Gypsy Moon (All The Pretty Monsters #4)(47)

Leiza gives me a firm nod of agreement, but I feel placated right now.

“I have a minor pack living in her house and she still thinks I’m less masculine than Damien fucking Morpheous?” I rant on a little. “What the hell do you say in my defense when I’m not around?”

Leiza bristles.

“Well, to be honest, Violet’s…unique. Every time I think we have her figured out, well…she’s tough to pin down. I’d call it multiple personalities, but I really think she hides what she truly thinks behind a stoic expression and completely different words from her thoughts,” Leiza tries to explain. “Like when she said she hated our packing, but didn’t argue when Lemon started packing for her. In truth, Violet doesn’t care what she wears, but she thinks she’s supposed to and pretends to care. She mocks a lot.”

“Mocks a lot?” I ask in confusion.

She gives me another nod, likely wishing she was anywhere but stuck here with me during this horrifying revelation.

“She sort of goes through mimicking the emotions she thinks people expect her to have, just to blend in a little better. Can’t help but notice she’s sort of not just a gypsy. Spend enough time with Violet, and see how close she comes to death without true fear…and it makes an omega wolf wonder if Violet’s a new breed or something.” She gives a nervous clearing of her throat. “Or an omega of ancient sorts that shouldn’t really be possible…if you really pay attention.”

My omegas have figured out something I had to figure out in a much more dramatic, eye-opening way. Not only am I apparently too soft, I’m also stupid once more.

I stand so abruptly that Leiza startles.

“If Violet wants to find me, I’ll be outside chopping wood,” I tell her, causing her to choke back a sound that suspiciously resembles a smothered laugh.

When I eye her, she’s the picture of seriousness, nodding once again. “Of course, Alpha,” she says so graciously.

Tearing my shirt over my head, I toss it to the ground. Leiza’s phone rings, and she puts it aside.

“A vampire is calling me. That can’t be good,” she says as she meets my eyes, almost asking for permission to answer Shera’s call.

“They’re trying to reach me. Not you. They can kiss my ass. I need a minute to deal with this.”

“I thought you were tired and going to get some sleep,” Leiza states, and then swallows down whatever else is on the tip of her tongue.

“I’m no longer tired,” I point out dryly.

Another nod from Leiza, and I walk out shirtless to go chop some fucking wood for the fireplace Violet rarely ever uses.

There’s an axe wedged into one of the piles of wood near the chopping block, making this simpler than expected, so I get to work.

Before I can even make one small pile, Damien is wheeling into the driveway, barely putting the brake on, before he hops out.

His eyes narrow on me, and then his brow furrows. It’s when his lips start to twitch that I bristle, feeling a little too transparent.

“Didn’t realize you’d gotten this pathetic, mongrel,” he drawls. “And here I thought our calls were being ignored so you could have Violet to yourself.”

“I’m holding an axe,” I warn him.

“Not a Van Helsing axe,” he volleys with a growing grin.

The side door swings open for Violet as she walks out, eyeing me first from my spot near the sidewalk by the street, and then Damien next.

“What’re you doing shirtless?” she asks, looking back over at me. “It’s like ten degrees out here. People are going to think that’s weird.”

Damien restrains a smile.

“You were almost out of wood,” I tell her, gesturing to the…fucking full wood chamber on the side of her house.

I couldn’t squeeze another piece in there if I wanted to.

Violet glances from it, to me, to Damien, and then to the wood again.

“Tiara keeps it filled, and we hardly use it, since the heat is on…” She lets her words trail off, clearly confused.

Damien outright grins. “Just what are you doing, exactly?” Damien muses.

Tossing the axe to the ground, I glare over at him. “Why are you here?”

His smile slips, the humor fleeing abruptly. “Change of plans. We’ve been trying to reach you. Go grab your things, wolf. I’ll take Violet to meet Arion and Vance. They’re already on their way to Fiona.”

“Fiona?” Violet asks, at the same time I ask, “Why?”

Damien’s eyes level mine. “The bitch is awake already. And there’s a damn good chance she’s watching us now.”

My stomach drops, and I fight a dizzying sensation. He said that as though it’s not a much bigger fucking deal than it is. If that bitch is awake— “I’ll…be right back,” Violet says like she’s not quite as hammered by that news.

The second she’s inside, I run a hand over my face.

“How? Fucking when—”

“It’s going to be a long plane ride. We’ll sort the details on the way,” Damien tells me quietly.

Leiza comes running out, and I eye the large suitcase of mine in her hands, even as she struggles with it.

“I took the liberty of packing yours and Violet’s things together, Alpha. Just this morning,” she tells me with a bright smile. “I had a feeling you’d need it soon enough. Guess I was right.”