FerraraThere were reasons I didn't spend much time around Violetta. Fucking important reasons.The security of my position as alpha was at stake. Just keeping her alive was enough to threaten it.I could kill her now and be done with it. I wouldn't be the first wolf to live without a mate. It would be one of those rare instances where being alone made you stronger.For three years, I stayed away. When Parker told me she was covered in scars, I said good. When he said she was terrified of everyone and everything, I told him it was justice. And when he told me she was taking an interest in the bar, I told him to shut it down.He didn't. For the first time ever, Parker defied me. And for the first time since his mate died, he took an interest in life.His reports changed in tune. He started berating me for ignoring her. When I finally snapped that she was lucky I didn't break her neck, he stopped reporting at all.Damn it, he hadn't been there when Cora dragged her broken body back to m
Ferrara"Ferrara?"At the sound of Bridget's voice, I turned to see Violetta stumble. With a grunt of pain, she fell. Everyone stopped and watched as she stood. Without a word to anyone, she started limping forward.Seeing her pain should have brought me joy, but instead, it just made my chest ache. We were close enough to the border. "Camp," I said quietly. "Shift and hunt for your dinner and get plenty of sleep. Tomorrow, the real work begins."We took a few minutes to set up a clearing, and then everyone except Saul, Violetta, and me shifted. My wolf also yearned to be out, to sidle up to her and comfort her, and for that reason alone, I stayed human.Saul went to Violetta's side and inflated the pillow for her knee. I settled just out of their sight and listened to them talk."When Cora first went missing, we had our witch try and track her. Irene is a powerful white witch, and she couldn't track my twin more than twenty feet from our boundary," Saul said quietly.Violetta inhaled
FerraraWe were outnumbered by three. Just as my wolf managed to get to his feet, another wolf threw himself on top of me. Around me, wolves roared, and I felt the pain of my shifters through their bonds.My claws ripped through flesh, but they had the advantage. I needed to get to my feet.Distantly, I heard Violetta scream again. There was a flash of orange, and fire seared my fur. Two of the wolves yelped and released their grip on me. I rose to see Violetta standing with a flaming log in her hand. Twisting, she picked up another log and swung it like a damn baseball bat.Rising, I gripped the one wolf still attached to me and snapped its neck. It fell, lifeless, to the ground, and I launched myself at the other two. One jerked away just in time, and the other one and I rumbled to the ground. It was smaller and leaner but scrappy. It got in a few good blows before I tore its throat open.Turning to search for the one who got away, I watched, in horror, as Violetta pulled out the fl
ViolettaI was in and out of consciousness, surfacing only to feel the racing panic of someone carrying me and then succumbing to my weakness. When I woke up, I was on the ground under a thick patch of evergreens. It was cool and shaded, but I could see the sun shining brightly through the openings of the branches.I'd lost an entire night."Don't panic. You're not alone," Ferrara said, crouching in front of me. "Or maybe that will make you panic. Hard to know, but it's just us."Letting out a small moan, I struggled to sit up. Leaning over, he grabbed me and gently propped me up next to a trunk. "Water. Food. Saul said it was imperative you replenish your energy reserve as quickly as possible. You lost too much blood."Eagerly, I accepted the water and energy bar. I drank so fast that I nearly coughed the water back up."Easy. There's no rush."Balefully, I glared at him. Yesterday, he was totally in a rush, and now he was acting like we had all the time in the world."Where are the
ViolettaVioletta slept until nightfall, and when she rose, there was more color in her cheeks. I watched carefully as she rose and stretched. Her steps were steady and confident, and her own relief was evident in her small smile."Do you think we're far enough from the boundary to shift and hunt?" I asked. I wasn't stupid enough to blindly trust her again, but after that last attack, I knew I needed her input. I'd only been to Wisteria Wood once when I was a kid. We barely survived the first two days before we had to turn back and take the long way around."Probably. I don't really know where we are, but I don't feel...I don't think we'll find trouble as long as we don't get any closer while it's still dark."Feel? Why would she stumble over that word?"We?" I asked as I stood. "You're not coming unless you shift."I hadn't meant to snarl at her. I'd never planned to leave her. Not because I thought she would run, but because she was a magnet for trouble. Still, giving her a challeng
ViolettaWhether it was exhaustion or lack of blood, I did manage to get a couple of hours of sleep. Just as the sun started to creep over the horizon, we headed out. Like I asked, Ferrara pulled his power in, and even I was fooled. He wasn't hiding his wolf. That wasn't possible, but when I focused on him, he just seemed like an average wolf shifter.That would make things easier. My injuries were mostly healed, so I moved faster and easier on foot. Ferrara was never more than an arm's length away from me, and I liked that even less.He was also in a chatty mood."You didn't respond to my order to shift," he said casually as we walked. "Care to explain how that's possible?""Maybe I'm stronger than you."His growl told me that it was the wrong thing to say. "As I'm sure you've already seen for yourself, my wolf is broken. It doesn't function.""Since when? Did something happen in my pack?"I snorted. "Worried that your edict to torment me has backfired? You can rest easy. I haven't s
