Violet

My heart began to race rapidly as the silence spread out. It seemed to have filled the entire clearing as not one werewolf moved or made a sound. My open defiance towards the Rogue King was now loud and clear. I stared into his yellow eyes boldly, not flinching or moving even once. His stare remained cold and harboured a deep hatred towards my killing of Miriam.

Killing Miriam, was probably not the greatest Idea I had ever had. After all, killing her once the cavalry arrived was always apart of the plan. To track her and kill her during the confusion of the fight would have been alot easier rather than executing her in front of my arch nemesis with almost 200 of his wolves at his dispossal and only one of me who was in any position to defend this pack and the remaining Alpha's. They could retaliate so easily. Once again, I had allowed my emotions to dictate any rational thought and I mentally kicked myself whilst trying so hard to appear, at least outwardly, like I didnt give a fuck.

I had thought that the Rogue King would fail to bat an eye lid at her death, but I appeared to have miscalculated that small detail. He seemed to have been far more pissed off at my disobedience towards his 'position' than the actual taking of her life. My act had just shown my will to disobey him and the twisting of his orders for my own gratification.

I watched him lean back into his chair and lean his head upon his right hand. He kept rubbing his chin backwards and forwards in a slow swinging motion, not once removing his eyes from my own powerful gaze. He seemed to be pondering his next move and I felt my nerves returning to me. I had turned myself into a pawn on his table of chess. I was now helpless and completely at his mercy. Waiting for the inevitable.

His eyes, every now and then would stray and drift towards Luna Farah seated next to him. He seemed in two minds as to whether he should take her life to punish me. He appeared to be enjoying the situation after his initial moment of anger subsided. I decided to try and dominate this 'game' immediately before he had a chance to use Luna Farah against me.

"What are your rules for the next round?"

My voice was firm and he smiled at my attempt to deflect and shift the focus off of my actions. The faintest of moans could still be heard from Matthew, still writhing in pain on the floor, but everyone else remained quiet.

Waiting.

I could feel Dimitri brush against my mind. Where I once might have found him reaching out to me a distraction, I felt calm when he sent me comfort and strength through our bond. I could still feel his pain and I struggled not to turn around and face him. I was quite astonished by the amount of times he helped me during the first trial and I was grateful to him for it. But I refused to take my eye off the ball. I had no idea whether any of us would live through this. But I had to hope.

"That was quite an entertaining trial my love. You are the first Luna to succeed In this round and I must say...I had never truly planned for a second trial before with any of the other Luna's....

He turned towards Luna Farah and planted his sweaty palms onto her knee, stroking like a serpent. To her benefit, she flinched only slightly and made a few attempts to pull away from him. Anger bloomed in my chest, remembering the pain those very hands had once inflicted upon me. He continued..

"But you, are quite different Violet and we must plan accordingly".

He returned his eyes from Farah's knee to my own legs and he slowly brought his gaze from my lower body to finally rest upon my face. I felt sickened by his perusal of me. When I unwillfully locked eyes with his, what I saw there unsettled me.

He gave me a small smile. It was like a snake's smile. One which had haunted my nightmares since I was a little girl. Only, this one was far more terrifying.

"The role as my Queen requires a certain loyalty. There can only be one man in your life that you cherish above all others."

I could have barfed when he said that. As if, I would ever defend or 'cherish' this piece of shit. My confidence soon waned though when his neck turned towards the Alpha's tied to their posts.

"Forgive me, but it appears you already have three wolves in your life.... am I wrong"?

He looked towards me sadistically. I knew what he was implying.

"We all know your mate is Dimitri, son of Alpha Malcolm and Alpha to the RedFang pack. But what about the other two...?"

I fained indifference.

"What other two"?

I was fast running out of patience and I didn't like where this game was heading...

"Your brother and daddy ofcourse". He gleamed.

My head turned slightly at hearing Dimitri's voice again and the look on the Rogue King's face told me he knew that we were communicating.

