Page 41 of Violet Moon
But she couldn’t.
In the darkness, Sera let her selfishness win.She closed her eyes and curled her fingers around Parisa’s shoulder.
If she couldn’t have this for real, then at least she could have it for now.
The Pitch Mountain Pack gathered in the foyer of the Crooked Creek Pack house to say their goodbyes and share their gratitude for another full moon spent together.Clyde seemed more haggard than usual, though he was smiling, and Jason was nowhere to be seen.Parisa was also missing.When Sera awoke again later that evening, she’d already left.
“How are you feeling?”Sera approached Jo who was leaning against the wall.
“Everything hurts,” Jo said with a weak grin.“It gets better, right?”
Sera nodded, heart aching for the younger wolf.“Like with most things, time makes a world of difference.”
“I guess I’ve got nothing but time now.”Jo chuckled and then grimaced, holding their arm closer to their body.
“Yes, but time still passes quickly.If you blink, you’ll miss a decade or two.If you can, enjoy what you have now and know just how much better things can be in the future.”
Parisa reappeared with none of the joy in her expression from before.She said nothing as she stepped through her pack and out the front doors, signaling that it was time to leave.
Clyde stepped beside Sera.“How is she?”
She shook her head.“I don’t know.Sometimes she’s the same Alpha I’ve come to know, then other times it’s as though she’s changed into someone I don’t recognize.”
“Like all Alphas, the weight of her pack lies heavy on her shoulders.She bears it proudly, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
“I know.”
Clyde clapped her on the shoulder.“Until next time, my friend.And don’t be a stranger.If you need us, we’re here.”
thirteen
Seraemergedfromthebakery office rubbing her eyes.She would much rather be out on the bakery floor talking to customers than dealing with documents and spreadsheets or catching up on an endless list of phone calls.
The first few days back at the bakery after the full moon were rough.Werewolves couldn’t experience hangovers, but that was close.In addition to dealing with her body aches, Sera was taking on Parisa’s tasks because she was out for the day — again.She could go to Parisa’s meetings and get some gossip to bring back to Hugh, but it was everything else about managing a pack and a bakery that made her remember just how much her Alpha handled.She continued to lean on Wilma for support.
She saw a familiar face chatting with Lock and Jo at the counter and smiled.“Diah, it’s a little early for you to be back home.”
“Taking a long lunch,” Diah explained with a sigh.“A kid threw up in front of me at the library and I decided I deserved a better lunch and some desserts.”
“That’s so gross.”Lock made a face.
“It’s okay.We’ve already applied a hand pie to the situation.”Jo grinned.
“And half a mango and blackberry tart,” Lock said.“I ate the other half.”
“Make sure there’s something left in the cases after you’re all finished,” Sera teased as she headed into the back to say hello to Emmaline.
She swung the doors open, mouth open and ready to greet her friend, only to be silenced by Emmaline shaking her head, her lips pinched together in a tight line.She tilted her head towards the back and Sera followed her gaze until her eyes found Parisa in the corner, working a ball of dough.
Emmaline wiped her hands on her apron and stood beside Sera so she could whisper, “She came in here about twenty minutes ago and hasn’t said a word.I tried to talk with her, but didn’t get anywhere.Maybe you’ll have different results.”
Sera’s chest tightened.Whatever was pulling Parisa away from the house, it was obviously a heavy weight on her shoulders and she didn’t need to bear it alone.She walked over to her and cleared her throat.
Parisa didn’t look up.She kept kneading the dough so slowly her hands were barely moving.She stared down at it with her hair falling down around her.Sera wanted to reach out and tuck some of the soft, brown strands behind her ear so she could see her face.
“Pari, do you want some help?”
Parisa shook her head.
