(Matthew's POV)
Violet's faint voice trembled through the cracked phone speaker. "I'm sorry, Matt... I didn't mean to ruin your ceremony." She coughed lightly, as if the act of apologizing drained what little strength she had.
The sight before me-her fragile frame propped against a boulder as her chest rose and fell rapidly-triggered an involuntary tightening in my chest. Her blonde strands clung to her damp face, her sky-blue eyes wide with pleading guilt.
"Don't do that," I said curtly, extending my hand to her. Her cold fingers slid into my palm. "Stand up. Slowly."
"But," she murmured, tears trickling down her pale cheeks. "You'll hate me now, won't you? Everyone will. I've caused trouble on... such an important day for you."
Trouble? Yes. Hate her? I could never admit to that-not outright. Deep down, I owed her.
When we were sixteen, she had jumped between me and a rogue's blade without hesitation. The memory of her collapsed on the forest floor, blood pooling beneath her small form while I carried her home, was too deeply etched in me. A part of me still believed that her life was tethered to mine.
"It doesn't matter," I said, more gruffly this time. "Don't think about it."
Her lips quirked in what seemed more like a grimace. "But it does, Matt. Everyone saw..."
"Enough, Violet!" The raised tone made her flinch. I pulled back and exhaled harshly through my nostrils. Her frailty was unbearable to watch-but so was her constant guilt.
"Let's get you home. There's no point sitting out here causing yourself more damage."
Her fingers tightened over my hand as she nodded submissively.
When Violet was finally settled back in the Frost Pack's house, her head resting against the mountain of pastel cushions she seemed to collect, she called out softly as I made to turn away.
"Matt?"
I stilled, bracing myself.
"Yes?"
Her voice broke, barely above a whisper. "Please tell Eliana-please tell her I never wanted this."
The sharp twist in my gut was unbecoming of an Alpha, yet it was unavoidable today. "Don't concern yourself with Eliana," I replied, though her name vibrated in my throat like an open wound. Without waiting for Violet's response, I walked out.
But her words clung to me during the ride back to Redclaw Pack.
The pack house greeted me with a vexing stillness. No Eliana. No her intoxicating scent of moonflowers and fresh rain.
The dining room was dim, the lights overhead casting a sterile glow over the vacant space. Only Sarah was there, wiping her hands on her neatly pressed apron.
"Where's Eliana?" I asked, voice heavy with restrained annoyance. The words came out more bark than question.
The housekeeper didn't falter, meeting my gaze evenly. "Miss Mooncrest packed her things and left, Alpha."