The man smiled, the kind of smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea, friend. Just out for some fresh air.”
Grayson’s wolf snarled, surging against the restraints of his control. “You’re not local.”
“And you’re very protective,” the man countered. “Interesting.”
Grayson didn’t reply. His wolf pushed harder, demanding action, but he held back—for now. The man’s smirk faltered under his deadly stare, and his confidence cracked just enough to betray the truth. He was scared.
“Walk away,” Grayson ordered. “Whatever you’re here for, it ends now.”
The man’s fingers twitched like he was debating a fight. But Grayson took another step forward, letting his wolf bleedthrough just enough to make his point. A faint growl rumbled from deep in his chest, and the man’s composure broke.
“Fine,” the stalker conceded, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Message received.”
Grayson didn’t move until the man turned and disappeared down the alley. Even then, he waited, listening for any sign that the stalker had doubled back. When he was satisfied the man was gone, he turned and headed for the bakery, his pulse still pounding with barely contained adrenaline.
Cora was waiting just inside the door, watching the scene. “What the hell was that about?” she demanded once he stepped inside.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” Grayson said, brushing past her and scanning the room for any other threats.
“Not good enough,” she snapped, stepping into his path. “Who was that? Why were you talking to him?”
Grayson met her glare with one of his own. “Someone who didn’t belong here. He’s gone now.”
“And you’re sure he’s not coming back?”
“Positive.”
Cora didn’t look convinced, but she sighed, frustrated, and stepped aside. “You can’t just keep playing the lone wolf, you know. If something happens, I deserve to know about it. I can’t use my magic because of this stupid bond, which means, like it or not, I have limited options to defend myself.”
“I will keep you in the loop,” Grayson promised. “When it’s something worth knowing.”
She rolled her eyes and turned toward the counter. “You’re impossible.”
“Better than reckless.”
Cora didn’t respond, but he caught the way her shoulders tensed as she busied herself with setting out pastries. The encounter had rattled her, even if she wasn’t willing to admit it.
It had rattled him too, though he’d never let her see that.
Later that evening, back at the apartment, Grayson paced the small living room as his mind replayed the encounter over and over. The man’s calm demeanor and the subtle way he’d positioned himself pointed to someone trained, someone used to blending in until it was time to strike. The thought made his wolf snarl with frustration.
Cora sat on the couch, watching him with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor.”
Grayson stopped but didn’t sit. “We need to be ready.”
“Ready for what?” she asked. “Another random guy in the street?”
“It wasn’t random. He was following you. Watching you.”
Cora’s confidence wavered for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “And you scared him off. Problem solved.”
“For now. But he’ll report back. They’ll know you’re still here. That you’re still with me.”
“So what do we do? We can’t just keep hiding forever.”
“We won’t, but we need to be prepared. You need to be prepared.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
