Chapter 431

This was a really awkward situation.
Griffin was still in his beast mode, which meant he had nearly taken up all the space in the backseat. Violet had no choice but to sit on Roman’s lap. Wasn’t this amazing?
It wasn’t surprising that Violet felt something poke her from behind. She glanced over her shoulder.
“It has a mind of its own,” Roman said sheepishly.
Violet shook her head in utter disbelief and then turned back around with a chuckle. However, her eyes connected with Asher’s through the rearview mirror, and the laughter died off immediately. Asher looked away, and that felt like a stab to her chest.
Asher was the one driving and had not spoken a word to them. Violet didn’t know how to start a conversation with him. He was mad at her, there was no doubt about that.
Recognizing the tension between them, Roman seized the opportunity to speak up. “Yo, how did you find us?”
Asher adjusted in his seat, relaxing as he explained, “I knew you guys were going to come find me, so I was alert. When I heard the commotion outside, I scaled the walls through the balcony, and the rest is history.”
Although Violet had stayed with werewolves for a while now, it still amazed her each time they performed extraordinary feats like that. He climbed down six floors, unharmed. Yeah, totally impressive.
Violet couldn’t wait to be impressive too.
“So you left us with your evil father?” Roman asked, disbelief evident in his voice.
As if in agreement, the beast let out a low snarl at the mention of “evil father.”
“You came out unharmed, didn’t you?” Asher replied, prompting Roman to shake his head in disbelief, as if he couldn’t fathom being friends with this emotionless robot.
“Where are we going?” Violet finally inquired.
For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t respond, but he said, “We are going to find Alaric.”
Violet felt a wave of relief wash over her, until he added, “Or would you prefer I send you and Griffin back to campus while I search for Alaric alone? I’m sure you’d rather spend more time with your lovely mate, even if it’s his beast.”
Violet scowled. “Really, Asher? Do you think that little of me?”
“I’m merely stating facts,” he replied coolly.
“And your ’fact’ suggests I would pass up the chance to find Alaric, who has gone AWOL?”
“You have a mate now, it shouldn’t surprise me,” he said, his tone indifferent, only to mumble under his breath, “After all, you never bothered about me.”
But Violet heard him and retorted, “I did worry about you!”
“Really?” he sneered. “When? When Griffin was dick-deep inside of you? Or when you suddenly heard I was awake?”
“Well, forgive me, your royal dickhead, but I won’t apologize for the mating fever because I enjoyed every moment of it. And forgive me for knowing you didn’t die because Nancy kept me updated on your condition. I also apologize for not calling your father to say, ’Hello, psycho father of the year, please extend my greetings to your unconscious son; I’ll visit soon.’ Or perhaps I should apologize for not having the ability to multiply myself so I could send one of me to visit you in the hospital, another to find Alaric, and yet another to see Roman while I bond with my mate. How’s that for an apology? Do you need more?”
“I’ll pretend I’m invisible,” Oscar said, shrinking further into the seat. He wanted no part in the lovers’ quarrel unfolding around him.
The silence that followed suggested that Asher had given up on the argument, but after a beat, he spoke up. “You already have a mate. Why even bother with us?”
“Because the mate bond is not complete. Not without you. All of you,” Violet said, her words a plea.
This time, when Asher’s gaze connected with hers, he saw the raw emotion in her eyes and found himself unable to look away. There was a depth to her words that resonated with him, stirring his feelings once more.
“Look out—!” Oscar shouted in panic, jolting Asher back to reality.
Reacting instinctively, Asher swerved the car just in time to avoid an oncoming truck, the tires screeching against the asphalt. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on
“Can we just leave the fights for later and concentrate on staying alive?” Roman yelled, his voice tinged with stress.
“Stay alive!” The Beast roared back, its voice a deep growl that filled the car with an unsettling energy.
“Exactly, buddy!” Roman exclaimed, suddenly feeling a camaraderie with the Beast, as if they were allies in this chaotic moment.
“I’m sorry,” Violet suddenly said, her voice softer now. “I’m sorry for not visiting earlier.”
Asher sighed, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as he concentrated on the road ahead. It wasn’t fair to be too hard on Violet. He was just annoyed — and a little heartbroken.
They drove in silence for a while until Oscar suddenly said. “I’ve found him. You were right.”
“Right about what?” Roman asked, his curiosity piqued.
Oscar rotated his tablet screen towards the others. “Just like Asher guessed, Alaric’s been brewing a storm over Pine Ridge Lodge for a day straight. Even booked the whole place under his own name.”
Roman whistled. “For someone who doesn’t want to be found, he sure isn’t subtle.”
“Are you sure?” Violet asked, hopeful.
Oscar explained, zooming in on the radar. “The storm’s parked right on top of the property. There’s no movement, no dissipation. Weather service flagged it as ’unusually localized atmospheric activity.’ So, yeah. Definitely your boyfriend..” He coughed awkwardly, “I mean, Alaric.”
Asher flexed his grip on the steering wheel. “How far?”
“Hour and a half,” Oscar said. “Roads are clear, but—” A flash of lightning illuminated the horizon, followed by a lazy roll of thunder. “—expect a drizzle and some dramatic cloud cover.”
Roman clapped his hands. “Perfect! We show up, Violet gives him a kiss or more, and viola! Storm down!”