MagnoliaWe all walk back into Phoenix’s room. Violet’s dad, my uncle, Donovan is lying on the couch and he pops up when he heard the door open. Phoenix talks in a soothing yet respectful voice as he says, “Sorry sir, didn’t mean to frighten you.”I freeze as Donovan stands up, he looks so fragile. I don’t know why I expected him to look any different, but it’s certainly alarming seeing how small he looks with his bones so obviously showing. Violet walks over to him as she asks, “Why are you lying on the couch when you could be in the bed?”He shrugs, “Don’t worry about it, Violet. This is better than I’ve had in a while.”I notice Violet’s face is pinched with worry, but she doesn’t say anything especially now that her dad is up on his feet and is bringing out his hand to shake Phoenix’s and saying, “Donovan Stone, thank you for allowing me in your room.”Phoenix smiles politely and says, “It’s not a problem, sir.”I notice that Phoenix doesn’t say his full name and for a moment I wo

VioletThe kiss that Phoenix gave me was so soft yet demanding. It contradicts itself, but my toes curled from the perfection of his kiss. The first time he’s done this type of public display of affection. It surprised me, and yet I’m glad he did it. Like he was officially claiming me and accepting as his mate.And then he asked, “How would you feel if I asked you to be my Luna?”I stare at him in stunned silence. Then I couldn’t help but feel painfully aware of that fact that almost everyone in this room is a werewolf and has enhanced hearing. Even though he did whisper his question, it doesn’t change the fact that the whole room knows our conversation.He’s staring at me waiting for me to answer him. That wolfish grin he has slowly fade as he can see the apprehension in my eyes. I gulp down the lump in my throat and force myself to breathe out before I grab his hand and ignore the heat coming from it as I bring him to the bathroom.The heat from his curse doesn’t bother me, it doesn

Phoenix I stay by Donovan when Violet walks away to talk to Cora. I’m hoping Cora will even be able to help, I know that our situation is well, unique.Honestly, I’m surprised how kind Donovan is toward me considering whose son I am. He doesn’t seem to care and instead asks me questions about myself and my relationship with Violet. I tell him anything he wants to know, wanting him to feel comfortable with me, wanting him to know I would never do anything to harm her.We fall into silence for a moment and I ask, “Do you not care who I am?”The corner of his mouth twitches up in amusement and he shakes his head, “I don’t care that you’re Xavier’s son. That doesn’t mean that you’re bad. And I want my daughter to be happy, if you do that then you’re good in my book.”

Violet I rush into the room of souls, leaving the door open knowing that soon Charlie and Magnolia should join me. I feel Charlie’s presence when he enters the room. I question, “Mags?” He hums an ‘I don’t know’ sound. I huff, focusing on the chamber in front of me. We can’t release the souls, not until Cora gets here. What am I supposed to do in the meantime? Just guard them and make sure that Xavier doesn’t get a hold of them? The chamber looks like it’s connected to the floor and ceiling what if he’s able to access them from another room. My stomach churns, full of anxiety at the thought of him having this kind of power. A chill runs down my spine and I turn to see Beatrix walk through the door. She gives me a wicked grin as she asks, “Did you really think your novice level of magic could trap me.” Charlie tense beside me, ready to attack if he needed to. But I tell him, “I’ve got this, focus on the chamber. We can’t let her get to it.” He gives a nod before stationing himse

Violet Everyone freezes seeing the position that Xavier has my mother in. He stands tall, a smug smirk on his face knowing that no one here is going to risk her life. My mother’s blue eyes find mine and they widen upon seeing me. Xavier’s eyes roam around the room, trying to assess the damage and when his eyes land on his daughter, still unconscious on the ground, his eyes narrow and he growls out, “Who?” Phoenix surprises me as he moves forward and states, “Me.” He pauses for a moment, looking at his father’s position and he crosses his arms as he asks, “Do you intend to hide behind that gun forever, father? Or will you fight like a real man?” My head snaps to Phoenix, my eyes wide. He does realize that Xavier has my mother, right? And that he has a gun and who knows what kind of bullets could be in there. They could be laced with wolfsbane or enchanted with some other kind of poison. Xavier growls, angered by his son’s words, and he moves the gun from my mom’s head and waves it a