"But their not the real threat here. The only wolf stopping me from taking you is your mate and that abomination he put in you".

My eyes widened when he looked towards my stomach and I instinctively placed a protective hand over my bump.

Dimitri growled at the mention of our pup. The Rogue King sent fiery eyes towards Dimitri and I gulped as my mate stared him down..

"Ohhhh Richard". He sang.

My head snapped up to look at the man I once called father, he stood behind the Rogue King and I saw him flinch slightly at the calling of his name. He only looked my way briefly before looking down toward's his feet and walking towards the King.

"Release Alpha Dimitri would you... I have plans for him".

My eyes pleaded with my Uncle and as I watched his shoulders droop. I went to follow him but the King raised his hand.

" ah ah"... he waged his fingers to me like a dog and I growled low. This seemed to only please him even more.

I returned my gaze to my Uncle releasing the bonds which tied my mate to the pillar this rable had erected just for this show trial.

Dimitri's eyes never wavered from the Rogue King. Despite his injuries he was strong willed and I could only admire him in that moment. He seemed completely determined and almost eager to be set free from his restraints.

Too eager.

Alarm gripped me.

"... I warned through our link.

He sent me a small sexy smirk and my stomach fluttered.

The effect this wolf had on me was ridiculous. When Dimitri was finally released, the Rogue King gave a small nod to my Uncle and it all happened so fast. In one moment my uncle was standing calmly next to my mate, in the next, he retrieved a small syringe from his pocket and stabbed Dimitri in the arm with it. Both of us were far too shocked to react. Richard sent me a powerful look. One of regret and remorse.

"What did you do"? I asked in a small stupified voice.

My father spoke next.

"You bastard... can your crimes get any worse? How can you even class yourself as a werewolf. Where is your honor and respect for our kind"?

Alpha Kiron was going insane and it was clear to see. He pulled and thrashed against his chains as my brother tried in vain to calm him down. In all of my father's attempts to kill my Uncle where he stood I spotted the rogue King staring at me. He was enjoying our family drama.

Reveling in it.

Turning towards him slowly I spoke.

"What did you do to him"?

He leant forward and his eyes gleamed like diamonds.

"Why.... Violet... do you care for him"?

My father quietend down with the Rogue King's question.

"Was this not the very same mate who abandoned you for another? Rejected and abused you and left you to fend for yourself and your unborn pup"?

His mouth popped the 'p' at the mention of my pup and my back stiffened.

"A life is still a life" I said defiantely.

He looked down towards a lifeless Miriam at my feet.

"Indeed it is"..

His eye lashes fluttered back up to mine and he grinned menacingly in his failed attempt at being coy. His sickening sweet voice surrounded me.

"But now, you are no different to me either... are you Violet? You have taken lives in your own pursuit for power".

"Shut your mouth! I have not killed anyone who didn't deserve it"! I spat...

"Really? And tell me Violet.. do you think yourself any better than I? Are you not here for revenge, to obliterate my existence and to reek vengeance upon your mate and his pack"?

"It's not like that. Yes, I have been hurt by those in this field. But I am here to liberate them from their oppressor"!

He laughed.

"And do you think you will be any different than I when you lead them? Will you not demand absolute loyalty and allegiance to you and your Goddess? And if they fail to follow you, will you use your power against them"?

I gasped and noticed a few of my pack look at me questioningly. A few of them looked uncertain and I rushed to defend myself.

"I will give them the right to choose, as it should be. Everyone deserves a right to choose".

"You are just like me Violet, that power in you is growing and you know as well as I do you struggle to control it. I have received reports that you injured members in the Moonlight pack because of it".

My mouth hung low as his was smug.

"I was in a training session and I had complete control of my power"!

I protested in my defense.

"So you meant to hurt and maim then"?

I stumbled over my words and struggled to get them out. My pack began to look towards one another and I could feel the tables turning.

