VioletI didn’t have to worry about sneaking downstairs to toy with the locks that night, because by the time Olive dropped me off, everyone in the house had gone to sleep. Hours prior, I had sent Elijah a text message letting him know I wouldn’t be home until late, but he actually didn’t mind. I think he was elated to see me doing normal young adult things, rather than spending my afternoons baking by my lonesome, waiting for him to get home from work. To keep up pretenses, we had to stop by Olive’s house to grab her plum-colored Porsche, but I didn’t mind the delay. When I sank into bed late that night, a pleasant exhaustion settled over my shoulders and carried me into oblivion.It wasn’t the best sleep I’d ever gotten, but it was also a far cry from the worst. There was minimal tossing and turning with a hint of night chills, both of which were forgotten when I slipped out of bed that morning. Typically, I’d take two of my four pills at night. To say I felt different was an un

Hael’s P.O.V.‘Well, that was unexpected.’ Magnus commented, his voice somewhat amused even lost within the furthest reaches of my mind.I said nothing, standing there as I watched Violet scurry down the hall. She’d been cornered by Ethan Stewart, touched by the slimy piece of filth that now rolled on the ground groaning in agony. Without a trace of emotion on my face, my eyes slid down to the man in question.Thrashing a second time, Ethan’s head twisted up in my direction and finally, he noticed me standing there. I made no sound and gave no indication that I was currently drowning in fucking rage.I’d put out the memo days ago that Violet was mine.Well, I didn’t specifically say she was mine. Rather, I let the entire student body know she was strictly off limits, knowing they’d assume it was because of her lowly status in this pack.She was nothing but a sheep among wolves. One of the poor among the rich; beneath me, and beneath them.What incited my rage wasn’t that Ethan had dar

Hael’s P.O.V.I made a beeline for the roped off area, snatching a bottle of water off a waitress on the way. The closer I neared, the stronger the scent of cigars and expensive cologne became. A pair of baby blue eyes burned into mine as I stopped just a few feet away. They weren’t as pale as hers, but no one’s were.I didn’t bother glancing at the bodyguards that tried and failed to intimidate me. It was a hard feat to accomplish when the target of your intimidation had a good foot and a half over you.The man I’d come to speak with, whose pale eyes snagged my own, waved the bodyguards away.Lorenzo Santino would’ve been every woman’s wet dream if it weren’t for the constant sneer on his face. Where Cole could emulate any emotion he pleased, and I could wipe away every trace, Lorenzo could do neither. Everything he felt was on clear display at all times.More often than not, he had a habit of acting like a spoiled child. Neither werewolf nor human had the gall to call him out on it,

Violet’s P.O.V. I tumbled headfirst into bed that night exhausted beyond belief. Between Eric, Olive, and I, we’d managed to get the pub ready for opening night. Eric himself had installed the hardwood floors and replaced the peeling wallpaper, which already made the place look a million times better. While we were in school, he replaced the light fixtures and got a few friends to bring in more furniture. After deep cleaning everything from the molding along the walls to the shelving unit Eric had taken off the old owners, the musty scent that had filled the pub was all but gone. We hung a few pictures up, mostly poster advertisements for the latest brands of beer and liquor and used a level to make sure each one was straight. All that was left was for Olive and me to rearrange the tables and chairs while Eric unloaded the truck and made sure things were stocked and prepped for tomorrow night. It was by pure luck that we had enough time to finish our homework, but not only did I fi

Violet’s P.O.V.I woke a second time with a start, slapping a hand over my chest as I registered a presence in my room. Groggy, and with sleep clouding my eyes, at best all I could make out was a hazy figure. Blinking rapidly, my vision cleared, and I was left staring at Sylvia’s contemplative face.“Apologies, dear.” She said silkily, tapping away at the screen of her phone.She didn’t sound all that sorry, but I didn’t take offense to it. This was her house, after all. Besides, Elijah had already warned me about how she was.Sylvia looked up from her phone, smiling softly before tucking it away in the pocket of her charcoal blazer. The make-up that painted her face was light and airbrushed, perfectly tailored to her high cheekbones and slender nose. She had that effortless natural look that many women tried and failed to achieve, but it only made sense considering she had a team of stylists at her disposal.“Good morning?” I yawned, combing my fingers through my hair.Since meeting