Chapter 23
Violet's POV:
In his hand, Daemon held the diamond stud I had discarded in his car.
With a sickening crunch that echoed in the silent living room, he ground the jewelry between his thumb and forefinger. The platinum twisted. The diamond turned to dust under the sheer force of his lycanthropic strength.
He let the sparkling debris fall onto the Persian rug like toxic snow. His silver-flecked eyes burned with a mixture of violation and rage.
"You did that on purpose," Daemon growled. "Didn't you?"
I looked down at the ruined earring, then back up at him. I arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow in mock innocence.
"I simply took off an earring that was pinching my ear, Daemon," I said smoothy. "I didn't realize the passenger seat was consecrated ground."
I stood up, closing the distance between us.
"Or is it that you’re worried your little... friend... might get the wrong idea?" I tilted my head, feigning concern. "Did I ruin the mood regarding your latest charity case?"
"Watch yourself, Violet," he hissed. He leaned down until his face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my cheek. "Don't play games with things you don't understand."
His eyes darkened, the silver swirling like a storm.
"And don't you dare try to touch her. If you so much as look at that girl the wrong way, the title of Luna won't protect you."
I held his gaze. I refused to flinch under the weight of his threat, though a cold, hollow ache spread through my chest.
"Touch her? Daemon, I don't even know who she is."
I lied with the ease of a veteran politician.
"I didn't ask for her name. I didn't ask for her pedigree. Frankly, I didn't even follow you into the trees today," I continued, my voice bored. "You ran off to play hero alone while I waited by the road. I have no idea who was waiting for you in there. You're the one assigning importance to her, not me."
"Then why did you leave?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. "You unloaded the bike and took off without a word."
I shrugged, walking past him to pour a glass of water.
"You took too long, Daemon. I waited by the road, but you were clearly... occupied." I took a sip, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat. "I wasn't going to sit there counting pine needles while you played hero. Next time, try to be quicker."
He stared at my back for a long moment, the tension in the room thick enough to choke on. But my indifference seemed to work.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out.
A bitter smile touched my lips.
He protects her so well, I thought, looking at the diamond dust on the floor.
In my past life, the media never caught wind of Celeste until Daemon was ready. He shielded her from the paparazzi. He shielded her from the pack politics. He ensured her reputation remained as pristine as that white jasmine scent.
Meanwhile, I was left to rot in the spotlight.
My solitude was interrupted by the shrill ring of the landline.
I picked it up, Victoria Blackwood’s voice poured into my ear.
"Violet, dear? Are you resting?"
"Yes, Mother," I replied, my voice softening instinctively.
"I was speaking with the pack healer today," she said, the sound crackling over the line. "I need you to do me a favor, darling. Go to the apothecary in the majestic district. Pick up a course of 'Alpha Vitality.' It’s a very potent herbal blend."
"He won't take it, Mother," I said, trying to be the voice of reason. "You know how he is about supplements."
"Oh, don't you worry about that," Victoria chuckled. "You just buy it and bring it to the house. I have my ways of making my son listen. We’ll get you that baby soon enough."
The next morning, I found Ruby in the kitchen. She was folding neat stacks of linen napkins.
"Ruby," I said, putting on a polite smile. "I have a rather awkward favor to ask. My mother-in-law is obsessed with grandchildren. She’s demanding I get some... herbal assistance for Daemon."
Ruby’s face softened with sympathy.
"Oh, Luna, of course," she said softly. "These wealthy families... they put so much pressure on the young couples."
She hesitated, then lowered her voice confidentially.
"If I may, Ma'am? The 'Vitality' blend is good, but back in my village, we used 'Moonlight Essence.' It’s much stronger. More... immediate."
"Is that so?" I asked, feigning delight. "Then get that one. Victoria will be thrilled."
And every time you see Daemon and Celeste together in the future, I thought cruelly, you will remember that you helped buy the drugs meant to force him back into my bed.
Later that afternoon, I accompanied Lily to a high-end bridal boutique downtown.
The shop was a sanctuary of silk and tulle.
We were examining a rack of imported veils when the bell above the door chimed.
I glanced over and froze.
Celeste Morrison walked in.
She was flanked by two giggling classmates.
I watched from behind a mannequin.
Celeste’s fingers trailed longingly over a gown displayed in the center of the room. It was a minimalist, ethereal slip of silk that cost more than her mother made in a year.
The longing in her eyes was raw.
"It’s beautiful, isn't it?" I said, stepping out from the shadows.
Celeste jumped. Her hand snatched back as if burned.
"Luna! I... yes. It’s stunning. But we... we were just looking."
"Nonsense," I said. I signaled the sales associate with a flick of my wrist. "Wrap this one up for Miss Morrison. It’s a gift."
"No!" Celeste’s eyes widened in horror. "I couldn't possibly—it’s too much—"
"Take it," I insisted.
I pulled out my black credit card.
"Consider it a scholarship for your impeccable taste," I said. "You know, Celeste, in life, you should never settle for the cheap rental when you know the silk is what you really want."
I leaned in. My voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
"If you like this one, take it. If you settle for something else, you’ll spend your whole life looking back at this moment with regret. Some things, once you’ve set your heart on them, shouldn't be compromised."
Like mates, I added silently. Once you’ve decided on him, you won’t stop until you have him. So take the dress and own your ambition.
Celeste looked at me, confused but overwhelmed. She took the dress box with trembling hands, stammering thanks before fleeing the shop with her friends.
We left the shop and walked along the riverfront. The autumn wind bit at our cheeks.
Lily stopped by the railing, looking out at the grey water.
"I've decided," Lily announced abruptly. "After the mating ceremony, I'm retiring from the choir and focusing on the house."
I stared at her, aghast.
Lily possessed the rare "Moon Singer" vocal chords. And she wanted to trade it for diaper duty?
"Lily, are you insane?" I asked. "You could headline the Winter Solstice Gala. You could be famous across the Alliance. Why would you give that up?"
Lily shrugged. She kicked a pebble into the river.
"Because... it’s boring, Vi."
She turned to me, her expression unusually serious.
"You said it yourself," Lily said, twirling the straw in her drink. "I would succeed. I would be the best. There is no question about it."
She looked at me with a shrug, her expression devoid of passion.
"And honestly? A game where I know the outcome is a guaranteed victory before I even roll the dice... I just don't want to play it."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
A game where you know the outcome.
I was playing a game where I had already seen the ending. I had lived the ending.
I knew Daemon and Celeste were the true pairing. I knew I was the villain who would be cast aside.
And yet, here I was.
I was still stubbornly, foolishly trying to place obstacles in their path.
"You okay?" Lily asked, touching my arm.
"Fine," I choked out, forcing a smile.
When I returned to Blackwood Manor, the house was dark.
In the kitchen, Ruby had left a crystal decanter on the counter. Inside swirled a dark, viscous purple liquid—the 'Moonlight Essence.'
It looked like poison.
Give it to whom? I thought bitterly. He’s not even here.
I picked up the decanter, intending to pour it down the sink.
Suddenly, the front door slammed open. The force rattled the windowpanes.
Daemon stormed in.
Victoria must have dragged him back from whatever sanctuary he had found. She had probably lectured him the entire ride home about his duty to the bloodline.
He stopped in the doorway of the kitchen.
His eyes locked onto me. Then, they drifted to the purple liquid in my hand.
"What is that?"