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"I don’t think I can do this anymore," Violet sobbed, her voice breaking like shattered glass. The guilt and judgement she was about to face made her unable to look him in the eyes.

"Hey, hey," Alaric’s voice was soothing, gentle yet firm as he lifted her face, forcing her to look at him. Violet resisted at first, but he was persistent.

"Look at me," he demanded.

And she did.

Through tear-streaked lashes and blurry vision, she met those piercing blue eyes, full of concern.

"Good girl," Alaric murmured softly, his fingers brushing against her cheek to wipe away her tears.

But his tenderness only made it worse. How could she betray this? How could she look into those eyes, see all the warmth and devotion he had for her, and still crave another? Others. Was she truly that broken?

"I betrayed you," Violet confessed, her throat tightening around the words. "I kissed Asher behind your back."

The moment stilled, the silence stretching unbearably with unspoken tension. Alaric’s blue eyes widened slightly, but that was it. His grip on her didn’t tighten. There was no explosion of rage, not even a breeze of tempest. He didn’t look angry?

Instead, his gaze flickered around the area, scanning the surroundings as if ensuring no prying ears were listening in.

"Come on." He took her hand, his grip strong yet absent of aggression.

Violet blinked in confusion. Wasn’t he supposed to be furious? To yell, you know, demand answers, and break something?

Instead, Alaric’s voice was calm as he explained, "This isn’t my turf. Anyone could be listening."

Neither did he drag her, nor hold her with the bruising grip of a betrayed man. No, his touch remained gentle, guiding her through the maze of bodies.

And indeed, it was not his turf, as he called it.

Violet glanced around, realizing for the first time that she wasn’t in familiar territory.

There were different faces and no sign of Alaric’s packmates.

No wonder there were four bonfires set up.

One for each pack and she had wandered all three in a haste to get away.

Just like in school, the hierarchy still ruled even in a party meant for everyone. Packs stuck to their own. Yes, it ruined the fun of mingling together, Violet had learned to respect werewolf custom. It was the way of the wolves.

Although now that she looked around, there seemed to be a neutral point where they all met, but most still hung with their pack members.

And now, Alaric was leading her, no, guiding her, through the shifting territories, moving with the kind of unchallenged authority only a Cardinal Alpha could possess.

It was not long before Violet began to recognize familiar faces, and realized Alaric had led her into his domain. The North pack’s turf — it was, at least for tonight.

Most of the pack members barely paid them any attention, too caught up in the celebration. A few mischievous wolves howled, cheering on their Alpha for bringing his girlfriend. But not everyone was happy to see her.

Violet felt a sharp gaze burning into her skin and it was Elsie Lancaster, the so-called Queen of the North Pack.

The irony wasn’t lost on her. Elsie might be queen in name, but Alaric hadn’t chosen her. That had to sting.

Her stare was pure venom, her lips curled in disgust as she watched them pass. But Alaric didn’t even acknowledge her. He didn’t acknowledge anyone. Alaric kept walking, leading her to a secluded area near the tree line of the Silver Glade.

A chill crept up her spine.

Oh, hell no.

Violet’s heart pounded harder, her mind jumping to the worst possible conclusions. Dark, secluded forest. Furious boyfriend. Infidelity confession.

She had heard enough horror stories to know how this scene played out. She was about to be murdered and dumped in the woods.

She swallowed hard. Alaric wouldn’t do that....Would he?

Violet barely had time to process her escape if it came down to that before Alaric turned to face her, his gaze searching hers .

"Tell me again, what did you say happened?"

There was no malice in his voice. No sharp edge of rage or judgment. Just patience.Understanding.

Violet’s throat was dry, but she forced herself to speak.

So she told him everything. What had happened in Micah’s office with Asher. And—God help her—the way she lusted after Griffin, his best friend. Her mating dance—or whatever the hell Lila called it.

By the time Violet was finished, her face was flaming red and she could barely look at him.

Alaric let out a slow, deep breath. "Is that why you’ve been avoiding me?"

Her stomach twisted and Violet nodded, biting her lip.

Another moment of silence stretched between them.

"You foolish girl," Alaric muttered and before she could react, he flicked her forehead.

"Ow!" Violet recoiled, holding her forehead, gaping at him in shock. What the hell?

"Do you really think I didn’t expect Asher to retaliate?"

Violet’s jaw dropped. Excuse me?

"You—" She blinked, mouth opening and closing. "You expected this?"

Alaric sighed, shaking his head. "Of course I did. I have known Asher longer than you know him, no, all through my life. It would even be more suspicious if Asher doesn’t act like Asher."

Then his fingers traced her jaw gently, tilting her chin so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. "It’s my fault. I knew how obsessed Asher was with you, and instead of addressing it. I just let it be when I should have prepared you for him. I’m sorry I failed you, Violet."

Violet felt both stupid and furious, not at Alaric, but at herself. She had spent days drowning in guilt. Fucking Days! when all along, Alaric had already known and accepted this outcome.

The realization hit Violet like a collapsing building and tears spilled over before she could stop them, her body trembling. She had carried this burden alone when she never had to.

"Fuck," Violet choked out, more tears spilling as she flung herself into his arms.

Alaric caught her with ease, wrapping her up in the kind of embrace that made her feel safe. That made her feel whole again.

Alaric didn’t rush her, nor did he tell her to stop crying. He just held her like she was something precious. Something worth keeping.

His fingers wove into her hair, soothing, grounding. "Shh," Alaric murmured, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "It’s alright. I understand. I’m not mad at all."

Except that only made her cry harder.

By the time she pulled back, Alaric’s white polo was thoroughly ruined, soaked with her tears. It left Violet mortified, and she tried to rub away the stains.

"I’m so sorry," she muttered, sniffling.

Alaric merely chuckled, catching her hands before she could fuss over it. "Shh. It’s okay."

Then, without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her. A soft, tender press of his lips that was reassuring and comforting.

"I’m not letting you go, Violet Purple," he murmured against her lips before kissing her again, deeper this time.

"You’re mine now," he declared, the possessiveness in his tone sending a shiver down her spine.

Fuck. Alaric was totally hot whenever he was like this. So she let herself sink into him, completely and for the first time in a long time, she felt free and safe.

But then, Violet remembered and she pulled away, breathless.

"What about Asher? What are you going to do about him?"

And what about her feelings for him? And Roman too? But Violet decided not to push her luck yet. One problem at a time.

"I can handle Asher," He murmured, his mouth searching for hers, however, Violet didn’t buy it.

"Alaric," she told him, looking him dead in the eyes, "Asher is dangerous."

"And I’m not?" he said, the words laced with quiet menace, his eyes nearly crackling with electricity. And right at that moment, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating his expression.

Okay. Point made.

Alaric was quite scary now he put it that way.

And Violet didn’t know why the display sent a thrill of warmth straight to her core. Perhaps she was truly damaged in the head because how could someone be attracted to danger.

Before she could overthink it, Alaric pulled her back into a bruising, hungry kiss. Their tongues tangled, their breaths uneven, their bodies pressed so close she could feel his power buzzing beneath his skin like a current. It was almost as if it was at the surface ready to crackle for her.

Then, just as abruptly, she pulled away.

"Griffin," she panted. "I need to apologize to him."

Alaric groaned, burying his face in her shoulder.

"You really don’t give up, do you?"

Violet scowled. "I’m serious!"

Alaric exhaled sharply, then finally, more like reluctantly, pulled away.

"Wait here," He ordered.

Then, with a final kiss to her forehead, Alaric disappeared into the party.