Page 14 of Violet Moon
“Just a simple latte.”
Sera raised an eyebrow as she wrapped her hands around it, knowing it was anything but.
“With house-made cardamom syrup, a generous amount of cinnamon, some nutmeg, allspice, and that vanilla syrup you like so much.”
“It smells divine.You always know just what I’m in the mood for.”She smiled before taking her first sip.“But you know what I’m really in the mood for?”
Hugh tilted his head in interest.
“A chance to complain loudly until I feel better and maybe something stronger than coffee.”
Hugh reached across the table to set his hand on top of hers.“Whine to your heart’s content, and then maybe we can dash over to the wine bar after.”
“I see what you did there.”
“I’m very clever.”
“Dork.”
“Excuse you, I’m extremely charming.”
“You can be both, you know.”She squeezed her friend’s hand and sat upright, taking a deep breath and figuring out how she was going to complain without spilling confidential pack business.Hugh would know she was holding something back, but at least he was kind enough to not dig too much.
Hugh’s idea to go to the wine bar sounded better by the second.
Sera made a beeline for the greenhouse when she got home.She needed the comfort of running her fingers through soil and caring for her plants.She didn’t know how long she’d been in there when she sensed someone was near and stood up straight, eyes on the door.
“Beta Seraphine.”Wilma said as she entered, voice shaky.She looked exhausted.“Do you have a moment?”
“Of course,” Sera replied.Wilma’s clothes were disheveled and her face bore signs of bruises that were quickly healing.Clearly Parisa’s conversation with her had included more than just talking.Her stomach tangled into knots at the thought that the position had already been given, that they’d already completed the traditional sparring, and Wilma was officially Gamma.
Wilma wrapped her brightly-colored shawl tighter around her shoulders as she stepped closer.“I believe you already know what’s happened.”
Sera nodded, unable to find the right words.
“I accepted.It’s done.”
Sera’s chest tightened.
“I’m honored and I know I can be what my pack needs me to be,” Wilma said.
Sera knew Wilma truly believed that.She didn’t lie to seem stronger than she was.She didn’t have to.“Congratulations, truly.You’re the right choice.”
“Thank you, but I know how I can be, how people see me.Blunt.Arrogant at times.Unable to read between the lines.A bit too caught up in my own world to hold a conversation for long.And all these things are true, except the arrogant part, and I like those things just fine, but do you think they’ll get in the way of being a good Gamma?”Some of Wilma’s usual confidence faded away.
“Never,” Sera said.“The things that make you who you are could never get in the way.”
“I’m not sure how to act now.”
“Like who you should be around the pack?”
Wilma nodded.“Should I be different?”
“What did Parisa say?”
“That I was chosen because of who I was, not what I should be.”
Sera smiled, the words filling her chest with fondness.“She’s exactly right.You’re who you need to be.You’re who this pack needs you to be.”Wilma was who she needed her to be, too — someone to lean on when she often fell short.
