Chapter 3 - Violet

Of all the people I could have entered into an arranged marriage with, Nile was the last man I expected. The man I had loved so many years ago—the man who had rejected me and left me brokenhearted—was now asking me to put on a front in front of our packs and pretend that we were happy together.

I was of half a mind to tell him to stick his proposal where the sun didn't shine just to enact some form of revenge against him for his ill treatment of me, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was torn somewhere between wanting to rush into his arms and wanting to slap him.

Instead of exercising either of those options, I found myself standing stone-faced in front of him.

He looked almost the same as when I had first met him, although he had more lines to his face now, and his black hair was cropped short. His face was no longer covered with a beard but rough stubble. Clearly, being alpha of the Pinedale wolves had offered him more opportunities for grooming and self-care than when he'd been a rogue living in the wilderness.

One thing that hadn't changed was his tall, muscular form. I had always been rather slight, and his presence was just as intimidating as it had always been. If I didn't watch myself I could tell I would be in danger of falling for him again—which absolutely could not happen. Not after he had taken away all my dreams of romance, love, and happily-ever-afters.

So far, he had done most of the talking. I had been shocked to see him and had wanted answers to a few of my burning questions, but I couldn't quite move past the fact that he was the alpha .

"Violet, please tell me what you're thinking," Nile said softly. He moved ever so slightly toward me, and I gave a sharp intake of breath, eyes flickering up to meet his. He had waited while I took in my new circumstances, and I remembered how patient and protective he had always been. My heart ached for the love we had once shared as I answered him.

"I don't know," I admitted. "Everything, all at once. I'm thinking about everything."

The lines between his eyebrows deepened as his emerald eyes bore into mine, drilling me with a look that was a mixture of concern and curiosity.

But how could I explain that my mind was traveling back to the memories of our time together?

My patrol duty shouldn't have taken this long, but a scent had driven my wolf Lavender off track. There were rogues in the area, and I needed to locate them so I could report back to Alpha Lex and call in reinforcements to secure the area.

Unfortunately, they found us first.

Lavender and I were strong but young and untested. And more importantly, we were alone.

"Look, boys, a delicious dessert just fell into our laps," one of the men teased, transforming into his human form to taunt us. "I've always loved the taste of honey."

Lavender did have honey-colored fur, but my wolf was far from sweet as she stared down the menacing group of interlopers. She bared her teeth, growling in warning as one of the wolves stepped forward.

Far from dissuaded, the man laughed at us. "Don't worry, darling. We'll be quick. We have far better places to be tonight than wasting time in the woods with a little thing like you."

Springing into action, I pounced on the man, hoping I could take him out before his companions prevented me. I had always been quick and spry, but before I could deliver the killing blow, I was toppled over by the others, allowing him time to transform into his wolf.

The next few minutes were a rush of teeth, fur, and claws as I battled for my life against my four attackers. It was a hopeless endeavor, but Lavender and I refused to give up and die quietly. We continued to fight back, ignoring the pain of our injuries as we became weaker and more damaged with each passing moment.

Just when I thought all hope was lost, I heard snarling and gnashing from the trees behind me. In a moment, a rush of wolves darted out of the forest and fought against my attackers. Led by a pure black wolf, my saviors decimated the rogues and rescued me from their attack.

I was far too weak to get myself back home, but I needn't have worried. Nile appeared where the black wolf had just stood, assuring me he would get me to safety. I had no choice but to trust him as I gave in to my exhaustion and passed out.

By the gift of the moon goddess, he had been telling the truth. Nile had left behind his band of rogues and brought me back home to Sparkle Hollow, where he told the alpha about my encounter in the woods and made sure I was taken care of.

I awoke the following day, safe in my own bed and insistent that someone find the man who had saved my life. I demanded that they return him to my side so that I could thank him for stepping in when he wasn't duty-bound to do so.

From the moment he was summoned to my side, we became inseparable. Now that I was conscious, I made it clear that I didn't want him to leave, and he felt the same way. Sometimes he would disappear for a few hours, but he always returned. Day and night, he tended to me, ensuring that I made a full recovery.

And when I was healed, I showed him all my favorite places.

The wishing well—our first kiss.

The covered bridge—he said he cared for me more than anyone he had ever met.

The wildflower meadow in the starlight—I told him I felt the same.

I was sure he was my true mate, and I gave myself to him, body and soul. It was a whirlwind romance that felt as if it were straight out of a storybook.

