Violet huh?

Ezekiel's POV

I glanced at my phone screen, and there it was. A call from my father. Shit. What the hell did this man want now? Every time his name popped up, it was never good news. The guy could ruin my mood without even trying.

I slapped quick handshakes with my friends and was already out of the café before the little Omega even noticed me.

It had been one hell of a day. First time I’d ever sniffed a scent that strong, like it was daring me to follow it. Took a ridiculous amount of hesitation not to walk over and start running my mouth. Even after I left, the air still felt heavy with her scent, clinging to me like it had paid rent in my head.

If I didn’t speak to Jeremy, I would speak to Daniel, and Jeremy was still busy stuffing his face anyway. Good thing Daniel was already making his way toward me.

I hadn’t even reached my father’s main office when I spotted him — Daniel, the clown of our group, waving at me like an idiot. I slowed my steps. Maybe talking to him would take the edge off. My head was too busy for its own good today.

“Hey, Daniel,” I called, keeping my tone soft as he got closer.

“Yeah?” He answered with a shrug. “You were in a damn rush, what’s up?”

Yeah, I’d been in a rush. But my father? He’d still raise his voice whether I showed up early or not.

I ran my fingers through my hair, exhaling. That little Omega was messing with my head in ways I didn’t appreciate.

“Do you know anything about the girl at the counter today?” I asked, trying to sound like I didn’t give a damn, even though I knew I was failing.

Daniel narrowed his eyes, probably trying to figure out why I was suddenly interested.

“Okay?” He said, brow furrowing. “Why would you want to know about her? Did she bother you or something?”

“No.” I shook my head, letting another sigh slip out. “It’s just…”

I couldn’t think straight without her barging back into my thoughts. Like an annoying fly that wouldn’t buzz off.

And the fact she was my mate? Yeah, my wolf was practically pacing, wanting to claim her. But I wasn’t here for that fairytale crap. I didn’t want a mate. I wanted a quick fuck and then to get out.

I hated that the moon goddess got to pick who was supposedly perfect for me. Shouldn’t I be the one making that call?

It was the same goddess who had screwed my father over, tying him to a bond that was now broken. Two months later, he still couldn’t accept it.

And now, on top of dealing with him trying to convince me to take over as Alpha, this mate scent pops up? Yeah, just what I needed.

“Can you just tell me who she is?” I asked, letting a little edge creep into my voice. “She seems cool to fuck.”

“Well, hell no, Ezekiel.” Daniel scoffed, glancing around and lowering his voice so others wouldn’t hear. “Don’t even go there. You can have other girls, but not her.”

“Why?”

“Because her father is batshit crazy, and so is her fiancé. Not to mention the rumors about her.”

“Woah!” I raised my brows. “Is it that bad?”

“Bad?” Daniel gave a sharp laugh. “It’s horrible, man. Her father breathes down on anyone who looks at her like a rabid dog, and he goes around telling people she killed his mate. Basically labeling her as a mate killer.”

“What?” I frowned, trying to picture it. She didn’t look like someone who could kill a fly, let alone a mate.

“Dude, don’t tell me you’re thinking about her.” Daniel huffed, punching the air lightly like he was shadowboxing.

I rolled my eyes.

“What’s her name?” I asked instead. The look on his face made me grin. He knew me too well. To me, every pretty girl was fair game, no matter what labels people threw around.

“I can’t believe you’re asking me this.” Daniel muttered before answering, “Her name is Violet, but man, you really should stay away from her.”

I had already drowned out the rest of his words.

Only her name registered in my brain.

Violet, huh?

Well, we'll see how things go between us.

I shook Daniel’s hand before he could start lecturing again. Time to deal with the annoying man who’d called me.

Didn’t take long to get to my father’s office. Guards were everywhere, dipping their heads as I passed until I stopped right in front of his door.

I sighed, then pushed it open without knocking.

“You called?”

“So rude.” My father growled. “Couldn’t you even knock?”

“Why bother when you already know it’s me?” I rolled my eyes, dropping onto the loveseat in the corner. “What’s up?”

He frowned, maybe to hide that he was pissed I hadn’t shown up sooner. “I have something to tell you.”

“Isn’t that why I’m here?” I snorted, scrolling through my phone. “Just spill it.”

His scowl deepened, but instead of snapping, he just looked tired. “I am stepping down next week.”

“Next week?” I shot to my feet. “You can’t be serious. Why would you want to do that?”

“I am as serious as it is, Ezekiel,” he snarled. “You are twenty-five years old, not a kid anymore. It’s time to man up. If you are worried about a mate, I have it sorted out.”

“The hell? No. No to no. I’m not ready to be Alpha now.”

“Oh, would you grow up, Ezekiel?” He roared, standing too. “I took over this pack when I was barely eighteen without hesitation. Now you’re twenty-five and whining like a kid?”

“Well, fuck you. I’m not you.”

“And I don’t care what you say. A week from now and you’ll become the Alpha, or so help me, I’ll make you,” he glared.

My jaw clenched, anger humming in my veins. Bullshit.

“These were the letters I wanted to send to you but we didn’t find your exact location. It contains details of everything you’ll take charge of, starting next week,” he said, sliding the papers toward me.

I snatched one up, hissing under my breath before turning and walking out.

“Ezekiel!” He shouted after me, but I didn’t look back.

Fuck him. So he became Alpha at eighteen without blinking. Good for him. I’d take my sweet time. Fathers really needed to learn we weren’t carbon copies of them.

I glanced at the paper as I walked. The first line was about how painful Mother’s death had been and how I should come home to talk things out. Was this his idea of talking?

A smirk tugged at my mouth as I shoved the paper in my pocket. I’d thought my day couldn’t get any worse, but apparently, it could.

I needed peace. I needed to get out from under all this crap, even just for a while.

Partying would mean dragging my friends along and putting on a show. Going into the woods? That meant maybe finding a rogue or two to vent my frustration on, or just lying under the breeze by the oak trees.

The second I stepped into the woods, my head started to clear. I took slow, measured steps toward an oak tree up ahead. Felt like even the rogues had decided to stay out of my way tonight.

Then I heard it.

Crying.

The raw, tired kind of tears that makes your chest tighten even if you don’t want it to.

I turned my head toward the sound, and her scent slammed into me again, filling my lungs like it owned the place.

Violet.

What the hell?

She was sitting there, tears streaking her cheeks, looking so damn small and alone.

And just like that, my mood twisted into a mix of anger and something else I didn’t want to name.

Why the hell was my mate crying all alone out here?