“I can take care of myself,” she snapped, though the tremor in her voice undermined her words.
“Really?” he challenged. “Because from where I’m standing, it looked like you were about to panic yourself into a corner.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she pulled away from his grip, glaring up at him. “I didn’t ask you to save me.”
“No, but I’m going to anyway.”
The quiet conviction in his words caught her off guard, and she looked away. “I thought I felt someone following me. I tried to use my magic, but it wouldn’t… I couldn’t—” She broke off.
Grayson stepped closer, and his frustration gave way to something gentler. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
“I don’t feel safe,” she admitted. “Not here. Not anywhere.”
He reached out, over his hand near hers, before finally settling on her shoulder. “You don’t have to do this alone, Cora. Let me help.”
She looked up at him, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“Let’s get you home,” Grayson suggested. He kept his hand on her shoulder as he guided her toward the stairs.
They walked in silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. For the first time in what felt like forever, Cora didn’t feel entirely on edge. Grayson’s quiet strength was a strange comfort, even as she told herself not to trust it. Trusting him meant opening herself up to something she wasn’t ready for and wasn’t sure she ever would be.
When they reached her door, Grayson paused, his hand still resting lightly on her arm. “Do you want me to check the apartment?”
She hesitated, torn between pride and the gnawing fear that still lingered at the edges of her mind. Finally, she nodded. “Just…make sure the windows are locked.”
He nodded and stepped inside, moving with the quiet efficiency she’d come to associate with him. Cora followed, standing in the doorway as he checked each room.
When he was satisfied, he returned to her side. “It’s clear.”
“Thanks. I—thanks.”
Grayson’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary before he nodded. “Get some rest. I’ll stay up for a while and keep watch.”
She wanted to argue, to tell him she didn’t need him babysitting her, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she just nodded and took the twenty steps to her bedroom.
Cora let out a shaky breath as the door clicked behind her. The fear that had gripped her earlier was still there, but it was dulled now, tempered by the knowledge that Grayson was just outside the door. She sank onto the bed as she tried to process everything.
Despite herself, she felt a strange sense of relief, knowing he was close. Knowing he would come if she needed him. And somehow, the thought didn’t scare her as much as it should have.
Chapter 12 - Grayson
Grayson leaned against the edge of the conference table. He’d tried to call an emergency meeting as soon as he returned from Cedar Hallow, but it had taken longer than expected to get everyone together. Some of their BlackOps shifters were out in the field, working undercover to glean more intel on Theodore’s network, and they’d been unreachable. Now that all the key players were finally present, the last few days' events bore down on him like an unshakable shadow. Across the room, Ryder stood near the window, staring out at the dense stretch of forest behind the building while Zach paced in restless, tight circles, his boots scuffing the worn wood floors.
“They’re too close,” Grayson stated. “Bellefleur isn’t safe anymore—not for Cora, not for anyone.”
“What do you mean by ‘too close’?” Ryder questioned. “You’ve been tracking them for weeks. Are you saying they’ve moved in?”
Grayson pushed off the table and started pacing himself. “I’m saying they’re not just poking around the edges anymore. They’re setting up shop—marking territory like they own the place. This isn’t recon; it’s the first stage of a full-blown invasion.”
Zach stopped mid-step and whipped around to face Grayson. “An invasion? That’s a hell of a leap. Are you sure you’re not reading too much into this?”
“I’m not,” Grayson snapped. “I’ve seen the signs and the plans themselves. It’s not just their people moving in. It’s the infrastructure. Supply chains. Connections. Theodore’s not testing the waters anymore. He’s laying the groundwork for something big.”
“Theodore.” Ryder’s lips pressed into a thin line at the name. “You saw him?”
Grayson nodded. “I was in Cedar Hallow two nights ago. They had a meeting—Theodore and his top lieutenants. They weren’t even trying to hide it. I overheard enough to know they’re targeting Bellefleur directly. Witches or shifters—anyone worth a dime is on their radar.”
“And Cora?” Zach asked, his voice quieter but no less concerned.
