Violet blinked. “Well, it’s warm and humid. Pretty much the opposite of this place, whatever you call it.”
“The tundra?” I offered.
“Thanks. Anyway, my island is covered in huge green plants and big-ass flowers. Oh, and bugs,” he added in a grumble. “And we’ve got beautiful beaches, too.”
The only beaches I knew were the rocky kind, where your paws could slip on the treacherous wet surfaces. “We tend to avoid those,” I explained. “It’s dangerous to walk on the rocks.”
Violet’s eyes widened. “Rocks? You don’t have sandy beaches?”
“Why would sand be on a beach? I’ve only seen it mixed with dirt underground,” Sorrel mused.
Our mutual confusion made Violet chuckle. “Man, you guys are missing out. I should take you back home sometime and show you arealbeach.”
As soon as he said the words, my heart soared.
Take us back home... Did he really mean that? I dared to believe him. My imagination unfurled a vision of a fully healed Violet stretching his wings and taking to the sky, free to go where he pleased, gracious enough to bring us with him...
But as my hopes rose, Sorrel shook his head vehemently.
“No way,” he said, planting his paws firmly on the ground. “I’m not going anywhere. My clan needs me.”
My hopes fell back down to earth and shattered. Reality was an icy splash of water drowning my dreams. Of course Sorrel disagreed. He wouldn’t even consider the suggestion. He was too obsessed with Konrad’s approval to think of anything else.
“Besides, Poppy,” Sorrel continued, turning a stern glance at me. “Your duty assignment is coming up fast.”
The grin disappeared from Violet’s face. “Duty assignment?”
Sorrel spoke up proudly. “When omegas are old enough, the clan alpha assigns their duties. That’s their job forever, and it’s really important for us to do well.”
The spines on Violet’s long neck lifted, reminding me of a wolf’s hackles. His eyes were sharper now. “Why does an alpha assign your duties? Why don’tyouget to decide?”
Sorrel laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “C’mon, that makes no sense. Konrad’s ouralpha. Don’t you understand how important that is?”
“I’m an alpha, too,” Violet said in a low tone. “What’s that have to do with anything?”
I blinked, turning my surprised gaze on the dragon. I knew he was a fellow shifter, but I hadn’t even considered that possibility. He didn’t act like any alpha I’d known. He didn’t talk down to me, and he didn’t treat me like a fool. I felt disoriented by this sudden knowledge, like the entire planet had tilted.
Sorrel kept arguing. “No, you don’t get it. Konrad’s ourclanalpha. He’s the leader, he makes all the decisions. It’s a huge responsibility, so he’s doing us a favor by making sure nobody makes mistakes.” He faced me. “Anyway, Poppy’s really excited, right?”
My stomach churned, but I gave a stiff nod. “I’ll get my assignment any day now,” I agreed, dodging his real question.
As if struck by arrows, I felt the sudden burn of Violet’s piercing gaze. It sent a shiver rippling down my fur. It was intense, the sensation almost physical. The dragon radiated raw power in a way I’d never felt before.
And for once, I wasn’t afraid of it.
Daring to meet his gaze, I lifted my face. Our eyes met. His irises were a vivid, severe shade of purple, like the darkest shade of a striking sunset.
But like a sunset, it was painful to look at for too long. The beauty never lasted. It was fleeting, a momentary reprieve before the cold, harsh night to come.
The spell broke when Violet’s gaze flicked back to Sorrel. I released my held breath. I felt shaken, and I didn’t understand why.
“And what about you, kid?” Violet asked.
“I’m not a kid,” Sorrel grumbled. “I’m—well, I’m not supposed to get my assignment for another few years, but...”
My ear twitched. But what? There were no buts. He wasn’t old enough, period.
“Right now, focus on hunting,” I told Sorrel quietly. “Don’t think so far ahead.”
