Chapter 87

Theodore

They talked the whole walk to the restaurant, Violet never removed her hand from mind, and she walked in between me and Olivia. I could see that Olivia was irritated by it by the occasional looks she would shoot me, but I ignored them. The restaurant was closer than I expected. I opened the door for them both, ushering my wife in first. Olivia looked like she was going to blow.

By the time we were seated at a table, not a booth, with Violet sitting across from Violet and me next to Violet, I felt like things were only going to get worse from here. Violet knew the waiter, greeted him kindly and took charge on ordering as neither Olivia nor I had ever been here.

"You seem to always know somewhere, must be a noble thing," Olivia said before looking at me. "Doesn't it get tiring? With her being so well known? I didn't think you were the type to like being outshined."

I smiled back at her. "I like basking in her light."

Her smug look faltered and she looked away.

"So what happened with your mate, anyway?" Olivia asked. "Your Dad made it seem like you and Lucas would be together forever."

"He was hopeful," Violet conceded. "And I think he wanted, more than anything, to see me married before her died, but I think… Well, looking back, it seems like he knew that it wasn't going to work out with Lucas in the long term."

Violet looked down at the menu.

"I'm just grateful that at least I could lay him to rest in peace."

"… that's not really an answer."

"Oh, Lucas is a conniving snake and a cheater," she shrugged. "I filed for divorce and we're in the process of dissolving it all on the records."

"You're divorcing your mate?" She asked.

"Divorced," Violet said. "And Theo and I have been confirmed to be mates, hence the rather dramatic crown." She gestured carelessly to her forehead. "The High Priest and High Priestess haven't said when we can expect it to fade. I just wish it would change colors. I feel like I can only wear silver, you know?"

Olivia laughed, but it sounded as fake as ever. She was projecting confidence, but that was melting away with the way that she kept trying to take shots at Violet. Violet appeared to be completely oblivious to it, but I knew better. I just couldn't tell what she was feeling or thinking. I’d been trying to gauge Violet’s feelings ever since Olivia made her little “wild one that got away” comment, but she wasn’t letting anything slip—not in her words, her posture, or even through the faint hum of our bond. It was frustrating. I couldn’t tell if she was indifferent, irritated, or plotting something.

I reached out to her through our bond. I felt her reach back. The band on her forehead grew brighter for a moment before a rush of amusement and absolute calm washed over me. I relaxed, waiting to see how this would all turn out.

“So,” Violet said, picking up her glass of wine. “What’s next for you, Olivia? Still advising your father, or do you have bigger plans?”

Olivia smiled, all teeth. “Oh, I always have bigger plans. Advising has its perks, but I think it’s time I take a more direct role in leadership.”

Her tone was casual, but the words were odd.

“You’re going to challenge your brother,” Violet said.

Olivia nodded, her expression sharpening. “Eventually. Someone has to. He’s not fit to lead. And with my father... well, let’s just say he’s not as impartial as he pretends to be. But hearing about you and Lucas has made me pretty sure that marriage and all that just aren't worthwhile. I can't imagine giving my best years to some cheating bastard and having to fight him in court for my birthright." She shrugged. "Though, if I'm right, your case might sway his thinking in my favor, and I won't have to worry about it."

The waiter came back with a platter of pastries. I let Olivia and Violet choose the ones they wanted. Violet cut hers in half and offered it to me.

"Spiced meats? Bahlam Pork, to be specific."

I grinned, recognizing the name from the pastries earlier, and took it. "You're the best."

Olivia was staring at us, glaring more.

"What are you trying to change his mind about?" Violet asked. "Your ascension still?"

“Of course,” Olivia said, her eyes gleaming. “Your case is probably already causing ripples in. He'll probably go on and on about it being the exact reason why women should inherit, but if you win, he'll have to get his buddies together to make laws so cases like yours don't make it to court again. It’ll strengthen my argument that we need more representation and more protections for women who inheri—leaders like me.”

Violet set her fork down, her smile as polite as ever. “Well, I’m glad to have your support. It’s always encouraging to know others are invested in justice.”

I couldn’t tell if she was being genuine or sarcastic. Probably both.

“And the Shelter project,” Olivia added, turning her attention to me. “I think it’s brilliant. Female werewolves have been at the mercy of outdated laws for far too long. I’d be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure our rights are protected.”

That took me by surprise. Olivia wasn’t exactly known for her altruism, but she seemed sincere.

“We appreciate the support,” I said cautiously. “Though I imagine your father and the rest of the Supreme Court might not feel the same.”

Olivia’s smile turned sly. “My father is pragmatic. If I present the right arguments—and the right outcomes—he’ll come around. He always does. I have other plans to advance the female agenda, but all in good time.”

Violet sipped her water, her expression unreadable.

The conversation shifted to their time at the Academy, with Violet and Olivia reminiscing about classes, professors, and late-night study sessions. I listened, occasionally chiming in, but my mind kept circling back to Violet and what she was saying, or rather what she wasn't saying.

She hadn't mentioned her plans for a university in Darkmoon or any of the other initiatives she'd established in Darkmoon.

By the time the next round of pastries had arrived, I'd figured out which ones I liked the best and the names. Then, Olivia brought up Lucas again.

“So, Violet,” Olivia began, leaning forward slightly, “what happens next with Lucas? I assume the case will go to trial soon?”

Violet placed her napkin on the table, her expression steady. “That’s the plan. His Majesty pardoned Lucas from being made a rogue be default, but he can't exclude the assault charge in general."

Olivia nodded, a sharp gleam in her eyes. “Did he really assault you? I mean, he was your husband once. Maybe he was just trying to reconcile."

The mention of the wedding made my jaw clench. I didn’t like reliving that moment, seeing Violet bloodied and in danger.

"The video footage was released," Violet said and nibbled on a piece of her pastry. "Even if people have their doubts about how our relationship ended, it's hard to argue against the fact that he used Black Haze on me."

Olivia's eyes widened. "Did he really?"

Violet nodded though I wanted to ask why the hell Olivia was trying to get gory details from someone who seemed to have once been a friend. Goddess, she was worse than I realized.

"No one’s going to side with Lucas after that, not publicly, anyway. They'll be crucified.”

“It was part of the original case,” she said evenly. “With any luck, your father and his ilk will be looking to make harder import laws, considering how easy it is to get, despite everything being done along the trade routes.”

Olivia frowned. Her lips lifted into a sneer. "You're going to use it as a jumping point."

Violet tipped her head. "I don't have to. People already are. It's one thing to have people of no notoriety screaming that it's a problem, but to have such a high-profile case and doing nothing would be the worst move of anyone's political career, don't you think?"

“That’s admirable,” Olivia said, though there was something irritated and calculating in her tone. “My father has been keeping a close eye on your case… I'm sure he'll jump at the chance to gain a little good publicity. Voting for Shelter is probably a less painful move for publicity than import issues."

Olivia's father ran a territory? Did he know we slept together? Had I met him? I didn't even know her last name, and she didn't look like any pack alphas I could readily think of.

Violet gave a polite smile, but her eyes hardened just enough for me to notice. “Your father was never the type to supports change unless forced."

Olivia chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “You know him well, and you haven't even met him!"