Page 117 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

Adam was already bathed and asleep by the time I went to check on him. I walked into my room, not seeing Cade, and I huffed out a breath of disappointment. I’d have to thank him tomorrow. Just as the thought popped into my head, he stepped out of my bathroom, wearing only his boxers briefs.

“I thought I heard you out here,” he said, walking to me and pulling me into the bathroom by the hand. The bathtub was full of bubbles and smelled of oils. “I figured whatever happened was going to leave you drained,” he explained, pulling my shirt over my head.

I sighed as he unhooked my bra and palmed my breasts as he removed it. After I was naked, I got into the tub and pulled up a little, motioning for him to get in. He removed his underwear and slid in behind me, wrapping me in his strong arms, surrounding me with his scent, and making me feel safe. Just having him hold me helped soothe the pain I was feeling for my sister. I relaxed against his hard chest and told him everything that happened as we soaked.

“I feel for Chris. Feeling like he isn’t enough. That was me once.” He sighed, holding me close.

That’s me on a lot of days for the last eight years,I thought.

“You’re a great alpha,” I assured him. I saw the way his people respected him and how much time he took throughout the day to check in on them.

“Dad taught me well, but I didn’t always believe it.” Cade kissed my temple. “I thought he was perfect for Violet. It’s a shame.”

“Yeah, and I wish I could meddle and make him see reason, but I promised Violet.”

“I didn’t. Can I talk to him?”

“I doubt it.” I sighed.

If I knew my sister, she would make Cade make the same promise.

“Well, fuck. I don’t like seeing Violet sad.”

“Me, either,” I answered, kissing the bicep that was wrapped around me.

It was the first night we spent together but didn’t have sex. I was too drained, and Cade didn’t try. Instead, he curled me up in his arms and we talked until we fell asleep.

The following week was excruciating, watching both Violet and Chris. My sister was trying so hard to be strong, but the smile was gone from her face, and she was barely eating. She had me lift the no-talking rule from Chris the following day, though she did ask me to request space for her to get used to not being around him twenty-four-seven.

I escorted her to the office in the mornings and then back, even though she managed it independently a few times when I was busy. Her emotions were still too raw. I didn’t want her pushing herself when her control over her feelings was so tenuous.

Chris was technically on vacation, but I found him following behind wherever Violet went, just out of her line of sight. He stood watch around the corner of her office, growling and telling people off if they looked to be heading in her direction. Violet was still insisting on going to dinner with the pack, and Chris would sit far enough away to give her space, but his eyes were always on her. He barely ate, watching everyone who stood and walked near her, ready to protect her. I was beginning to wonder who was struggling with trauma more, Chris or Violet.

Chris’ mood became downright foul after the third day, when Violet let me know Elim was going to be training her at night like Chris used to do, on our walk toward the stairs. I honestly thought he was going to lose it. Violet hadn’t noticed how closehe always was to her, but I heard his breathing increase and his heart rate speed up behind his closed door.

Thankfully, he didn’t make a scene, and if he did lose it, it was in private, because I watched him walk past his usual post on my way to grab breakfast, and I didn’t see him for the rest of the day. Chris was visibly hurting, yet he did nothing about it.

I was hurting for my sister and my childhood friend. I spent hours wondering what I could do to help them without meddling, but then Friday came around, and everything went out the window as Eric mind-linked me first thing in the morning as I was grabbing the plates for breakfast.

‘Luna, the thermometer in the cellar broke.’

‘What’s the damage?’I asked, my stomach sinking.

‘It’s bad. You should come see for yourself.’

‘I’ll be there in a few.’

I placed a plate on the coffee table next to where Chris was sitting. He looked surprised, but I hadn’t failed to notice the dark bags under his eyes or that he was also barely eating. I wasn’t heartless. I knew he was miserable, but it was of his own making, and until he got out of his head and listened to his heart, there wasn’t much more I could do for him.

I sat the tray down in the conference room when I got there, but instead of sitting, I took a step back. “Violet, can you watch Adam for a little while? I have to go meet with Eric.”

“Sure. Everything okay?”

“No. The thermometer broke in the cellar, and I have to go see how much grape we lost.”

“Want me to come with you?” Cade asked, instantly standing.

I shook my head. His people were done with work. Right now, they were relaxing or helping out with patrol.

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