Page 41 of Violet

“It was her,” I say resolutely.

“I know you think that,” Amber says as she shifts back, “but before Juli and I were mates, he could never tell if it was me or not. I played so many tricks on him back at the academy.” She laughs. “I actually kind of miss it, not that I’d trade being his mate for the world.”

“So he can recognize you when you’re shifted now?”

“Every single time.” Amber pouts.

“Because he’s your mate?”

She nods.

For a few seconds, I stay silent. Finally, I tell her the truth. “I’ll always recognize Violet.”

Her eyes widen. “She’s your mate?! How long have you known?”

“Since the day we met.”

“But that was ages ago! Why didn’t you say anything? Does Wes know?”

I shake my head. “Nyle and Neal do, but I made them promise not to tell anyone.” Because I was ashamed that my mate was old. Because I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me. Because I knew she was dying, and I was going to lose her either way.

Except all of it was just a big, old lie!

“So she just told you that she’s a chameleon?” Amber asks.

“Fuck, no. I saw her shift.” I growl, anger resurging. “When I left work, I saw some creep helping her across the street. Standing too close, looking at her in a way he had no right to. Thought he was some opportunistic asshole out to rob an old lady. So I followed them. Just to make sure she got home safe.”

“Is that why she shifted? Because he tried to hurt her?” Amber gasps.

I shake my head. “No. She shifted to hook up with him. Because they’re mates.”

“So you’re both her mates?” Amber asks.

“Yeah, except she rejected me. She only wants him.” Pain shoots through me, and I feel like punching a hole through something... probably not anything in the cafe, though, or my brother would have my head.

“Nole, I’m so sorry,” Amber says, which only makes me want to break everything in sight.

I hate pity. Hate the way the other bears looked at our family after Mom died. Hate the way kids at school started treating me. I never should have come here in the first place!

“Is she with him because he’s closer to her in age?” Amber asks.

It takes me a second to realize she’s talking about the fucking blood mage. “Hell no. Turns out Violet is really my age. If that’s even her real name.”

“Your age?” Amber gasps. “What did she look like?”

I have no trouble picturing her, knowing full and well her face will be permanently etched in my mind. Perfect, kissable lips. “Dark brown hair,” the same shade as the wood in our old fishing boat. “Brown eyes,” the color of my favorite branch halfway up my oak tree. “Pale,” but in a way that summons images of her by the lake in a large straw hat, letting me lather sunscreen all over her.

“There are plenty of other chameleons in Silver Springs...” Amber mutters.

And she’s right. I’ve met other chameleons before. Why did it never cross my mind that Violet was one? “I should have known.” I moan, burying my face in my hands. “There must have been clues. Why didn’t I notice something was off about her?”

“I didn’t mean it that way, Nole. You had no way of knowing.” When she sees I clearly don’t believe her, she adds, “I was just wondering if she was someone I knew.”

“From the academy?”

“No. My sister, Adelyn.”

“I didn’t know you had a sister. Why would she be—”