This had been the plan all along.
From the stories they’d fed him, Asher had predicted Elijah would assign soone to shadow Violet, Griffin, and Roman to make sure they didn’t try anything reckless. That part was predictable. So Asher did what he did best—he planned ahead.
He had made sure the people of the West Pack would be gathered here to welco their king. With a crowd this massive blocking the road, the convoy would have no choice but to slow down. And that slow crawl was the perfect window for Violet and Griffin to make their escape.
Everything was in place.
Except now, with the mont finally here, Violet didn’t have the heart to go again, not without Roman.
"You should co with us, Roman," Violet urged, her voice tight with worry.
Her eyes moved to Christian, who was still slumped against the seat. The paralysis from Roman’s venom held him frozen, but only just. His teeth were gritted, his jaw trembling violently, and a vein bulged along his temple as his body fought to overco the toxin. His eyes burned with pure rage, locked on Roman with a promise of retribution.
Roman didn’t even glance at him. His focus stayed on Violet. "You know I can’t leave Asher alone, love. We’re mates. We promised to be there for one another."
"I know," Violet said with emotion, "but look at him!" She gestured at Christian, whose furious gaze promised violence the mont he regained control. "He’s going to hurt you, Roman. Elijah won’t let this go."
Roman only smiled, his dimples showing. "Don’t worry, Asher will handle it. You don’t need to worry about . We’ll be fine."
"Violet!" Griffin’s urgent voice cut through the mont.
He was outside now, bracing his shoulders as he used his sheer, raw strength to shove back the pressing crowd that was pressing so close it was suffocating. Griffin’s muscles strained, his feet digging into the pavent as he forced a narrow path clear for Violet.
"Go!" Roman barked at her.
Violet’s eyes stung, but she forced herself to nod. "Look after Asher for . We’ll co back for you soon. Both of you ."
"I know," Roman said, giving her a cheeky wink even now.
Then, before she could lose her nerve, he moved into action. Dragging the paralyzed driver aside, Roman slid behind the wheel and slamd his foot down.
The car lurched forward smoothly, closing the growing gap between them and the other convoy. He needed to keep the line moving, to keep up appearances, and make sure no one ca back to investigate what was causing the holdup. It was the perfect distraction, and the last gift he could give them.
"Now!" Griffin growled.
Before Violet could brace herself, his hand closed firmly around hers and he yanked her forward. They plunged into the sea of bodies, the crowd roaring around them. People shoved back, confused and angry, but they were no match for Griffin’s supernatural strength. His broad shoulders cut a path through them with ease, his grip unrelenting as he bulldozed forward, dragging Violet behind him.
Violet’s heart was pounding. The noise, the heat, the crush of bodies— everything! It was overwhelming. Soone grabbed for her arm, and she stumbled, but Griffin’s strength yanked her upright before she could fall.
"Don’t stop!" he barked over the din.
And she didn’t.
At last, the crowd broke apart and they stumbled free into open space. Fresh air hit Violet like a shock. They didn’t slow, sprinting down a narrow side street as the noise faded behind them. Only when they’d put several blocks between them and the commotion did Griffin finally slow.
They ducked into an alleyway, hidden between two shuttered shops. Elijah’s visit had practically shut the whole district down and the silence here was almost eerie after the uproar they’d just escaped.
Griffin yanked out his phone, breathing hard. He tapped the screen, and once the mont the call connected, he spoke with an urgent voice. "We’re out. What’s the next plan?"
On the other end, Jeremiah’s voice ca alive. "Stay exactly where you are. We’re tracking your location. Don’t move until we get there."
Griffin ended the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket. He turned to Violet, studying her pale, tense face. "How are you holding up?"
"Horrible," Violet admitted, her voice shaking. Her hands fisted at her sides. "I feel awful for leaving Roman behind like that. What if this just lands him in serious trouble? Elijah’s going to punish him, and we won’t even be there to do anything about it. He’s going to take it all alone and—"
"Violet."
Griffin caught her face in his hands, tilting her gaze up to his. "Roman knew the risk," he said, his voice calm and sure. "He was willing to take it. And Asher is there, he won’t let anything happen to him."
