Chapter 69

Violet

We walked into the cabin and I stripped out of my dress. Theodore’s shirt slipped over my head easily. I rolled the sleeves up past my elbows, the hem brushing scandalously high on my thighs. There was nothing to be done for the lacy underwear Lily had brought me. When I turned to face him, his eyes were already on me, dark and intense, his lips parted like he’d just been punched in the gut.

“You okay there, Alpha?” I asked, quirking a brow.

His throat bobbed, and he dragged his gaze up to meet mine, though his expression gave away just how distracted he was.

“Fine,” he said, though his voice came out a little rougher than usual.

I smirked. “You sure? You look… hungry.”

He licked his lips, his eyes trailing over me again before he snapped back to himself. Clearing his throat, he moved to a chest by the wall and opened it, pulling out a pair of gleaming daggers.

“Weapons,” he said, holding one out to me.

I stepped closer, taking the blade from his hand. The hilt was cool and solid in my grip, perfectly balanced, and I tested the weight with an experimental swing.

“Nice,” I said approvingly. “Here’s how this is going to work: biggest kill wins. We’ll hunt separately, and no helping each other.”

“No helping each other,” he repeated, nodding. “Got it. Any other rules?”

“Just try not to miss me too much when I win.”

I snorted, shoving his chest lightly with my free hand. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“And you wouldn’t have it any other way,” he shot back with a wink, stepping away before I could retaliate.

Rolling my eyes, I adjusted the shirt again.

We headed out the door. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and earth. The magic prickled against my skin.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice low and full of challenge.

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re not shifting?”

“Wouldn’t be fair,” he replied with a sly smile. “Besides, I want to see what you’ve got in a fair contest.”

I snorted softly. “Careful what you wish for.”

We moved silently through the trees, the game beginning as soon as the words left my mouth. Soon we were drifting away. I found a trail that led off. I followed it with soft footsteps. The forest grew quieter as I ventured deeper, the sounds of the night folding into the background. I could feel his presence nearby. I crouched low, my fingers brushing the dirt as I scanned the undergrowth. A rustle nearby caught my attention, and I froze, barely breathing.

A hare darted into view, its ears twitching as it nibbled on a patch of grass. It saw me. Flinched and looked over its shoulder before bounding away. I went in the direction it was running from, feeling exhilarated.

I heard a sharp cry nearby. Then, Theodore was dragging a large stag behind him, grinning. I hummed.

“Not bad,” I said.

“Not bad?” He scoffed, gesturing at it. "This buck is easily… several meals worth of venison."

I nodded. "True."

He sat down. "I just realized we never talked about what we'd get if we win."

"And… what is that you want?" I asked, peering into the distance, pushing my eyesight. I crouched down, tilting my head.

"I don't know. Make me an offer."

I smiled and looked over my shoulder. "I'll cook."

He cocked his eyebrow. "You'll… cook."

"And I'll teach you what all those flowers are and herbs are good for."

His lips twitched. "You had me at venison."

"And when I win?"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I'll… waive the goodwill part of our contract."

My lips twitched. "That is… surprisingly romantic of you."

He grinned. "I’m learning."

"Hold that thought, love."

His eyes flashed. I turned back and took off. I felt it notice me just as I too close for it to do anything but try to evade my strike.

I buried the dagger swift and hard into the killspot. It shuddered and the magical cloaking vanished, revealing the large beast. I felt Theodore come up behind me.

"What the hell is that?"

I grinned at him. "Better venison."

He tutted and shrugged. "I guess… I'll have to look forward to that lesson some other day."

I pulled the dagger out and stretched. "Lucky, too. Magical creatures cook better with magical herbs."

I nodded toward it. "Carry it back for me?"

He beamed at me, grabbing it by it horns and dragging the large body back towards where the elk was. When we got back, we skinned and stored the meat we weren't going to eat tonight in the cooling box in the cabin. He set up the spit for us, and I gathered he herbs we'd need, telling him what each one was as I ground them together to season it all.

Soon, it was roasting and the scent of cooking meat filled the air. We ate, leaning together on the back porch, wrapped in the blankets he had in the cabin. I moved to stand and hissed at the shock of pain in my back.

"You've pushed yourself too far." He nodded toward the door. "Head in. I'll clean up."

I hesitated, wanting to protest, but eventually nodded, noting that he'd eaten another round of everything as if he were starving. In some ways, he probably was. People with magic tended to need to eat more. I went inside and stretched out on the couch.

Theodore came back inside, wiping his hands and still chewing.

"You're a damn good cook, and how did you find that thing? I've never seen anything like it."

"They probably hide from you when you're out and about," I said. “When you learn to control your magic, you'll be able to hunt them and see through their defenses.”

Theodore settled on the couch beside me, lifting my legs onto his lap and wiping the remnants of the forest from my feet with a warm, wet towel. I sighed, relaxing into the couch.

“Is that how you hunted it? You have magic?” he asked, his tone curious but cautious, like he wasn’t sure if he was crossing a line.

I shook my head. “I’ve never shown any signs of it. I just know the signs…But I’m good with magical devices—designing them, enhancing them. It’s not the same as having magic, but it’s something.”

He tilted his head, studying me like he was trying to puzzle out. His lips quirked a bit.

"It's something alright… Ready for bed?"

I blinked over at him, the warmth of the fire he'd started in the hearth seeping into me as my eyelids grew heavier.

"I don't want to be."

He chuckled and stood, scooping me up. “Is this normal for you, or are you just being a brat because you've realized that I like coddling you?"

I yawned. "I hate being coddled."

He kissed my forehead as I started to doze off. "I think you're wrong."

I huffed, disagreeing but unable to get the words out. Warmth cocooned me. He slipped me into bed and cuddled up to me, holding me close.

I shifted slightly, feeling the subtle press of his lips against my hair as he murmured something indecipherable. His grip tightened briefly, almost possessive, before he relaxed again. I smiled faintly, letting myself drift deeper into the safety of his embrace.

I woke with a start, my heart pounding and a sharp breath escaping me before I even realized I was awake. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of embers in the fireplace. Theodore was still beside me, his breathing deep and even, his arm draped protectively over my waist.

The dream—no, the memory—was already slipping through my fingers like smoke. I could barely recall it, but the lingering weight of it pressed against my chest. My father’s voice, sharp and unyielding, cut through the haze. I couldn't make out the words, but I felt the weight of his compulsion.

Even now, my hands clenched into fists. The way his power had wrapped around me like chains, yanking and pulling. I remembered fighting it. I remembered him standing over me, practically shouting at me, compelling me to obey.

The confusion. The anger. The grief. I felt so young, but older, bigger in some ways on the inside. I was angry. Furious.

"But I--" The sound of roaring cut me off.

I closed my eyes, trying to push against the haze to remember what he said, but I couldn't lift it.

All I saw was his face, scrunched in anger.

But it was his eyes that gave me pause and rattled me.

"Violet?" Theodore stirred beside me, his arm tightening slightly. "You okay? Nightmare?"

"I'm fine," I said, frowning into the darkness.

"Go back to bed, love," he whispered, tugging me down and back into his arms. "Rest. So warm…"

I chuckled. "You're a cuddler, hm?"

He hummed. "Just you."

Then, he was completely asleep again, and my father's face flashed through my mind.

There had been fear in his eyes.

Desperation, but why?