VioletPhoenix stares at me for a long time after I told him that he is not his curse. It’s true, he’s not, he’s so much more than that, but he can’t see it. All he can see is the destruction he’s capable of if he allows his temper to go too far.I stare back into his hazel eyes, focusing on the bright green circle around the pupil. He clears his throat, his eyes breaking away from mine before they roam down my body. His eyes flicker back to mine and I can feel heat rushing to my cheeks after seeing the way he looks at me with such longing, such… lust. Then, he breaks the ice by asking, “Was that a tattoo I saw on your hip?”My cheeks turn a deeper red, knowing how intimately he saw me. I slowly nod my head and say, “Yeah, it was.”His head tilts to the side, his eyes looking at my hip that’s now covered by a black t-shirt. He asks, “Does it mean anything? All I really saw was a glimpse of black.”It feels like there’s cotton in my mouth and I don’t know how to tell him what it is he

VioletThe next morning comes way too fast. I’m dreading being around Magnolia after last night. Guilt still resides inside me and it’s so heavy that it makes me feel nauseous.I took things too far, that was my fault, but she was ignoring me and pushing both me and my wolf. I needed her to stop and… I regret it.I walk out of my room to the dining room and the moment my eyes meet Magnolia I can feel the tension in the room. She stares at me for a moment before putting her dishes in the sink and walking out the door without saying anything. Cora looks up at me with confusion shining in her eyes and Charlie asks, “What just happened?”Cora murmurs, “I’m wondering the same thing.”I breathe out through my nose as I walk over and scoop myself some oatmeal and pour myself a cup of tea. Cora’s questioning voice says my name, “Violet?”I turn back to her and she asks, “What’s going on?”My eyes flicker between her and Charlie and I shake my head and say, “It’s nothing, really. We got into

MagnoliaOnce Violet left us to go see her mate, Charlie, Cora, and I watched a movie. Once it was done, Charlie was looking at playing a video game or watching another movie and Cora went to the kitchen. I follow her, taking advantage of this rare moment I have that I can talk to her alone.She’s washing dishes and I stand beside her drying them. My eyes flicker up to the clock, Violet’s been gone for almost three hours. I wonder how long she’ll be out for. I ask Cora, “What do you think of this whole thing with Violet and Phoenix?”Cora shakes her head softly and responds, “Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to question the moon goddess. She must’ve made them be destined for some reason. We might not understand it or agree with it, but that’s what she ordained.”The thought of the moon goddess makes my stomach churn with frustration. Cora seems to pick up on my frustration and asks, “What are you feeling, dearie?”She stops what she’s doing and turns to me, concern in her ey

MagnoliaI hate to admit the fact that I liked Phoenix’s answer. He seems genuine, he seems… kind behind that mysterious mask he likes to hide behind. Even my wolf, Ada, murmurs her agreement with me.There’s more to Ada than what the eye sees. I know everyone will think of her as a giant monstrosity that is powerful and capable of barreling through in battle. And she is capable, she’s well aware of it. I can feel the power within her, the pride that she has knowing what she can accomplish if she wanted to.But I believe she also has an intuition on who we can trust and whether or not they’re lying. Phoenix and his black wolf surprised us that first night, but now, seeing him in person when I’m not so shocked… his words ring true. Ada is trusting him, Violet trusts in him, I think Charlie does too. I think that my initial reaction was wrong.But I’m scared of falling into a false sense of security. I have to know, without a doubt that I can trust in him. So, I ask him more questions.

MagnoliaI pace back and forth in the dining room. It’s well past breakfast time and Violet still hasn’t come back. Frustration fuels me, my nerves are shot as I wonder if he did something to her.Cora and Charlie walk back in from tending to the garden and Cora scolds me, “Violet, you’re going to burn a hole in my floor with all that pacing.”I force myself to sit as I murmur, “Sorry.”Charlie chugs a bottle of water before putting the bottle in the sink and saying, “Come on, let’s go check on her.”Cora looks at us silently, her eyebrows raised as she silently questions us. I huff as I push myself out of my seat, it’s the only way I’ll feel better. I have to see her.As I put my hand on the door knob Cora says, “Make sure you guys are home by dinner. I’m pretty sure your parents will be here tonight and we don’t need anyone getting suspicious.”I nod my head and walk out with Charlie right behind me. It makes me tense to see my parents, I don’t like deceiving them and I know they wo