Page 108 of Violet

“Stop talking like you wrote it. You like it, I know. And the part’s perfect for an actor who’s risen above rom coms. Felicity, you should know, is having a field day with the mating ceremony. Back-to-back interviews. I think I’ll take her on as a client.”

“Turncoat.”

“Her agent sucks, and Felicity needs to back off with the interviews soon or she’ll over-saturate and self-sabotage. Now, be a good friend and introduce me to your mate’s brother. He’s delicious.”

I should correct her on the mating plan. That went out the window for me as a catalyst because I got to know Violet. Like her. Want her with a ferocity I sometimes don’t know what to do with. I think… Shit. I think I still would have marked her as mine even if that bite meant the end of my career.

I’d find something else.

The princess chats with her sisters. Pen is beaming, and the battle-ax has shifted to the shadows to observe. Violet’s relaxing a little.

And me? I want to get the fuck out of here. She’s mine, and I’ve waited long enough already. I want to go. Get started on the honeymoon I made Heath help me plan. It’s short, three days, more symbolic than anything. Mainly because I don’t trust the battle-ax to demand a weekly appearance from us or threaten shunning Violet and her family from society.

Call me a paranoid Alpha, but I don’t trust that woman. At all.

“Heath,” I say when I catch up to him. “This is Clea, my agent. Clea, this is Heath. Have fun. I’m taking my mate.”

“That’s my sister.” Heath narrows his eyes.

“My mate now, dude.” I slap his back and walk off before he can say something else.

Not that he’d do a thing to disturb Violet’s perfect day, but it’s also Heath and he’s protective. He knows me. But not the me with Violet. No one knowsthatme.

Except perhaps the princess.

Clea’s dragging him off. She’ll probably get him to bed, too, but it isn’t my concern.

Getting out of here is.

Sneaking out is impossible, I realize when I reach Violet. No one’s about to let the Luxe of the Season goquietly. A group of Omegas follows us, and Violet throws the bouquet, right to her sister Iris.

I open the front door of the Gardener townhouse, and picking up my princess, I carry her to the waiting limo and we get inside.

“Ready to start a new life, Princess?”

She smiles at me. “Yes.”

The mating ceremony was spectacular,

and our movie star pulled out all the stops we’d expect from Emporian royalty.

Her dress, his tux—all stunning.

And what more perfect backdrop than

THE CATHEDRAL, HIVEMIND! THE CATHEDRAL!

Gossip fodder for other Stitchers, social media hounds, and press from the mainland who did NOT get even a day ticket to Sabine.

Oh, and…

The Monarch?

Dressedin a slate-gray gown and matching cape lined in royal blue.

ROYAL, HIVEMIND

I’m not a fan of the over-the-hill Councilwoman but she makes a splash,

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