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Everyone was in high spirits. It was just one hour until the highly anticipated match between the cardinal alphas and their parents. At this point, nearly all the girls were busy dressing up and doing their makeup for the event.

But for Nancy and Violet, this was a rare window of opportunity to talk. Waiting until after the match wasn’t an option since there was no guarantee they’d get a moment alone, especially with the students sure to be in full party mode afterward.

Violet took her mother to her room, which had finally been repaired—thanks to Lila—while the girls stayed behind to entertain Alpha Ezra.

She’d told herself she was ready for this moment. But when Violet and Nancy sat down, the room fell into an awkward silence.

"I’m sorry—"

"I’m sorry—"

They both spoke at once.

"I’ll go first," Nancy said quickly.

"No, let me." Violet shook her head. "I need to apologize first, Nancy. I’m sorry about last time. For being angry at you and—"

"You had every right to be angry, Violet," Nancy cut in gently. "I should have called you beforehand, but well, Ezra and I got a little carried away with the mating fever..." She trailed off, her cheeks turning pink.

Violet had to blink hard, almost in disbelief. Was Nancy blushing? Nancy, of all people? She must have stepped into an alternate universe.

Her curiosity got the better of her. Violet tilted her head and said pointedly, "Mating fever, huh?"

"Yes, Mating fever," Nancy answered, this time with a smug little smile.

Violet leaned in, waggling her brows. "You know, they taught us about mating fever this semester. What’s it really like? A mad urge to couple, or what?"

"More than that," Nancy said, leaning in too, answering her curiosity without a hint of shame. "Honestly, they should’ve called it ’fucking frenzy.’ Can you believe Ezra and I went at it for two days straight with no food, and barely any sleep, just breaks in between.

" Nancy licked her lips like she was savoring the memory. "I swear, there’s no position that man didn’t have me in.

Best feeling ever," she sighed, blissfully.

Ah, yes, Violet thought. That’s the Nancy I know. She had only asked for a "little" detail, but Nancy, true to form, had handed her a full-blown, graphic explanation that Violet knew was going to haunt her imagination forever. Thanks so much, Nancy.

Maybe feeling mischievous, Violet told her with a wicked smile. "I also remember the teacher saying that for mated pairs, fertilization always happens during mating fever."

She watched Nancy’s face closely. If there was one thing Nancy had always dreaded, it was pregnancy.

Nancy had said many times that Violet was the only "pest" she’d ever willingly put up with. She couldn’t imagine having more little life-suckers drain the youth out of her. Motherhood? That was not her vibe.

But then Nancy surprised her when she said, "I don’t mind."

"What?!" Violet nearly shouted, her jaw practically hitting the floor.

Nancy looked a little nervous but pressed on. "Ezra wants more kids."

"More kids?" Violet repeated, wide-eyed.

"He has a son from his late wife. The boy’s been so lonely and giving him a sibling seems like the right thing to do. His name’s Axel and he’s a nice kid. Trust me when I say you’d love him when you visit for the holidays."

For a moment, Violet just stared, utterly speechless.

"Violet?" Nancy’s smile wavered, concern flashing in her eyes. She waved a hand in front of her daughter’s face. "Are you okay?"

Violet blinked, her voice low with disbelief. "Who are you and what have you done with Nancy?"

Realizing what just happened, Nancy burst into laughter and gave Violet a playful shove. "Oh my God, stop! You’re ridiculous!" She laughed hard, and Violet joined in, the two of them cracking up together in that light, rare moment of pure fun.

But as the laughter faded, a quiet seriousness settled over them like a fog.

Nancy fiddled with her hands, guilt clouding her expression. She finally spoke with a soft voice. "I was a terrible mother to you, Violet."

"You did your best," Violet replied honestly.

"I could have done better."

"You took me in when no one else would. You gave me a roof, food, everything I needed to grow." She shrugged. "That counts for something."

Nancy’s eyes dropped. "I still should have done better."

"Then do better for your next kid. That is if you want to have one." She locked eyes with Nancy, her tone firm. "I don’t care if Ezra’s an Alpha or your mate. Have a baby because you want to and not because you feel like it’s your duty."

"I do want to have this kid, Violet," Nancy said with conviction. "I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection lately, and I realized my life so far had no real meaning. The fact that a good man like Ezra is giving me a second chance, despite the kind of life I’ve lived, that has to count for something, right? I want to know what motherhood really feels like. I can’t run from it forever. So yes, I want this child."

"Then have it," Violet said simply. "It’s not too late for me to be a big sister."

A huge smile tugged at the corners of Nancy’s lips. "Thank you, Violet."

"Thank you, Nancy," Violet answered back with a small smile.

Nancy couldn’t help herself. She pulled Violet into a tight hug, sniffling as her eyes watered. "I’m so sorry for all the good times we missed."

