*Keera*
Two days had passed since Grayson’s last visit. I honestly wished I could say it didn’t matter, but there was no use. It mattered a whole damn lot. I couldn’t seem to shake off the feeling of abandonment. Why hadn’t he come back to check on me? Has everyone’s suspicions gotten the best of him? Questions swirled around in my mind, leaving me dizzy and uncertain. I tried to focus on getting better, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Grayson.
I understood if he no longer wanted to carry on our relationship, but he could at least let me know.
Pushing all thoughts of him aside, I stepped down from the large bed and prepared for a shower. I set the tap running, organizing all my bathing products in a small tray. Soon enough, the bathroom became steamy, the scent of my lavender soap filling the air. I peeled my clothes away from my body, folding it neatly and setting it aside. I stepped into the shower, impatient to feel the warm water against my skin.
Water cascaded down my body, enveloping me in its soothing warmth. My injuries were almost healed now. I was grateful to no longer feel the familiar sting I’d had to bear whenever I had my bath during the early stage of my recovery. I closed my eyes, letting the water droplets massage my tense muscles. Just as I began to relax, a faint sound caught my attention. I turned instinctively as the bathroom creaked open and Grayson’s tall frame filled the space.
My heart skipped like it always did whenever I laid eyes on him. He leaned against the door, slowly trailing his eyes over my naked body. I fought the urge to hide from him. I hadn’t seen him in two days. I had no idea where his head was currently at but here he was, drinking me in like none of it mattered. His gaze was intense, and despite the hunger I noticed in them, I knew something was off. He seemed… bothered about something.
“Grayson?” I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. His eyes lifted to mine, and for a moment, we locked gazes. Our connection was so palpable, I could have sworn I could reach out and touch it. Without a word, he began stripping off his clothes. My breath deepened as I watched him. I realized he must have already locked my room door to ensure our privacy. His movements were fluid and determined, his muscles rippling beneath his skin.
My heart quickened as he joined me in the shower, and I shifted to make room for him. His eyes met mine and the sadness in them tore me apart. He cupped my cheeks, but I didn’t relax into his touch the way I always did. I was too scared to move. Why did he looked so troubled? “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice filled with regret. “I shouldn’t have stayed away for so long.” His apology eased some of my worries.
At least he hadn’t intended to cut me off.
It still didn’t change the fact that something didn’t feel right. “What’s wrong?” I asked softly. I reached up and covered his hands on my face, needing some form of reassurance. Instead of answering, the emotions swirling around his dark eyes seemed to intensify. He moved his hands away from my face and caged me between the bathroom wall and his body, his chest almost touching mine.
I felt a shiver skate across my spine. His proximity intoxicated me but not enough for me to forget he hadn’t responded to my question. “Grayson?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly. His silence was unnerving, his eyes speaking volumes. Why wasn’t he saying anything? What was wrong, dammit? Didn’t he know how worried and scared out of my mind I was by his silence? I was about to ask him again when he brushed his lips against mine.
His kiss was gentle yet demanding. His mouth moved slowly, almost as though he wanted to savor the moment. Naturally, I melted into his touch. There was only Grayson, everything else seemed to fade away; my fear, my worries, my doubts, everything. He didn’t tell me with words that he wasn’t abandoning me, but he showed it to me. He showed it to me with the way he kissed me. He showed it to me with the way his hands caressed my body. He showed it to me with the way his head moved between my legs.
And when he gently pushed himself inside me, his gaze locked on mine as water poured down on us, I finally believed it. Whatever happened, we would face it together.
He wouldn’t leave me to deal with it myself.
***
Grayson sat on the chair beside my bed, silently watching me as I dressed. He’d already finished getting into his own clothes by the time I was done applying my body lotion. “I need to tell you something,” He announced, immediately causing my heart to jump in anticipation. I looked up, seeing the seriousness of his expression. He might not be leaving me, but things were still not okay. I wore a tank top over my bra and put on leggings, getting back beneath the covers.
“What is it?” I asked calmly, meeting his eyes.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Ria came to my study yesterday. She confronted me about us,” He informed, his words hanging in the air, heavy with tension. His jaw clenched, and his lips pressed together, as though recalling the conversation was painful. He broke eye contact, his expression darkening. When his eyes met mine again, the emotion in them was of worry. “She said she was in love with me, Keera.” He admitted quietly.
A dull roaring echoed in my ears.
