While everyone was still reeling from Violet’s appearance, a loud growl suddenly erupted from behind the crowd.

Heads snapped around instantly and a path was created as Griffin Hale burst through the wolves at frightening speed.

Even Asher and Alaric visibly tensed at the sight of him charging straight toward Violet. There was more reason to protect her now than ever before.

Yet neither of them moved to stop him. Perhaps it was the Matebond between them all, but deep down, they trusted Griffin would never hurt her.

Still, watching a mountain of a man sprint toward Violet like an unleashed beast was terrifying enough on its own.

"Oh shit," Violet muttered, mentally bracing herself.

That was all the preparation she managed before Griffin reached her. One second her feet were firmly planted on the ground, the next, she was snatched clean off them.

A startled laugh ripped from Violet as Griffin spun her around once before crushing her tightly against him, his arms wrapping around her like he was afraid she would disappear if he let go.

"Griffin!" Violet laughed breathlessly, immediately hugging him back just as tightly, her arms sliding around his neck.

But the warmth of the reunion shattered almost instantly when Violet heard raw sobs. Griffin was crying?

"I’m sorry," Griffin choked out, burying his face against the crook of her neck. "I’m so fucking sorry. I couldn’t protect him. I failed you."

The laughter faded from Violet’s face immediately. Her stomach dropped.

"What are you talking about?" she asked quietly, though deep down she already knew.

When Griffin didn’t answer, Violet pulled back slightly.

"It’s Roman, isn’t it?"

Griffin slowly lifted his head to stare at her, looking almost stunned she had figured it out so quickly.

Around them, silence settled heavily.

For someone who had practically just confirmed one of her mates had been captured, Violet appeared oddly calm. But perhaps that calm came from the fact she knew Roman was still alive, otherwise they wouldn’t have sent that message.

If he were dead, the bond would have shattered completely.

Or perhaps the calmness wasn’t calmness at all, but a rage so deep and violent that it had gone frighteningly still.

Control.

Asher’s voice echoed through the Matebond, as though sensing exactly where her thoughts were beginning to drift.

They had already discussed this back in the Fae realm. Asher knew what she was capable of when she lost control. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the Fae realm and Annequin wasn’t here to contain her powers if things got out of control.

Violet took a deep breath. But even then, the air around her still trembled with power and the wolves around felt it.

It rolled off her in invisible waves, pressing down on their instincts hard enough to make several wolves unconsciously lower their heads.

"Holy shit," one of the younger wolves whispered, his eyes widening. "I can’t be the only one sensing that aura."

Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd, uneasy glances shifting between Violet and Elijah. No one dared say the truth aloud, but it hung heavily in the air regardless.

Violet’s dominance eclipsed Elijah’s.

But Violet barely noticed their reactions. Right now, her attention remained fixed entirely on Griffin. She gently rubbed his back, trying to soothe him.

"It’s alright, babe," she murmured softly. "This isn’t your fault."

Griffin’s arms only tightened around her.

"We’ll get him back," Violet promised, though something cold had already begun settling deep inside her chest. "And when we do, we’ll make Angus regret touching what’s mine."

It had to be her father. Only one witch hated Violet enough to carve a message into Roman’s flesh just to torment her through the Matebond.

Ziva.

And Ziva never acted without permission.

"Griffin needs rest," Irene informed her. "He exhausted himself during the battle."

"No," Griffin refused immediately, lifting his head stubbornly. "I’m fine."

The blatant lie made his mother give him a hard look. He looked half-dead. While Adele had healed the deep claw marks and magical wounds he suffered, it still didn’t eliminate the fact his body needed the time to heal.

"Violet just got here," Griffin argued. "She needs to know what happened."

"Exactly," Irene agreed. "Which means the rest of us can explain things while you sleep."

But Griffin wasn’t listening. Roman had been taken under his watch. What if something happened to her while he rested?

Logically, Griffin knew Violet was powerful enough to destroy half the academy if provoked. But the logic had very little place in the emotional disaster currently happening inside him.

Right now, all he wanted was Violet safe in his arms where he could physically see she was alive.

