by Leela Ash
Could he blame her? Greyson had been up in arms from the moment she’d arrived in his life. The only time he’d fully embraced her had been when he was slobbering drunk and desperate to find a virgin to accompany him to the ceremony. He hadn’t even told her about the rehearsal yet. Maybe he would just have to wait to see how she really felt about him before he went through with this. There would be nothing worse than lying to the shifter deities. He would almost rather die than enter into a sacred union with a woman who couldn’t stand him. No matter what the wolf had to say about it.
Greyson growled to himself, his mind racing for a solution to his dilemma. She didn’t feel like he cared about her. That had been the issue all along. He knew that, somehow, there was a way to prove to her that he was sincere. He’d wanted her from the moment he’d seen her picture, but he wouldn’t let the wolf lead the way any longer.
Suddenly, an idea dawned upon him. If he could find a way to help her family, or convince them that she was all right, then maybe she would give him another chance. She was tired of his shit, that much was clear, and if he thought enough about it, he could certainly see why she would be. Maybe the answer was to appeal to her through her family. And if she wasn’t ready to be with him by the time the Serah ceremony commenced, then he would let her go.
Even if that meant spending every last dime of his money, whether the money he had earned for himself or money from his inheritance, to pay off Jeffers and relocate her family somewhere that they would never face any of the legal issues they were having again.
With a newfound determination, Greyson sprinted up to his office. If this was going to work, he would have to plan accordingly. It was the least he could do for her. Maybe, just maybe, it would be enough to patch up their relationship and give them a fresh start.
***
“Are you sure about this, Master Bleuth?”
“Yes, Baron. I’m sure.”
Baron paled but nodded slightly and opened the door for Greyson to get into the car.
They were silent as they drove the several miles down the road to Greyson’s parents’ manor, and, with a deep breath and a faltering smile to Baron, who waited outside the car with a worried look on his face, Greyson rang the doorbell.
A few moments later, a servant was answering the door and ushering Greyson inside to the drawing room, where his mother was sitting with a cool cup of iced tea and staring out the window.
“Hello, mother,” Greyson said nervously. “Father asked me to come today, didn’t he?”
“Yes, of course, but you know how he is.”
Greyson frowned, and his mother glanced up at him as if seeing him for the first time since he’d arrived.
“Oh, hello dear. That’s right, you’re supposed to work on the books with your father. You know where to go. He’s expecting you.”
“Of course he is,” Greyson mumbled, turning away from his mother and heading up the elaborate staircase to his father’s spacious study.
Inside, his father was hunched over thick piles of paper, meticulously checking figures and grumbling to himself. It was as if he resented the people of Stonybrooke for paying him extra money for the land they were living on. In other shifter settlements, they lived by less human rules and nobody was able to strike it rich by taking advantage of their own pack. His father was quite unique in that aspect, and Greyson glowered at the door.
“Father.”
Greyson’s father ignored him, and continued mumbling about the figures he was checking and re-checking, until Greyson raised his voice.
“Father!”
His voice came out in a harsh growl, and his father looked at him in surprise.
“Take a seat, boy. I need a hand here, can’t you see that?”
Greyson didn’t budge from the doorway.
“I’ve come to tell you something important.”
“And what’s that?” his father asked impatiently, thrusting his magnifying glass onto the table and glaring at Greyson.
“I don’t want you and mother in my personal business anymore. I’ve been groomed well enough to find my virgin bride for the ceremony, but I want that to be where the line is drawn. Do you understand?”
Greyson’s father laughed heartily at this and patted the seat beside himself. Greyson sat begrudgingly, and his father pushed a magnifying glass at him. Greyson picked it up with a sigh and began studying the figures on the paper in front of him, checking them over once, then twice, then a third time, before putting them in the pile for finished work.
“My boy, I couldn’t care less what you do with that human of yours. Just be careful with her. Humans can be crafty; especially ones that come from stock such as hers. I hear she’s the daughter of a murderer.”
Greyson growled. “If I hear another thing like that come from your lips, I will challenge you in front of the whole pack. And that is something I’d rather not do.”
Greyson’s father turned a stern eye upon him, but both of them knew the obvious. He had aged incredibly since his youth, and now Greyson was clearly the stronger and more powerful of the two. His father earned his power through corrupt business practices, while Greyson was still powerful just by the virtue of his youth. And, if the ceremony was successful, he was about to get a whole lot more powerful.
“Easy does it, son,” his father said with a scowl. “We don’t want you to say anything you might regret.”
“I’m serious,” Greyson said, putting another paper in the ‘finished’ pile. “I don’t want you or mother to speak about Molly, whether in my presence or out of it. If I find out you have, or you’ve done anything to interfere with the life of Molly or her family, you won’t live to regret it.”
“I understand that you are taking your new mate very seriously,” his father said evenly. “This is good news. I can see that having her around has matured you a lot already. I look forward to seeing the type of man you will become with a woman around to soften your edges. Or, make them sharper, as can tend to happen.”
