Violet’s P.O.V.Hael ripped the phone from my hand before I could utter so much as a word.“Who the hell is this and how do you know Violet?” He snapped.The man replied just as I reached out to take the phone back. He spoke with a cool tone, as though he wasn’t at all surprised at how things had turned out. “Hael Ashford, I presume. Your reputation precedes you. Nice to finally make your acquaintance.”There was something so oddly familiar about this man’s voice. The smooth baritone and the way each word spilled seamlessly from his mouth; it cultivated a flicker of recognition that I just couldn’t place.“Wish I could agree with you, but you still haven’t told me who you are.” Hael bit back.Olive and I exchanged nervous glances while Cole leaned in, an eager expression on his face.“Let me speak to Violet and I’ll do more than just tell you my name.”Hael clenched his jaw, passing me the phone. Whoever this guy was, he clearly felt no need to cater to Hael.Rolling my lip between my
Hael’s P.O.V.Cole bounced on the balls of his feet for the hundredth time, chipping away at the last shreds of my patience.“Go sign up for your match already.” I barked over the thunderous music that pulsed against my eardrums with it’s rapidly changing beat. “You’re getting on my damn nerves.”“Yes, sir!” Cole gave me a sloppy salute and all but sprinted into the crowd of writhing bodies. His head, with his hair that stood up in all directions, was visible for several seconds before vanishing completely.He’d been twitchy these past two weeks, but he’d been positively manic since stepping past Jinx’s threshold. The moment the tang of sweat, blood, and sex hit his nose, he was a goner. It was better to ditch him now so that I could focus on what I’d came here for.My meeting with Marcel Vega and the visit I planned on paying to Lorenzo Santino.I made my way through the crowd, keeping each of my senses peeled. One could never be too careful in a place like this, surrounded by so man
Violet’s P.O.V.What the hell is going on?“Olive?! Hael?!” I screeched.Half of the sound was in panic, and the other in pain. The lights had cut off out of nowhere and the crowd was going insane. They running frantically in every direction, barreling into one another without care.I’d lost Olive and Mykelle instantly. My heart was racing, beating so fast I was terrified it might stop. I tried to push forward, to navigate the sea of voices and scents in hopes that I’d somehow stumble into Hael. More than once I tripped over something…something large.I couldn’t bring myself to accept that it was people I was tripping over. The first time I tried to help them up, but they grabbed at me so wildly that all it did was throw me off balance. I didn’t know much about the world, but I did know that you never want to fall in the middle of a crowd surge.As much as it killed me, I had to keep going to find my friends.People jostled me left and right, but I managed to stay on my feet. The scre
Violet’s P.O.V.Wait a damned second. What contract?!“I didn’t sign anything!” I screeched at all of them, Cole included since he and Mykelle had just shown up. “That wasn’t me!”Even Mykelle had a slight look of worry on her face, which was surprising—but not nearly as surprising as when her eyes widened and she screamed, “VIOLET WATCH OUT!”I spun around too late, my heart and stomach switching places as a meaty arm swung directly at my face.The pain of being clotheslined by a man five times my size was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Although I’d never been hit by a vehicle before, I assumed it was similar in nature.Every bone in my body flexed to their breaking point, my lungs expelling every drop of air as my ribcage squeezed them mercilessly. I could no longer feel the ground beneath my feet, not until my skull smacked into it hard enough to have me tasting metal.There were sounds everywhere. Screaming, shouting, cheering, booing. So many that I couldn’t begin to decip
Hael’s P.O.V.We got back to the house around two in the morning. The drive was tense, filled with an awkward silence that both Olive and Cole tried to fill.Since Mykelle had taken her own car, I was able to sit in the back with Violet in an attempt to coax her out of her head.It had been many years since I’d felt the full force of shock, but the memory was still clear in my mind. The best thing to do was evoke some other emotion—direct them on a different course than the one that made them spiral.Redirection, hydration, and sugar—lots of sugar.Mykelle clearly didn’t get the memo that she wasn’t wanted here, because she met us back at my mother’s estate and followed us into the house.After plying Violet with a few peanut butter cups and questioning her about her sudden friendship with Mykelle—a friendship I knew was nonexistent—I managed to pull her from her head.She had wrinkled her nose at me, scowling as she said, “…what on earth makes you think Mykelle and I are friends?”Ev
Hael’s P.O.V.“How nice of him. I always did love impossible missions.” Cole griped, and for good reason.He wasn’t at all wrong, which is why I didn’t bother looking his way. It didn’t matter that he and Mykelle were mates, Imani Vanderbilt would never give out information for free.She and her daughter were both conniving snakes.“There has to be a way.” Olive said, her words directed to Violet whose lips were now curled into a frown. Her shoulders had fallen in defeat, and it was that defeat that made me even more adamant to get answers.Imani Vanderbilt would make a deal with me, I was sure of it. The best way to get the ball rolling, however, was by going to her daughter.Mykelle. I excused myself and headed downstairs to the foyer where Mykelle waited. From the balcony, I could see the cellphone she had pressed to her ear and could hear the quickness in which she spoke.It was amusing how quickly she’d replaced the one I destroyed, but it was also expected.She spun around as I
