Violet Rose

I prefer a Rose

Liza Pov:

I was sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee in my hand.After my talk with Liam I had to figure how to bring them closer. Since they avoid each other at every turn I knew exactly how to get them in the same room. I knew Zeke would be getting up soon so I decided I would make him his favorite breakfast. Eggs on toast with avocado and lots of bacon. I set the food at the end of the table hoping he would take the hint and not sit next to me. I haven't seen him since I decided to show him everything I was working with with my impromptu strip show. Zeke came down the stairs right on cue and looked at his food then looked at me. I averted my gaze and decided the old paper was my safest bet.

" is this for me?" I nodded still not making eye contact. Of course luck has never really been on my side so Zeke grabbed his food and placed it right next to me tapping the paper so that I would be forced to look at him.

"May I help you?" He smiled and bit his lip. I could get lost in those blue eyes of his but now was not the moment for that.

"Let's go on a date." I think actual orange juice shot thru my nose.

"I'm sorry what?"

He leaned over with a napkin and dabbed my face for me.

" Alphas don't really repeat themselves." He gave me a devilish grin that sent chills down my back.

"They also don't date the help." I stood up to clean my dishes hoping to put som distance between us.

" Technically you're not the help" he said getting up while moving towards the counter by me.

"I'm a glorified nanny to your kids. Sounds like help to me and besides I heard around the house that you made that rule yourself"I retorted.

He moved closer " see I knew you had a crush on me. Someone's been checking up on me haven't we?"

"Nooo. But I did hear some poor maids wishing that rule wasn't in place or how would I put what they said hmmm let's see and I quote I would dig my claws into his back so hard that they would still need healing the next day end quote."

He moved until he was just inches away from me now forcing me to regulate me breathing "and what about you miss Liza, would you like to see how hard you could put your claws in my back."

I thought back to our wedding night and how crazy everything got. In fact I remember there were a few scratches that hadn't healed up until the next day. The thought of that might made my toes curl but I smiled back at him.

"Clearly you haven't been listening to my whole Alpha shouldn't break his own rule speech."

"Oh I heard it. Maybe there just hasn't been someone in the house hot enough to break it with yet. Besides I'm the Alpha, and what's the point of being alpha if I can't change them when I want."

Zeke leaned over so his lips were touching my ear.

"Beside I can smell you arousal and I don't think you would mind if we broke a couple rules."

My breathing hitched because that's exactly what I wanted. I wanted him and I wanted him now. I felt his hand play with a few of my top buttons and I gently ran my fingers up and down his chest. When he moved his head to face mine I just closed my eyes ready for what ever was about to happen between us.

"DADDY!!!"

It felt like cold water had been thrown on me and I turned my head so fast I thought I might have gotten whiplash. Cedric came in with what looked like a lot of art supplies.

I knew it affected Zeke too as he was trying to catch his breath and regain his barings.

"Yes ummm what do you have there Cedric?"

" I have to make a Volcano for school and I was wondering if you could help me."

"I'm sorry buddy I wish I could but I have pack meetings and stuff." I instantly saw Cedrics face fall. It really made me mad in a way. How does this man have time for a date but not time so a science project. This isn't my husband. My husband used to be glued to the kids and took them everywhere. Actually now that I think about it both of them were and we never needed a nanny Because we did almost everything together. Yet now that I think about it I barely see the kids with Cole or Zeke. I barely see Cole period.

"Don't worry squirt I'll help you." Cedric giggled.

"My mommy used to call me Squirt. I like it"

"Then it's settled Alpha you should get going sounds like you have a busy day."

Zeke tried to say something to me but I closed him off. If you can't talk too ur kids then you don't need to talk to me. Once he left I sat next to Cedric and we got to work. I showed him the proper system for doing paper mache. He used paper mache to make mountains and even had these cute little plastic dinosaurs. I let Cedric tell me about his teachers and school and we had a pleasant afternoon. We were In the middle of pouring paint into bowls when Violet came in the room and sat right next to me.

"Hi honey where's your brother?" She shrugged.

"With his friends I guess I don't know he has been leaving early in the morning for school and staying after as well." I have been so caught up with my mission that I haven't even noticed I barely have seen Colton these days. I should check on him and see how he is doing. There is just so much healing that Need to be done I don't know what I got myself into.

"Would you like to help us?" I handed a paint brush to violet and she started dipping it into the green. Everything was peacefully silent.

"Violet don't you miss your friends?" She didn't make eye contact with me but she did give me the slightest nod.

"I think it's time you go back to school. It will be good for you to get out of the house."

Violet was quiet and she didn't say anything for a moment. I honestly thought she was just ignoring me at this point.

"What about Liam?" She whispered.

I sighed " I saw how you were when he was about to jump. A part of you still cares for him beyond the mate bond. I'm not saying you should accept him by any means but I don't think that it will be as bad as you think."

"Do you actually think that?" She looked at me with hopeful eyes.

"I would bet a bucket of ice cream on it."

Finally I was making progress. I just needed them to be in close proximity and hopefully the mate bond would take care of the rest.

"Ok I'll give it a shot." I tried to hide my victory smile and just turned back to the volcano.

