Chapter 44

S weat is dripping down my back as Oberyn approaches me; I still haven’t gotten a good read on him, he’s not a man of many words.

“Need a hand?” he says.

“Sure,” I reply as he helps me put in another post in the gazebo.

I don’t know why I’m building this fucking thing, but it’s better than just sitting on her porch acting like a pathetic watch dog. So, to keep myself busy, I’m rebuilding this god damn gazebo that has caused me even more suffering.

“Lav and I got married in this thing. I didn’t know Aster destroyed it, or that she even knew we officially got married,” he says.

“We’re sure Aster isn’t coming back?” I ask.

The man huffs, helping me make sure the post is level.

“Lavender is sure she won’t. You know, a part of me always thought Aster was more afraid of Lavender ascending too early than she was about us being together.”

My brows furrow, and confusion laces through me.

“Fuck, she hasn’t told you?” Oberyn says. He uses his foot to shift the post before placing the joints in place. “The moment Aster's magic was lifted from her, Lavender ascended to High Priestess. It’s a done deal. Even if Aster were to somehow get her magic back, she wouldn’t be a match for Lav or the coven.”

I look over at the house, glancing at Violet’s window, the curtain slightly jolts and I smirk, knowing she was watching us out here.

“I think Violet was under the impression she was going to be the next High Priestess.”

Her father looks concerned, glancing over at the house, and then turns back to me.

“Do you think she’ll be upset?”

“Once she’s back to herself?” I say, hoping that she gets her old self back. I don’t mind coming here every day and working on wearing her down. But every time I see her and suffer her lack of recognition, a part of me wants to die. “No, I think she’ll be relieved. She wanted what was best for the coven above all, she was ready to take on the role, but I don’t think she really wanted it.”

“Good,” Oberyn says. He swallows and sighs. “Listen, I’m no good with this shit. Lavender isn’t my mate in that way because she’s not a wolf. But my parents were mates. Is your wolf alright?”

“No,” Thorin nearly whimpers in my head.

“Far from it,” I tell him honestly.

“Two more days till the full moon, she’ll be back to herself,” he says, but I can tell he’s trying to convince himself just as much as I am.

We spend the rest of the afternoon building the gazebo and talking about the pack.

Once the posts are all in place, we sigh, knowing the roof is going to be an absolute motherfucker.

“You’re the right Alpha for the pack,” he says, surprising me.

“What?”

“My place right now is supporting Lav, getting to know Violet and just fucking existing. You’re young, you’re sure. And hell, I feel like if I challenged your wolf you’d kick my ass.”

“I would,” Thorin says solemnly.

I smirk and toss the hammer into my tools. “I’m working on making a council. I think I’d like for you to be a part of it,” I tell him and he smiles.

For the first time since meeting him, I see the resemblances between him and Violet and it makes my heart pang even more. I look back up at her window and no one is there. I feel empty and all I want to feel is some hope.

“How many members do you think would be willing to help you get your mate back?” he asks.

I look at him confused and he shrugs.

“Lavender thinks having both sides of Violet during the ritual will help bring back her memories and her wolf. Aster destroyed the necklace, but you can’t destroy someone’s essence,” he says.

“I’ll get as many as I can,” I tell him honestly.

I’ve given this pack financial freedom, released them from the pressure of the witches. This is all I want in return. I’ll lay my life down for my pack, but there’s no life worth living without Violet.

The night air is almost unseasonal with a bitterness that feels like a bad omen. There’s already a circle of candles glowing in the cold night air as witches and shifters alike start arriving.

My heart swells with how many members of my community showed up tonight, even those who showed a distaste for me being married to Violet. Jonas, Paige, Maddox, Bruce, Kit, and so many others came out here even while tensions are still relatively high.

Promises by Lavender and the Celestial Coven at large have dissipated some of the mistrust, but old habits die hard. Yet, they’re all here in the hopes that their presence can help bring my girl back. Bring Thorin’s mate back.

The witches are all busy, setting things up, making everything just right as Violet sits in the center, her arms wrapped around herself in a shiver. I take off my flannel jacket and walk over, placing it over her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she whispers.

She looks afraid, withdrawn, and not herself.

I thought moments of my life were painful, but watching the woman I love slip away takes the fucking cake.

“Are you nervous?” I ask. Even the smallest conversations with her have been uncomfortable.

But as she thumbs the collar of my jacket and lightly inhales my scent, it’s the first time I’ve felt hope in a really long time.

“What if they can’t get my memories back. What if I’m not a wolf anymore?” she asks me, her emotionless face is startling as I drop down to my haunches.

“Then we’ll just have to start over.”

She shakes her head and looks around as everyone is busying themselves getting ready for the ritual.

“What if I never feel again?” she asks, this time fear is nearly wafting off of her.

“Everyone here cares about you; if you think this is the last resort, you’re wrong. We just all want you to be safe and happy,” I tell her.

“You were happy with me?” she asks, wrapping my jacket firmly around her body.

I smile at her. “The happiest I’ve ever been.”

She looks down at the ground, her boot rubbing into the dirt.

“I hope I remember you,” she says, and I swallow thickly, not wanting to think of the alternative.

“Me too, little witch.”

She clears her throat at the pet name as I walk over to Lavender. She’s bossing everyone around, clearly anxious for this to work.

“What do you want the wolves to do?” I ask.

