h4Chapter 523: Kill Alexa/h4

    It was a little unnerving the way Roman’s demeanor changed suddenly. It was as if he had be another person the moment they stepped through that door. Thanks to that, Violet held onto him a little tighter, as though she could anchor him before he drifted too far into whatever mask he had to wear around his parents.

    And to be honest, she had no idea which of them Alexa was talking to when she said, "We’ve been waiting for both of you since the moment we heard you’d arrived. But I see now..." Her nostrils red as she scented them, a knowing look shing in her eyes. "Not even the shower can get rid of those. Trust me." She said it like advice, but the smirk on her lips made it feel like mockery.

    That wasn’t weird at all. Violet wasn’t sure she liked the vibe she was receiving.

    Roman wasn’t in the mood for games either. He demanded. "Where is father?"

    "As I said, we’ve been waiting." Alexa answered carelessly, and turned on her heel. She walkednguidly as if she knew they had no choice but to follow.

    Violet exchanged a nce with Roman, and the hardness in his jaw told her he wasn’t any morefortable than she was. Still, he moved, and she had no choice but to go with him, her hand pressed tighter against his arm as they walked the length of the corridor until it opened into the living room.

    As befitting an Alpha’s station, Roman’s parents’ quarters dwarfed the one they had been given, broad and richlyid out, with even an extra room attached. Compared to that, their own chamber seemed almost in despite itsfort.

    "Roman!" Alpha Leon’s face lit up, and in eager strides he closed the distance between them, pulling his son into a firm embrace.

    For the first time since they’d arrived, Roman seemed to ease, his shoulders losing some of their tension.

    Leon pulled back, studying him with sharp eyes, then looking him over again as if to reassure himself it really was his son standing before him.

    "What the hell happened? How could you vanish off the radar just like that?"

    And so, they spent the next several minutes repeating the same story they had rehearsed, making sure there were no cracks in their cover and that it lined up perfectly with Asher and ric’s testimony.

    "So you have a Matebond?" Leon repeated, as though saying it twice might force the reality to sink in.

    Violet, however, was far more interested in Roman’s mother, who hadn’t said a word since those cutting remarks at the entrance. She sat elegantly, wine ss in hand, her gaze pinned on them with a cool, unreadable intensity.

    When Violet’s eyes locked with hers, neither woman looked away. Instead, the tension between them tightened.

    Alexa arched her brow. Whether it was amusement, or a subtle challenge, she seemed entertained, even impressed, that this human girl had the audacity to meet her stare without flinching. It seemed her son had chosen a bold one.

    Whether Leon noticed the strain hanging in the air or not, he pressed on. "I should have realized this was the Matebond speaking when you told me your animal side was pulling toward her." His voice carried a trace of regret. "I may have failed you there..." He trailed off, only then seeming to register the quiet standoff between his wife and Violet.

    Even Roman’s attention had shifted, watching the silent sh unfold.

    Taking the pause as her cue, Alexa set her ss down with deliberate calm. "You must be so thrilled?"

    "Excuse me?" Violet asked, honestly confused.

    But Alexa only chortled. "Oh,e on. Don’t y the innocent now. You’re screwing two men, darling. But no—no one dares judge you, not when it’s neatly dressed up with that fancy little title... " She lifted her hand, gesturing mockingly in the air as if writing it out. ".. The Matebond."

    "Mom." Roman’s warning came out as a low growl, a sound that rumbled in his chest more beast than man.

    "What?" Alexa finally turned to him, her eyes shing. "You’ve spent years acting like you were too good for me, like you couldn’t stand the sight of me. And now the moon goddess throws a bond in yourp, and suddenly you’re fine with sharing?"

    The muscles in Roman’s jaw clenched tight. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?" The words hissed from between his teeth, carrying a promise of violence no one in the room missed.

    Okay. Maybe this was the point to call it a day. Violet hated the atmosphere already.

    She reached for Roman’s hand, trying to pull him up, but he slipped free. He rose on his own, towering over Alexa, his voiceced with venom.

    "I bring my mate here, and this is what you have to say?"

    "Roman." Leon shot to his feet as well, trying to diffuse the situation clearly getting out of control.

    Alexa rose slowly, her eyes shing with anger. She hissed, "I’m just pointing out how much of a hypocrite you are and the worst mistake I ever made was agreeing to your father’s idea of birthing you!"

    It felt like an explosion went off. The room froze and no one dared breathe.

    Violet swore she saw the air leave Roman’s lungs, or rather, the hope drain from his eyes. She had never seen him so vulnerable, so small. For once, the fierce wolf looked like a pup cowering beneath a parent’s disapproval. It was as if Alexa had broken him.

    The surge of pain and fury ripped through their bond, burning Violet alive. She lost it.

    Before she even realized it, she had lunged. "I’m going to kill you today!" Violet snarled, tackling Alexa back onto the couch, her hand mped around her throat.

    "Violet!"

    "Alexa!"

    Roman and Leon shouted in unison.

    They both grabbed Violet, trying to haul her off, but she clung like iron, her strength fueled by fury.

    For the first time, Alexa’s eyes widened with fear. In that instant, she understood Violet could actually kill her.