Page 62 of Violet Moon

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“I agree.Absolutely I agree.I’ve been selfish all this time.”

“Not nearly enough.”

“But I’ve kept you by my side for years without being honest with you.Meanwhile, you apparently recognize your feelings and tell me within a few —”

“Weeks.”

Parisa grinned.“So delightfully impulsive.”

“Overthinking things for weeks is hardly impulsive.”

“What are a few weeks to a werewolf?”

“Agonizing.But better now.”

Parisa pulled her into a tight hug.She dipped her head and nestled her nose along Sera’s neck, running her fingers through her short hair.“I haven’t let myself dream of having this in so long.It got so easy to rename the ache I felt as the loneliness that comes with leadership.I could fill every waking moment with work so that I wouldn't linger too long on any one thought of you.”

She clutched Sera’s shirt.“I hate how worried I still am.Someone has to be the first to do anything, and I guess that’s us.I just can’t shake the fear that perceived weakness will continue to follow me after I spent so long trying to fight it.”

“Maybe these feelings don’t make us weak.”Sera started, not knowing what to say.“Maybe it has happened before — an Alpha and a Beta — but it’s one of those things we don’t hear about.And I know you make me stronger.I don’t know what I have to offer you, but I’m stronger by your side.”

“You don’t know what you have to offer me?”Parisa lifted her head.“Then it looks like I have the job of making you see what I see in you.”

Sera flushed a deeper shade of pink.

A group of their packmates passed by Sera’s closed door, talking much too loudly for this time of the morning when most of the pack was asleep.Sera startled, pulling away as though they were about to be seen, but Parisa held her close.She buried her face against Sera’s neck and pressed a kiss to the soft skin there.

Parisa gave her another squeeze and pulled back, her hands falling away.She had a sideways sort of smile.“I have no idea what to do now.”

“We don’t have to tell them all right away.”

“No, I mean, right now.Like, in this moment.My body is simmering with nervous energy and adrenaline and I have no idea what to do with any of it.I was so scared.”She laughed again.

Sera’s eyes lit up.“We could run.”

“We should sleep,” Parisa replied.

“Which one’s more fun?”

They exchanged glances and Sera raced to her door, flinging it open and scurrying down the empty hallway with Parisa behind her.She looked back over her shoulder and reached for Parisa’s hand, linking their fingers as they hurried towards the back door, feeling giddy and daring.

There was someone in the kitchen as they raced through the house, but Sera skidded past, stifling another fit of giggles before they were out the back door and in the early morning air.Sunrise would come soon and Sera could feel a weary ache in her bones, but she was too weightless and high on the feeling of love and being loved in return that she didn’t care.They ran to the edge of the forest, sprinting past each other like two kids.

When they reached the treeline, Parisa whipped her sweatshirt off over her head and Sera quickly looked away, afraid she’d combust if she saw anything.She could only hold back her desires for a moment, though, and she dared a glance behind her.Parisa stood proudly in the pre-dawn light, all muscles and soft curves.Sera shuddered with the realization that after everything that happened tonight she could dare to dream of skimming her fingertips along Parisa’s skin and doing much more than a chaste kiss in her bedroom.

Nerves washed over her.She looked back at the forest, heart thundering in her chest.She welcomed the chill in the air as it touched her skin in the moments before her transformation.The wolf was itching to be free.It clawed its way to the surface and reshaped her body faster than usual.She hit the ground with four feet, ready to run.

Parisa took off, dashing along the treeline away from the house.Sera followed behind, teeth bared in a wolfish grin.

They ran until Sera’s lungs were starved for breath.Parisa rounded on her and pounced before Sera could dodge.Sera whined as her side smacked into the ground and she rolled onto her back, feet kicking as she pretended to struggle.Parisa nuzzled into the fur around Sera’s neck and nipped at her skin.She held Sera down with a firm paw to the chest, light enough to let Sera know Parisa was being careful, but strong enough to remind her that her Alpha was still her Alpha, no matter what happened between them.

Sera yelped and squirmed.She swung her neck to the side and snapped her teeth as close as she could get to Parisa’s front leg.Parisa growled and pressed down harder.Sera wriggled beneath her hold as she bared her neck so more of it was exposed.Parisa bit down gently, and a jolt of danger and desire rolled through her.Sera stopped trying to free herself.Parisa lifted her head and stared down at her, predatory eyes locking on Sera’s for a moment before she growled again and backed away.Sera got up slowly, feeling dazed, and readied herself for another pounce that never came.

Parisa turned towards the woods, glanced back at Sera, and dashed away.

There would be time for more of the things that made heat pool low in Sera’s belly.That was for another night.As night bled into day, all Sera wanted was to share Parisa’s joy.

Back outside the house, Parisa pulled Sera out of the line of sight of the windows and held her close.“Thank you for this,” she whispered along the shell of her ear.“The second challenge is soon.I needed this.I needed time with you.”