"Perfect I'll set it up."

We had been working on this thing for hours and it was coming together nicely. I let the kids continue working and decided to start dinner. I thought something easy would be suffice and I thought Colton might appreciate Spaghetti. It was always him and Coles favorite.

It didn't take long for everything to be done, so while I was prepping the salad and taking the breadsticks out of the oven I asked the kids to wash up and clean up the paint. They agreed and quickly disbursed. Just as I was setting the plates I saw Colton walk in. I checked my watch it was 5:00pm Colton really has been disappearing a lot these days.

"Hey Colton it's a little late how was your day."

He froze like he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Yea umm we are practicing inter mural volleyball at school for a fundraiser."

I wouldn't pry tonight but something is definitely going on with him.

"Ok we'll go wash up we will be having dinner in a few minutes"

Tonight I set the table for everyone and I sent a text to them as well that dinner was ready. It was time for everyone to start eating like a family again. Asher and Cel followed by the kids came first. Then my kids came down. I could see the tension in the air shift when Violet and Liam made eye contact. violet quickly put her head down and scurried to take her seat. I tired to get Taly and chase to come with my goddaughter but they couldn't make it. My heart was sad because I missed my bestfriend she hasn't been here since I came back. I have only seen Chase here for official pack business and unfortunately with this body I haven't really had a reason to run into her and I know Taly she is not a fan of new friends. It took almost 5 years for her to let me invite Cel to our movie nights. To my suprise Zeke and Cole joined as well followed by Grant and my brother Max. Everyone was accounted for.

Everyone looked uncomfortable. I realized then that they really haven't had a meal together since my death. It broke my heart. Family was supposed to stick together not fall apart like this.

Cel gave me a gentle smile "thank you for inviting us to dinner. We really appreciate it miss Liza." I gave her a respectful nod in response. I could see in her eyes that she meant more behind those words.

Once food was passed to everyone the air quickly changed and people broke out in mini conversations. Some spoke to their families and a few even let out a laugh or two. I kept my gaze on my family though seeing as Cole looked liked he was livid and Liam and violet looked no better.

"Please let us make through this" I thought in my head.

"All in time Rose" Lilly responded.

"How's the football team looking Colton?" Everyone went silent because this was the first time Cole spoke since he sat down.

Colton slowly swallowed his food. "It's going ok dad. We lost the last two games but I feel we can pick back up in enough time to make it to championship."

"Well keep practicing I'm sure you guys will do better. After all you are a future prince and you will be a great quarterback like your father."

Colton looked away and to my surprise looked at Liam. "I may be an ok quarterback but as far as great I think Liam was always a natural."

Yes! Yes! Yes!

This is going great. All I need is for it to continue. Everyone waited with anticipation on what will be said next.

"Yea but you can still wipe the floor with me In Lacrosse so I think we're even." Liam said playing with his food not looking up.

Progress.

That's all I need was progress.

I waited to see if the conversation would continue but it didn't. Rome wasn't built in a day. I knew I had a ways to go to get things where I wanted them. I set out some icecream for those who wanted dessert which meant that the kids were pretty much the only ones to eat it. As for my mates I made them my apple pie that my mom taught me how to make. I remember for a fundraiser at the school I made a dozen of them and The boys bought them all and ate them at their pack meeting that night. I set the pie infront of them along with vanilla bean ice cream and fished them Botha piece.

Cole and Zeke both took a bite of the pie and looked at eachother. Neither one said a word.

Were they mind linking eachother?

Finally Zeke spoke "thank you Liza this taste very Nice. You can take the pie away we aren't that big on sweets."

What? Not big on sweets?

Who were these boys and what have they done with my mates.

I blocked out the thought and proceeded to clean up. By the time everyone finished their dessert I was mostly finished.

"Thank you for dinner Liza" Cole stood in the door way watching me.

"It was my pleasure my King."

I thought he would leave but to my surprise he stayed there staring at me.

"Can I be of any more assistance my King ?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for the other day. I lashed out. That room was....that room belonged to my wife. I shouldn't of reacted like that and I just want you to know I appreciate you helping our kids."

I gave him a gentle smile." Of course my king.you have wonderful kids. That reminds me Violet would like to return to school. She misses her friends."

He looked shocked but he agreed. "She is still enrolled in school. I will call the principal and tell him she will be returning to in class learning. Although I'm not sure she would enjoy it."

I was confused. "Why do you say that?"

"She's completes the class work for the rest of the year already. She even called the teacher to see if she could get a jump start on next years"

"Well she can take electives and go for socializing." I was lying threw my teeth but if he knew he didn't call me out on it. He just nodded and walked away as quit my as he came.

"Are you warming the beast heart?" Zeke snuck up and whispered behind me.

"Not quite yet but he will come around."

"I don't know darling. It's like the movie. Coles the beast and you my dear are the villagers."

"Everyone is not a villager."

Zeke looked at me with sad eyes" everyone isn't a beauty either."

I smiled at him I knew I was walking on thin water here but I didn't care I didn't have time to do things naturally. So I shrugged

"It's a good thing I always wanted to be the rose in the story."

With that line Zekes lips came crashing down on mine.

I've got him now.