Page 53 of Moon Cursed

“You got the clan leaders of Wolf Nation not only to listen to us, but to fucking acknowledge our existence. To open their damn eyes and realize that we’re not living in a fucking paradise just because life is great for the alphas and betas.

“Yes, half of them likely clicked off, went back to their cocktail party, and forgot tonight even happened. But the other half...” Paxton shook his head, smiling. “They were listening. They were taking notes. They heard us, Daze, and that’s because of you.”

I ducked my head, swallowing hard. “But they would’ve heard more if I’d been able to get everyone under control like the headmistress I’m pretending to be.”

“Granted, that wasn’t a good look for you as headmistress.”

I swatted his arm, making him laugh.

“But,” he cried, throwing up his hands. “It was a good look for you as queen.”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Is there alcohol in those drinks?” I asked, eyeballing the bottles sticking out of the baskets.

“Yes, loads. Now have some already,” he said, popping the top off one. “You’re seriously getting in the way of my plan to get you drunk.”

I giggled.

“Ah, there it is,” Paxton said, gazing at me with a look that made me want to run away. “That smile.”

Okay, yes, I do need to be drunk now.I took a healthy swig to save me from replying.

“Listen, Wolf Nation is becoming a better place, and tonight was proof of it,” he said softly. “You saw a dumpster fire, but what I saw were omegas standing up for themselves, fighting back, and refusing to take any shit. And the reason they finally felt safe enough to isyou.”

Paxton gently grasped my chin, tipping me to gaze in his haunting, piercing eyes. “A kingdom where the subjects are afraid to speak isn’t a happy place, it’s a nightmare. No one was afraid to speak tonight, Yummy, so take it as a win. Because I am.”

I was quiet for a long time, taking that in.

It was true. Only a couple weeks before, Nia was shitting her pants over going up against an alpha in a fight, and Paxton was swallowing his tongue and bearing it while Badr ordered him around like a servant. That was night and day the two people standing on their seats, shouting down everyone trying to silence them.

This is a war, Daze, and in a war victories are bloody, but they’re still victories.

“Thanks, Paxton.”

“Of course, baby.” He flopped down next to me, smirking away. “I’m a voice of support and wisdom. More traits of mine that make you wet for me.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I hurt myself.

“And besides, we’ll get it right next week.” He reached over, grabbed my food, and set it down in front of me again.

I stopped messing around and finally dug in. That oxtail smelled too good to deny. “Next week?”

“When we do the next forum,” he explained. “They’re every week, right?”

I winced. “Ahh. That brings me to the other reason for my despair. The projection equipment is completely destroyed, Pax.” His nickname slipped out unthinkingly. “The auditorium projector is the only one big enough for everyone to see the leaders, and the leaders to see everyone. It’s not like the whole school can huddle around my laptop.” I shook my head. “We won’t be able to do it next week, and whoever destroyed it knew that.”

“You can order another projector, though, right?”

“Yep, but how much do you want to bet that shipment will be delayed, and delayed, and delayed.”

Paxton blinked up at the sky, his handsome face losing some of the optimism. “Well... shit.”

“Shit, indeed.”

“Hmm.” Paxton propped himself on his arm, brows furrowed as he thought.

Gods, even his thinking face is cute with his wrinkled nose, and those blush-pink lips all puckered up. Luame, would it have hurt you to toss me a few uggos, so they’d be easier to resist?

“Don’t worry, Yummy.” Paxton slipped under my shirt and stroked my invisible belly button. “I’ll figure this out for you. We’ll get the forums back.”

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