Page 25 of Accidentally Forever

“I’m saying that she would not be the only focus in this pack.”

My face warms at the thought but I have no idea how Sofie would feel about that. Omegas can be territorial. Will she get mad that Puma’s focus is elsewhere? Will Gray want her? I have no idea how that’s going to work. Sofie makes a small sound, tearing me out of my thoughts. “You make Vi happy,” she mumbles, her hazel eyes wide and fixed on me. “I don’t need everything. This is nice. Remember, I told you that he’s all yours. I’ll take the twins.”

Puma laughs, his entire body shaking with the sound. “We’ll see where Gray fits when he shows up but I have a feeling I know exactly where his attention is going to end up.”

And damn, I have the same exact feeling.

Chapter nineteen

PUMA

I stand at the edge of my room, watching as Violet paces on the phone. After last night, even just watching her fills the hole in my heart that I didn’t know was there. She’s a bit of sunshine in the dark parts of my mind, my walls crumbling faster than I can rebuild them. A bit of sweetness and a temptress all wrapped up in the gorgeous woman I’m currently staring at. The fierce look on her face as she paces the length of my room, her jasmine scent sharp and cutting until my body is responding to it. She has no idea what she’s doing to me, what she’s doing to all of us.

I never thought I’d see the day but I’m pretty sure Sofie will be the twins. However, Violet might be all of ours. She doesn’t know it but the few glances Lance and Hawk sent her weren’t innocent in the slightest. There was heat behind their eyes, a connection I’m sure Violet doesn’t even recognize. It just means that I’ll have to share her with the others.

Gray hasn’t met them yet but I know he’ll gravitate toward Violet and then he’ll fall head over heels for Sofie because she’s adorable. My attention settles back on Violet, the Beta still clad in only my shirt. Their clothes are in the wash but for now, she seems perfectly content surrounded by my scent, the warmth of that realization settling in my chest.

The moment is dashed as Violet lets out a little growl and pulls the phone from her ear to put it on speaker. “What the fuck do you mean I’m fired?”

“You ruined a perfectly good showing last night. I think I was perfectly clear that you were on thin ice, Violet. But the whispers of fakes in my goddamn gallery? Only that could have come from you.”

Her face scrunches up as she pinches her nose. “Why the fuck would I say that? I don’t have an art degree remember? I’m just some dumb bitch you hired because you thought that having pretty girls at the front would drive in more business. You’ve told me time and time again not to ask questions and I haven’t. I didn’t say shit last night.”

Xavier’s cold, harsh laugh bellows through the speaker. “Violet, you can’t expect me to believe that.”

“I need this job. Fuck, Xavier,please.” A sob catches at the edge of her voice and I’m not sure whether to pull her into my chest or let her deal with this on her own. It’s impossible to know what to do for this woman who’s so fucking strong.

“You apparently don’t need it enough if you can’t protect the gallery from rumors like this. You know that Puma Ashford came to find me? Had a lovely conversation with a man who could make or break my business. I’d have thought nothing of it—that he was just protecting his assets but I saw him outside with you. What did you tell him, Violet?”

This time Violet breaks, crumpling to the floor. “You don’t understand. I need this job. I wouldn’t beg if I didn’t. Xavier—”

“Sofie can come back if she wants to but I don’t need someone like you in my gallery. I thought I could trust you but it seems that your interests are elsewhere.”

I move into the room and sit on the floor beside Violet, gently tugging her into my lap. It feels so natural holding her against me as she tries her best to be strong. It makes sense now why she took this call away from Sofie. I think in some part she knew the outcome and didn’t want Sofie to overhear. Even in the little things, Violet is always selfless, always looking out for her Omega.

“Xavier, I didn’t say anything. If someone brought it up, it’s becausetheynoticed. I swear. Please. Just—”

“You should have been more sorry before you had your Omega fucked in my back room. Did you think I wouldn’t know? Her scent was everywhere, tracked through my office, and out that back door. Your last paycheck will be sent in the mail.”

And then he hangs up, the silence he leaves behind stifling. I can feel emotions, vivid, twisted through a bond that shouldn’t exist. And yet, it’s like I’m experiencing the same fury and despair she is. “He fucking knew,” she spits out as she leans her head against my shoulder, twisting around so that her back is against my chest. “He fucking knew that I was there to provide for Sofie. He also knows I wouldn’t have said anything. Sure, I had my suspicions but fuck! I don’t… I don’t know how I’m going to do this again, Puma.”

“Love, breathe with me for a second.”

She blows out a pitiful breath before she falls back into that angry expression. I swallow a chuckle, amused at her defiance.

“Again,settle.” I drag my hands up and down her sides, Violet grumbling under her breath for several seconds before she relaxes. “There you go. One more.”

She blows out another breath, her entire body deflating with it. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You also don’t have to be fine,” I murmur in her ear. “You can say no but let us show you what it means to be part of our pack. Lance and Hawk aren’t going to let Sofie go anytime soon and you’re mine.” Violet tenses at my declaration but there’s an added sweetness to her scent. I noticed in the last few hours since everyone has been awake that she enjoys having someone to lean on. She nearly melted in my hands on the couch and I want that every goddamn day. “It’s only a matter of time before you’re the twins and Gray’s as well.”

Her scent sweetens further and I have no idea if it’s because she’ll have the attention of four Alphas or something else. Not that it matters. I now have a new purpose—proving to this woman in my arms that we can take care of her and her Omega, that we are the pack she needs.

“Let us prove to you that this could work, Violet. Let us help you take care of Sofiein all things.” I might not want Sofie like that but that doesn’t mean I can’t provide for her—whether it be a safe place to rest her head or a job that will satisfy Violet’s requirements.

“I don’t want a handout, though, Puma. I can’t… I don’t want generosity for the sake of it. Even if it’s just for Sofie. I want to work for it. Anything less will make me feel helpless.”

I understand that more than she knows. So many people have accused the Ashford name of stealing its wealth and while some of it has been passed down the generations, I worked damn hard to get where I am now. “Violet, look at me.” She doesn’t move, still facing away from me. I grip her chin, twisting her just enough that our eyes meet. The defiance in her eyes pulls me in and takes everything in me not to kiss her. “I don’t want you here becauseof Sofie. I want you here because ofyou. You are irreplaceable and I’m going to make it my job to prove that to you every goddamn day until you start believing it.” Her breath catches and I can’t help myself, dipping my head so that lips brush against hers. “You are so fucking precious, Violet. So tempting.So mine.”

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