"I told you already, it’s alright. Please don’t cry." Violet patted her awkwardly. "If both of us start, there’ll be no one left to comfort us."

Nancy snorted a laugh, pulling away to wipe at her tears. "Right. No crying. No negative energy in this room."

It was clear Nancy was back to herself when the very next words out of her mouth were: "So, four boyfriends, huh?"

Violet rolled her eyes. "It sort of happened."

Nancy arched a brow. "Violet Purple. Four cardinal alphas do not just ’sort of happen.’" She said her full name with heavy emphasis.

"And to think I was worried you were going to die a virgin." Nancy huffed, blowing out a breath of exasperation. "I didn’t know you were—wait a second. Have you guys fucked? Oh my God," she gasped dramatically, eyes wide. "Violet Purple, you had an orgy?!"

God help her. Violet did not want to have this conversation.

Nancy looked scandalized, clutching her chest. "Dear Lord. To think this is all my fault. I taught her everything I knew and she took it a hundred steps further."

Then, as if something occurred to her, Nancy’s eyes went wide again. "Please tell me you’re on the pill or something. Violet Purple, I cannot be a mother and a grandmother at the same time! What would my kid even call your kid? Brother? Sister?"

"Oh my God, Nancy! You are exaggerating! I haven’t even had sex yet!" She yelled back.

Nancy blinked. "Okay, wait—what? Why?" She suddenly frowned, her tone shifting into curiosity. "What’s wrong? Are the boys not capable? Or..." She leaned in with a dark grin. "Are they too big for you? Can’t get it in? Don’t worry, it can be a lot at first. But you’ll get used to it. There’s always lube.

Or—wait, should we find a witch to magically reduce the size?

Ezra told me those things are possible." Nancy looked genuinely excited as she started listing out possible solutions.

That was it. Violet had hit her limit.

"Mom!" she snapped, her face burning. "I think it’s time for you to leave." She jumped up from her bed. She was done. So done.

"What? Fine." Nancy got to her feet, smirking. "We’ll finish this conversation later."

Like hell we will, Violet thought darkly. There was no way she was letting this woman keep planting these wild, terrifying thoughts in her head.

Nancy wiped at her face and sighed. "But I can’t leave like this,Ezra will freak out if he sees the dried tears on my face. Where’s your bathroom?"

"Over there." Violet pointed stiffly, gritting her teeth.

"Thank you, daughter," Nancy sing-songed, clearly relishing Violet’s misery, grinning all the way as she disappeared into the bathroom.

Violet collapsed against the bed with a long, exhausted sigh. Dear God. She buried her face in the mattress, completely drained. But after a moment, a small smile tugged at her lips.

If Nancy was happy then fine. She could live with that. She was just about to let herself relax when she heard a hissing sound.

Violet’s eyes snapped open. Her head shot up, her heart sinking the second she spotted the source of the sound.

Oh no.

There he was.

Roman was creeping in through his usual little hole in the corner of her room, in his favorite snake form.

"Roman, no!" Violet hissed, scrambling off the bed. "Go back! Go back!"

She rushed toward him, waving her arms frantically to shoo him away. Oh God, please, Nancy’s still here! This was not the way for them to meet!

But fate obviously had other plans.

"Violet!" Nancy’s voice rang out from the bathroom, getting closer. "Why is your bathroom so—" She stepped into the room and froze mid-sentence, eyes widening. "Snake!"

Before Violet could utter a single word, Nancy grabbed her slipper with lightning speed, letting out a war cry. "Not on my watch, Satan!"

"No, wait—" Violet tried, reaching out helplessly but it was too late.

Nancy was already in full attack mode, charging after Roman, who hissed in panic and darted across the floor, desperately trying to escape her furious swings.

"Get back here, you little devil!" Nancy shrieked, aiming deadly blows as Roman slithered for his life.

With no other choice, Roman bolted to the corner, and transformed mid-slither. In a flash, he was fully human again, stark naked, red-faced, and sporting slipper marks all over his skin.

Nancy froze mid-swing, her eyes wide as saucers. She stared at the half-naked man now crouched in the corner, chest heaving from the chase.

"What the fuck?!" Nancy screamed, stumbling back, one hand flying to her chest.

"Nancy, wait!" Violet cried, rushing forward. "Calm down! Don’t be scared! This is Roman. He’s my... uh... my third boyfriend."

Nancy just stared at her, stunned into silence. Her brain visibly short-circuited.

"What the fuck, Violet!" she finally choked out, looking between Violet and Roman, eyes wild.

And just like that, Nancy’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted right away. Thankfully, Roman moved and caught her halfway to the floor.

Roman, still breathless and looking wildly disheveled, muttered to his unconscious mother-in-law in his arms. "Nice to meet you, I guess?"

Violet groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead. "Oh, for fuck’s sake."