It’s evident in the people here today. Kit, who clearly has not had an issue pissing off the witches at every opportunity. Maddox who was vehement about peace not even being a possibility. Even some of the old timers who have been here for the worst of the worst, like Bruce, are here tonight.
Even on the witches side, I can sense some unease being around the wolves. Ember’s grandmother still seems a little off-kilter, but she’s still here. Other witches are uncomfortable being present, but regardless they’re here to help Violet, the coven, and relations between our two groups.
It’s something I never dreamed possible, but we’re all here. We’ve been brought together by a common thread, my beautiful wife and mate.
Hope is blooming in my chest as I breathe in the fresh air and take in the echoing howls around me. They’re thanking the full moon for its blessing and the gesture nearly brings tears to my eyes.
Together. Two sides of a coin that have had their fair share of hate have been brought together, and this ritual is going to tieus together regardless of what happens to Violet. Though, every single fiber of my being is hoping that this is enough.
The wolves create a larger spaced out circle around the witches. I find myself in between, standing there, staring as Violet lays herself on the ground, my jacket still wrapped around her.
The witches link hands and as soon as they do, there’s a breeze ripping through the air. The silence is deafening before they begin chanting.
The wolves all look on with rapt fascination, for most of them this is the first time they’ve seen magic of this magnitude. Even for me, it’s still as impressive as when Violet lit the pumpkins on her front porch.
Bright candle flames rise as their volume rises, and my eyes don’t leave Violet. Her eyes are squinting in pain, and even from here I can see her body vibrating. It takes everything in me to not run over to her and make sure she’s okay. But I resist. I stay the course, standing in place and watching with hopeful eyes.
The witches raise their joined hands, nearly shouting their chant at this point as Violet begins to whimper in pain, her body shaking as a pained scream rips out of her throat. My fists are balled so tight to keep my control, to not shift, and to not ruin the ritual.
Violet is whimpering, tears streaming down the sides of her face, as I notice it. The change is gradual, a few strands at first, before even more start turning black, bringing back the noticeable hairstyle she’s always had. The one that signifies the two halves that make her whole.
Despite the change, the witches don’t stop. They continue repeating the spell. Some wolves howl. I’m not sure if it’s on their own accord or if there’s something in the air telling them that Violet is part of this pack, that she needs us.
The full moon is bright overhead, glistening in the sky, reflecting off Violet’s sweat covered skin. Her body is still trembling, but she isn’t vocally in pain anymore. Her hands clutch against my flannel jacket as the wind subsides, the thick cream-colored candles going back to a standard flame.
Each of the witches slowly bow their heads, whispering an incantation I can’t even hear, before dropping their hands.
As soon as the circle is broken my steps are quick.
Violet seems like she’s asleep as I approach her and wipe away her stained cheeks. Her face is cold, but I feel it.
“My mate,”Thorin coos in the back of my mind.
I smile, pushing her hair from her face. I still don’t know if her memories are back, but it’s clear the ritual linked her back to Azure. Her wolf is no longer trapped in a necklace as I wait with bated breath.
Her parents and coven all hover close as we wait for her to wake up. It feels like time is endless as we wait for her eyes to finally pop open.
What if she doesn’t remember?
“Then you’re going to have to work on your personality to make her like you again,”Thorin says, and despite myself, I smile.
Bright blue eyes open, staring at me as she gives me a soft smile.
“Hey there, wolf man,” she says.
I stare at her, not sure if that means she remembers or if she’s fucking with me.
“Violet?”
“Oh, not the full name. Stick to Vi, wife, mate, baby, or little witch, please,” she says, fully grinning at me this time.
I’m rougher than I should be, pulling her to my chest. Her arms wrap around me as I hold her tight.
I feel whole again.
Chapter 45
The rest of the evening is overwhelming as everything comes crashing back to me, and how I felt during these last few days that I wasn’t myself. I know it’s not my fault, but there’s still major guilt for how I treated everyone.
