Chapter 206
Violet’s POV
Ava arrived just past ten–thirty. Her cloak was half–soaked
from running, her breathing unsteady, and her hand clutched a
small bundle wrapped in black velvet.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said, holding it out. “I had to shake off
two of my father’s men before I could get here.”
I reached for it slowly, feeling the texture of the wrap under my
fingers. Asher stood beside me, silent, tense. When I peeled back
the cloth, the silver leaves shimmered faintly under the
moonlight filtering in through the window.
“You got it,” I whispered.
Ava nodded. “Yes, it took a lot of effort and stealth to get it here.”
Asher and I exchanged a quick glance. I didn’t know what to
say–how do you thank someone for something like this?
Xavier moved first. Without a word, he stepped forward and
hugged her tightly. Ava stiffened, just for a moment, then
relaxed into it. Her cheeks turned visibly red, even in the dim
light.
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“Thank you,” Xavier said joyously. “You just saved a life. No.
Many lives.”
I could tell they were slipping into their own little world, so I
reached for Asher’s hand. We stepped away and left the room,
giving them the space they needed.
The doctor and prophet were already waiting. The moment
they confirmed it was Silvermoon Grass, they prepared the
infusion. I drank it in one go. The taste was strange–earthy,
sharp–but the effect was immediate. The burning inside me
cooled, the pressure eased, and for the first time in weeks, I
could breathe without the weight of the curse clawing at my
throat.
I placed a hand on my belly. The dull ache that had never really
gone away was gone now. Completely. I didn’t even have to say
- it.
Asher was already watching me. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
I nodded slowly. “It’s quiet. for the first time in weeks.”
He stepped closer, resting his hand gently over mine. “The
baby?”
“He’s moving again. Strong, steady. It feels right. Like before the
curse got worse.”
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Asher let out a long breath, almost like he’d been holding it in
for days. “She really did it. I can’t believe Ava actually brought
the real thing.”
I looked up at him. “She didn’t just bring it. She risked
everything.”
“She went against her father,” Asher said. “Probably half her
clan too.”
“And still chose to help us.”
We stood there in silence for a while, just holding onto the fact
that it was finally over. That for the first time, I didn’t feel like
something was eating me alive from the inside.
Asher looked down at me. “We owe her more than we can ever
repay.”
“I know.‘ I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his middle. “If she hadn’t come tonight.”
“She did,” he cut in softly, wrapping his arms around me in return. “That’s what matters!”
I didn’t want to think about what would’ve happened if she hadn’t. I didn’t want to picture it. For once, I didn’t have to.
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That night, Asher held me while I slept.
There were no cramps. No restlessness. No dreams that jolted
me awake.
Just his warmth, steady breathing, and the soft rise and fall of
his chest under my cheek.
And peace.
The next morning, just after dawn, Philip burst into our room.
“Asher,” he said, breathless. “Jason is at the gate. He wants in.
He’s demanding answers.”
“Alright. Let’s meet him, then.” Asher rolled out of bed and was
already reaching for his coat. I followed him, pulling a shawl
around my shoulders.
We met him in the east courtyard. He was already pacing near
the fountain, surrounded by three of his personal guards. His
eyes landed on me the moment we stepped outside.
His gaze narrowed.
“You took it,” he said, voice low and tight. “The Silvermoon
Grass.”
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I said nothing. It was written all over me–healthy skin, stable
posture, no traces of the curse.
Jason’s face darkened. “You stole it.”
Asher didn’t flinch. “We received what we needed.””
“You forced Ava,” Jason snapped. “I want her brought here now.
And I want this wedding finished. No more delays. The message
has already been sent to the council–we have two days before
our clans break all ties.”
I raised my eyebrows slightly. So he wasn’t bluffing. He was
really prepared to cut off relations, start a war–anything to get
what he wanted.
Asher’s voice didn’t waver. “Fine. We’ll go ahead with the
wedding. Two days is enough.”
I blinked. For a moment, I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. My
heart skipped, but then he looked at me–and I caught it.
“Just follow along for now. Xavier will take my place.”
His voice echoed clearly through the mind–link.
I lowered my gaze just in time to hide the flicker of relief. My
chest tightened, not because I was hurt–but because this plan
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might actually work.
Still, we had to sell it.
“You’re really going to do this?” I asked quietly, my voice just
loud enough for Jason to catch. I didn’t add any anger or panic- just the right amount of disbelief.
Asher turned away from me and didn’t respond, letting the
silence settle in the room like a final decision.
Jason, standing just a few feet away, smiled. “Good,” he said. “We’ll make it official. It’ll be a grand ceremony.”
I nodded slowly and placed a hand on my stomach, dropping my eyes to the floor. “We’ll make the arrangements,” I murmured, playing the part of the resigned mate.
Jason didn’t question a thing. He looked pleased, as if everything was unfolding exactly the way he’d planned.
He didn’t even ask where Ava was.
Two days passed quickly.
The palace was buzzing with activity from both clans.
Decorations went up, musicians arrived, food was brought in by
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the cartload. It would’ve looked like a real celebration–if it
hadn’t felt so off beneath the surface.
I stayed quiet, letting Asher and Philip handle the planning. Ava
kept her distance, and Xavier… he stayed invisible. Until the last
hour.
In the ceremonial hall, where wolves and bears alike had
gathered, the tension was sharp. Jason stood at the front,
beaming, in full ceremonial armor. Ava stood beside him,
dressed in silver and white.
Then the groom entered.
Clad in traditional Wolf King robes and a ceremonial mask that
covered his entire face, the groom walked steadily down the
aisle. Jason leaned toward Philip.
“What’s with the mask?” he asked.
Philip didn’t blink. “It’s custom. Ancient one. A symbol of
humility before unity.”
Jason shrugged. “Strange wolves.”
The ceremony continued. Vows were exchanged. Jason proudly
raised a hand as the officiant announced the bond sealed.
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“My daughter,” Jason announced loudly, “is now the second
Luna of the Wolf King! This alliance will protect our lands and
bring strength to our bloodline.”
The audience applauded–wolves less enthusiastically, bears
with smug satisfaction.
Jason walked over to the groom. “Welcome to the family,” he
said.
And then, the groom removed his mask.
Gasps filled the hall.
Xavier.
He stood tall, not smiling, but not afraid either. “Thank you, Jason,” he said calmly. “I appreciate our alliances as well.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed. “What is this?”
Xavier looked toward the crowd, then back at Jason. “I am Ava’s mate. Her true mate. And she is mine.”
The crowd erupted–half confusion, half disbelief. I saw a few
bear warriors stepping forward in shock.
Jason looked like someone had struck him across the face.
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“You lied,” he said.
Xavier didn’t move. “I married her, as you demanded. And now,
you cannot undo the bond. It’s complete.”
Jason looked at Ava. “You let this happen?”
Ava finally spoke. “I chose it.”
The revelation was enough to stun everyone–wolves and bears
alike.
