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The twins knew that Ashton was using his Alpha aura, but wasn't this exaggerated? They were Alphas also!

Violet squatted next to Valeria. "Admit it. Say that I am better."

Valeria sneered. "Everyone knows you are better than me."

"But you don't. I need you to say it. And I need you to keep repeating that until you understand. We are no longer children. Your mother asked me to go easy on you, but I have no intention of making that mistake. I am of age and eligible to take over the Alpha position. No challenge will be left unanswered, even if it's from you. I hope you understand that my position and my mate are two things I'm not willing to share. Got it?"

Seeing that Valeria didn't respond, Violet's next words came with a heavy dose of her aura.

"ANSWER ME! DO. YOU. GET. IT?"

Valeria groaned as her forehead was covered in sweat, but she refused to answer.

Violet's eyes flashed in silvery light. "Admit defeat, or I will crush you for everyone to see. I will rather they think of me as ruthless than weak."

"We admit defeat!" Edgar shouted. Somehow, he knew that Violet was not joking.

Violet's eyes didn't leave Valeria. "I need to hear Val say it."

"Val!" Edgar called. "Save that pride for the time when it's helpful." His eyes lost focus, and they all knew he continued talking to Valeria through the mind link.

"I admit defeat," Valeria said eventually, her voice barely above a whisper.

Violet put her hand behind her ear. "What did you say? I didn't hear you."

"I admit defeat!" Valeria squeezed through her teeth. "Happy?"

"No, I'm not happy, Valeria. But this will do. For now." Violet stood up and narrowed her eyes at Valeria. "This is the last time I'm showing you mercy, Val. Next time you challenge me by coveting what's mine, I will treat you as my enemy. I hope you remember that."

Ashton also stood up and released Edgar and Valeria.

Valeria jumped to her feet and ran away.

"Was there a need to go that far?" Edgar asked Violet while dusting off his clothes.

"I don't know, Ed. You tell me," Violet responded dryly.

Edgar shook his head. "You know how she is."

"She should know who I am."

"Easy for you to say. You will do your thing and leave, and I'm stuck with pacifying her."

"Keep treating her like a spoiled princess, and that's who she will be," Violet said.

Edgar couldn't believe it. "Are you saying it's my fault she is like that?"

"Yours, uncle Axel's, aunt Yasmin's, grandma Evanora's, and everyone else's who is pampering Val. I know what she wants. She wants to be an Alpha. Tell me, Ed. Is she behaving like one?"

Edgar didn't respond and Violet continued talking.

"I don't know if she is born stupid or if someone is filling her head, but she has dangerous ideas. I let her go easily this time because we are cousins. Next time she challenges me like that in front of MY pack, I will treat her as a traitor because I am the Alpha. You might think this was harsh, but if she dares to pull this shit again, she will be either locked up or exiled."

Edgar pressed his lips into a line. He knew Violet was right. In the Midnight Guardians pack they were easy-going because everyone worshiped Alpha Natalia, so even when she was present, there was no need for her to assert dominance.

Violet is young, and she has a lot to prove to herself and her people. Lenience will be a sign of weakness, and that would lead to trouble.

Edgar took a step back and bowed. "I congratulate you on your victory Alpha Violet, Alpha Ashton. I wish you many happy years together and endless wisdom so you can lead our pack to prosperity. If there are no objections, I will take my leave."

Violet nodded in agreement, and Edgar left in the direction where Valeria disappeared.

Violet wondered if Ashton thought she was too harsh. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't care, but this was Ashton, her mate, and she craved his approval.

She turned to see him look at her with a smile that reflected in his eyes.

"You are amazing," he said.

Violet's face exploded in a grin, and she threw herself at Ashton.

She wanted to tell him that he was beyond amazing, but the sudden clamor startled her.

They were fighting in silence due to the magical shields that Yasmin erected to protect the audience, and Violet completely forgot about them. Now that the shields were down, other than hearing the enthusiastic cheers, she could clearly feel the admiration and approval of her people.

Her arms were around Ashton, and she reluctantly stepped away. "I wanted to kiss you, but I will do that later when we have privacy," she said.

Ashton smirked. "I look forward to it."

"Great performance," Axel praised Violet and Ashton as he approached the couple. "It seems that the mate bond enhanced your abilities."

Violet glanced behind him to see that Yasmin was walking away.

"Is aunt Yasmin angry?" Violet asked.

"She will get over it," Axel responded and continued in a low voice. "You did what was best for the pack. You proved, again, that you are the most capable one to lead, and your mate didn't disappoint. I hope you will stay for dinner and overnight so the pack can celebrate with you. Your room is ready for you to freshen up and rest until the festivities begin."

Violet glanced at Ashton. They agreed to stay for dinner before, but now Axel added an overnight stay and called it festivities. She had a feeling this could last a few days, but her uncle was revealing it in layers so she won't reject it outright.

Ashton didn't object, so they agreed.

Axel raised his hand, and that was the signal for a bunch of Violet's cousins to run to them.

Violet laughed as her little cousins started climbing Ashton's legs, and his hands hovered as he contemplated how to get them off without hurting them.

"Help?" Ashton pleaded with Violet.

"I am enjoying this," Violet admitted.

"I can see that. Can you help?"

"You are a strong Alpha, Ashton. I'm sure you can handle a few kids."

"I don't know how to deal with kids. They are so… fragile."

"What about our kids?"

Ashton froze. Their kids? Surely, she was not pregnant already. Or was she?

Violet rolled her eyes. "It was hypothetical, Ash. Don't overthink it." She turned to the rowdy kids that were crowding Ashton. "Boys! Give him some space."

"We are just playing," five-years-old Mike said with a pout.

"Your play might chase my mate away," Violet said. "Can you bear the responsibility if he rejects me?"

The kids gasped.

Ashton took this moment of confusion to stand behind Violet and wrap his arms around her waist.

"I won't reject Violet. She is too precious." Ashton needed everyone to hear that. He looked at the kids seriously. "However, we are in public. You all have Alpha blood running through you. Pack members are watching. Do you want them to think you are unruly and your parents did a bad job raising you?"

All the kids were frozen for a few seconds, and then they quickly lined up to stand with solemn expressions.

Violet looked at Ashton like she was seeing him for the first time.

"Impressive." She had never seen her cousins so quiet and static.

Ashton puffed his chest. He loved that she praised him.