The Alpha's Bride

1038  Young Alpha Violet (11)

Talia was talking with Tanya, Cornelia, and Maya when she noticed a handsome young man at the door of the room where grownups gathered. It was young Alpha Ashton Pascal.

Ashton's nineteenth birthday was a month away, and his Alpha physique made him look more mature than that. He was wearing a simple white shirt and jeans, but he was undeniably dashing.

Seeing that he was standing at the door, Talia stood up to welcome him. Ever since they met about thirteen years ago, she always had a soft spot for him.

Ashton was not a carefree boy that would run around and provoke scary Alpha Damon by getting cozy with Talia. He was a proud young man with a calm demeanor that made everyone take him seriously.

"I am glad you made it," Talia said.

Ashton smiled. "I couldn't miss this."

"Aren't you going to come in?"

"No," Ashton responded.

"Do you want to join the youngsters? They are in the back."

He refused. "I won't stay long. Do you mind calling Violet?"

Talia felt sorry for him. At the age of nineteen, he was an adult, but he was at least a decade younger than everyone else present. In the back room were many youngsters who belonged to high-ranking families, but the closest in age to him had a five-year age gap which also put him in an odd situation.

In the period where socializing with peers was important, Ashton didn't fit anywhere.

"Do you want to talk to her in private?" Talia asked.

"That would be great."

Talia tilted her head to the left. "Second door. Violet will join you in a minute."

"Thank you," Ashton said with a respectful bow.

Ashton had an Alpha bloodline, but Talia's status didn't allow him to greet her as an equal no matter how close they were. As a kid, he could cling to Talia, but now he was an adult and he had to stick to protocols.

Ashton's eighteenth birthday passed which put him into the category of males that are searching for a mate. If he got touchy with Talia, Damon would see that as a direct threat to his position and could cause war. At the same time, the age gap between Ashton and Talia was not enough for him to see her as a mother figure. Again, it was an awkward situation.

Talia's eyes lost focus for a moment as she was mind-linking Violet.

…

Violet straightened her skirt and entered the room that was filled with the sweet scent.

The light was off and that allowed Ashton's silhouette to stand out in front of the moonlit window.

Ashton had an impressive Alpha physique that was fully developed. He was not like Ethan who was tall with wide shoulders while the rest of his torso still waited to be filled with muscles.

Violet tried not to think about all the girls who were throwing themselves at Ashton. Ashton had a thing where he would sit at the head of the table and give his signature half-smirk, and that would cause female-scented panties to fly his way. Violet thought those females were gross and she would reprimand Ashton for teasing them, but Ashton would always laugh it off.

Ashton was kind and playful, but Violet felt a different atmosphere in that room. It was tense.

"Why are you in the dark?" Violet asked.

Ashton turned to her. "Do you need light?"

"Not really," Violet said. "But my mom says that we should keep the lights on of respect for other creatures who are not blessed with the gifts we have."

"There is no need to accommodate others who are not here."

Violet didn't have an argument against that. "When did you arrive?"

"Just now."

"Did you have dinner? Will you join us in the backroom?"

"No, and no. I have other plans."

Violet was confused. Why was the usually chatty and friendly Ashton distant? Since she was aware of her existence, Ashton was by her side. He was always around, like an older brother who taught her things and prevented her from getting hurt.

"What are you not telling me? If you didn't come here to eat or hang out, why are you here?"

"I came here to give you this," Ashton said, and Violet's eyes widened when she saw the hand which he was hiding behind his back so far. It was a bouquet of carnations. White carnations, her favorites.

"Happy birthday, Vi."

Violet accepted the flowers and took a deep breath. The sweet scent put a smile on her face. That was the one she picked up the moment she stepped into the room.

"My birthday is next week," Violet said.

"I know."

"So, why the flowers now?"

"Because I wanted to give them to you in person."

Violet needed a moment to process that information. "You won't be here next week."

Her heart ached because it would be her first birthday without Ashton's presence. On top of that, Ethan was also leaving. The only two males who didn't look at her like a child, or worship her like a leader will be leaving.

She pressed her lips into a line to hide the fact that her chin was shivering.

"Will you miss me?"

Violet felt like slapping him. "What kind of a question is that?" Of course, she will miss him, but… "Wait! How long will you be gone? Where are you going?"

"I'm of age now and…"

"You are going to find your mate," Violet ended his sentence sourly.

They were not connected at the hips, but Ashton was always available. Once he finds his mate, things will change. What if Ashton's mate doesn't like her? What if his mate says that Ashton shouldn't talk to Violet at all? Where will that put her? Will she lose him? Her heart ached at that thought.

Ashton puffed his cheeks. He would tease her more, but her dejection was obvious, and he didn't want to allow this to go too far.

"I'm going to train."

Violet's head snapped up to look at him. "Train? Aren't you the strongest one out of our generation? You can wipe the floor with everyone."

"That's because I am older, stronger, and I had more practice. In a few years, you guys will catch up to me unless I step up. If Ethan or Jacob win in a match against me, I will need to give up on my pack out of shame."

Violet admired Ethan a lot, and her brother was a skilled warrior, but she couldn't see them winning against Ashton. The difference was too much. However, she also understood what Ashton was talking about. Wasn't she set on training hard and improving?

"Where are you going? Do you think I could join you when I get a break?" She liked training with Ashton.

"I will start with the mountains and head wherever my paws take me. I will be gone for at least a few months, years maybe."

Her eyes widened to the point of hurting. "Years?" Wasn't that the same as Ethan?

"Don't worry. I will schedule a flower delivery for your birthdays, so you don't miss me. What do you want me to send you for Christmas?"

Violet felt like crying. She lunged at Ashton and gave him a tight hug.

"Stupid. I don't need flowers and presents. I want you here," she mumbled into his chest.

"Vi," Ashton called stiffly. "You should let go."

Violet looked up at him and blinked. "Why? Is me hugging you a problem? We did that so many times before." And they had much more bodily contact when Ashton pinned her to the mat when they exercised.

Ashton groaned and pried her hands away from him. "I am not a child anymore. You can't jump like that on me or on any other male. Why don't you think about consequences?"

He pinched her chin and made her look at him. "Or are you willing to give yourself to me?"

Ashton's breath splashed on Violet's face, and she wondered if he always smelled of carnations, or if it was just now because the flowers were right there.

Violet became aware of their position, and she felt the heat climbing rapidly up her neck. She wanted to move away, but her body refused to cooperate, and she couldn't budge.

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Violet's and Ethan's pics are added to chapter 1027.

Ashton's pic is in the comments of this chapter!