Chapter 4

Violet's POV

Two weeks passed and I told myself nothing would go wrong.

Not until one day, the door of the council hall opened and he walked in.

That afternoon, I had just concluded a brutal training session with Aaron when a guard rushed.

“Lord Alpha,” he greeted with a pant. “Lady Luna, the patrol guards caught a trespasser and he asked for her Ladyship.”

My brows furrowed. “Who?”

The man looked at Aaron as though waiting for a command to continue.

“Go on.” Aaron said, wiping sweat off his brow.

The man continued. “He says his name is Ryker… from the Midnight pack.”

Aaron's eyes flared. “Take us to him! At once!”

My blood went cold. Midnight? What were they doing here?

The guard took us to the council hall where we found two patrol guards and a bruised man in their centre.

One of the guards flanking the stranger shoved him to the floor. “We found him trespassing during our patrol.”

Aaron walked past me to meet the prisoner.

“Lift your head.” He ordered the slouched figure in a commanding voice.

The man winced softly and moved. When he lifted his head, my heart sank.

That familiar gaze, blonde hair, green eyes, the scent of lavender and wildberries.

What in the hell was he doing here?

The man's eyes locked on mine and I looked away immediately.

How did he find me? Did him and his brothers follow me that night? I thought I had lost them.

A hint of amusement danced in his eyes. Aaron noticed and grabbed his face. “So you are Ryker from Midnight.”

Ryker didn't answer. His eyes were still on me. I could feel it.

“Violet,” he smiled, relief flashing in his green eyes.

Ryker was a mess. His usual smirk was gone, replaced with a bruised face. His hair was tousled and his shirt bloodied and torn. What happened to him?

“Take him away.” Aaron gave the final order.

I held back his arm. “Wait…”

“What!”

“You can't just lock him up. He didn't do anything.”

“He was trespassing! That's against the law!” Aaron retorted.

I turned to the guards. “Did Ryker hurt anyone?”

They shifted their gaze, embarrassed. They couldn't answer because they knew the truth.

“If Ryker was dangerous, he would've attacked your guards but it seems like he didn't.” I hissed.

Aaron crossed his arms over his broad chest. “And how do you know that?”

“Because your guards don't have a scratch on them but he does. I know a criminal when I see one and Ryker isn't.” I tried a convincing tone but Aaron wasn't having it.

“He did come here to see you, Violet. Do you know this man?” He asked.

Suddenly, images of that night at the bar flashed in my head. No, he couldn't know. I told myself I'd take that secret to my grave and I would.

“If I knew him, your guards would be dead by now,” I said in a challenging tone. “No one hurts my allies while I'm around and when that happens, I don't take it lightly.”

A short laugh rumbled from Aaron's lips and he leaned in, his nose nearly brushing mine. “Fine. Take him.”

“To where?” I panicked as the guards lifted Ryker to his feet.

“Don't worry, Violet. He's good hands.” Aaron smiled.

I highly doubt it.

After dinner, I walked to the balcony for some fresh air.

Ever since I came here, nothing was the same, not the culture, the people, the laws. It was different as it was comfortable but deep down, something wasn't right and I couldn't put my finger on it.

I caught a glimpse of three men walking towards a dark building. Two of them were in perfect health while the third one was dragging his feet as though he struggled to walk. I squinted my eyes hard enough and recognized who it was. Ryker! And they weren't just taking him to any building. They were taking him to the dungeon.

“Aaron, you bastard!”

I stormed out of my chambers with my mind set on demanding answers about Ryker.

Why would Aaron have him locked up!

Ryker was from Midnight and if they discovered him missing and trace his steps to WhiteMoon pack, it would spark a full-scale war. And I didn't want that. Not when I hadn't taken my revenge.

I walked into the vast hallway lit by a dozen candles and prepared my speech. Aaron was going to get an earful if he thinks he can ruin one month of planning.

I clutched the doorknob and without knowing, I entered.

The moment I stepped inside, all the words died on my tongue.

Aaron was with a woman.

