Page 31 of His Blue Moon Princess (The Silver City #1)

She is shivering with fear. Alessandra is staring at me with a shocked expression, completely speechless. She stood up and took a couple of steps back by instinct, scared by my wolf, still furiously growling at her. I feel myself surrounded by something hot and fuming right now: my Alpha aura.

“You... You’re an... an Alpha?”

She stammers.

Hell yeah, I am. That woman clearly wasn’t expecting that. Moreover, she probably doesn’t get yet that I’m not just an Alpha, but one with Royal blood, too. No wonder she got so frightened, despite being an Alpha herself.

“Surprised? I hope you weren’t expecting an easy fight. I’m not the type to submit.”

Damian would be proud of me. My eyes are throwing daggers right now. I step forward, and Alessandra steps back right away, not hiding her fear.

“Now, you go back to wherever you came from, and don’t you dare show your face around here anymore, because I promise I won’t go easy on you next time.”

She grabs her bag in a very awkward way, her eyes on me all the time like she is expecting me to attack her. Truthfully, I have a hard time holding back my inner wolf, who is dying to give that woman what she deserves.

“We are not done, Bluemoon. You and Damian will definitely regret this...”

She mutters while stepping back.

“Scram!”

She runs off, and I’m still trembling with anger. I can’t believe what just happened, and I can’t calm down, either. A lot of eyes are on me, but I don’t really care right now.

I close my eyes, using Elena’s technique to calm down my wolf. I was that close to letting her out when that wretched woman opened her mouth again. But I’m still in the restaurant, in front of a lot of surprised customers. I just can’t. Calm down, Nora, calm down...

“Nora?”

I turn around, and Narcissa is standing there. She doesn’t look annoyed this time, just a bit wary of me. She points out the kitchen.

“Go, we can handle it here. Take a break if you need one.”

“No, I’m okay. Thank you, Narcissa.”

She nods, and I flee to the kitchen, getting away from all the stares, including some from my colleagues. When I step in the kitchen, Chef Michel gives me a questioning look, but I just shake my head. I find something to do and try to immerse myself into work to forget it all.

I just can’t. That woman’s words keep going in circles in my mind, and I’m unable to forget it. At some point, I step out, because I’m unable to calm down, and at this rate, I’m going to make a mistake. I rub my temples.

“Nora, come here.”

I walk up to join Chef Michel at the pass and rest my back against the wall while he is checking the orders and passing plates. He gives me a look before placing the order. After a few seconds, when everyone else is busy, he starts talking, keeping an eye on everything else.

“How are you?”

“Not great, Chef...”

I confess.

“Elise just told me what happened.”

“I’m sorry, Chef.”

“Don’t be.”

He gives a new order that just came into the staff, and I help him arrange the entrees meanwhile.

“You can’t always be nice to everyone, Nora. It’s not the world we live in, and it’s not what we were born for, either. Especially if you’re an Alpha. Fight for what you want. Or who.”

“But even if I do, that woman, she’s right.”

We keep working side by side, talking while not even looking at each other, focused on whichever plate we must get ready.

“I don’t have anything. That’s why I’m so mad. Even if I can fight her, she’s still someone who can support my mate better than me.”

“What about your mate? What does he want?”

“He wants... me,”

I confess a bit shyly.

“Then that’s all you need to know. Don’t let others interfere with your relationship. A fated mate bond is way too rare and precious to give it up because of a stranger.”

“It’s not just about us... The fate of several Clans is at stake.”

He shakes his head and yells to remind one of the chefs about the meat’s cooking. I step out a second to give a hand to the sous-chef, who is having a hard time with all the desserts. I quickly get his workspace cleaned up and take away a couple of ready plates. He thanks me, and I return to chef Michel’s side.

“Don’t think too hard about the consequences, Nora. It’s not all about your own decisions, either. Your mate is an Alpha; he can make his own judgments.”

“I’m afraid he will make bad judgments because of me.”

“Maybe. But that’s his call, not yours. Instead of thinking about mistakes, start thinking about solutions. When you cook, do you think about how you might fail or how you should do things?”

The Chef is right... My decision is taken anyway, and so is Damian’s. There is no way I would ever let that woman get anything she wants from my mate. I know I couldn’t take it, the same way I could never submit to her.

“I get it, Chef. Thank you.”

“Good then. Now go and help that moron with the sauces before I get there myself.”

