, but even if I did, none of this is for me. It was for a deranged woman to hold on to a memory of when she thought she was in control. She's dead now, and I don't need this place to know that I had a happy family once. And I don't need to bring any of that up. I have enough happiness in my immediate past."Finn stared at the home as the flowers started to wither and the wood started to break down. Its age was catching up to it. "I could burn it to the ground," he said darkly."I think you should. I love that you wanted to give me a choice, but this place doesn't mean anything to me, and it's a symbol of Indigo Peak's troubled past. Burn it and make way for the future. You're going to be an amazing alpha, and if you'll let me, I'll come visit often to check in on you. I'm going to miss you and Amelia.""You're more than welcome, Violetta. I'll demand your visits, seeing as how I
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 203
ViolettaI woke up alone. For a moment, I thought I was back in Maeve's grip, chained to the wall, listening to Finn's cries as they tormented him. Tears pricked my eyes until I heard a voice in the room."Violetta."The hoarse whisper calmed me, and I took a deep breath. I was not alone. Maeve was dead. I'd been certain that Ferrara had been in the room with me at one point, but he was gone now. Sitting up, I looked over at the other bed. Lunessa looked only marginally better than she did before as she smiled at me. "You did it."When she started to cough, I rolled out of bed and made my way to her. Snuggling up next to her, I grabbed her water and held it up to her. "So did you. Lunessa, the amount of magic you displayed was insane. How are you?""Depleted," she admitted as she sipped her water. "And scared that I might not bounce back.""How did you do it?"She sipped the water more and leaned against me. Less than a year ago, she was the Maiden, a witch who'd saved my life once, e
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 202
Ferrara"Ferrara," London said in a low voice. "You are growling at the kitchen staff."Immediately, I pulled myself back. A dozen wolves stared at us, frightened. "My apologies. My thoughts are elsewhere," I told Finn. "Please continue."The staff cleared their throats. "We have access to large herds here, and we used to use the witches to magic the land to provide for the wild game so we could eat fresh all year. With the magic repurposed," one wolf said carefully, "much of the game fell ill. We tried to preserve meat, but our previous alpha believed in eating fresh and shut us down."Finn frowned. "I believe in eating fresh but also storing when prepping for leaner months. I'll speak to the witches about healing the land once more, but I won't know how long that will take. Do you have the supplies to cure the meat?"One wolf nodded. Finn looked over at us. "Do I have your permission to use some of your soldiers for an immediately hunt before you leave?"We all nodded, and the staff
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 201
FerraraFinn's eyes were red, and his wolf's power still spilled out of him as he sat stock still in the chair at a large conference table. Food was spread over the table, but it didn't look like he'd eaten any of it. Blood was still dried on his skin, and his clothes barely fit him.Two submissive wolves hovered uncertainly at the table, and as soon as we walked in, he dismissed them. They'd scurried out of the room like they'd been shot, and the doors slammed shut behind us."I cannot be alpha," Finn growled. "Not of this pack."I met his gaze head on and lifted an eyebrow. "It's a little late for that. You killed the previous alpha and slaughtered anyone who challenged, which, from what I can tell, included her second, third, and at least ten of her top guards.""I didn't realize that they were challenging me," he said tightly. "Do I have to die to relinquish my new position?"London, Elonso, and I exchanged looks and pulled out chairs at the table. I sniffed at the food. "Doesn't
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 200
FerraraPulling free from our captors, London and I raced up the hill. He got to Lunessa and yanked her from the stone before I could reach Violetta. A large, mutated wolf pounced at Violetta, and I dove into him. Teeth and claws raked into the flesh of my human form, but I ignored it. There was only one truth. If I didn't get to Violetta, she would be torn limb from limb.Shifting faster than I'd ever shifted in my life, I turned and raced back to her. With a roar, I pulled her chains from the rocks with my paws and turned back to her."Ferrara," she whispered and sank into the ground. "I'm sorry. I don't think I can walk, let alone shift. Help Finn."Finn didn't need my help. He was ripping through wolves at an alarming rate. I wasn't even sure he knew what he was doing.Violetta flinched, and I turned as another wolf tried to pounce. Ripping my claws into their flank, we tumbled, but as soon as I found my footing, I returned to her side.If she couldn't shift, she would be vulnerab
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 199
ViolettaThe outer ring of rocks on the hill were etched with symbols and held offerings to the elements. Water from the largest river on the mountain. A feather willingly given from a bird. Earth enriched and blessed. And fire sparked from the kindling of the land.Words from the spell rose up in my head as I was marched through the circle. Below me, an enormous audience had gathered. Most of the wolves were grotesque and foaming at the mouth. It seemed to take all of their energy to be still. Those who weren't mutated seemed so small, but there was nothing innocent in their gaze as they watched.In the silence, I heard someone roar Lunessa's name and then mine. Turning my head, I watched in horror as Ferrara and London were hauled to the front of the audience and forced to their knees. My gaze locked on to his, but there was nothing either of us could do.My chains were attached to one of the inner rocks, and on the other side, Lunessa, also dressed in white, was chained to the same
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 198
ViolettaI hadn't seen Finn all night, not since they dragged me away. I was taken to a completely different part of the building, three floors up, and chained to a different wall with a bed.Cozy.Instead of resting for the ritual, I pulled myself as close to the window as I could possibly get and stared outside. It was the same side of the building, the same view of the ritual circle. No new information presented itself, but while I was trying to find an escape, I was also searching for Ferrara.I could feel through the bond that he was close. Alive. Getting stronger every hour that passed. Hope flared inside of me.When the sun rose, the door opened. Three wolves and three witches stood before me. "Time to prepare," one of them said, her voice laced with excitement. She put a white dress on the bed.I glanced at it and snorted. "If you're hoping this is some kind of virginal sacrifice, I have bad news for you. I have been well-loved and well-fucked.""Don't be ridiculous. The magic
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 197
FerraraThere were at least fifteen dead wolves at our feet. Adrenaline surged through me, but I was losing too much blood. London could barely stand. A familiar male werewolf loomed over us."Ferrara. London." He spoke with a harsh rasp that further identified him. Dolan. Maeve's second-in-command. We never interacted much because Dolan rarely left the territory. Normally, her third traveled with her, something most alphas practiced, but Dolan was a different breed of wolf. Apparently, he enjoyed disciplining. There were rumors that Maeve had wolves in confinement for lifetime prison sentences, and Dolan liked to make them bleed, wait for the heal, and then rip them open all over again."I see you left your whipping station," I said hoarsely as I stood. My legs shook so badly that I nearly fell over again. "Just how many wolves did you bring to take us?""I have twenty more rogues on their way here," he said in a bored tone. "My alpha has commanded me to give you a choice. Continue t
