VIOLET SWAN.

꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎

I can’t wait to get the hell out of this stupid town called Grayville. Nothing ties me here—except this stupid bond that means jack squat since the other end keeps rejecting me like I’m trash. When I finally get to the office, everything’s dead silent. Either everyone’s buried in work… or the council’s here. And of course, Aarón’s already showed up.

Because why wouldn’t he? His highness barely steps foot in this place—so of course he picks today to show up. Just my damn luck.

“Violet!” Lanny calls out. I walk over, and the second I see that look on her face, chills run down my spine. I know that scheming grin way too well.

“I don’t like that look,” I say flatly.

“Girl, you’ve gotta spill everything,” she says, practically bouncing. “First, you go to dinner with him, and now he moves you to his office? Vi, come on—there’s no hiding it. Aarón’s finally claimed you as his—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I snap, jabbing a finger at her. I’m so done with this crap. “None of that is true. The dinner was just business—nothing like what you and the whole damn town are making it out to be, Leilanny.” She shuts up the second I use her full name. “Let me be crystal clear: there’s nothing going on between me and Mr. Alpha.”

I look away so she won’t see how close I am to crying. I blink fast, swallowing the lump in my throat. I’m tired of feeling wrecked over the same thing. I won’t let him see me break.

*“Stick to the plan, Violet,”* I tell myself. *“Just get through the day.”*

“I get it,” Lanny mumbles. Now I feel like crap for snapping. She’s my oldest friend—I don’t want to hurt her. “Vi, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine, Lanny. Really,” I say, forcing a smile. “Let’s just get to work. We’ll talk at lunch.”

“Whatever you say, Vi. See you at break,” she says, and I let her go.

I sink into my desk chair, already dreading the day. I just hope this stupid assistant gig doesn’t mean more run-ins with Aarón. But of course—like the universe’s listening—the man himself appears. His icy blue eyes lock onto mine like he’s already planning my funeral.

“Swan. My office. Now.” His voice is pure steel.

I take a breath, stand up, and drag my feet toward his office, stalling as long as I can. He’s waiting in the doorway when I get there. Great. I swore I’d get revenge… but I still have no clue how.

The second I step inside, he slams the door shut. My heart jumps into my throat. I’d rather file a year’s worth of paperwork than be alone with him. And yeah—I know exactly why he’s pissed.

“Sir?” I say, gripping my notebook like a shield. Guess the whole “invisibility to Aarón” thing isn’t happening today. Please, please don’t bring up last night…

Perfect. He’s ignoring me. Good.

“Violet,” he finally says, voice low. “Tell me you’re not mixed up in those rumors flying around Grayville.”

“Trust me, no one wants this to blow over more than I do, Mr. Connor,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “It’s not exactly fun being the town joke.” I square my shoulders. I’m not letting this arrogant jerk walk all over me—not today. “If that’s all, I’ll get back to work.”

I turn to leave—but before I reach the door, he barks my name and yanks my arm. My back hits the wall before I can blink. I squeeze my eyes shut. I won’t look at him.

“Open your eyes,” he growls.

I shake my head.

“Violet. I told you to obey me.” His grip tightens.

“Just leave me alone! You’re a monster, Aarón—I’m so done with this…” My voice cracks as pain shoots through my arms where he’s holding me.

Where the hell did my courage go? His scent, his heat—it’s scrambling my brain. I open my eyes. And there they are: those cold, blue eyes that wreck me every damn time.

“What a shame,” he sneers. “Now you’re stuck with it, cupcake. Never thought saving your life would cause me this much trouble.”

“I’d rather have died than live like this!” My throat burns from yelling. His rejection, his cruelty—it’s eating me alive. “Just let me go!”

Tears prick my eyes. I duck my head so he won’t see. He doesn’t get to watch me fall apart.

“Damn, you’re dramatic,” he mutters, but his hand lifts my chin anyway. “You’re staying right here while I meet with the council. I don’t want those old fools seeing you, you stubborn girl…”

“Why?” I snap, swatting his hand away. He just grabs me harder, pressing me against the wall, his palms framing my face.

He tilts my head like I’m some doll he’s inspecting. Smirks. Leans in—so close I feel his breath—and just when I think he’s gonna kiss me… he pulls back. Leaves me breathless and confused.

