Violet
‘No, Lacey. Not a chance in hell. We’re trapped here, don’t you get that? You can’t have us storming out there and threatening the future alpha of this pack.’ I hissed, pacing the length of the insanely large pantry. In between my heated argument with Lacey, I wondered why anyone would need a room so large for a bunch of canned goods and miscellaneous snacks. ‘Goddess, I don’t get what his problem is with me?’
I bit back a girlish scream when the doors were yanked open, and light poured in.
Norma’s stern face morphed into one of exhaustion and sympathy.
“You didn’t take a hint of my advice, did you child?” She sighed, her shoulders sagging beneath the dirty apron she still wore.
Sinking my teeth into my lower lip I mumbled pitifully, “I tried. I really did. I don’t—I don’t know where I went wrong.”
As sympathy shifted into worry
VioletOnly after the flashy blood-red Mercedes peeled out of the driveway, muddying the twilight watercolors that were blotted across the sky, was I able to finish helping Norma clean up.Six tries it took me, locking and unlocking the front door until I felt safe enough to stumble back to bed. I couldn’t remember how many times I lost count, seeing a pair of emotionless eyes peering at me through the dark rather than the number I was currently stuck on.What was worse, when I collapsed into the sea of frilly blankets and luxurious pillows, I couldn’t remember if I had left the door unlocked or not.I had my answer the next morning after slipping on my uniform and venturing downstairs. Rather than the knee-high socks set with two bold stripes above the kneecaps, I opted for a pair of dark pantyhose. I even made use of the haircare products stocked beneath the vanity in my bathroom, whose price tags were enough to make my head swim.As
VioletI’d seen Hael very little during school that Tuesday.What glimpses I managed were in the halls, but he always had someone hovering at his side. Most often it was Mykelle, with her deeply tanned skin and perfectly coiled hair, a glare ready to go regardless of the time.The other students had plenty to say to me, plenty of petty insults about the picture Mykelle leaked of me in the kitchen. Neither she nor Hael looked my way, though I had a sneaking suspicion he knew where I was at all times.It wasn’t until after school that he decided to grace me with his presence, without Mykelle at his side.I’d spent the last two hours scouring Olive’s Link profile, which sounds humiliating and excessive, but there was one specific bit of information I was searching for. There had been thousands of pictures posted by her, each one more different than the next.From the black and white candid’s, to the nature scenes t
VioletCome Wednesday morning the entire town was talking about the return of the rest of the untouchables. As the direct decedents of the Original Pack members, they were essentially royalty to the rest of the world.After a two weeklong vacation to some pack located along the west coast, they had finally returned.It was during their grand entrance that I discovered something about the girl I shared a lunch table with these past two days.They filed down the halls in pairs of two, with heads raised high and lips tilted in expressions that radiated superiority and confidence. Half weren’t even wearing their uniforms, and the ones that were wore them with buttons undone or with fashionably scuffed boots instead of the school-approved spit shined loafers.I counted five in total—five impeccably dressed, ethereal looking young adults that sauntered down the halls like they owned the place. It was thanks to the chattering of the other students that I learned a few of their names.The twi
VioletI should’ve realized something was wrong when that afternoon Sylvia’s driver wasn’t waiting at the pick-up area.Half an hour I stood there watching as students piled into cars worth more than the houses in my old pack. When I heard the curly-haired football player Kota mention something about a half a million-dollar sports car to a couple of his buddies, I nearly toppled over.Only when the students and staff dwindled into nothingness and the middle-aged crossing guard began to flash me glances of sympathy, I decided walking might be my only option.“Did your ride ditch you or something?” A disgruntled but very much feminine voice asked. When I turned around and saw that the owner of that voice belonged to Olive Chen, I wasn’t sure how to reply. Her slender lips, which were painted a deep shade of plum, twisted into a sour pout at my silence. “Oh, you’re too good for me now that you’ve spent a single lunch with Holden Cartier?”“I—no, of course not.” I interjected, smoothing o
VioletOther than that one time after school, there wasn’t another confrontation between Hael and me. Even Mykelle seemed content with ignoring my presence for those last two days, which I hadn’t minded in the slightest.I took that time to listen to every rumor floating around, to watch the two of them even when I knew I shouldn’t.It was frightening, the things the students and staff said about Alpha Xavier’s eldest son. The scarred Prince, the head of the untouchables. I hadn’t seen a single scar on his body, yet every single time I heard his nickname mentioned, it was always paired with that infuriating word.When I heard about his and Mykelle’s odd relationship, it hurt more than I anticipated—much, much more. Pain crackled across my chest, scalding my nerve endings much like I thought a blast of lightning would. I had known from watching the two of them that they were more than just friends, but fuckbuddies weren’t what I had in mind.Sure, she hovered at his side like the other
Hael“Aw, come on! You can’t be serious. What kind of right hook was that?” Cole groaned dramatically, flattening his hands against his face. Peeking through his fingers, he muttered listlessly. “Can’t believe they penalized you for that…wasn’t even your fault.”“Wolfsbane does wonders to the body.” I said dryly, glaring daggers at the fucker on the television that cost me last weeks fight.I knew he’d been tweaking the second he stepped into the ring, but I’d been too amped up to give a shit and chose to pummel him anyway. Turns out the guy had a mild form of the rogue gene, so his enhanced strength and speed were admirable but ultimately paled in comparison to the ‘superior genetic make up of an Original Wolf descendant’, spoken directly from the mouth of my father.“It does, doesn’t it? Too bad the high feels like shit. Can’t stand waking up with that foul taste in my mouth.” Cole grimaced, but the sour expression lasted a second before he let out a deafening howl and cheered my vi
HaelShe was so soft, so achingly soft that it caught me off guard for a moment.The pale skin of her throat felt like velvet against my hands, like redemption and retribution for the instruments of death I’d used more times than I could count. They were the same ones I used now, the same ones throbbing in tune with the pulse in her neck, sapping the life from her trembling form.It was a fitting end for her, backed against the wall with nothing but my chest to claw at as I watched the oxygen seep from her lungs. The dress she wore, like sin draped over perfect fucking curves that would’ve had me frothing at the mouth if they didn’t belong to her.I expected her to beg, I fucking wanted it.People were predictable to the point where it didn’t matter what morals a man might have. When someone stronger than them sauntered in the room, snatching up the weakest morsel to take and take and take. What did they do? They turned their heads, they reveled in their insignificant lives hoping tha
Violet“He almost killed you?” Olive deadpanned; her dark-lined lips pressed in a thin line.I stopped my pacing to give her a look, and quickly hid my trembling hands behind my back. “Yes, but he didn’t want to…at least, I don’t think he did.”It had taken the better half of an hour and a triple dosage of my anxiety medication to keep me from spiraling into the bottomless pit that had claimed me those years ago. Even then, the more I thought about my throat constricting and my lungs crying out for oxygen, the hazier my vision became.“If he didn’t want to, then why did he do it?” She questioned, resting her chin in the palm of her hand as she watched me walk laps around the suite.Talking to Olive, it was all that kept me grounded.I said nothing about the name I heard Mykelle utter, even though it struck no chord of familiarity within the patchy holes of my memory. Arianna, she had called her. Was she a girlfriend of Haels? A childhood friend?Owe her? You let her get raped, Hael. T
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