Violet’s P.O.V.Holy shit.What just happened? What did I do?The answers were right in front of my face, but my stomach wouldn’t let me look. A numbness settled over my body, blurring the images that flooded my head rapid fire. If I tried, I could easily convince myself the puddle of crimson wasn’t blood but strawberry syrup from the last daiquiri I made.This isn’t happening. It can’t be. It just can’t be.I turned away, inching towards the water spigot. My legs moved on their own, not needing instruction. It was as though my body knew my brain was unreachable and was going through the motions that would keep me safe—and sane.Nothing, however, could erase the memory of what I’d done—and of what I agreed to do.Yes.I could hear that word above the roar of icy water that rained down on my hands, washing red, red, red, from the surface of my skin. Porcelain was left behind, but I could still see the stain of where it had been—of where it always would be. Next was my face, which I scr
Violet’s P.O.V.I was flying, gliding through the air as it whisked me up and away. The air caressing my back, my arms, and my legs was soft. Its gentle whisper stroked my nerve endings the way a feather would caress a sensitive patch of skin.It felt incredible. Amazing. Euphoric.There was only one thing that could weigh me down but how could something as unimportant as Blaze matter when everything felt so good. All of those terrible emotions were below, down where the waves crashed against the rocky shore. As for me, I was up, up, up. Resting on a cloud of silk and daydreams, one so soft I found myself wanting to reach out and touch it, to feel it under my fingertips.Where my limbs once felt impossibly heavy, they were now the opposite. They were so light it brought a lazy smile to my face, followed by a string of giggles that morphed into iridescent bubbles as they slid past my lips.I reached out and ran my fingers over the cloud I floated on, marveling at how soft it was.“Fee
Violet’s P.O.V.Olive stiffened and her head jerked in my direction. At the last second, she yanked the steering wheel and swerved, narrowly missing a road sign. There was an explosion of butterflies in my stomach from the quick movement that made me giggle.“What did you just say?”Olive’s boobs really were nice. They were a little more than a handful, with small nipples a few shades lighter than the petals of a rose. Unlike mine, they weren’t weighed down by gravity or so large that any top was deemed provocative. Plus, she had these pretty metal charms that hung from her nipples, embedded with what had to be actual diamonds.“Your boobs are nice.” The words came out like vomit. What was left of the barrier between my thoughts and my big mouth was nothing more than a piece of damp tissue paper.A slight blush stained her face as she huffed. “Thank you, Violet. Now what is it you just said?”“They’re perkier than mine and you have those cool nipple charms.” I slurred.I hadn’t realiz
Hael’s P.O.V.How can a she-wolf who can’t even shift be this much trouble? I asked myself this question no less than three hundred times within the last half hour. This was after I plotted Lorenzo Santino’s murder. Waiting for Olive to get here with Violet provided me with ample time to mull things over.Perhaps, I should just sick Violet on Lorenzo. After what she did to Blaze, jamming that knife into his head hard enough to snap the metal in two, I was sure she’d come up with something equally as creative.Why exactly did that thought fill me with pride?Fuck. What was this girl doing to me?Before I hoisted her into my arms and felt the heavy curve of her breasts against my chest, I had to mentally steel myself. Our agreement meant I had access to her body. I had no interest in her heart.Just as I turned back toward the house with a cooing Violet tucked away in my arms, Olive’s voice rang out.“Can I talk to you really quick?”She might’ve phrased it as a question but the note o
Hael’s P.O.V.I was definitely going to kill her when she was sober. My father would be oh so proud. It didn’t matter that the t-shirt I’d given her hid her pert ass, the sight of her bare thighs alone had my blood heating. She stumbled over to where I sat in an armchair beside my bed, her eyes glued to my bare chest. A small spark of amusement threatened to tug at my lips when she wiped the drool off her lower lip.I should’ve put on a fucking shirt.Not just that, but I should’ve put on a pair of pants thick enough to restrain my cock, which clearly hadn’t gotten the memo that as of right now Violet was off limits. The basketball shorts I had on, which I’d hastily snatched from the closet, did shit to cover up the effect she had on me. If anything, it highlighted it.She nearly fell over as she reached the chair but caught herself at the last minute. Her hands fell on either arm rest, and as she swayed back and forth, a lazy smile drifted across her angelic face.“Go to bed, Violet
Hael’s P.O.V.The second she tightened her grip on my hair, tugging until pain streaked across my scalp, I was a goner. Closer and closer she reeled me in, practically fucking swallowing me like I was more important than the air she needed to breathe.I’d never had someone react to me this way. Never. I was a killer, the son of an Alpha that ruled on fear. People wanted to get away from me, not come closer. Violet just kept coming back for more. An addict that couldn’t get enough, that needed hit after hit and still wasn’t satisfied.She began rocking her hips, whining into my mouth and shuddering with every pass she made as though the friction were burning her from the inside out. I nipped and sucked on her lips, her tongue, anything I could find, wanting more of the sweet fucking sounds she was making.She’s going to fucking kill me. There was a split second where she came up for air that gave me a chance to think clearly. I grabbed her hips once more, only this time intending to h
Violet’s P.O.V.The last twelve hours were a blur that plagued my mind in spurts of color, sensation, and sound. They were a picture show played on repeat, flitting by so quickly that they blurred into one image.It was the last memory in the slide that made it so easy to slip into oblivion, and to allow it’s freezing water’s to carry me away into the shadowy clutches of a nightmare.My body tingled with the echo of Hael’s touch; his taste still curled around my tongue. With it came an odd but familiar sensation pulsating between my legs. The more I focused on it, the more I remembered.Desire. Euphoria. Desperation.No, I couldn’t handle this. I didn’t want to know what happened, so I fell into the arms of unconsciousness and allowed it to whisk me away.It wasn’t until I heard the scream of a child and recognized it as my own that I realized this wasn’t a nightmare at all.It was a memory.Four very old walls surrounded me, the wallpaper peeled and speckled with nicotine stains. Des
Violet’s P.O.V.Hael lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. If I had the strength, I would’ve jumped from the bed and tried to strangle the truth out of him. “You’ll figure it out. In the meantime, you have some explaining to do with Elijah. I’ll see you in a few days.”Wait, what?“A few days? Are you going somewhere?”Hael stopped a foot from his bedroom door. His eyes were blank as he said, “I’m leaving on business, but I’ll be back in a few days.”There was something about the vacant tone of his voice that felt off.“What kind of business?” I couldn’t stop myself from voicing the question out loud, and immediately regretted it when his face twisted into a deadly sneer.“Don’t get things twisted, princess. This agreement between us does not give you a right to my personal life. Don’t forget your place.”Each cold word stung me, burrowing beneath my skin no matter how vehemently I told myself they didn’t matter. Without another word or look in my direction, Hael left. Alone, sitting in
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