Aurora returned her focus to him. The intensity in his hazel eyes was downright smoldering. She could practically feel his stare boring through her.
She gulped. “Are you okay with me being a witch?”
“Of course,” he replied quickly. Too quickly.
“I get the sense that there’s something odd here, and I’m trying to figure out what it is.”
She should know why. She was attuned to reading people’s emotions. Something about Grayson’s enigmatic reaction to her was undecipherable. It wasn’t something she’d ever encountered.
“I apologize if I’m acting off.” He swallowed. “Maybe it is because our kinds have been wary of each other in the past. But I have no problems with that. And I’m hoping our differences will not get in the way of a working relationship.”
Maybe she should not have gotten involved in a situation between two wolf packs. It was bound to be tenuous. After all, their tempers and lack of self-control were legendary. Wolves were prone to violence. The smallest disagreement could lead to bloodshed. If they just relaxed their ridiculous pride, they could avoid much anguish.
But that was why she was here, to prevent them from resorting to force.
And although Grayson acted a bit strange, his movements were calm and measured. He didn’t have that tightness in his expression, the aggression of an alpha wolf, so maybe it wouldn’t be too difficult to work with him.
Especially if she could ignore how attractive he was.
She swallowed her nervousness and forced a smile. “Of course. I see no reason why disputes between others in the past should affect our working relationship.”
“You’re a professional. Like me.” He gave her a nod of approval. “If I seem tense, it’s this issue with the other pack.” He frowned. “It’s been weighing on me.”
She could understand that. After all, that’s what led to her visit to the White Mountains. She gave him a tender smile. “That’s what I’m here to help you with. Why don’t you tell me what happened and what you hope to resolve?”
He stood from behind his desk, and once again, she was drawn to his impressive body. He was massive. What would it be like to have his body pressed down on hers as he kissed her, ran his hands down the side of her body…
Wait, why would she even think that? How unprofessional. She crossed her legs and uncrossed them, before sitting up straighter.
Grayson walked beside her. His nostrils widened and his eyelids fluttered halfway closed.
Was he sniffing her? Her muscles tensed. Wolves were so peculiar.
When he faced her, his hazel eyes had a brighter, golden gleam. “Why don’t we get you settled into a room first. And then we can discuss the situation with the Sacco pack over dinner.”
Grayson
Dinner? Where had that come from?
Grayson had planned on talking to Aurora here in his office. What was wrong with him? Was he so rattled by her arrival that he couldn’t even bear to part from her for the evening?
He’d already arranged for her to meet with the Sacco pack tomorrow. An unsettling tightness in his chest hit him with a pang. She’d be walking onto rival lands—and at his doing.
That was not the way for a shifter to pursue his mate. He glanced out of his window across the mountain toward Sacco territory.
Aurora replied, “Dinner would be nice. Would anyone else be joining us?”
Grayson rubbed the back of his neck. “No. I think we can cover everything.”
He could have given her an overview of the situation and then the directions to go and check into the hotel. Yet, he didn’t want to leave her so he searched for a reason to stay.
“We have a room for you in the hotel right at the base of the mountain.” I’ll walk you over so you can get settled in.
He stepped around from behind his desk and placed his hand on her lower back as he led her out of his office. Touching her was a bad idea. Sparks of heat traveled from his fingertips through his body.
Damn.
He heard that the connection between mates was powerful, but he never felt anything like this.
