Taken (Sinful Series - book 1)

“You saw him. He’s still unconscious. Now let’s go back,” Karim’s annoyance with her was clear in his voice. Violet had no doubt it was because he found her right where he left her – sitting on Xander’s bed, watching over his unconscious body.

Idiot, Violet bid back.

It was not like Violet had many options of going somewhere. She knew nothing and nobody in this pack. Of course, she’d stay put wherever his dumbass left her. Sarcasm would definitely not help the matter. So she decided to be the better person. She sighed, taking in a lungful then smiled at the absence of the flowery scent on him. Karim had showered. His small gesture did not go unnoticed. His scent was way better than any cologne she had ever smelled. It was seeping through the air, into her skin, and tugging the butterflies in her stomach in the direction of his arms. She wanted to bury her nose in his embrace, and never let go. Alas, they were not there.

The bond was weaving its way into both of their hearts. She could feel it just as he did. While some thought the mating bond was nothing but a physiologic response to certain pheromones, Violet knew better. She could see its effect. He was thawing out his fury against her, despite the coldness in his voice.

“I want to be here when he comes to,” Violet told him over her shoulder. It was difficult to stand her ground when nature was working against her. The need to please him, and take away the stress off his voice increased when Karim’ teeth grinded in response.

“Not that close then,” he grunted compromising.

Violet sighed and pulled a chair from the corner of the room close to the bed, then took a seat. Just as he had taken a shower by her request, she could also see reason.

“We have never been anything other than friends,” Violet again felt the need to explain herself.

“But yet you marked him.”

It was more of a sad statement than the furious accusation from earlier.

“He killed five of Enforcers, thus proving his worth as a fighter. Gagon couldn’t pass the opportunity to use him as a breeder before his execution.” Violet retold her story.

“And you what? Couldn’t wait?”

Violet flinched at his words. Who would have thought the accusation would physically hurt her?

He grimaced, recognizing what he had said.

“You’re right, but not in the way you implied. He was my ticket out. A rogue was better than a drunken Enforcer under Gagon’s thumb,” Violet replied with a steady voice, focusing on Xander’s rhythmic breaths, and willing her tears away. “I know it is frustrating for you to see my mark on him, but it is transient.”

“Would this be, too?” Karim gestured between her and Xander.

Although his jealousy was proof he wanted her, she did not feel any bit reassured by his behavior.

“You just don’t forget a helping hand, when you’re in need; nor the kindness a stranger showed when everyone else spat in your face. He’ll forever be my friend. But only my friend,” she clarified. “You are my mate.”

“Now I am your mate?”

“You’ve always been the one Fate intended for me.”

“So just because he didn’t mark you, it makes it okay?”

“You know, I dreamed about you,” Violet started. “You would come, rescue me, we’d run off in the sunset, bound by love and the fates.” Her face hardened as she continued, “They came for me in the middle of the night. It’s hard enough comprehending the fact my own pack was going to take you away from me, let alone to level my existence to that of a cattle. A Breeder. The pain of the brand was not nearly as bad as the disgust I had for them. The worse was that I couldn’t escape my thoughts about my possible future. I had no rights. I wasn’t a person to them anymore. My sole role was to breed. There was no room for protests, or appeals. You see, rebellious girls tend to disappear in the medical wing, never to be seen again. But the rumors spread though even the thickest walls. They are still there, alive, hooked up to medications, monitored, docile to breed with whomever.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want your pity. I want you to know I did not just decide to mark Xander. It wasn’t impulsive or out of passion. I did it because I wanted a chance with you. And no, it’s also not an excuse. It’s the truth. You have every right to be angry at my decision. I would be, if I were in your shoes. But I need you to know the why, too. So there’s my why. I am not proud of my decision, but it brought me to you, so it couldn’t be all bad, right? I can promise you Xander has always been nothing but a friend to me. Reluctant at that.”

The room was painfully silent. Despite her better judgement, Violet turned to look up at Karim. She needed to see his handsome face, and to feel the understanding shining through his eyes.

She needed him. Period.

Instead, she watched his broad back disappear behind the oak door.

The truth always hurt.

Violet

Three shoves was what it took before Violet woke up. She blinked, focusing on the middle-aged couple in front of her. Confusion settled as she was trying to regain her composure. Goddess, she hoped she hadn’t snored like a bear or worse - drooled in her sleep. She moved her hand over her lips as casually as she could, finding them dry.

