CHAPTER 541: RUN WITH VIOLET

"Because it wasn’t the first time we’ve fought them. In case you don’t remember, we were the ones to rescue those pack members before any of your people could do anything." Griffin said boldly, letting the insult land clean. "Moreover, they were dressed thoroughly and used sophisticated weapons not even your department could get your hands upon. So instead of questioning us like criminals, you should be thanking us for doing a job your people should have handled already."

Vincent answered flatly, "We are pouring our resources and doing everything we can to find Patrick Vale right now."

"Hmm," Micah spoke for the first time, his voice cool, "I wonder how long that would take? When the heirs are attacked a third time and Patrick finally succeeds?"

"We are handling that." Vincent gritted out.

Roman chuckled. "Someone doesn’t like being investigated."

The glare Vincent sent Roman’s way should have been enough to vaporize him on the spot if he could fire lasers.

"Let the man do his job," Elijah said lazily, as if enjoying the show, but the message had been passed.

Vincent’s voice was tight with annoyance when he asked, "When did you see Henry Nightshade?"

"Toward the end," Griffin answered curtly.

"And?"

"And I don’t know what else you want to hear?"

"Perhaps details of what he looked like? How did he die exactly, without vague answers?"

"I’m sorry, but we were outnumbered and fighting for our lives," Griffin said with biting sarcasm. "So forgive me if my memory isn’t picture-perfect toward the end."

Vincent’s eyes narrowed. "All of your memories aren’t solid toward the end, I see. But thank the goddess Violet was with Henry at that moment, so perhaps I’ll get something real from her now." His tone carried finality.

He flipped to the next page, raising his voice just slightly. "Finally, the famous human among you, Violet Purple."

When Violet lifted her head to meet his gaze, the fears were gone. Griffin had bought her enough time to calm her emotions. Moreover, she could tell from the smug look on Vincent’s face that Vincent considered her the weakest link.

Unfortunately, if there was anything Violet hated, it was being called "weak" because she was far from one. Not to mention, she won’t be the one to drag her men down after their hard work.

"Commander Vincent." Violet said, "Let’s begin now, shall we?"

Vincent’s brow lifted in surprise. That was not the reaction he had been expecting. He expected her to be nervous and quivering in her seat now it was her turn. After all, he had smelt it like a shark locating blood, she was hiding a secret and he’d find out.

Fine, let’s play.

"You were there that night at Pine lodge, weren’t you?"

Violet’s breath didn’t hitch one bit. "Yes, I was."

"How are you alive when most aren’t?" Vincent continued, "It sounds convenient, don’t you think?"

"I’d say I’m lucky." Violet replied.

"What?"

"Lucky enough to have people who protected me to the point of death. Write it that way."

Vincent stared at her for a moment too long and then did exactly as she had said, he wrote it down. However, the next second, he put down both the book and pen saying, "Now, let’s talk about the one question everyone has been dancing around. Henry. How, exactly, did Henry Nightshade die?"

Violet’s fingers stayed laced on the table. She didn’t look at Roman or Griffin. "He died fighting. That is all I will say."

Vincent’s jaw ticked. "Don’t fuck with me, Violet."

"Why would I when I have two mates? That’s an orgy already."

This time Roman couldn’t help it, he laughed so hard that tears escaped his eyes. "And I wouldn’t have it either way, baby. "

"This is an official interrogation," He reminded her as if trying to scare her into submission with that information.

"Then forgive me if the questions sound like a clown show." Violet was glaring at Vincent now, her voice rising dangerously. "If you’re here to write a story where we’re responsible for whatever twisted imagination you’re having, try a different garden. You won’t like the ending of this one."

Vincent leaned in. "Are you threatening me, Violet Purple?"

"Do you feel threatened, Commander Vincent?"

As if to punctuate her threat, there was a strange pressure in the air and it made breathing difficult. The sensation was almost similar to an Alpha’s aura.

Violet’s aura.

It was raw, untamed, and spilling from her in waves she couldn’t fully control.

Even Elijah froze, his wine glass pausing mid-air. His gaze narrowed with dangerous interest, watching her the way a predator studies prey. Roman noticed it too.

His hand slid beneath the table, finding the cut-out in Violet’s dress, his palm brushing her bare skin. Violet’s breath hitched, but the pressure around them began to ease. Slowly, the suffocating weight lifted.

Violet exhaled slowly, coming back to herself.

Roman’s gaze snapped upward and collided with Elijah’s. For a moment, the garden felt colder. Elijah’s eyes gleamed with sly amusement, that cunning glint of an old fox who had just sniffed out a hidden truth.

Roman’s hackles rose instantly. His wolf stirred, bristling with a silent snarl. His mate was in danger. This wasn’t about Henry Nightshade at all. Elijah was probing Violet. Testing her.

Roman didn’t know what to do. Should he grab Violet and make a run for it? But where would they run? This was the Alpha King’s palace—there was no escape here.

And even if they did, they couldn’t stay on the run forever. Perhaps he was moving ahead of himself. Maybe he needed to calm down and see how this played out. One thing was certain, though: before Elijah ever laid a hand on Violet, he’d have to get through him first.

"Fine," Vincent said, his voice clipped. "Let’s talk about the blast then. Forensics prove Pine Ridge wasn’t hit by any traditional explosive. We’ve got crater geometry, thermal signatures, melted silica. Trees blown outward in a perfect ring, then a secondary scouring. And electromagnetic interference recorded miles away. You want to revise your statements now? Because you and I both know no ordinary bomb does this."