Mag-log inVIOLETThe judgement chamber had never felt so hostile. Or maybe I’d just never been in it before.I stood at the center of it, shoulders squared, chin lifted, and every instinct in my body screaming at me to run even as I forced myself to remain perfectly still. Tonight, the very walls I’d once admired felt like a cage closing in around me.Around the circular table, the senior members of the pack sat rigidly in their seats, their faces carved from stone and suspicion. Alphas from allied packs occupied the outer ring, their expressions guarded, and almost like blades. Did anyone else feel like they were drowning or was it just me?At the head of the chamber stood Lucian. He hadn't looked at me since I entered. Not once. Not even a glance.That absence of acknowledgement cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I kept my gaze trained on him anyway, willing him to meet my eyes, to give me something. Anything. Something that told me we were still on the same side. That what we had wasn't abou
VIOLETLucian didn’t follow close as I hoped he would. Yeah, it had stung a bit. I got that he had responsibilities that needed his attention.He was Alpha. He had a pack to lead. That was all understandable really. I couldn’t just expect him to make sacrifices for me all the time.Given, he’d already sacrificed so much. I wasn’t about to demand that he do that again. Not now, not ever.I would fight and do my best for him. I would stand by him and do what was right. And if that stopping whatever expectations of comfort I had from him, then so be it.I would have to sacrifice.“That was a lot,” Reese blew out a breath, running a hand over her tummy. I noticed she’d been doing that a lot.She did when she was tensed, when she was happy, and when she had absolutely no reason to even do so. It warmed my heart a bit to see her so…content.And I didn’t miss the way Zayn’s eyes always seemed to find her. It didn’t matter where she was, or what mood she was in.He watched, and waited with th
VIOLET“Good morning.”How do you act normal and fine when you’re hiding a secret that could set everything into straight chaos?I stared at the empty bed space, my heart churning once again.The morning had arrived too quickly. Memories of last night lingered in my head unending, and for the second time that morning, I was filled with the urge to just slumber forever.Morning had slowly crept its way into my room, the streaks of light almost unwelcomed as they illuminated the whole place. Even the very ceiling I’d spent the whole night staring up at.I’d been stupid to think I’d be able to get some sleep. It didn’t help that Lucian had been right beside me all this time. Sleep had come only in small fragments. A good amount of time, it had been brief, restless moments. Often it would be interrupted by the echo of Tristan’s voice in my head.I just want peace.Was that really all there is to what he actually wanted? Peace? Just peace? The weight on my own decision seemed to press heav
VIOLETYou’d think I’d learnt my lesson by now. But what doesn’t kill you comes back to finish the job right after.The letter arrived just before dusk.I knew it was important the moment the knock came at my door. It had been soft, hesitant, the kind that carried unease and uncertainty with it. I was seated near the window, watching the sky slowly bruise into shades of purple and grey. My thoughts were drifting in slow, heavy circles I wasn’t sure I could escape even if I wanted to“Luna?” It sounded like a male.The guard called quietly from the other side of the door when I didn’t answer immediately. “There’s… something for you.”Something.Not someone. Not a message from Lucian. Just something. My fingers curled slowly in my lap before I finally found the courage to stand up. “Come in.”The door opened, and the guard stepped inside the room. His whole form was rigid and uncomfortable, like he would much rather be anywhere but here. He didn’t meet my eyes as he extended a sealed e
VIOLETPain was something I’d long since learned to live with. It wasn’t something I was so unfamiliar with. For the longest time, it’s been all I’ve known too.“Just breathe,” I mumbled underneath my breath.That didn’t help anything. It never did. But the longer I went at it, maybe I’d be able to convince myself that it actually did something.Another wave of pain tore through my chest, making me wince hard. It wasn’t supposed to feel this way.Pain had been my constant companion for as long as I could remember. It came from any and every one. It didn’t even have to be physical. It followed like a forlorn shadow, hell-bent on sending me to damnation.Back at West Creak, it had come from every direction possible. Sharp words, cruel hands, the ache of rejection that still lingered like a bruise beneath my skin. Was there ever a time that I hadn’t felt this way?At some point, I’d gotten used to it. Saw it as something of second nature even. You tell a mutt she’s useless long enough, a
LUCIANWar wasn’t something I was a stranger too. I’d fought many of it, partook and even stood at the very spearhead of everything. I’d been at the vanguard of fights, clawed my way to blood soaked soil.This wasn’t my first war.But one thing I’d never completely shake through was the blood that always clung. The blood that feels like it’s somehow permeated its way into your nails. The kind that hugs your very hands like a shadow forever damned to unrest.I hate it.But to hate and still be aware of your very incompetence in such a matter is something of a curse I’m all too familiar with.Letting out a breath, I pushed the door to the war room open and immediately headed to the head of the table.“Update.” I growled.Feylin came up to my side. “He hit two of our standpoints, body count at both totals fifty.”My chest tightened at his words. I should have expected the worst from this situation really. But hearing him say this didn’t make me feel the slightest bit better. I shoved the
LUCIANThere wasn’t any reason for doing that—deciding to help Violet with her training. Deep down, I couldn’t quite explain it to myself either.It was just something I did without thinking. I let out a breath before putting off the shower. The days were going by faster than I could keep track of.
VIOLET“So what it is?”I didn’t bother wasting time as I went straight to the point. Being in the confines of Lucian’s office wasn’t something I found comfortable.Coupled with the fact that he hadn’t said anything about seeing me that way last night, I didn’t know what to make of anything.“Sit d
Lucian’s POV.There was once a time when I could feel any and everything all at once. I carried my emotions with everything that little heart could muster.That was over two decades ago.I’d long since smothered that piece of shit that only ever made me do stupid things. How did that help?It made
Violet's POVOne thing I would always pride myself on was my profound ability to act, put a smile on my face and go about as the unfeeling bad ass I thought myself to be.Forget traumatic pasts and borderline bullying.I was it!Well, that was what I liked to tell myself. It helped sometimes, kept







