37

Liam’s POV
For the past decade, my life has revolved around two things: protecting Violet and Chloe with everything I had and making the Ashford twins look like gods among men. I’ve covered for them in training, let them win games, and even went so far as to trap animals and release them nearby so they could show off their hunting skills. They had no idea how much I did behind the scenes to keep their perfect image intact.
But that’s what a Beta does-puts everyone else first, no matter what. Selflessness is practically my middle name, and with my mate still out of reach, I’ve had to find ways to fill the time. At first, it burned me up inside, seeing them take all the credit and bask in the glory. But now? I’ve made my peace with it because it keeps Violet happy, and her happiness is the only thing that matters to me.
Call it pathetic if you want-I couldn’t care less. It’s worth it. As hard as it can be, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Every day with Violet is a gift, a chance to create memories I’ll hold onto forever. Most people don’t get this much time with their mates, and I know how lucky I am to be shaping her life from such an early age. She teaches me something new every day, keeps surprising me, and makes it all worthwhile.
Violet is wise beyond her years, sharp, and doesn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense. She’s the polar opposite of Chloe, who’s more reserved and tends to keep to herself. But with me? Violet’s heart is as big as they come, and her patience seems endless. Even when I let my emotions get the better of me, she has this way of calming me with just a look. It’s nothing short of a miracle that our secret hasn’t been exposed yet, and when we had to show it to Lily… that was tough for both of us. But it had to be done.
I’ve been on edge waiting for the twins to find their mates and settle down. A strong pack needs a strong Luna, and it’s obvious the Goddess chose Lily for a reason. She just hasn’t realized her potential yet. The Blood Moon pack is unlike any other-kind, supportive, and fiercely loyal. When Lily pulled that stunt at the party last night, I thought they might be mad, but nah. They’ll just chalk it up to youthful stupidity.
Still, it’s time to get serious. The twins get that, but Lily’s a wild card. Push her too hard, and she might bolt. I doubt she’d stay away long, but even a week would devastate them. I can’t let that happen.
So, I leaned in close to Lily as we mingled. “I think a shift will help. If you’re up for it, I can guide you. Trust me, the twins don’t always look this good on their own,” I whispered.
She snickered, and I couldn’t help but grin. If Lily’s going to be our Luna, she’s my responsibility now. I’d protect her with my life because that’s what Violet would want. And if Violet’s happy, I’m happy.
Lily needs this to work for her own sake, too. She’s desperate for a real friend-someone her age who isn’t intimidated by her. Chloe’s too quiet to fill that role, and most other girls steer clear. Not that my constant presence helps. The twins have labeled me as their “bodyguard,” ensuring no males get too close. Ironically, it’s me they should worry about-the one Violet sneaks into bed with nearly every night.
Without hesitation, I let out a sharp whistle that silenced the crowd. Everyone turned to me. I wasn’t Beta yet, but they knew it was only a matter of time. “Alright, let’s give our future Luna some breathing room and show her wolf what makes Blood Moon so damn great!”
The crowd cheered, and clothes started hitting the ground as the pack prepared to shift. Lily turned bright red, spinning around to avoid the spectacle. Blood Moon wasn’t the nosy type, which was rare in pack life. They’d let you talk if you wanted but wouldn’t pry if you didn’t.
“You don’t like group runs?” I asked as she leaned toward my shoulder.
“No, not really. I’m more of a solo or small-group kind of person. Nobody usually notices when I’m missing,” she whispered.
Violet darted inside to grab a robe for Lily, and I hated that she couldn’t run with us. When we were alone, she often rode on my back, and those moments were my favorite. My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking my train of thought.
**Three-Way Chat:**
**Caleb:** Take care of our girl, please and thank you.
**Caden:** Be patient. She’ll push you tonight, guaranteed. She’s scared and out of her element. Maybe don’t take her home yet. Is it too late for a hotel?
**Caleb:** She’ll be fine once she sees how great everyone is. Just don’t leave her alone. Also, I’m roasting in this suit-might ditch the boxers soon.
**Caden:** I’m nervous as hell. How’s she doing? Does she need anything? I can swing by her place.
I smiled. Caleb was always confident and direct, while Caden overanalyzed everything. They balanced each other perfectly.
“She’ll be fine,” I typed back. “We’re about to go for a run.”
“Here,” Violet said, handing Lily a robe. My body moved instinctively, leaning in to kiss Violet’s head, but she turned away just in time. I sighed, steadying myself. Careful. Always careful.
