Violet's POV
The corridor lights blurred as I forced one foot in front of the other, heading back toward the ballroom. Five minutes. Mark had given me five minutes, and I could already feel the weight of his countdown pressing against my ribs like a second heartbeat. My fingers still tingled from where I'd clenched them into fists when Madeline smiled that poisoned-sweet smile. Mateo's silence had hurt worse than any of Mark's bruises.
But something had shifted inside me while I stood frozen in that hallway. I wasn't going to walk back in there with red-rimmed eyes and trembling lips. Not again.
I paused just outside the double doors, drew in a long, steady breath, and straightened my spine. I smoothed the fabric over my hips, lifted my chin, and pushed the doors open.
The music and chatter washed over me again, but this time I didn't shrink from it. I scanned the room until I found Mark, standing near the center with two older Alphas, his posture rigid, eyes already searching for me. The moment our gazes locked, his jaw tightened. He excused himself from the conversation and strode toward me with purpose.
I didn't drop my eyes. I didn't flinch. He reached me in seconds, his hand shooting out to grip my upper arm, hard enough to remind me who was in control, but not hard enough to leave fresh marks in front of witnesses.
"Where the hell were you?" he growled low, his breath hot against my temple.
I met his stare without blinking. "Taking air. As I said. A headache."
His fingers flexed, digging in. "You reek of my brother."
I didn't deny it. Instead I leaned in just enough that only he could hear. "If you keep bruising me in front of your allies, they'll start asking questions. And questions could weaken your claim. Both of yours."
For one glorious second, Mark froze.
His wolf was right there, flickering gold in his irises, ready to snarl. But he didn't. The room was full of eyes, elders, rival Alphas, pack members pretending not to watch. He couldn't afford a scene. Not tonight.
Slowly, deliberately, his grip loosened, and he flashed me a controlled smile.
"You're learning," he muttered, but I pretended like I didn't hear a word he said.
He studied me for a long second, something calculating moving behind his eyes. Then he offered his arm like a gentleman instead of dragging me. "Come. We have more greetings to make."
I placed my hand on his forearm without hesitation, forced up a smile, then continued with the introductions as usual.
"And how is the new Luna finding her place among the twins? I heard she feels a bond for the two of you…" one of the guests asked.
Mark's arm tensed under my fingers.
I answered before he could. "People say a lot of things" I said, voice clear and calm. "And it's best to keep rumors to yourself, words like these are capable of putting one in trouble, don't you agree, dear?"
The man's brows rose slightly. Mark's did too, but he didn't contradict me.
Another Alpha, a younger one with sharp features smiled faintly. "A wise Luna is a rare gift."
Mark's jaw ticked, but again, he stayed silent. I filed every word away.
We danced next. Mark pulled me onto the floor with the same possessive grip, but I didn't fight it. I let him lead, then subtly adjusted my steps so we moved closer to where Mateo stood with Madeline and a cluster of high-ranking wolves.
When our rotation brought us near, I caught Mateo's eye over Mark's shoulder.
He stiffened. Madeline noticed, her smile tightening.
I offered them both a polite nod, then spoke loud enough for the nearby group to hear. "Alpha Mateo. Madeline. It's good to see you both enjoying the evening."
Madeline inclined her head graciously. "Likewise, Luna Violet. You wear the role well."
I smiled small, controlled. "Thank you. The pack needs strong, united leadership now more than ever. I hope we can all support that."
The words were polite. Perfectly acceptable. But the subtext hung in the air like smoke.
Mark's hand on my waist tightened fractionally, a warning. Mateo's gaze darkened, something raw flashing through it before he masked it with his usual charm.
"You're right, of course," Mateo said smoothly. "Unity above all."
Madeline's fingers curled tighter around his arm. Like she wanted me to see that she was right there. I paid her no mind, I didn't need to. The tempo of the music had changed, and Mark and I were already dancing towards the other side of the room.
The day soon grew old, and it wasn't long before dusk settled. By then most of the guests were gone, and Mark had left me an hour ago to attend an important meeting somewhere I didn't really know. I'd returned to my room, slept for a good forty minutes, and after that had headed for the gardens to sit and connect with nature.
It had been peaceful for some minutes, but the peace simmered away when Madeline's scent filled the air. I turned to see her walking towards the garden, a practiced smile plastered across her face as she walked towards me.
"Violet…" she called out softly, then took a seat right beside me. It was only when she settled beside me that I smelt Mateo all over her, they'd been together, intimate possibly.
"Madeline…" I returned with the same energy.
"The garden is nice, isn't it? I remember playing here with Mateo as a kid. Did he ever mention that he loves gardening?"
This bitch, I murmured to myself. She was here to rub the fact that she knew Mateo longer than me in my face.
"Of course not, such conversations do not interest me. Besides, why would I bother myself with what my brother in law likes?"
"You seemed really interested a day ago, asking him to marry you, take you away from Mark?"
Time froze for a second, and I glared at Madeline for a long minute. What exactly was she trying to say to me?
"Excuse me—"
"There's no need for hostility between us, Violet… Mateo is my man, and Mark is yours. And I think the earlier we both make peace with that, the better."
She didn't let me speak before getting up from the bench and sashaying away. I kept my eyes on her, still stunned by her audacity. She was definitely a force to reckon, I'd give her that. And I was certain she was the daughter of some big Alpha too. But that didn't matter to me, it shouldn't. I was the Luna here, and next time she crossed a line, I'd make sure she was punished for it.