Gypsy Rising

“Unique children are being left in her care for longer and longer periods of time,” Damien murmurs, gingerly stroking the cheek of Jasper, as he finishes cleaning up his disgustingly distracting diaper.

“And omegas are sensing their alpha’s new mate before he even knows it for himself,” Emit goes on, running a finger over his lips in pensive concentration. “I joked about my omegas thinking of her as my mate. I never realized the wolf would surge forth to lay claim.”

His muscles bunch, and he glances to the door, just as he’s done every ten or so minutes. He’s in a hurry to get back to her. I want to stab his dick just to ensure it stays out of her for a little while, dammit.

“She built a sanctuary in five months, and had all the laws passed she needed to create an effective baseline for her future goals. She’s attempting to create peace and trust, starting at the ground and working her way up,” I conclude, sinking back in my seat and wondering if we’re just romanticizing the girl’s feats into disillusioned pieces of faux grandeur.

Or what if we’re overlooking something.

“Anyone seen Pandora in a while?” I muse aloud, glancing around at the four of them, particularly Arion, since he apparently had a private audience with the living while we thought he was laid to rest.

“I searched for her, curious what the crazy bat was up to, since she hasn’t surfaced in too many centuries to count,” Arion confesses. “But I couldn’t find any trace of her. I got distracted by Violet and forgot I was even searching.”

I nod in understanding, since Violet has certainly been the largest distraction I’ve found in too long. My lips curve at the thought of showing her the ring I finally decided on.

She took the fucking wolf. Surely she’ll accept me. Once I figure out the proper way to make amends for…being far too insensitive to her young, more emotional needs.

Leaning back in my chair, I study the vampire.

“You think Pandora had something to do with Violet’s existence,” I surmise. “That’s what you’re suggesting?”

He nods slowly. “After Idun started using Caroline as her science experiment, Pandora went crazy trying to limit Idun’s power, to no avail. If Idun hadn’t crossed a line with the Simpletons, Pandora would still be at her side. There’s no doubt Pandora made Idun stronger. We’ve all determined as much over the years. Idun wants Violet to play with her. Pandora may have played a part in creating Violet.”

“Why choose Marta Portocale for a mother? Pandora only sided with Idun because of how vicious the Portocale family grew to be,” I remind him.

There’s a long pause, as though the thought hadn’t occurred to him.

“All of these conspiracy theories usually end up with a kink like that,” Damien says quietly as he lies down on the bed next to Jasper, wiggling a set of keys that light the babe’s fancy, judging by the enamored look in his eyes. “How does a shifter/vampire exist? Did Pandora contribute to that as well?”

Arion’s expression changes to frustration, as though he aslo hadn’t considered that.

“Maybe evolution has hit the next level and we’re farther behind the curve than we realized with keeping up,” I suggest, which draws a nod from Emit.

“It’s more likely than Pandora hand-crafting a girl we all can’t resist. What would be the purpose? Violet isn’t vicious enough to handle Idun. Three wolves escaped her. Idun would have done more damage in less time,” Emit adds, sighing as though he’s upset we’re still stuck with no answers about Violet’s existence.

“I don’t believe her to be an omega, despite her softness,” I continue. “She’s not particularly a beta. Omegas push more personal boundaries with alphas than betas do, because betas have different instincts. Talbot had me toying with the impossible idea of her being an alpha, but that’s not even in the realm of realism, because she took that beating from Idun with pride. She lost no dignity from that, and she gained power instead of feeling chastened. We all know better.”

There’s another long moment of pause. Even Jasper grows quiet, as though he realizes this is a heavy conversation topic.

“Violet took Caroline’s manic rage and somehow managed to restrain her monster enough to not hurt her too severely, even after being attacked. Yet still feels like she’s done wrong by losing that much control,” Emit murmurs quietly.

“I worry about us being there and upholding her rules about not involving ourselves, in the event one of them has an uncontrollable fit like the one Caroline just had. I’d honestly rip the girl to shreds before I could even think about it, regardless of her own personal mental problems that have piled on by this point,” the wolf adds on a small groan as he scrubs a hand over his face.

“Aye,” Arion murmurs, throwing back another drink. And another. “I’m too alpha to allow the woman I love to take a beating like that in front of me. Even Idun was punished. Trust me, freezing her was pure torture for her.”

“Yet there’s been no immediate retaliation,” Damien states quietly, eyes distant, as though he’s lost in thought. “She really is targeting Violet and not us. She’s just doing it discreetly.”

I’ve never seen the vampire so eerily calm and lost in thought. It’s quite alarming, if I do say so myself. Damien lost in just as much thought is slightly terrifying.