Her injury must have been more taxing than she initially realized, if she had not felt their presence before. As her mind started to work more efficiently, she recognized them as Xander’s parents. The family resemblance was stunning. Violet closed her eyes, preparing herself for their reaction. It could range from bad to worse, depending on what they had heard.

“You’re the girl he brought,” Xander’s mother exclaimed, eyes scanning Violet from the top of her head to the tip of her socks. Violet looked down at her feet seeing her toes. They reminded her she didn’t even own a pair of shoes. Even the clothes on her back did not belong to her. While such a discovery could be devastating for some, Violet just accepted it – she had finally hit rock bottom, and there was no other way but up from here on now. While freedom was well worth any shoes, clothes or possessions she had left behind, it stilled made her feel self-conscious about her look.

Violet braced herself preparing for the accusation she knew was coming. No matter which way you chose to look at it, Xander was hurt because of her. The older she-wolf surprised Violet as she reached out and enveloped Violet into a hug. Violet stayed frozen, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Life was full of nothing but curve-balls.

“We thought we would never see him again,” Xander’s mom sniffled then quickly released her, as if the very contact with Violet burnt her.

There it was. Life’s compassion always came with a hefty price tag.

“We would also like you to leave his room. He had already suffered enough because of you.”

Violet nodded. She was right. He was here because of her, and Violet couldn’t blame them for looking out for their own. It was Karim’s fault Xander was still unconscious, and while Violet’s mark might have been the reason, it wasn’t like Xander hadn’t accepted it, otherwise the claim would have never taken.

Now that was the life Violet knew, and dealt with on regular bases. Why did Violet even think life would be any easier or more understanding now that she was here? Her mate’s presence here surely did little to comfort her newly found life.

While Karim could argue, beating Xander to pulp was his biological imperative or whatever he chose to call it, Violet knew differently. The fight was never about her. It was all about Karim’s hurt Ego, his reluctance to accept someone other than him was able to save her, and his pettiness and resentment at the situation. In that line of thinking, what Xander’s mom requested was reasonable. Violet’s mere presence could be misinterpreted as interest in the man, not the sad truth that she had no other place to be. Neither Karim, nor the Alpha had fully understood what this escape meant to Violet. She had cut all ties to everything and everyone she knew. She had nobody and nothing.

She only had a one-sided connection to Xander, which gave her some sense of belonging. But that was about it. Just as the blood transfer was one-sided, the link was too – his emotions and pain were transmitted to her, but that was about the extent of their connection. His parents were too involved in their own pain that they hadn’t considered her presence here was beneficial for their son as it eased off his pain.

It made sense she would seek comfort in the only person who had been kind to her – Xander. Although, he was reluctantly pulled into this mess, he had managed to deal with the situation with honor. As reluctant accomplice as he had been, Xander had at least ensured she was fed on their long way towards the pack. A gesture that only showed just how inconsiderate and selfish Karim had turned out to be, focused on his anger instead of tending to his mate.

Violet could bet her dimwit mate did not even think she wouldn’t be able to go back to her original room all by herself. She had been rather distracted on the way here to even think about memorizing the path. The pack house was also big and not easy to navigate. Besides wasn’t it Karim’s job to tend to her needs? Speaking about needs, Violet was starving.

Food was something you forgot about under duress, only for the hunger to awaken once your concentration slipped. It didn’t help that she was still healing from the bear attack. She somehow had to replenish her energy; sleep and food were on top of her list.

Since nobody cared to show her around the pack house, Violet took it upon herself to do some investigating, and locate the kitchen herself. She couldn’t get more lost than she already was, and that was a good starting point for any adventure. Violet walked through halls and staircases, fully committed to asking the first person she saw for some directions. Finding a living soul in this maze proved to be rather a tricky task. Even when she found shifters, they awkwardly ignored her, quickly moving out of her way as if she was radioactive. In a way, she was. Thanks to Karim dearest.

Xander’s condition was a testament to the extremes the Beta was willing to go. Although Violet disapproved of his antics, she had to admit, even only to herself, that a deeper darker part of her loved bathing in her mate’s attention. Despite Karim’s reluctance to be with her, as evident by his absence and the lack of attention to her well-being, e.g. dinner; his first and foremost imperative was to protect his stake over her. It was flattering, animalistic gesture that spoke louder of his wolf’s intentions than any words his human side had uttered.

