Page 87 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

I know you hate this, but if you really want something to happen with Chris, you might have to tell him you’re interested.

I groaned internally, resting my forehead on the firm chest in front of me, and enjoying the warmth it provided. That was not me. I was an introvert. I rarely talked to people as it was. The few times I got asked out, I pretty much squeaked a “sorry, can’t” and ran away.

I didn’t do vulnerable. I hid and ran when I had to.

Consider it part of the new you. People are going to be tip-toeing around what triggers you for a while. You have to learn to let them know what you want or need. Especially if it was a trigger before. Like hugs, holding hands... kissing.

I tried to sneak a peek up at Chris’ lips to imagine what it would feel like to be kissed, and found him awake and looking down at me. My face instantly heated.

“Are you okay?” His sleepy voice sent a shiver down my body. “Are you cold? I didn’t want to move you.”

Chris withdrew his arms and sat up, and that was when I actually felt cold. I sighed and shook my head.

“Just embarrassed.”

“You can’t control your dreams, Violet.”

I grabbed the phone instead of answering that it wasn’t why I was embarrassed. It was three thirty in the morning. “Want to go train early? I slept a lot.”

“Are you sure?”

“The only way for me to stop feeling weak, is to stop being weak, right?” I asked, feeling Nenetl’s pride at my words.

She was getting stronger, too. She was awake for longer periods, she was talking more. We could get through this.

“Right. I’ll go get ready.”

I got ready and waited for Chris’ knock on the bathroom door. A few minutes later, we were headed down the stairs when I stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot my phone.”

“I’ll grab it,” Chris said and left me standing on the third-floor landing.

I was looking up at the wall along the stairs, thinking a mural would probably look really good there, when the hairs in the back of my neck suddenly stood on end. I had no chance to do anything as I felt a pair of hands pushing me from behind.

I toppled down the stairs, my body hitting everything on the way down. I tried to grab onto something, but I felt a pain on my wrist and pulled my hand back. I was barely conscious by the time I landed, and I dimly heard my name being called before everything went black.

Iwoke up, but didn’t dare move. Everything was hurting too much to even whimper about it. I kept my eyes shut as I heard people arguing nearby.

“Why isn’t she healing? It’s been two hours. Should I call Mom to send Aunt Nat?”

That was definitely my sister’s voice.

“She’s healing. It’s just slower. Her wolf is weak right now. She can’t shift,” Chris explained.

“What? Since when?” Bells demanded.

“Since the massacre where her mate died.”

“Her m-Violet had a mate?”

That was Cade. Poop, like I needed more pity glances.

“It’s not common knowledge. Violet asked us not to tell people. She met her mate the night of the Blue Moon massacre. He died a few minutes later,” Bells answered.

“Fucking Christ, how is she still fighting after everything that’s happened?”

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