She gives me a small smile. “I think it’s best for you to stay in this form, but Oberyn and I agree that the magic might be more powerful if the pack is shifted. Members of the Salvador Coven are coming as well. I won’t stop until the harm my mother caused is remedied, until Violet is the vibrant witch she once was,” she says.

I look back at Violet, who looks so out of place, so small and lost.

“I’ll go talk to the pack.”

The High Priestess nods, and as I’m walking toward the pack, a hand grips mine. One covered in bangles and bracelets. I recognize her before she even speaks. Delphine, Iris’ grandmother.

“A word, wolf,” she says, and I turn to face her.

Her hands clasp over her wooden cane, as she looks nowhere in particular.

“No matter what happens tonight, it’s important you don’t breach the circle, not until the ritual is complete.”

I tilt my head at her and she sighs.

“If you can’t promise me that you’ll stay out of the circle, I can subdue you,” she says, it’s not in a mean tone, she’s being extremely serious.

“Why would I want to break the circle?” I ask.

“Violet’s mind and body are about to go through what may be a painful transformation. I understand your protectiveness of her as your mate is unparalleled. No matter how much she screams or her body trembles, you can not break the circle. Breaking the connection of witches could ruin everything.”

“I won’t break the circle.”

“She’ll be fine, I’ve seen it,” she says, before turning and joining the witches.

I reiterate what Lavender told me, and watch as my community undresses, piling their clothes in a safe area as they all shift. I take a moment to not let fear and hopelessness fill me, because what I see right now is magical.

Two groups who have hated each other for centuries are here today, working together to strengthen this truce. No, it’s far more than a truce. It’s the dawn of a new era—one where we work together to protect our secrets and the families we care about.

It’s evident in the people here today. Kit, who clearly has not had an issue pissing off the witches at every opportunity. Maddox who was vehement about peace not even being a possibility. Even some of the old timers who have been here for the worst of the worst, like Bruce, are here tonight.

Even on the witches side, I can sense some unease being around the wolves. Ember’s grandmother still seems a little off-kilter, but she’s still here. Other witches are uncomfortable being present, but regardless they’re here to help Violet, the coven, and relations between our two groups.

It’s something I never dreamed possible, but we’re all here. We’ve been brought together by a common thread, my beautiful wife and mate.

Hope is blooming in my chest as I breathe in the fresh air and take in the echoing howls around me. They’re thanking the full moon for its blessing and the gesture nearly brings tears to my eyes.

Together. Two sides of a coin that have had their fair share of hate have been brought together, and this ritual is going to tie us together regardless of what happens to Violet. Though, every single fiber of my being is hoping that this is enough.

The wolves create a larger spaced out circle around the witches. I find myself in between, standing there, staring as Violet lays herself on the ground, my jacket still wrapped around her.

The witches link hands and as soon as they do, there’s a breeze ripping through the air. The silence is deafening before they begin chanting.

The wolves all look on with rapt fascination, for most of them this is the first time they’ve seen magic of this magnitude. Even for me, it’s still as impressive as when Violet lit the pumpkins on her front porch.

Bright candle flames rise as their volume rises, and my eyes don’t leave Violet. Her eyes are squinting in pain, and even from here I can see her body vibrating. It takes everything in me to not run over to her and make sure she’s okay. But I resist. I stay the course, standing in place and watching with hopeful eyes.

The witches raise their joined hands, nearly shouting their chant at this point as Violet begins to whimper in pain, her body shaking as a pained scream rips out of her throat. My fists are balled so tight to keep my control, to not shift, and to not ruin the ritual.

Violet is whimpering, tears streaming down the sides of her face, as I notice it. The change is gradual, a few strands at first, before even more start turning black, bringing back the noticeable hairstyle she’s always had. The one that signifies the two halves that make her whole.

Despite the change, the witches don’t stop. They continue repeating the spell. Some wolves howl. I’m not sure if it’s on their own accord or if there’s something in the air telling them that Violet is part of this pack, that she needs us.

The full moon is bright overhead, glistening in the sky, reflecting off Violet’s sweat covered skin. Her body is still trembling, but she isn’t vocally in pain anymore. Her hands clutch against my flannel jacket as the wind subsides, the thick cream-colored candles going back to a standard flame.

Each of the witches slowly bow their heads, whispering an incantation I can’t even hear, before dropping their hands.

As soon as the circle is broken my steps are quick.

Violet seems like she’s asleep as I approach her and wipe away her stained cheeks. Her face is cold, but I feel it.

“My mate,” Thorin coos in the back of my mind.

I smile, pushing her hair from her face. I still don’t know if her memories are back, but it’s clear the ritual linked her back to Azure. Her wolf is no longer trapped in a necklace as I wait with bated breath.

Her parents and coven all hover close as we wait for her to wake up. It feels like time is endless as we wait for her eyes to finally pop open.

What if she doesn’t remember?

“Then you’re going to have to work on your personality to make her like you again,” Thorin says, and despite myself, I smile.

Bright blue eyes open, staring at me as she gives me a soft smile.

“Hey there, wolf man,” she says.

I stare at her, not sure if that means she remembers or if she’s fucking with me.

“Violet?”

“Oh, not the full name. Stick to Vi, wife, mate, baby, or little witch, please,” she says, fully grinning at me this time.

I’m rougher than I should be, pulling her to my chest. Her arms wrap around me as I hold her tight.

I feel whole again.