Chapter 50: Simon

I’m furious at Greta. She knew to keep her mouth shut but she doesn’t think before she speaks. I glanced back at her as she followed a few steps behind. Jared followed behind her, hands on her shoulder and massaged them. It didn’t seem like Violet understood what Greta said, so that was good. If she did then that would be a different story. She will be watching what she says from now on.

Taking Violet’s hand, a shot of electricity ran through my arm and across my body. All I wanted to do was grab her in my arms and kiss her. Convince her that she was mine and that she belonged here with me and to never leave me. But the mate topic is hard to explain to non-wolves. No one has a connection as deep and unbreakable as a wolf. We mate for life. Violet was now my life.

I looked back at her in tow. She took in the rooms as we were going through. Enjoyed what she saw, looked at the grandeur. I saw this house every day of my life. It was normal to me. But I could understand where this would be a sight to see, for an outsider.

We walked to the dining hall. There were a few people scattered around. Their attention quickly moved from their table to me and Violet. This outsider they could feel as their Luna. Her power emanated from her; it showed her status to the others. They stared; she was their Luna but not a wolf. Their quizzical stares would bring attention and I’m sure Violet would want to know why they were staring.

“Back to what you were doing!” I shouted through my mind link to those that were staring. They quickly averted their attention back to their plates or the conversations at their table. Some brave wolves would sneak a glance at her but then quickly looked back at their table.

“It smells amazing.” Violet said behind me. “I hope your cook didn’t go through too much trouble.”

“Trust me, she was very excited to feed someone new. She’s always feeding the same group day in and day out. Now that there is someone new, she wanted to impress.” I pulled her to the kitchen where Stella stood over the stove and stirred something in a pot. “Stella.” I said and got her attention.

She turned around and beamed. She took her apron and wiped her hand and then tried to tidy up her hair. “Oh hello! I’m sorry I’m a mess.” She walked over to us and stared at Violet. “I’m Stella, I’m the one who cooks the meals and takes care of the house. So, if you ever wanted anything specific to eat just let me know and I’ll cook it right up for you.” She smiled at Violet.

“Hi, I’m Violet. And you look great.” Violet laughed slightly. I looked at both of them. Stella gave her a once over which only made her smile more. “The food smells delicious.”

“Thank you.” I could see Stella’s eyes welling up. “Would you mind if I hugged you?”

“Stella!” I said sharply.

“Oh, shut up! It’s fine.” Violet said, she gave me a slight pat on the shoulder. “I love hugs.” She walked up to Stella and put her arms around her. Stella took her into her bosom and squeezed.

“I am so happy to finally meet you. We were all so concerned.” Stella said as she continued to hug Violet. I was getting jealous of her.

“Stella.” I said in a stern voice as a warning. I didn’t want to scare Violet away and each person Violet sees they keep on giving information away. And her saying ‘we were getting concerned,’ may have Violet asking questions. Questions that I didn’t want to answer right now.

“Oh right. Right.” Stella released Violet from the hug but held her at arm’s length “Let me get a good look at you.” She inhaled and then exhaled, smiled, and released her. “Ok, now that’s over. Who’s hungry?”

“I am!” Violet said loudly and raised her hand.

Stella looked at me and nodded. She liked Violet already. If Stella backed Violet as the Luna, then she could help when we made this public knowledge. Not every wolf in the pack would like that a non-wolf was their Luna, let alone a witch. Even Jared had an issue with her. No matter what others thought, she was going to be their Luna and they had to get used to it.

“What are you waiting for?” Stella said. “Go take a seat and I’ll bring out the first course!” She shooed us out of the kitchen, and I took Violet to the table in the corner, which offered a little more privacy, away from the other tables. I pulled out the chair that faced the kitchen and motioned for her to sit down.

“Thank you.” She said as she sat.

I sat down next to her and grabbed her hand that rested on the table. Greta sat next to her and Jared across from her. “I hear that Stella has made an amazing meal.”

“I’m so excited. I haven’t had a real home cooked meal in ages.”

“Stella is an amazing cook. The other pack I was in had a shit cook. I’m so happy I moved here just for that very reason.” Greta said, Jared cleared his throat. “And of course, for you babe!”

Violet laughed. “That’s great to hear. Since I escaped, I’ve been living mainly off of pizza and things I can easily heat up in the stove. This is going to be amazing.” She looked over at me and smiled. I wish I could have her all to myself, away from everyone and just be with her. But this was a good next step in getting her to stay at the pack house. She knew Greta and that may also be a great way to get her to understand who she was for me and this pack. And to get her to stay, forever.

“Escaped?” I said, I held her hand tightly.

“Uh, yeah. As I said before, shit went down at my coven. I was ten and this psycho witch took over in an attempt to bring us back to our old glory. When he found out that I was a familiar witch he pretty much locked me up and waited for my turning. The night before, he threw me in a dungeon and tried to force me to marry him and use me as his weapon to bring down other covens.” Violet laughed nervously.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Greta said in disbelief.

“That’s the short version.”

“Why didn’t you ask for help?” I said. I realized I was clutching her hand tight, tighter than I wanted. I loosened my grip on her hand.

“Who would have helped us? I was a little girl and didn’t really know what was happening, and I had no real power. And those of us who fought got executed. Even those who came in to help got murdered. I was lucky that I had two people who helped me get out. They think that if anyone can save our coven it’s going to be me.” She looked down at our hands. “I’m learning everything on my own. And I don’t even have a familiar yet.”

Remus clawed at the walls and howled to be let out and screamed. “Me!” It felt like he was trying to break down a door. “Me!”

“Shh, shut up.” I said under my breath.

“Are you alright?” Violet looked at me. Her eyes were bright purple, the dress that she wore was brightening them and made them look as if they were glowing.

“Yes, just talking to my wolf.” I laughed. “Sometimes he likes to be loud and obnoxious.

Violet looked down at our hand. “I’d like to meet him one day. What’s his name?”

At her words Remus howled loudly, it made it hard to concentrate on the conversation. “He would be more than happy to meet you. Actually, he would bust out now if I didn’t keep him locked away. His name is Remus.”

“Remus. I like it. Like Romulus and Remus, the twins that founded Rome?”

“The very same.” I smiled at her. She was smart.

“Alright folks, here you go.” Stella came out with a kitchen hand and set down a bowl of soup in front of us. “Here is a creamy butternut squash soup. Please enjoy.” She looked down at Violet again and smiled.

“This smells amazing. Thank you!” Violet said as she grabbed her spoon and took a bite. “Oh my god, this is heaven.” She said as she took another spoonful.

“I’m glad you enjoy it. I’ll be out shortly with the other course.” She turned and walked back to the kitchen.

I looked at Violet as she continued to eat, she enjoyed every bite of the soup. I took a bite; she was not wrong. It was delicious. Stella really went all out and even on the first course. “This is really good.” I said.

She had soup in the corner of her mouth. “It really is.”

I laughed.

“What?”

“You have soup on the side of your mouth. Let me get it.” I took my hand and brushed my thumb against the corner of her mouth. I put my thumb to my mouth and licked the soup off. “Even better.” I winked at her.

She blushed and looked down at her soup. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

“I did not realize how hungry I was.” Greta said as she took the bowl and put it to her lips and drank it straight.

“You really haven’t changed.” Violet laughed at Greta.

“My whatever do you mean?” She stuck her nose up acting all high society. Even Jared, who sat quietly laughed at her. Violet finished her soup and sat her spoon inside. She looked satisfied.