Violetta"Why?" Finn said hoarsely."You're not ready now. I can see that. Maybe one day you will be." Maeve turned back to Ferrara. "Do I need an escort back to your house? I believe there is a breakfast we're both expected to attend?""Go ahead. I need a word with Violetta."As Maeve walked away, it was all I could do not to scream. Maeve was Finn's mother. There was no other way to interpret that conversation.What the actual fuck?Not only had Maeve chosen not to raise Finn as her own, but she'd used him as some sort of pawn between her and his father. Had Finn's father even betrayed their pack or had Maeve just wanted a reason to punish him?I had so many questions, but from the way Finn was weaving back on his feet, I knew this was not the time to ask them. "I think we can all agree that what we just heard does not leave this circle," I said quietly.Finn cleared his voice. "Thank you."I looked at Ferrara. "Having said that, I think it's possible we can do some investigating an
ViolettaHow dare he? Had he asked me instead of ordered me, I might have considered it. Had he asked me yesterday, I would have certainly said yes since I would have had time to prep. My wolf was doing better. Even now, when I reached out to her, she came to me happily and willingly. She was so happy whenever we were with Ferrara.But the idea of facing all those wolves of power? And Emerson? Her fear spread through me until I wanted to vomit."You're stronger than I thought."Head jerking up, I turned around, but it was just Lunessa walking toward me. The look on her face wasn't happy. "My wolf? She's getting stronger.""I'm not talking about your wolf. There was a lot of magic on Amaya. I removed it before your healer could get to her.""I didn't see any.""Then I did my job well. She was coated in a transportation spell. A very powerful one."Lunessa smiled faintly. "Even I couldn't pull that kind of magic off.""You seem to transport wherever you want.""Transporting myself is mu
ViolettaWhen it was done, I turned back toward the house. Whatever Emerson had planned, I wasn't going to sit out here and hide.I'd retraced my steps before I realized that I wasn't alone. Freezing, I watched as Emerson slowly walked toward me. "Violetta. What a lovely surprise."Lovely surprise my ass. "Emerson. I was just coming to join you, but I expected you to be in meetings all day.""Ferrara is in a foul mood. We decided it was in everyone's best interests to take a little break.I wanted to stretch my legs."And find me when I was completely alone. How convenient. "I'm on my way to see Ferrara. I bet I can bring him out of his bad mood."His eyes narrowed just a little, but then he smiled. "No doubt. Mates are like that. I was surprised you haven't been in the meetings. Your opinions are invaluable.""You didn't think that when my father was alive.""Violetta, I can only imagine how the experiences with your father have clouded your memories. I've done some things that I am
FerraraVioletta was nowhere to be found. Even though I knew for a fact that it wasn't Violetta screaming, that was all that I could think about. She was not here by my side.My fault. I was so worried about her that I'd crossed a line and pushed her away. Again.When would I learn my fucking lesson?The scream sounded again, and I was on my feet and racing from my house. Maeve, London, and Emerson were all gone since we'd taken a break. My wolves were appearing from buildings and trees, following the sounds of the screams. They led me along a familiar path.The path that would lead me straight to Irene's cottage.The witches."Cam!" Maeve's voice rose above the trees followed closely by her roar. Filled with fear, I ran faster. Irene. I'd brought her back and promised that I would protect her. Now, all I'd done was surround her with people who could hurt her.I broke through the trees toward the house. Maeve was crouching near her witch who was struggling to a standing position. Bloo
ViolettaHeart in my throat, I moved between Ferrara’s wolf and Emerson. If it had been any other time in my life, I wouldn’t have blinked an eye as I watched Ferrara shed Emerson to pieces, but in a situation I never saw coming, Emerson was all that stood between me and Maeve’s wrath.I could feel Emerson’s power behind me. No wolf. Only human. I glared behind me, and he was smiling happily.At me.My stomach turned, and I focused on Ferrara. “Emerson crossed my path in the woods. We had a conversation, and then we heard Cam’s screams.”Maeve snarled, but I ignored her and kept my eyes on Ferrara. If he killed Emerson, any progress they made would be shredded. Ignoring the violence cresting off him, I placed my hand under his chin. The touch soothed him, and he sat.“So another alpha has come to your aid,” Maeve growled. “Should I expect London to be at your beck and call next?”“No one is at my beck and call, Maeve. Emerson only speaks the truth. There has to be another explanation
Ferrara“Are we just supposed to pretend that didn’t happen?” I said under my breath.“Ferrara? You are here.” London stepped into the clearing. “I just heard about the attack.”“Just heard? Where have you been?”“In my room, on the damn computer. I still have a pack to run,” he countered swiftly.London was the last alpha I would suspect of treachery, but now it seemed that I was going to suspect everyone. As if she could sense my tension, Violetta put a hand on my back. “I heard your mate was the killer.”“She was with Emerson at the time of the attack. Whoever used a witch to glamour themselves apparently didn’t take that into account.” Frustration welled up inside me. How long would it be before everyone stopped suspected Violetta of killing?It was like we were back at square one. Only this time, I believed her.Emerson. Just hearing that they’d been alone together again, seeing her put herself between the two of us to save him, cut me in ways I didn’t think possible. She hated h
ViolettaIt was Ferrara who announced over dinner that he was closing talks early.London balked. "Neither we nor our witches have made any progress.""My clan has become too dangerous. There has been a direct attack on a guest. Until I know who attacked her, I would like to err on the side of caution."Maeve's gaze slid to me. "Removing temptation?" She purred.I gritted my teeth. The whole dinner had been tense. Ferrara had been right all along. He considered the other alphas enemies, and now he had good reason.Emerson had turned his third in command to betray Ferrara. Maeve was ready to pin everything on me, and she was willing to kill now and ask questions later.And London was walking around with guards bathed in magic. Glamour magic? Some other kind of magic? It took time for me to study it and try and pinpoint what the magic did, and I couldn't just stand in the open and stare at the guard.Not to mention the problems we were having outside the alphas. Irene hiding her magic.
FerraraThe sound of the water hitting the tile was deafening. There was no other sound in the shower. In my arms, Violetta was as hard as stone. She was collecting her thoughts, and I let her as I smoothed my hands up and down the side of her body."Have you ever let your wolf make a decision about your pack?""I follow his instincts, but he doesn't make day-to-day decisions. Why do you ask?""Because that's what you're doing, right now. You're letting your wolf make the decision.The only reason we're bonded is because of our wolves. But you, the human half, the part that has to run and protect a pack? You would have never chosen me. You're never going to love me, but you're still putting your pack at risk. Your leadership at risk."My heart skipped a beat. She wasn't mad or upset. Her voice was neutral, her words even.She'd thought about this, probably since the day I installed her into my bed.Was she wrong?"Every decision I make is for this pack," I told her in a low voice. "I'
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