Page 12 of Violet Moon
Sera held her cup tighter with her sweaty palms at the thought of Parisa reading this and knowing Sera had been into it — really into it.“Yes, if you like sort of thing,” she said, but she could feel a blush creeping up past her collar.Some of Edgar’s books were of a more heated variety, especially this one.
“What sort of thing?”There was a teasing lilt to Parisa’s voice.
There was no hiding it.Everyone knew what type of books Edgar bought from the fairy bookstore downtown.“Richly rewarding plots.”
“So very, very rewarding,” Parisa echoed with a sly smile.
With violets fresh from the greenhouse in hand, Sera entered Parisa’s office ready to start their day together, but Parisa’s serious expression set the tone from the moment she walked in.She dipped her head in deference and shut the door.
“I have something I need to discuss.This is going to sound sudden, but please know I’ve been considering it for some time now,” Parisa began.She gestured for Sera to take a seat.“I know we’re not a large pack by modern standards, but the bakery continues to grow, our pack welcomes new members every few years — I believe we could handle more — and we need to continue to set our eyes on the future.”
“Don’t we already do that?What else can we do?”
“I’m naming Wilma as Gamma.”
Sera felt like the floor had dropped out from under her.Her stomach swooped as she replayed the words, processing them, willing them to make sense.A Gamma?In a pack their size?The Crooked Creek Pack had four wolves with named positions, but their pack numbered in the thirties, not thirteen.It didn’t make sense.They were doing well with just the two of them.Why did they need a third person in a leadership position?
“I can see your wheels turning, Seraphine.In this modern age, it’s unconventional.I’ll grant you that.But traditionally a pack of our size would have had a Gamma decades ago.Historically, we should have an Alpha, a Beta, a Gamma, and a Delta, at the very least.”
“I know that, but the needs of a modern pack are different.”
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot and, honestly, is it all that different?”
“Pari, Alpha.Our lives are different now.We’re not running and hiding in the woods, fearing for our safety if the town finds out.We’re not fighting off other packs.You’re not facing duel after duel for your authority anymore.”
Parisa’s face darkened.Her eyes flashed amber.She pinched her lips together in a tight, straight line before she spoke again, voice deep and rumbling.“The health, safety, and reputation of the pack comes before all else.Haven’t we lulled ourselves into complacency?Haven't we weakened ourselves by throwing out too many of our old traditions?”
“What are you talking about?”
Parisa sat forward in her chair, bringing her hand down hard on the top of her desk.“These traditions were there for a reason.They’re not like the lofty, meaningless titles humans give each other at their jobs.This is the structure and the foundation of a pack.The pack must be strong in every regard, on every front.Strong enough to meet any challenge.”
There was a desperation in Parisa’s eyes that was nothing like the Alpha she met with daily.Sera warred within herself, but dipped her head.“I will, of course, support any decision you make for the strength of the pack.”
Parisa relaxed, but Sera could smell Parisa’s heightened emotions in the air and feel her rapid heartbeat as though it were rattling around in Sera’s chest, too.Her Alpha took a steadying breath and attempted to paint on a different expression, but it was a thin veneer.
“I think she’s perfect for it,” Parisa said.“She’s already an essential part of the bakery and this pack.We wouldn't function without her.”
As much as she felt something slipping away from her, Sera had to agree with the choice.“Wil is perfect for leadership.She’s confident and steady.”Unlike herself, Sera thought with a pang in her chest.
“Precisely what I was thinking.I love when we’re on the same page like this.Though we often are, aren’t we?”She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Yes.Great for pack leadership to be in accord like this,” Sera replied, shoulders tense.“Thanks for asking for my opinion.I know you didn’t need it.”
“You’re right.I would have done it anyway, but I like knowing what’s going on in that head of yours.”
The clock on the wall rang out, and Parisa stood.“I have an appointment to keep and I will never be late.I’ll go straight from there to Crooked Creek because Clyde has asked for me again,” she said casually, like this also wasn’t potentially big news.“Don’t wait up for me.I don’t know how long I’ll be there.Perhaps all night if they need me.”
Sera tried to not let the silly sting she felt in her heart show.There’d be no chat by the fire tonight, then.“Of course.”
“I’ve scheduled a meeting with Wilma for tomorrow evening, too.I will take that alone but will instruct her that, afterwards, she may come to you with questions.I’m not good at that sort of thing.”
Sera nodded, knowing she was doing a terrible job of hiding her true feelings.Though, if Parisa could read her like a book, then Sera could do the same for her.She didn’t always know the details, but she’d known Parisa long enough to know she was keeping something to herself.That hurt worse than any of the doubts about herself that this conversation had unearthed.
Parisa walked towards the door, but paused beside Sera.She placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.“It’s a good thing.I promise.”
“I know.”
“It will be good for this pack and for both of us.”
