Page 133 of Violet

There’s a moment of hesitation, but then I say, “Okay. Let me know what time and I’ll see you.”

I text Mari:

Coordinate with Iris,and I’ll be there.

Mari

Excellent. Mom says we need to bring Rue. She’s hosting a mothers’ lunch and is in a tizz.

Probably, I think, because a lot of the other mothers are competitive. I know for Mom the Season might be deemed a success for me, and other parents would rest on their laurels, but she has four other daughters, and one son who’s using our father’s death to escape a lot of the scandal he caused by not participating before Dad’s death. Not really. Never with intent. Before, he was having too much fun. Now, he’s full of burden.

I sigh and take my coffee, drinking it as voices fill the downstairs.

My heart skips a beat at the sound of them. And I smile. Heath and Stephan.

“Oh, good, you’re up, and you had your juice. Heath’s here.”

“She can see, Ashford.”

“I’m going to meet my sisters.”

Heath straightens. “Duty calls. Raincheck, Ashford?”

“Not you,” I say. “My sisters and I, just the girls. It’s fine. Mom knows.”

If my brother’s here, it’s good for me to go out, let them bond properly. I know there’s still some feelings on Heath’s side about this union with his friend.

I go to leave, and Stephan slides an arm around me and kisses me.

“Okay, okay, Jesus, dude. That’s my sister.”

“Deal with it, Gardener.”

“Not a chance.” Heath mutters something crass under his breath.

“I’m going,” I say.

“We’ll talk when you get back,” Stephan says.

Hivemind…

Rumors swirled as to my identity at the

Honey and Nectar Ball…

Or so I hear.

Were they close?

Who knows?

I’m not going to tell. Are you?

The ball was held at Miss Alicia’s palatial abode. She looked beautiful and many Alphas were drawn by the honeyed nectar look of her. But aWATCH OUTis in order because she’s more like a wasp than a bee, with a sting to match. Just ask our mated Luxe herself, who seemed to be fodder for Alicia’s fire and stingingtongue.

I hear she asked some very

KNOTTY

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