Her empty stomach growled louder as her nose picked up a mouthwatering scent of fresh baked bread. Following the aroma, she arrived in the rustic kitchen. It was charming and homey with exposed wood and brick. It suited the grand mansion to a tee.

Her wolf drooled at the possibilities. Violet loved cooking, a passion she inherited from her mom. Violet fondly remembered her mom’s sayings that usually gravitated around food. Food was the way into a wolf’s heart. Goddess how much she missed them! If they were still alive, she would have never been put in this position. She hoped they would be proud of the choices she had made.

Violet had to be considerate of how much of her wolf come forth before, as not to attract the unwanted attention, but she vowed to change it. Anything other than ’average’ could focus the wrong kind of attention on her or her mateless status. She had manage to avoid the Brand for long enough to come up with a plan to escape. And while, the consequences were catching up with her, she would gladly do it again.

Now that Violet was finally free, suppressing her wolf was no longer needed. Besides, she was already branded a breeder, and had found her mate. As sour those two experiences had been, they were now part of her. There was no pending threat, no mean average she had to hold up to. It was time for Violet to appreciate her beast for the reliable, hardworking and strong she wolf that she was. Violet was proud her wolf was dedicated to a fault to her mate, and they had done everything in His name. There was no shame in that.

Having no host in the Pack House, possessed a whole number of issues. Although she was not a prisoner, she was neither a full pledged pack member, nor mated to a pack-wolf. She was a house-guest and as such she felt uncomfortable going through their supplies or cooking something warm for herself, despite how much she wanted to. There was no one in sight to ask for permission either. Violet decided to make herself a quick sandwich then swiftly move out of the kitchen, before anyone came back to check on the soup on the stove. Violet did not want to have to explain what she was doing in the kitchen, nor who she was.

Damned Karim!

He really dropped the ball on her, and incapacitated the only person who would have made sure she was fed. The pity look Xander had given her when she had explained the scarce food, and his decision to let her in on his kill when they traveled, showed he would at least been considerate enough to offer her food. Not that she ate a lot.

She was savoring the sweet hickory taste of a smoked ham sandwich, when her luck ran out. Two she-wolves entered the kitchen, and froze as their eyes landed on her figure. Violet stilled as well. This was the awkward moment she was desperately trying to avoid. She regretted not having Karim by her side no matter how useless he had been.

Stupid male!

“Hello,” Violet decided to break the silence.

‘Be the better she-wolf. Put their wolves at ease,’ Violet chanted in her mind. The new comers stayed silent, one of them wordlessly checked on the soup then joined the other in glaring at Violet. Violet sighed, recognizing the look. Their displeasure was obvious. They were judging her because they already knew who she was.

“You’re the bitch that marked Xander,” The second she-wolf snarled, confirming Violet’s suspicion.

“Wasn’t Karim enough?” The soup-chef hissed.

Violet finished her sandwich quickly as she had no doubt things would get ugly soon. Of course, mateless she-wolves would consider both the Gamma and Beta of the pack top prospective picks for choice matings. Then here she was, a scoundrel in their eyes, tying down not one, but both. Although Violet did not need to explain herself or her situation to any of them, she still considered a reply for the sake of being polite. Only Violet’s mind came up blank as there was nothing she could say that wouldn’t sound as a lame excuse. Who would believe her? Certainly her own mate had trouble coming to peace with her past. Violet could not possibly expect understanding from complete strangers.

Violet sighed, took a deep breath to steady herself for the shaming she expected would follow. Forget about she-wolves showing compassion for another female wolf. They were ready to rip her apart if it meant furthering their agenda. Violet realized these women were as vicious as the men she knew.

That was when she caught a flowerily scent, she immediately recognized it. Karim’s fling was the soup-chef, and she held a grunge, while her aggression was visibly showing in her stand.

“May you rot in silver, Breeder,” Karim’s trollop swore at Violet, collecting saliva in her mouth, as if she would spit. Probably she would have, if she finally hadn’t realized where they were. This pack sure loved spitting, if Violet’s limited encounter with Xander and now the she-wolf were any indication. It was such a gross, unhygienic habit. It gave Violet the chills, which the drab in front of her took as fear, perking her stand, and moving into Violet’s space, begging for physical confrontation.

Violet smiled, welcoming the challenge. Her hands itched to show the she-wolf in front of her who Karim really belonged to. But she was a guest in this house, and would not throw in the first punch.

“Better Breeder than a nameless slut,” Violet warmly smiled, educating and insulting her at the same time.