Greyson glared at his father but said no more. He felt better now that his position was clear. Nobody would hold anything over Molly’s head, or her family’s. His father wouldn’t stand in the way of her freedom, no matter what happened. There were a lot of ways his father could hurt him, like taking away his inheritance, for example, but the one thing he couldn’t do was win a fight against his able-bodied son.
“It’s true, son. I’m very relieved to know you have someone with you in that huge house of yours. It seems so lonely there. Your mother worries, you know.”
“Well, she has nothing to worry about. It’s no lonelier there than it was here.”
Greyson’s father chuckled, and they continued on with their work until it was finished. He gave his father a begrudging bow before he left, a little bit angry with himself for not being able to have the courage to tell his father that he wanted nothing to do with his shady business.
All in good time, he supposed. He had already threatened to kill his father if he tried to hold his knowledge about Molly over either of their heads. That was more than enough for one day.
“I didn’t expect you to make it out of there in one piece,” Baron admitted with a sheepish, relieved laugh as he allowed Greyson into the car.
“I just had a few words with my father. He knows I’m serious.”
Greyson could feel Baronstudying him from the rearview mirror and caught the old man’s eye.
“I’m really glad to know that you are serious,” Baron said. “Lady Molly is quite a sweet soul. She deserves to have somebody who is serious about her.”
Greyson nodded, though his insides seemed to be churning in agony. He wished she would have had a person like that from the moment she’d walked through his doors, but there was no point in wasting time regretting his decisions. He would just have to change the way he behaved around her. The thought of letting her go and losing her completely was the first thing that had ever truly scared him. At the very least, he had made one s
olid first step in ensuring that Molly would be safe and sound, no matter what happened.
When they arrived home, Greyson was shocked to find Molly pacing in the dining room.
“Where have you been?” she asked, fear and concern practically radiating from her body. Had she been worried about him? Usually he, or Baron, mentioned it to her when Greyson was going to leave the estate, but this time, he had done it in secret. He didn’t want to have to explain himself to her. It was embarrassing to admit that he had to go threaten his father so nothing bad would happen to her if he decided to let her go back to her family.
“I was doing the books with my father. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Molly huffed.
“You should tell me next time. What if there’s an emergency?”
Greyson raised his eyebrows. It was a poor way to tell him that she had been worried about him, or maybe even that she had missed him. But it was clear that she was still upset with him for the way he had been treating her, and her concern was warranted. There was a distinct possibility that Molly could be in danger. She was one of a few rare humans who came to Stonybrooke, and it was no secret that she was staying with him. Worse, it was obvious to everybody who had heightened shifter senses that she was a virgin, and that only made her more of a magnet for abuse of all kinds from men who were eager to claim the powers of the Serah ceremony for themselves and their future offspring.
“You’re right. I apologize.”
Molly glared at Greyson for a few more moments, and finally shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so extreme with you. I’ve just been feeling really angry at you lately.”
Greyson was shocked. He had no idea that there was a human out there who could speak so candidly about her emotions. From what he understood, most humans, particularly the women, would hide their true feelings no matter what, because they weren’t considered socially acceptable. A concept that Greyson thought was wildly funny. What faster way to create a whole society full of emotional problems?
“I can tell,” Greyson said quietly. “Would you like to come upstairs and talk to me about it?”
Molly shifted uncomfortably, but he could tell that the invitation was welcome.
“Let’s go,” Greyson said, guiding Molly to the stairs. “Baron, can we postpone lunch?”
“Sir!”
Greyson glared sternly at Baron, who nodded in shock. It was the first time since he was an infant that Greyson had ever suggested putting off a meal for any reason. Baron disappeared from the room as Greyson and Molly went up to the same area where they had spoken so easily before on the balcony.
“Now please,” Greyson pleaded when Molly was seated. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Molly heaved a heavy sigh and stared up at him, her shocking blue eyes serious and troubled.
“I want my family to come to the wedding.”
Greyson did a double-take, and then laughter began to bubble uncontrollably from his breast.
“That’s all? That’s what you’re upset about?”
Molly’s eyes grew fierce as she stared at Greyson, and his laughter died immediately in his throat.
“I didn’t mean… it’s just, why would you think they weren’t welcome at our wedding?”
Molly shrugged. “I don’t know. And it’s not just that, either. I just don’t feel like a man so… selfish… would ever know how to properly love someone. And I’m worried about what that could mean for us. For our future.”
Greyson gaped at her. He had never been called selfish before. At least, not to his face. And although he knew it was true, it still hurt and made him feel angry.
“I know how to love someone,” he exclaimed. “I just… how are we supposed to go about doing that when we can’t even get along?”
Molly pursed her lips. “That is the other thing I’m upset about.”
Greyson shook his head.
“I vow to you, that there is nothing more I want in the world than to make this relationship work out between us.”