Hael’s P.O.V.“You’re sure about this?” Violet asked for the nineteenth time since we’d gotten into the car. She hadn’t stopped playing with her hands, fumbling with her shirt, her skirt, and anything within reach. “I can go by myself—”“The man that stalked your mother is now stalking you. You are not going alone.” I said through gritted teeth.Everything about her was sapping my already dwindling reserve of patience, but it wasn’t entirely her fault. My nerves were already raw. They’d become red and angry the second I arrived home to overhear her talking about visiting the house she’d once lived in.The house that had served as my prison for an entire week.I’d been on the verge of exploding after watching realization dawn in her big blue eyes, softening them as regret and sympathy shone through. It was that reason alone that I accompanied her.I could’ve easily sent Olive or Cole in my stead, but I needed to show her that I didn’t give a fuck about the past—that it didn’t affect me
Hael’s P.O.V.Violet jumped a solid foot off the step when she heard me coming down behind her. Her trembling hand slid down the wall, all the way to the light switch which she quickly flicked on. I noticed the huff of breath that escaped her lips when the room was bathed in light, every corner of this hellscape visible.One glance at the rough brick walls had my body reacting in ways I would’ve thought impossible if I hadn’t seen Violet stuck in one of her black out’s. A cold sweat clung to my skin and seemed to appear out of nowhere. I took a slow breath, but instead of calming me, it made things worse.The scent was the same—a mixture of fresh paint, dirt, and stone. All it was missing was the sharp tang of piss and metallic undertone of blood. That and pain—so much pain.Violet’s lips were moving, letting me know that she was speaking. At first, I was too absorbed in the violent mixture that was the present and past to focus on her words. Slowly, they trickled through.“As much as
Violet’s P.O.V. Ten Years Later “I’ve got to say, I’m impressed. You’ve definitely improved.” I teased, slipping my arms around my husband’s waist as he stood over the stove. The brisket he tended to had been a twenty-four-hour project of his that he insisted on getting perfect. In fact, this entire dinner tonight had been cooked by him alone. It was his way of proving all my years of cooking lessons hadn’t gone unnoticed. He spun around with a piece of meat in his hand. I went to pluck it from his fingers only for him to move it just out of reach. He shook his head, his ebony hair falling over his brows. “Open up, princess.” I pulled him close, my stomach fluttering as I did as he asked. A groan slid past my lips at the rich, savory flavor. He really had improved in his cooking skills. Another year or two and he’d probably surpass me. One of his arms slid around my waist and remained there as he reached across the counter to grab one of the cupcakes he’d made. Rich chocolate and
Violet’s P.O.V.Two Months LaterDeep breaths, Violet. In and out just like Doctor Leanna said. There’s nothing to be afraid of, nothing at all.Hael squeezed my hand once, and I looked up to meet his knowing stare. The ring on my left hand twinkled in the sunlight as we walked. It was such a beautiful day, and I didn’t miss the irony of that fact as we headed into the maximum-security prison that loomed overhead.Today was the day of Dominic Harding’s execution.Trailing behind us was everyone Dominic, Alice, and Noah had ever hurt. My Mom and Dad were first, followed by Marcel in his wheelchair, then Sylvia, Olive, Cole, and Mykelle. Even Eric Chen was attending, though he was likely already waiting inside. The execution wouldn’t commence without us, leaving me with plenty of time to mull things over.I turned my head to the sky, drinking in the sunlight that warmed my cheeks. There wasn’t a single cloud in sight. It was as though the Goddess herself knew that today wasn’t a time fo
Hael’s P.O.V.One Week Later“Hael! You are in so much trouble.” Violet gasped, but I wasn’t hearing any of it.I paused in front of the doorway, the breath sucked from my lungs at the sight of my mate. You’d think it had been days since we last saw one another with how fast my heart was racing, yet it had only been a couple of hours. Her cheeks warmed beneath her pretty pink blush, and she toyed with the ends of her freshly cut hair nervously.The gown she wore was embedded with tiny gemstones that twinkled whenever she moved. I’d never seen fabric so shimmery before, almost like it had been sliced from the night sky. It was worth every penny to see it wrapped around her mouthwatering curves. Her pupils dilated as she took me in, and fuck if I didn’t love the way her breath hitched.I crossed the small dressing room in six strides and pulled her into my arms, her dress whooshing as it slid against my tux. There was so much raw emotion rushing through me that only her presence kept me
