CHAPTER 527: THE L WORD

They had no choice but to call Asher and brief him on the situation.

Violet stayed quiet, watching Roman with the phone pressed to his ear, his usual cocky air stripped away as he listened intently to Asher’s voice on the other end. They had always been close, and seeing Roman draw strength from that bond made her heart settle in a way nothing else could.

"Here you go," Roman said, handing her the phone when he was through. "Asher wants to speak to you."

Violet’s heart skipped. Butterflies stirred in the pit of her belly as she accepted the phone, a nervous smile tugging her lips. It was ridiculous, wasn’t it? The prophecy said she was destined for all four of them, yet doubt always slipped in. What if the second bond dulled what she felt for Asher and Alaric?

But the moment she heard his voice, those doubts burned to ash.

"Hello, baby girl."

Holy Maker.

Heat rushed through her like someone had lit a fire in her stomach and let it spread to her chest, her neck, every part of her. His tone was deep, and rough, carrying that dangerous promise he always seemed to wear like a second skin. A voice like that had no business on the phone. Yes, she knew where it belonged, and it was in dark bedrooms.

Just the sound of it traveled through her veins like liquid fire. A girl could orgasm on the spot from that alone without him even laying a hand on her.

"Hi—h-hello, babe," Violet stammered, trying desperately to lace her words with some sex appeal, but the goddess knew that failed miserably.

Asher chuckled. The low, dark rumble vibrated against her ear as though he’d crawled straight through the phone to whisper against her skin. Her knees nearly buckled.

Violet swallowed, her pulse hammering. Goddess, what was she doing?

She cursed under her breath. Violet Purple! You are not getting turned on by a voice, are you?

And yet, here she was.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "I know this is a lot to unpack at a time like this."

Violet sighed. "It’s fine. I’m fine. You?" She added softly, "I’m sorry I won’t be there when you need—"

"It’s fine, I’m good. You need to get Alaric before his crazy-ass mother forces him to marry some cousin from her side of the family now that she’s dragged him back to North soil," Asher said.

A growl slipped from Violet’s throat at the thought of Alaric being claimed by another girl. She would tear the bitch’s throat out and take back what was hers.

God, calm down! Violet scolded herself.

She was getting too violent these days. And she knew exactly what—or rather who—was driving her bloodthirsty.

Her damn wolf.

So she took a deep breath, steadying herself. No ripping out throats yet. No strangling people either, like she’d nearly done to Alexa.

Asher’s voice came again. "You know what Roman needs at a time like this?"

"What?" Violet asked. But then it hit her. "Oh." Her cheeks burned.

"I wish I was there to get a bit of the action," Asher drawled. "But you do him dirty for me, baby girl. We’ll be together sooner than you know." His tone softened. "I love you, Violet Purple."

Violet froze. The world stopped moving. Did he just—? The L word.

Not that she hadn’t felt it in his touches, his jealous glares, the way he was always there for her no matter what. But hearing him say it—oh, my God.

Her chest tightened, heart hammering so fast she swore the others could hear it. The words rushed out of her before she could stop them. "I love you too."

Violet didn’t need to think, it was simply the truth. She loved Asher. She loved Roman, Griffin, and Alaric. She loved them all.

Violet was so giddy with excitement that as soon as the call ended, she tossed the phone at Griffin without thinking. He caught it easily, just in time to see her launch herself onto Roman on the bed, laughing.

Roman didn’t even have time to breathe before Violet crashed into him, lips colliding with his in a kiss so fierce it stole the breath from his lungs. Violet wasn’t asking, she was taking.

Her tongue invaded his mouth, hot and demanding, intertwining with his in a battle that made his head spin. She traced the roof of his mouth slowly, a wicked tease before she sucked his bottom lip between her teeth, dragging a moan straight out of him.

The sinful grind of her hips against his nearly broke him. Heat pressed flush to hardness, every slow roll of her body against his groin intentional and intoxicating.

Roman’s control shattered as he fisted her hair hard, yanking her closer until there was no space left to breathe, no escape from the furnace she’d thrown him into.

He moaned into her mouth, the sound guttural, as though she was pulling his very soul out with her tongue. Violet devoured him, relentless, and he gave in like a man drowning who found air in the taste of her.

Time bled out and they only stopped when their lungs screamed for air, breaking apart with a gasp, a slick string of saliva stretching between their mouths.

Roman’s chest heaved, his eyes wild and dark, while Violet’s lips glistened, swollen from the assault.

"Fuck..." Roman rasped, still reeling. "Do that again and I won’t let you stop."

And the way Violet smirked back at him told him she damn well knew it.

They caught movement from the corner of their eyes and the both of them turned to find standing there, casually recording them with his phone.

Roman lifted a questioningly brow.

Griffin said. "Just making sure Asher doesn’t miss out on the action. Are you guys comfortable with that?"

At that, Roman’s eyes lit with dangerous gleam. He said to Violet, "Are you thinking what I’m thinking?"

Violet didn’t bother answering. Her hand was already sliding down, working on his zipper.