42

Violet’s POV
I told Liam to get me a copy of the university paper within an hour of its release. Knowing him, he likely sent someone else to do it because, even though it was for me, he still considered the task beneath him. Strangely, it was so attractive when he delegated authority-one of the many reasons he’d make an exceptional Beta very, very soon. Even if it meant giving Lily a push-or a shove-so she’d get herself together.
Liam needed this, needed it badly. Since we couldn’t mate yet, this was the perfect distraction to get him through the next year.
Sure enough, not long after, a guy barely older than me approached in the rec room and handed me the paper. I snatched it with a smile, bypassed the kitchen to grab a massive cinnamon bun and a fork, and headed straight to my room. Closing the door, I could barely contain myself.
Caden had called me the night before, spilling the details, and I’d barely slept. I was practically buzzing with anticipation, imagining how *they* must have felt. I planned to call them as soon as I finished reading.
I unrolled the paper, my breath catching as I read the bold, oversized headline:
**WORTH THE WAIT: ASHFORD TWINS MATE**
**BY LILITH EMORY**
A grin spread across my face as I traced the words with my fingers, feeling their weight in my chest. They hit home in a way I couldn’t ignore. Liam was worth the wait-I knew that more than anyone. But the waiting? That was liable to kill him.
Sighing, I stabbed my cinnamon bun and took a massive, unladylike bite. The sugary sweetness melted in my mouth as I moaned softly, quickly licking the sticky frosting from my lips. Then, with barely-contained excitement, I began reading aloud:
“As a reporter, you never want to be the headline. You never want to be the story. But here I am, writing a story where I am as much a part of the outcome as the people I’m writing about.
When my editor sent me to the infamous green party house-the one I’d avoided throughout college-I swore I’d make it quick and professional. I wasn’t about to let interviewing the Ashford brothers about football rattle me. After all, I’d gone three years without ever crossing paths with them-not in the dining hall, the library, or even during late-night runs. But the Moon Goddess has her own plans, doesn’t she?
I knew within seconds of meeting Caden Ashford that he was my mate. What I didn’t expect was discovering Caleb, his twin brother, was also my mate. The shock? Absolute. Two mates.
I’m not someone who runs from challenges; I’ve always faced them head-on. But this? This made me want to hide. That’s hard to admit, but it’s the truth. And it’s a truth all three of us wanted to share. Mating isn’t always the instant kismet of fairy tales. For me, it was far more than skin-deep.
For years, my only dream was to graduate with an impeccable resume and work at *The Full Moon Times* in the city. I wanted to be like my heroine, one of the best investigative journalists in the world. But I was terrified that being their mate would make me lose myself. A good friend once told me what you want today can change tomorrow, and there’s always a way to have the best of both worlds. It just took time for those words to sink into my stubborn mind.
Lilith Emory, you must be crazy, right? Completely unhinged not to want the Ashford twins as mates. A billion women would kill for the chance! That’s probably what you’re all thinking-and you’d be right. But I didn’t fall at their feet that first night.”*
I paused, tears blurring my vision. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was happiness for my brothers. I wasn’t sure. Caden and I had always been closer; his easygoing nature made him so easy to talk to. He knew nearly all my secrets-except the one. Keeping it from him was almost as painful as not being able to be with Liam openly. Both broke my heart a little more each day.
I took another bite of the bun, savoring the sugar rush, and kept reading:
“Caden took me to the quay and the beach. Being in his element, surrounded by his pack, was eye-opening. He wasn’t the person I’d imagined; he was so much more. Thoughtful. Sweet. Attentive. He helps others without hesitation and carries their burdens as his own because he believes family is more than blood.”*
A tear slipped down my cheek as I read those words. How different our paths had been. I’d never been alone. My brothers had been my constant companions-sometimes annoyingly so. But I couldn’t imagine Lily’s life, growing up as an only child. Liam and I wanted a pack of our own, a horde of six pups at least, and I couldn’t wait to give him that.
The thought of waiting years-or even decades-to find my mate felt unbearable. Some shifters spent a lifetime searching. I couldn’t imagine anything more devastating. I was blessed to have had Liam all these years. He was my other half, my soulmate, my everything.
