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VIOLET

I stretched my arms into the sky, mentally preparing for a shift. The early morning sunlight speared through the top of the trees. I’d tell them about Elton today, and I needed to clear my head before doing it. I didn’t want to burst into tears and set them off, so I left before the guys woke up and slipped into the thicket of the woods. It wasn’t like I was doing anything dangerous; I was only a few yards from the front of our house.

Standing in place, I worked on breathing slow and steady. I dropped to my knees and pushed my wolf forward. Fire blazed through my veins.

Suddenly, something bashed me across the snout. I wrenched myself back with a yelp. It always took a moment to fight off the disorientation. Instincts kicked in, making me scramble back.

Luna ? I avoided another hit to the head, but the long piece of wood managed to smack my side.

“You couldn’t leave my mate alone?” she spat. “After I helped you leave?”

My mind reeled.

She launched herself at me. Thinking fast, I pounced to the side and let my shift return me to human form. With the same motion, I shoved her headfirst into the tree. She collided with a hiss while I lunged for the plank of wood she dropped and swung with all my might. It hit her temple and she screamed, clasping her face.

Screaming, I swung again, cinching my eyes tightly shut, and then silence. I peeked through one of my eyes. She lay nude in a pile on the ground, face down and unmoving. Using the tip of the wood piece, I nudged her leg.

Had I killed her? Panic clogged my throat, and I dropped to my knees.

“Luna?” She didn’t respond. I put my finger under her nose. The light puffs against my finger made me relax.

Another situation like Amber was not in my cards. My shoulders dropped. This was ridiculous!

I best get my mates before she woke up. They were going to be so pissed.

Bouncing to my feet, I hurried away. It took me moments to be in the hall and shouting for them.

“Violet?” Graham called, sleep thick in his tone.

“Graham! I need your help, come outside.”

Reassured that they would be out soon, I returned to the unconscious female. I grabbed hold of her ankle and dragged her inch by inch until I had her at the base of our porch.

She would have scratches all over her front, but I didn’t care. She’d tried to kill me.

Graham ran out and immediately lifted my chin. His fingertips grazed my cheekbone. I winced at the sting. He growled.

“It’s not that bad,” I mumbled.

Simon stormed out. With one sweep of the area, his gaze settled on me. He narrowed his eyes and lunged toward the female. The intent was clear in his eyes.

“Wait!” I swatted Graham’s hand and ran to intercept Simon. My hands settled on his chest.

“Move,” he growled.

“No,” I said stubbornly. “Simon, she’s my last Luna, Alpha Elton’s chosen.” He stiffened.

“Elton’s female?” Graham asked. There was such a lack of inflection that it sent a shiver down my back.

I nodded once.

“That bastard,” Simon hissed. “Why would he send his female to hurt you?”

“He wouldn’t send her to kill me.” They both rounded on me. I put up my hands and stepped back.

“Why were you out here, unprotected?” Graham gritted out.

I licked my lips nervously.

“I have to admit something.” I wrung my hands together. “He came onto me multiple times.” They jerked like I hit them. “Uninvited.”

Graham’s lip curled.

“Tell us everything, now ,” he snapped.

“Okay, but don’t freak out,” I groaned. “She walked in on him trying to rape me.” They stiffened, but I needed to get it all out before I burst into tears. I hugged myself. “She was angry with me. Yeah, she shouldn’t have blamed me, but I wouldn’t have been able to leave that pack without her help.” My hands shook and I squeezed them together.

“Why is she here?” The words were stilted, furious. I peeked at Simon and returned my eyes to Graham.

“There’s one more thing.” I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the rage directed at me. “I didn’t get his permission to leave his pack.”

Graham might have incinerated me with his glare.

“You’re telling me this now ?” he hissed.

“That’s not all. He called your phone, Graham, and I answered.”

“Damn it, Violet,” he roared.

I winced. “I was going to tell you today,” I mumbled sheepishly. “Yesterday was so wonderful and I didn’t want him to ruin it.”

If looks could kill, theirs would have incinerated me. “It was right before you showed me the house . . .”

“Simon. Call Bryan and Adan. Have them lock this in a fucking cage,” he ordered, sneering at the female unconscious on the ground.

Graham hadn’t looked at me. I slowly approached and touched his arm. He didn’t react and when he finally looked at me, it was with a glare.

“You put yourself in danger again.”

He gently pulled his arm out of my grip.

My lip trembled, but I bit it.