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"One time, when Lucille learned Griffin’s intentions to break up with her, she slit her wrist and let it bleed, threatening to kill herself if Griffin didn’t give her his word not to leave her. The East don’t joke with their promises. They are quite honorable, holding onto it like a damn covenant.

"Lucille knew that, and used it. Hence, Griffin was coerced into making the promise. Asher couldn’t get into her head either.

He had groomed a serpent that came to bite him in the heel.

We actually taught her to build mental barriers against Asher so he couldn’t even compel her to leave us alone, even if he wanted.

"However, no matter what, the cracks in our relationship were beginning to show, and Lucille was not blind to notice it, even if she pretended not to.

"The move that broke the camel’s back was when she targeted Elsie. Lucille totally lost it. She believed we no longer wanted her because we took comfort in the hope that one of us would one day marry Elsie and be free of her ’shackles.’ So, she decided to eliminate the false hope.

"Lucille might have been human, but she was smart, cunning, and resourceful.

She shot Elsie with wolfsbane, poisoning her in the process to weaken her.

Took her up to the hills where she planned to kill her.

We were lucky enough to catch wind of her plans and stopped it on time else the girl would have committed murder.

The Alpha King got involved afterward, and the rest was history. "

Being stunned was an understatement, Violet was utterly shocked. From the way the cardinal alphas talked about Lucille, she knew the girl had hurt them but not to this extent. How could someone be that manipulative? Controlling? Wicked?

Alaric held her hand this time as he told her, "I’m not telling you this to garner pity or anything. I just wanted you to know it. It’s the least you deserve after what I’ve done to you."

"What about me?" Violet asked him. "What does it feel like to be with me?"

"Like Life itself," Alaric confessed, lifting her hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on it. "You are the other half of my soul, Violet."

"And you don’t mind sharing me with Griffin?" Violet inquired tentatively. "You don’t think I’ll turn out to be worse than Lucille?"

"You would never," Alaric said with conviction. "You tend to hide it, but I see your heart, Violet, and it’s pure, even if it’s guarded by fire and more stairs than I could climb to get to heaven. But you would never hurt me. Not Griffin..." He held her gaze. "Not Roman."

Violet’s breath caught in her throat, and she wanted to move away, feeling exposed under his scrutiny.

"I—I..." she stammered. "Roman and I are not like that—"

"I know you like him, Violet. You might not admit it, but you look at Roman the same way you look at Asher..." He added slowly, "At Griffin and me."

Violet’s face heated, her heart fluttering. She shifted uncomfortably on her bed at being caught for her forbidden feelings.

She quickly said, "It’s not normal behavior. I’ll get over it."

"Nothing is normal here, Violet Purple." He called her name in a smoldering way that made her shivers dance up her spine. "I think it’s high time you threw away your conventional way of thinking. You’re in a new world, not your old one."

Violet couldn’t breathe now as Alaric leaned in, his face just inches from hers as he told her, "Griffin’s mother has two husbands.

Some werewolves choose monogamous lifestyles, while others choose otherwise, so it’s not exactly new to us.

Moreover, it doesn’t seem like you want to make a choice. .. or do you, my little vixen?"

Fuck. Violet felt a certain part of her body throb at that title he held exclusively for her.

She still loathed him, yes, but her traitorous body certainly hungered for him.

Alaric must have scented her desire because his nose flared and his eyes darkened.

He inclined his head, about to seal their lips, when the door suddenly opened and Lila barged in.

She gave each of them a look, clearly suspecting what would’ve gone down had she not arrived, but pursed her lips anyway, saying nothing.

"Here’s your refreshments." Lila begrudgingly placed the tray containing two glasses of fresh juice on a small stool she pulled out from the side of Violet’s bed.

Alaric said at once, "I think I’m good."

"Why?" Lila sneered. "You must think us poor that we can’t afford juice up to your standards?"

"No, that’s not—"

"Or you think I poisoned it?" Lila laughed unkindly. "You think if I wanted to avenge Violet that I would give you a quick death? No, little prince. Now listen carefully to how I’d do it. I’d hunt your perfect ass from whatever ends of the earth you are, then tie you down in a place where no one would find you, even if you screamed for eternity. First of all, I’d stab a knife into your lap and relish your scream before stabbing out one of your eyes—you don’t need both to see anyway.

Then I’d pull out your fingernails, toenails—all of them—one by one.

I heard that stuff hurts a lot. Perhaps chop off some fingers while I’m at it.

Then I’d carve my name on your chest to remind others not to mess with Violet when your body is found.

No, now that I think of it, perhaps I shouldn’t kill you.

I’d leave you decapitated, so you can live out the rest of your miserable life in pain! "

By the time Lila was done ranting, Alaric’s head whipped around with force in Violet’s direction, an incredulous look in his eyes that seemed to ask: How the hell are you keeping this one around you as a friend?

Violet simply gave him an understanding smile. Then she reached out and took the glass of juice that had been placed in front of Alaric, saying, "Take mine instead."

"No, it’s not what you’re thinking..." Alaric trailed off at the end. Well, he was scared of the drink, but he still didn’t want to inconvenience her. So he simply took the glass of juice in her direction and drank.

As Violet drank her own juice, her heart couldn’t help but race. She hoped to God that Lila had been smart enough to figure out this would happen, and how it would turn out. Otherwise, she’d just drugged herself.