A fist caught Violet’s jaw, dislocating it.

“Alyssa. You best remember the name. Karim is mine.”

Violet smiled as far as the bruised cheek allowed her then slowly snapped her jaw in place. She kept her eyes locked at the misled she-wolf in front, who was still trying to intimidate her by staying in her personal space. Dumb move, which Violet wanted to swiftly reward.

“Of course you’re, Alyssa, the lost sheep,” Violet taunted her and as the blond finally processed the insult, Violet sealed her memory with an uppercut. “Stay away, or I will hurt you.”

Before Violet could move out of Alyssa’s reach, Alyssa punched her in the gut. Violet hunched over from the impact, hands holding her own stomach. Now that punch packed a kick.

“Look around you. Karim may be your Fated, but his heart is mine. It’s only a matter of time before you’re disposed of.”

Violet snapped. Nobody talked to her like that, and got away with it. Before Violet had the time to reconsider, she swiftly tapped her palms over the she-wolf’s ears, piercing the eardrums from the pressure wave, then pulled Alyssa’s head into her knee. The other girl screamed, obviously recognizing Violet’s dominance.

Violet could have done more damage as her parting gift, further stating who her right to Karim, but strong arms pulled her body off the crouching Alyssa. There was time to fight, and time to accept defeat. Violet willed her body to relax, thus showing Alpha Devon she was done. There was no reason to challenge his authority. He would win because of his broader, heavier physique.

Stupid males and their muscles.

Alyssa’s nose must have been rendered useless, as she charged against Violet, trying to ram into her midsection as retaliation, completely ignorant of her Alpha’s presence.

“Enough, Alyssa.” Alpha Devon’s voice thundered.

Alyssa immediately froze, bowing her head in respect. Violet doubted Alyssa heard him, but as full pledged member of Devon’s pack, his Alpha authority bend her will to his, as the command hammered down in her body. On the other hand, Violet shared no such allegiance with the man currently restraining her, thus making it purely her choice to follow his word. That did not mean she didn’t feel the magnitude of the authority and strength.

Violet got dark satisfaction from the way Alyssa’s body tensed, obviously trying to withstand his command for a second before completely stilling. Alyssa exposed her neck in submission was to her Alpha, but Violet got the kicks off her surrender as Violet was directly in front of her. Violet smiled brightly at the she-wolf, conveying the message she was accepting Alyssa’s defeat. When realization hit the she-wolf, she snarled in defiance at Violet.

Violet felt a vibration behind her, Devon was hiding a chuckle.

“Violet, may I have a word?” Alpha Devon Jones released her, then walked down the hallway, expecting her to follow like a good pup. Violet kept her eyes on the two she-wolves, promising them pain if they dared to come after what was hers, then decided the love-struck puppies in front of her were no threat and followed Devon. He could give her some clarity, while they possessed no interest to her any longer, “I see you’re making friends.”

“Frenemies,” Violet lightheartedly corrected him. For once she could speak her mind, as she did not have to bow to his law.

“Alyssa’s frustration is shared by many who think it unfair for the two most desirable bachelors to be bound to you.”

“So you’re mated,” Violet shot before she could stop herself, catching the self-imposed exclusion from the desirable bachelors list.

“As soon as I meet her,” Alpha Devon smiled at Violet.

“Your devotion to your mate is admirable,” Violet praised him.

“I could say the same about you,” Alpha Devon returned the compliment.

“Karim would disagree,” Violet almost chuckled. He would fuzz and turn green. That was more like her Karim.

“He’ll come around once he stops blaming himself for not saving you, and for allowing all this shit to happen to you. Karim thinks he had failed you because he wasn’t successful at protecting you. I suspect it would take him some time to recoup from that,” Alpha Devon Jones continued.

‘Why are you so chatty?’ Violet wondered but knew better than to ask.

“Please accept my apologies, as we forgot to show you around our Pack House. You’ll be staying at his room. Your room. And I will post a couple of Enforcers in front of the doors to help you settle in our pack.” The Alpha explained calmly as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“You must have aced Alpha-training, if you can so easily spin Karim’s behavior in such a positive way,” Violet noted. She admired his way of words, and wished she could be as tactful.

“He is a good man, and a loyal wolf. This all just threw him off,” The Alpha continued.

“You are close,” Violet commented. In her experience Alphas did not go out of their way to explain or make excuses of their Beta’s poor decisions.

