Violet’s POV
I was still speaking with the committee when I heard fast
footsteps approaching. Xavier and Philip walked in, both of them looking like they’d already heard enough from down the
hall.
Philip didn’t wait. “What is this?” he asked, glancing between
them.
The committee fell quiet. Olivia shifted beside me but didn’t
step away.
“They want me to take Ava in,” I said, looking at Xavier. “And
convince Asher to release Jason.”
Xavier looked straight at the man who’d been doing most of the
talking. “And you came here, pushing into the Queen’s
chambers to ask that?”
One of them raised his hands slightly. “We’re not trying to
cause trouble. But the Bear Clan made it clear–they’ll take
Jason’s imprisonment as a declaration of war. The King hasn’t
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responded.”
Philip took a step forward. “And you thought this was the right
way to handle that?”
Another started to speak, but Xavier cut in, sharp and flat. “This
isn’t a negotiation room. Get out.”
That was all it took. The group hesitated for a second, then slowly began backing away, not saying another word. They left
without looking back.
I turned to Xavier. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”
Xavier rubbed the back of his neck, looking tired. “Because Asher didn’t want you to worry. He’s been trying to negotiate
Jason’s release–offering land, trade routes, anything the Bear
Clan would take in exchange for the Silvermoon Grass.”
I didn’t respond right away. A part of me felt guilt. Another
part, frustration.
“Where is he now?”
Xavier looked at Philip, who hesitated before answering. “He
went to see Ava.”
Chapter 201
Asher’s POV
The courtyard where Ava was staying was eerily quiet. I found
her sitting by the small garden wall, speaking with one of her
guards in a low voice. She noticed me before I said anything and
waved him off.
“Asher,” she said, like nothing had happened. “Is everything
alright?”
I didn’t bother with pleasantries.
“You told someone about Violet’s condition?” I shot at her,
stepping in.
She blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“The scratch,” I said, voice sharp. “Word’s gotten out. Half the
palace thinks she’s lost control. They’re saying she’s cursed-
dangerous. So tell me, who did you talk to?”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” Ava replied quickly. “I didn’t even call a
healer. I was afraid it’d get out. So I let it heal on its own.”
“Show me.”
She slowly lifted her sleeve. A faint but visible mark stretched
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across her forearm. No sign of treatment. Just natural healing.
She was telling the truth.
So if it wasn’t her… then someone else leaked it.
Jason.
Of course.
He knew exactly how to weaponize information. I clenched my jaw. That bastard didn’t even care how would it impact my
clan.
“You think it was your father?” I asked, watching her reaction.
Ava hesitated. Then gave a small nod. “Most likely. He’s not
subtle about this stuff”
I studied her face. She looked guilty–but not defensive. Not like
someone trying to cover up a mistake. There was hesitation in
her voice, not lies.
But she was still playing part of Jason’s plan.
“Asher” Ava looked at me with teary eyes. “Even I don’t agree with my father’s strategies. He could be too insensitive
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sometimes.”
“You don’t agree with him,” I said slowly. “But you go along
anyway?”
“He’s my Alpha,” she said quietly. “And my father!”
I didn’t say anything to that. I just looked at her. There was
some actual tension there. She wasn’t comfortable with
everything Jason was doing.
Maybe I could use that.
Maybe there was a crack I could get through.
“Ava,” I said, shifting my stance and pulling my anger back just enough. “I understand you can’t go against your father, but you have a will of your own. I know you’re not half as bad as he is- so why play with people’s lives so insensitively?”
Her eyes didn’t move from mine.
“Look. I’ve been negotiating with the Bear Clan’s royals” I said, quieter now. “Trying to get the Silvermoon Grass. I’ve been told the truth, or at least I think it is–that Jason keeps it locked away. That it’ll only be handed over to you.”
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Ava’s lips parted slightly. But she didn’t deny it.
“Is it true?” I asked, calmly this time.
She nodded slowly. “It is. He has it. Always has. Not even the
elders know where it’s kept. He said I could only receive it as
part of the wedding rite. Until then, I can’t access it.”
I let out a breath. So they weren’t bluffing.
“Ava,” I said, shifting tone again. “If you give me the Silvermoon
Grass. I’ll give you anything. Land, territory. A title. You want a
kingdom of your own, I’ll make that happen. Just hand it over.””
She looked genuinely taken aback for a moment. “You think it’s
about wealth?”
“I think you’re stuck,” I said. “And maybe you want out. So if
you do, I’m offering you leverage. A way to negotiate on your
own terms–for once.”
Ava looked around carefully. “He has people watching. All the
time. Do you really think he would let anybody other than him
access it?”
I glanced around. Two bear warriors lingered nearby,
pretending not to watch. It was an illusion of privacy.
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“So all of this–this game–was just about pushing me into a
corner,” I said. “Jason never intended to ‘offer‘ the grass. He was
always going to use you to hand it over”
“It’s just a marriage,” she said. “A child between us, a union of
both clans. It’s what he’s wanted all along”
I stepped back slightly, shaking my head. “And you’re okay with that? Just… going along with whatever he’s scripted?”
She didn’t answer right away. When she did, her voice was low.
“I don’t like it. But I’ve always known my marriage wouldn’t be
my choice. I was raised for this. I knew it would come.”
I turned to leave. There wasn’t anything else to say.
But Ava grabbed my wrist.
“I didn’t ask to be in this situation,” she said. “But if marrying me
prevents a war, and gets you the Silvermoon Grass to your mate and child, why don’t you accept it?”
“I already have a mate,” I said flatly. “I don’t need another.”
“I know,” she said. “But nothing would change. Violet would remain to be Luna, and me. just another queen. No title,
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nothing.”
I pulled my hand free and was about to walk off when she
added, “It’s not possible.”
And before I could complete my sentence, she stepped in and
kissed me–on the cheek.
I didn’t move. I hadn’t expected this behavior from her. How the
hell could she kiss me like that?
I was about to rage when something else caught my attention.
A presence.
I turned my head and saw her.
Violet.
She was standing just beyond the archway, staring at us.
