Page 65 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

Was that how other people saw me? Like that injured rabbit that maybe would be better if someone put me out of my misery? Nature’s way of culling my weak genes out of the pack.

The thoughts going through my head were going dark fast, so I stepped out of the shower to get ready in the hopes work would get me out of my mindset. I walked into my room and heard my phone ding as I was drying my hair. I walked over and saw I’d received a message from Chris. I hesitated opening it, but Nenetl encouraged me to do so.

The text had an image of a puppy looking sullen with the words “I’m sorry. Please forgive me” accompanied by a single sentence text: I said I was bad with words, right?

I sighed, knowing Chris was probably beating himself up about upsetting me. I finished drying my hair and looked over at the locked door. I walked over and unlocked it, closing my sideof the door so he could shower. I heard him enter, but instead of hearing the shower turn on, there was a light knock on my door.

“Come in.”

Chris walked in, looking unsure and scared as if I was the one who could pulverize him, not the other way around.

“Violet, I—”

“I still expect my morning joke when you’re done with the shower,” I interrupted him.

There was no sense in him apologizing twice. I knew he didn’t mean to hurt me and I didn’t want him beating himself up over it all day. Chris’ eyes widened and he nodded, before turning around and walking back into the bathroom. Before the shower turned on, my phone dinged again.

Chris

Thank you. *heart emoji*

The butterflies in my stomach went crazy, but I willed them down. The heart only meant he was grateful I let it go. I couldn’t let myself get attached. Once we were back in Crescent Moon, Chris would be back to his own life and I to whatever remnants of mine that I could salvage. Though a plan had begun forming in my head last night after Bells left, which meant that getting back to Crescent Moon was going to have to wait a few more weeks. The shower turned off and I heard him walk into his room. Moments later, my phone dinged again.

Chris

How do you get a tissue to dance?

You put a little boogie in it.

I chuckled at it. One day, I was going to buy him a book of jokes that weren’t Dad jokes. The man needed new material.

“Do you mind if I go out for a little bit this afternoon?” Chris asked later after lunch.

“Umm, no. That’s fine. I can lock myself in here. You won’t be too long?”

Was he going on a date with one of those girls— was what I really wanted to know.

“An hour at most. I think,” he said, standing up.

“Okay,” I answered, wanting to ask where he was going, but knowing that was not my business.

Chris didn’t elaborate either, he just waited at the door for me to come close and lock it.

“Be safe,” I whispered after he left.

Chris was gone for more than an hour, and I was beginning to get worried. I was about to text Bells when I heard his footsteps approaching. I jumped up and ran to the door to open it, but remembered when Chris got upset that I didn’t ask who it was, so I tip-toed back to my seat and waited for him to knock.

“Who is it?” I asked when the knock came.

“Chris.”

I stood and had to stop myself from running to the door.

I opened it for him, but instead of coming inside, he asked, “Can you take a break? I want to show you something.”

“Sure,” I answered, and followed him up the stairs to the alpha floor. I was growing confused when he stood by the door to my room, and motioned me inside.

“Wha—” I stopped when I noticed the brand new cage where I’d left the storage container.

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