Page 32 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“We watched so many movies, and Chris and Violet sang with me!” he answered excitedly. I smiled and looked over at Chris, his usually stoic face tinted pink. Adam could charm anyone, it seemed.

“You ready to get cleaned up? It’s time for dinner and we need to meet the new people,” I explained.

“Okay! Thanks for spending time with me.”

He hugged Violet and kissed her cheek before he dashed out of the room. Violet chuckled as she began cleaning up the wrappers.

“One day, he’ll realize he’s the one that did me the favor today.”

I left my sister’s room to follow Adam. I ensured he got into the bath, taking away his toys because we didn’t have much time. When I walked out of Adam’s room to finish getting myself ready, I found Cade waiting for me, confusion written on his face. He frowned when he heard Adam giggling from his open door.

“What?” I asked.

“I didn’t know you had a pup. Mom never said anything.”

I shook my head as I walked toward my room. Cade followed behind me as I explained, “Adam isn’t mine. He was orphaned in the attack a year ago and I’m taking care of him until I can find him a permanent home.”

“You wouldn’t adopt him?” he asked.

“No. I won’t,” I answered firmly, not letting myself think about it.

“Why won’t you? What’s wrong with adopting?” he asked, and I stopped abruptly. Cade slammed into my back, and we wentsprawling to the wall. I felt the heat of his body against mine, making my body react instantly.

“Shit, sorry,” Cade said, taking a step back.

I could still hear the hurt in his voice, so I turned around and looked him in the eye so he could see the sincerity in my response.

“There’s nothing wrong with adopting, Cade. I won’t adopt him because he needs a home with two parents or at least one stable one. I’ve got neither of those requirements to offer him,” I said, making sure he understood my reasonings.

Cade took in a deep breath, which felt more emotional than calming. Adoption was a sensitive subject for him. Always had been, considering he was adopted by Alpha Troy and Luna Kiera when he was four.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“It’s okay. I love Adam. He’s a wonderful little boy, with a lot of joy and love in his heart despite what happened to him. Believe me, if I thought it was good for him, I would adopt him in a heartbeat, but as it is, I’d be doing Adam more harm than good. He doesn’t deserve to be stuck with a broken woman.” It was the first time I admitted to anyone how I felt about the prospect of adopting Adam, and I didn’t know why I was explaining my decision to Cade.

“All a little boy needs is love, Bells,” Cade said, sincerity shining from his blue eyes.

I looked away, unable to keep eye contact with him.

“I don’t even know that I can do that properly,” I mumbled. “We’ll be downstairs in a few,” I added quickly and left him standing in the hall.

I dressed Adam nicely after we were done with his bath. He may not be mine, but I wanted people to know he was not to be messed with. He was under the protection of the highest-ranking member of Redmon Moon and was to be treated as if he were my son.

I walked downstairs with Adam to find the entire dining room buzzing with activity.

“Welcome, everyone. I hope you’re all settled in. I’m Bellarose, and this is Adam. I hope we get to know each other over the next few months. Consider this your home.”

Dinner began, and it wasn’t until we were almost done, that Cade called for his people’s attention.

“We have an early day tomorrow and we’ve had a long drive. I know you want to get to know our new friends, but I want everyone getting their rest and making a good impression tomorrow. This is our home for the next few months, make sure you treat it such, and let’s give Charles and Lindsay a round of applause for the first home-cooked meal we’ve had in a while.”

“You haven’t had a home-cooked meal?” I asked once he sat back down.

“Not since the fires. We‘ve been living in hotels.”

“Didn’t you head down to Crescent Moon?” I asked.

Mom would have cooked for him.

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