I tried to keep the Chef’s words in mind all day after that. I didn’t make a wrong decision, and I won’t regret it. This woman had no right to come here and make a scene. I just put her right back where she belongs. Those thoughts keep me preoccupied for a while, enough for my coworkers to leave me alone. A lot of them even act slightly differently around me now, probably because they discovered I’m an Alpha. When we are done, Narcissa calls everyone for the usual meeting at the end of the day, but I just listen to it absentmindedly. No one mentions what happened with Alessandra King.

When the meeting finishes, I’m the first one in the changing room. My clothes smell, so I change back to Damian’s t-shirt and my denim skirt, feeling better in it than in my work outfit. Probably because I can smell a bit of my mate on it, too. I realize the crimson butterfly is still around. I had forgotten about that... If I try to touch him, he doesn’t really react, and just flies away, only to come back if I insist. He really acts like a regular butterfly, except for the fact that he is set on hanging around me.

I check my phone. No news from Damian, but I decide to call my mate quickly. It takes a few seconds before he can answer.

“Nora. Are you done already?”

“It’s not already, the lunch service ended late, actually. I just got a couple of hours before the dinner shift.”

“Really? Crap, I didn’t look at the time...”

He sounds preoccupied, but I can guess right away why.

“You’re still busy, aren’t you?”

“Yeah... I’m sorry. I still got a ton of work.”

I knew it. There was no way he would be done by four; he took a full day off yesterday, and Neal looked exhausted this morning. They probably have a lot to catch up now that Damian’s back to work; I can’t possibly blame them.

“It’s okay, I figured so. I’m going to hang out with a friend until my night shift, okay? You can come and get me if you’re done by then.”

“A friend?”

“A female friend,”

I specify, because of his inquisitive tone.

“Okay. Take Bobo with you.”

“Does Bobo ever get a day off?”

“Sure, when you’re with me.”

I roll my eyes. Seriously, this man... For a second, I hesitate to tell him about Alessandra and my show-off, but he’s probably busy with work right now, and I’m afraid he might drop it all and come here if I tell him. Surely this can wait for later.

“When does your night shift end?”

Asks Damian.

“Around ten or maybe eleven tonight. I’m not too sure, we don’t have a lot of reservations yet.”

“All right, I should be able to get you then. Just text me when you’re done.”

“Okay. See you later.”

“Later, Love.”

I hang up, trying to control my blushing. When will I ever stop feeling like this every time I hear Damian’s voice...? I still don’t really feel too great because of what happened earlier, though. I need some fresh air. I grab my things and exit the restaurant. Bobo is right there waiting for me, phone in his hand and his back against the car. He stops smiling when he sees my expression.

“Bad day?”

“Mh. I’ll explain later.”

He nods, and we both get in the car. I open the window to enjoy some fresh air. Gosh, I needed this...Getting away from the restaurant helps me finally calm down a little. I still resent Damian a bit about what happened. If only he hadn’t gotten engaged to that woman...

Hanging around and having a cup of tea with Boyan makes me feel better. I tell him in detail what happened with Alessandra earlier, and Boyan is proud of me for standing up to her. Overall, it feels great to enjoy a cup of tea while chatting with my friend. For ten years, I never had any friends to hang out with. All I had was my abusive brother and a pack that hated me. Now, I can freely talk about trivial matters, and Bobo will listen. And I have Tonia, Elena, Liam, and even Danny, too.

When Bobo takes me back to the car to head back to work, I feel a lot better already. I’m playing with my necklace, watching the scenery. Bobo, too, is humming to some Latino music coming from the stereo.

“Bobo? How did you meet Daniel?”

I’ve been wondering for a while now, but with everything going on, I forgot to ask. The big guy smiles at my question.

“In a nightclub, a few months ago. I was working, delivering documents to someone. I noticed Danny just when I was about to leave.”

This is the first time I see Bobo smiling so much. It seems like this is a fond memory for him, so I’m even more interested.

“What was it like?”

“...Love at first sight. He was dancing, and I just fell for him right there. It was the first time I ever felt like this. Nothing else mattered; it was as if he was the only one in the room. I still remember it all perfectly. The music, his clothes, everything. I just thought, I wanted this guy, bad, right then and right there. I would have kissed him in the middle of the crowd if we hadn’t been total strangers.”

I laugh, a bit amused by that last sentence said with such an honest face. That’s my Bobo, so straightforward and blunt. He keeps driving, but I want to know more now.

“What about Danny, then?”

He sighs. “It took a while for him to accept me. He didn’t want a younger lover, so he tried to ignore me, but it was my first time wanting something or someone so much, so...”

“You were persistent?”

“Quite so. He eventually gave up after a few weeks.”

