Page 377

In the hallway, Violet was cradled against Griffin's chest like a baby, her legs stretched out and resting on Roman's lap as he used the opportunity to gently massage her toes.

People walked past and gave them curious stares, but none of them cared, especially Violet, whose distant gaze stared through it all.

Alaric in question stood in the corner, answering calls. Once he hung up, he turned back to the others.

"Apparently, our parents are in a meeting with the Alpha King, which is why I can't get a hold of Alpha Henry.

But I've informed Jeremiah, and he's keeping the news on the low.

He thinks we shouldn't let this get out at all and that's what Asher would want.

Unless it turns life-threatening, no one wants to deal with Alpha Henry. "

"He's right," Roman said, nodding. "Henry's a handful and even I, I'm not ready to deal with him.

Besides, we came here in a rush without any cover and it wouldn't surprise me if this is already in the news.

" He cast a worried glance at Violet. People were going to drag her online if they found out how this all went down.

What was a student doing in a club like that, anyway?

Griffin scowled. "I'll make some calls and stop this before it spreads. We don't need more scandals."

"Me too," Alaric said grimly.

"I'm so sorry, guys. This is my fault. It's my fault all this is happening." Violet barely finished the words before Griffin growled in warning.

"I love you, Violet, but I swear to the gods, if I hear one more apology from your lips, I'll tape your mouth shut.

So something happened, then what? How is that your fault?

And what's the point of having us as your boyfriends if we can't handle one minor inconvenience?

" His voice was fierce, and his gaze seared into hers until she looked away, wanting to shrink beneath it.

Griffin might always look like the gentlest of them all, but everyone knew when he got angry, he snapped. And when Griffin did, it was a whole other kind of destruction. That was why her big guy almost never got angry. Or at least, he tried not to.

So Violet wisely kept her mouth shut, afraid of provoking him further. They had enough problems on their hands already.

As if on cue, the doctor stepped out of the emergency room, the lines on his face etched deep with concern. He pulled off his gloves slowly, his gaze sweeping the waiting area.

"Are any of you family?" he asked, his eyes briefly landing on Violet who was already on her feet the moment she spotted him. The others stood too, tension rising in the air like smoke.

"We're his friends," Griffin said. "And pack."

The doctor gave a short nod. "That's good enough."

He sighed. "Asher suffered a brain aneurysm. A serious one at that. If he hadn't been brought in as quickly as he was, he wouldn't have made it."

The room froze.

Violet's stomach twisted, bile rose to her throat. Asher had what? A brain aneurysm?

"Brain Aneurysm?" Alaric repeated as if what the doctor said didn't make sense. "That's impossible. We're werewolves. We don't get things like that."

"You're right," the doctor said. "It's rare, but not impossible. You may be werewolves, but you're not immortal. You're just harder to kill."

Roman's eyes darkened. "So you're saying he's had this condition all along?"

If Asher had hidden this from him — his best friend — Roman swore he'd wring his neck the moment he woke up.

"That's where I'm curious," the doctor continued. "Has he ever been diagnosed? Any symptoms? Intense migraines? Nosebleeds? Blackouts?"

Everyone turned to Roman, who knew Asher best.

"Nothing," he said, jaw tight. "Asher's been fine. He's one of the strongest bastards I know. No signs ever."

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "I was told he has psychic abilities. Mind-based powers?"

Violet answered this time. "Yes, but he hasn't been using them. Not lately. Not at all, as far as I know." She glanced at the others.

"No," Griffin confirmed.

"You're right," Alaric agreed.

"Hasn't used them once," Roman added.

Violet turned back to the doctor. "Besides when it happened…" Her cheeks flushed. "We were… er, together."

The doctor, to his credit, didn't blink at the implication of her words. "Yes, I've been filled in on the circumstances, miss purple. That's what concerns me more."

He held up a chart. "According to the scans, this wasn't gradual. There were no pre-rupture signs, no swelling. It hit him fast, violently, like a strike of lightning. Almost as if something attacked his mind from within."

"Attacked him?" Roman repeated, eyes narrowing.

"That's not possible," Violet breathed. "It was just us in the room."

"Maybe," the doctor said, his tone calm but firm. "Or maybe something was triggered. I don't know, it's just theories I'm making at this point. But whatever the cause, one thing's clear: his werewolf physiology saved him. A human would've died on the spot. So yes, he's lucky."

Griffin, Roman, Alaric and Violet all looked at one another with relief. It was good news Asher was fine, but now, they were left with more confusion and suspicion.

The doctor scanned their troubled faces. "No need to panic for now. He's stable. We've done what we can, but this is beyond human medicine. We've called in a werewolf specialist. He'll be here in the morning. Also, if you have a healer, now would be a good time."

"Thank you," Alaric said, stepping forward to shake his hands. "Thank you for saving our friend. We'll make the calls."

The doctor nodded and turned away.

As soon as he left, the boys huddled close, beginning to whisper and exchange ideas, making plans within themselves.

Violet didn't mind she was being excluded because she had demons of her own to face.

"Attacked from within." That line wouldn't leave her alone for strange reasons.

She kept seeing the moment Asher had looked at her as if he had seen something that didn't make sense to him.

A cold chill spread through her chest because deep down, Violet couldn't shake the feeling that she had done this to Asher.