Chapter 63
GRAYSON
“You have to start firing your friends in council dad.” I muttered, staring at my old man as he sips his whiskey for breakfast. It’s just us in the dining table and while and while most families talk about the weather or plans for the day, we discuss politics.
He doesn’t even look up from his old sheet newspaper. “And why would I do that, Grayson?”
“Because they’re not loyal.” I lean forward, lowering my voice even though the staff knows better than to eavesdrop. “Jenkins has been meeting with the Northern pack. Moore’s daughter is dating one of your enemies. They’re weak links.”
Finally, he looks at me, those cold eyes–the ones I inherited–sizing me up. “You know what your problem is? You see enemies everywhere.”
“That’s rich coming from you.” I scoff, stabbing my fork into my untouched eggs. “You taught me to trust no one.”
“I taught you to be strategic.” He sets down his glass with a clink that seems to echo in the massive dining room. “Firing council members without cause
creates enemies. Real ones.”
My jaw clenches. He doesn’t get it. Or worse, he does and doesn’t care. The pack is vulnerable with these traitors in our midst, and he’s too comfortable
to see it.
“I saw how you handled Aria yesterday.” His voice drops, a dangerous edge to it. “Making a scene in public? That’s not a way to handle your future Luna, Grayson. Don’t you think?”
“SHE’S. NOT. MY. LUNA.” I snap, feeling my wolf rise beneath my skin. “She never will be.”
“You don’t have a choice.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Never does. “The arrangement with her family secures the eastern border. You’ll mate her, and you’ll do it without complaints.”
I lean in, voice deadly quiet. “And if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll find an heir who understands sacrifice.” He takes another sip of whiskey. “And as for your little pet–Jess, is it? The girl you pushed the role of a caretaker just to get her out of my sight?”
A low growl starts in my chest. I don’t even try to suppress it.
“You know,” he continues, setting down his glass, “I had her investigated. Fascinating girl. It would be a shame to hurt such a young vulnerable lady.”
The rage that floods through me is instant, primal. I’m halfway out of my chair before I realize what I’m doing.
“You seem upset.” He chuckles, completely unfazed. “Funny, I thought you’d outgrown these… attachments. Your mother had the same weakness- caring too much about things that don’t matter.”
“Don’t bring Mom into this,” I snarl.
“Your mother understood duty. In the end, she did what was necessary for the pack.” His eyes harden. “I’ve already arranged for your little Jess to assist with the new recruits‘ combat training tomorrow. Without protection. Accidents happen all the time with new wolves who can’t control their shifts.”
The chair crashes behind me as I stand, the wood splintering against the floor. My teeth elongate, sharp and ready. I want to rip his throat out—I could do
it right now.
“Touch her, and I’ll kill you myself.” The words come out distorted, my wolf pushing forward.
I’m out the door in seconds, phone in hand, frantically dialing Jess’s number as shift, clothes tearing, bones breaking and reforming. My wolf takes over, carrying me faster than human legs ever could toward their house in the woods.
The phone goes straight to voicemail again. She hasn’t answered since she ran away yesterday.
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Chapter 63
If they touch her if they hurt her I’ll burn this whole fucking pack to the ground.
When I reach her room, I pause and stare as I caught my reflection. Wild eyes, atted fur streaked with dirt and blood. I look exactly like what i ande monster who would tear apart the world for her.
Movement catches my eye. The curtain pulls back.
She stands there, sleep–tousled and perfect. For a second, fear flashes across her face, then recognition. Our eyes lock through the glass barrier.
Hér hand lifts slowly to the window. Not to close the curtain.
To unlock it.
“Grayson?” Her voice is muffled through the glass, but I hear the tremble in it. “What the fuck?”
The window creaks open. I rear up, front paws landing on the sill with a thud. My fangs catch the sun rays–white, sharp, deadly.
Jess stumbles back, hands flying to her mouth. “Moon goddess!” she hisses. “You’re–you’re fucking huge.”
I’ve never let her see me like this. The full wolf. The monster beneath the man.
“I know baby,” I try to say, but it comes out as a guttural snarl, saliva dripping from my jaws.
She should be terrified. Should be slamming the window shut. Calling for help. Instead, the crazy girl steps forward.
“You’re here early,” she whispers, reaching toward a gash on my shoulder I barely feel. “Is it because of yesterday? I’m sorry I left. I was just so scared of you.”
I duck my head, allowing her access. Her fingers trace my furs, tentative at first, then with more confidence. The wolf in me whines, pressing into her
touch.
“Are you still angry at me?” Her voice cracks. “About what I did.”
I growl low in confirmation. My massive head swings toward her, muzzle nudging her stomach. I’m so fucking angry I can fuck her right now.
“Shit.” She runs trembling fingers through my matted fur, finding my face again. “I’m sorry, Grayson but you really scared the shit out of me too.”
I’m too big for the window frame. Have to back up, paws scraping against the siding as I drop back to the ground. I pace below, looking up at her, teeth bared in impatience.
Then she does something that stops my heart. She fucking climbs out after me.
“Jess!” I try to shout, but it’s just another snarl. Her bare feet hit the dirt beside me, sleep shorts and tank top nothing against the morning chill.
“Where do we go?” she asks, hand finding purchase in the thick fur at my neck. “Your place?”
I shake my massive head, nudging her away because I don’t think another rendezvous with us will make it any better.
“Are you… can you change back?”
No.
If I shift back human, I’ll be naked and hard and nothing will stop me from bending her over right here in the dirt.
“Then we should go somewhere,” she insists. My parents will be up soon.”
I pull away, considering. Taking her deeper into the woods is dangerous–for her, not me, I’m barely holding the wolf in check as it is.
She steps closer, hand sliding down my flank in a way that makes my blood boil. “Please, Gray. I want to understand.”
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Chapter 63
Little kitten thinks she’s ready for the claws to come out. Doesn’t realize I’ve been gentle so far.
Does she understand what she’s asking?
She hesitates only a moment before her fingers tighten in my fur. “Lead the way.”
Hower my body, a clear invitation. She stares, disbelieving.
“Seriously?”
1 huff, impatient.
“Okay. Okay.” She swings a leg over my back, settling her weight between my shoulder blades. Her thighs grip my sides, arms wrapping around my neck. “This is insane.”
I rise carefully, adjusting to her weight. She’s trembling–from cold or fear, I can’t tell. Doesn’t matter. I’ll keep her warm. Keep her safe.
“Your fur’s softer than it looks,” she mumbles against my neck, face pressed close as I take the first loping steps into the morning
Softer than it looks. If she only knew the things these jaws have done and how much more it’s willing to do just to have her.
AD
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