Page 43

VIOLET

I propped my feet on Graham’s desk, beside his ringing cell phone. The device had made its way to the edge of the surface with all the vibrating it did. Goddess, the calls hadn’t stopped.

I’d been hanging out in here after walking around the pack with Maggie, with Adan and Bryan as our shadows. The Betas of each respective pack had now been demoted to babysitters. It took a lot to get them to give me space, but I’d take the small success of being left to myself while in Graham’s office.

He left his cell phone for me to contact Simon if I needed them. I had no idea where the phone he’d purchased me had gone. My only theory was it must have gotten lost in the madness after the bar situation.

The cell went off again. I groaned and plucked it up before it slipped off the edge of the desk. That area code looked familiar. If it was an emergency and I hadn’t answered . . .

Tapping the green button, I lifted it to my ear.

“Beaumont’s phone.”

Silence on the other end.

“Violet?” I sat up so quickly I banged my leg.

My lips thinned.

“I’m sorry, you have the wrong number. Thank you for calling.” I hung up the phone and tossed it in a drawer.

The device began to ring again. I put it on silent and leaned back in the leather chair. It creaked with the rock back.

He’d found me. My stomach dropped to the floor.

I never wanted to hear that voice again. Elton. I shivered, trying to ignore the nausea. So far keeping memories of his groping hands shoved down had helped the terror abate.

I thumped my forehead on the desk. Alphas never took in a pack member unless there was permission from the alpha of the last pack, and Elton wouldn’t have allowed it. And now I’d brought problems to our pack’s doorstep.

I needed to tell them.

My hands shook.

I hated the nasty feeling in my gut. I closed my eyes and, as much as I fought it, the memory of waking up to find Elton hovering over me in the middle of the night almost sent me into cardiac arrest. His cloying scent faintly whispered across my memory.

I shivered. That trash male wouldn’t stain my relationship with my mates.

There was a light knock at the door and it popped open to reveal Maggie.

“Your mates asked me to come get you.” Maggie frowned, peering at me. “Are you okay?”

I bit the inside of my cheek but nodded.

I could tell she didn’t believe me, but I stood, rounded the desk and stepped out of the office with a forced smile.

Bryan and Adan had been perched up near the door, and they followed a few feet behind us. Maggie walked like she was on a mission. I put more pep in my step to keep up with her.

“Since when has this been here?” I asked, eyeing the cobbled pathway breaking into the forest line. The dark gray stones were nicely embedded into the cement. The path stretched and wound into the trees, making it impossible for me to see the end.

“It was finished a few days ago,” Adan answered.

“Why?” I fished for answers.

“No idea,” Maggie sang and snagged her mate’s hand, looking up at him all moony-eyed. They walked a few feet in front of me, so I had a clear view. Her entire demeanor changed. A smile played along my lips. They were sickeningly sweet to each other.

She turned at just the correct time. Her eyes narrowed on me.

“You’re laughing?” She huffed. “You and your two mates are worse.” She emphasized the number. My face heated up.

“Whatever,” I grumbled.

She laughed and wiggled her eyebrows at Adan. He smiled fondly down at her. I focused on getting to the destination, but the path was taking forever.

“We’re almost there,” Maggie said, smiling like she had a secret. Nerves caused my stomach to roil. The number of trees began to lower, and a two-story house came into view. Hydrangea surrounded the base of the home. The purple blooms stood out against the cream paint of the house. A coarse welcome mat stretched across the front door.

Maggie peered over her shoulder and smiled. I stepped into the house. A thin rug over the wood floors led down a hall. I ran my fingers over the coat hanger to the left of the door.

A few yards of hall later, I stepped into a living room. A television hung over the fireplace on the sage green wall. A gray couch faced the television. The smell of pastries filled the house, but most potently was the scent of cookies left in an oven a bit too long. “Is this your place?”

“Are you freaking serious, Vi!?” Maggie groused. She released her mate and marched over to me, grabbing my arms.

“Maggie!” Both of us screamed and whirled to Graham. He glared at her.

“Don’t shout at her,” I snapped, getting up in his face and poking a finger into his chest. His lips thinned and let out a short growl.

“It’s for you, silly,” Maggie chirped, no less energetically. Adan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back. Probably had to do a lot with Graham’s glare.

“This is for me?” I blinked repeatedly. “A new pack house?”

“No, this is just for us and our pups.” Simon entered and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.

“Whoa there, Simon, I’m too young for the pup talk,” I said through a tight throat. I swept my gaze over my home. My lip trembled and tears sprang to my eyes.

“Violet.” Graham was suddenly clasping my face. “What’s wrong?” He moved my head side to side, scanning his eyes over my features.

I sniffled.

“She does this,” Maggie said, waving away his concern.

I swiped the back of my hand across my eyes. The scent of leather became overwhelming, and I peeked over my shoulder at Simon.

“We’ll head out Alpha,” Adan said, and through the haze of my tears, he dragged his mate down the hall.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

“Saving your throat,” he responded dryly. The door closed behind them, leaving me with my mates.

My smile was watery and I sniffled, swiping the back of my hand across my cheeks.

“Why does it smell like burnt cookies?” Silence. Graham’s lips twitched and he looked over at Simon.

“Don’t worry about it.” Simon cleared his throat.

“Because he failed—severely.” Graham chuckled. “You made us sweets to show your sincerity. He was attempting to do the same.”

Another wave of emotion gripped my throat. My lip trembled again.

Graham collected me into his arms, tucking my legs around his waist. Simon stood just behind him and met my gaze. He petted my hair, smoothing it down.

“We’ll always take care of you, Sweetheart.”

It sounded like a combination of a threat and a promise . . . and I was okay with that.

Everything was so perfect that I didn’t want to stain this memory with Elton. I’d tell them everything tomorrow.