Chapter 553: Arrival At The West Pack
Violet watched as the jet knifed through a ceiling of clouds and descended toward the private strip, her hand clammy and her heart pounding.
It had finally begun, the final plan that would decide their fate, and whether they’d reach Alaric.
Thankfully, they hadn’t been subjected to Elijah’s insufferable presence. The other Alphas had been the ones to endure that torment, giving Violet and her mates the chance to rest and save up their energy for what lay ahead.
But now, her nerves were at an all-time high, not just because of the plan, but because of the thought of seeing Asher again.
The original plan had been to never even make it to the West. Yet here they were, and Violet couldn’t stop the fear twisting in her chest.
What if the West Pack had changed Asher? What if being here had dragged him back into the darkness he’d fought so hard to escape?
Selfish guilt gnawed at her. The thought of leaving him behind in this place while she went to search for Alaric felt like betrayal.
But there was no choice. Violet’s instincts kept pricking at her, and she had always trusted them.
What unsettled her most was how calm Alpha Caspian seemed. He wasn’t worried about his son at all, certain that Alaric was safe in his mother’s care.
Either Caspian trusted his wife far too much, or he was a brainwashed fool.
Zara had never liked her, and Violet wasn’t naïve enough to forget that. The fact that Alaric hadn’t called her, or even reached out to his cardinal brothers was a warning sign all on its own.
Moreover, Micah had sent her a response earlier that day. According to him, information was tight in the North Pack right now, but one thing was certain — Alaric was being held against his will by his mother.
What in the world was Zara thinking, holding her own son hostage? Did she really believe that once she released him, Alaric would simply forgive her and fall back in line? Unless, of course, she planned to threaten him with something far worse...
"Gah," Violet groaned, rubbing her temples as countless disturbing scenarios ran through her head.
No. Zara wouldn’t go that far.
But if Henry and Elijah had taught Violet anything, it was that parents like them would go to terrifying lengths to secure their ambitions even if it meant destroying their children in the process.
Violet was still lost in thought when suddenly Roman, who was sitting beside her, cupped her face. Before she could brace herself, his mouth crashed against hers.
The kiss was hard and possessive, his lips claiming hers with an intensity that knocked the breath out of her lungs. His teeth grazed her lower lip, demanding, and nearly punishing, before softening slowly, and lingering, as if he wanted to carve himself into her soul.
At first, Violet thought this was Roman trying to calm her before the dangerous journey ahead. But as his grip tightened at the back of her neck and his chest trembled against hers, the truth hit her like ice water.
This wasn’t just a kiss. It was goodbye.
Her chest squeezed painfully. Roman wasn’t coming with them to the North Pack. This was his way of telling her that even if miles separated them, she was his and he was hers.
When they finally broke apart, Violet’s lips were swollen, her breathing ragged. Roman said nothing. Instead, his green eyes were locked on hers, fierce and aching, communicating everything his mouth wouldn’t say—at least not against her lips.
"Aren’t you both so adorable?"
The tender moment shattered like glass. Violet and Roman’s heads snapped up, and there he was—Elijah, standing over them with that insufferable, knowing smirk.
For the first time, Violet didn’t bother to hide her anger. Her golden eyes burned as she glared up at him, every ounce of rage and loathing she’d buried simmering to the surface.
Elijah, shameless as ever, only widened his smile. "Oops, my bad," he said lightly, as though he hadn’t just intruded on a moment that wasn’t his.
Violet swallowed the anger in her chest, smoothing her features into polite neutrality. She couldn’t afford to cross the line with this man.
"It’s nothing," she lied through her teeth, the words tasting like ash in her mouth.
Inside of her, Violet was seconds away from wrapping her hands around his throat and squeezing until his smug grin faded forever. And to think this man was her uncle—the family she had spent her entire life longing for. Fate had a cruel sense of humor.
"The moment we step down," Elijah continued, "there will be a lot of a commotion. That is why I’ve decided to leave Christian behind to take care of my precious heirs."
Oh fuck you. Violet cursed mentally.
They weren’t fooled by Elijah’s words. This wasn’t care or protection, no, it was surveillance. He was putting Christian on them like a leash to make sure they didn’t slip away.
Griffin’s voice broke the tense silence, his words edged with sarcasm. "We are so honored, Your Majesty. Truly, I feel flattered by the way you care about us."
He sat in the aisle seat across from them, his broad frame radiating a quiet anger beneath his calm demeanor.
Elijah’s eyes gleamed, his smile snake-like. "You’re welcome, of course. Anything for my heirs."
And that was how, moments later, Christian was glued to their side like an annoying pest as they descended the metal stairs of the jet.
From the distance, Violet saw him.
Her Asher.
He stood at the foot of the crimson carpet, unruffled and devastatingly handsome, carrying that same cool, mysterious aura that had always drawn her in.
Asher was dressed in a tailored black suit with the collar left slightly open. His slitted eyes were exposed and unblinking, watching his visitors.
He hadn’t come alone. Ezra stood a half-pace behind him, silent and imposing, while a row of West Pack alphas flanked the approach, their expressions carefully schooled into respect. Their posture radiated discipline and power; it was impressive.
Violet’s breath caught as their gazes collided across the distance, and for a heartbeat, the rest of the world fell away. Relief filled her as the attraction still thrummed between them. Inside her mind, Thalia was losing her damn mind, flirting, howling and pacing with wild excitement.
Her chest ached with all the things she wanted to say, but before she could even take a step, Elijah was already before Asher.
"Asher Nightshade," Elijah said, his tone deliberately pointed, refusing to bestow the title of Alpha.