Page 154 of Violet

BUT

A birdie whispered there might be the scandal of not just the Season but the decade coming!

Stick around and be sure to return tomorrow for the scandaltally, the marked, the singles, and who’s tipped to end the Season with a mate…

Don’t know about you, brood, but I can’t wait until this new ball.

Let’s see if it’s a curve.

- Queen Bee

CHAPTER

FORTY-THREE

Violet

My mother actually squeals when the doorbell rings the Sunday after the ball. We didn’t go.

I didn’t go.

It was hinted at that as Luxe I needed to be there, but I’m not going to be seen with Stephan. My heart’s too wrecked. And he…

He’s stopped trying to win me with meaningless gifts and guilty pay-offs.

He’s stopped completely.

Iris looks at me as we stand at the top of the stairs. My heart’s going a mile a minute, only because the Monarch’s here.

“Monarch,” Mom says, dangerously close to borderline simpering. “Come in, please.”

Shit. Why is she here? Did Mom…?

I told Mom and the others when they arrived yesterday at the countryside estate that Stephan was busy. When I lied and said I wasn’t going to the ball because I didn’t feel well, she just stared.

And hadn’t said a word.

“Why is she here?” I whisper as Iris comes up to my side.

“You know Mom doesn’t believe you,” Iris hisses. “She’s worried about you and Stephan.”

Me and Stephan, like that’s all I am now, part of a unit, a mate to an Alpha.

“You don’t think…?” I stop and swallow.

“That Mom contacted the Monarch? God, no. She wouldn’t. Even if she wanted to, she wouldn’t. It’s our Mom, not one of the other ones. Like Quinn’s.” And Iris takes my hand, linking our fingers.

“O.M.G., it’s the Monarch,” Rue says, and Dahlia starts to play something regal on the piano.

“Rue. Go to your room.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I say. “She has all of you to mate off.”

“Not me,” Iris says. “We need to hear what’s happening. She might be here to announce the dissolving of your mate bond.”

That sends a knell of pain through me, even though I want it.

No,wantis the wrong word.

---