"Griffin," Asher stepped in with a calm voice.

"You need to sleep. Now."

Asher didn’t need eye contact anymore, the compulsion slid effortlessly into the words and took hold of Griffin. Yes, he too had an upgrade.

Almost immediately, Griffin yawned.

"I need to sleep," he announced, sounding genuinely surprised by the realization.

Everyone saw what happened and from the side, Alpha king Elijah unconsciously touched the necklace around his throat. Thankfully, it was still there.

Just because he had lowered his hostility toward the Cardinal Alphas did not mean he intended to become vulnerable to that ability.

Under the compulsion, everyone expected Griffin to head toward the infirmary immediately. Instead, Violet suddenly let out a startled shriek as Griffin scooped her clean off the ground.

"Griffin!" she yelped, grabbing onto his shoulders. "What are you doing?!"

"I need to sleep," Griffin repeated with another exhausted yawn as though that explained literally everything.

Then he simply turned and started walking away with her still in his arms. In one very Griffin-like conclusion, sleep apparently meant sleeping with Violet.

"Dude," Alaric said slowly, turning toward Asher. "What exactly did you do?"

Asher exhaled heavily and rubbed at his brows.

"The next time, I’m being more specific with my compulsions."

No one attempted to stop Griffin. Not even his mate-in-laws. At this point, everyone understood separating him from Violet right now, there was a high chance someone would lose a limb.

So they let them be.

Instead of returning to the infirmary where he had been recovering earlier, Griffin headed toward the East House instead.

Several human students still lingered in the hallways despite the earlier orders to remain indoors. So the moment they spotted Griffin carrying Violet through the entrance, shock immediately spread across their faces.

"Oh my God—is that Violet Purple?"

"She’s back?"

"No way! The purple storm is back!"

Some students even attempted stepping closer out of curiosity but Griffin growled in warning and that was enough. They visibly paled and backed away.

Satisfied, Griffin continued forward without slowing down once. In his arms, Violet could only shake her head. These possessive mates of hers.

By the time they entered Griffin’s apartment, the exhaustion weighing on him had become painfully obvious. He practically collapsed onto the bed with Violet still trapped in his arms.

Griffin pulled her against his chest and wrapped himself around her completely till they were spooning. Carefully, Violet ran her fingers through Griffin’s hair, soothing him gently while his breathing gradually slowed.

"It’s alright," she whispered. "We’ll get Roman back."

Her fingers brushed through his red hair that had finally grown to her favorite length.

"We’d end this once and for all. Each and everyone of them would pay for what they did. I promise." Violet said with vengeance ringing in her blood.

Eventually, Griffin’s breathing deepened completely. He was finally asleep.

Violet waited another minute before attempting to move and yet it was difficult.

Her mate clung to her like his life genuinely depended on it.

After an impressive amount of effort and strategic maneuvering, Violet finally managed to pry herself free from Griffin’s arms without waking him.

She stared down at him for a moment afterward. Even asleep, he looked tense. Her chest tightened painfully. Leaning down, Violet pressed a soft kiss against his cheek before pulling the blanket over him properly.

"Sleep, baby. This would be over, soon." she murmured.

Then she left.

The moment Violet stepped into the foyer downstairs, she found Asher already waiting for her.

"The others are waiting," he said simply while extending his hand toward her.

Violet took it immediately. Together, they left the dormitories and headed back toward the infirmary.

The secured room inside was already occupied when they arrived. There was Elijah, Alaric and the pack Alphas. Not one sub-alphas was around, meaning this was an important conversation.

Her gaze briefly met Leon Draven’s and for a second, Violet didn’t know what to say. They had never exactly been close, but he was still Roman’s father. Violet could see the pain hidden deep in his eyes despite how hard the South Alpha tried to bury it.

But just as quickly, Leon hardened his expression and looked away.

Perhaps this was for the best, because Violet wasn’t sure she could handle his emotions right now without snapping.

All eyes were on her like a spotlight, responsibility settling heavily onto her shoulders. Well. She might as well own it.

Violet inhaled deeply before finally speaking.

"What the hell happened here?"