Page 132 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

I needed more time. I would come up with a plan and an explanation, and take my shot her later this week. If she let me explain. I pulled out my laptop, and started going through emails and browsing for a movie to watch. I barely paid attention, my eyes always on the door to the bathroom.

Fuck.

I missed her so much.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chris

Iwas camping out by the daycare center the next morning, when I got a text message that brought me out of my thoughts.

Luna Bellarose: I need to speak with you. Please come see me in my office.

I hesitated. I didn’t want to leave Violet potentially exposed, but I couldn’t tell Luna Bellarose that I couldn’t come to see her because I was stalking her little sister. I shot another look at the daycare, hoping to catch a glimpse of Violet moving across the windows, but I didn’t have much luck.

I made my way to the alpha office, but stopped in my tracks when I saw the door was open a crack, and I heard Violet’s name in the conversation.

“So, Violet is dating Elim, now?” Alpha Cade asked from inside the room.

My heart hammered in my chest as I strained to hear.

Please, say no. Please, say I’m not too late. I can’t live without her.

“I don’t think she agreed yet. Elim came and asked me for help. He wanted a room where he could set up a movie night with Vi tonight. He also asked for my blessing in case she agreed to date him after,” Luna Bellarose explained, making my heart sink.

The man was making his move and I might already be too late.

“And, you said yes?” Alpha Cade sounded skeptical.

“I said no one has the right to tell my sister who she can love, and he was lucky I wasn’t blabbing on him for thinking anyone needed a blessing for someone other than Violet. Then, I told him the conference room at the beginning of the hall was empty, so he could set up whatever he needed there tonight.”

Fuck. This can’t be happening. I still don’t have a plan to get her back.

“Are we Team Elim, now? What about Chris? I thought we were Team Chris all the way?” Alpha Cade continued to question.

His words surprised me and gave me hope, shortly before Luna Bellarose crushed it.

“He can’t get his head out of his ass, and my sister can’t keep pining over him. I love Chris, and I think he’s perfect for her, but if she needs to move on to be happy again, I’m with whoever she chooses. I’m Team Violet all the way.”

“I was so sure he loved her.”

I fucking do. So fucking much!

“I thought so, too, but I guess not enough. Now go away! He’s coming over, and we can’t be caught gossiping.”

I ducked into a conference room and waited until I heard Alpha Cade leave. I waited another minute to calm my racing heart before I knocked on her door.

“Come in,” Luna Bellarose called out.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, I heard you have some experience with bottling?”

“Umm... some. I brewed some beer during college as a hobby.”

"We’re going to start bottling the wine next week. Are you able to help? The number of experienced people is low, and I can’t risk having anything go wrong.”

“Of course, Luna,” I answered.

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