Chapter 1056
Valeria crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her twin. “If you don’t like being with me, why don’t you leave p>
“Leave? Where? This is my home, and this is my place, next to you. We might disagree in private, but the pack should see only unity. As the second who came after you, it is my duty to watch your back, just how you should watch Violet’s. If you look at the big picture and think about the pack instead of your pride, you will see it p>
She knew that and thought she accepted it, but now Violet showed up with Ashton and was rubbing it in!
As if he could read her mind, Edgar said, “Not everything is about you, Val. It is normal for newly mated couples to show off their other half, and they will do it regardless of who is watching p>
Valeria was about to respond, but the crowd stirred, and she looked in the direction where people parted to reveal a pair approaching.
“Keep looking like that at Ashton, and this will turn from a spar into something much worse,” Edgar said to Valeria in a low voice.
“Stop talking like I’m doing this on purpose. I can’t control how I’m looking! Besides, Vi can’t hurt me p>
Edgar snorted. “That temper will get you killed. You are a grownup, and it’s time to be accountable for your actions. Vi is stronger than she was, and if you think you can underestimate Ashton, think again. He was never the fastest nor the strongest, but he always won p>
There were events where Alphas from allied packs would spar, and Edgar knew that he could win against Ashton only with his abilities because Ashton had none. But now Ashton was marked by Violet, which was a big unknown. As for Violet, they were neck-in-neck, taking turns in who was winning, but Violet was never really interested in fighting. This was different.
Part of Edgar enjoyed the thrill, and he wondered how this will turn out. Between him and Valeria, Edgar was the more physical one, eager to make friends and solve disputes with his fists. How Edgar saw it, life was simpler that way.
Violet and Ashton approached the fighting area, and they were welcomed by Yasmin and a bunch of Violet’s cousins who lined up to wait for their turn to greet Violet.
Axel and Yasmin have twelve kids, six sets of twins, with the oldest being eighteen years old, Valeria and Edgar, and the youngest being two years old, David and Kevin.
Violet counted ten heads. All her cousins were there, except for Valeria and Edgar, who were waiting for them in the fighting area.
Violet gave them hugs, starting with the littlest ones, and they eyed Ashton with curiosity.
After Valeria and Edgar, the next set of twins by age were sixteen years old boys, Blaze and Rema, so Ashton was at least eight years older than the oldest ones. They knew him as the young Alpha of the Spring Leaf pack, and he was too old to be greeted casually.
The unwritten rule was that as soon as they came of age, a certain protocol needed to be followed. That rule could be bent for Violet because they were cousins.
“You smell differently,” Blaze said to Violet while scrunching his nose.
Violet grinned and craned her neck to show Ashton’s mark.
Rema widened his eyes. “So, it’s true.” He glanced at Ashton. “You are my cousin-in-law p>
Violet burst into giggles. She never heard of such a thing, but Ashton nodded in agreement and shook hands with the boy.
The youngest ones didn’t really get it, but they understood that Ashton was now one of them, and they clung to his legs.
Ashton was a bit uncomfortable. He grew up as a single child and spent the last five years in more-less solitude. Ashton was used to his space and quiet, and he wondered how often he would need to mingle with this rowdy bunch. And also, Violet had four brothers. Just by thinking about it, Ashton felt crowded.
“I am glad you stopped by,” Yasmin said and glanced at Ashton. “Consider staying for dinner p>
Violet wanted to refuse, but Yasmin said, “Our people will want to meet their future Alpha p>
Violet realized that Yasmin was right. With Violet being the next Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack and Ashton being her mate, he will be their Alpha also.
“What do you say?” Violet asked Ashton.
Ashton’s eyes flashed in approval. He loved that she didn’t respond without consulting him. It showed that she considered him as her equal, and it meant the world to him.
“We will do what you decide,” Ashton said. He pulled Violet closer to him despite Blaze and Rema hugging his legs.
Violet tucked her shoulder under Ashton’s armpit and grinned at him.
“Aww,” Yasmin gushed. “Newly mated. How sweet p>
“What’s with that reaction?” Axel huffed from the side. “We are also sweet. Come here. Let me hug you p>
Yasmin rolled her eyes, but she didn’t bicker with him. Just like any other Alpha, Axel saw everything as a competition.
“Don’t hurt my babies,” Yasmin said to Violet in a low voice. “Val is prideful, but she means no harm.” Yasmin overheard quite a bit of what had happened before, and she was also aware that Valeria carried some bitterness as she always wanted to be at the top. Axel said that was normal for an Alpha, but Yasmin was not so sure about it.
Violet understood that Yasmin spoke as a mother, but that kind of protocol worked in private. Here, in front of the pack members, Violet was a future Alpha Violet Blake, and she needed to act like it.
Violet raised her chin. “I won’t hurt them more than necessary, Aunt Yasmin p>
In truth, Violet had no intention of going easy on Valeria. It was one thing when they were kids, but now they were both of age, and Valeria dared to look at Ashton in front of their people. Violet’s wolf was itching for a fight.
Damon taught her from a young age that image is everything. If she allows Valeria to act out in public, it will reflect poorly on Violet as an Alpha, and it can plant a seed of doubt in the hearts of her people. That doubt will open the gates to treachery, and Violet will have none of it.
“Vi?” Yasmin called pleadingly. Violet’s expression told her Violet meant business. It was the same face Damon would make when he disconnected just before he did something reckless.
Axel put a hand on Yasmin’s shoulder and shook his head. “Let the kids sort it out. They need to establish themselves, and we shouldn’t be in the way p>
Axel looked at Violet gratefully. “Thank you for taking this seriously. Anything less would be an insult to Val and Ed. Teach them well. As their future Alpha, it is your duty to show them the way p>
Yasmin never approved of the pack hierarchy where the strongest one rules. If it were up to her, she would cast a spell to isolate bickering parties until they came to their senses and made up. However, Axel pointed out that was precisely the hierarchy of the strongest rules, but in this case, it would be Yasmin using magic to get her way.
‘The strongest makes the rules,’ Axel would say, ‘It was always that way, and it always will be. People might praise leniency, but they will follow power p>
Yasmin raised her hand, and the magical barrier cracked open for Violet and Ashton to enter.