We both look at her. She steps forward, and I see fury replacing the shock in her eyes.
“I am not going to mate with you.” Each word is precise, sharp as a blade. “I don’t care what my stepfather agreed to. I don’t care what your father wants. You can’t force me to be with you.”
Ryker’s expression darkens. The easy charm drops away, revealing a coldness underneath. “We’ll see about that, little wolf. These arrangements are bigger than you. Bigger than both of us.” He leans in again. “You’ll come around. They always do.”
“Get away from her.” My words come out as a growl.
Ryker holds up his hands in mock surrender. “For now.” He looks at Violet one more time. “We’ll talk again soon.”
He walks away, disappearing into the crowd. The control I’ve been maintaining shatters. My hands curl into fists. My wolf is clawing at my skin, demanding to be let out, demanding blood.
“Darius.” Violet’s voice cuts through the haze, but she sounds shaken. “Darius, breathe.”
“I can’t.” A guttural sound escapes me. “I need to shift. Now. Or I’m going to lose it, right here. I’ll tear him apart.”
I pull her through the ballroom, past curious onlookers, toward the gardens. We don’t stop until we’re in some trees that hideus from view.
She lets go of my arm as I start to pace, my breathing harsh. My hands flex, claws emerging fully. Every muscle cries out for release.
“You can’t shift.” Violet steps into my path, pulling off her mask. “These nice clothes will tear.”
The logic penetrates. I stop, chest heaving. I remove my mask, too.
“What’s wrong?” She moves closer, and I can see she’s still processing what Ryker said. “Why are you losing control?”
“Leave.” The word sounds barely human. “Violet, leave. Now.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m going to hurt you,” I snarl. “My wolf is too close to the surface. Leave.”
“No.” She stands her ground despite the tremor in her voice. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I can’t—” I walk away from her and slam my palm against a tree. The bark splinters. “I need you to go before I do something I’ll regret.”
In one fluid motion, I spin back around and close the distance. Her back hits a massive tree trunk, my hands on either side of her. My face is inches from hers, my wolf at the surface.
“You can’t mate with Ryker.” My voice is raw. “Promise me. Swear it.”
“I just told him—”
“Swear it!” The pure alpha command vibrates through the air.
“I swear!” She looks frightened. Of me. “I swear I won’t mate Ryker. I don’t want him. I never wanted him.”
My mouth crashes down on hers. This kiss is savage, demanding, possessive. My teeth catch her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. She gasps, and I deepen the kiss, one hand tangling in her hair while the other grips her hip hard enough to bruise.
I kiss her desperately, like she’s the only thing keeping me from completely losing myself to the wolf. My body presses flush against hers now, pinning her to the tree.
When I pull back, we’re both panting. “He can’t have you,” I whisper against her lips. “I won’t let him.”
I kiss her again, more slowly but no less intensely. My hands frame her face as I explore her mouth with devastating thoroughness.
When I finally stop, she’s staring at me. Her eyes flash with anger now, replacing the confusion.
“You’re overreacting.” She slaps my chest. “Nothing has happened. I told him no.”
“Violet—”
