Violet's p.o.v...

I was sat in the conservatory enjoying my second cup of tea of the day, when i heard Laura pulling into the lane, there was no mistaking the sound of the old beetle’s roar. Heaven knows why she refused to get a newer model or even a newer car, it wasn't like we were in need of money.

We had come along way since the kids home we both found ourselves in as toddlers, well Laura as a toddler me from birth, i know what your thinking baby’s get snapped up, not when they are born with violet eyes and deep purple hair they aren’t, seems you get classed as unholy then. Laura came to the home for the first time when she was three because her mother was a drug addict and had a short stay in prison, then again when she was four because her mother was ordered to rehab and then permanently when she was six because her mother overdosed and her father was in the army and deployed.

I was pulled from those thoughts when she came bouncing through the door like a mini tornado, she was always so full of life the complete opposite to me, we soon became sister maybe not by blood but from necessity, and love group homes can be a kind of hell on earth.

She plonked herself next to me on the sofa, wrapping me up in her arms “happy birthday sis” she said kissing me on the cheek.

I smiled at her “i thought we agreed not to make a big thing of it this year” i said to her making her scrunch up her nose in disgust.

“you’ll stick like that when the wind changes” i told her smiling she tapped me on my shoulder “you’ve been saying that to me since we were kids, it still hasn’t happened” she return.

“teas in the pot if you want one” i said, she smiled jumped up and went into the kitchen leaving a gift bag on the table.

“can i take some of these muffins home?” she shouted from the kitchen

“of course” i replied

“but don’t you have a chef living with you?” i asked

“yeah, but his cakes and things aren’t as good as your” she answered me, i shook my head at her as she walked back into the conservatory to join me back in the sofa. She pulled her legs up under her body getting comfortable before handing me the gift bag.

“you didn’t have too” i said

“i know, but i wanted too, you’re my sister and it’s your birthday” she replied softly. I took the bag and opened it, i pulled out one wrapped gift opening it carefully to find a really lovely grey dress, it was going to be figure hugging something i tended not to buy myself because i was no stick thin Barbie doll, i had curves something i was very self conscious of, it was gathered at one side at the hip with a huge split up said side.

I looked at her in disbelief “i can’t wear this” i said in shock

“why?” she asked me smiling, i was incredulous at her remark she knew why, she sighed at me “you’re beautiful Violet, plus it covers everything you need it too, with stockings and high leg boots it will look amazing on you” there was nothing in her voice just fact, i was always amazed at how she saw me, because it was nothing like i saw myself. I smiled at her but then the realisation struck me, she only ever bought me clothes when she wanted us to go out somewhere.

I knew i wasn’t going to like it the moment she said don’t be mad, which only aggravated me more “where?” i questioned “i want you to come to the club to spend some time with Jasper and i”

“why?”“because we are going to be family for one, two it’s your birthday and the last time i checked you were only twenty six not sixty six and thirdly i want to spend time with you” i couldn’t help but feel a little defensive all of a sudden, i knew what she was getting at i was becoming more of a hermit than i was before, what could i say i just didn’t like people!

“you knew as soon as you found your mate that things would change”

“i did yes, but i didn’t think it would cost me you!” she snapped

“how has it cost you me?” i asked confused

“how? You never see me, when ever i ask to meet you refuse, when i offer to come home you say no you’re busy, or i should spend it with Jasper”

“he is your mate” i retorted

“and you are my sister!” she bite back

I didn’t say anything else, i didn’t want this to turn into an argument we could both be really stubborn when we wanted to be, taking another sip of my tea she handed me another gift, i opened the small jewellery box and gasped it was a wolf neckless in gold and amber with matching earring, it was beautiful and the amber was the perfect colour for Laura’s wolf Rosie.

I loved it i kissed her cheek “thank you” i said softly to her pulling her into a hug. She pulled back looking at me intently “please come to the club tonight it was Jasper’s idea” i was about to say no when she jumped on me “when was the last time you left the house?”

“yesterday” i retorted feeling a little smug with myself but i could see her eyeing me suspiciously “going to the post office and village shop doesn’t count”

“i went to mum and dad’s grave and the workshop too” i said sounding like a child

“that doesn’t count either the workshops at the bottom of the damn garden” i sighed i knew i wasn’t going to win this part of the conversation i didn’t speak just nodded at her making her jump up with a whoop making me shake my head “you’re not going to leave me there waiting for you to join me are you?” i asked she had a habit of being extremely late because of her shifts.