“Because I give the orders,” he says, voice sharp. “And if I say you stay, you stay. Or you’ll regret it.” He walks out, leaving me shaking, furious, and completely lost.

I stand there for a second, finally breathing again.

*“He’ll never stop hating me.”*

I stumble to the black leather couch, my legs like jelly.

“I don’t know why I keep obsessing over this,” I whisper. “He hates you because you’re in the way of his perfect future.” I swallow hard. “He hates that you’re half-human—you’re not ‘alpha material.’ And you knew that from the start, Violet.” My eyes burn. “To him, the pack always comes first—even before the mate the moon chose for him.”

꘎♡━━♡꘎

AARÓN CONNOR.

꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎

I walk into the council room, and all seven old wolves stand up like I’m royalty. I head straight to the head of the table. Violet’s tear-filled eyes are still burned into my mind. If she knew how much it kills me to make her cry, she’d stop pushing me. But this is how it has to be—whether she likes it or not.

“Morning, gentlemen,” I say, leaning on the table. My eyes lock onto Levi—my uncle, and the biggest pain in my ass on this council.

Nothing I do as alpha satisfies him. And I’m sick of it.

“I called you here about the outsiders flooding into Grayville,” I say. “Some are getting bold, and Red Moon’s stayed peaceful long enough—”

“The problem isn’t the outsiders, nephew,” Levi cuts in. “It’s your leadership.” My jaw tightens. “You’re not setting boundaries. You’re letting anyone waltz into our territory without vetting them.” The others shift nervously. “We didn’t bleed for this land just to lose it on your watch. Stop mooning over that omega and start leading. You’re not a pup anymore—this isn’t a game.”

Murmurs ripple through the room. The tension’s thick enough to choke on.

“Hold on,” Claus says—he looks young, but he’s over 150. “Levi’s got a point…”

“What’s your point, Claus?” I snap. I’m done with their sanctimonious crap.

“We’re not doubting your strength,” he says carefully. “But Levi’s right. It’s been over a year since you took over. Every alpha needs his moon. Find a she-wolf of noble blood—one who matches your status.”

“So now you’re picking my mate?” I laugh coldly.

“Red Moon’s power depends on pure blood,” he says. “And we all know that half-breed’s working here now.” Just hearing her called that makes my fists clench. “Mixing with outsiders weakens us.”

“This isn’t about Violet,” I say evenly. “I called you here about security—not my love life.”

“This is about your love life, Aarón,” my mother says, gliding in like she owns the place. She’s in a dress that matches her long silver hair, ruby lips, sky-blue eyes—ageless, elegant, dangerous. “Claus is right. You need your moon. Someone worthy. With exiles everywhere and those bloodsucking vamps lurking, we need strong alliances.” She spits the last part like it’s poison. “Honestly, I can’t tell which is worse—those hybrids or the undead rats.”

She’s right about the threats. But not about Violet.

“I don’t need a mate,” I say, meeting each of their eyes. “I’ve got this under control. Meeting’s over.”

There’s more to discuss—but I’m done. As the others file out, my mother stays. Of course she does.

“Just send that half-breed away, Aarón,” she says softly—the same thing she’s been pushing for months. “I’ll put her somewhere safe. You can visit when you want. But let her go.”

It’d be easier. Safer.

But I can’t.

I won’t.

“Not happening,” I say flatly.

Cassandra stands, heels clicking like gunshots. “I didn’t raise a weak pup, Aarón. I made you an alpha. So why the hell is some foolish girl running your life?”

“I already told you—she’s not leaving!” I snap, forgetting for a second she’s my mother. She’s been trying to run the Swans out of town since she found out Violet’s my mate. “And we’re not talking about this again. Got it?”

She steps closer, eyes blazing—but I stay silent. Arguing’s pointless.

“I’ve got work to do, Mother.”

“All I want is for this pack to survive,” she says, voice softening. “Your father ruined everything by letting half-breeds in.” She pats my shoulder and leaves, the room empty.

This is why I can’t let Violet go.

Even my own mother would throw her away without a second thought.

And I’ll be damned if I let that happen.