Violet slipped my phone into her purse-our texts always got deleted, but better safe than sorry. From across the yard, I saw the Alphas and Luna arriving with Chloe. Great. Just what I didn’t need.
“Can we hurry this up?” Lily asked, stepping away.
“Make sure Hunter helps her catch something good,” Violet whispered with a wink before heading toward her mom.
As I watched her go, I knew one thing for sure: I’d do whatever it took to protect them all. Always.
I forced my body to relax-a ritual I had to repeat countless times daily whenever she was near. Ever since I realized Violet was mine, no other female had any effect on me. Was I missing out? Not a chance. But it didn’t make the wait any easier. Keeping busy was the only way to distract myself from the constant, gnawing desperation to be with her.
Lately, though, she’d been testing the boundaries more than usual. She was only 15, but her birthday was just around the corner. The thought brought some relief, but not enough. She was going to be the death of me. My eyes lingered as she walked away, despite my best efforts. Her gown wasn’t scandalous, but I knew exactly what lay beneath. That knowledge alone made it impossible to look away for too long.
*We will be the silent heroes for our Luna,* my wolf, Hunter, said in a low growl.
Hunter was sharp and unyielding, the perfect partner. If anyone had it worse than me, it was him. He cared nothing for human rules or laws, but he understood their importance. We’d made a pact long ago: Violet would get her wolf first. Only then could she choose us-not just with her heart, but with her soul. That was how it had to be.
I began shrugging out of my tux, not bothering to treat it gently. Caleb had bought it, and I doubted I’d ever wear it again. A brief flicker of panic hit when I didn’t immediately spot Lily, but her scent reassured me. She wasn’t far.
Alpha Kieran had hired one of the best trackers in the world last summer to train our warriors. The skills we learned were beyond anything I’d imagined. Just when I thought I knew it all, I was humbled. Leadership is a never-ending lesson.
Down to my boxers, I finally caught up to Lily. She stood behind a tree, already wrapped in her robe, scanning the woods with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. Around fifty wolves had shifted, with twice as many standing ready.
“Stick with me, alright? The guys won’t be here for a couple of hours,” I said.
She made a face and pulled pins from her hair, her effortless beauty taking me by surprise yet again. She didn’t need makeup or fancy clothes to turn heads. The Goddess clearly knew what she was doing when she chose her for the Ashford twins.
“I’ll catch something and release it where you can grab it. That way, it’ll look like you hunted it yourself,” I offered, squatting down.
She blinked, startled, before nodding. I pushed my wolf forward, feeling Hunter surge to the surface. Lily shifted as well, her wolf bold and unyielding-a reflection of her human self. She wasn’t like other she-wolves who lingered in the background. She forged her own path without a second thought.
We blended into the pack as Lily’s wolf took her place among the others. They were curious, eager to sniff her out, but respectful enough to give her space. This was her first real taste of Blood Moon, and I could see she was taking it all in.
Time seemed to slip away as we ran and played. I caught a woodchuck, holding it carefully until just the right moment, making it seem like Lily had hunted it herself. I briefly considered going after a buck-there was one nearby-but that might’ve been pushing it. Even with her wolf’s boldness, no one would believe she’d taken down a deer on her own.
When the group howled, Lily joined in without hesitation. The pack appreciated her instinctive ease, and several wolves mind-linked me, impressed.
*We’re here-finally. What did we miss?* Caleb’s voice rang through my mind-link.
*Shifting was the perfect call. She’s fitting right in, and her wolf seems relaxed,* I replied.
*Good. We’ll shower first-we reek of other females,* Caden grumbled, his tone tinged with irritation.
I couldn’t help but laugh. A year ago, Caden wouldn’t have cared, but finding your mate changes everything. Even Caleb’s easy confidence was balanced by his growing protectiveness.
*By the way, she’ll need a shower too. I might’ve touched her a few times-strictly platonic. Don’t kill me,* I added, half-joking.
The silence stretched for a moment before Caleb’s curt response came through. *Don’t let it happen again unless her life’s in danger.*
Hunter huffed, annoyed by their overprotectiveness, but I brushed it off. The pieces were falling into place. The Ashfords had their mate, and she was here with us. Soon, I’d take my place as Beta of Blood Moon. In about a year, Violet and I would finally be together. We’d dreamed of this for so long.
*Bring her to the house when you’re done. No sense in us coming out now,* Caleb instructed.
I nudged Hunter forward, giving Lily’s wolf one last glance before heading her way. Hunter whined softly, already impatient for what the future held.
*We’ve got this, boy. Just a little longer,* I promised, as we moved together toward her.