All Chapters of Violet CLAW: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

"I didn't mean for it to happen! How could she strike me like that? I haven't felt the sting of a palm since I was a pup. The pain is unbearable..."Behind Blake, Talia continued her rhythmic sobbing, desperate to wring a drop of sympathy from him. Ever since Blake had discovered the truth of their night together in the harsh light of morning, he had treated her like a leper, refusing to even share the same path off the ship.But as Talia wailed, she caught the freezing, predatory glare of Cole Ryder. The weight of his gaze was suffocating, but his words were like silvered glass."Your parents clearly lacked the spine to discipline you," Cole remarked, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Ivy simply did the work they were too weak to finish. You should be thanking her.""Mr. Ryder, have I truly offended you so deeply?" Talia gasped, her eyes wide with manufactured hurt. "Why is it that whenever the Mercer girl draws blood, you’re the first to offer her a bandage? I’m the one carrying t

I saw Jane’s jaw tighten, the porcelain mask of the perfect Luna-to-be fracturing for just a second. She didn't stay to argue; she pivoted on her heel, muttering some excuse about a high-priority patient, and vanished down the sterile corridor.I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and stepped back into the ward. My mother, Elaine, was practically glowing—a sight that should have warmed me, but instead, it felt like a warning."Dr. Yoris is so poised, isn't she?" Elaine mused, her eyes following the door. "She’s brilliant, beautiful... tell me, Ivy, does she have a mate? A High Alpha, surely?"The reminder of the stolen phone and the island sting flared in my chest. "Can we talk about something else, Mom? You’re acting like she’s your own pup."I bit my tongue before I could ask if her obsession was because Jane was William’s blood. Mentioning the "First Love" always sent Elaine into a spiral of fragile grief, and I couldn't risk her health.Elaine’s smile faltered, her shoul

I’d spent enough time under Cole’s shadow to recognize the storm before the lightning struck. The way his jawline went rigid was a tell-tale sign—he was seconds away from a lethal flare of temper.I didn't want a scene at the medical center, so I pivoted, reaching for the kind of flattery Sally swore worked on high-ranking Alphas."No, what Noah has, you have too, Cole. Only... more. Much more."A male likes to be reminded of his dominance, especially in the physical sense. I just wanted to douse the fire before it scorched my workplace. If his "Luna" Jane caught wind of us, she’d make my life a living hell.Cole’s golden eyes widened, a predatory glint replacing the anger. "And how exactly do you know what I have compared to my lead scout? Have you been scenting his trail, Ivy?"The heat rushed to my face, burning all the way to my ears. "That’s—that’s not what I meant!"Seeing my genuine mortification, Cole’s aura settled. The tension bled out of him, replaced by a dark amusement. H

"You both have the blood of the Old World in your veins. The pups you’ll bring into the pack will be legendary. You really ought to have a large litter."I couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. I wasn't mocking my mother; I was laughing at the sheer absurdity of her hope. Cole Ryder wouldn't even give me a public acknowledgment, let alone a bloodline. But Elaine completely misread my reaction."What’s so funny? Don't tell me you don't find him handsome? I haven't seen a male with that kind of primal grace in all my years. For a face like that, Ivy, you should be the one to back down whenever you two have a spat."I was speechless. Apparently, even in recovery, my mother was not immune to the High Alpha’s charms. It’s a shallow world when even a Mercer matriarch judges by the curve of a jawline.Two days after the surgery, once I’d secured a trusted omega nurse to watch over her, I returned to my shift at the medical center. I was the only one left to provide for us; I couldn't afford

I couldn't help but steal a glance toward the shadows of the restroom stalls."Get out," Cole rumbled, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke directly into my space. I turned my head, coughing as the heavy, grey haze filled my lungs.I’ve never been fond of the scent of tobacco, so I didn't linger. I shoved the heavy door open and stepped back into the hallway, but his voice caught me from behind."I’ll be at the penthouse later for our appointment."I froze for a heartbeat. I wanted to snap back and ask exactly what "appointment" he was talking about, but then the memory of the medical center flashed through my mind. I remembered the surge of gratitude I’d felt when he stood by my mother, and how I’d impulsively invited him back to my den.Heat flooded my cheeks as I recalled the sheer absurdity of our last night together. I quickened my pace, feeling like a prey animal fleeing a particularly dangerous predator.In my haste to escape the restroom area, I nearly collided with Diane Ryder’s s