Chapter 19
Chapter 19
“Is that the truth, Violetta?” he asks, breathing in sharply. He lets it out slowly as he waits for my
answer.
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“I think the only other person I’ve ever been this honest with is my best friend,” I admit. “I’m not a very good person. I’m kind of an asshole. I was raised by a feral father whom I barely talk to. I was supposed to meet him today, and I chickened out. I’ve heard a lot about you as well. The word used to describe you is honorable, and then there’s my brother, who refers to you as the animal.”
“He would know all about that,” he smirks. I release his hold and take the wide mug in front of me to take a sip of my drink. “What kind of trouble are you in, Princess?”
“Nothing I can’t take care of myself. I dug myself into this hole and only I can get myself out of it.”
“Your father never stood a chance against you, did he?” he chuckles. “Okay, Violetta. Since you asked so sweetly. We’ll do this your way. I have one condition.”
“Breakfast,” Mrs. Homestead interrupts us.
I didn’t realize we were sitting so close to one another. We both sit back as she sets a tripod up
with one hand and then places a huge tray with our breakfast on it. She places the plates on either side of the table. I can feel my face burning.
“Thank you, Babs,” he dismisses her. I didn’t even know that was her name. How does he know her
name?
“Just because you’re my nephew doesn’t mean I won’t drag you out of here if you try something stupid on Miss Wolfe.” she scolds him. Oh. My. Moon.
“Wilde,” I correct her. She turns her attention to me. “My last name is Wilde,”
“Miss Wilde,” she corrects herself. “You okay, Love?”
“Perfect,” I nod. She glares at him and then walks away. “You could have told me she was your aunt.”
“Why?”
“I feel dumb for not knowing that.”
“I mean, why is your surname Wilde and not Wolfe?”
“My father disowned me before I left for college. I took my mother’s maiden name,”
“What did you do?” he asks.
“I dared to have my own thoughts and goals outside of his expectations.”
I laugh because no one has ever asked me what I did to deserve being punished that way. They see this face and assume I was being abused. Being small automatically puts me at a disadvantage in
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Chapter 19
our world. I might as well be an omega in their eyes. It’s why I’m so good at my job.
“He kicked you out of the pack?”
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“He didn’t have the balls to do it. He knew he wasn’t my alpha. Vincent is, and he granted me leave to go to school outside the city. I left, and the punishment for that was disowning me.”
“So, all this time. Every charity. Every union. Everything you’ve done for Blood Ridge has been your work outside of your inheritance?”
“Correct. I have no inheritance or legal binding to anything involved with the Wolfes.”
“Why didn’t you just go to a local school?” he grins and continues eating.
I’m not enjoying my food the way I usually do. My focus is on him. Who fucking cares what the food tastes like? He has fucking dimples.
“There’s no challenge in going to school here. Most of the curriculum is outdated by decades. The schools here don’t offer specialized classes in wolf economics. And if I stayed, my father wouldn’t have been forced to teach my brother how to hold the pack. We were dying, and I offered myself up as the sacrifice.”
“Do you regret it?”
“The time I’ve lost with my family, yes. I’ve missed so much—especially the pups. But I couldn’t just stand by and let them fall like that. I’d do it again if I had to. What about you? Why did you finally agree to an alliance?”
“You,” he doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I know your father very well. No offense but he’s a piece of shit. It looks bad on my behalf to be aligned with him.”
“I know it does,” I sigh. “But you’re not aligned with him. You’re aligned with my brother and me.” I set my fork down and looked up at him. “He wasn’t always like that. He used to be a good man.
“I think the best thing we could have done for him after my mother died was kill him, but Vince had a pack to run and I had three siblings to provide for and a company many have tried to take from us. I needed him, and he didn’t disappoint even after I left.
“It’s not a good look. I know that, but he’s brought us this far. That fucker is as alive as he was in his prime. He might do things a little sloppy but shit gets done. Let us prove that we’re more than a feral old wolf. I think our packs can make it here.
“I didn’t waste my time at Mr. Thorne’s side, hopelessly in love as you put it. I look like a princess, and I can be respectful. My father taught me to be, but I’m every bit the alpha my brother is, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“I didn’t mean to offend your father, Baby. I can tell I hit a sore spot, but you have a long way to go if you want to restore Blood Ridge. Your father has made a mess. A big one. Magique City is at war and if he can’t pull his head out of his ass, he’s going to be the first relic to go,”
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Chapter 19
“Vy,” I look toward the entrance to see Riley come in with a few things in her arms.
“Shit,” I sigh and get up to help her. “Hi, Riley, What are you doing here?”
“I offered to help,” she laughs, I take the two dry cleaning bags and Mr. Thorne’s morning files. She’s at least three hours late with all this shit. He must be ripping his hair out.
“Can I get two expressos to go and a box of assorted croissants?” I order.
“Sure thing, sweetness,” Mrs. Homestead nods. Her scan Riley disapprovingly.
“Can I help you take these to your car?” I offer.
“I don’t have a car. My Uber is outside,” she says, glancing back at the Prius outside.
You have got to be fucking joking.
“Can you drive?”
“Yes, I just can’t afford a car. I have a license,” she says quietly.
“Take my car. You’re going to need it.” I hold up the fob. “The pink Bentley. I’ll put this away for you.”
“You don’t have to,” she starts to argue, but I hold my hand up.
“I do. Mr. Thorne is very particular about his routine. My car is insured, and I know where you live, work, and go to school. Wait for his order.” I take everything out of her arms and walk out of the cafe. I organize everything in my car and lock it up before returning to her. I stop to tell the Uber
driver to take off.
When I walk back inside, she says, “Thank you, Vy. “I hold up the fob, and she takes it.
“He’s all yours.”
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