When Paths Collide

Who's Varren?

I stepped into Violet's office, shutting the door behind me. It was cozy enough and fairly simple. A few dog toys were on the floor, though it looked as though she worked to keep them in a pile out of the way. I noticed the wine cabinet on the wall and silently laughed to myself, as it was known that Violet enjoyed most wines.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I forced my attention on Andrew, who was filling in for Violet, as she wasn't present.

"Who's Varren?" I knew that I was being blunt, but curiosity was getting the best of me.

"Curiosity killed the cat." Andrew chuckled. "You sure you want to know?"

"Why do you think I asked?"

"You need to stop hanging around Violet. She's rubbing off on you too much." Andrew was joking around.

Huh, Violet would say something like that.

"Anyways, Varren is Violet's son, no doubt you've figured that out as Wolfes are practically an endangered species." Andrew was still messing around.

Sighing, I decided to get straight to the point. "Who's the father?"

"Jealous much." Andrew's demeanor faltered. "Jay, I am the father." He paused, judging for a reaction out of me, but what could I say to that? Andrew took my silence as a sign to continue. "She doesn't love me, she's made it clear as she has threatened my life on multiple occasions. It doesn't bother me, I'm not interested in her in that manner either, I just enjoy annoying her." He was rambling. "I..." He sighed. "It was a drunken mistake. She was tired of being alone and drunk, not a great combination. How could I refuse her?"

"You could've said no."

"Have you seen her? She doesn't take no for an answer. If she wants something, she gets it. The three wolves surrounding her adds to the intimidation." Andrew was meeting my gaze, any amusement he once held was gone. "Who would want to say no to a woman whose father was cruel and ended up killing himself? Who would want to say no to a woman whose brother was the same way and she eventually ended up killing? Who would want to say no to a woman who has three wolves that would rip you apart with a command?" He let out a bitter, humorless laugh. "Hell, they could probably sense her emotions and what she wanted them to do without her even having to say a word."

Andrew sighed, closing his eyes. "I, of course, didn't tell her no either, so in a way, it was also my fault. If I truly didn't want it, I wouldn't have done it. I guess we were both lonely and wanted company." Opening his eyes, he held my gaze. "It was more of a one night stand. A hookup. Nothing more, nothing less."

It was a lot of information to take in, so I decided I would focus on what I truly came here for instead of Violet's sex life. It wasn't any of my business anyway, she could have sex with or date whoever she wanted.

"How did Varren die?"

"It was a miscarriage. Two months after."

I slowly closed my eyes. "Where is she?" I opened my eyes. "I've noticed you're running the bar."

"She's out with Jaxson, I believe." Andrew shrugged, his usual demeanor returning.

"Where are her wolves?"

"She doesn't take them out with her, it's too obvious. She wants to hide and not get recognized, bringing them with her will do the exact opposite." Andrew gestured towards the corner of the room. "So she left them here."

It was then, with Andrew's gesture, that I realized her wolves were in the room.

Silent.

Still.

And yet, they were watching.

Listening.

King's amber gaze seemed to burn into my soul, seemingly waiting for any reason to bite off one of my fingers or rip out my throat. Remy was watchful, and he seemed like he was analyzing me, ready to strike with Violet's permission. Chase seemed like he had no intention of even harming me, unless Violet told him to do so, but rather, he seemed more inclined to watch instead.

Thankfully, the only one I had to worry about at the moment, as Violet wasn't here, was King.

"Is that all you wanted to know?"

I drug my gaze back into Andrew, though I kept my guard up as King had shifted to a crouch. "Almost, I have one final question."

"Hmm?"

"If you were dating someone else, would you cheat on them for the person you loved?"

Andrew smirked, one of the smirks I remember Violet found annoying.

How did I even remember her opinion on it?

"That is a strange question, my friend. A strange question indeed." I realized why she found it annoying at that moment. It was the smirk he wore when he teased. "I probably would, but I am not you."

"What are you going on about?" I asked opening the door to the office.

"Oh nothing," Amusement seemed to dance in his eyes. "Just wondering if you were inadvertently talking about you, Grace, and Violet."

"Asshole," I muttered.

"So Violet has mentioned." And with that, I shut the door and left.

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A/N: Trash.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!