Page 61 of Violet

"That's not Nole. It's one of his brothers." Violet, my Violet, giggles. I recognize her young, beautiful voice—so unlike the old one I’m used to, and yet so her. So right.

“I’m Nyle,” my brother introduces himself. “You must be Violet?”

Which must have been pretty obvious when I threw myself in front of her during that fight and refused to budge. Wouldn’t do that for anyone unless she’s my mate.

“I am. And that’s Cash... and Liam,” she says. Who the fuck is Liam? “I like your hair-style, by the way.”

Nyle snorts and I can’t help falling a little more in love with her. She always gets my pranks... always gets me... so why has she never wanted me the way I’ve always wanted her?

I jump to my feet and storm to my room before my brothers can see me cry. Because grown-ass men don’t cry, not even when they’re losing their mates.

“Is Nole home?” Violet’s voice rings through our tiny cabin, though I haven’t a clue what she might want with me. Whatever it is, I know I wouldn’t be able to say no.

“He’s in his room. Sulking,” Neal calls out. Loudly. “Come on in.”

I sit on the edge of my bed and brace myself, waiting for my mate and her two bodyguards to storm in. I only hear one set of footsteps, and when she steps through the door, it’s just her. My Violet. My mate. Who’s not really mine.

She’s still wearing her granny clothes, stained with grass, mud and blood. Her hair’s a complete mess and she hasn’t a lick of makeup on, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more beautiful. Just knowing that she left that fight and came straight here... it makes me want to pull her into my arms and never let go. Even though I know she doesn’t want me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask calmly. Like it doesn’t hurt just looking at her. Like I don’t want to fall at her feet and beg her to be with me.

"I... I just wanted to say thanks," she says softly, a light blush tinging her cheeks.

"Why?” I ask, because that is the last thing I expected.

"You brought your clan to the fight. And you risked your life to save mine.”

"I'll always be there for you, Violet," I tell her softly. "Even if we can’t be together.”

“But why can’t we? Be together, I mean?”

“Because you don’t want me.” I scowl, trying to push away the hurt and the pain as it comes rearing back. “You never wanted me.”

“I have. Since the moment we met,” Violet says. But it’s a total and complete lie.

Tears spring to her eyes and I want to pull her into my arms, but I’m hurting too. And her words... her lies... they could destroy me. “You could have told me who you were, Violet. You had a year to tell me. If you really wanted me, you would have.”

“I couldn’t risk it,” she whispers.

“Not even with your mate?”

“I didn’t know you were my mate, Nole. I’m a chameleon. We don’t feel mating bonds the way other shifters do,” she says, but I’m already shaking my head.

“Yet you ran and told your blood mage the first chance you got.”

“No,” Violet cries. “He just found out. I swear. And I wanted to tell you. I did! I was just scared.”

“Of those witches? Or of losing your precious job?” I spit, even though I know I’m being unfair. I’m being a fucking asshole to her right now, but the pain, the hurt—the knowledge that my mate chose another man over me—it refuses to let go.

“I was never planning to keep that job.” Violet cries. “I get that you didn't know people were after me when you told the mayor—"

“I didn’t tell the mayor!” I growl. “I swear to you, Violet, that wasn’t me.”

“But...”

“Fine, I thought it was me.” I throw up my hands. “But as soon as the mayor left, I called Amber. She’s the only person I told, and she swore she hadn’t mentioned you, not even to my brother or her other mates. She said it never came up.”

Violet just stares at me.