Page 226 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“Cory’s alpha,” James cut her off, earning him a glare from Violet that made him shrink back a little, unused to such looks from the quiet, shy Salonen.

“And, Chris is his employee, who was charged to protect you, not seduce you,” Jo finished.

Violet opened her mouth to snap at them, but Chris took her hand and put it on his thigh, stopping whatever my sister was going to say.

“It’s okay, Violet. They have a right to ask.” Chris turned to look at me and my friends. “I didn’t set out to do anything other than guard her as instructed. But, along the way, I fell in love with Violet. I did my best to fight it, but I-I couldn’t. I’m in love with her and I don’t plan on fighting it, anymore. As long as she’ll have me, I’m going to remain by her side.” He spoke in hisusual calm respectful tone, but there was a determination in his voice that made me happy.

“And, if I say no?” I asked, and instead of showing them how happy I was, I frowned at both of them.

“Cory, what the heck?” Violet hissed.

“You and he have second-chance mates out there, Violet. What happens if he finds his mate? What happens to you and your pup?” That one was an actual concern. A big one.

“With all due respect, Alpha. You can consider this my notice that I’m never working a full moon ever again. I don’t need to or have any desire to look for anyone else. Violet is it for me, and Titan agrees.” Chris took a deep breath and looked down at Violet before turning back to me. The sudden defiance that filled his eyes was something I’d never seen in him. “If you disapprove so strongly, we have options," Chris finished.

I was instantly intrigued and concerned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, crossing my arms to show I didn’t appreciate the implied threat. Chris didn’t back down, though. He answered my question without hesitation.

“I love Crescent Moon. I’m proud of the pack, how it runs and how it treats its pack members and allies,” Chris explained something I already knew about him. It was one of the reasons why I trusted him so much. Then, he surprised me. “I’m not looking to leave or take Violet away from her family, but I’m not giving her and our pup up because my alpha doesn’t agree. If my being with Violet offends you so much, I have a standing offer to join another pack. We can be out of your hair by the end of the day.”

“Who?” Jo demanded to know right away.

“I spoke with Alpha Cade a week back. He’s willing to hire me as an elite warrior and train the beginner warrior class. His last trainer joined another pack so he and his mate could stay near her family in California.”

“Seriously?” James’ jaw was on the floor, and I could see a bit of panic in his eyes at the thought of losing Chris. We had plans for him.

“As serious as taxes, Gamma James,” Chris deadpanned, making me snort and Violet giggle.

I tried to shoot my sister a glare, but I wasn’t sure if I was successful. I always had a soft spot for her, and it’d been a while since I heard her giggle.

My plan to intimidate Chris wasn’t going to plan. The man had thought of everything, and honestly, I was happy to see it. This whole thing was a charade. I wasn’t mad they were together. I didn’t give a shit about the fact he’d been her guard. I liked Chris. A lot. I only wanted to make sure Violet didn’t get her heart broken when she appeared to be improving so much. I didn’t know how many more punches my sister could take, before she didn’t try to stand back up.

“What? It’s funny,” Violet glared right back at me.

That was something else I was happy to see. My quiet, little sister appeared to have found her spine and some sass while she was away. Something I was sure had a lot to do with the man who looked after her over the past few months. The man I noticed looked at her as if she were the sun his world revolved around.

I knew it was his influence, because I’d seen the way Chris supported and tutored warriors after hours when they needed help or kept failing in their training. It wasn’t even his job. He did it because he cared about his pack members. He had the patience of a saint, and always lifted people up with his subtle remarks of strength and improvement. That was why he was perfect for Violet. He made her stronger, like a fated mate was supposed to do.

The fact that Cade had seen that, and recognized his talent annoyed me and made me proud to have him as a pack member and brother-in-law.

“Funny? You think Chris is funny?” Jo asked, looking at my sister as if she’d lost her marbles.

“He’s very funny,” Violet confirmed while glaring at Jo, and made all three of us look at the man sitting next to her.

Funny was never a word anyone had associated with Chris. The man rarely cracked a smile.

I guess we didn’t do a good job of masking our skepticism as we stared at him, because he chuckled at our reaction, brought my sister’s hand to his lips and kissed it.

“I told you no one likes my jokes, Little Warrior. You’re the only one.”

My heart melted at the look Violet gave him, and how happy he seemed to make her. Love and adoration, something that I had never seen her direct to anyone other than her family, was shining in her eyes. I’d missed seeing her happy.

“Little Warrior?” Jo asked, looking at Violet as if the world wasn’t making sense anymore.

“What else would you call someone who’s gone through what she has, and stood stronger for it on the other side, Beta Jo?” Chris challenged, and I thought he had a point there.

I uncrossed my arms and sighed, happy to stop the interrogation. I had all the information I needed.

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