Grayson
Ellie climbed down from the bed and ran to give me a hug, her tiny hands wrapping around my legs. I smoothed her hair, my eyes on the woman laying down on the bed and taking me in. Her gaze dropped to my hand on Ellie’s head and a ghost of a smile danced around her lips. I ran my gaze over her form, feeling a surge of protectiveness. She looked better than she had yesterday but it was obvious she was still recovering.
I smiled, crossing the room to sit beside her as Ellie climbed back on the bed and resumed her coloring. The chair creaked softly under my weight as I settled in, my gaze meeting hers. We had barely talked yesterday, saying not more than a few sentences before she’d go back to sleep. And that was only in the evening. She’d slipped in and out of consciousness for the most part of the morning. I was happy to see she was doing a bit better. She looked tired, like she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
“Hey,” I said softly. She settled into the pillows stacked behind her, turning to face me. “How are you feeling now?” My hand itched with the urge to hold her but I held it in. I needed to know where her head was at first. I knew she’d had a lot of visits today. A part of me figured a few of her visitors might have wanted to find out whether or not there was something going on between us. I wasn’t sure yet how she had handled the situation.
Her eyes darted to Ellie before returning back to mine. “I’m fine. Just a little shaken.” Her voice was barely audible, but I sensed there was more. I nodded, my jaw clenched. I had a feeling she wasn’t telling me everything, but I didn’t want to push her. She put her bottom lip between her teeth, slanting a look at Ellie again before meeting my eyes. “You know I’m grateful for your concern,” She started softly. “I’ll always be. But Grayson…” Her voice fell to a whisper. “Others are suspicious.”
Ahh, there it was.
I’d been right. They had tried to probe. That explained the slightly worried look in her eyes. Her gaze collided with mine and I saw the unspoken words in them; suspicion, fear, uncertainty. I leaned forward, brushing my fingers against her. I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t help being alone with her – well, as alone as we could be with Ellie in the room – being this close to her, and not being able to touch her. I rubbed her fingers gently.
“I’m aware,” I replied calmly.
She turned her attention to Ellie again, reducing the time of her voice even further. “I’m worried, Grayson. Scared.” Her voice cracked a bit and I felt a corresponding ache in my chest. I hated to see her like this. I could take her stubbornness, her kindness, her excitement, even her anger. What I couldn’t take was her worry and fear. I wanted to pull her into my arms but Ellie was watching us now, her curious eyes darting between us. I waited until she was distracted by her coloring before leaning forward.
My lips brushed against Keera’s forehead. “You don’t need to be,” I reassured, pulling away. “I’m here, Keera. Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together.” Her eyes fluttered closed, her face finally relaxing. Her shoulders sagged, releasing tension. Had she thought I was going to turn on her to save myself if shit went south? I drew lazy circles round her knuckles. No, Keera. I’m in too deep now. Whatever happens, I’m going to be on your side.
I let Keera fall back asleep, sitting with Ellie and her for a few more minutes before I left the room. My mind returned to the threats plaguing the pack as I made my way down to the study. Keera had a way of making everything else fade away and being the center of my attention when I was with her. But now that I’d left her bedroom, I was forced to face reality. Forced to accept that I had a killer in my pack I had yet to catch, and a powerful emotion for Keera I was yet to admit, even to myself.
I pushed into the study and settled into my favorite armchair, opening a worn out with frayed edges and setting it on the table. I was getting lost in rereading the book of laws guiding the pack when a knock sounded on the door, breaking the spell. I closed the book, letting out a sigh. Who was it now? Nyx again? Ginny this time? Ryan? I secretly hoped it was Ryan standing on the other side. He was the only one I could talk to about Keera.
I’d already confessed to him that Keera was my mate.
“Enter,” I finally called out. The door creaked open, and Ria stepped inside. I inwardly groaned. If Ryan was the first person I wanted to see, then Ria was definitely the last person I wanted to see. They were both more than just council members to me, but with Ria it was different. She didn’t know when to let things be sometimes. Her eyes met mine before she turned to close the door and began walking towards me. The usual flirty smile on her face when we were alone had been replaced with a serious expression.
She stood across from me at the other side of the table, folding her hands across her chest. “Grayson, we need to talk.” Her voice was firm, and they seemed to somehow echo in the closed room. I knew exactly what she wanted to talk about even though she hadn’t said it yet. She’d informed me yesterday that she’d had a few things to take care of at home, disappearing right after the meeting with Keera’s team. She must have caught up with what happened. I still tried to play it cool.