“And you’re quite perspicacious. Just what Karim needs.”

Violet smiled, tipping her head in acknowledgement of his praise. Alpha Devon opened the door for her, and as Violet entered the room, he bid her goodbye. As the door clicked shut behind her, Violet eyed the room. Her attention focused on the line between the sun-kissed hardwood, and the original flooring color. The rug in the room was freshly changed, smaller than the original one. She clenched her teeth. The carpet must have stunk of sex, if it had been deemed non-salvageable.

Disgusted.

That’s how Violet felt. Her eyes automatically landed on his bed, making her shudder.

It was the past. Violet needed to make the best out of her presence. She took a sniff at the room, testing for the flowery scent The fresh linen detergent smell lingered in the room, and should have brought a smile on her face, as someone had thought about her comfort. Instead, it made her wonder just how close Karim had been with Alyssa for someone to try this hard to cover her scent.

Goddess, how much she missed the infirmary room.

Violet

Violet had really tried staying put in Karim’s room, waiting for his return. But as the hours passed by, and evening settled, and he didn’t show, she decided waiting was not her. Brave she-wolves did not hide, nor avoid their problems. They just dealt with them – face to face, or muzzle to muzzle, whichever came first.

She opened the door, remembering her glorified babysitters, who were patiently waiting outside. Devon was not messing around. The Enforcers on duty were tough Enforcers that could hold off a small army, judging by the scars on their exposed skin.

“Hey,” she said and waited for response. As they didn’t say anything, she assumed they were like the British Queen Guards – statues of solid muscle. So she decided a royal approach was in order, “Would you mind being so kind as to escort me to Xander’s room?”

That made the one on her left move couple of steps down the hallway. Her halted waiting for her to follow. The guard on the right followed behind her.

Weird was the understatement of the year.

“Xander,” Violet squeaked as soon as the door opened and she saw him awake. Her arms quickly moved over Xander’s torso in a tight embrace, evicting a groan from him. “Sorry. I’m just so happy you’re awake.”

“Violet,” Xander cautioned her trying to hold her hands in his, preventing her from tracing the bruises on his face.

“Ug, sorry. Truly. I didn’t think that I will cause you such a commotion.”

“Your mate had the right to pummel me for bearing the mark which was his alone,” Xander touched her bruised cheek, “What happened to your face?”

“A tree,” Violet lied.

“Violet,” Xander cautioned her.

“By the name of Alyssa. Mean left hook,” Violet confessed.

“Oh,” Xander did not obviously know what to reply. He obviously knew who she was to Karim.

“Yeah, oh. Between you and Karim, I’ll have a whole posse to deal with. So your generous Alpha dispatched me two guards in anticipation of some physical confrontation. Way to make me feel special,” Violet’s sarcasm was making its presence known once again. “You should have been the one that marked me. Then I would not feel the scrutiny of having stolen you from under their noses.”

“I’m sorry, but had I marked you, I would be dead,” Xander honestly told her.

Violet forcefully smiled, “I didn’t think about it that way. I still can’t believe something so transient will cause such a big fuzz. Damn, men are so dense!”

Xander raised his eyebrow at her.

“You’re an exception, you’re my bestie, and I need to vent,” Violet explained.

“Sure. Never in a million years did I think you’d end up being my best friend’s mate.” Xander shrugged the awkwardness off.

“Fate works in mysterious ways,” Violet replied, then sighed, “He certainly did a number on you.”

“He’s the Beta,” Xander pointed out the obvious.

“It helped you just took the beating, didn’t you? The mark was my decision. I am to blame. Not you. He shouldn’t have…” Violet started.

“I agreed to have you mark me,” Xander reminded her.

“Very reluctantly that it doesn’t even count.”

“Honestly, I thought it was a covered interrogation tactic so I called you out on it,” Xander confessed.

“Oh, please, Gagon doesn’t have the brain power for such an elaborate scheme. You know there are rumors that he doesn’t even wipe his own ass,” Violet told him, keeping a serious face, only for Xander to laugh, then wince holding his ribs. “Shit, I am sorry.”

“What’s a little laugher, eh?”

“You know I can take some more of the pain from you if you open the bond.” Violet offered.

“So we could both suffer? No. I am good,” Xander told her, and then seriously applied, “Just don’t make me laugh.”

“Why couldn’t you be my mate?” Violet asked before she could stop it, then raised her hand to give him a sign not to interrupt, “I’m sorry. I know it is not fair to you, but I just wanted you to know that I really appreciate your kindness. Goddess, I sound like a creep now.”