FerraraShe wasn't telling outright lies, but she wasn't telling the truth either, and that meant that she couldn't be trusted. Still, we made it through most of the day without attracting any rogue wolf attention.Occasionally, she would stop and stare. I did the same, but I never could see what she saw, so eventually, I stopped and just studied her. Nothing about her motivation made sense. She could have told me how to release the traps and in return, I would have given her the freedom she wanted.Maybe.I could just as easily drag her back to my territory when this was done. Did she think herself safer from me the closer we got to the witch coven?There was nothing that would keep me from her if I decided to keep her.Deep within me, my wolf rumbled. It was not a warning of danger, but rather a warning for me. Ever since Violetta had come into my life, my wolf and I had been at odds with each other. He wanted his mate.I wanted to protect my clan. At the moment, we couldn't both ha
ViolettaI may have said it in passing before, but it was the first time I'd ever introduced Ferrara as my mate.To his credit, he didn't blink an eye. Not at the fake name or the confession of our relationship. Not even to the revelation that Marsh was a friend of my father's.A good friend."A mate! Look at you! Shane's sweet little girl all grown up," Marsh said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "A mate of Violetta's is definitely a friend of mine. I'm sure you have her well in hand. My little Violetta used to be such a hellion."My stomach turned, but I just laughed with him. To show even a little hint of distress would only give him more ammunition, and it was too late to signal to Ferrara to kill him so we could be on our way. There was something about Marsh I didn't like. Why was he so at ease chatting out in the open?"She's under control," Ferrara said mildly."I have no doubt. Why don't you join me at my place, and we'll catch up?"I tried to look regretful as I shook my
ViolettaIt was nightfall by the time I awakened from within my wolf. Tentatively, I surfaced and took stock. My wolf was curled up next to a warm body and was sleeping soundly. I’d declined any drugs from Saul, so the pain must have ebbed if she was so relaxed.Or maybe it was the heat radiating next to me.Ferrara had returned after Emerson knocked on the door and hadn’t left my side. I’d listened to his soft voice as he caught me up on everything that had happened, but then I’d retreated deeply.Once I was human, he’d have questions, and I wasn’t sure how he’d feel when I answered them.But unfortunately, I had to pee, and I couldn’t just waltz out of the motel room as a wolf and squat. With a sigh, I started to shift.“Violetta? Baby?” Ferrara held perfectly still while I uncurled myself from the bed. “How do you feel?”“Pee,” I mumbled and tried to stand. “I have to pee.”“Okay. I got you.” He tried to take my hand, and I pulled away. For a moment, we stared at each other. “Sorry
FerraraThe small little honeyed wolf was curled up tightly in the bed. She gave me a half-hearted wag as I sat on the edge and gently stroked my hand over the top of her head. “Is it all right if I join you?”Another thump of the tail. I settled back against the wall and resisted the urge to pull the small wolf in my lap. My own wolf rose inside me, but he didn’t try to take control. Instead, he just came close enough so Violetta’s wolf could feel me.She sighed and leaned against me.“I guess I should catch you up on what happened,” I began. “The crone called. She was furious that her maiden had been hiding out on our land, so after she finished blistering my ears, she provided some information on Amaya and her twin, Yelena. Apparently, they were close. So close that when Amaya came for the maiden position, the crone was certain both of them were there. She admitted that she’d performed a spell to separate two souls when Amaya disappeared.She assumed the spell worked, and the twins
Ferrara“Saul.” The lump in my throat was so large that I could barely get the words out. “She’s so damn cold.”“Then let’s get her warm.” Ever the steady wolf, Saul opened the door to my room, and I carried her inside. Now that she was in my arms again, the last thing I wanted to do was let her go, but even Kenzi was looking at her anxiously. I needed the healer to look at her. “She may be your mate, but she still requires privacy. You may wait in my room while you get your report.”I sure as shit wanted a report. Like why my mate was near death, and why there was an extra person in the group. Janelle. The witch. Her eyes were practically glued to the floor.“I will be right next door, and I’ll return as soon as Saul is done. Whatever Emerson did to you…” I couldn’t finish it. “We’ll find a way to make it better. I swear it.”She gave me a tight smile and nodded. Slowly, the group herded out of the room next door.This plan had been five weeks in the planning, and it was the flimsies
