Chapter 38

I ’m nervous as hell, but Silas thinks that by being honest and upfront with his pack, it might help protect me and get the pack on our side with the plan.

The amount of eyes on me while I stand next to the podium is overwhelming and making my skin itch, but Silas commands his pack with a no-bullshit attitude. He clears his throat, making it clear he’s ready to speak.

“If you weren’t at the challenge last night, I assume you’ve already heard about Violet’s unexpected appearance,” he says, and low chatter fills the space. “Violet is my mate, and Violet is half wolf. Anyone who wishes her any harm is not welcome in this pack. She is a descendent of Alpha Collins and she deserves respect not only as a pack member, but as the Alpha’s mate. If you have any issue with this, please feel free to leave the pack lands immediately,” he says.

There are a few people who stand up.

Too bad they don’t know that Ember and Iris are waiting outside and washing away their memories of the last few days, along with a bus ticket to get the fuck out of town.

After the defiant pack members leave, Silas looks around the hall.

“We’re entering a new era. One where witches and shifters work together. One where supernaturals help each other, not allowing one another to flounder. Violet is a huge part in making this happen and brokering peace with the Celestial Coven. When I took over this pack I was told peace was impossible. I’m standing before you today telling you it is possible and it will, in fact, happen. I know I wasn’t raised here, I know there are probably those of you who are still skeptical and have a lot of distrust for witches in your heart. But I’m asking you to keep an open mind. I’m asking you to think about the future of your children and how you want the rest of your lives to look like.”

He grips the podium, and I shouldn’t be as turned on as I am now. Silas Walker is one hell of a leader, and the way he speaks to his pack proves that.

“I suppose I will claim the man too,” Azure says in my head, almost startling me.

I smile and Silas gives me a look from the corner of his eye before looking back out at his pack.

“Part of ensuring this peace deal is making sure that Violet’s heritage does not leave the pack lands. Right now we have the advantage of surprise. If the High Priestess knows Violet can shift, this will all be for naught. I’m asking you not only as your Alpha, but as someone who wants this pack to thrive, to swallow your pride and really think about what is best for the pack.”

“What if she just angers the High Priestess even more and then we wind up with the coven at our doorstep?” someone shouts. I squint and realize it’s Kit. She’s glaring at me, and I notice some other female shifters are.

“Then I hope you’re willing to fight for what is rightfully ours. If it comes down to it, are you all bark or are you ready to stand up for the pack?” Silas barks back.

“There’s never been a hybrid,” she retorts.

“Well, now there is, and she’s my mate,” Silas snaps back.

Yeah, he’s definitely getting head tonight.

Kit folds her arms and sighs, glancing me up and down, clearly not impressed. But nonetheless, she nods her head and slightly bows to her Alpha. I smirk to myself, knowing that the man they all fear would eagerly get down on his knees for me and do whatever I ask.

The power I have over this man is getting to my head.

“Do not leave the pack lands unless absolutely necessary. All communication is strictly pack business.”

I expect some kick back, but to my surprise, everyone nods or bows in some fashion. In a short time Silas has improved their lives by so much, they’ve seen what he can do, and they believe in him.

So do I.

“If you need anything else, you know where to find me,” Silas says, grabbing my hand and leading me to the back of the building before stopping in the hallway and grabbing my jaw, forcing me to look up at him. “Something have you turned on, little wife?” he says with a cocky smirk.

“You know, it’s really not fair that I don’t have the whole scent thing,” I say, and he leans in and kisses me.

“I don’t want you to go,” he says, his thumb tenderly rubbing my face.

“I have to. We need my mom to do this,” I tell him and he nods, even though he doesn’t want to agree with me.

“Iris and Ember are sure that they can keep Aster occupied for long enough?”

“Absolutely. If Aunt Daisy can’t help, then I’ll leave. I’ll come right back.”

“You have to promise me, Violet. The moment anything feels wrong, you teleport right to me. You don’t take any fucking risks.”

I use my hand to cross my heart. “No risky business. I’m going to see if Aunt Daisy can help me find the items holding their abilities, and then I’m out. I’ll come right back here. Well, after I pick up Walter.”

His nose scrunches in distaste and I grab his wrist, playing with the calloused tips of his fingers.

“We have to act fast. As soon as the coven realizes my mother’s back, and what really happened, it’s over,” I tell him and he sighs.

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

I fist his shirt, and he places a hand above the wall, crowding my space as he kisses me softly.

“Be safe,” he says and I kiss him one more time, before exiting the building and meeting up with Iris and Ember.

They’re both dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, looking ready to raise hell and I smile.

“How was the memory erasing?” I ask.

Iris grins and Ember shrugs.

“That magic feels wrong,” Ember says with a shiver.

“It’s supposed to, so we don’t use it. But I gotta admit, it felt nice to be a little evil, especially because it was protecting you.”

I smile and hug them both, taking a deep breath.

“Are you two ready?” I ask and they both nod, even if there is some fear there.

Iris and Ember go to Goddess Apothecary while I manifest right outside of my grand-mère’s house, waiting for her to leave. I hear the crack of her teleportation, knowing that Iris called her to let her know a potion went array as I sneak into the house, my great aunt Daisy, sitting in her same worn chair.

I don’t waste any time getting on my knees before her and touching her far too skinny legs.

“I don’t know what she did to you, Aunt Daisy, but I’m trying to make things right. I found my mother and father. Do you know where she put my mother’s magic?” I ask her.

Her eyes search my face as her aging hand cups my face. She summons a book that comes whipping through the air and lands with a thud on the table. It’s worn, nearly ancient looking with the way the leather is colored. She flips a hand, and it opens. It’s not a book at all, it’s a box housing two rings.

I pick them up and I can feel it. It feels like the same magic I felt when I put on my necklace for the first time.

“What did she do to you, Daisy?” I ask.

Her eyes are soft as her hand caresses my cheek.

I grab the rings, and there’s a soft click of a door. My heart races and I’m barely able to think. The most important thing right now is to get these items to someone I can trust, someone who she wouldn’t suspect. The only way to teleport myself physically out of this house is when I’m holding my grand-mère’s hand. She warded her home that way. It never felt odd until now. But physical objects are a whole other story.

I take a breath and transport the rings to someone I know can keep them safe, someone who my grand-mère will never suspect.

As soon as they’re out of existence, Daisy shuts the book and returns it to the shelf.

Her eyes clash with mine again and for the first time in my entire life, I hear her speak.

“Run,” she whispers.

I hold her eyes for a brief moment, panic filling me as I run for the front door and swing it open. The moment it’s open, a wand is placed at my throat.

My grand-mère’s pinched expression and disappointment is evident as she uses the tip of her wand to toy with the necklace.

“I see you’ve found the truth out about who you are, granddaughter,” she says, eyeing the necklace cautiously.

I can’t slip up. I’m not sure how much she knows.

“I found it in the house. You knew what I was?” I say.

“It’s why your mother ran away. She knew I would not approve. I also assume it’s why you ripped your magic from her in the womb. At least she had the foresight to pull this disgusting part of you out. You are a witch, Violet. A future High Priestess. This just won’t do.”

I’m sliding my wand out of my back pocket as she sighs. I’m stunned on the spot, and everything goes black.