Page 156 of Violet

I narrow my eyes. I’m sick of being as perfect as I can be. I’m sick of bending over to please everyone, while ignoring myself and my needs. I’m tired of being taken advantage of, used as a pawn. I’m not the same naïve Omega I was at the start of the Season.

“Omega or not, I’m a human being, and I’ll not let anyone hurt me the way your nephew did,” I say. “My mate bond, mylife,has nothing to do with you. I stand by that.”

Sophine comes right up to me. “Be very careful.”

She uses her Alpha voice, but I fight it. That command that’s hidden in her words. She isn’t telling me to be careful, she’s ordering me to shut up.

Silence rules in the house and even Dahlia’s stoppedplaying the piano. On my periphery are all my sisters and Mom, all not moving. Even Rue.

Meeting her glare, I take a step forward, so I’m in her space. “That’s all I ever am. Careful. Everyone else comes first. You, Stephan, my family. And only my family gives back. But I think I understand why Stephan did what he did.”

Mom moves then, her hands on me. “Sweet Violet, what did he do?”

I shoot her a look of misery, but I can’t focus on anyone but the Monarch. Her command still stings. But my ire, my love for Stephan and my family is stronger.

I refocus on Sophine. “What he did is also your fault. He was young. Younger than me, only around Iris or Mari’s age, when you just…turned your back on him. Abandoned him. Maybe if you’d supported him?—”

“Then he would’ve sullied our family’s name and reputation.”

“Fuck your reputation,” I snap, and there’s an audible gasp around the room. Letting the curse go makes me feel more powerful. “If you’d taken an interest, been there, maybe he wouldn’t be as scarred and she’d be alive.”

Sophine stares down at me “But then there would be no movie star Alpha for you, and you and your family would sink under your father’s debts.”

My fury whips into an inferno. “Stephan is more than a star. He’s real. He screwed up, yes, and I’m so furious at him I can’t see straight. He’s an idiot, a moron, but I know in my heart of hearts he crossed those lines because his family failed him.Youfailed him. You’re his aunt, one of hisonly family members left. He did what he did because he didn’t want to lose me like he did Cecilia.”

“The girl,” the Monarch sneers, “was a Beta.”

“So? How could you let your social standing come before your family? That is weakness.”

Her eyes widen. “Howdareyou. There are risks with Beta/Alpha pairings. Risks Stephan didn’t want to listen to. That’s why?—”

My hands ball into fists. “If they loved each other, you could have…you could have done so much more. Most importantly, you could have been there to help pick up the pieces.”

The silence is almost oppressive. And I can feel my family gawp at me. I don’t even have to look to know.

“Are you done?” the Monarch asks suddenly.

“Yes.”

To my surprise, she pulls back, the hard lines of her face softening some. “I like you, Violet. I always have. It’s why I chose you to be my Luxe. So much potential. You just needed a littlepush.”

I stare, a bit dumbfounded by her words.

“You’re perfect for him. I know you’ll sort it out.” She starts to sweep out then stops. “Stephan is in Sabine. He’s at my sister’s. So if you decide to see him…”

“Be kind?” I shake my head. “I won’t?—”

“Hell no. Show no mercy. I own my part in this. I failed him back then. But Stephan crossed lines with you. Even I know that. So do make him prove himself worthy. He is, by the way, worthy. He just needs…”

“A little push?”

“Exactly.” Smiling, she leaves.

When the door shuts, I almost collapse.

“I think…” I raise my head, trying to finish the sentence, but apart from Mom’s worry and confusion, my sisters all smile.

Heath strolls into the house. “Was that the Monarch? What did I miss?”

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