FerraraWhen Violetta pulled on my power, I didn’t even blink, but pride swelled up inside of me. She was getting more comfortable relying on the bond.Whatever she needed from me, I was happy to give, and it was a source of comfort to feel her inside me. Sitting across the table, Emerson had donned his innocent and humbling persona. All I wanted to do was plow my fist into his face.Maeve was sitting as still as a statue, her power wrapped around her like an icy mask.London had gotten antsy a few minutes ago and was pacing and staring at the woods. He wanted out of this room.We all did, but we’d gotten nowhere. Not that we expected to. Until the witches had evidence of what we were facing, all we could discuss was strategies, and because our territories were different, our defenses were different.“Have you received any reports back from the guards you sent to investigate the rogues who attacked me?” Emerson asked innocently. “I’m eager to know what you found.”My wolves had return
ViolettaThe other alphas didn't question or comment when Ferrara announced that I was guarding the prize, which was TK, and judging the participants upon their return. It was based on both speed, weight, and takedown, which we were monitoring on cameras.Quite a few members of our pack were participating, and many of those smirked my way, as if they assumed Ferrara thought I was too weak to participate.Only Emerson's eyes glittered with cold amusement. He probably knew how I felt about showing my wolf.Unease slithered down my spine. He could not get to me here. I was surrounded by Amelia and a dozen wolves.I was safe.As the horn sounded, indicating the beginning of the hunt, the wolves began to shift. Only Ferrara hesitated and looked my way again, indecision in his eyes.I gave him a reassuring smile, but that didn't stop the look of anger in his face as he finally shifted and joined the others."If you get any more tense, you'll break," Amelia muttered. "Relax. It's two hours,
FerraraThe moment Violetta joined me, I could smell Emerson on her. My nostrils flared, and I snarled, but she shook her head. "I'm fine. What is going on? Who's dead?""I don't care if you're fine. I want to know why the fuck you smell like a man who shouldn't have been able to get within twenty feet of you.""I let him.""You..." Horrified, I stared at her. "Tell me I did not hear you correctly. You let him? Are you out of your fucking mind?"Narrowing her eyes, she planted her hands on her hips. "No, I'm not. I thought maybe if I wanted to know what he had planned, I could just ask him. And later, I will tell you what he said, just not fucking right now. Who is dead?"If she thought this conversation was over, she was dead wrong, but this really was not the time to continue the discussion. Kenzi's cry had alerted everyone, and they were all coming here."I'm not sure. No shifter. She's female and human. Saul is on his way, but I'm waiting for the other alphas to arrive before I mo
ViolettaIt was another two hours before Ferrara returned to our room. I hadn't bothered trying to sleep. I was too keyed up about the death and sat by the window watching for him. As he and several other guards walked toward the house, he glanced up at me and our eyes met. I could feel his anger through the bond.His anger with me.It was another half an hour before the door opened and he walked in. Fury vibrated from him, but I just kept my spot at the window and watched him calmly. "What did Saul have to say?""He says the wounds on her chest were likely fatal. There was enough blood at the scene to indicate she was alive when she was attacked. The problem is that he doesn't see any defensive wounds or any blood splatter indicating she tried to get away. She just stood there, got attacked, and died," he growled. "He'll do an autopsy.""So a witch with no connections to any of the wolves just stumbled into your woods leaving no visible trail or scent and let herself be attacked with
FerraraShe was cowering in the mud again, her father's body dead at her feet. Water poured over her head and lightning struck as she stared at me. "What are you waiting for?" She whispered."Kill me.""I can't," I told her. "You're not the same woman, and I'm not the same man.""But you're not a man at all, wolf. You're a wolf. A shifter. An alpha. A pack to guide and protect. What am I? You're the only one who is going to miss me when I'm gone. I'm barely a wolf. I'm a freak of nature."Still, I couldn't kill her. Not to save my pack. Not to save the mountain. "You're mine. That's all that matters.""Then you're not the hero I thought you were." Her eyes turned dark, like ink spilling from the pupils. Slowly, she rose to her feet, but she didn't stop there. Shadows appeared at her wrists, and they lifted her into the sky. As she hovered, she smiled sadly down at me. "I wonder if that makes you the villain.""What are you doing, Violetta? What's happening?""You know what's happening
Violetta"Someone has already been here," Saul said with a frown as he sniffed the air. "I don't suppose you know anything about that."Lunessa was not as good at covering her tracks as she needed to be. "Do they smell familiar?""No." So none of the other wolves. Just Lunessa. "And is anything amiss?"Glowering at me, Saul picked up a scalpel. "This may not be one of our pack, but I assumed responsibility of them when they came into my infirmary. I do not like to know that someone else was here.""If it helps, it was not my idea.""It does not help. Why, exactly, are you here watching me? Do you have some medical degree that I don't know about?""Not exactly. I'm here to report back to Ferrara," I lied."Not only would Ferrara not send someone to look over my shoulder while I worked, but he would trust me to make my own report. For someone who has lied for most of her life, you did that poorly," Saul admonished. "But I assume your reason for being here is important, so I'll stop ques
FerraraIt was just before dawn when I saw the figure sneaking from my house toward the wooded backyard, although sneaking was probably not the right word for it. Maeve would never stoop so low as to sneak somewhere, but she was alone, and that was suspicious.Since Violetta had only left a few moments ago to observe the autopsy, my hackles immediately went up. Maeve was following the same path she took.Following her scent.I waited a few more moments to make certain that no one was meant to be following her, and then I headed in after her. She was doing nothing to hide her trail, but she seemed to be walking straight toward the infirmary.Straight toward Violetta.Before she could breach the other side of the woods, I picked up the pace and easily caught up to her. Before I could touch her, she whirled, closed her hands around my throat and tried to pin me to a tree.I was bigger than her, but Maeve's power was still impressive. When she realized it was me, she released me and growl
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
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