We fell asleep under the stars, wrapped in each other's arms, and I felt blissfully happy and at peace with my world. I decided right then that when the sun rose the next day and kissed our faces, I would draw my fingers through his hair, wait for him to open his eyes, and confess my love to him.

But it wasn't to be.

I woke up in the morning to the sunlight on my face, but Nile wasn't with me. He had left me naked and alone on the ground. I searched for him, scouring the surrounding forest until my legs grew too weary to carry me.

Collapsing, I cried until my throat was sore and my eyes were swollen.

Something had gone wrong between us, but I would never find out what it was. He had left me with no way of contacting him. No answers—no closure.

The entire life I had planned for us had disappeared without a trace, along with the man I thought I had loved.

I came back from the forest a changed woman, unwilling to open my heart up to anyone. I sank deep inside of myself. I had loved him freely, and he had broken my heart. Never again would I allow myself to be wounded in that way.

My vow to myself to never get my heart broken again rang in my head as I looked into the eyes of the only man who had ever been given the power to hurt me.

Somehow, the rogue I had met had managed to become the alpha of Pinedale—a fully settled pack not far from where I had lived my entire life. The irony of his abrupt departure ending with him making a home just a few hours away wasn't lost on me. The fact that he hadn't even bothered to leave the region before finding happiness allowed me to resist the pull he still undoubtedly had on me.

All I had to do was reject him, and I could go back home. I would have to explain why the peace negotiations had failed, but that might be worth it if I could just get away from the memories of our past. Get away from him.

"Daddy!" a child's voice rang out from the hallway, breaking my reverie.

Nile winced slightly, looking at me apologetically before responding. "In here, baby," he called.

A young girl came into view, bounding toward Nile. Her head just about reached his waist as she threw her arms around him.

A daughter? my wolf commented in shock and disbelief. And how old is she?

I started counting in my head, realizing that this young girl would have been born very close to the time I had known her father.

"How old are you, sweetheart?" I asked her, kneeling so that we were eye-to-eye. Her irises were the same green as Nile's. I felt a twinge, seeing the confirmation that she was his biological daughter.

"My name's Penny, and I just turned five," the girl replied proudly.

I gave her a tentative smile and tried to keep the hurt from showing on my face. It had been just over six years since I had my heart broken by Nile. He had gotten someone pregnant shortly after he had rejected me. Was that why he left? Did he have a wife waiting at home while he had been toying with my emotions?

"It's nice to meet you, Penny. My name is Violet," I said.

She seemed to be a sweet child, and I knew that it wasn't her fault that Nile had hurt me. I refused to be one of those women who blamed a child for their parent's sins.

"I'm sure you have questions," Nile said to me. "But I promise it isn't what it looks like. I'll answer everything later, I swear."

I cast a swift glance of anger at Nile. My compassion for his daughter did not extend to him.

"Are you the one who is going to marry my daddy?" Penny asked, pulling my attention once more.

I cleared my throat and returned to my feet, looking into Nile's eyes to answer. Just a moment ago, I had been on the brink of leaving, but something in this little girl had softened me and brought me back to my purpose here. It was for the sake of future generations that we needed to make a lasting peace for our packs, and I had already given my word. I may not have liked Nile, but there really was no choice.

"Yes," I said, looking back down at the girl. "I'm going to marry your daddy. If that's okay with you."

Penny beamed at me, joy lighting up her small features as I heard Nile let out a sigh of relief at my response.

"Why don't you head back outside now, baby," he said kindly to his daughter. "Head to the car, and I'll be there soon."

As soon as Penny was out of the room, Nile addressed me in a low voice. "You're sure?" he asked.

I didn't know why, but I got the sense that he wanted my answer to be yes. As much as it pained me, I wanted to make him happy.

"Were you married when we met?" I asked, needing to clear that little issue up before we got any further into this mess. I could overlook many things when choosing a mate, but disloyalty wasn't one of them.

"No," he replied. "I met Penelope's mother a month after I left Sparkle Hollow."

I nodded, acknowledging his timeline. "Then let's get this over with."

Nile nodded and held the door open for me so that we could meet with the remainder of our party and head to the ceremony.

I can do this , I thought. It's just an arrangement. Our past doesn't have to affect me, and neither does his child. I can keep things civil and be a good luna and… stepmother.

Even in my own mind, I stumbled over the word. This was already shaping up to be too much to handle. But there was no stopping it now.