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"Violet, Ezra has secured a place in District Seven. There are excellent human schools there, and you can attend without risking your life," Nancy said in a rushed breath, fully aware Violet didn't want to hear any of it.

"No. No. No. I don't want to hear that," Violet shook her head like the words were poison meant to corrupt her mind. She turned quickly to Lila, gesturing toward Nancy. "Are you going to stand there and let her do this?"

"Your safety is the priority. If District Seven is the safest place for you, I won't argue with that." Lila said calmly.

Violet gaped at her, the sting of betrayal hitting hard in her chest.

Roman stepped forward, placing himself in front of Nancy. "I'll protect Violet if that's what this is about."

But the sudden proximity triggered a sharp growl from Ezra, his instincts surging to the surface, perceiving Roman's move as a threat

Nancy raised her hand to calm her mate before looking Roman straight in the eye with a sneer. "Oh, really? Big talk for someone who peed on my daughter in wolf form and bullied her every chance he got."

"Oh fuck." Violet breathed, realizing Nancy knew more than she had let on. Someone had told her. She turned accusingly toward her friends, and her gaze locked on Lila. It wouldn't surprise her if the girl had told on her, using the excuse of 'protection' just to get her out of Lunaris.

But before she could speak, Daisy told her quietly. "It was Caroline Lancaster. She had a little mother-to-mother talk with Nancy when you left with the guys earlier." Her voice was heavy with meaning.

Violet's fists clenched. Caroline and Elsie! That mother and daughter duo were really testing her patience. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough to expose their rotten asses.

Roman blinked, caught off guard by the call-out, but he recovered quickly. "You're right, ma. I was horrible to Violet at the start, which is why…"

No one saw it coming when Roman dropped to his knees and began kowtowing before Nancy.

"Forgive me for my past sins, mother. I humbly request your permission to date your daughter, Violet Purple! Please, mother-in-law? Father-in-law?" He looked up at Ezra this time, hopeful.

It was safe to say everyone was speechless, Violet included.

Nancy blinked, completely lost. First Asher, now this? Was Violet planning to send her to an early grave? The horrifying reality of being the mother of a girl with four boyfriends was finally crashing down on her.

But Roman wasn't done. He pressed on dramatically, "I might have been a bad wolf once, but I'm a good kitten now.

Ask your daughter if you don't believe me.

I like Violet, and I want to be with her.

So please, don't take her away. I can take care of her.

I swear it on my balls. No, wait, not my balls.

I was planning to use those to satisfy your daughter—oh fuck, I shouldn't have said that… "

Roman smiled sheepishly as Nancy's expression soured.

"Goddess help me." Violet face-palmed where she stood.

Roman cleared his throat, recovering again. "The point is, I swear on my life to protect her." And not my family jewels, he added silently, bowing his face to the floor at Nancy's feet.

Nancy and Ezra exchanged helpless looks. They had come to take Violet away from this madness, only to get dragged right into the thick of it.

"Violet isn't going anywhere," a voice thundered just as the doors to Griffin's quarters opened.

Asher Nightshade stepped out, flanked by Alaric and Griffin. Their faces were hard, and unreadable. Asher was shirtless, his injured arm tightly wrapped in fresh bandages, yet he moved without a hint of pain. His eyes held that lethal, murderous glint Violet knew all too well.

This wasn't going to end well.

"Violet Purple is not going anywhere," Asher repeated, his voice carrying absolute authority.

Ezra met his gaze. "I respect you Asher, but this is a family business."

"With all due respect, Ezra, Nancy might be your mate, but the law hasn't officially recognized Violet as your daughter." He retorted.

Nancy cut in, her voice taut with emotion. "Your father tried to harm my daughter!"

But Asher replied coolly, "Apologies, but children don't get to choose the kind of father they have."

Nancy sighed. "You're a good kid, Asher, but that doesn't change the fact that Violet is no longer safe here. Your father—"

"My father can't take on all four of us," Asher interrupted.

As if on cue, Griffin and Alaric stepped closer to him, while Roman grabbed Violet's hand and pulled her to their side, placing her in the middle of them like a protected treasure.

"Before anyone can touch her, they'll have to go through us first," Roman declared boldly.

"She's safest here," Alaric added, electricity crackling along his body in response to his emotions.

"We'll protect her," Griffin said, his tone more of a vow than a statement.

Ezra and Nancy exchanged a bewildered look, clearly thrown off by the united front.

Asher's voice came again, cold and edged with command.

"And just so we're clear, I'm a cardinal alpha with powers while your husband is a sub-alpha who answers directly to mine.

Do you really think he can protect Violet better than we can?

That he can stand against my father when push comes to shove and win? "

Ezra opened his mouth to protest, but let out a defeated sigh instead. Asher's words stung, but they were true.

"Also," Asher's eyes darkened, his tone dangerous, "Violet is mine. Did you really think I'd let you take her away from me? I'd have hunted her down and dragged her back to where she belongs and that is right here at my side."

To make his point clear, he wrapped his arm around Violet possessively. The way he touched her sent a shiver down her spine. His words were both romantic and terrifying.

A chill swept through the room. No one dared to speak.

Standing taller, Asher declared, "No harm will come to your daughter, Nancy. Not on my watch. I believe that settles this conversation. Have a safe journey. I expect to see you at the gala tomorrow. Enjoy your night, because I certainly will with your daughter beside me."

Without waiting for a reply, Asher took Violet's arm and led her inside, Griffin and Alaric flanking them.

Roman, ever the showman, was the last to go. He paused dramatically, winking at Nancy. "Goodnight, Mother."

Then he closed the door on the stunned audience.