My brows furrow, and confusion laces through me.
“Fuck, she hasn’t told you?” Oberyn says. He uses his foot to shift the post before placing the joints in place. “The momentAster's magic was lifted from her, Lavender ascended to High Priestess. It’s a done deal. Even if Aster were to somehow get her magic back, she wouldn’t be a match for Lav or the coven.”
I look over at the house, glancing at Violet’s window, the curtain slightly jolts and I smirk, knowing she was watching us out here.
“I think Violet was under the impression she was going to be the next High Priestess.”
Her father looks concerned, glancing over at the house, and then turns back to me.
“Do you think she’ll be upset?”
“Once she’s back to herself?” I say, hoping that she gets her old self back. I don’t mind coming here every day and working on wearing her down. But every time I see her and suffer her lack of recognition, a part of me wants to die. “No, I think she’ll be relieved. She wanted what was best for the coven above all, she was ready to take on the role, but I don’t think she really wanted it.”
“Good,” Oberyn says. He swallows and sighs. “Listen, I’m no good with this shit. Lavender isn’t my mate in that way because she’s not a wolf. But my parents were mates. Is your wolf alright?”
“No,”Thorin nearly whimpers in my head.
“Far from it,” I tell him honestly.
“Two more days till the full moon, she’ll be back to herself,” he says, but I can tell he’s trying to convince himself just as much as I am.
We spend the rest of the afternoon building the gazebo and talking about the pack.
Once the posts are all in place, we sigh, knowing the roof is going to be an absolute motherfucker.
“You’re the right Alpha for the pack,” he says, surprising me.
“What?”
“My place right now is supporting Lav, getting to know Violet and just fucking existing. You’re young, you’re sure. And hell, I feel like if I challenged your wolf you’d kick my ass.”
“I would,”Thorin says solemnly.
I smirk and toss the hammer into my tools. “I’m working on making a council. I think I’d like for you to be a part of it,” I tell him and he smiles.
For the first time since meeting him, I see the resemblances between him and Violet and it makes my heart pang even more. I look back up at her window and no one is there. I feel empty and all I want to feel is some hope.
“How many members do you think would be willing to help you get your mate back?” he asks.
I look at him confused and he shrugs.
“Lavender thinks having both sides of Violet during the ritual will help bring back her memories and her wolf. Aster destroyed the necklace, but you can’t destroy someone’s essence,” he says.
“I’ll get as many as I can,” I tell him honestly.
I’ve given this pack financial freedom, released them from the pressure of the witches. This is all I want in return. I’ll lay my life down for my pack, but there’s no life worth living without Violet.
The night air is almost unseasonal with a bitterness that feels like a bad omen. There’s already a circle of candles glowing in the cold night air as witches and shifters alike start arriving.
My heart swells with how many members of my community showed up tonight, even those who showed a distaste for me being married to Violet. Jonas, Paige, Maddox, Bruce, Kit, andso many others came out here even while tensions are still relatively high.
Promises by Lavender and the Celestial Coven at large have dissipated some of the mistrust, but old habits die hard. Yet, they’re all here in the hopes that their presence can help bring my girl back. Bring Thorin’s mate back.
The witches are all busy, setting things up, making everything just right as Violet sits in the center, her arms wrapped around herself in a shiver. I take off my flannel jacket and walk over, placing it over her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she whispers.
She looks afraid, withdrawn, and not herself.
