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He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 177
ViolettaThe Confections bar was still standing. It had survived the pack's hatred of me. Would it survive Maeve and the darkness? I unlocked the door and let myself in. It was clean and pristine. So unlike how The Confections bar should be. I longed for it to be filled with people again. To be pouring drinks and joking with the customers.Not that I had many memories of joking with customers, but not everyone who came through here knew who I was. Someone told them soon enough, but for a few minutes I could pretend that I had a real job. A real place in a pack.I didn't need to feel that now. I had a place. I was Ferrara's mate. His equal. "His partner in everything," I muttered sardonically to myself. Rolling my eyes, I climbed the steps to my old apartment.The last time that I was here, Ferrara had held me in his arms and told me that I would always be safe. There were monitors up to make sure that no one could sneak up on me. This was supposed to be my safe place. Even from him.I
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 178
FerraraThe overwhelming urge to scream wrapped around me, and I had to shield myself from it. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. Violetta. I could feel her pain sliding through me, and all I wanted to do was race to her and hold her.Gripping the edge of the desk, I grunted until I could shut her out. I couldn't go to her. I would see her tonight and make sure she made the appointment with Saul, but until then, there was someone who needed me more.Nobody had heard from Finn since he tried to run. Before London and Elonso got here, I needed to know that he could keep it together. My attention was already split in different ways, and damn it, Finn needed me.My whole pack needed me.Violetta needed me.With a roar, I slammed my fist on the desk. It cracked and buckled under my violence. Then I felt the blatant touch of magic reach out to me. "Whoever you are," I growled. "Now is not the time to fuck with me. I'm in the mood to break a witch." The magic retrea
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 179
ViolettaIt was strange thinking of my mother has a warm and cuddly young witch falling in love with a dashing young wolf. I'd seen the evidence of them being loving parents in my mind, but both of them had grown so twisted. Katherine, in the magic she'd used to hide away my magic, and Shane, in killing his mate.The more I spoke to Evalina, the more I wondered if I'd been the reason they'd twisted. Maybe there really was nothing I could do. Maybe I corrupted everyone who tried to love me.Was Ferrara on his way to feeling the darkness inside of me? Is that why he was pulling away?I left The Confections bar and started the long walk back. I could have called someone to pick me up, but it wasn't like there was anyone waiting for me. Ferrara would find some reason to not sleep with me.He hadn't even texted me all day. Even when I felt Lucy's death. I'd vomited immediately after. Evalina had assumed it was morning sickness, and when I told her Lucy was dead, she'd paled and left immedi
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FerraraVioletta was throwing up again. I'd slept fitfully next to her, wishing desperately that she would curl up in my arms like she used to, but neither one of us had been able to relax. We both woke up at dawn, and in some desperation to feel normal, I'd ordered breakfast for us. We barely talked while we ate, and the tension was about to drive me insane. I knew she was frustrated with me, but I just couldn't tell her the truth. Not until I knew how to explain it to her.Whether it was the baby or the chasm between us, but one minute she was eating her toast and the next she was racing to the bathroom and hurling. Standing outside of it, I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the pain tightening in my chest. This was supposed to be my time to shine. To get her whatever she needed, to rub her feet and assure her that I still found her sexy despite being all pale and sweaty. To tell her that she was amazing for growing a baby shifter inside of her.I wanted to be a father. I wanted to
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Ferrara"You fucking what?" I snarled as I stood.A figure cleared her throat in the doorway. "I believe he said he was assessing whether or not to kill me and pointed out that it was unlikely any of you would do it. Well, except for Jenson. Not a ton of love lost there," Violetta said with a small smile as she walked in. "I apologize for interrupting. The baby and I were just getting a check-up from the healer.""That's no excuse."Stopping short, Violetta cocked her head. "It was your suggestion. Order, really.""Not you. Him. There is no scenario where it is okay for any wolf to come onto my land to kill my mate. Give me one good fucking reason why I shouldn't kill you right now." I was pulsing for the violence. Any reason to let my wolf come to the surface and work out the tension between us. I'd fucking paint this room with Elonso's blood."Well, we'd hardly have an alliance if you killed the alpha, especially a new alpha," Violetta remarked calmly as she walked around the table
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 182
ViolettaIrene was spending the day with Amelia, so her cottage was empty when we returned. I offered my room to review everything, but Evalina liked Irene's little cottage. With all the magic surrounding it, it was no wonder. I'd once asked Irene what kind of spells covered her home, but she'd just replied that they were meant to make it feel warm. Whatever that meant. Evalina and Lunessa must have felt the same because that was where they preferred to work."You and Ferrara still aren't getting along," Lunessa said with sympathy as we walked in. Evalina paid us no mind as she went straight to the kitchen table and starting spreading out the papers."The longer we go, having this silent fight of ours, the more I think it's going to end today. He must be ready to open up and tell me what's wrong, right? And every day, I'm proven wrong. All I can think is that he's not going to say anything until Maeve is dead. I've never been so eager for the woman to get her hands on me and try to ki
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ViolettaFurious, I barged into the office. My stomach was turning again, but I didn't even care if I threw up right on them. They would fucking deserve it. "Are you fucking kidding me?" I shouted. Elonso immediately stumbled back against the wall to give me room as I stormed up to Ferrara and pushed him. "Is that why you've been acting so horribly? You think the baby is Emerson's?"Ferrara looked down at me stonily. "Stop.""No, you fucking stop. How dare you? You think that I'm lying to you and passing off his baby as yours? Is that really what you think of me?""No, it is not.""Then what? You and I fucked in that motel room, and we banged a little bit on the boat too. Not to mention at London's, and all over the place here. And I told you that Emerson never touched me like that. I would have torn his head off before I let that happen!"Ferrara looked over my head. "Elonso, will you leave us? And please close the door on your way out.""Oh, so you're worried that people will hear y
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FerraraI'd barely given my wolf permission before he tore out of me. Before I couldn't talk to her, I snarled at Violetta to head to the basement before I barreled out of the room. It was the safest place for her, not that I would let any of the wolves get within half a mile of the house.Nobody was touching her.I had to stow the pain and sorrow of the deaths. I couldn't let it weaken me. When this was over, and my land was drenched red with the enemy's blood, I would mourn and cry for them, but for now, I needed to protect.My home was in the heart of the pack, but I still felt like it took too damn long to reach the western border. My own wolves were racing from their houses to fight and protect. Everyone had felt the deaths and the panic. Everyone felt the alarm.The boundary was in chaos. There had to be at least fifty wolves fighting, and many I didn't recognize. Even more were coming from out of the woods. I roared to my wolves, and they roared back. I jumped into the fray. Th
Last Updated : 2025-01-26
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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
