Page 52 of Moon Cursed

Igroaned, hangingmy head in my hands. “That was the most humiliating thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole life, and I once went a whole day walking around with my skirt caught in a pair of granny panties that had very visible stains!”

“Oh, eugh. What kind of stains?”

“Is that really the point!”

Paxton shrugged, gnawing on his oxtail. “It is now.”

“Fuck’s sake, they were strawberry jam stains—if you must know.”

“I now have even more questions.”

“Ugh!” I burst out, flopping back on the grass.

After Ash walked out of the forum from hell, laughing all the way, the epsilons and I were left to break apart the mob while the secret police sat back and watched—also laughing all the way.

Never had I looked like more of a failure than I did at that moment.

Not only did I mess up a massive opportunity for the omegas, but every clan leader just got a glimpse of the “equal and fair Corvin community,” and they saw it was a big, fat, fuckup.

Whatever Ash has been sent by the council to do, I just did it for her. No one who saw a second of that forum wanted it anywhere near their clan.

“It wasn’t that bad,” Edric said.

“I’m in your head, Edric. I know you’re lying!”

I could feel him cringe from all the way in the auditorium. He stayed behind to see if any of the projection equipment could be saved. Going by his dour thoughts, the answer was no.

“At least I turned off the livestream two seconds after Megan started ranting. No one else saw it get really bad.”

“I wish that was cheering me up right now.”

“Well, it would if you’d stop moping over it and just eat it,” Paxton said, moving my plate of oxtail and rice and peas over to me. “Go on. Have some.”

Sniffing, I flopped over and watched the sprites flitting across the pond.

After I finally got everyone out of the auditorium, I took off running and didn’t stop running until I somehow ended up in Paxton’s spot. I didn’t mind that. The little clearing was actually a calm, beautiful place to sit and think for a while.

Or at least it was until Paxton came trotting through the trees an hour later—bold as shit and carrying a blanket and picnic basket like we were meeting for a date.

“I’m sorry, Paxton,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. “You never got a chance to tell the leaders that we need stronger inheritance laws. It’s all my fault.”

“Hey, come on.” A soft, calloused hand stroked my back, sending shivers up my spine. “Don’t say that. You know it’s not your fault. You didn’t tell everyone to spectacularly lose their shit.”

“But I should’ve known they would,” I cried. “The worst part is I looked inside Ash’s folder after she strutted off cackling. She actually had a great plan and a system for how to keep the peace, and organize everyone so they could say their piece, then keep it moving without the conversation getting out of control.

“Unlike me who just told everyone to run on stage and shout into the microphone.” I tossed my head, eyes welling. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Paxton. I need to change Wolf Nation. I have to make it into a better, safe place...” Hope’s beautiful, chubby face floated through my head. “But I don’t know how.”

“Daze, I know you think tonight was a disaster, but... I fucking loved it.”

Frowning, I smacked my ear, making sure it was working. “Excuse me? Did you just say you loved it?”

“Yeah, I loved it. It was the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“Okay, now I know I’m not hearing you right.” I flipped over, facing him. “What about that dumpster fire did you love? Was it me flapping around, shouting uselessly into the breeze?”

He snorted. “Yummy, I don’t think you fully grasp what you accomplished tonight.”

Yes, I heated up at the nickname. I still despised him for stealing the letters, but I wasn’t dead. Food and flattery worked on me just as much as the next girl.

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