Chapter 192
Asher’s POV
I stood outside the door, my fists clenched at my sides. Even
though Violet had severed the Mind–link, I could still feel her
pain.
“She hasn’t come out yet?” Philip asked as he arrived the door.
I shook my head. “No. She even refused to take the blood.”
“Then we don’t have a choice. We must break the fucking
door.” Philip said firmly.
I hesitated for once, but nodded quickly. Together, we forced
the door open.
At this moment, Violet was collapsed on the floor. Her arms
were wrapped protectively around her belly, her body curled
in on itself. Her breathing was shallow, and when she heard us
enter, she tensed immediately, inching away as much as she
could.
“No,” she gasped, her voice hoarse. “Stay away. I won’t let you
Chapter 192
take my baby.” Her words sliced through me.
“Violet, calm down. That’s our child. I swear, I won’t hurt him,
okay? Just let me help you.” I slowly approached her, kneeling
beside her and tentatively extending a hand.
But Violet ignored it. “After everything that’s happened, you’re
saying this now?” Tears filled her eyes, her voice growing
hoarse. “You lied to me, Ash. You know this is our only child,
yet you still want to take them away from me.”
I felt my chest tighten. There was no defense. “I know,‘ I
whispered. “And I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, trembling. “Sorry won’t bring my trust
back. It won’t undo what you did.”
“I will find another way,” I promised, “But right now, you need
blood, Violet. If you don’t drink, your body-”
Philip, who had been standing by the door, moved forward and
handed me a flask. I uncorked it, bringing it to Violet’s lips.
She hesitated as she looked into eyes before she took a sip.
A second later, she gagged.
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Her entire body lurched as she doubled over, violently
vomiting the blood she had just swallowed. My stomach
dropped.
“Violet?” I caught her before she collapsed again, gripping her
shoulders.
She coughed, her breath ragged. “I–I can’t drink it”
I turned to Philip, who looked just as stunned, but then a
chilling realization hit me.
When the child grows, normal blood won’t be enough.
Damn it.
Without hesitating, I pulled out my dagger, slicing into my
wrist.
Violet’s eyes widened in horror. “Asher, no.”
I ignored her, bringing my bleeding wrist to my lips. I drank
from my own wound, feeling the warmth of my own blood
coat my tongue. Then, before she could push me away, I leaned
in and pressed my lips to hers.
She gasped, trying to resist, but I didn’t give her a choice. My
Chapter 192
blood passed from my mouth to hers, and the moment it
touched her tongue, her body betrayed her.
A shudder ran through her, and then–she drank.
Silent tears streamed down her face as she gave in, her fingers
gripping my shirt.
I held her close, murmuring against her hair, “I’m sorry. I’m so
sorry, Violet.”
Her body eventually went limp in my arms, exhaustion
claiming her. Her breaths slowed, her grip loosening.
She had fallen asleep.
I picked her up in my arms and laid her on the bed, pulling a blanket over her. But as I carried her those few steps, I felt my
body giving out too–weakening with every movement. The
blood loss was catching up to me.
Philip must have noticed it as well. He stepped beside me, his
sharp gaze scanning me with concern.
“You’ve lost a lot of blood, Asher. This isn’t looking good,” he
said.
Chapter 192
“I’m fine,” I replied automatically, though my body swayed slightly.
Philip didn’t look convinced. “The commotion earlier–people are starting to ask questions. We can’t keep this hidden for long.”
I knew that. People had seen Violet today–her erratic behavior, the way she spoke. If more of this spread, the consequences would be something I didn’t even want to imagine. I had to act. But for now, I just sat beside Violet, running my fingers through her hair.
The next day, I attended the Alpha meeting.
I sat at the head of the long table, facing the Alphas of
neighboring territories. Most were silent, until one voice cut through the stillness like a blade.
Alpha Karl.
He leaned back in his chair, his expression sharp. “Forgive my bluntness my king, but there is growing concern about the Queen’s condition.”
I met his gaze, already bracing for whatever came next.
“I heard she was cursed,” Karl continued. “And now, she carries
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an unborn child while suffering from an unknown affliction.
The Council needs to know–can she even carry the child to
term? And more importantly, is she still fit to be your mate?”
A low growl rumbled in my chest. My wolf bristled.
“Choose your next words carefully, Karl.”
Karl’s gaze didn’t waver. “You’re an Alpha. You know what’s at
stake. If the Queen is compromised, it affects the entire pack. If
something unimaginable happens, the throne will need a new
heir. We can’t afford uncertainty in leadership.”
I slammed my hands against the table, standing abruptly. The
force sent a crack splintering through the wood.
“Violet was my mate. She was not just a vessel for my heir.” She
was everything. I bared my teeth. “Besides that, Alpha Karl, we
are not here to discuss matters concerning the Queen. Stick to
the agenda.”
“Oh, but this should be our first agenda, Alpha Asher. You
know how things work in our world.” Karl smirked. “By the
way, have you ever considered another mate?”
My vision blurred red on Karl’s last remark. Before I realize it,
my claws had elongated, and a snarl ripped from my throat.
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I lunged.
In a flash, I had Karl by the throat, lifting him off the ground. His hands clawed at mine, gasping for breath. The other Alphas
jumped up, but none dared to intervene.
“Violet is the only love of my life.” I leaned in closer, “If you
question that again, I’ll tear your throat out where you stand.”
I threw him back, sending him crashing against the chamber
doors. He landed hard, coughing, clutching his throat.
