Page 23 of Violet

But I don’t want him to just settle. He’s meant for big things, I know it. And if I can take some of the burden off his shoulders, I’ll be happy. That’s why I’m glad to have a Season. I’ll make him and everyone proud. I’ll take the burden away and let their Seasons be easier.

Thentheycould mate for love.

He leans in, his voice low and conspiratorial. “The others can’t know—don’t even tell Mom—but our finances… They’re…” He sighs. “It’s not good, Vi. I’m trying to fix things, but…” Another sigh. “But if you don’t want this, I’ll find a way. You just need to tell me.”

“Hownot good, Heath?”

“Dad…” Heath rakes fingers through his hair. “Dad had massive gambling debts.”

I can’t breathe as panic scrabbles at me. “Mom didn’t?—”

“She doesn’t know. She just thinks the finances were worse than Dad let on. We’re okay for now. I’ve cut a lot. But I don’t know how long we can stretch it. I don’t want to start tapping into trust funds to make ends meet.”

Thatisbad.

Oh, Dad. What did you do?

“Don’t worry,” I say, trying to inject warmth and caring into my smile. “I’m going to fix this. I’ll find myself a goodAlpha, one who will help care for all of us and pave the way for our sisters.”

He sighs again, and drops a kiss on the top of my head. “This isn’t a burden you should be carrying.”

“I could say the same for you.”

He shakes his head.

“At least it’s a little less heavy if we’re carrying it together,” I insist.

His lips twitch at the corners—another flash of the fun-loving guy he once was. It quickly vanishes when he leans against the desk and crosses his arms. “Vi, I have to ask you something.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“This is just between us, okay? But I have to know.”

Christ, why’s he so stiff-sounding?

“Just ask, Heath, please.”

He clears his throat. “Have you had your first heat yet?”

All the blood in my body rushes to my extremities. And my stomach is like ice. My face and toes feel on fire. “Why?”

“Answer.”

“No.” I push it out between my teeth. “But Mom says soon.”

“Apparently, according to the social norms, that makes you more pristine for some reason. More desirable…”

This is going to go down as the most hideously embarrassing conversation ever. “Why are you asking?”

“Because, Violet, the Monarch just sent us this.” He scoops up a thick card from his desk and holds it out for me to take.

I do and see the Council’s infamous butterfly insigniafirst—more specifically, the symbol of the Monarch. But before I can even read the fancy script underneath, Heath speaks again, confirming my fears.

“Congratulations, Violet. You’ve been named the Luxe Omega. Sophine has picked you.”

Crap.

CHAPTER

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