A few weeks? Oh my gosh, Bobo sure is persistent! I chuckle, imagining Bobo’s relentless pursuit of Daniel’s heart. The two of them are just so adorably cute when they’re together... I totally get why Elena teases Daniel so much. He’s the only person I know who can blush redder than me!

Bobo smiles at me. “What about you? How is it with the Boss?”

“We are fine, I guess. I just wish I could overcome my fear of physical relationships once and for all...”

Bobo is the only one who knows, aside from Tonia. He was a bit disappointed about me not telling him sooner about Marcus, so I ended up telling him all about what I remembered and my traumatism.

“You want to be with him?”

“Of course, I do. But, every time we start... touching each other, I just get those cold shivers, and bad memories come back. The worst part is, I don’t even remember exactly what happened, how far Marcus went, and when I... supposedly stab him. I know he didn’t rape me, but whenever Damian wants more, I just...”

“Nora, it’s okay. With what happened to you, it’s completely normal to be scared. Just take it slow, treasure yourself, and build your trust with the Boss, Nora. Put yourself first. You deserve it, okay?”

I feel tears coming back again. Bobo notices, and parks on the side of the road. Without saying a thing, he hugs me and lets me cry all I want. After a while, I breathe in, trying to calm down.

“What if that woman is right, Bobo? What if Damian was better off with her instead of a mess like me?”

“What, you are going to let King have him now?”

“No way! I don’t want to break up with Damian, ever! It’s just... sometimes I can’t help but wonder how the Moon Goddess could pair him up with someone as powerless as me. I know I am a Royal’s child now, but that’s it. You know why I was so mad earlier? Because that woman was right, Bobo. I don’t have a Clan backing me, no money. I have any way to be useful to my mate.”

Bobo sighs and pats my head gently. “Sometimes, you are too mature, Nora. Maybe you don’t have all the answers yet. Anyway, you are powerful enough on your own. You are equal to any of the Alphas out there. I don’t think King can say the same, and she knows it, too.”

While Bobo speaks, something suddenly came to mind. I might not be powerful or anything, but I do have some other options now... Well, one, but that might help a lot.

“Mm... Bobo?”

“Yes?”

“Sorry but, could I ask you to leave me alone in the car for a minute?”

He looks at me, not hiding his surprise. I know my request is odd and coming at a totally unexpected time. How do I explain this?

“Please?”

I ask again, trying to look sorry.

He sighs and points out the little café across the road.

“All right, but just a couple minutes. I’ll go grab some coffee. You want something?”

“I’m good, Bobo, thank you.”

He goes out, and I’m finally alone in the car. I watch him cross the road, making sure he is not looking, and grab a strand of my hair, agitating it. The little butterfly, annoyed at all this rampage, flies away and lands on my hand. My idea might be really, really stupid, but...

“Okay, Magic Butterfly. I hope you can understand me because I could really use some help now. I need to contact the Witch. I’ll accept our alliance if she can give me some help. How do I contact her?”

I really hope it understands because otherwise, I’m probably looking crazy talking to a butterfly. I wait for a few seconds, and suddenly, it starts flapping its wings. They turn green. What does that mean, green? Is that a good sign? Does it mean I can talk or something? I suppose a butterfly can’t talk, anyway, but I have no idea how a Witch’s powers work... Okay, I can try, I guess.

“Witch, if you can hear me this way, I want to ask you a favor. I’m trying hard to stop this war, but I think I just added oil to the fire, so I’m looking for other options. Can you give me a hint, anything? I stood up to King, but I’m not sure that’s going to help. If we can’t trust the Gold Moon Clan, then who? I tried to think of options, but I don’t know where to start! Can you help? You said we were allies; how can you help?”

I wonder what else to say, but my mind is too confused for now. All of a sudden, the butterfly takes off, flying away from me for the first time. Where is it going now? Did I annoy him? Or did he get the message? He flies around for a few seconds in the vehicle interior, but it doesn’t make any sense. His wings turn red, then blue, then red again. What now? Did I break it or something?

Just when I’m wondering what I should do, Bobo comes back. So soon? The butterfly keeps flying around, but Bobo can’t see it.

“Are you done?” He asks.

I sigh and nod. I don’t know what else to do, anyway. I feel a bit stupid now. Bobo starts the car again, and I’m angrily staring at the butterfly that won’t stop flying around.

When we are back at the restaurant, a few minutes later, as I step out of the car, the butterfly suddenly takes off. What? I see it fly away, headed to the south. Where is it going? Is it annoyed at me or something? Should I follow it? It doesn’t seem to be waiting for me...

“Nora?”

Bobo is waiting for me, looking confused by my attitude. I sigh and follow him into the restaurant to resume work.

