Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

I give her a moment to catch her breath.
"You used to call me the tie-up whore when we met. If he didn't like me in the shiny pleather phase, he's not going to change his mind now," and that wasn't for him.
"What happened?" she sighs. "You were all in love with him the last time I saw you. You defended how drunk he was at the New Year's party knowing he made a complete ass of himself. What did he do to you?" I don't know what to say, so I just stare back at her. "Look, you can't be happy with this girl coming in and out of here for taking up the position you know you want,"
"Mrs. Thorne, I wanted to fuck your son. I don't want to be the next you. Maybe before you had children, you would have scared me a little," as much as a human could. "But the last thing I want is for all my work to be overshadowed by your spoiled and ungrateful sons. I like Riley. I like her a lot more now that I know she gets under your skin. Why would that bother me? Hardly the first girl your son has brought home because they blow him,"
"You're angry," she rolls her eyes. "Well, me too," she sits up, slapping her hands on her thighs. "Violetta, I get it. He's hurting you. Do something about it,"
"It's too late, and I'd rather rot than be anyone's consolation prize."
Why did I say that? This is one of the reasons why I don't like spoiling my wolf as much as I have since Alpha Barne's arrival. She pushes me to lose my composure, and the part of me that is exactly like my mother flares.
"You're really that prideful?" she scoffs.
"You should meet my father. Fucking king of pride," I scoff. "Look, he's never shown interest. Not even at our darkest before you tried to fuck us over after graduation. I made peace with that. I don't care if he's falling in love with this girl. I have my own problems. He met her on your turf. I thought this was your play,"
"What?" she shifts uncomfortably. "What does that mean? I wanted you to marry my son. You know what the fuck it is you're doing. This girl, I saw her at a thrift shop," she places her hand on her pretty pearls. "I cannot believe he would even look in her direction,"
"He's been going home as of late—home to you. He's been around Cynthia a lot. She works at the academy library. I thought you would have done your research before trying to come in here doing all this," I spin my pen in my hand. "This one is on you, Mrs. T."
"Fuck. No wonder he's been around. He was using it as an excuse to see her. You and I need to start communicating better, Violetta. Thank you, I will look into it. Unless you've got something for me," she crosses her arms over her chest.
Fuck. She's got me. Her eyes are locked on mine, and the guilt is heavy. Yeah, I had ordered a background check at the fucking bar before I met my mate and then I got curious when it was delivered. I didn't do anything with it. I just wanted to know. I've been thinking of a way to get rid of it, and here it is.
Mrs. Thorne can face the wrath of her son when he finds out she's going to try and sabotage their relationship. She should already know that the more she tells him no, the more he's going to want it. She's going to push him to get down on one knee with their four-million-dollar family heirloom that's been passed down from generation to generation. I'd give up one of my fangs to see the look on her face and the grand spectacle she'd perform.
"Fine. But you didn't get this from me," I fight the growl in my chest. I unlock the hidden compartment in my drawer and toss the file on the desk. "She's squeaky clean. Not a single speeding ticket. She doesn't even own a car."
"You're so obvious," she grins and jumps up to snatch it off my desk. "Where is she from?"
"Over the bridge,"
"Have you had her tested?"
"Uh, I had a crush on your son. I'm not a complete psycho. And her medical records are on there,"
"No, stupid. I mean have you had her tested for vamp venom? Most of those people over the bridge get fanged. It raises the risk of children being born with damphir genetics. It makes them more susceptible to being attacked by vamps or getting turned,"
"Have you ever had me tested?" what kind of fucked up shit?
"Of course not. I know you come from a good background. I know you're not here trying to take my son for his money. Your grandfather was a man of vision," she scoffs. If she only knew. "I just hate that you act like we're beneath you. Like, we are the little things you need to take care of. You latched yourself onto us like a fucking parasite. It was unhealthy, but I get it."
"Mrs. T, have you been going to therapy?" I ask thrown off by her entire demeanor.
"I have to. Cyn is having behavior problems at school. Fighting and talking back to her professors. It was court-ordered,"
"She's probably hanging around wolves," I laugh. Their youngest often reminded me of Pepper.
"Wolves? She would never. " She tears her eyes away from the file to stare at me with the best expression she could give me.
"Trust me. My little sister Pepper went through a phase as well."
Pepper was hanging out with rogues. My brother was freaking out and didn't know how to address the issue. He thought one of those boys was her mate. It turned out she was eating up one of the girls. My little sister is just as bad as the rest of us, and her beta genetics make her a lot more likable than us—a lot more. Matt is no better. He's just better at not getting caught.
"So, what do I do?"
"Nothing. She's not going to stop until they scare her or she moves on. But I should warn you. If Cynthia is sleeping with one of them. You've lost her."
"What does that mean?" she stares at me wide-eyed. I laugh as she pieces the insinuation together and then gasps. "She wouldn't. Right? Not my baby,"
"Male wolves are pretty, Mrs. T. Strong, and go much longer than humans. They also get very attached to their lovers. If she's dating one, it won't be easy to get her away from him. Or her,"
"Her?" she squeaks. "Oh, god. I have to talk to her. Pray she's not, please."
It's most likely she is. It's also likely that this guy or chick is taking advantage of Cynthia's position. It's a lot more likely that she's in love and that this wolf has latched onto her. She's kind of a princess, and it's not an act.
"Ms. Wilde, I am so sorry. I had no idea either of them were coming in today," Ed sets down my coffee and a chocolate croissant once she's gone.
"It's okay, Eddie. I'm not mad at you. How behind am I on meetings?"
"You're not. I took care of all of them last week as requested. However, I do have a private meeting request."
"From?"
"Eloise Lockwood. She wants to meet with you and your brother next week," he clears his throat. "In Lockwood City,"