Grayson exhaled. At least Damon was listening to his alpha rather than going rogue and insisting he remain. He must have realized that he might do more harm by staying.
“Of course not. You should both go away for a while,” Grayson suggested. “Use it as an opportunity to spend time alone together. You’re newly mated, yet you haven’t had that chance with all the strife here lately.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Sophie replied in a hopeful tone. “We can go to the ocean. I can introduce you to my family and friends. Show you my world before I moved here.”
Damon nodded at her with a gentle smile before his expression turned conflicted. “I shouldn’t be the one leaving—I should be helping to clean up this mess.”
Grayson put his hand on Damon’s shoulder. “I understand why you’d feel that way. I would, too. But it’s better that you leave for now. Not only will it keep you safe, but it will also remove a target from the Sacco’s aim.”
Sophie clasped his hands. “Listen to him, Damon.”
“It’s just temporary,” Grayson added. “Besides.” He arched his brows. “It will give me a break from worrying about you and getting more gray hairs.” He pointed to his head, which didn’t have a speck of gray in his dark hair.
Damon flashed a mischievous grin. “I seem to be the source of plenty of that lately.”
Grayson’s concern for Damon was apparent, and it tugged at Aurora’s already tarnished neutrality. How was she supposed to stay neutral when she couldn’t stop having inappropriate thoughts about one of the shifters?
* * *
After they left Damon’s,Aurora said, “You don’t have to drive me back down. It’s a beautiful night.” She motioned to the mountain, so picturesque under the starry night—something she didn’t see often in the city. “I wouldn’t mind the walk.”
“I’m happy to join you,” Grayson replied.
He left his car and they walked back down the road, snaking along the side of the mountain.
“That seemed to go okay,” Aurora noted.
“Somewhat.” Grayson’s tone sounded terse.
“Did something go wrong?”
Grayson exhaled. “I hate asking him to leave.” His shoulders sagged. “But it’s not like we have much of a choice.”
She could sense how much it distressed him and she yearned to ease it. “You’re looking out for him. Doing what’s best to keep him safe.”
“I hope so,” Damon replied.
So did she. A comfortable silence fell as they each seemed lost in contemplation.
Aurora glanced to the road ahead. “Do you live up there?”
“Yes, I’m just up the road.”
For a few seconds, she pictured turning back that way. What could happen if they went to his place instead of him walking her back to the hotel?
Focus. Don’t think that way. That’s not going to happen.
Once they reached the hotel across the road from the base lodge, they both lingered on the snowy path out front. Grayson pointed out various landmarks in the area.
“The cross country ski trails are over that way. And down beyond, is a lake, which is frozen over right now so people are skating on it. In the summer, it’s a popular swimming spot.
Was she imagining it, or was he just as reluctant to part as she was?
Should she invite him upstairs?
No, that would be completely inappropriate, especially after their conversation about her remaining neutral.
Finally, Aurora said, “Thanks for dinner tonight, Grayson.”
