Page 5 of Violet Moon
Sera shook her head.“I’m a curse back here.You know that.Whatever I don’t burn comes out squishy and I manage to break everything.”
“Not everything.You’re the only one who can fix that mixer we all have issues with.”
“That’s just a bit of tinkering.”
“Whatever it is, it’s a big help.”Emmaline waved a flour-covered hand.“And practice will lift whatever curse you think you have in no time.”
“I know where I’m meant to be and it’s not back here.”Sera put her hand on the swinging door.“Time to face the crowds.”
“Good luck.Oh, and Beta?”
“Yeah?”
“There was an order of tartlets no one could find a record of this morning.”
“Shoot!I forgot.I’ll take care of it now.”
She pushed through the swinging doors and heard the sound of customers chatting over the sound of soft, classical music.The entire room was drenched in soft purples and golds, from the subtle, floral wallpaper to the golden chandelier hanging in the center.Parisa hadn’t liked it at first, but Sera picked it out and her Alpha tended to give her whatever she requested.
Whether it was a tour bus dropping off a sea of tourists in the area or locals needing a sweet treat after a show or some fresh bread to start their day, if Violet Moon was open, it was busy.They were situated in the bustling arts district that had grown up around the vampire theaters and art galleries in the area — not to mention the equally popular vampire coffee shop across the street.
In her haste, Sera nearly ran into Wilma, a wolf who’d been with the pack nearly as long as herself.
“The tarts!I forgot!”
“Already taken care of,” Wilma explained, her expression neutral, as it usually was.“The customer came in a few minutes ago and I handled it.”Her abundant black curls swished around her as she continued filling the front glass display case with tartlets from the back.
“What would I do without you, Wil?”
“You’d be fine.”Wilma stood, wiping off her hands on her apron as a yawn overtook her.She turned to hide it from customers and Sera.“Sorry Beta, I didn’t rest like I should’ve yesterday, but don’t worry.It hasn’t affected the bakery at all.”
“You’re allowed to yawn.Did you stay up working on a new piece?”
Wilma nodded.“I can’t be done until I’ve reached a predetermined stopping point.”
“What’s the current obsession?”
Wilma’s features came alive.“Encaustic paintings.You mix these colored pigments into hot, liquid wax and it’s incredible.”She started speaking faster the more her gaze drifted past Sera and to her various paintings that hung on the bakery’s walls.“At first I was just making abstract pieces to learn the process, but now I’m moving into landscapes and I’ve even started researching how I can incorporate organic pieces like flowers.”
“You can always use whatever you like from the greenhouse.”
“Thanks.I appreciate it, and I’ll definitely take you up on that offer.”Wilma smiled.“Though, it’s also nice to go out into nature and find little bits of inspiration, too.”
“Makes sense.Like how a run in the woods as a wolf can clear your head.”
“Something like that.”
Sera gestured towards a collection of Wilma’s art on the wall.“Don’t you have another art show coming up?”
“Yeah, next month.”
“Excellent.You know I’ll be there as part of the ‘Wil Fan Club.’”Sera chuckled.Everyone knew she could be overly enthusiastic when it came to supporting her pack, but how could she hold back when she was surrounded by so many amazing people?“Will you include your encaustic work, too?”
“Probably not.The show was designed around my mixed-media art where I was working with paint and textiles.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see all the finished products.”
“And her new piece looks awesome,” Lock said, swinging past with a new batch of savory hand pies from the back.His sturdy and imposing build contrasted with the smile he always wore.