"I have decided on your second trial my Luna"

...he continued as I waited

"The rules are simple. Fifty of my best wolves will attack you and your mate, your mate is tasked with protecting your life and that of his pup"!

Dimitri rolled his shoulders back and all traces of his humour left him as he looked towards me.

"However, your task is a little different my dear. In this chest beside me is an antidote to the wolfesbane your Uncle has just injected your Mate with... you must reach this in time to save him... otherwise, .....he dies".

My stomach dropped and I could feel the power inside of me brew with a need for justice.

"You bastard"! I spat

"Now now Violet.. watch your language. After all, your mate doesn't have time for arguments now does he"?

My head swung around to face Dimitri and our connection seemed to have dropped slightly. I reached out tentatively to his mind but his brain was foggy as he stared at me with worry. Our bond felt weird, like the connection was starting to slip away from us. The drug had already started to take effect. I ran over to him in panic as he shook his head to try and remove the drugs effects.

The Rogue King laughed behind me as I grabbed a hold of Dimitri's face to get him to focus on me.

"Use your power and I'll destroy the antidote, loose the battle and he dies along with your father, brother and the rest of your pack. Wolves... prepare for battle".

Dimitri's head snapped up when he heard the Rogue King's order. Fifty wolves stepped out into the centre of the field. All baiting for blood.

A vice like hand encircled my arm and I was pulled behind Dimitri so suddenly my head swam.

"Stay behind me and don't you dare put yourself or our pup in danger".

I was lost for words as I stared at his head from behind. His words were strong and full of love and a need to protect his mate and our unborn pup. My eyes glossed over and I quickly blinked a few times to try and calm myself. Never before had anyone defended me like this and I was touched.

Looking at his arm which the venom was inserted into, I could see the pin pricks area had stared to turn black. Dis colouring his beautiful tanned skin.

"Dimitri" I whispered.

He turned his head to face me and sent me a small smile.

"I love you Violet Hayes. I know I've been a dick to you.. but I mean every word of it"

He placed his large warm palm over my stomach and my throat began to close. He turned his back on the King and spoke in a low tone, blocking their view of me momentarily and lowering his voice so only I could hear.

"If you have a chance to run and get out of this, you take it. You take our pup and you run. Don't worry about anything or anyone else but you and your survival. If I get you an opening you take it and you leave.. your fast Violet and I know you can outrun them. Go to Byrant's pack and they will protect you there.".

Looking to Byrant I shook my head furiously.

"Never! I'm not leaving you or my family and this pack. I won't let you die today".

His eyes softened and without warning he kissed me. Right then and there in front of everyone. The kiss was brief but gentle and my body shook with the affect of our bond. A tear slipped from my eye and his thumb wiped it clear from my cheek. The sparks of our bond was still there and beating. I was not sure what I felt but I knew be couldn't leave me. With the very last breath I had left in my body, I would save him with it. Despite whatever happened between us previously, I was not yet ready to face my feelings towards him just yet. But I'll be damned if he died because of me.

When he pulled back, he sighed.

"I hope our daughter will take after you.." he grinned

"What makes you think it's a girl"? I asked incredulously.

His grin only widened.

"Just a guess"

My face smiled a little but soon stopped when I noticed the trial's participants were waiting on us to start. I gripped Dimitri's shoulder and sent him strength through our bond. It was clear his strength was beginning to wane.

"I can hold them off for long enough.. you protect yourself". He reassured me.

I nodded.

When he turned to face our enemy I spotted the Rogue king who sent us a venom filled glare.

"Kill him"! He said.

With that, Dimitri stepped in front of me and widened his stance. He turned into his black wolf and growled protectively In front of his mate and pup. Now, I had to pray to the Goddess I could save him in time.

Alpha Kiron gave me a pained expression and I noticed Peggy clutching the leg of my brother. My heart broke slightly as I thought about my own pup. How they would need their father. Now, more than ever, we needed him for what was to come and I needed to ensure the future and lives of all of those held here in this field today. The members of my pack shook with fear and it only spurred me on. RedFang was never weak and their fear angered me. I hated the Rogues around us with a passion.

