Page 56 of Violet

When it was safe to crawl out again, we were both covered in filth with leaves in our hair. Then we laughed and laughed, until tears streamed from my eyes and he struggled to catch his breath. He tried to wipe the crud off my cheeks, but when he only made it worse, it started another fit of laughter, and eventually we gave up and went our separate ways.

Stephan could have left me back at the tree. But he didn’t.

He could have let my reputation be ruined and wentabout his summer as the most eligible Alpha on Sabine. But he didn’t.

Mom’s still talking. I tune back in.

“These dashing sorts are very nice, Violet, lovely. But you don’t stop accepting the invites or dances with other Alphas until you find the right one. The one your heart beats for. True love is out there and you deserve it, too.”

True love. I almost want to laugh. It’s a fantasy, something in the movies Stephan stars in. I need a practical match.

“Yes, Mom.”

“Good. Now go talk your brother down and then get ready. We have that party at Hargrave House tonight.”

As expected, Heath’s in the study, pulling what looks like a gun from the wall safe behind a painting.

“Heath Edward Gardener, what are you doing?”

“Going to shoot that ex-friend of mine.”

I gasp. “Don’t you dare!”

“Did you sleep with him?”

“No!”

He nods. Grabs a magazine clip for the gun. “But you let him kiss you?”

“I kissed him,” I lie, my heart jumping. “Don’t tell Mom. Where did you get the gun?”

“It was Dad’s.”

“Put it back.” I cross my arms. “Ikissedhim. A peck. And the media has been sent back to the mainland. By order of the Monarch.”

“Youkissedhim. Sure, Vi.”

Am I really so predictable and boring?

“It’s true! A peck. It was nothing.”

“Do you like him?” he asks, eyes hardening on me.

“Like…him?”

“Yes. Do you like him?”

This feels like a trap.

“Even if Stephan wasn’t my friend, he’d be the last Alpha on my list for you. You two are on opposite ends of the spectrum. You’re not his type. And he’s?—”

Annoyance stirs, and my words are sharp. “How do you know what his type is?”

“Iknowwhat his type is and that’s enough,” he says.

“You really think so little of me? That I can’t make my own decisions?”

His eyes widen in surprise. “You’re just so good, Vi. You’ve always been delicate and compassionate. All Stephan’s ever cared about is himself. Well, except—” He stops abruptly and shakes his head. “Never mind. The point is I don’t want you wasting your time with him if there’s nothing real between you. I won’t risk Stephan ruining the Season and your chance at happiness. If you don’t care about him, kick him to the curb, and we’ll find you an Alpha worth your time.”

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