Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Violet
A slow smile curves across my lips, soft and almost sympathetic—though there’s not a shred of sincerity in it. “Even claiming ignorance won’t save you, sweetheart. You willingly kidnapped two omegas. You know damn well no pack is going to let that slide.”
The guy finally slumps, the weight of his mistake hitting him full force.
His shoulders sag like a marionette with its strings cut.
Fallon steps up beside me, arms crossed tight over her chest. Her stance is deceptively calm, but I can practically feel the fury radiating off her in waves.
Her voice, when it comes, is low and ice-cold.
“You fucked up. Big time.” She tilts her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with that particular look that promises pain.
“Not only did you snatch Pack Rosetti’s omega—but you grabbed the mate of three extremely pissed-off, heavily armed alphas who’ve literally burned bridges and walked away from their old lives for her. ”
The color drains from the man’s face. He’s sweating now, and not from the blood loss. “They never told us who you were,” he says hoarsely. “Said you were nobodies. Just omegas with weak ties—grab and hold, that’s it.”
A loud crash echoes from outside the room, followed by sharp, startled cursing and a series of frantic beeps at the keypad on the other side of the door.
Fallon and I perk up immediately, adrenaline slamming into our systems like a second wind. We lock eyes, sharing a look that’s equal parts vindication and bloodlust.
“Moment of truth,” Fallon whispers, her wicked grin blooming like a flower in hell. “First through the door. Ten bucks says it’s my pack.”
I snort, a smirk dancing on my lips despite the bruises and dried blood painting my skin. “You’re on. I see your ten and raise you twenty on mine.”
The keypad chirps.
The heavy metal door slams open, nearly flying off its hinges.
Dare storms through like the apocalypse itself—tall, broad, blood-smeared and wild-eyed, a gun clutched tight in his hand and murder in his expression.
His chest rises and falls in rapid bursts beneath his black tactical shirt, his hair wild and face flushed like he hasn’t stopped running since they got the alert.
I throw both hands in the air, giddy with triumph. “Yes! I win! ”
Fallon groans, dramatic as ever. “Fine, fine. You win. I owe you twenty and my pride.”
Dare skids to a stop, blinking hard as he takes in the scene—me and Fallon standing tall and smug in front of a sheet-mummified, sulking man tied to a chair. The walls are stained, a smear of blood leading from the doorway. And yet, we’re casually bantering like it’s girls’ night.
“What the—?” he starts, eyes wide.
Then Voss barrels in behind him, all lean fury and raised pistol, scanning for threats like a feral storm. He nearly crashes into Dare, only to freeze at the sight of Fallon.
“Fallon,” he breathes—relieved, wrecked, frantic.
Before she can even blink, he’s on her, pulling her into his arms, hands roaming over her like he needs to confirm she’s really okay, that she’s intact . He cups her jaw, his voice rough. “Are you hurt? Did they touch you? Fallon— ”
She leans into him, fierce and gentle all at once. “I’m fine, Voss. Promise. Vi and I handled it.”
Meanwhile, Dare is across the room in three strides, scooping me into his arms like I weigh nothing. I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, my fingers fisting in the back of his shirt. He buries his face in my neck, breathing me in like he needs me to stay grounded.
“You scared the shit out of me,” he growls, voice low and wrecked. “I thought—fuck, I thought—”
“Shh,” I murmur, brushing a kiss along his jaw. “I’m okay. We’re okay.”
Then he kisses me, hard. Desperate and grateful and slightly possessive in a way that makes my toes curl. By the time he pulls away, I’m panting and half-dizzy from the force of it.
“You love it,” I whisper against his mouth, and he chuckles darkly, forehead pressed to mine.
Another loud crash sounds somewhere in the hallway. Fallon peeks over Voss’s shoulder, grin back in place. “Round two?”
“I’m game,” I say, grinning as Dare sets me down gently, his hand lingering on my hip like he doesn’t quite trust the world not to steal me again.
Fallon slinks behind our bound kidnapper, giving me a tug toward her as we reposition ourselves like we’re waiting for the grand finale of a very violent circus.
“Ten bucks says Jace comes through next,” she whispers.
I cock a brow. “Nope. Fox. Twenty.”
“You two are ridiculous,” Voss mutters—but he’s smiling now, just barely.
The door swings wide again.
Fox strides in, his gray-blue eyes cutting through the room like a blade, shoulders squared, expression sharp—until he sees me.
His entire body softens in an instant.
