Chapter 30
Violet's POV:
The tires of my SUV crunched heavily over the gravel as I crossed the invisible demarcation line separating the Frost Pack’s pristine territory from the industrial wasteland known as the Buffer Zone.
To the uninitiated eye, this stretch of land—locally dubbed "Iron Ridge"—was nothing more than a festering scar on the landscape. It was a desolate expanse of rusted skeletal structures left over from the pre-war era, where the soil was too acidic for farming and the air always tasted faintly of sulfur.
I stared at the bleak horizon, a cold, predatory smile touching my lips.
Daemon didn't know. He couldn't possibly know that in my previous life, three years from now, a rogue geological survey commissioned by a desperate mining company would strike something far more valuable than gold beneath that poisoned soil. Deep within the bedrock of Iron Ridge lay the continent’s largest vein of Eclipse Ore.
"Keep your secrets, Iron Ridge," I whispered. "I'll take good care of you soon enough."
The atmosphere shifted dramatically as I drove deeper into the forest, leaving the industrial decay behind for the ancient, imposing grandeur of the Blackwood ancestral estate. The main house was a fortress of dark stone and ivy, standing as a testament to centuries of ruthless consolidation of power.
I found Victoria in the sunroom. She was seated in a high-backed velvet chair, a pair of reading glasses perched on her nose as she studied a crumbling genealogy scroll. When the maid announced my arrival, Victoria looked up, her severe expression melting into genuine surprise and warmth.
"Violet? My dear, you didn't tell us you were coming!" She set the scroll aside and rose.
"I wanted it to be a surprise," I said, stepping forward to kiss her cheek. The scent of old parchment and expensive rosewater clung to her. "Is Dominic around?"
"He's with the Council elders, arguing about border tariffs again," she sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "He'll be thrilled to see you."
I smiled and reached into my bag, pulling out a small, square box wrapped in midnight-blue velvet.
"I saw this and thought of you immediately, Victoria. I know your birthday isn't for another month, but I couldn't wait."
Victoria took the box, her eyebrows raising in curiosity. She lifted the lid, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. Resting on the white satin cushion was a piece of Deep Sea Blue Amber, polished to a perfect sphere. Even without touching it, one could feel the gentle, rhythmic pulse of oceanic energy radiating from its core.
"Violet... this is..." She looked up at me, eyes wide. "This is a healer's stone from the Abyssal Trenches. How on earth did you find one?"
"I have my sources," I said softly. "I know your knee still bothers you when it rains. If you keep this near you when you shift, it releases a hydrostatic field that supports bone density. It should take the edge off the transformation pain."
Victoria ran her thumb over the smooth surface of the amber, her expression softening into something profoundly touched. "This is magnificent. Truly." She let out a short, bitter laugh. "My own son hasn't given me anything this thoughtful in years. He just sends his assistant to buy whatever is most expensive at the jewelry store."
Daemon is a man of macro-management. He knows exactly what people want. He gave my father a vintage blood-wine that cost more than a house because he needs the Wildfire alliance. He doesn't need to buy your loyalty, so he doesn't try.
Dinner that evening was a formal affair, though the conversation was surprisingly spirited. Dominic Blackwood looked tired when he entered the dining hall, but his face lit up when he saw me.
Dominic swirled his wine. "Violet, staying at the manor all day... it must be stifling for a woman of your education. You graduated top of your class in management, didn't you?"
I dabbed my mouth with the linen napkin. "I keep busy, Dominic."
"Daemon has been... distracted lately," Dominic said, choosing his words with diplomatic care. "The board feels he’s a bit volatile. We need a steady hand at headquarters. I want you to come into Blackwood Dynamics. Officially."
I paused, my fork hovering over my plate. "In what capacity?"
"Executive Vice President," Dominic stated, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You are the Luna. Half of this empire is your responsibility. If you are in the office next to him, it sends a clear message of unity. It keeps the... distractions... at bay."
I understood immediately. They wanted to place me in the boardroom as a watchdog, a beautiful, intelligent barrier against any low-born she-wolves who might try to claw their way up.
In my past life, I would have viewed this as a burden. Now, I saw it for what it was: access. Access to company accounts, access to sensitive files, and a legitimate power base independent of Daemon’s bedroom.
"I would be honored, Dominic," I said, meeting his gaze evenly. "I think it’s time I took a more active role in the family legacy."
Victoria fussed over me as I tightened the straps of my saddlebags, ensuring the heavy load wouldn't shift on the winding roads back to the city.
"Now, I had the kitchen staff vacuum-seal everything so it would fit in your pack," she said, watching anxiously as I swung my leg over the heavy motorcycle. "There’s venison from yesterday’s hunt, some wild boar, and all the organic vegetables from the greenhouse tucked in there."
"Thank you, Victoria. I'll make sure we eat it."
The drive back to our marital home was uneventful. When I arrived, I called for Ruby.
The older woman came rushing from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Luna! You're back! We didn't know when to expect you."
"Help me unload the car, Ruby. Victoria sent enough game meat to feed an army."
Together, we hauled the heavy cooler into the kitchen. I instructed her to portion out the boar for the freezer, but to keep the venison out.
"Make a soup," I said, leaning against the marble island. "Slow-cooked with pine nuts and herbs. I’m craving something earthy."
Ruby nodded enthusiastically as she set a large pot on the stove.
"Does your daughter have a taste for venison?" I asked, leaning casually against the marble island. "We have far more than Daemon and I can finish. You should pack a thermal container for her to take back to campus."
Ruby paused mid-chop, a sheepish, apologetic smile touching her lips as she shook her head. "That is so kind of you, Luna, truly. But I shouldn't bother. Celeste... well, she’s terribly picky. That’s why she’s so tiny. I keep praying she’ll put on a little weight.
We were sitting down to dinner when the front door slammed open.
Daemon appeared in the archway of the dining room. He was wearing a dark charcoal suit, his tie loosened, and his hair slightly disheveled, as if he had run his hands through it in frustration.
He stopped, staring at me. He clearly hadn't expected me to be here. He had likely seen Sienna’s Instagram post from four days ago and assumed I was still gone.
He walked into the room, the tension radiating off him in waves. He pulled out the chair at the head of the table—opposite me—and sat down. Ruby, sensing the dangerous mood, quickly hurried over with a bowl and a spoon, placing them before him with trembling hands before retreating to the safety of the kitchen.
"Did you have fun?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Immensely," I said. "Good food, fresh air, no drama. It was revitalizing."
He scoffed, a short, sharp sound. He looked at the soup in front of him, the steam curling up in inviting ribbons. He was a wolf; the scent of high-quality, spiritually rich meat was irresistible. Despite his mood, he picked up the spoon and took a mouthful.
I watched him. I saw the moment the rich, gamey flavor hit his tongue. His shoulders dropped a fraction of an inch. The tension in his jaw relaxed.
He ate in silence for a few minutes.
"This is good," he muttered, almost grudgingly. "Where did you get the meat? The butcher in town doesn't carry grade-A venison like this."
"It's from the hunt at the Old Manor," I said casually, breaking a piece of crusty bread. "Your mother packed it for me. She was worried we weren't eating enough."
Daemon’s spoon froze halfway to his mouth.
Slowly, deliberately, he lowered the spoon back into the bowl with a soft clink. The relaxation vanished from his posture, replaced by a rigid, razor-sharp alertness. He looked up at me, his eyes narrowing into slits, the dark irises swirling with suspicion.
"You went to see my parents," he said. His voice was low, dangerous.
"I did."
"Why?" He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "Why the sudden pilgrimage to the ancestral home, Violet?"