*Grayson*
I sat in my study, trying to clear my mind. Keera’s words bounced back and forth in my mind, together with my earlier conversations with Ginny and Ryan. I had never considered it an option that she could agree with Ginny. I’d always thought the connection between us had become strong enough that we would instinctively try to preserve it no matter what happened. I’d been wrong. Very wrong. She’d given up the fight before it had even began. I stared at my phone laying on the desk.
I was about to send the text that would change everything. The heaviness of the decision I was about to make settled in my chest like a physical burden. With a deep breath, I picked up my phone and opened a chat with Ria. I didn’t mindlink her because I didn’t want to hear her reply in my head. My fingers hesitated over the keyboard, as if unwilling to seal my fate. I remembered Keera’s words about Ria being a great match for me and immediately sent out the text.
‘Ria, meet me in my study.’
My thumb hovered over the send button, hesitation gnawing at me. Was I really throwing away the chance I had with my fated mate? It must have been so easy for Keera to have reached her decision. She didn’t know she was my fated mated. I had never told her. And I didn’t think I would either, because at the end, what did it matter? She’d already made up her mind that Ria was better. I sent the text. It didn’t take long for Ria to reply. She must have been on her phone.
‘On my way.’
I took a moment to collect myself, steeling myself for what was to come. Few minutes later, the door to my study opened, and Ria walked in. She struggled to keep the excitement on her face hidden but it was as clear as day. Her dimples were on full display, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She closed the door and walked further into the room. We both knew I had to have had a change of heart if I was asking to see her after turning her down.
As she took the seat across from me, I tried to imagine was it would be like having her as my mate. Ria and I were already close. We didn’t have a lot of arguments and we had similar opinions on things that really mattered. I didn’t have romantic feelings for her but even I knew that it could grow with time. “Grayson, what’s this about?” She asked, her voice laced with excitement. She definitely already knew but this was about but she didn’t want to sound too eager.
I decided to delve right into the matter. “I’ve thought about your proposal,” I began, my tone measured. “And I’ve decided to accept.” Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open in genuine surprise. A part of her had clearly doubted her proposition was the reason I wanted to see her. She leaned into her chair, watching me closely like she expected me to tell her it was all a prank. Her eyebrows narrowed skeptically.
“You already said no,” She reminded me. “You already turned me down.” I had, but that was before I had known I would be fighting a losing battle by trying to be with Keera. How could I be in a relationship with someone who didn’t want to be in a relationship with me. She had said it was the best decision, but for whom? For me? For her? For the pack? The best decision for the pack was being with my fated mate. It didn’t matter how complicated the situation was. “What caused the change of heart?” Ria asked.
“I believe it’s the best decision for the pack.” The words felt like ash in my mouth and I could have sworn I could taste the bitterness. I didn’t want any of this. My wolf especially was against the idea of being separated from his mate with everything that he had. But once again, I had to put the pack’s needs before my own. I was no stranger to sacrificing my happiness for the sake of the pack. I just hadn’t expected it would ever hurt this much.
Ria’s lips curved into a shy smile at the realization that I would perform the mating ceremony with her but I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. I shook it off, feeling a sense of duty. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” I continued. “We’ll announce it to the pack members soon.” She nodded, struggling to find the words to express her emotions. She either didn’t see how uncomfortable I was with the decision I was making or she didn’t care. I had a feeling it was the later.
It was funny how I was only just realizing how selfish she could be sometimes.
“Thank you, Grayson.” She pushed her hair behind her ears. “I promise to make you happy.” I smiled again, the gesture feeling hollow. A fake promise. I called for a meeting with the rest of the council members, wanting to get the announcement over and done with. I had to start coming to terms with reality as soon as possible if I was going to let go of my feelings for Keera. I’d already decided to stay as far away from her as I could for as long as possible until it’s time to reject her.
I held the meeting in the second conference room we had downstairs, not wanting to risk bumping into Keera. It was smaller and less furnished but we could make do. Their faces were a mix of curiosity and confusion when I stepped in. I met Ginny’s and Ryan’s eyes, a subtle heads up on what the meeting was about. Their eyes flashed with understanding and concern. “I have an announcement to make,” I began, my voice firm. I didn’t feel like beating around the bush. “I’ve decided to mate with Ria.”
