LOGINThe slip happened quietly.That was the most terrifying part.Violetta noticed it when Asher’s hand tightened around hers—not painfully, just enough to make her glance down.His fingers were longer.Not by much. Just enough to be wrong.Her breath caught.“Asher…” she whispered.He followed her gaze.And froze.The skin along his knuckles darkened faintly, veins standing out like black threads beneath the surface. His nails weren’t claws—not yet—but they were sharper, edges catching the light.“No,” he breathed. “Not now.”He tried to pull his hand away.Violetta didn’t let him.Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears, fear licking up her spine—but she stayed. She forced herself to stay.“You’re still you,” she said, though her voice trembled. “I’m right here.”Asher’s jaw clenched. Sweat beaded at his temple as the curse reacted violently to her closeness—confused, enraged, cornered.“You shouldn’t see this,” he said hoarsely. “This is what comes before—”“Before
The night didn’t end with tears. It ended with silence—heavy, sacred silence. Violetta lay awake long after Asher thought she had fallen asleep, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing beside her. His arm rested protectively across her waist, as if he were afraid she might disappear if he loosened his hold even slightly. For the first time since the attack, the room didn’t feel like a cage. It felt like shelter. But somewhere deep inside Asher, something shifted. At first, it was subtle—an ache beneath his skin, a heat that bloomed slowly in his chest. He frowned in his sleep, jaw tightening, breath growing uneven. The curse was awake. It always sensed closeness. Safety. Attachment. Those were its favorite things to corrupt. Asher’s fingers twitched against Violetta’s side, claws threatening to surface. His heartbeat thundered, loud enough that Violetta fel
Violetta woke up screaming.Her body jolted upright, breath tearing out of her chest as if she had been dragged back into that dark room again—hands on her wrists, the smell of alcohol, the sound of a man’s voice dripping with cruelty.“No—! Please leave me…” She looked around frantically as if she wanted to escape this place. Arms wrapped around her instantly.“Asher,” she gasped, clutching at his shirt as if the world might vanish if she let go. Her nails dug into him, shaking, desperate.“I’m here,” he murmured, pulling her fully against him, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other rubbing slow, steady circles down her spine. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.” Her sobs came hard and broken, muffled against his chest. Her body trembled like it hadn’t realized yet that the danger was over.Asher closed his eyes.Every tear felt like a silver blade on his heart.He rocked her gently, pressing his lips to her hair again and again, whispering reassurances he wasn’t sure she could
The first thing Draven felt was wrongness.It hit him mid-sentence when he was giving his speech in another building... miles away from Violetta. A sharp, gut-deep pull—violent and unmistakable.Violetta… she was in danger. He could feel her fear through the bond which became strong because of her closeness to Asher. His voice faltered for half a breath during the speech. No one noticed. No one ever noticed the moment a predator woke.His fingers curled slowly at his side.The bond screamed.He didn’t finish the applause.He left the building and called the guards. Gerald was ready with the car and he felt like his life was on the line. “Hurry up, Gerald! Or It will be too late,” The strain in his voice made Gerald worried. *****************The room was dark.Too dark.Violetta’s back hit the wall, the impact knocking what little breath she had left from her lungs. Her hands pushed weakly against the man in front of her, her body heavy, unresponsive, traitorous under the drug flo
The projector hummed softly as it came to life.A white screen descended at the front of the office floor, drawing everyone’s attention. Conversations died down, curiosity replacing judgment. Asher stood beside the senior, one hand tucked into his pocket, posture relaxed—but his presence commanded silence without effort.“Let’s put an end to the confusion,” Asher said calmly. “Display Violetta’s designs.”Violetta’s breath caught.She hadn’t expected this. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her sleeve as the first slide appeared.And then—Gasps.Her designs filled the screen with elegance and depth. Clean lines blended with intricate detailing, bold concepts softened by emotion. Every piece told a story—luxury without excess, innovation without arrogance.Whispers spread like wildfire.“This is… incredible.” “The detailing—did you see the layering?” “That’s competition-level work.”Violetta stood frozen, heart racing, cheeks warming as she felt eyes turn toward her—not with suspic
The office floor went unnaturally quiet when Asher arrived.Not because he raised his voice. Not because he caused a scene.But because something about him shifted the air. Everyone knew about his power and authority and how much Alpha Draven gave value to his private guard. Even Gerald came after him, so it was better to respect his authority. He walked in with measured steps, his presence sharp and unyielding, eyes scanning the room until they locked onto one figure. Claudia.She froze.Asher stopped a few feet away from her, his expression calm—, but it was the kind of calm that came before a storm. No one was expecting him to visit the office today, so it was quite a surprise for everyone. “You,” he whispered while looking towards Claudia. His anger made her shudder. Claudia swallowed. “I… I was just—”“Enough,” Asher interrupted, his tone slicing clean through the space. “You will not speak unless I ask you to.”Every head turned. Violetta stood near the washroom entrance,







