Chapter 410

The cheers from the crowd had grown defeaning, almost wild with anticipation, as if the very act of Violet cutting Griffin’s hair would summon down the heavens itself.
But Violet didn’t move. For over a full minute, she just stood there motionless, and made no attempt to reach for any of the tools laid carefully on the tray before her.
The pause was long enough that people began to notice and their excitement started to wane. Their roaring cheers suddenly became confused murmurs.
The elders exchanged pointed glances, their once warm expressions replaced with tight-lipped disapproval. The Alphas from the sub-packs shifted in their seats, some leaning to whisper, with the others others shaking their heads.
One of them said to his Luna with a low chuckle, “Seems like the great Irene ended up with a whim of a daughter-in-law after all. This is going to be fun.”
The murmuring grew louder now, spreading like a slow-building storm. The air turned tense as the people became impatient and discontent with what was going on. They had come for a ceremony, not whatever was going on right now.
“What are you waiting for, child? Do it already! Don’t keep your elders waiting!” the priestess urged her sharply.
Violet’s eyes flicked to hers, then turned to Griffin who said to her. “Don’t worry, Violet, it will grow back soon enough and you’ll have it all to yourself.”
A single tear slipped from Violet’s eye, trailing down her cheek. His beautiful reassurance had tore straight through her chest, yet, the same words also gave her strength.
With a deep, shaky breath, Violet reached forward and picked up the scissors.
She stepped closer while the crowd held their breath in anticipation. Her fingers trembled as she ran them through Griffin’s hair one last time. Then she took a fistful of those brilliant red strands and cut.
The instant the first lock fell to the ground, the crowd lost it. There was an uproar of wild celebration, howls of joy, hands clapping, and drums beating loudly. You would think Violet had just struck gold when all she had done was cut a piece of hair.
The tears she had been trying to hold back came harder now. This was stupid. Why were they celebrating this? Couldn’t they see how beautiful his hair was? That they shouldn’t have lost it.
Still, Violet couldn’t stop. She had started this and had to finish it.
With every cut, Violet was saying goodbye. The memories came in waves now and she recalled the way her fingers would run through his hair. The way Griffin leaned into her touch. The times she shampooed and braided it. The way she tugged on it when they kissed like they had all the time in the world.
Now she wouldn’t be doing that for a long, long time.
Violet gave up the scissors for the clipper now, having cut it down. But the tears came harder to the point her vision blurred completely and she knew, without a doubt, she was going to ruin Griffin’s haircut. She was going to make him look ugly and it was all because she just couldn’t get anything right.
“Here, let me help you.” It was Irene.
Violet didn’t argue.
She nodded without a word and let the woman guide her from behind. Irene’s arms came around her, firm yet gentle, steadying her hands as she held the clipper with her. The celebration around them had dulled now, the sound of joy softening into a hush as the pack members watched with surprised expressions.
This had never been done before. The cutting of the hair was always left to the mate alone. It was a sacred rite, a symbol of possession and bond. For the Alpha’s mother to step in was unprecedented.
Yet, the vulnerability of the moment was warm and so heartbreakingly human that it tugged at something in them. Violet was human and was still learning. She didn’t know their ways and Irene, their leader was right there with her.
But not everyone was charmed by the moment.
“This has to be the first I’ve seen a mate disgruntled over such a ceremony,” Elder Regina said with visible distaste, stomping her staff.
“Well, there’s always a first time for everything in one’s lifetime, don’t you think?” Elder Nulia replied, a knowing smile on her lips.
Regina scowled and moved on, biting her tongue. She couldn’t speak against Irene’s grandmother, not here. And definitely, not now.
Irene remained by Violet’s side the whole time, adjusting the clipper’s length when needed, and directing her. Together, slowly, gently, they worked until Griffin’s hair was cut down into a perfect buzz.
Then Irene stepped back.
Violet leaned forward and kissed Griffin on the top of his head, her eyes closed. A single tear slipped from her cheek, landing softly on his scalp. Then she stepped back and Griffin rose to his feet with a boyish grin.
“How do I look? More handsome?” He flexed his arms. “Rugged?”
Violet smiled, though her heart was still sore. “You look more manly.”
But then Griffin’s expression shifted, his grin faltering. He looked uncertain. “Please don’t tell me you no longer like me now that I’ve lost my seductive feature?” He sounded serious. Almost scared.
Violet laughed, and it was real this time. She said to him. “I loved your beast, Griffin, what makes you think I wouldn’t like you in bald hair? Come here, silly.”
Griffin pulled her into a hug, and then they were kissing passionately, like the world didn’t matter and this was their ceremony.
Then Irene’s voice rose, clear and commanding.
“East pack,” she called out, turning to face the crowd. “Here is your cardinal alpha and his Fated mate, Violet Purple.”
At once, the celebration returned with thunderous force. The pack roared their approval to the sky.
There would be lots of eating and drinking tonight as they celebrated not just Griffin’s mate, but the newest addition to their pack : Violet Purple.