Page 60 of Violet Moon
“I know the pack comes first, but why does that have to be at the expense of how you feel?How I feel?”
“Because —” Parisa stood, hands clenched at her sides.“We can’t ruin the pack for selfish reasons.”
“What would change?We’re already together all the time.”
“But the pack.”
“I know.”
“Everything would change.How can you not understand this?”
“Think about it, though.Really think about it.How would anything be different if we were happy?We already support each other and spend so much time together —”
“A relationship is different and you know it.”
Sera wasn’t backing down.“The pack is stronger when we’re together.”
Parisa paced in a tight circle.“You of all people know how hard I’ve worked to carry this pack and make the other Alphas respect us, respect me.And you want to undo all of that for the chance that —”
“For a chance?Pari, you told me you loved me.And you know how much I love you!”Her voice cracked and she shut her lips tight.
“I don’t need to look weaker than I already am.”
“Love can make us stronger, not weaker.”
Parisa looked at her and there was a war behind her eyes.“I need time to think.”She sunk down into her chair and looked away.“Alone.”
nineteen
Seralayonthebed fully dressed.She stared at her hands, wondering if she should give in and let the wolf out.A run in the woods was far preferable to this pity party, but she didn’t want to leave in case Parisa wanted to talk.
She sighed and rolled over, picking at a loose thread on her pillowcase.Her brain was itchy and her body was restless.The urge to welcome the wolf grew stronger.
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.“If this is about the laundry schedule again,” she called out as she walked to the door, “I still can’t do anything to change it.If you need to swap with someone, you’ll have to —” She flung the door open and saw Parisa standing there.
Her hair was free of all its pins and hung loose around her face.She stood barefoot in the hallway, wearing an old gray sweatshirt over her neatly pressed dress.Her shoulders were slumped as she curled in on herself.
“Can we talk?”Parisa whispered.
Sera nodded and stepped aside.As the door shut behind her, Sera realized this was the first time Parisa had ever been in her room.
“Last time you asked me if you could speak without me saying anything, and now I’ll ask for the same.”Parisa’s voice was small and grew quieter as voices passed by in the hallway.
“Of course.”Sera braced for the worst.
“I didn’t bring a treat for you.”Parisa chuckled weakly, her expression strained.“I couldn’t sleep.I couldn’t stop thinking about you, about everything.I guess what I wanted to tell you is — if I really think about it — what I’m trying to say is okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’ve got to just say it, don’t I?”Parisa took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.She looked Sera in the eyes.“Eshgham, I’m all in.If you’re still ready, then I am, too.”
“I’m ready!”Sera blurted.
“Just like that?”Parisa took a step towards her.
“Yes, it’s what I want.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
