“One hundred percent certain,” I say. “She is literally imprisoned.”
“No way!” Violet blurts out, then she laughs. “I can’t believe it!” She takes my hand, squeezing it. “I love you already, Rose!”
I grin. “There was no way I’d let her harass Forest and the other pack members,” I say. “But in the end, she really dug her own grave.”
“I am really glad Forest has you at his side now,” she says. “Someone who stands with him.”
“We watch out for each other,” I say. “He is such a great personandalpha.”
“Right? That’s what Tristan and I keep saying. I am so relieved to see that he got out of the deathly grip of his parents.”
The way she shows her genuine happiness for Forest makes my chest warm. He really is much more respected than he thinks he is. I believe he kept looking for approval from the wrong people. The right ones always appreciated him.
“What are you two gossiping about?” Tristan asks when he and Forest return.
“I have news,” Violet grins, turning towards me. “Can I?”
“Of course, it’s pretty much public news by now,” I laugh.
“Lissa landed her ass in prison,” Violet says.
Tristan almost drops his fork at that. “No way,” he exclaims. “That’s fantastic!”
“It was quite the showdown,” Forest grins, taking my hand into his and squeezing it. “To imagine she was the mate my parents would have chosen for me is mind-boggling.”
“How was their reaction when you appeared with Rose?” Tristan asks.
Forest and I exchange a look, then laugh. “Should have seen their faces,” Forest grins.
“They were shocked,” I add.
“So, what’s your strategy going to be?” Violet asks. “Are you going to kill them with kindness?”
Forest and I exchange another glance. “No way,” I say.
Tristan looks content at my words. “It’s so good to see you put them in their place, Forest. Does that mean you are ready to discuss potential alliances?”
“Absolutely,” Forest says. “And just so we are clear, my potential alliances don’t include Jordan or any of his crazy goons.”
“Good,” Tristan grins. A group of alphas is standing close to us, and Tristan waves at them. “Come and join us. I know you are curious as fuck.”
“And bring your lunas,” Violet says. “Rose and I want to have some fun, too.”
Soon, our table is crowded with a bunch of alphas and their lunas. I am not sure if all of them were in any way respectful of Forest before, or if they looked down on him, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that he is the center of attention, right now, and that they see he is so much more than they thought he was.
And he is seriously delivering. He is charming and laidback, and kind like he always is. It might not win everyone over, but that doesn’t matter. It will make him genuine allies.
“You did a tremendous job,” I say when Forest and I walk hand in hand to our car.
“It honestly…” he pauses. “It felt good. Is that weird if I say it? It sounds like I am patting myself on my back.”
“It’s fine to be proud of yourself,” I say. “You did amazing, and you should be proud.”
“Alpha,” Martin comes running towards us. “Sorry, I am late.”
“We only just left,” Forest tells him.
Martin smiles. “I wasn’t able to pay a lot of attention to both of you, but I noticed you were the talk of the evening, and they were all really taken by you!”