ViolettaEight wolves descended on Kenzi. I recognized Emerson as he pulled her off me and threw her across the clearing. When he stared down at me, there was nothing but disgust in his eyes. No worry. No compassion.When he growled, I whimpered and tried to drag myself away. Finally, he shifted back to human. “Leave her,” he commanded his other wolves. “Kill her, and we’ll start a war that we’re not prepared for yet.”Turning my head, I watched numbly as Kenzi fought off her attackers. Her eyes on me, she snarled. “Leave my territory,” he said dismissively. “I can’t have you killing my mate, now can I?”She shot one more look at me and then bounded away. Nobody followed her. Their eyes were on Emerson, waiting for instructions, but his attention was fully on me. “Shift before you die,” he said mildly.Painfully, I tried to sit up but pain exploded in my hip. Kenzi had, no doubt, broken several bones. “Can’t,” I whimpered. “She’s too scared.”Emerson cursed loudly and turned to his wo
ViolettaIt was a full thirty minutes after I’d returned to the apartment that there was a shimmer in the air. “It’s clear,” I said in a low voice and moved to the television. I picked a music channel with angry chick rock to play just in case the guards could hear through the door, which I doubted.“If you’re here to trick me, I won’t think twice about shoving a knife through your heart,” I told her.“I expect nothing less. I assume from your get-up that Kenzi is here?”“My outfit is none of your business. Tell me what the hell is going on.”“Very well. The short version is that unlike the other pack witches, I did not ask for sanctuary and protection. I was taken nearly three years ago. I’ve never been to this godforsaken mountain in my life. I was taken by another witch with a spell much like what happened with Amaya, only I wasn’t killed. I’ve been used ever since, and when Emerson learned that my magic isn’t all that strong, abused.”“Why didn’t you say anything to the other witc
ViolettaIt took every ounce of energy not to scream. At her smug expression, I forced a slow smile and ignored the lump forming in my throat. "Congratulations," I managed.Did this explain why there was darkness in my mating bond? Ferrara had found a way to dampen it magically so he could be with Kenzi?This was what I wanted. This was what was best for the pack. Best for him. This was why I left.But damn it, I thought it might take a little more time to happen.Kenzi's eyes dropped to my necklace and she gasped. "Oh, how pretty! I'm going to have to tell Ferrara to get me one. I would look amazing in black diamonds."She would.Popping on the barstool, she waved Emerson away. "Give me a few minutes to catch up with my old friend, will you?"Emerson hesitated. "A few minutes. Violetta doesn't like to be distracted from work.""No. She wouldn't. That bar was the only thing she cared about." Turning her head, she watched Emerson walk away, and then she snapped her head and sneered. "D
ViolettaA dark bruise formed on my cheek the next day. I dressed for work and opened the door only to find a female guard waiting for me. She bustled her way into my suite, covered my bruise with makeup and pinned the necklace back around my neck. "It's so pretty. You should show it off," she said mildly.Right. So pretty.The first hour of opening the bar was usually a quiet one for me. Everyone else was busy at their stations, the manager was counting the money, and it was just me, flipping on the automatic switch, and planning while I worked. Only today, I was constantly interrupted by a parade of my co-workers who wanted to admire the necklace. Their simpering made me sick to my stomach."Oh, how beautiful. Our alpha has amazing taste.""The two of you are like a fairy tale. I can't wait to find a mate of my own who treats me like this.""He loves you so much."Don't vomit. Just smile and nod. You can survive if you just smile and nod.Hiding the necklace down my shirt, I opened
ViolettaThe regiment was always the same. After my shift ended, I had three hours to relax, shower, and prepare for dinner. As always, there was a dress laid out on the chair. Not the bed, as if that was somehow supposed to make me feel better.I wasn't an idiot. I knew the suite was searched every day while I was gone. There were little things I would note before I left and saw that they'd been moved. Sometimes it was a lampshade turned just a little. Once, I'd tucked the edge of some thread under the rug and found it in the corner when I got home. My bedsheet was tucked differently. Emerson told me that he would have the maid come in every day, but I'd asked to keep my own suite clean. He'd relented, but it hadn't stopped him from searching the rooms.Tonight's dress was red. Most of the dresses were red. That seemed to be Emerson's favorite color. The dresses were never the same. Either the pack's seamstress was very busy or Emerson was spending an enormous amount of money clothin
ViolettaThe tap had run dry.As the liquid started to spurt and grow foamy, I put the glass down and smiled apologetically at the wolf waiting on the other side of the bar. "Sorry, it's going to be a few more minutes for that beer. I need to change the tap.""No worries." The woman flashed me an easy smile. "It'll give me a few more minutes to look over the menus. I'm loving all these new choices. Is that your doing?"I gave her a quick nod. "Just let me know if you have any questions. I'll be right back.""I'll do it, Violetta," Josh volunteered as he sat down the crate of clean glasses he'd just brought up from the back. "I know you're busy.""Great. Thanks, Josh. I appreciate it.""Anything for you."Hiding behind what I hoped was a friendly smile, I turned to address the newest customer who'd walked up. "Welcome to Hair of the Dog. What can I get you?"Hair of the Dog. Not the most original name for a bar in the middle of werewolf territory, but it was well-run. Emerson had insta