I hate..

Without warning, Dimitri's tail brushed against my hand. I had failed to notice the blackness of the power consuming me and my own thoughts from the inside along with it. The hatred was all consuming. The power feeding off of it. Looking up at Dimitri he gave me a firm nod in his wolf.

"Stay with me.. and try to calm your

I nodded.

He was right.

Exploding like a bomb would not help matters at all. It might kill my enemy but who was to say it wouldn't kill anyone else within my path. I already discovered with Alec yesterday that this power could not differentiate between friend and foe.

This was dangerous.

Too dangerous, and Dimitri's fur on my hand was removing that anger so simply and it proved to me just how much he was my anchor to the light and how easily he kept me away from the darkness.

I could not loose him.

Our pup could not loose him.

I was terrified.

I saw the movement from the corner of my eye a moment later than Dimitri did.

He pushed his wolf's body into my own which threw me out of reach from the first wolf to pounce on me. His push was firm but not rough. He was trying not to harm me in his attempt to save me.

I watched my knight in black tackle and easily defeat the first wolf and my chest swelled in pride just watching him.

The next wolf attacked to my right. Taking out my last small pocket knife I waited for him to strike. As he sailed towards me, teeth bared, I side stepped his assault at the last moment and sliced my knife straight across his throat. Dimitri took down another three wolves just as a smaller grey wolf attacked sneakily from my left. Grabbing a hold of his throat with my hand I heard the crunch of his neck break and threw it to one side. Turning swiftly, I missed the approach of three wolves as they attacked simultaneously.

"VIOLET"!!!!

My father's voice resonating across the clearing distracted me slightly as I was taken down to the floor by the three charging Rogues.

I heard a roar to my right and heard Dimitri pounding over to aide me. Not liking the whole 'damsel in distress' shit, I punched the one werewolf which pinned me down and saw his head sharply turn with the force of my blow. Rolling over in a commando style and just out of reach from the first wolf, I was immediately rounded on by the second one.

Dimitri reached me just in time and ran against the wolf who jumped on my back. As the weight lifted from my shoulders, I exhaled slightly before standing. The third wolf growled and prowled around me as around 30 or so werewolves did the same behind him. Waiting on me to be worn down enough so they could have easy pickings.

I huffed.

Fat chance my friends! I thought.

I braced myself for the next attack as Dimitri trotted to my side. Looking over to him I went to give him a small smile. We were quite a duo and I was proud of how well were coping. When I saw him sway slightly my smile dropped and I pushed my leg against his front ones so he had something to lean against. When Dimitri lifted his heavy mussel up to look at me, my heart shattered.

I tried to connect with him but our bond was severed completely now.

He didn't have much time.

His once large, sparkling brown eyes had turned a dull black. I was losing him and we both knew it. His soul was slipping away from me. I stepped in front of him as he growled at my action. My Alpha not pleased with his Luna putting herself in harm's way. Facing off against the wall of wolves I spoke with mallice.

"You want your pound of flesh then you take it from me! Don't even think about touching him!".

My voice broke slightly but it was deep and forceful. My emotion was starting to get to me and my power was starting to build. A few of them Snickered in their wolves and I sent them a cutting look which quietened them instantly.

I looked over to Luna Farah and she gave me a firm nod of assurance. The message within my eyes that I sent to her was clear and she interpreted it well enough I concluded.

If I had to use my power to save my mate then I would, and damn the consequences. I would need to be fast to get to her and save her life, but she needed to know the sacrifice I was willing to make. The sacrifice ALL mates would make.

'She' was that sacrifice.

Between her and Dimtri, I knew who I would choose.

Looking to Byrant with a sorrowful face, I said...

"I'm sorry"!

His eyes widened with recognition and he looked frantically between Farah and myself. He was silently pleading with me. I would give my one and only plan one chance, and if it didn't work, I would unleash the power I had been surpressing.