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He was in trouble. Griffin could tell from the way his mother just kept walking without looking back, clearly expecting them to follow. So he walked closer to Violet and nudged her. "What’s going on?"

"She found out," Violet replied, her voice low, conscious of Arion, who had turned to look at them. He had probably picked up on their conversation with his wolf senses, considering there was still some distance between them. He walked side by side with his wife, who wasn’t speaking to him either.

"Found out what?" Griffin whispered now, noticing that his father was listening too.

"About us. All of us. I think." Violet sighed. "Caroline no doubt painted me as the whore." There was bitterness in her tone. Elsie’s mother was a petty wench.

"Oh," was all Griffin said, the truth sinking in.

Still, he reached out and squeezed her hand. "Don’t worry about my mother. She might seem tough on the outside, but she’s soft and sweet as crab meat inside," he said with confidence.

Violet’s lips quirked. "You mean like you?"

Griffin lifted a brow. "Really? You think I’m not tough?"

"Oh, you’re tough, big boy," Violet said, reaching out to playfully punch him in the stomach, only for her hand to pause and linger. "Damn, that’s solid."

Griffin grinned knowingly. "One of these days, I’ll let you touch me all you want."

Before Violet could respond, Irene whirled around and glared at them. "Are you guys fucking kidding me right now?"

"Sorry," Violet apologized with a bashful look, unlike Griffin, who just rolled his eyes. He was usually the one suffering through his mother’s shameless public displays of affection between her husbands. It was nice to know she was finally getting a taste of her own medicine.

Arion snickered quietly at the side, earning another glare from Irene before she turned and walked on.

They ended up at Griffin’s room, which Irene had probably chosen for the privacy it offered, knowing the conversation ahead was going to be sensitive.

Of course, Griffin and Violet arrived late, having intentionally lingered behind. Both had used the moment to brace themselves for the heat they were about to walk into.

Irene didn’t speak at first, her back turned to them, likely running through a hundred thoughts in her head. Then she said just two words:

"How many?"

They couldn’t tell who she was addressing, but the question was clear enough. Before either of them could answer, Irene turned around, fire blazing in her eyes.

"Don’t think of lying to me. Caroline showed me pictures of you with each of the boys. So tell me, how many of the boys are you dating?" Her tone was sharp and demanding.

So the question was directed at her, Violet realized. The answer was sitting right on the tip of her tongue when Griffin answered for her boldly.

"She’s dating all four of us."

There was silence until Irene exploded.

"Are you out of your mind?! How could you allow this?!" This time, the fury was directed at Griffin as she stormed up to him.

"I could have accepted your choice. I want your happiness, after all. But all four of the cardinal alphas vying for one girl? That’s not romance, that’s rebellion!

Do you think Elijah will sit back and watch this unfold?

Is this Asher Nightshade’s idea again? Didn’t Lucille already teach you what happens when you get involved with that crazy kid?

How could you leap into this death trap all over again? !"

She spun toward Violet next.

"And you! I have no problem with you being with my son. You clearly like him. But with your background, how do you expect me not to question your intentions with the other heirs? Is Griffin not enough for you?

"Fine, maybe I could tolerate Alaric. I have two husbands, so I understand polyandry, even though, as a cardinal heir and Elsie’s potential match, that’s already a political nightmare. But Asher Nightshade? Roman Draven? That’s not love. That’s greed.

"Do you even understand the danger you’re putting yourself in by agreeing to something this reckless?"

This time, Violet was completely tongue-tied. Her saving grace came when the door suddenly flew open, drawing every eye in the room. Alaric Storm, Roman Draven, and Asher Nightshade strode in as if they owned the place.

Asher, of course, led the pack.

"The more the merrier," Arion muttered with a deliberate cough.

"Alpha Irene," Asher said coolly.

"Hello, Irene," Roman chimed in with his usual playful lilt.

"Pleasure seeing you, Iron Lady," Alaric greeted with a familiar smile that didn’t quite land.

But Irene was not amused. Her expression remained hard as steel as she asked them, "What is the meaning of this? How dare you interrupt a private family meeting?"

"This is no longer just a family meeting," Asher replied, stepping forward. "Not when it involves Violet. And not when it involves us. We know what you’ve discovered, and we’re here to set the record straight."

"There’s no record to set straight," Irene snapped. "You destroyed that girl, Lucille. Now you want to ruin this one too? I won’t let that happen!"

And yes, now would be the perfect time to mention that Irene Hale absolutely hated Asher Nightshade.

While she didn’t know all the details surrounding Maria’s death, she was very aware of the abuse Henry had inflicted.

She despised Asher completely, and it wasn’t surprising that she believed his son would turn out even worse.

Lucille’s case only confirmed her worst fears.

Tired of the argument, Violet finally spoke up.

"I am not Lucille, and I will never be her. I know it doesn’t make sense, but I feel strongly for each of these men.

I’m honestly scared, and I’ve tried to ignore these feelings, but I can’t deny them anymore.

So think whatever you want. Judge me a whore if you must, I don’t care.

But with all due respect, Alpha Irene, I’m not leaving your son.

Or Roman. Or Alaric. Or Asher. Not even if you put a knife to my throat. "

"I won’t either," Griffin said, lacing his fingers with hers. "She’s mine, Mother."

"And mine," Asher added from behind her.

"Mine too," Alaric said as he took her other hand.

Roman stepped up behind her with a lazy grin. "Looks like the Queen takes Knights, after all."