We debated endlessly about whether to go public with our relationship, but the truth was, we’d lose the stolen moments, the secret sleepovers, and the thrill of sneaking around. If my brothers knew, they’d do everything in their power to keep us apart, thinking Liam wouldn’t be able to control himself around me. But they were wrong. Liam had control down to a fine art; I was the one who unraveled too easily.
The older I got, and the closer I came to my first shift, the harder it became to restrain myself. My body craved him in ways I could barely understand, let alone manage. Sleep was elusive unless his scent lingered on the air, the comforting aroma of pine filling my senses as his warmth enveloped me.
I sighed, rolling over to bury my face in his pillow, breathing in that familiar scent. It was fresh and hearty, a woodsy fragrance that sent a shiver through my body. Just the smell of him was enough to light a fire inside me. My mind wandered to the last time his lips and touch had driven me to the brink, and a flush crept over me.
“Let’s check it out!” a voice called from down the hall, breaking my reverie.
Annoyance flared, and I sat up with a groan. I couldn’t wait for the day I could leave this place behind and finally share a home with my mate, free from interruptions. Taking another bite of my cinnamon bun, I reached for the newspaper again, eager to finish what I’d started.
The article continued:
“What Caleb taught me this week is that surrendering control doesn’t make you weak. Sharing control with the two people who love you more than life itself is one of the most empowering things imaginable. We are stronger together, and while I made them wait a week to mark me, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Rejection was never an option. I just needed time to reconcile my dreams with the life they offered. Moving to Blood Moon felt like giving up everything I’d worked for-everything I thought mattered. But during my visit, I saw the place through their eyes, and it changed everything.
Blood Moon isn’t just a home; it’s a haven. A place where people embrace imperfection and celebrate growth. It wasn’t just their dream; it became mine too.
I used to judge my mother and aunt for their choices, believing they had settled for less. I thought they’d missed out on life because they didn’t have careers outside the home. But now, I see things differently. They lived their dreams and found happiness in their own way. Who was I to judge?
The Ashford twins helped me realize I didn’t have to choose between my dreams and theirs. Together, we could build something extraordinary. My wolf, Rose, always wanted a life like my mom’s, and maybe that’s why I resisted for so long. But now I understand that sharing a life with my mates doesn’t mean losing myself-it means finding a greater version of myself.”**
I paused, my fingers trembling slightly as I wiped away a tear. Lilith’s words hit me deeply. Her story was so different from mine, yet it resonated. I’d never been alone-I had two older brothers who, despite driving me insane, were always there. I couldn’t imagine a life without them. But her story reminded me of how blessed I was.
And then there was Liam. Some mates search for years, even decades, to find their other half. I couldn’t fathom that kind of agony. I’d had Liam by my side for as long as I could remember, my constant, my soul’s other half.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Yeah,” I called, already knowing who it was. No one else knocked like that.
Liam stepped in, his familiar smile lighting up the room. “Did you read it? How was it?”
I practically launched myself at him, covering his face with kisses. “It was perfect!”
He chuckled, pulling back slightly as I waved the paper at him. “Caden said there’s another article about the benefit. I guess they glossed over some details, but they’ve decided not to dwell on it. They even did an interview about the football game. Look at this picture!” I held up the paper, laughing at the dorky shot of the twins with their coach.
Liam smiled, leaning in to kiss my nose. “Caden told me they stayed up late discussing the house. They’re already breaking ground today. I’ll help with the framing in a few days.”
“It’s about time,” I said, grinning. “Caden’s been dreaming about that forever home for years.”
Liam’s gaze softened, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “Some of us don’t have to dream about a mate because we’ve always had the real thing.”
I batted my lashes, teasing him. “Aren’t you lucky?”
He groaned, shifting uncomfortably. I licked my lips, knowing exactly what I was doing to him.
“Not now, baby,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ve got training.”
I pouted, sticking out my lip in protest. I knew he couldn’t show up smelling like me-not unless he wanted to field endless questions. But he never complained about the effort it took to keep our secret, and I loved him all the more for it.
Before he left, he knelt, pulling me close. I giggled, wrapping my legs around him.
“One of these days, little mate,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my blouse.
“It’ll be worth the wait,” I whispered, closing my eyes as his touch set my heart racing.