“Comforting,” she muttered, falling back into step behind him. “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled about this whole ‘bonded to a witch’ situation.”
“They’ll get over it,” he said flatly.
“Uh-huh. And what if I don’t?”
“You don’t have to like it. You just have to survive.”
Cora blinked, clearly startled by the sudden intensity in his voice, but she recovered quickly. “Wow. Romantic.”
Grayson ignored her sarcasm and gestured toward the weathered building ahead. “We’re here.”
The safe house was on the edge of town. It was a plain, utilitarian structure that had been used by Bellefleur’s pack for years. It didn’t look like much—just another worn-down building in a town full of them—but it served its purpose. Grayson pushed open the door and motioned for Cora to go inside first. She hesitated, glancing around as if expecting an ambush.
“It’s empty. For now.”
“For now,” she repeated with a scowl, stepping inside.
“The guys are in the back.”
The interior was spare but functional. A table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by mismatched chairs, and a small kitchenette was tucked into the far corner. The faint scent of coffee lingered, a reminder that Ryder and Zach had been using the space.
Footsteps echoed down the hall, and a moment later, Ryder appeared. His brow furrowed as his gaze flicked between Cora and Grayson. “You’ve got some explaining to do. You’re not supposed to be anywhere near here while you’re under cover.”
Cora folded her arms, standing her ground. Grayson stepped forward, blocking her from Ryder’s scrutiny. “Not here to argue. We need to talk.”
Ryder’s frown deepened, and his eyes shifted back to Cora. “I recognize you. You’re Laila’s friend, right? The witch who just moved to Bellefleur?”
Cora nodded. “That’s me. Though I wasn’t planning on being dragged into whatever this is.”
Zach took in the bruises and the tension in her stance. “You look like hell. What happened?”
“She was at the auction,” Grayson interjected. “I pulled her out.”
Ryder’s focus snapped to Grayson. “Auction? You mean Voss’ operation? You’re supposed to be undercover, Kane. What the hell were you doing exposing yourself like that?”
Grayson’s wolf stirred at the implicit challenge but kept his voice steady. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“Didn’t have a choice,” Ryder repeated. “You think that’s gonna fly? You blew months of work for one witch.”
Grayson didn’t flinch. “If you’d seen what I saw, you’d have done the same.”
Zach’s gaze flicked back to Cora, studying her more closely now. “What’s he talking about?”
Cora opened her mouth, but Grayson stepped in again before she could answer. “She was on stage—part of the sale. I couldn’t leave her there. Especially once I found out she was from Bellelfuer.”
Zach tilted his head. “Wait, isn’t there some kind of magical bond required for that? I heard the auctions have rules. Buyers have to bind themselves to the witches they purchase.”
Grayson’s shoulders tensed as he avoided looking at Cora. “There’s a bond,” he admitted. “It was part of the ritual. We didn’t have a choice.”
“We?” Cora questioned. “I definitely didn’t choose this.”
“That makes two of us,” Grayson bit out, though his voice lacked its usual edge.
“And now she’s bonded to you.” Ryder’s expression darkened, and he breathed slowly, frustrated. “Damn it, Grayson. Do you have any idea what kind of mess you’ve made?”
“I’m aware, but there’s no undoing it now.”
Ryder swore under his breath. “So not only did you blow your cover, but you brought his attention right back here. Do you know what that means for the pack?”