“It would have been real nice, but my fate is with someone else,” Xander told her, eyes closely following her facial expression, and when she calmed down a bit, he sighed, “Karim can be an ass.”

“No kiddin’,” Violet rolled her eyes at him, faking surprise.

“That’s the sass I missed,” Xander smiled.

“You don’t say,” Violet replied then asked, “I know he’s my mate so possessiveness and jealousy come with the territory, but please tell me he is not one of those privileged Betas with a stick up their ass.”

“You’ll be good for him,” Xander smiled, then applied, “He needs time to adjust to having his fated. He’ll come around.”

“First the Alpha, now you. Why do you keep making excuses on his behalf? Sure, I am to blame for the mark and all, but he is no innocent flower either. He was going to announce a mating with that Alyssa, wasn’t he?” Violet asked, and his silence was all the confirmation she needed. “I don’t see why we have to tip-toe around the issue. We are all grown-ups here, so at least we can handle them without getting passive-aggressive. I know he had a life before he met me, and just as I am not going all screaming banshee at him, he should have the decency to stop playing victim. Right now he’s just being hypocritical. It sure isn’t the forever after I had in mind, and mind you I am invested into this mating thing, but I feel if I give him more rope, he’d go ahead and hang himself,” Violet told Xander. “How do you deal with him?”

“Believe it or not, he is pretty reasonable,” Xander replied, “I guess his pride was hurt in the process.”

“I don’t think I have any pride left,” Violet sighed, then changed the subject abruptly, “You know, I met your family.”

“And?”

“Your mom has not decided whether she should thank me for setting you free, or burn me to the stake for being the reason why you’re in infirmary. Which is pretty reasonable. I would be torn between the two. So what can I do to score some extra brownie points?”

“Why do you want to impress my parents?”

“I don’t want my presence to be forever associated with tension between you and Karim, so I have to find a way to mend some bridges. So I figured, I’d start with your folks, and hopefully Karim will thaw out after he taste my cooking. So family dinner? Nothing like a good home cooked meal to sneak into man’s heart,” Violet laid out the strategy, only for Xander to chuckle.

“You’re a great Beta-female,” Xander told her, “Speaking about dinner, did you eat?”

“Yes,” Violet nodded.

“Aha. When?” Xander challenged.

“Lunch.”

Xander’s eyes glazed over. It always looked weird to her, when someone linked in front of her. Their body will freeze, their face would be voided of any personality, while their eyes stared at you. Creepy.

“There. You’re having dinner with me,” Xander told her.

“That sort of talk will get you beat up again,” Violet told him before she laughed at his surprised face, winking at him, “It’s a date.”

“Now that will get me in all sorts of trouble,” Xander shook his head at her.

There was a knock on the door and one of her guards brought them trays with food.

“Thanks,” Violet smiled as she accepted her tray and settled the one in the bed-side table for Xander. As the guard left, she asked Xander, “You want me to feed you?”

“I’ll manage,” Xander replied blushing.

Violet smiled and dug into her food. She was almost done with her meal, while Xander’s mom entered, freezing when she saw Violet. Violet did not miss the exchange between mother and son, and judging by the intense glaring they were discussing her over the mindlink. Violet sighed. So much for a nice evening and sharing a good meal with a friend.

As Xander was still mind-dueling with his mother, Violet felt she was suffocating from all the tension in the room. Tension that she had caused.

“Hey, Xander,” Violet reached out to touch his forearm, brining his attention on her, “I’m heading out. Enjoy some time with your mom. See you tomorrow, ok?”

“Good night, Violet,” Xander replied, then his eyes shifted to his mom.

“Nice seeing you again, Mrs.…,” Violet tried to be nice, but failed.

“Meyers,” Xander offered.

“Pleasure seeing you again, Violet,” his mom replied, smiling at her.

Violet nodded, picking her tray, only for one of her Guards to take it from her as soon as she was out of the room.

When Violet returned to Karim’s room, she sniffed the air. No trace of Karim. By now undoubtedly he would have heard of her fight, but he hadn’t deemed it necessary to check up on her. So much for her good evening.

Karim would surely arrive soon, Violet tried to convince herself. Only he didn’t return as the evening progressed. Violet tried to ignore the pain in her heart as sleep evade her, while burning tears rolled down her cheeks until exhaustion finally lulled her to sleep.