Chapter 9 - Violet

The argument between Nile and me had been difficult but necessary. After Penny had been reassured that I wasn't going to abandon her, Nile apologized and promised to make changes to the way he acted toward me. He was beginning to understand that I wasn't used to being controlled and that I needed to be able to make decisions for myself.

It wasn't perfect, but it was progress.

I had initially told Nile that I would turn down the offer from Walter, as I didn't feel comfortable taking a job I hadn't earned for myself. But when both Nile and Walter insisted that I take it, I decided I would prove my worth to them instead.

My first day at the art shop was tense, as the friendly relationship between Diana and Walter was more involved than I had previously thought. Penny's grandmother came in during my training, insisting on immediately getting Walter's opinion about new paint for her home. I didn't think it was a coincidence that she came in while I was working.

She was a tricky customer, but Walter didn't seem to mind. Instead, he spent nearly two hours helping her while I was relegated to wiping down counters and dusting shelves.

By the end of the day, however, Walter seemed to have been won over by my dedication and hard work. No matter what task he had given me, I had done it without complaint.

"I think you're gonna fit in well here, Luna," Walter said.

"Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. But I'd like it if you just called me Violet," I said. "You are my boss, after all."

Walter chuckled. "Eh, I suppose so. Gets a little tricky when your employee at work is your boss in the real world, though."

"I've never really considered the job of luna to include overseeing anyone," I admitted. "I think I'm mostly just here to help Nile."

"That's a big part of the luna's job, sure," Walter agreed, leaning forward on the shop counter. "But it's also about being someone the pack can look to in times of need. If the alpha is the power of the pack, the luna is the heart."

"I like that way of looking at it," I said.

"Nile has chosen a pretty special woman to help guide our pack, if you want to know my opinion," he said with a wink.

I was touched by Walter's compliment, and pleasantly surprised that he had given me one. Since he was close friends with Diana, I'd wondered if he would be biased against me as well, but it seemed that my work ethic had convinced him of my good attributes.

"Speaking of Nile…" Walter nodded out the window at a figure waiting outside with a bouquet of flowers. "It looks like the alpha is here to pick you up from your first day."

I blushed in spite of myself. No one had ever picked me up from work, let alone brought me a bouquet of flowers while doing so.

"Go ahead, I'm about to close up for the day," Walter said encouragingly.

"Thanks, boss," I said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I grabbed my belongings and headed outside to where Nile was waiting for me.

"Hey," he said awkwardly, clearing his throat. "Um, these are for you."

"Thanks," I said as I accepted them.

"I know I apologized last night, but I wanted to do it properly," he said. "I am truly very sorry for our argument and for overstepping with Walter. I shouldn't have done it, and I hope you can forgive me."

"It's okay, Nile," I said. "I forgive you. And I'm sorry, too. I was too hard on you. I know you were only trying to help me."

I may not have it in me to forgive him for abandoning me, but I could at least forgive him for this. If I was going to be the kind of luna that Walter had described, then I needed to learn how to separate the past from the present and not allow my hurt feelings to affect me now. This was a business arrangement, after all, and one that impacted entire communities of people. Not to mention Penelope. I vowed to myself that I would never let my past prevent me from protecting Penny.

"How was your first day of work?" Nile asked, changing the subject.

I shrugged. "Pretty good, I'd say. Diana came in this morning, and there was a shipment of paint cans this afternoon, but other than that, it was a pretty calm day. I think Walter is impressed with how quickly I can shelve paint," I joked.

"Oh yeah?" Nile said, raising an eyebrow. "You're talking about those little canisters, right? Not the gallons?"

"No, the big ones. Check out these muscles," I said. I raised my arms and flexed my biceps like a bodybuilder while making a serious face.

Nile laughed at my expression, and I broke into a smile as well. It felt good that we seemed to be getting along without having to pretend for once.

"Very impressive," he assured me. "I admit, I have an ulterior motive for coming to pick you up today."

"What's that?"

"To ask you out to dinner," he said. "I have a babysitter at home with Penny, and I'd like the chance to correct my mistake yesterday. What do you say? Will you go out with me?"

I hesitated at his invitation, realizing that with Penny at home, this would be the first time Nile and I had the opportunity to spend any significant amount of time alone.

"I don't know, Nile…" I wavered.

"Please, Violet?" he asked. "At least let me show you what I have planned. If you hate it, I'll take you straight home. It'll be good for us to be seen out in public for a little bit without Penny, and I really do want to have the chance to spend some time together. But if you don't want to stay, I'll understand."

"Alright," I acquiesced. "Lead the way."

Nile offered me his arm, and I linked mine underneath it. I ignored the flutter in my stomach as I walked with him down Main Street.

It's just a casual date, I said to myself. There's nothing between us anymore. This is just business. Nothing wrong with being friendly.