Their eyes widened at my announcement. The rest of it; my relationship with Keera, the truth about Keera being my fated mate, the fact that Ria had confessed her love for me, it wasn’t important right now. I could see the surprise on their faces as their gaze bounced between Ria and me. If they had any questions, they didn’t ask. They all knew my relationship with Ria was strictly platonic and my announcement wasn’t coming because we’d been getting intimate. I was grateful for the faith they had in me.
They knew I was only making the decision because it was best for the pack.
I registered the concern in Nyx’s eyes and sent her a small smile. Congratulations filled the air as they rounded the table to give Ria and I big hugs. We all knew we had made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up whatever chance we might have had at finding our fated mates. Ginny’s eyes were wide when she got to me, pulling me for a warm hug. “That was really noble of you, Grayson.” She said softly, her voice filled with pride. Her expression shifted to one of concern when she met my eyes. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I’m positive.” I reassured her. Ryan’s face darkened as he approached me. We both stared as Ginny walked to give Ria a hug. “I’ve made up my mind,” I informed him, already knowing what he wanted to say. His disapproval rolled off him in waves. He didn’t even bother with a hug or a handshake like the others. My respect for him doubled in that moment as I watched him struggle to act like he was okay with me sacrificing my happiness for the pack. He pulled me into a hug, clapping his hand on my back.
“They don’t know how lucky they are to have you,” He said calmly as he pulled away, speaking of the pack members. Nyx’s concerned gaze collided with mine and I knew I couldn’t take a confrontation from her right now. She was the only one yet to congratulate Ria and me, and I knew she felt the same way Ryan did. The sting from Keera’s rejection returned, opening my wounds. “I need to take a walk.” I informed Ryan.
I exited the room before anyone else could try to start up a conversation with me. I took a stroll around the pack, grateful that I no longer had to pretend like everything was okay. I had no doubt that I would adjust to my new reality eventually, but it would certainly take time, and that might not be something they would be able to understand. They didn’t know how attached to Keera I already was. I frowned when I caught sight of broken shards of glass on the ground.
I examined the surrounding area, realizing that they weren’t pieces of just any glass but one of the CCTV cameras we’d installed around the pack’s perimeter. I looked up, noticing I could indeed see the remainder of the broken cam. The camera’s metal casing was twisted, hanging limply from the pole on which it had been hung. My instincts prickled in response. Something wasn’t right. The damage was unmistakable; someone had deliberately vandalized the camera. The lens was shattered, the wiring ripped out.
The hairs at that back of my neck stood as I realized the implications. This wasn’t just random vandalism; this was calculated. Whoever did this wanted to create a blind spot, a vulnerable area where they could move undetected. I did a three-sixty, surveying the area, searching for any clues that might explain the camera’s destruction. Why had this particular camera been chosen? Was Keera and her team aware of this? My chest hurt at the thought of Keera but I ignored it, focusing on what was more important.
I wondered if they would have footage of the camera being destroyed.
There were no signs of a break in into any of the houses close to the pole, just the broken camera hanging limply. My mind racing, I mindlink Ryan. ‘Ryan, we have a problem,’ I said, my voice low and urgent. I quickly relayed everything that had happened from the moment I’d left the house up until that point. I was glad that Ryan shared my sentiments. Something about the broken camera had also rubbed him off the wrong way, just hearing about it.
‘I’m on my way.’ He stated.
I stood waiting for him to arrive, my eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The silence around this side of the pack was unsettling, and I couldn’t seem to shake off the feeling that I was being watched. I scanned my gaze around the area again, my heart skipping when I caught sight of something suspicious around the corner. My mind raced as I approached cautiously, praying to the moon goddess that it wasn’t at all what I was suspecting it was.
My five senses were on high alert as I got even closer. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach when I craned my neck and realized exactly what it was; a dead body, lying motionless on the ground. The body was female. Young and familiar, but not someone I knew really well. My wolf howled inside of me as I numbly walked back to the spot I’d discovered the shattered camera, immediately putting the pieces together. The broken camera and the body, they were both connected.
Ryan arrived, a wary expression on his face. He stared at the broken camera and took in the twisted metal casing of the camera. He met my gaze, instantly noticing the troubled look on my face. He knew it was more than just the camera. “What’s wrong?” He asked cautiously. I gestured for him to round the corner. All the emotions drained from his face when he got back. I nodded at the silent question in his eyes.
“The killer had struck again.”