“Avery said it was important—”

I shut up when the image and voice comes on the screen. Idun is laughing at something—fuck knows what—as she swirls her drink.

“So you see, Daphne, this will be progress if I can get my four Head of House comrades to stop worrying so much about their flavor of the month and help out,” Idun drones on.

“She knows I mated Violet, and still undercuts her meaning to us,” Emit growls.

“Not the important part,” Marta says as she stands and goes to the television, her eyes narrowing.

“Trial by combat has always been a piece of our history that’s been long forsaken, due to the softer touch of today’s world,” Idun goes on, her lips curving in a grin. “Call me old fashioned, but I’ve simply been underground for far too long to be as gentle and timid as the world is today.”

Damien snorts. “Possibly because you’re the most ruthless bitch to have ever walked the face of the earth.”

“You guys fill me in on whatever gets discussed. I’m going to finish up my food and go enjoy some time with my mate,” the motherfucking wolf says with a broad grin as he stands abruptly.

Everyone glares at the bloody tosser. He’s had Violet’s complete surrender for three damn days. Even if he was the wolf for the entirety of it, it’s unfair for him to have her longer.

I’m sure Marta’s glaring for an entirely different reason than Damien and I. At least he’ll have to battle with Arion for attention.

Nope. I’d rather do battle with Arion for her attention instead of the wolf. He’s gotten too close too fast for me to catch up, and I’ll be yesterday’s uptight, cold garbage at this rate.

Without waiting another minute, I stand abruptly, pulling out my sword while his head is turned. With a single, silent charge, I slam the blade into his spinal cord, relishing his roar of pain, as I leave it lodged there and walk away.

Damien claps in response as I head out, while Marta calls us something akin to savages in a dead language.

That’ll hold him for at least a little while.

Exiting and grabbing my ride, I drive like hell is on my ass to Sanctuary. Since I’ve been granted entrance, the doors open for me on their own, blessed by Marta’s powerful magic.

It’ll keep out the rubbish, but it’ll be far too weak to stop Idun from entering at will. I hope Violet has been made aware of that.

There’s a quick scattering of new omegas, who shriek in fear as I stalk by, quickly hurrying to Violet’s room.

Leiza’s eyes widen when she sees me, and she stands from her spot on the floor in front of Violet’s room.

“We sort of explained what Emit’s mark means, but she passed out before I could give her all the details,” she says as she quickly lowers her eyes and trembles.

“She only likes the gist of things anyway,” I state dismissively, pushing her door open. “So long as she knows it means she’s his mate, and therefore, she’s now looked at as such by all wolves, she’ll have the important information. The rest will come naturally to her.”

She nods, but I can tell she’s lingering for another reason. Impatiently, I tap my foot.

“I-is it true that Idun removed his mark when she couldn’t share all four of you? I mean, because she was his mate, his wolf wouldn’t allow—”

“She kissed Damien immediately after Emit awoke. He simply won’t share when he’s the wolf. Full moons should be interesting for a while,” is all I say.

“Does that mean you’re all hers again?” she asks far too hopefully.

My lips twitch, as my eyes stay on the girl, who is twisted in the sheets, tossing and turning in a fitful sleep. But my amusement flees when she whispers Emit’s name. Shit, I stabbed him perfectly through the spine, so he’ll need at least six hours to be able to walk again.

I didn’t consider how much that mark would be affecting her, because I was busy buying myself some time alone with her. Thankfully, it seems I’ve beaten Arion here.

“Don’t worry so much, Leiza. Even if she thinks she’s broken ties, the girl won’t ever get away from us so easily,” I assure her, as I pull my shirt over my head, carefully folding it and placing it on a small table.

Leiza shuts the door behind her, as I strip the rest of the way down to my underwear and slide into the bed next to Violet.

This is probably not going to work out so well for me, unless she feels I’ve sunken to a pathetic level akin to Damien’s.

The second she tosses in her sleep and collides with me, her arm slips across my chest, her hand settling near my heart. Her leg comes across my waist, and her body goes lax, losing the restlessness.

I quirk an eyebrow at her, as she snores lightly, no longer tossing and turning.

“Is it possible you need us more than you let on, sweet monster?” I ask in a register barely above a whisper.

“And we spent all our time neglecting her in favor of learning Idun’s agenda,” Damien says abruptly, causing me to curse, since I missed his scent, given my distraction.

I glare over at him when he becomes visible at the foot of the bed, but his eyes are solely on her, jaw tight, as he simply stares.

“Make room, Van Helsing,” the vampire says from the motherfucking window, as he drops inside the room, tugging his shirt over his head.