"But... "
"Listen to ." His tone sharpened, cutting through her panic. "It’s not like Elijah’s going to kill him. We’ve been through worse, Violet. One punishnt? Two? That’s nothing new to us. So maybe trust Roman a little, and stop worrying so much. If you break down now, it’ll throw off everything we’ve worked for. We can’t afford a setback. Not now."
Violet swallowed hard and nodded. Fine, she had to be strong. They’d go to the North pack, get Alaric and then co back for Roman and Asher. Damn Elijah and whatever antics he’d co up with next.
The quietness of the alley was broken by the sound of an approaching engine. Griffin tensed instantly, shoving Violet behind him.
His body literally was a wall of muscle, shielding her completely as his sharp gaze locked on the narrow entrance.
Then the car rolled into view. The back window slid down, and Jeremiah’s familiar head popped out.
"It’s !" he called out with a loud voice.
Griffin relaxed at once. "Co on," he muttered, grabbing Violet’s hand and leading her forward.
They scrambled into the car, Griffin pushing her in first before sliding in after her. The door slamd shut, and the vehicle moved on.
Jeremiah grinned at them from the front seat. "Slick move back there. You two were amazing. By the ti Elijah even gets his bearings, you’ll be long gone."
Violet managed a weak smile. "Where are we going?" she asked.
Jeremiah’s grin widened. "Asher set up a chopper to take you straight toward the North Pack. Fastest way there, and you’ll be out of reach before anyone catches up."
He gestured toward the back compartnt of the SUV. "There’s a package behind you. North weather is always nasty so you’ll need those."
Griffin didn’t even glance back. "I’m good." His voice was confident.
Violet wasn’t surprised. Werewolves had naturally high tabolism, their bodies burning through cold like it was nothing. She, however, didn’t share that luxury, even though she was half-werewolf. Guess, you can’t have all the good traits, right.
Twisting around, she reached for the package. Inside of it was a thick coat made of dark wool and lined with fur. The mont she slipped it on, its warmth wrapped around her, cocooning her completely. Yep, she would sweat in here if they drove too long.
Thankfully before long, their car rolled onto a wide, open field. A helicopter sat there, its blades already whirring, cutting through the air with a rhythmic
thump-thump-thump. The sll of fuel was in the air, and a lone pilot stood waiting beside it.
Jeremiah hopped out first, then helped Violet down.
"This is where we part ways," he said, leading them toward the helicopter. "The pilot will drop you at the closest village to the North Pack border. Any closer and the chopper could be flagged. Asher wants you guys to slip in unnoticed. Especially you, Violet. If Zara gets wind of this, you’ll never get near Alaric."
Griffin said to Jeremiah. "Thank you."
"Just doing my job, man."
Then Violet hugged him tightly. "Please, look after Asher for ."
"I will," Jeremiah promised with a rare softness in his tone.
As the pilot climbed into position, Griffin and Violet boarded the chopper. The interior slled faintly of oil and leather, and the seats were small but sturdy.
The engine roared, and the helicopter lifted smoothly into the sky. Violet glanced down through the window just in ti to see Jeremiah standing below, watching them go. His head tilted up, confirming they were safely airborne before he finally turned and walked away.
The ground fell away beneath them as they flew from the west pack, and toward the North.
"So what’s the plan?!" Violet shouted over the roar of the helicopter blades, her voice straining to reach Griffin.
Griffin leaned closer, saying. "Getting into the North Pack is easy. The real problem is the packhouse. But I’ve been friends with Alaric since we were in diapers. Zara won’t refuse entry. I can get inside."
"And ?" she yelled back.
Griffin’s expression darkened. "That’s the tricky part. Zara won’t let you anywhere near him. We’ll have to sneak you in."
Her heart skipped. "How?"
"Thankfully," Griffin said, "I have soone I trust. He’ll help you get inside. The plan is simple: you find Alaric while I distract Zara or at least convince her to let see him. Either that..." Griffin trailed, "or we improvise."
Violet shook her head unsure. That didn’t sound like much of a plan.
Goddess help them.
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