Page 73 of Violet Moon
Dinner was simple — a hearty beef stew that was easy to make in bulk to feed thirteen hungry stomachs.As the rest of her pack wolfed it down, Sera sat with her hands knotted in her lap, eating only when she felt like she must.If what Hugh had said was true, then this wouldn't be earth-shattering news, but Sera couldn’t shake the fear of disapproval from any one of her packmates.
“I wanted to speak to you all about the upcoming duel,” Parisa said towards the end of dinner, breaking Sera free from her spiraling thoughts.She stood and straightened her tailored, cherry-colored, quarter-sleeved dress.
“Last time, I was in the wrong.I’ll admit that.I prepared on my own for days, leaving the pack to fend for itself.And I left it to Wilma to inform you all because I thought that was for the best.Now I see that keeping the entire pack involved is what is best for all of us, me included.It took a reminder from our Beta Seraphine to make me see that.”
Sera glanced away, unable to look Parisa in the eyes as she felt heat blooming on her cheeks.
Parisa continued to explain the procedures down to every last detail.Most of the pack knew, but for those like Jo, who only knew modern werewolf life, a duel was ancient history.
Jo was full of questions that Parisa answered in a straight-forward way.
Yes, it would take place in a few days.Yes, Jason was challenging her authority over her pack.No, the pack couldn’t attend.Yes, Seraphine would be the only witness.No, their opponent’s death was not the final goal for either of them.Yes, if Parisa lost, the pack could stay with Jason or follow another Alpha.
“I’ll stay with you, win or lose,” Jo announced.“But you won’t lose.”
Several of their packmates nodded in silent agreement.
“Thank you, Jo.I do not intend to lose, but we are prepared for all eventualities.”
“Even the ones that won’t be necessary,” Sera added, unwilling to let any of them dwell too long on the idea of Parisa losing.
Parisa gave her a warm look before clearing her throat.“And in the spirit of sharing more to strengthen pack bonds, I have one more bit of news.I don’t know how to say it, so I’ll just let the words tumble from my mouth,” she said, but then waited, a charged silence gripping the table.“Your Beta and I, that is to say, Seraphine and I are — we promise it won’t negatively impact anything and if it does, please just tell us and we’ll rectify the situation immediately — now together.As in, a couple.We’re a couple.Together.”
Seraphine stared holes into the table.
Edgar stood, clapped once, raised his hand in victory, and yelled, “Finally!”
Harry, Benny, and Jo shared a look of surprise, but the others exchanged knowing glances and grins.
“Congratulations.Wonderful news,” Carina said.
Diah stood up from the table, held out her arms for a hug and, realizing it was impossible to do so across the wide table, settled for clapping.“I’m so happy for you two.”
There was a chorus of congratulations, until Olive chimed in, “Everybody pay up.I was the closest.”
“Wait, what?”Jo turned towards her.
Olive waved her hand.“Just a pool we had going on that I just won.I knew it.I knew they’d take forever.”
“But not as long as I thought!”Emmaline laughed.She looked at the two of them.“I thought you two would take another year, at least.Not in a bad way, of course.Good things take time, you know?”
“I was the optimist.I lost by several months.”Edgar grinned at them, rubbing the back of his head.
“You all knew?”Benny’s eyes were open wide..
“I thought maybe, but never believed —” Harry trailed off.
“When you’ve been around these two as long as we have, it’s impossible not to know,” Lock said.
Billie laughed, the sound turning softer as she turned towards Sera and Parisa.“We were rooting for you two.”
“We just really, really wanted it to happen.”Emmaline threw her long braids over her shoulder and rested her chin on her palm.“We may have all tried to push the odds in our favor, too.”
“Like with certain book choices,” Edgar said.
Diah added, “Or by keeping everyone out of the living room.”
“Or by reminding you two about your alone time and then asking the restaurant to get you two good and wined up.”Carina grinned.
