LOGINVIOLETBrian's lips were warm against my forehead, but I couldn't find it in me to rise with the sun as he did. After the events of the day and night before, I needed to stay longer in bed before I could confront a new day.And he had really worn me out. I wasn't certain my exhausted legs would obey if I tried to move them, so I didn't.The next time I awoke, I made my body move. It creaked and groaned, but it worked. A half win. Calvin was in the sitting area when I emerged.My senses were still dulled so I didn't notice him until I was in there. “Calvin?” I exclaimed, surprised by his presence. My hair was an abandoned nest, and I was wearing an ugly pair of Brian's shorts and an equally ugly shirt. Their comfort made up for their extreme ugliness and I wasn't expecting company.I expected he would be placed on bed rest and by the look of him, he should be. His arm was in a cast and a sling over his shoulder, and he groaned quietly when he stood. “Luna.”I was unsure of what to do o
VIOLET Calvin… blood… rogues Help… I had to help… Calvin!!! I came to with a jump, but my foot slid on something slippery and I flailed, limbs dancing in the air for one hot minute before I fell. A strong arm broke my fall, and the room came into focus. I recognized that pleasant smell. Brian and I regarded each other for a moment; he, hesitant and wary, me disbelieving and confused. Brian was here, I was here. How was I here? I fell into his arms for a much-needed hug, and he exhaled the tension I had no idea he was holding. I sagged against him, letting him shoulder all of my worries before Calvin's painful whine snapped me back to the present. Brian let me go the moment I pushed away. I was in a tub of water that was growing crimson. The colour itself stuck to me, covering my body like another skin. It covered Brian's body, too, where I had clung to him. I turned to Brian but fear didn't let me ask the questions that hovered at the tip of my tongue. “Calvin is oka
VIOLET I quietly wiped the single tear and faced forward. My choice had been made, and the surety that I wouldn't regret it was now up to fate. My future lay ahead. But pain ignored logic. My heart still ached with every mile that separated me from Hunter and my family. Was it worth it? I would find out whether I intended to or not. “The holiday wasn't as bad as I'd imagined,” Aliya suddenly uttered, nudging me out of my sour state. “The pancakes were better,” Calvin added begrudgingly. Was this their attempt at lightening the mood? It was such a poor attempt so why was I smiling? “But the meat isn't as good?” I asked playfully. “The meat is always better, back home.” Aliya agreed. “Yes, it is.” I don't think their attempt helped much, but the pressure in my chest eased a little. I wasn't as alone as I thought. The slight awkwardness of our conversation hung somewhere on the road as we covered the miles. Sleep was far from me, so my eyes remained open as we counted down the
VIOLET I never returned to the packhouse. Dinner was had with my family and when I met Hunter's eyes across the table, I could smile genuinely. After dinner, I found my way to the porch swing. Hunter had it done when he was fifteen, and we had spent many afternoons and evenings together here, just swinging the time away. My brother came just like I knew he would. Wordlessly, I scooted over so he could sit beside me. Then, I leaned over, resting my head on his shoulder as he did. “Do you have swings at your new pack?” he asked, wrapping a hand around my shoulders. “No,” I murmured in reply. “Tell him to make you one.” I giggled at the thought. Forcing Brian to make a swing on his tiny porch may not go over well. “I will.” The evening air was still cold, and a tiny breeze made goosebumps break over my exposed skin, my simple shorts and sleeveless shirt inadequate against that small rage of nature. “I wish you didn't have to go away.” He suddenly said, his voice raw wi
VIOLET“Long day?” Liz queried as I entered the house, noticing my dark mood.It had been just over an hour since I left and here I was, unwilling to step out again. Rowan was in his cage of pillows, fully asleep and Liz was seated beside him, patting his back gently. Motherhood was a good look on her. She was somewhat different; her black hair was longer and was always in a ponytail now, and she exuded peace and a quiet comfort. Like this was her purpose.“Very long day,” I murmured, crouching right next to her. “Where's Aliya?” She was nowhere in sight.“So that's her name. She has no understanding of sitting still.”A soft smile graced my lips. I doubted they did much sitting still at their pack. “She's our beta, I'd be worried if she liked to sit still.”“They have found other places to keep busy with.”“You did not make my beta clean your house.”Liz laughed lightly. “I doubt I can make a beta do anything.” “You make a delta I know do things all the time. I'd say you know your
VIOLET Something, or rather someone, slammed into me the moment I entered the packhouse. Just before my body touched the floor, I twisted, forcing my attacker under me. Aliya would be proud. I straddled Coda’s stomach, pinning him to the floor, though I suspected he was just letting me think I'd pinned him.I was out of practice. Former me would have keyed in the moment Hunter let me enter first.“You shouldn't sneak up on a woman.” I grinned triumphantly down at him.Calvin, who was behind Hunter, made his way in then, “Luna,” he growled, and I suspected that was meant for Coda.He rushed forward, pausing only at my lifted hand. I could tell he wanted a fight. But we were in the packhouse of a different pack and he was about to attack the alpha's son because of me, like I was some damsel in distress. He was getting dangerously close to pissing me the fuck off with his recent attitude.Hunter said nothing but watched the interaction closely while Coda was the image of relaxation ben
VIOLET My body felt sore. The pads of my feet hurt the most, and I almost asked Brian to carry me back—Almost. In the end, I sucked it up and kept my mouth shut.As usual, Brian was ahead, leading the way. I wasn't in the mood to speak, but I worried about how long it would take to get us home. G
VIOLET Thirty minutes later, I was ready. It felt warmer today, so I picked out another pair of shorts that stopped at my knees, and a breathable shirt. My hair was in a loose but firm bun, and I was armed with my knives and Sheila's medicine in case I needed it. I had taken the dose, but one
VIOLET My head hurt. So bad. Like that one time I lost a bet, and Hunter whacked me over the head with a blunt piece of wood. Mom was raving mad, and I carried a huge bump for days.Scratch that, this was worse. I wanted to detach my head from my body. My first mistake was indulging with Emily, a
VIOLETI didn't want to go back in, but I really needed to have a bath. Now that the heat was gone, I felt sticky, like I had another layer of skin that needed peeling off.And at the same time, I didn't want to run into Brian. I was more than ashamed and when my numbness faded, I knew I would feel