Violet’s P.O.V.The crowd’s chattering came to a halt as the sea of people parted. Voices faded into the distance until only one remained, louder than all the rest. Mykelle groaned from where she sat in the back of an ambulance and covered her face with her hands.“Coming through, coming through! Beta of Alpha Hael here and mate to the most beautiful she-wolf in this place. Come on, people, move it!”Cole shoved his way through the crowd, barreling through the caution tape so quickly that the warriors scattered to seal the breach. A handful ran after him, clearly not getting the memo that he had the authority to be here. Cole either didn’t notice their presence or didn’t care. His eyes were locked on one person in particular.A flutter of something warm and pleasant filled my chest as I watched the scene unfold.Mykelle scoffed at the sight of him, turning her nose up as though she could care less. The blush staining her cheeks and the way she combed her fingers through her hair said
Violet’s P.O.V.Hael stood from the injured wolf, radiating such pride that I wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and let him tell me it was finally over. I stumbled over to him when a bloodcurdling cry pierced the air.It was the scream of someone being mauled.“Mykelle, stop!” I shouted in time to watch her fling Dominic’s severed arm across the room.Oh fuck. My stomach clenched as I gagged. The massive wolf stepped off of Dominic’s chest, kicking him in the head with its hind leg. She pulled her muzzle back and flashed her blood-stained teeth. Was she grinning at me?Hael snorted, so I must’ve been right.“I know he’s the one that tormented your family and all, but why couldn’t you just let me finish him? I would’ve made it worthwhile.” Mykelle huffed, now standing between Hael and I with her arms folded over her naked chest. She lifted her hand to inspect her nails, a smirk tilting at her lips as she found her manicure still intact.“Don’t be selfish. If anyone deserve
Violet’s P.O.V.“You killed my brother.” Alice seethed, her eyes a shock of white across a canvas of blistering red.Hael cocked his head, the grin on his face both dark and playful. With a gentle hand he pushed me to the side, partially concealing me behind his back. The thudding upstairs continued without missing a beat, as did the drip, drip, drip, of Noah’s blood on the carpet.“I honestly thought he’d put up more of a fight, but instead he hid behind his gun like a coward. It’s not at all surprising that his sister’s exactly the same.”I reached out to stop him from goading her when I spotted the knife behind his back. The hilt was clutched tightly in his hand, and from the way his muscles bunched I knew he was preparing to strike. Alice snarled, the sound cracking off the walls of the small living room.“You think you’re going to trick me into dropping my gun? Please, I’m no fool. You know what? I’m actually thankful my whore of a sister survived when Noah threw her into that fi
Hael’s P.O.V.You’re never going to see her again.The fuck I wouldn’t.I scrambled off of Holden’s body, kicking the bastard in the head for good measure. He had said his name was Noah—the Noah. Absolute fury rushed through me, all of it directed at myself. How many times had he been within sniffing distance of Violet? Too many to count.He tried to kiss her. His fucking half-sister. Man, the guy really was messed up. Should’ve trusted my gut about him, but it was much too late for that.Marcel groaned as I turned him over, his face slathered with his own blood. With my fingers pressed against his throat, I felt around until I registered a small flutter. Atticus’s Beta had taken half a dozen bullets for me. The feeling it left me with was uncomfortable as fuck.“You stupid, lucky asshole. I really hate owing people.” I muttered as I swiped his phone off the floor.The first call I made was for an ambulance, while the second was to Cole. Thank fuck I’d memorized his number considering
Violet’s P.O.V.Dominic stood from his crouch and offered me his hand. While I wanted to bite him and tear a few fingers off as revenge for Olive, I didn’t. I swallowed the disgust that rose from this never-ending pit in my stomach and accepted his help.He didn’t let go though, not for several seconds.“I know you likely have mixed feelings for Hael, but I promise you this is for the best. You trusted me once, and I know that trust will return in due time. Still I feel the need to apologize.” His shoulders fell as he sighed, those dark brows furrowing.“Apologize for what?” Such a stupid question, but what didn’t he have to apologize for? He ruined my family’s life. That didn’t just call for an apology. It called for fucking vengeance.There was such genuine guilt on his face that my heart cried out in response.Dominic ran his hand down his jaw, clenching it as he spoke. “If I hadn’t been so absent, I would’ve noticed the signs. Hael was manipulating you this entire time, just as At
Violet’s P.O.V.The eyes I stared into were Elijah’s, the same man who had raised me these past ten years, but his face was no longer his own. Now that I had seen the mask fall, I’d never be able to go back to who I’d once been.It tore my heart in two to know that the man who had written those terrible letters to my Mom was also the man who had bought me my first cookbook. Elijah—it had been Elijah all along. Behind those soft eyes and his kind smile was the darkest kind of monster.No matter what I felt for him, I would not let him take me. If that meant playing into his sick fantasy, then so be it.I inched my way across the carpet, as far away from my vomit as I could get. The stench alone would make it impossible to speak without gagging. Elijah hovered over me, still on his knees with his hands out in that placating gesture. The sight of it made me sick.“I don’t understand how this is happening. You—You had us both. You had me at the cabin and my mother…” There was no need to f