Chapter 123 A Clear Goal

Chapter 123 A Clear Goal
Violet quickly scans the page, her face softening into a sympathetic frown as she folds it back up. "Oh, Cassian... I'm so sorry. But you'll find her, I know you will."

"Even if I track her down right now, she won't stay," I say, the realization hitting me like a physical blow. "I... I have to marry her, Violet."

It feels harsh to say out loud, and I know how unfair it sounds. Pushing aside my arrangement with Violet just so I can be with Nova is a huge move, but I refuse to lose her again.

I don't care about the backlash or the pack politics anymore, I'm doing what I should have done from the very start.

Violet blinks, turning to look at Ariel for a second before meeting my gaze again. "You want to make Nova your wife?"

"Yes," I say, my voice steady and completely firm. "I need her back here where she belongs, and I refuse to let her live in the shadows as my secret. I want her as my wife, I want to build a future with her, and I want her standing right beside me as Luna of this pack."

I watch Violet's face closely, bracing myself for the hit. I fully expect her to snap, for her cheeks to flush red and her temper to explode right here in the foyer.

Instead, a huge smile breaks across her face, and her eyes light up as if I've just handed her the best news she's heard all year.

She gives my arm a playful smack, grinning from ear to ear. "It's about time you came to your senses!"

I blink, caught completely off guard. Violet has always been quiet, steady, and reserved, it's one of the qualities I've always respected about her.

Seeing her practically bursting with excitement right now makes her feel like a completely different person, and as surprising as it is, it's amazing to see.

"Wait... you're not angry?"

"Not at all! Go marry her!" she insists happily. Even Ariel is beaming beside her, her usual shy demeanor completely melting away.

"What about your position?" I ask, my brows pulling together. "I don't want to just strip your title and throw your life off track."

"Are you kidding? Ariel and I can finally do what we've been dreaming about for months," Violet says, wrapping her arm around her lover's waist.

"We can get as far away from my father's shadow as humanly possible and build a real life together."

"A little cottage tucked away in the woods, with a flower garden and fruit trees," Ariel chips in, her face lighting up with pure joy.

I stare at them for a second. I always knew Violet was pushed into this marriage out of duty to her family, and

I had my doubts about whether she actually wanted the Luna title, but I had no idea she had a whole secret vision for her future already mapped out.

"It's not that I hated the idea of being Luna," Violet adds softly, reading my mind. "I just always felt like I was holding a spot for the person who was actually meant to be here."

A genuine smile finally breaks through my panic. "You deserve to go live that dream life, Violet. Truly."

"Here.... give these to Nova," she says, reaching down to slide off her wedding band and the engagement ring, pressing both metal bands into my hand. "They were always meant for her anyway."

I look down at my palm, staring at the delicate silver band and the simple, elegant diamond. My mother passed those rings down to me, just like her mother did before her.

And now, they finally belong to Nova.
I'm going to make her my wife. I just need to go find her first.

"Head out tonight," I tell them, not taking no for an answer. "I'll give you enough funds to get settled comfortably, and I'll make sure money is sent to you every month for as long as you need. I'll also make sure your father never finds out where you two went."

Violet's cheeks flush with warmth. "Cassian, really... you don't have to do all that."

"Go live your life and be happy, Violet. Nobody deserves it more than you do," I say softly.

"You deserve that same happiness," she replies, giving my forearm a gentle squeeze. "Make sure you tell Nova that when you find her."

I give her a small, tight nod as she and Ariel race back up the grand staircase, eager to pack their things and slip away into the night. I truly hope our paths cross again someday, once Nova is back home as my wife and the dust has finally settled.

Taking Nova as my bride is going to stir up a lot of controversy, and it could definitely shake my standing with some of the older pack members.

But standing here now, I realize I just don't care anymore. Any doubts or hesitation I used to have are completely gone.

"Cassian."

The sharp call of my name makes me turn around. My mother is standing near the hallway arch, watching me with guarded eyes.

She looks like she's been crying, her face pale and drawn as if she hasn't had a full night's sleep in weeks.

"Where did she go, Mom?" I ask, stepping closer to her.

She pulls her arms tight around her chest. "What are you planning to do?"

"Do you trust me?" I tighten my fingers around the two silver rings in my palm, determined not to let them out of my sight until they're safely on Nova's hand.

"I... of course I trust you."

"Then tell me where she went." A part of me wondered if my mother had pushed Nova out the door to protect my image, but looking at her face right now, I see something entirely different.
Nova is gone, and my mother is actually terrified.

"I honestly don't know where her final destination is, but I let her take one of the estate cars," she confesses, her hand shaking slightly as she brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Gerald is stationed outside, he'll know which vehicle is missing."

"I'm not coming back here until Nova is by my side. Put all pack business on hold until I return," I say firmly, turning straight for the heavy oak entrance.

"Cassian!"

I stop with my hand on the brass handle, looking back over my shoulder. "What is it, Mom?"

"Just bring her back safe," she says softly, offering a faint, hopeful smile. "Please."

I give her a single, decisive nod. With a sharp surge of determination fueling every step, I push the heavy front door open and march out into the night to find her.