Chapter 1050 Damon's approval (3)
Damon was impressed. Ashton matched his speed and strength, countering him in ways that spoke of numerous battles. That kind of finesse could be achieved only when polishing skill through life-and-death situations where Ashton had to use enough power to suppress his opponents while not using too much to exhaust his strength before the fight was over. Damon was determined to see how far Ashton could go.
Every next move was a bit faster. Every next punch was a bit stronger. More speed. More power.
It was a while since Damon was able to enjoy a match to this degree. His joy was tainted by the fact that he was facing a young man who wanted to take Violet away!
As the clashes between the two Alphas became fiercer, their audience could feel the effects of violent aftershocks.
Talia waved her hand, and an invisible shield enveloped her, Violet, Alpha Christian, and Luna Michelle.
Violet's heart swelled with pride at the sight of Ashton, who surpassed all her expectations. She knew her mate was awesome, but Ethan and Jacob, who were the strongest warriors of her generation, looked like children compared to what Ashton was doing right there, matching her father in order to prove he was worthy of her. How could he not be worthy?
"Vi," Talia called. "You need to lower your aura so you don't interfere with the fight."
"What?" Violet didn't remove her gaze from the impressive display of power in front of her. She didn't do anything on purpose!
Alpha Christian was watching his son in awe. He had a feeling that this was once in a lifetime opportunity to see a fight of this caliber. He could barely follow their movements. Even with his Alpha-enhanced vision, Damon's and Ashton's limbs often became blurs.
Ashton was focused mightily on his opponent, using his sharpened survival instincts more than his sight because his movements depended on reflexes that kept him alive in the last five years.
Dodging, hitting, blocking, advancing, and retreating; it was a primal dance where any mistake could be deadly.
"Ugh!" Ashton grunted when Damon's aura-infused fist punched the air out of his lungs, and Ashton fell to his knees.
Damon stood in front of Ashton, and his chest heaved while wondering if he really got him or if Ashton allowed this hit to land on purpose.
"Is that all you've got?" Damon asked breathily.
Ashton looked up at Damon. "Was it not enough?"
Damon narrowed his eyes. "Do you think that's enough for my daughter?"
Ashton shook his head. "No."
"Ash!" Violet called in panic. Was he giving up on her? She wanted to run there, but Talia held her back.
Ashton pushed himself up to his feet and looked at Damon.
"This is not enough for Vi because no matter how good I am, nothing will ever be good enough for her. But I won't give up."
Damon sneered. "That's brave of you to say."
"It's the only way. She is my mate, my other half, and no matter how selfish it sounds, I will never give up. If I'm not good enough, I will keep working hard and training until I can match her, at least to some degree. In that sense, I am lucky."
"You think that the Moon Goddess' will is enough to bring you luck?"
"I was not talking about her. I was talking about you."
Damon was confused. "Me?"
"I am lucky to have you, the most powerful Alpha, to train me, teach me, and protect Violet with me. You, Alpha Natalia, young Alpha Jacob, and the other boys. The whole pack, yours and mine will protect my mate and ensure she is not lacking anything. That's why I know we will do well as long as you give us your blessings. I can make Vi happy, but I need your help to keep her safe."
Damon snorted. "You are still a cheeky snot."
Ashton smirked. "Coming from you, I will take it as a compliment." Over the years, Damon definitely called him much worse than that.
"Mom?" Violet called in an urgent whisper.
Talia released a long breath and waved to remove the shield she had created previously. "Go to your mate, Vi. He did it."
Violet ran there, and she dug her legs into the after-the-fight, sorry-looking grass when she reached between Damon and Ashton.
She turned to Damon. "Dad?"
Damon had a complex expression on his face. "Is this what you want, angel?"
"Yes, dad. He is my mate. I love him."
Damon released a long breath and lowered his head in dejection, hoping she won't see how hard this was for him.
Violet broke into a sad smile and jumped to hug Damon.
"You are the best."
Damon hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. "If he makes you unhappy, come home. Your room will always be yours."
"Ash will treat me well. I know it."
Damon narrowed his eyes at Ashton. "He better be, or I will break his legs, and no amount of magic, surgeries, and healing will fix him."
Violet didn't understand the odd choice of words, and she got on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Thank you, dad."
She released Damon and jumped on Ash.
Ash groaned upon impact. Every muscle in his body ached. Fighting against Damon was worse than handling five rogue packs at the same time.
"Are you OK?" Violet asked while examining his face anxiously.
Ashton wrapped his arms around Violet, and he took a deep breath that filled his system with her scent of the forest and wildflowers. "I am now." Everything was so much better with Violet in his arms.
"Can I congratulate you?"
Violet turned to see Talia standing there with her arms open for a hug, and the proud mama stepped closer to hug both Violet and Ashton at the same time.
"Take care of each other," Talia said. "Don't leave anything for tomorrow. If there is something you want to do, do it now."
Luna Michelle and Alpha Cristian also came to congratulate the young couple and to give their advice. It was obvious that Michelle and Cristian were overjoyed and slightly afraid of Damon, who was standing stiffly and brewing in acceptance of the inevitable.
Talia hugged Damon and spoke through their private mind link, 'You did great. I am proud of you.'
'You are?' Damon asked.
Talia was well aware that Damon was on the verge of ripping Ashton into pieces, but he didn't. If Damon wanted, he would use his ability, and Ashton would perish in a matter of seconds.
'What tipped the scale?' Talia asked.
'The little snot told the truth. He will never be good enough for Vi. As long as he knows that, he will be alright.'
'I think you should stop calling him little snot. Ashton is an Alpha now, and you know through what procedures he went in order to acquire his abilities. He did it for Vi.'
'How is he different than hybrids?'
Talia didn't have an answer to that question. Those were risky procedures, and potential side effects were not researched, but... 'As long as he treats Vi well and doesn't lose his way, I will support them.'
With that, Talia turned to Violet and Ashton. "I'm sure you want to complete your bond. I want to give you a gift. Enjoy." She winked, and strong winds gathered around Violet and Ashton, who didn't get a chance to react.
Violet blinked and observed the cave. There was a cot, and grooves in the rocky walls held blankets and food supplies, and she could hear the trickling of water from somewhere, like a little stream.
"Where are we, Vi?" Ashton asked.
"Midnight Guardians pack. My mother enchanted this place. No one can come here."
Ashton grinned. Privacy. And also... "Here, time passes differently."
"About thirty times slower, so if we spend a month here, it will be just a day for our packs."
Ashton cocked an eyebrow. "Isn't this technically your pack also?"
Violet slapped his shoulder playfully. "Are you here to talk or to..." She wiggled her eyebrows.
A low growl bubbled in his chest, and he pulled her on him. "Now that your father approved, I have no intention of talking."
Well, Damon didn't really approve, but Violet didn't want to go into details. Ashton was already kissing her and ripping her clothes off, and she had no intention of being the passive one.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om