“i am finishing at nine tonight because it’s your birthday, just get there for around nine thirty, go straight to the moon lounge. I guess i should clarify a few things for you, if you hadn’t guessed Laura is a werewolf and yes i know what you’re thinking that i am a few biscuits short of the pack,

Nope i am not they actually exist, luckily that was one of Laura’s useless mum had managed to tell her over their limited time together and to answer the other question we got adopted by Laura’s dad best friends family the Johnson’s, i think the thought started when they discovered her dad died saving their sons life leaving her and orphan, a stroke of luck was when they agreed not to split us up and fostered both of us. It was a special time for both if us it was something both of us cherished deeply, we couldn’t understand why their son Daniel took his own life a few years after leaving the army, but dad said he thought it was survivors guilt, in truth we couldn’t ask for better parents they come to every parents evening and event, Laura’s sports events and my art exhibitions, they supported us through college too, mum was a little like mum loved clothes and make up, i spent a lot of time with dad, when i got my first part time job he gave me the discussion about looking to our future got me to invest a small part of my wage, i think it was his way of making sure we could take care of ourselves when they were gone.

Life turned when mum developed cancer Laura and i help dad nurse her, she fought bravely for a couple of years, but when she died dad lost him self, it seemed the faith they had both carried so strongly together he lost, it was only a few months before dad followed mum, Laura said that he died of a broken heart, something i whole heartedly agree with, every weekend he would bring home flowers for her, take her to dinner. It was something i had once dreamed about having.

It was thanks to them that i became a well know artist and Laura and i are able to live well now. We found rogue woman in the town so we could understand what was going to happen to Laura on her first shift and also when she found her mate. It seemed that Laura would get the sort of love that mum and dad had, if her wolf was kind. I guess it doesn’t really matter whether it is man or animal there is good and bad in all.

Laura put her cup down “i guess i should go Jasper will be wondering where i am”

“you didn’t tell him?” i asked concerned

“no he was a sleep” she answered so nonchalantly

“you left him a note though right?” i asked

“no” she said flatly

I loved her dearly but some times she could be a bit clueless, i looked at her, yep she was totally oblivious that she should have told him after all wolves are quite possessive when it came to their mates, some of the tales i heard from the women were jaw dropping. “maybe you should text him to tell him where you are” i said but it seemed to fly over her head, she got up taking our cups into the kitchen i followed her grabbing a cake tin for her to take some of the muffins home “maybe this will sweeten him up” i said she smiled “he does like your muffins” with that she kissed me on the cheek “nine thirty, no calling saying you’re not coming either otherwise i am driving over here with Jasper grabbing you with force if need be” i shook my head at her and saw her off.

I picked up the gifts and took them to my room putting the dress on a coat hanger and hanging it off my wardrobe door, it did look beautiful and Laura was right it would look good with my high leg boots. I guess that was what i was wearing tonight along with my leather jacket.

I decided i needed to get rid of some of the nerves bouncing around my body, so i went to the workshop i still had a commission to finish, i say finish i already had i just needed to wrap it and get Jason to arrange collection along with of the pieces he wanted to put in the next exhibition, i didn’t do them often i would work on pieces and rack, until Jason took it upon his self to move them, i worked with all sorts of materials for sculptures and painting, i loved all kinds of art and i was lucky that some people enjoyed it too.

I had got lost in time i hadn’t even realised it had gotten dark, i looked at the time it was eight Laura was going to kill me if i was late, who was i kidding she was the one who was going to be late. I made my way back to the house and showered i picked out some grey Lace underwear and some hold ups placing them on the bed and set to blow drying my mass of corkscrew curls, i sighed i had to do make up this was the part i didn’t excel at which is stupid when you think i am an artist, i went for a smokey eye having to make sure i did it right by watching a you tube video tutorial, i looked in the mirror at least my scar wasn’t too visible when i was satisfied with my make up, i got dressed i had to admit Laura was right it look fabulous i paired it with my boots and leather jacket, taking another look in the mirror well there was nothing more to do, i was under no illusion i was drop dead gorgeous that was impossible with a scar running from your forehead to chin, i picked up my bag and kindle and made my way to the club.