The candlelight flickers across the grand dining hall, casting long shadows on the mahogany table where my family sits in suffocating silence. The scent of roasted at and spiced wine lingers in the air, but I have no appetite.
Not when I know what's coming.
I push my peas around my plate, pretending to listen as my father, Jas Hawthorne—the infamous leader of our hunter bloodline—discusses strategy with the other n at the table. April sits beside her husband, Matthew, a man as dull as the conversations he entertains. Jade, my younger sister, watches from across the table with a smirk tugging at her lips.
She knows, just as I do, that tonight is not about war. It's about .
The lull in the conversation is all the opportunity my father needs. He sets down his silver goblet and fixes with a look so sharp it could cut through steel.
"Violet," he begins, his deep voice carrying the weight of command. "We need to discuss your future."
I take a slow breath, already bracing myself. "My future is already decided, isn't it?"
A muscle in his jaw ticks. "April is married. Jade is betrothed. It's ti you do your duty."
Duty. The word feels like a noose around my throat.
Jade leans in, her smirk widening. "Father has a suitor in mind for you," she says, feigning sweetness. "You'll love him—he's just as stubborn as you are."*
I set my fork down with a quiet *clink.* "I have no interest in marriage."
A sigh from my mother. A scowl from my father. And then, the inevitable words—words I've spent my life dreading.
"You don't have a choice."
I exhale slowly, my grip tightening around the edge of the table. "And if I refuse?"
My father leans forward, his gaze cold. "Then you will never prove yourself worthy of this family's legacy."
The room stills.
Of course. That's what this is really about. Not love. Not alliances. Power. Fresh, raw power.
I may be the eldest Hawthorne daughter, but without a husband, without an heir, my place among them is nothing more than a shadow. A burden. A failure.
I should have seen this coming. April was always the perfect daughter, eager to follow the path carved out for her. Jade, though cunning, is at least willing to play the ga. But ? I've always been the problem. The disappointnt. The hunter who refuses to be caged.
I push back my chair and stand. "I will not be sold off like a prized mare at auction."
"Violet—"
"I said no."
The silence that follows is deafening. My mother won't look at . April shifts uncomfortably in her seat. Jade looks downright entertained.
But my father? He only nods, as if expecting this. As if waiting for the mont he could strike.
"Very well," he says, standing to his full height. "If you wish to prove yourself, then you will complete one final hunt."
Sothing in my chest tightens.
"A hunt?" I repeat slowly.
He steps toward , his expression unreadable. "A test. One that will determine whether you are worthy of the Hawthorne na."
I should refuse. I should walk away. But I don't. Because deep down, I know that if I reject this, I lose everything.
So I do the only thing I can.
I lift my chin, eting his gaze head-on. "Who is the target?"
A slow smile curves his lips.
"Alpha Zain."
The air is sucked from the room.
The Demon Alpha. The most feared werewolf to walk the earth. Hunted by every family I know of for generations, including mine.
But has never been caught.
Yet.
"Jas! No." My mother lets out a gasp, looking at my father like he has lost his mind.
"If she's not going to sit down and get married to MY choice of husband, then she might as well help us in the hunt," my father hisses.
"She can barely lift her own bow," my mother's voice wavers, pain laced in every word.
"She'll learn. Either way, she has two choices tonight."
The tone of my father stings more than an angry bee on a winter morning.
Jade lets out a startled laugh. April gasps. Even my mother's usually vacant expression shifts to sothing akin to concern.
"Violet, please." April whispers beside , nudging with her leg.
But I do not flinch. I do not waver.
I only et my father's cold gaze and say the words that seal my fate.
"When do I leave?"
The shock on their faces is all I've ever wanted. A small smile dances on my lips.
Finally.
I was leaving. I was going away from this family.
This family that I've spent my entire life trying to prove myself to.
"What did you say?" my mother whispers, looking at in disbelief.
"When. Do. I. Leave?" I say slowly, my gaze steady.
"Violet, please don't do this." April begs, tears gathering in her eyes.
I turn sharply, my hair falling over my face in the process.
"Why?" I ask, my voice shaking. "Because you think I can't survive? Or because you finally want dead and out of the way?"
I see my mother's hand reaching for from the corner of my eye, but I step back before she can touch .
"Violet, why would you even think that?" she says softly.
I scoff, keeping my eyes trained on my father. "Why don't you ask your husband?"
Then, without another word, I turn my back on them and walk out of the room, leaving everyone in stunned silence.
—
The backyard is quiet, bathed in silver moonlight. Lake Willow stands still as ever, the surface shimring like liquid glass.
The gentle breeze rustles the trees. Frogs croak. Crickets chirp. The only sounds disturbing the peace of the night.
I spot my dog, Wolf, curled up at the foot of the great oak tree. Stepping over dry flowers, I sink down onto my favorite fallen log, watching as the fireflies flicker like tiny stars.
"I'm going away, Willow," I murmur to the lake. "I'll be gone for a while. And I don't know how long it will be before I see you again."
Wolf whimpers beside , rubbing his cold nose against my foot.
"You'll co with , won't you?" I coo, scratching his head.
He huffs in response.
Above us, the almost full moon reflects in the lake.
One more week.
One more week before the full moon rises.
Before the creatures we've hunted for generations co out to hunt us.
I tilt my head back, staring at the sky.
"Dear God," I whisper, letting the wind carry my thoughts. "I hope I'm making the right decision. I hope I know what I'm doing."
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