Page 104 of Violet

“Give me that phone.” Iris stomps in and snatches the phone from Rue.

Rue tries to grab it, but Iris holds it above her head. “Iris!”

“No. Go do something. Go help Mom, or setout everyone’s outfits, including Mom’s. It’s going to come down to a screaming fight at the last second, so stay off your phone and help out.” Iris pins our little sister with a dark glare.

“But Mari and Dahlia are already at the cathedral.” Rue looks to me for help, but I’m a mess and I can’t spare the strength to intervene.

“Doing their part. Dahlia’s organizing the music, and Mari’s setting things up.” Iris motions to the door. “Phone later.”

When Rue goes, Iris chucks the phone onto the bed and grabs my hands. “Icy. Try not to be so nervous.”

“Do you have any idea when Heath will be back? He hasn’t even been answering Mom’s calls,” I ask softly. “What if everyone on social media is right?”

“About Stephan?” She laughs. “I was there when he almost broke through the door to get to you when you were in heat. And when he wouldn’t leave your side after you were done and resting. That last part means something to me more than the first. But they’re both important, Vi. Are you happy?”

Why does everyone keep asking me that?

“Yes.” I look at Iris. All the things I haven’t said press at me, but I keep them locked in. “Terrified.”

“He paid for the dress.”

“They’re going to judge me. It’s cream-colored.”

“Just a shade of white, Vi. And it’s satin and simple and soyou. I’m not girly, but that was a fun shop.”

The dress was made for me, and Penrith had the best designers and seamstresses flown in to meet us at a local dress shop.

Iris laughs again and squeezes my hands. “We went on that shopping trip, and the looks on those other Omegas faces… Delish. I could eat off that memory, especially that little witch Alicia. She wore a sour expression all day.”

“I think…” I swallow. “I think Stephan knows her, somehow.”

Her lips press together. “In the past, right?”

I nod.

“Then my words stand.”

The front door slams, and Rue shrieks. “Heath!”

My sister turns to me. “Time to start getting ready.”

The day has a whimsical quality. Or maybe it’s just me, hyperaware of everything and unable to concentrate on anything.

I almost start hyperventilating when I peek out the window of the limo. There are so many people heading into the cathedral.

“The lookie-loos,” Iris says, squeezing my hand. “They want a glimpse of your dress.”

Heath leans forward. “You’re doing fine, Vi.”

“I might throw up.”

“Save it,” he says. “Throw up on Stephan.”

“Heath!” Iris glares.

My brother grins. “It’d make my day.”

“No one is throwing up.”

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