Page 73 of Accidentally Forever

As much as I don’t want to let her go, I know for a fact that we all need to be around her right now. And the moment we step into the house, Sofie is going to attach herself to Violet’s side. The tension thickens as Gray walks her into my bedroom and I check in on Sofie and Lance. He’s got his arms strapped around her, Sofie crying to go see her Beta. She’s distressed, her scent sharp and twisted as she claws at Lance’s arms. God, this is going to be a fucking shit show.

“Sofie, look at me.” I push some of my Alpha bark into my words, waiting for her to still, her tear-stricken eyes meeting mine. “They’re just going to give her a shower, alright? Then they’ll be right back.”

“What happened? Who hurt her? Why—this wasn’t supposed to—she feels—” Sofie doesn’t finish any of those words, grabbing her chest as if it’s a physical pain.

The worst part is that I have no idea and there isn’t much I can do to say to soften the anguish we’re all feeling. “She’s going to need you, Sofie. She’s going to need all of us for a little bit. I’m going to ask you to do probably the hardest thing you’ve ever done and be strong for her.”

Sofie doesn’t even hesitate as she nods, relaxing within Lance’s arms.

Chapter fifty-three

VIOLET

I feel numb, somehow detached from myself, watching as Gray slowly pulls the coat off my shoulders to reveal the tatters of my shirt. Gray gently grabs the fabric, almost as if he thinks I’m going to fight him but I don’t. I know I’m safe here and yet what could have happened in that house freaks me out. No one would have heard my screams.

He would have ruined me. And then how would I be able to come back to this pack when Marion stole a piece of me? But he didn’t. He didn’t take anything. I got away. My Alphas saved me. I’m okay.I’m okay.

Gray presses a kiss to my forehead, crouching down in front of me. “Princess, we can leave if you need us to but I want to get you in the shower before we put you to bed.”

I swallow nervously, chancing a glance at Hawk. I can’t read him, his eyes so dark they’re almost black. “It wasn’t your fault,” I mumble, wondering if he blames himself. “I would have never let him hurt you.”

Hawk lets out a growl, his hands twitching at his sides. He wants to reach for me, grab me, roughly yank me around and god, I need it to forget Marion. “Violet, you’re just as important as every single person in this house. Your life isn’t less. Fuck, we almost lost you and you’re still thinking about us.” His fingers are still twitching, his nostrils flaring as he fights his own desire.

“Touch me,” I breathe, needing their hands on me. I’m not ready for anything full on but I still feel the ghost of his fingers gliding down my back, against my cheek, the curve of my ass. I need it gone. “Please,” I plead. I don’t have to ask again as Hawk pulls me against his chest, holding me there as he blocks out the rest of the world.

Gray stands up behind me, slowly hooking his fingers into my jeans but pauses when I tense. “Princess, he didn’t…”

“No, but he was at my back. I’m fine. Just go slow. Fuck, I hate this.” I’m withering between them, needing their touch and hating it all in the same moment. My body aches from being thrown around, my vision blurred by tears I’m trying not to shed. I lean farther into Hawk’s chest as Gray finishes undressing me, both of them moving me into the shower and holding me there.

I have no idea how long we stand under the hot spray but the fear soon morphs into weariness. I’m so goddamn tired from trying to be strong, my legs giving out. Gray’s right there, holding me up as Hawk gathers some soap in his hands. “Let’s get you cleaned up, Trouble. You did so fucking good, baby girl. You were so strong, so brave.”

The tears fall as I lean back against Gray, unable to rein in the emotions. Gray presses feather light kisses down my cheek, nibbling softly on his bond mark. “You were fierce and I’m sure you fought like hell until we got there. God, I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to let you go.”

“Don’t.”

It’s not a plea. It’s a command.

Chapter fifty-four

SOFIE

It’s been three days since the incident, Violet slowly coming out of her shell until she’s almost the same woman she was before. She’ll never be the exact same, in the way that her gaze always seems to find Puma wherever he is and then she burrows herself into his arms. She does the same with Hawk, finding safety with them that she didn’t need before.

And then she crawls into my bed every night, holding me so tight I might suffocate. I hate that Marion almost took something from my Beta but the fact is—what he did take was worse. He took a piece of her sanity, her safety, her confidence. Her outspoken nature has softened just a bit where she’s more submissive than before, melting faster into our Alphas’ embraces like she craves it.

And while I love that—I hatewhythat is.

Violet hasn’t talked about what happened in that house after Marion’s intentions changed. All I know is that he didn’t get far.

I breathe out a sigh, stepping into the hallway, immediately searching for Violet because after three days of waking up to her—her absence is felt. I feel through the bond, trying to gauge what she’s feeling when I hear genuine laughter ringing in the living room. I rush toward the sound, Puma eyeing me to stay put. He’s leaning against the counter, watching the same scene I am. She’s curled up in Hawk’s lap, Gray leaning forward with a sloppy grin on his face, his hands moving a mile an hour.

It’s the first real happy sound I’ve heard from her, my heart surging with love for my Beta. Her cheeks are flushed, a bright smile spread across her lips, her body more relaxed than I’ve seen it for a while. Lance comes up behind me, kissing the top of my head. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

I nod and then immediately redirect the conversation. “When are you going to bond her?”

Lance snorts. “Whenever she’s ready, sweetheart. These things can’t be rushed and while I would have done it the same night we bonded you, Puma and Gray fucked her unconscious. I’ve got my kinks but that isn’t one of them.”

A giggle falls from my lips as I cozy up to Puma’s side, the Alpha throwing an arm around my shoulder. He’s offered me a pack bond—something akin to a tattoo—if I wanted it, explaining just why that’s all he could give. My heart broke at his story and the loss he’s suffered, which explains why he’s been so protective of Violet. And I fucking love that. And now I’m sporting the Ashford pack’s bond on my shoulder, showing everyone that I’m Puma’s too—even if it’s a little different.

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