Adrian's POV"Open up, Violet," I whisper, my hands on my waist as I pace impatiently. Tapping my feet restlessly, I begin to scratch my scalp, my eyes never leaving the door. I haven't seen her for over two weeks, and I'm anxious to see her face, even if it's just for a minute.Reynold has been quiet the whole time, but I can see the excitement on his face, his gaze fixed on the door handle.The handle moves down slowly, the door swings open, and our eyes meet. Violet is dressed in a light blue dress that flows down to her ankles, a white sweater covering her arms and shoulders, her hair flowing freely down her back. She isn’t hurt.A big wave of relief washes over me, and I let out a sigh. She's safe and alive after all."Thank goodness you're okay," I say, but the moment the words leave my mouth, a cold look sweeps over her features. Her back straightens, her eyes go expressionless, and she folds her arms across her chest, leaning against the doorframe.Right. My thoughts shift in
Violet's POV"You can come back to the pack. You still have your place there," Adrian mutters. I stop sobbing immediately, fixing him with a long, hard stare. "He has the nerve!" Aria hisses in my mind. Realizing he'd probably blurted out something stupid, he bites his lip and looks away, but I continue to look. To think I could trust him… Of course, Red Moon Park was my safe haven, a place where I could live peacefully without watching my back every minute. But then again, it wasn't that easy. Bending my head down, I let out a bitter laugh that comes out low and croaky. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems. "And what about Emily? What happens to her?" I question, my gaze dropping as he chews on his lower lip. "Aren't the two of you still married?" My voice is louder this time. My eyes drift to Reynold, who gives me a sorry look. I don't ask these questions because I want answers—hell, I know the answers. I only want him to see how impossible his request is. "And when I'm back, what wo
Adrian's POVViolet raises an eyebrow, her smirk widening into a grin, and then she starts laughing. The sound is mocking, but instead of getting annoyed, I find myself turning away, embarrassed. I knew how she felt, but I didn't intend for it to come out that way. Maybe it was the wrong timing. Her words cut through the laughter, sharp as knives. Each one reminds me just how impossible it's going to be to convince her otherwise.“Sorry things had to turn out this way. It’s not what it looks like.” Damn it! I’ve messed up again. This wasn't how I pictured it to come out. I care about her, and I'm not comfortable with the fact that she was hiding in some only God knows basement when she can securely be safe at the pack house. I knew I needed to leave even without arguing. I wouldn't was to piss her more.Even on the drive back to the city, my mind is still on her. Reynold’s driving, but all I can think about is how I’ve let her down again. I should never have mentioned the pack. Now
Adrian's POV“Where are those darn keys?” I mutter to no one in particular, tossing a pile of sheets aside. I pat the space under them, but nothing. I’ve already checked the pockets of my sweats, and the key rack is empty…“Are we really doing this now?” Ares growls in his usual impatient tone. Instantly, I remember: my bedside stool.Slipping into a pair of sneakers, I’m soon strapping my seatbelt across my chest, my car speeding towards the hideout. My only prayer is that no cops pull me over.“Get a grip on yourself before you get us killed,” Ares says gently, but I don’t pay him any heed. With my heart beating like a bass drum echoing in the woods, it’s either I reach Violet as fast as I can, or I don’t reach her at all.It’s a miracle my hands aren’t shaky. In fact, if Reynold were around, I would’ve let him drive. I don’t trust myself. Sawn’s call informed me that the tracker had gone off. That was wrong. It was supposed to remain on; it only goes off if she’s in danger.You cou
My nose crinkled. I could smell it—a male scent, not a familiar one, but one I’d encountered a few times before. Sniffing deeper, it became clearer, and then it hit me. It was his scent. What was his name again? Yes, Xavier. But why the hell did he have a gun pointed at my head?Because he was the damned stalker. It still didn’t make sense. Why would he want Violet dead? Blinking furiously, I pushed away the whirlwind of thoughts threatening to overwhelm me.“Stay still!” His voice thundered from behind me, reverberating in my ears. “Raise your hands slowly above your head, and don’t bring them down.”I hesitated but followed his command, feeling the cold metal of the gun now pressing into my neck. The urge to ram my elbow into his gut, to make him drop the gun, was strong, but I couldn’t risk it. I had to get to Violet first.“Keep them up, and move!” he growled. I heard a click, and a bright light shone behind me—he’d brought a torch. How thoughtful.The boards creaked beneath our f
"Shoot me dead," Aria gasped. I had the same thought. My mouth hung open, yet not a single word left it... How could he? And why would he want me dead? He'd helped me escape Mason's pack, turned me into Sophia Crane in five years, made me a successful career woman just to kill me? It didn't sit right with me. No, it wasn't normal."Is he going to kill us?" I asked Aria, who was unusually quiet. My hands were still shaking, but not like before—they were now twitching."I'm as confused as you are. What in the world does he want?" Aria's sigh was exasperated and defeated.With so many thoughts in my head and no answers, I clamped my lips shut, my gaze lingering over him as my heart thumped loudly, pushing my chest forward, leaving me anxious within.I stared hard at him, trying to decipher what he was thinking when a sudden sharp squeak indicated the creaking of the floorboards at the front porch."Adrian!" Aria and I gasped simultaneously, my pupils dilating as my eyes darted to the doo
"You’re surprised, aren’t you? It’s not every day you find out the father you had no clue about is none other than Sebastian Valenwood," Xavier chuckled lightly, tossing a coin in his hands. I stared at him warily, every new piece of information peeling off layers of my past. His gaze are cold, like that of a murderer. Of course he was."Don’t look so amazed. You won’t get to meet him face to face ever in your life. I promise you, the only place you’ll be taking this news to is your grave." Xavier’s voice grew dense, his features darkened by a bitter expression, as if he were reminiscing about a bad memory.“What’s up with him and killing us? Ask him what happened, Violet,” Aria urged. I knew she wouldn’t stop until I did, but I was too shocked to make any inquiries.“Not yet,” I argued weakly, hating the fact that I had to learn my history from Xavier. Why didn’t Mom tell me all this?"If she's Sebastian's daughter, why do you want to kill her? Talk less of getting away with it," Adr
"You’re surprised, aren’t you? It’s not every day you find out the father you had no clue about is none other than Sebastian Valenwood," Xavier chuckled lightly, tossing a coin in his hands. I stared at him warily, every new piece of information peeling off layers of my past. His gaze are cold, like that of a murderer. Of course he was."Don’t look so amazed. You won’t get to meet him face to face ever in your life. I promise you, the only place you’ll be taking this news to is your grave." Xavier’s voice grew dense, his features darkened by a bitter expression, as if he were reminiscing about a bad memory.“What’s up with him and killing us? Ask him what happened, Violet,” Aria urged. I knew she wouldn’t stop until I did, but I was too shocked to make any inquiries.“Not yet,” I argued weakly, hating the fact that I had to learn my history from Xavier. Why didn’t Mom tell me all this?"If she's Sebastian's daughter, why do you want to kill her? Talk less of getting away with it," Adr