Page 157 of Violet

“It was wild,” Mari says. “Totally wild. Vi was magnificent.”

“Heath, what is going on?” Mom demands.

“Go, Vi!” Rue shouts. “You rule!” Then she pauses. “No, I meango. Find Stephan. I want a movie ending.”

I look at my brother. “I need to get to Penrith’s. Can you call a car?”

He nods, and I head to the door.

I guess I should end this once and for all.

CHAPTER

FORTY-FOUR

Stephan

“You look horrible.”

I’m in the ivy-covered gazebo in the back garden. The only fucking place that doesn’t smell like her, and now she’s spreading her scent out here.

“I’m surprised you’re here.” I don’t turn and look at her.

“This has to end, Stephan. It’s…” She pauses. Because it’s Violet, the girl who hates to disappoint, to hurt. “I think?—”

“I did something to hurt you,” I say, cutting her off because I’m not yet ready for goodbye, not until we have to. “I lied and justified and twisted it so it made sense. But the core was real and honest, Princess. The core of it.”

“I know. You didn’t want history repeating.”

This time I turn and look at her. Fuck, she’s beautiful.My heart, that shouldn’t be able to break any more than it has, breaks some more.

“Princess—Violet, I was so fucking terrified of losing you. I didn’t even realize why at the time, but I was terrified of losing the girl I’d fallen head over heels in love with. I couldn’t risk it. If the same thing happened, then…” I suck in a breath and scratch my bearded cheek, trying to find the right words I need to say.

The truth.

The lame, bare, makes-no-sense truth. I drop my hand. “I fucking fell so hard in love, and I was just so hell-bent on making sure you were safe, packed up in cotton wool, that I took matters into my own hands. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust you. Never that. I didn’t trust myself. I wanted you so desperately, loved you so much that I couldn’t admit it, and I…”

Shit.

“You break down every fucking barrier there is. I can smell you through blockers, you invade my dreams. I crave your touch, your scent. You make me want to see you smile, live your dreams as a dancer. I want to give you every happiness you’ve denied yourself for the sake of others.”

I stand.

“And… And I want you to carry my child. I want to try again, even if it terrifies me.”

“Stephan…”

“But not as much as never having you, never knowing you, never growing old with you. Losing time with you is a nightmare. I can’t function without you. The thought of any other Alpha even thinking of touching you, Princess…”

I take a step toward her and make myself stop. “I can’t handle it.”

“Stephan, I’m an Omega. I’m made for an Alpha. And yes, things could go wrong, but we can’t predict tomorrow. I could have an accident. Or?—”

“Stop.”

She just looks at me.

“I fucking love you, and I should have told you. I’min lovewith you. If I could take it back, just talk to you honestly, I would. But Violet, being with you for a minute, an hour…I’ll take that over a lifetime with anyone else.”

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