I casually raised an eyebrow, as casually as I could manage, that is “What’s on your mind, Ria?” I asked, leaning back in my chair. She faltered a bit. Had she expected me to immediately get defensive? Even I knew that would be the wrong way to handle this. Getting defensive would only mean I have something to hide, and since I wanted to convince her that I didn’t, I had to do the exact opposite. I tilted my head expectantly and that seemed to snap her out of whatever haze she was in.
She squared her shoulder, her piercing eyes locking onto mine. “Keera.” She stated flatly, with an eyebrow raise of her own. “I think you’re getting too close to her,” She pointed out, her voice laced with false concern. She wasn’t bringing Keera up because she cared what my attachment to her might mean for me. Even I knew that. No, she was only bringing Keera up because she didn’t like humans. Especially not Keera. I’d always wondered why that was. Why Ria seemed to have a personal aversions to Keera.
Deep down, I knew the reason.
I just didn’t want to accept it.
I leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees. “What makes you think that?” I asked, feigning nonchalance. I knew Ria enough to know she was only speculating. She wasn’t sure yet of the exact nature of my relationship with Keera. If she was, her confrontation would be a lot more serious, and she would not be using words like, ‘I think.’ Her hands clenched into fists, an indication that she was annoyed by my indifference.
Her nails were probably digging painfully into her palms. “I’ve seen the way you look at her, the way you protect her. You’re risking everything, Grayson. Our laws, our pack’s safety… everything.” I felt my own anger spike at her words. I might consider her a friend but I wasn’t going to let think for one second that she could disrespect me. Who exactly did she think she was to remind me what the laws of my pack were? The only woman permitted to do that was currently sleeping upstairs.
Every other person, I tolerated out of love.
But I wasn’t going to let that love birth disrespect. I sat up in my chair, meeting her gaze firmly. “We’re just friends,” I replied, my tone light and dismissive. That was all I was going to say on the matter. I was done with this. I stood up and returned the book to the shelf. If she noticed what I’d been reading, she didn’t show it. I dusted my hands, picking up a tiny rag and cleaning my hands with it. Her eyes were spitting fire by the time I turned my attention back to her.
She shook her head slowly, disbelief clearly written on her face. I’d never dismissed her before. Not with my words, and also not with my actions. But now I was doing that by wanting to leave the room. Her laughter was harsh, mocking. “I can’t believe this.” She slapped her hands on her thigh, shaking her head more strongly. “Don’t even try to lie to me, Grayson. Just friends?” She scoffed. “I damn well know better.” Her eyes turned to slits, flashing with anger. “Are you having sex with her?”
My jaw clenched, my patience wearing thin. “That’s none of your business, Ria,” I growled, my voice low with warning. She leaned back, the disbelief in her expression doubling. I hadn’t denied her accusation, and even though I hadn’t confirmed it either, I might as well have. I pinched the bridge of my nose and rubbed my temples, knowing I couldn’t leave now even if I wanted to. I had to clear the air somehow. We stared at each other in silence and I could help but notice how she was different from Keera in so many ways.
Her face reddened as she took one step forward. “Our laws make it my business. No werewolf is to get involved with a human. You know what the pack would do if they found out,” she reminded me, her voice rising. Again, my patience snapped. It was almost like she would wait for me to try to gain control of my emotions before saying and doing some stupid shit to piss me off. Like trying to keep me in check as though she had the right.
My patience snapped. “I don’t need the reminder, Ria,”
Realizing she was overstepping her boundaries, she softened her tone and expression. “I’m sorry, Grayson. I didn’t mean to sound overbearing. It’s just… I care about you, and I don’t want to see you hurt.” She paused, her eyes meeting mine as she contemplated her next words. An alarm began going off in my head. “I have a confession,” She said, her voice barely above a whisper. I couldn’t look away from her then even if I wanted to. Don’t say it, Ria. Don’t say it…
“I’m in love with you, Grayson,”
Dear goddess. Her voice trembled and her eyes shone with unshed tears. For a moment, I felt a pang of sorrow. This was the last thing I wanted to deal with right now. The last thing I needed. I’d already suspected the truth about her feelings, but the admission still shocked me. Her words lingered in the air, heavy with emotion. How was I supposed to respond to that? I didn’t feel the same way. I would never feel the same way. “Ria…” I began, unsure how to respond.
She cut me off, taking a few more steps closer to me, her gaze filled with determination. She released a steadying breath, fixing her gaze firmly on mine. I moved my head slowly from side to side, wordlessly asking her not to go on. Why was she doing this? Why now? “You haven’t found your fated mate, Grayson. And I know I’m not her, but…” She pressed her lips together. My hands fisted and my jaws immediately clenched.
Don’t you fucking dare, Ria.
“Will you please mate with me and make me your chosen mate?”
Fucking hell.