We have more reservations than when I left and, as expected, the restaurant is quite busy. I keep running from one table to another and then to the kitchen, as both Narcissa and Chef Michel keep asking for me. I’m doing fine, though, and it’s going smoothly so far.

“Nora, do you know when I can get my desserts for table seven? The customer said twice he is in a hurry... “

“I’ll go get them for you, but the table three needs—”

Before I can finish my sentence, a huge racket can be heard from the entrance. A few customers scream in surprise, as a dozen wolves suddenly barge into the restaurant. What the...?

“Nora! Nora!”

It’s Damian’s voice. I see him running in, still in his dark suit, obviously looking for me. What’s going on? I drop whatever I was holding in Elise’s hands and run up to him across the restaurant. He is accompanied by Bobo, Neal, and Nathaniel, all in their human forms and looking serious. Damian’s Alpha aura is probably going wild right now, scaring everyone who hasn’t already left the room at the sight of the werewolves bargaining in.

“Damian!”

When I walk up to him, he finally sees me. To my surprise, my mate runs to me and takes me into his arms, hugging me tight.

“Nora, thank Moon Goddess, you are fine...”

“Damian, what is going on? What happened?”

I ask, worried.

Instead of answering, he turns around and starts yelling orders.

“Neal, I want this place empty and closed, right now. Nate, take the staff out, too. Everyone here gets the fuck out!”

The wolves start growling, and the customers run away in a panic, emptying the restaurant in seconds. I watch the scene, completely lost about what is going on. Damian looks furious; I’ve never seen his eyes so cold before! I grab his arm, trying to get his attention.

“Damian, tell me what’s going on!”

Neal who walks up to me, while still watching the wolves taking everyone else out of the restaurant.

“Your apartment was attacked, Nora.”

Oh, Moon Goddess. Attacked? Attacked how? By whom? Damian suddenly puts his arm under my thighs and picks me up, carrying me as he walks across the now almost empty restaurant. Before I can say a word, he takes me to the Staff Room. Behind us, Nathaniel and Neal are following closely, while the wolves guard the entrance.

When we enter, Damian puts me down, but his arm stays firmly around my waist to keep me close.

“Damian, calm down, I’m okay. What happened?”

“Liam noticed something was wrong when he came back from school. When he went to check your apartment, he said the door was wide open, and the whole place has been sacked.”

Nate walks up to me, handing me his smartphone. I look at the pictures. Oh, my Goddess... I can barely recognize the apartment. Someone splashed every room with a red liquid, and some of the furniture was destroyed. The whole place was sacked, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

“Oh, Moon Goddess...”

The last picture was taken in my bedroom. My wardrobe is on the floor, a lot of my clothes torn apart. Even the bed was shredded. But, most of all, on the glass wall, a message in the red liquid was left: YOU WILL BE MINE.”

I feel like I’m going to be sick looking at those words. Seeing my shocked expression, Damian takes the phone away from me, throwing it back to his brother and kisses my forehead to comfort me. He is just as agitated as I am, but I can tell he is trying hard to control himself right now, so I keep him close, my hands on his chest.

“It’s okay, Nora, I’ll find who the hell did this, I swear.”

His words are burning with anger, but he is still worried about me. I shake my head, slowly processing everything I just saw and heard.

“I can’t believe it... Is Liam okay?” I ask.

“He is okay, Nora, no one was there when he came up,”

says Nate.

“It happened this afternoon. Everything was normal when I went there earlier,”

Bobo says.

Bobo is right; he went back to get me clothes only a few hours ago.

“The surveillance cameras didn’t give anything,”

says Neal, looking at his phone. “Someone disconnected them.”

“How the hell did they get in?”

Growls Damian.

“Liam said the door’s lock was... shot. ...He found silver bullets.”

I gasp. Oh, Moon Goddess, this is serious. Someone armed with a gun to kill werewolves broke into my place. What if I had been there? Or if they had met Bobo? Or Tonia, or Liam?

“And the blood?”

I ask. “Is it really blood?”

Moon Goddess, I hope it isn’t. So much of it would be really, really bad news. No one can answer me: Neal is now busy taking one call after another, speaking so fast I can’t understand a thing, and Nate is reading texts, too. I turn to Damian, and once again, his eyes are terrifying. My mate looks like he is about to kill someone. However, he can’t scare me, so I just lean onto his chest, and I feel his hand in my hair a second later.

“What do we do now?” I ask.

“You’re coming with me; I’m taking you back to my place. Neal, find as much information as you can, and get Liam to Nate’s place.”

“He said he already has a place to crash,”

says Nathaniel.