Page 55 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

Violet gave a small giggle at the absurdity of the lie, but nodded.

“I think I’m going to go lay down before the picnic,” she said to me when we were done.

“Of course. Thank you for your assistance.” Elim was the one to answer, giving a little dramatic bow toward Violet that had me raising an eyebrow, Chris grunting, and Violet giggling again.

“It was nice to meet you, Elim,” Violet answered shyly as she followed behind Chris toward the door.

“Likewise.”

“I’ll let you get some rest, and maybe we can meet after sundown to talk about your assignment?” I asked once I was alone with Elim again.

“That would be appreciated, Luna Bellarose. I need to get some sleep.”

I left, then promptly at eleven, I walked over to Violet’s room and knocked. When there was no answer after a second knock, I pulled my phone to text her to figure out what was happening.

Me

Are you coming to the picnic?

Vi

I’m already at the park.

Me

Oh, Ok! I’ll pick up some food and Adam and head your way.

Vi

Cade already picked up food. We just need the guest of honor.

Me

Ok

I didn’t have words for what I was feeling right now. I wasn’t used to people doing anything for me. Not since I left home. Cade kept taking duties and tasks from me despite having many himself, insisting that just because I could do them, didn’t mean I always had to do them.

That’s not how my brain worked, though. I needed to do things to feel useful. I always felt like Cory had all the expectations placed on him since birth, while I was more carefree. It was a relief, for a while, not to have so much placed on my shoulders, but then I felt like I was useless. I had no purpose and I neededto find something to do. I always took on what I could. I needed to feel like I mattered in the grand scheme of things.

That’s one of the reasons I fought to keep Redmon Moon alive. I needed to feel like all the loneliness and struggles I’d spent overcoming with my mate and the pack were for a reason. If there wasn’t one, and I headed home with my tail between my legs in failure, expecting my twin to fix my problems, what was the point of continuing on? What was the point of anything? I was going to go back home after almost a decade with no mate, no pup. Nothing to show for it but death and trauma.

I shook the thoughts away, choosing instead to head down and pick up Adam from daycare. Before I could take him away, though, Adam begged for his little friend Nate to come with us. I agreed, knowing Violet loved pups and wasn’t scared of them and letting the daycare worker manager know I was taking him with me. Thankfully, as Luna, I didn’t get any resistance, and I made sure to reach out to his mother to let her know he would be with me.

We walked to the park, which was only a few minutes’ walk from the daycare. The moment we crossed the last street and Adam saw Violet, Chris and Cade waving at him, he pulled away, grabbed Nate by the hand and ran toward Violet to introduce his friend.

We ate the cold wraps, cheese and fruit, and I was surprised to see Cade brought a few chocolates from my hidden stash of chocolates. I was going to need a new secret spot because if I ran out, I was not going to be happy.

Still, I was enjoying the picnic. Even Chris seemed to be a bit more relaxed around Cade. They were joking, talking about things as if picking up a paused conversation. He still called him Alpha Cade, but there was a bit more friendliness and even some ribbing going back and forth between the two. Was I the onlyone who was struggling to relax around Cade? I seemed to get more prickly than friendly when it came to the man.

It’s because he’s an alpha and you think it’ll be the same as Brandon,Coyo supplied as she followed my thoughts.

I guess. I can’t help it.

I know.

Adam and Nate ran to the slides once they were done eating, and we continued talking while keeping an eye on them. I was vaguely listening, thinking their topic was a bit above my level of intelligence when I caught a few words that drew my attention.

“Wait, are you guys talking about Loki?”

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