Chapter 572: Elijah’s Intention
"Griffin Hale and Violet Purple are in the North pack," Christian reported to him.
Elijah’s eyes narrowed. "Go on."
"It took a lot of confirming on my side," Christian continued, "but it’s true. Violet is now mated to Alaric Storm. She currently bears three bonds with your heirs."
"Impossible!" Elijah shot to his feet, shocked. "That can’t be."
"I know, Your Majesty," Christian said quickly. "I could hardly believe it myself. But it has been verified. Some members of the pack were present when it happened.
Apparently, Zara Storm opposed Violet and clashed with Alaric over her. I don’t have all the details yet, but from what I’ve gathered, they personally witnessed the mating process, and saw the rune appear on Violet’s body with their own eyes."
Elijah didn’t show even a trace of emotion at the news that his heir and Violet had mated in front of the North pack. No, they could mate in front of the entire world and he wouldn’t so much as blink.
What truly stunned him was the third bond.
A freaking third bond.
No one in the entire history of werewolves had ever possessed three bonds. This wasn’t just rare — it was an abnormality. Where others foolishly called it a blessing, Elijah saw it for what it was: something dangerous. Whether this anomaly would ultimately benefit him or destroy everything he’d built, he couldn’t say yet.
Slowly, Elijah sat back in his seat. His earlier agitation vanished, and was replaced by a calculated calm as he stroked his jaw, deeply in thought. "So Violet Purple is collecting my heirs, one after the other."
"That seems to be the case, Your Majesty," Christian replied carefully.
Elijah’s gaze sharpened. "Have you found anything about her mother? Who is she? What is she?" he emphasized.
Christian swallowed. "I’m afraid, Your Majesty, I have no clue. Your brother, Angus, has always kept a low profile since his disgrace, and Violet’s mother even worse. It’s as if she literally doesn’t exist."
He continued. "My sources say there isn’t a single trace of Violet’s DNA within reach. Even at her previous school, when they conducted mandatory health checkups, her blood caused complications. According to their report, Violet’s blood spoiled almost instantly after being drawn. It branded her a freak, and eventually, they gave up trying. They had no choice but to leave her alone."
"A creature whose blood spoils the moment it’s drawn?" Elijah murmured, thinking. "Definitely not a werewolf. Perhaps a witch? Her blood could have been spelled, hidden so it can’t be traced."
"The boys must know," Christian pointed out. "Relationships that tight are built on shared secrets. Secrets they know you should never discover."
Elijah’s lips thinned. "Griffin, Roman, and Alaric would never speak. Not when they see me as a threat to her. As her mates, they’d protect her at any cost. That leaves only Asher. But Asher—"
"Would never utter a word," Christian finished, the words slipping out before he could stop them. Realizing his mistake, he quickly bowed his head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."
"You’re right," Elijah said, brushing off the apology with ease. "Asher would keep his silence, even with a knife at his throat. And if my memory serves me, he once had a relationship with Violet himself." His eyes gleamed dangerously. "Something tells me she’s not done collecting my heirs. Asher is next."
Christian asked with anticipation. "What would you have me do, Your Majesty?"
"Tell the men not to make a move," Elijah ordered. "Just keep watch. Report every detail of their movements to me. If Asher is to be mated next, they’ll return to the West pack soon enough." A cold smile touched his lips. "And when they do, we’ll have ourselves one big family reunion."
"What would you do, Your Majesty?" Christian asked, burning with curiosity. "Would you kill Violet Purple?"
Elijah’s lips formed what wasn’t quite a smile. "Depends on whose side she stands on, mine or Angus’s. That will decide her fate. Until then, she needs to learn some discipline. Also, about Caspian..."
Earlier that evening, Caspian had excused himself, claiming a family emergency that required his immediate return to the North pack.
Elijah said, "The North has always been secretive with their actions, and Caspian is a spineless fool, completely under the thumb of his wife. I want every detail about the confrontation between Zara and Violet. Find out what happened, Christian. Leave nothing uncovered."
"Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll get to the bottom of it," he promised with determination.
"Good. That will be all for now," Elijah said, rising to his feet. He staggered slightly, perhaps from the excess wine or the sheer weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders.
"Do you need help, Your Majesty?" Christian offered, but the glare Elijah sent his way was enough to shut him up immediately.
If there was anything Elijah despised, it was even the smallest sign of weakness.
"Have a good night, Your Majesty," Christian said instead, bowing his head respectfully.
Without another word, Elijah sauntered into his bedroom. Once inside, he removed the golden ring and placed it carefully in its case. He peeled off his clothes and stepped into the bathroom, letting the warm water wash over him as he bathed.
One would think that after such a long day, sleep would come easily. But when Elijah returned to his bed, it didn’t. Instead he turned and tossed for a while until he couldn’t take it anymore.
Elijah pulled out his phone and placed a call to his wife, Beatrice.
Would she even be awake? Most of all, would she even pick up?
Deep down, he knew he had been an asshole, especially to her. No wonder she hadn’t bothered traveling with him, knowing they’d only end up fighting.
The phone rang, each second stretching painfully, and just when it seemed she wouldn’t answer, her sleepy voice cracked through the line.
"Hello...?"
Elijah froze. What was he even going to say? Why had he called her in the first place? All he knew was that he felt like talking to someone, and she was the only person who came to mind.
Technically, she was the only one he had.
He cleared his throat. "Hello?"
Elijah heard soft ruffling on the other end, guessed she was sitting up.
"Sorry for interrupting your sleep," he said.
"I’m up anyway," Beatrice replied, her voice steadying as she fully woke. "Tell me then, what did you do this time?"
Elijah’s brows lifted in surprise. "You think quite highly of your husband," he said with dry sarcasm.
"You’re calling at two in the night, your majesty. Either you’ve done something really stupid and need validation for your actions, or..." she trailed off knowingly.
He was supposed to feel insulted, but instead, Elijah found himself sinking deeper into his bed, oddly at ease.
"I haven’t killed anyone," he said lightly. Then added with dark humor, "Although someone’s likely to die tomorrow. But hurrah, not by my hands."
"That is kind of encouraging," Beatrice said dryly. "Tell me more."
And just like that, Elijah found himself actually enjoying the conversation with his wife for the first time in a very long while.