Chapter 146

Theodore’s POV

Sometimes Eva’s love for me seemed sincere, and in those moments, I felt bad for playing her. Then she would do something like obviously glaring at Violet across the garishly decorated ballroom before suggesting we go say hello “to be polite” when she clearly just wanted to rub being my date in Violet’s face. Moments like that reminded me she was using me and evaporated every drop of my sympathy for her.

Eva practically dragged me through the crowd until we were face to face with the real love of my life, with Dahlia just a half step behind me. I noted Kincaid in the mirror position behind Violet and shoved away my guilt.

I had had a full-on argument with Dahlia trying to get her to go to this thing while off-duty knowing that Kincaid would be here, so that they could spend time together instead of keeping her tethered to me. Especially since I expected that Violet and I would unfortunately spend very little time together.

This of course began a tirade about how Dahlia’s engagement did not make her incompetent or unreliable, and she would not ease up on her duties for love.

It was not lost on me that I had possibly modeled such behavior for her in the past as her Alpha.

In the end, I told her I wanted her to be happy and she proclaimed with no uncertainty that attending as my Beta, just like she usually would, would accomplish that goal.

So there we were, me standing with the enemy hanging off my arm, the other half of my soul standing across from me pretending we were no longer in love, and my most loyal friend exchanging longing glances with her fiancé from behind us both.

Violet’s eyes dipped to my necklace and her token that hung on its chain. She quickly averted her gaze, bowing her head.

No matter what happens next, you are the one I hold in my heart, I reminded her down the bond. Now hold your head high. My mate is an Alpha and bows to no one.

Violet lifted her head, love and appreciation flooding the bond between us as the confidence in her expression returned to that of the Alpha everyone knew and respected. But she turned her gaze behind me.

“Dahlia! Good to see you. I hear congratulations are in order.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Dahlia blushing. “Thank you, Alpha Donovan.”

“Congratulations?” Eva asked as she yanked on my arm that she was grasping with both hands. I really hated that she kept tugging at me like a freaking toddler.

“She’s engaged,” I explained.

Eva stiffened on my arm. “You told her and not me?”

Whoa. I hadn’t anticipated such an angry reaction.

“My Beta told me,” Violet offered, the picture of calm. “Seeing as he’s the one she’s engaged to.”

“Oh.” Eva relaxed beside me.

I turned my gaze to Kincaid. “We are so happy for you both.” I swallowed roughly as I realized I’d said “we” accidentally but quickly realized everyone assumed I’d meant me and Eva even though I’d been referring to me and Violet.

“Thank you, Alpha Nightshade.” He inclined his head, glanced at the shattered band on my forehead, then looked away to survey the room.

He wasn’t the only one taking peeks at the broken band. I’d noticed several people looking between the matching bands on both my and Violet’s foreheads. Hopefully it didn’t draw any suspicions.

We should ask your family about the forehead bands, I suggested.

Agreed. They’re drawing more attention tonight than I had anticipated.

“Well, we should make the rounds, but we wanted to say hi.” Eva’s sickly-sweet tone nauseated me as she snuggled up tighter, practically climbing up my side. “We can’t stay that long because someone,” she turned to set her sickly-sweet smile on me, “has to be up early tomorrow morning for his trip.”

Eva somehow managed to get even closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you for ten days – especially at night,” she pouted loudly enough for Violet to hear.

I barely registered Kincaid’s brows furrow before his glance swung to his fiancée’s. Whatever he saw on her face had his gaze aimed for me next, and I realized he was putting together that Violet and I were going to be out of town at the same time.

I broke our eye contact as I struggled to manage what was quickly becoming a shit show.

Nothing is happening at night. She’s trying to provoke you, I quickly reassured my mate.

Clearly. Violet’s voice in my mind was full of pity. Is she drunk? This is a little pathetic.

Nope, pathetic is just her usual state. Also, I think Kincaid is suspicious now that he knows I’ll be out of town at the same time as you.

Yes, I noticed the look Dahlia gave him. I’ll handle it.

Violet sounded cool and collected in my mind, but her shoulders were ramrod straight and her nostrils were flaring.

“Well, look who we have here.”

A voice I had learned to loathe called my attention to the left where Lucas stood with his arm around Nora. He looked surprisingly smug for someone who had recently lost his claim on Darkmoon. Though perhaps that had something to do with his ex-wife having been rejected by her second mate – or so he thought.

Nora inclined her head in my direction. “Good evening, Eva.” Okay, not my direction exactly.

“Hey, Nora,” Eva responded.

Hold on – did they know each other? I really wanted to ask them, but of course Lucas opened his big mouth before I could get a word in. By the Goddess, did that man like to hear himself talk.

“It must be so hard for you,” he laid a smug, pitying look on my mate, and it was an effort not to punch him, “being here with the two men who left you for someone better.”

Not coming to Violet’s defense in this moment was going to literally kill me.

Thankfully, my beautiful, brilliant mate kept her head held high as Kincaid stepped up next to her and snarled at Lucas.

Maybe both our Betas needed a raise.

Lucas laughed, but I kept my gaze on Violet as the blood drained from her face.

Violet? I reached for her through the bond.

It’s happening. Right now.

I surveyed her, looking for signs that she was hurt. Other than her suddenly pale face and clenched fists, she seemed fine. Were those flowers at her feet?

What’s happening?

But she didn’t respond, at least not to me.

“Hard?” Her expression on Lucas was so unbothered, she deserved a damn Oscar. “No, I just feel bad for Nora and Eva.”

Then she shrugged, turned on her heel, and walked away, Kincaid close behind her. If I was being honest, it wasn’t the most graceful or eloquent of her exits, though as always, it was far better than Lucas deserved.

“Come,” Lucas motioned to me, “welcome to the Werewolves Who Rejected Violet Donovan Club.” He didn’t notice the trail of flowers that tumbled from Violet’s hands as she hurried away.

My magic, she finally answered me. I’m losing control.