My hand flew to my chest as though trying to make sure my heart was still pumping blood. In love! I’d suspected she had feelings for him, but I had never imagined they were so… deep… and intense. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to respond, what I was supposed to say, and so I just kept mute. Thank God I did because I hadn’t even heard the worst of what he had to say. “She asked me to mate with her.” Grayson finished, watching me closely.
I skidded my gaze away from his, needing a second to put myself together. What did that mean exactly? For him? For us? I wasn’t an expert but I knew a werewolf’s mate was the same as a human’s soulmate. Someone they couldn’t live without. And Ria had asked to be that person for him. I wanted to ask what his reply had been but the words wouldn’t come out. Why wasn’t he telling me on his own? Had he agreed?
He must have noticed the anguish on my face because he dragged his seat closer to the bed and tried to touch me. I flinched, looking away. “Can you leave, please?” I asked, looking everywhere but at him. He awkwardly drew back his hand, his stare burning into the side of my face. I’d tried to live in the moment for as much as I could but it was time to get back to reality. Grayson and I could never be truly together.
“Keera, I-”
“Please just go.” I begged, still refusing to meet his eyes. “Please.” His hands fisted beside him, but he turned and left the room, leaving me to process the weight of his words. The door closed behind him, the soft click feeling as though I’d been shut out from the rest of the world. I leaned my body against the pillows at my back, shutting my eyes and replaying his words. Ria was in love with him. She’d asked him to mate with her. I bit my lip, admitting the truth to myself.
Ria was best for him.
Grayson and I, we could never work.
He was a werewolf and I was human. How had we deceived ourselves into thinking we could ever figure this out? How had I landed myself in this position? My chest tightened and my heart ached, the pain so intense I almost wheezed. I’d thought I was smarter than this. But I’d gone and fallen in-
My inner monologue was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. My eyes shot to the door as Ginny walked in. I searched her face for any sign that she’d just spoken to Grayson, but there was none. Realizing she had only come to check up on me, I breathed a little easier in relief. My relief was short-lived when I noticed the change in her expression as she got to the bed. She stood beside me, her eyes widening as her lips parted slightly in surprise.
I felt my heart race. “What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.
She stared deep into my eyes, her shoulders deflating a bit as a sad smile played around her lips. “So Grayson and you are really having sex, huh?” Her tone was matter-of-fact, like she’d somehow just gotten confirmation. I hesitated, unsure how to respond. I knew I didn’t have a hickey. It was the only reason I’d worn a tank top after our lovemaking in the shower. But I still couldn’t figure out how she’d guessed it, not that I was going to admit it so easily.
As if sensing my intention to lie, she shook her head slowly, her voice taking on a knowing tone. “Don’t bother denying it, Keera.” She stated flatly. “I can smell him on you.” My heart stuttered in my chest. I’d had a shower, but it hadn’t been that long and werewolves could pick up scents better than humans could. I fell back on the pillows, sighing in defeat. There was no use lying to her.
She already knew the truth.
Silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken implications. She dragged a seat close to my bed, and lowered herself on it, releasing a deep sigh of her own. The sound drew my attention, and our eyes met. She was still smiling sadly. “I suspected,” She admitted, her voice tinged with regret. “But I’d secretly been hoping I would be wrong.” Her expression softened, her eyes filled with concern. Hurt seared through me.
“Let me guess, because I’m not good enough for Grayson?”
Confusion filled her expression as she shook her head slowly. “No, Keera. I would never think that.” She said gently. “I was hoping I would be wrong because… getting involved with a human is against our pack laws, Keera.” Her words were laced with a deep concern, and her eyes pleaded with me to understand where she was coming from. “I’m scared of the consequences, Keera. For you, for Grayson, and for our pack.”
She reached forward and squeezed my hand lightly. “Think about it Keera, please. Take all the time you need but please think about it.” She stood up, silently inspecting my injuries. She seemed pleased that they were almost healed. Her gaze met mine again and she shot me a small smile. “I’ll try not to meddle.” She promised, sighing. “I care about Grayson and you, Keera. More than you know. I really don’t want to see any of you get hurt.”
Her words echoed in my mind long after she left the room. I thought about everything I had learned today and realized Ginny had a point. I’d been so caught up in my feelings for Grayson that I’d ignored the risks, ignored the danger that our relationship posed. There was no light at the end of the tunnel for us. Only pain and heartache. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes and I let them fall, making a vow to myself. I had to avoid him from now on as long as I could.
I’d protect Grayson, even if it meant protecting him from myself.