His muscular frame pressed against her bare skin, his lips at her throat. The woman giggled softly and a soft moan escaped her lips. Her hair was a tangled mess around her face and her eyes alighted with amusement when our gazes locked on each other.

Her lips quivered into a smile and she ran her hand through Aaron's hair. She knew… she knew I was watching. She wanted me to see them together.

A gasp left my lips but no sound came out or maybe it did because Aaron turned his head. He was completely unfazed.

“You should really learn how to knock, Violet.” He said in a lazy voice.

The room felt like it was collapsing around me. What the hell did he just say?

The woman beneath him stretched like a cat. “Don't mind her, darling. Rogues don't have manners.”

Something inside of me snapped. “Rogues? Excuse me?”

The woman chuckled. “Oops. Did we break your little heart?”

My fingers curled into tight fists and I could feel my nails digging into my palms.

I turned to Aaron and spoke in a calm tone I didn't know I had. “You locked Ryker up.”

“I did what had to be done.” Aaron rolled over on his back to look at me.

“You did what had to be done?” My fingers trembled. “You're sabotaging our plan! W - Why! After everything we planned?”

Aaron sighed and pushed off the covers, standing to his full height. “Look…”

He dragged his hand through his hair. “Violet, there is no “we.”

“What?”

The woman slid off the bed and wrapped herself in a silk robe and strolled towards me and that’s when I realized who she was.

What was Avery doing here? And why the hell is my step sister in bed with Aaron?

“You really don't get it, do you?” Avery tilted.

“Get what?!”

“You were never a part of this pack, Violet.”

I froze. “What?”

“You were nothing but a tool, a fool, but still very useful.”

I couldn't control the emotions racing through me.

Tears pricked at the ends of my eyes. “What did you just say?”

Aaron took over from her, draping his arms over her shoulder. “Well done, Avery.”

“Why the hell is she here” I asked?

Aaron let out a short, mocking laugh. “Come on, Violet. Did you really think I'd make you my Luna when I already have a mate?”

I turned to Avery now, my bones shaking in shock.

Avery is Aaron’s mate?

“I’d admit you were fun, Violet but you were never meant to stay here.” Aaron concluded.

Realization hit me in the face like a slap.

“You … you used me.” it came as a whisper.

Aaron stepped closer, his voice almost gentle. “Yes. We both did.”

Avery giggled beside him. “Honestly, you should be proud of yourself, Violet. You did exactly what we needed. You played your role perfectly.”

I choked on a sob. “What?”

Aaron leaned in and whispered behind my ears. “You've served your purpose, darling. It's over now. We won't be requiring your services any longer.”

He turned on his heels and walked away leaving me there. I stared at the spot he had stepped on, unmoving.

Aaron used me.

Even when I fought for his pack.

Even when I trusted them.

Even when I told them everything I knew.

They betrayed me.

And just like that, I was nothing to them?

“Was any of it real?” I blurted out without thinking.

Aaron turned to look at me. “What?”

“Making me your Luna. Training me. Telling me you cared about me. Was any of it … real?” My heart broke at the last word.

Aaron chuckled and shook his head. “I only care about revenge, Violet. I never cared about you.”

My blood turned to ice.

“Your time here is up. Thank you for your service to my pack, Violet. You will be missed.” He said.

As if in cue, the door burst open and guards flooded in.

I barely had time to react before a rough hand grabbed my wrist and twisted my hand behind my back.

Pain shot up my arm and I tried to fight but there were many of them.

While I was elbowed hard in the ribs, slapped across the face and kicked in the gut, Aaron stood there and watched. Seeing me in pain was amusing to him.

A yawn escaped his lips and he clapped his hands. “That's enough. Lock her up.”

One of the guards gave me one final blow to the gut, sending a ripple of pain through my body. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and it hurt like hell.

The guards hoisted me to my feet.

“Make sure that woman stays far, far away, from my precious mate.” Aaron concluded his instructions, his arms draped around Avery's waist.

Avery smiled. “Bye, Violet.”

No, no. This can't be happening.

“No!” I screamed as they dragged me away.