Page 30 of Violet Moon (Pitch Mountain Pack #1)

Sera nodded, cheek rubbing against the pillow.

Her words got caught like a lump in her throat and she strained to speak around it.

“You’re the strongest person I know. You saved me.

I owe you my life in every sense of the phrase.

And I’d be your Beta every single time if given the choice again.

You’re —” She faltered, not knowing how to speak with Parisa focused only on her. “You’re beautiful, inside and out.”

Parisa’s face was even more lovely with a rosy hue. She giggled and took her spot lying against Sera’s chest again, her arm wrapped around her middle. “You’re right. Compliments are hard to hear.”

“Told you.” Sera pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“Sleep well, eshgham .” She nuzzled into the crook of Sera’s neck.

“Sweet dreams.” Sera smiled, closing her eyes and breathing in the scent of her Alpha, her Pari.

Sera woke without her alarm, blinking at the sun pouring through a window that was on the wrong side of her room. It took her a second to piece the prior evening back together, and when she remembered why half her body was so warm, her eyes flew open wide and she startled into alertness.

“I dreamt about you,” Parisa whispered beside her.

Sera’s cheeks flushed pink. “Hello,” she said, chest straining to contain her drumming heart.

Parisa propped herself up to gaze down at her and smiled. “You’re cute when you first wake up.”

Sera’s sleepy brain didn’t allow for a filter. “You’re hot.”

Parisa giggled. “I’m flattered.”

“And I’m embarrassed.” Sera could feel her blush spreading down her chest, but she couldn’t look away from Parisa.

She was captivating in the afternoon sun that peeked through the curtains in her room.

More of her hair had fallen free from the loose bun and Parisa’s face was framed in a chaotic beauty that suited her.

“You’re cute and honest in the afternoon. I like that. Maybe I should ask you some more pressing questions.”

“Oh, please don’t.”

Parisa grazed her fingertips across Sera’s nose. “I’ll spare you for now.” She grinned as she stretched her arms above her head “I absolutely do not want to get out of bed, but the day is marching on without us.” She tried to get out of bed, but Sera held onto her.

“Let it.”

“What?”

“Let the day march on, at least for now.”

“I’ve got a pack to run,” Parisa protested, even as she settled back down.

“And a Beta to keep happy.” Sera smiled before remembering herself. “But if you need to go, I’ll understand. Don’t let me keep you.”

“I’m happy to stay a little longer. Everything else can wait.” She slid back under the covers and rolled onto Sera’s pillow, pressing their foreheads together. “This is where I want to be.”

“We can’t stay here forever.”

“We can stay here for now. Besides, who’s going to say anything?”

Reminded of her pack, Sera felt a knot in her stomach. “Oh god,” she whispered, “I’m going to have to walk out of here. In broad daylight. In my pajamas.”

“It looks like we have some news to share.” Parisa laughed.

Sera looked Parisa in the eyes, searching for an ounce of worry but finding nothing. “How do you look so calm right now?”

“Because I’m happy.”

As Parisa leaned in towards her, she held her breath until the moment their lips touched.

Sera wrapped her arms around Parisa’s back and her Alpha pressed against her.

She could feel the tension in Parisa’s body and longed to be the one to guide her into truly letting go.

She slid her tongue along the seam of Parisa’s lips.

Parisa pulled back and gasped. Sera didn’t move, worried she’d ruined the moment.

Parisa stared down at her, lips parted. Seconds ticked past and Sera thought of what she could say to ensure Parisa knew she wasn’t pushing her into something she wasn’t ready for, but the moment she opened her mouth to speak, Parisa closed her eyes and leaned back in towards her.

Parisa took the lead, running the tip of her tongue along Sera’s lips.

She parted for her and Parisa kissed her, hesitant at first, but gradually turning into something slow and deep.

Sera melted at the feeling of Parisa licking into her mouth and she shuddered when she felt Parisa’s fingertips slide just under the hem of her t-shirt.

The slight touch and the way Parisa’s kisses were growing hungrier were enough to let a moan slip from her lips.

Parisa yanked her head back and looked down at her, a wild but sad look in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she panted.

“For what?”

“I don’t want to stop, honestly I don’t. But there’s something that’s still holding me back. I’m sorry,” she repeated.

Sera carded her fingers through loose, thick brown hair. “We have time,” she reminded her. “And all I want is to spend that time with you. I’m not in any rush.”

Parisa worried her lip between her teeth and slowly nodded. “You’re sweet.”

“And you’re as sweet as you are strong.”

Parisa smiled but her eyes wandered towards the door. “Ready to tell the rest of our chaotic little family today?”

Sera puffed out a laugh, shaking her head. “Not in the slightest, but let’s do it.”

“We should close the bakery for a few hours tonight and have a pack dinner. I’ll talk about the challenge and then —” She trailed off, smiling too hard to speak.

“Tell them about this.”

“About us,” Parisa added. She looked at the door again. “You can leave through my study, that way it won’t look too suspicious.”

“I’m still in pajamas.”

“Right. Not much we could do about that. I could give you one of my dresses but I fear that would be much more telling.”

“I’m just going to make a run for it.”

With a few more kisses to start their day, Sera finally got out of bed and walked to Parisa’s study through the adjoining door.

She took a deep breath, put her hand on the doorknob, flung the door open, and dashed through the house, passing surprised packmates until she was back in her own room, panting and grinning like a lovesick fool.