Molly sighed. “I would love to believe that, Greyson. I really would. I just don’t know what to think.”
Greyson got to his feet and stood in front of her, his eyes serious.
“I swear it,” he said. “I know all of this was my fault. You felt unwelcome with me. Unsafe, maybe. But there is a reason the wolf inside of me chose you. And I’m going to prove it to you. If you give me one more chance.”
Molly swallowed hard, clearly uncomfortable by his grandiose gesture. There was no way he could just change her first impression of him overnight. It would take more than just threatening his father to make things right with her.
Finally, Molly caught his eye.
“I believe in second chances,” she said. “That’s why I’m here in the first place.”
She gave him a weak smile and stood from her seat. Greyson watched her go, his chest tight. Everybody who knew her was right. She deserved the best of him, even if the wolf brought out the worst.
16.
The next morning, Molly woke up and immediately sensed that something was wrong. Greyson’s comforting presence was nowhere to be found, and she worried, once again, that something bad had happened to him. More infuriatingly, it was possible that he had broken the promise he’d made only the night before. If he wanted a second chance from her, then how was she supposed to give it to him if he was already lying to take the easy way out of her anger?
But when she looked outside, she saw that the car was still in the driveway. As she roamed the house, looking for any life at all, she found Baron standing rigidly at the top of the stairs, looking worried.
“What is it?” Molly asked him. He pursed his lips but said nothing. Hecontinued staring off into space. “Baron!”
Baron hung his head and finally began to whisper.
“Master Bleuth had words with his father yesterday. He told him that if he dug any deeper into your business, or harmed your family, Greyson would challenge and kill him himself. I’m afraid the man didn’t take it so well. Hesent a group of thugs to come and abduct you from the home. Master Bleuth…”
“Where is Greyson?” Molly demanded.
Baron closed his eyes, worry and pain etched in every line of his face. “I fear the worst. I stopped hearing the sounds of the fight a few moments ago. I’m trying to gather the courage to go outside.”
Molly’s heart lurched, and she ran to the door before Baron could even register what was happening.
“Please! Stay inside! It isn’t safe!”
But the words didn’t reach her. If anything had happened to Greyson just because he was trying to protect her, she would never be able to forgive herself.
When she reached the front porch, she froze. There was a trail of blood leading down the steps and across the street, and what she saw there horrified her. Three grey wolves were lying limp on the ground, as a fourth grey wolf and one monstrous black wolf snarled viciously at one another. It was obvious that the blood was coming from the black wolf, who was clearly the more powerful of the two, and she knew immediately by the serious glint in his eyes that this wolf was Greyson.
The grey wolf yelped suddenly and backed away with its tail between his legs, and the other three injured wolves struggled to their feet and limped away, following their leader away from the huge black threat.
“Greyson!” Molly shouted.
Greyson’s eyes met hers right away, and she felt a huge surge of tenderness and compassion for the man. He had risked his life to protect her. Greyson took a step toward her, before collapsing into the dirt.
***
“What the hell were you thinking?” Molly exclaimed.
Greyson stared at her groggily, still barely conscious. It was a miracle that Baron had come out when he had and ensured that the grey wolves didn’t come back to prey upon Greyson while he was down. Baron was shockingly strong, and lifted the huge wolf up over his shoulders and carried him inside.
Mol
ly had watched in awe as Greyson’s solid wolf form slowly transformed right in front of her, until he was a vulnerable – albeit shockingly muscular – naked man, lying unconscious on his bed.
“He’s going to be fine, Lady Molly,” Baron said soothingly. “I’ve just got to tend to his wounds.”
When Baron had finished, Greyson was regaining consciousness, and Baron retreated from the room to allow Molly and Greyson a few moments alone together to fetch some cool water for Greyson to drink.
“Just what the hell were you thinking, taking them on like that?” Molly cried, eyeing Greyson angrily. “You could have been killed!”
“Better me than you,” Greyson said weakly. “My father. His thinking is that if there is no bride to protect, then my challenge is off the table. He’s furious at me.”
“Your own father would do this to you?” Molly exclaimed.
Suddenly, it made sense that Greyson would act jealous and bitter whenever she would rave about her wonderful family life. It was clear his own family was nothing but a basket full of problems. Who knew what the poor man had been made to endure? Even with money, sometimes life was just hard.
“It was my fault,” Greyson grumbled, wincing in pain as he sat up in the bed. Molly did her best to keep from staring at the man’s gorgeous, lithe body as he did so. She’d never seen a naked man up close before, and was somewhat glad that her first chance had been with an unconscious one. But now that he was awake again, it had gone back to being awkward, and red heat was crossing her cheeks.
“It’s not your fault. A father shouldn’t do things like this to his own son.”
“Shifters and humans are different, Molly,” Greyson said quietly, but she could tell that there was no conviction in his voice. His father was a cruel man, even cruel by shifter standards. That much was clear.