I wink slowly at Fallon and hold out my hand. “Pay up.”
Fallon lets out a strangled sound of frustration. “That’s just mean.”
I shrug, smug as hell. “You got the rescue last time.”
She throws her head back and laughs, leaning into my side. I laugh with her as the rest of our pack floods the room, the chaos finally starting to quiet under the weight of safety and reunion.
And even though there’s blood on the floor and bruises blooming on my ribs—I’ve never felt stronger.
Or more loved.
Violet
May 26th
3:33 P.M
I only make it two steps into the house before a strong pair of arms wrap firmly around my waist. With a surprised squeak, I’m lifted effortlessly over Jex’s broad shoulder, my feet dangling helplessly down his massive chest.
“Jex!” I burst out laughing, gripping the back of his shirt as he strides purposefully down the hallway toward my nest. “Put me down, you caveman!”
“Not a chance, sweetheart,” he growls playfully, giving my thigh a teasing squeeze. “We’ve waited long enough.”
Fox chuckles darkly from somewhere behind us, footsteps steady and eager.
“Agreed,” Dare murmurs, voice deep and rough, his hand brushing gently against my dangling fingertips as he follows close by. The touch sends sparks racing through my veins, anticipation pooling low in my belly.
“You guys waited far longer than I needed.” I tease as Jex nudges open the door to the omega suite, stepping confidently inside. The soft purple curtains around the massive hanging bed glow gently with strings of star-shaped lights, illuminating the nest I built with care.
Jex lowers me carefully onto my feet, his strong arms lingering warmly around my waist, holding me close for an extra moment.
I lean into him, savoring the comforting heat of his body against mine.
After everything we’ve been through today, his touch grounds me—reminding me that this, right here, is real.
“I really want to dive right into this,” I murmur softly, brushing my fingertips lightly across his broad chest, “but I feel absolutely disgusting. I desperately need a shower first.”
He chuckles quietly, the deep sound rumbling pleasantly through his chest. His large hands gently squeeze my hips, guiding me toward the ensuite bathroom door. “Would you like some company in there?”
I glance up at him, a playful smirk lifting my lips. “Tempting offer, big guy, but you’ll see everything soon enough. A girl needs a moment.”
He raises a brow, his amber eyes twinkling with amusement. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Laughing softly, I step away reluctantly, slipping into the spacious bathroom and quietly shutting the door behind me.
Alone for the first time in what feels like forever, I release a deep breath and lean against the door, taking in the calming atmosphere of the room.
Soft lavender walls, plush gray towels neatly folded, and the faint aroma of eucalyptus all greet me, relaxing some of the lingering tension in my muscles.
I peel off my clothes slowly, discarding them into a messy heap on the tiled floor.
Catching sight of myself in the large mirror, I frown at my reflection.
The faint shadows beneath my eyes, messy purple curls tangled from stress, and the slight bruise forming on my arm remind me vividly of today’s chaos.
Turning on the shower, I step beneath the hot spray, closing my eyes as water cascades soothingly down my body, washing away grime, sweat, and anxiety. My fingers comb through my hair, the tension gradually draining from my muscles as steam surrounds me.
Kidnapped again. Seriously? Who gets kidnapped multiple times in just a few months? Frustration bubbles in my chest at the thought. It’s exhausting, always feeling vulnerable. But this time, there’s a difference—I have them. My pack. My mates.
Warmth fills my chest as images of Fox, Dare, and Jex flash through my mind.
I remember Fox’s quiet strength, the protective gleam in his eyes whenever he thinks I’m in danger.
Dare’s sharp wit and teasing smiles, masking the gentle, fierce heart beneath.
And Jex, with his deep voice and steady presence, always makes sure I’m grounded, secure, and loved.
Gods, I got lucky this time around.
A smile creeps across my face as I rinse off the shampoo, savoring the simple pleasure of being safe and cared for, something I didn’t always have before.
This kidnapping may have shaken me, but it also sharpened my resolve—I’m determined now, more than ever, to spend as much time as possible with each of my alphas.
I want to learn everything about them—every quirk, every scar, every hidden vulnerability.
I finally shut off the water, stepping out of the shower and wrapping myself in one of the luxuriously soft towels. As I dry off, excitement curls low in my belly.
And as frustrating as being kidnapped again was, maybe there’s something to be said about how fiercely my mates fight to keep me safe. It makes me even more determined to hold onto them tightly—and never let go again.