Violet’s POV
I leaned back against the pillows, still a little dizzy, but grateful.
The doctor had just left, and he confirmed what I needed to
hear most–my baby was fine.
Jason’s condition had taken a heavy toll on me. How could he
even suggest something like that, knowing full well that wolves
aren’t like bears–who take multiple partners? We commit to
one mate for life. He clearly had some other plan in mind.
My thoughts were interrupted when Olivia walked in and
placed a hand on my shoulder.
“He confirmed it?” she asked, lowering her voice.
“Yes. The heartbeat is strong.” I nodded.
She let out a breath, but there was no ease in her face. Her jaw
was set, and I could tell she was holding back more than she
said.
“Jason is pushing too far,” she muttered, setting down a fresh
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pitcher of water. “He’s not just negotiating. He’s testing boundaries. Does he thinks that we are weak? Was that the whole point of that sparring between Ava and Philip?”
I didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure what to say that wouldn’t make it worse. Olivia always managed to keep her emotions in check when it mattered, but today, I could see the strain in her eyes.
“And Asher?” she asked.
“He hasn’t told me anything new.”
“Of course he hasn’t,” she said, almost to herself. Then she
stopped pacing. “Violet. what are you planning to do?”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed slowly. My joints
ached, and every movement felt like I was dragging myself
through thick fog.
“I need to speak with Jason. Alone.”
Olivia blinked. “Are you serious?”
I nodded.
“We should tell Asher-”
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“No,” I cut in. “He’s already doing too much. He doesn’t need to
worry about this too.”
Olivia let out a quiet, frustrated sound. “You’re going to make
me sneak out with you, aren’t you?”
“Yes!”
She shook her head. “Okay then. Let’s meet him.”
Jason welcomed us like he had been expecting company. The
table was already set in one of the smaller garden courtyards,
private enough to avoid attention but still formal.
“I’m glad you could join us,” he said as we approached.
“Us?” I asked.
He gestured casually, and Ava stepped into view.
“She was just nearby. I thought maybe Asher would be joining
us too.”
“He’s not.” I sat down, ignoring the second plate that had clearly been set out for Asher. “And this is a private conversation. He
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doesn’t know I’m here.”
Jason raised a brow, but said nothing. Ava simply sat down, her
hands folded neatly in her lap.
I didn’t waste time. “I need you to offer something else. Not this
marriage nonsense. I know you have access to the Silvermoon Grass. Tell me what you want–land, protection, trade access–but
something else.”
Jason chuckled. “Violet, you’re clever, but you’re also emotional
right now. I understand. You’re carrying a child. You’re under
stress. But what I’m offering isn’t nonsense. It’s strategic.”
“You’re offering your daughter like a tool,” I replied, not hiding
my disgust.
“You don’t need to worry about that. She volunteered actually,
in case you don’t know,” Jason said.
Ava nodded slightly. “I did, and please don’t worry. I really don’t
want your title. I’m not here to threaten your place.”
I stared at her for a long moment. “And yet you’d sleep with my
mate”
She didn’t flinch. “It’s just strategic, Luna. But I won’t lie–it’s not
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something I take lightly. I respect you.”
Her voice was calm, maybe even sincere. But I didn’t care.
That image, that possibility–it made something inside me twist.
I pushed back my chair. Olivia, quiet until now, took a small
step toward me. She could see it too. Something was wrong.
My nails were digging into the wood of the table without me
realizing. When I pulled my hand back, my fingers felt stiff, and
my palms were damp. My hands were trembling slightly, and a
familiar heat was creeping up my neck.
Not now.
Jason was still talking–probably saying the same thing again-
but I couldn’t focus anymore. My ears were ringing, and my
chest felt tight.
“I need to go,” I said, standing up too fast. My balance wavered
for a second, and I had to steady myself.
“Violet?” Olivia stepped closer, supporting me with a hand on
my elbow. “What’s going on?”
“I said I need to leave.”
ason looked confused, Ava more concerned. But neither of
them stepped in our way.
We exited the courtyard, Olivia guiding me down the corridor.
My vision was starting to blur at the edges.
“Your claws,” Olivia said quietly, eyeing my hands. “They’re
shifting.”
“I know.””
“It’s not even nightfall yet.”
“I know.“”
I was trying to focus on breathing, to ground myself. But my
wolf had reached her edge. The conversation, the presence of
Ava, the suggestion that I would have to share my mate–it was
too much.
The curse had started to surface, even when it was not night
yet. It told me that my condition was worsening.
Suddenly, a voice called behind us.
“Violet, wait!”
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Ava.
Olivia stopped, but I didn’t.
Ava reached us just before we turned the corner. She didn’t say anything at first–just looked at me.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” she said finally. “I saw you weren’t well. I just. wanted to help.”
I should’ve walked away. Should’ve held myself back.
But the moment she stepped forward, my wolf reacted.
I shoved Olivia away, hard. She stumbled but didn’t fall.
Then I slashed forward. My claws–half–shifted, uncontrolled-
cut across Ava’s arm before I could stop myself.
The scent of blood hit the air immediately.
Ava gasped and stepped back, holding her arm. But she didn’t
scream. She didn’t yell for help.
I braced myself. This was it. Now she’d run crying to Jason. The
bear warriors would have an excuse.
But instead, Ava dug into her pocket and pulled out a small
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metal case. She opened it and pulled out a pill, then extended it
to me.
“This,” she said, voice steady despite the pain, “is made from
Silvermoon Grass powder. It can help you. Your wolf–it won’t
rage like this after.”
I stared at her, panting. My claws were still out.
“Why would you give this to me?”
“Because I’m not your enemy” Ava said. “I don’t want you hurt.
I don’t want Asher to suffer either.”
Behind me, Olivia had returned to my side, watching the pill
cautiously.
“Don’t take it,” she said under her breath. “You don’t know what
it is. What if it makes things worse?”
I didn’t move.
The pill sat in Ava’s hand.
I could feel my wolf pulling at the edges of my control again,
just from the scent of blood and the Silvermoon pill.
C
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