The words hit like a physical blow, knocking the breath from her lungs. She stared at Elena, waiting for her to laughor take it back, but no such reprieve came. “No. That’s not possible.”
“It is,” Elena said gently. “With the bond—”
“I don’t care about the bond,” Cora snapped, surging to her feet. “I didn’t agree to this. I didn’t… I didn’t ask for this.”
“I know. And I know it’s a lot to process. But you have to—”
“I don’thaveto do anything,” Cora interrupted. She turned away and started pacing the length of the room as she tried to wrap her mind around what she’d just heard. “This can’t be happening. I didn’t—” Her voice broke, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, willing herself to stay together.
Elena stood but didn’t approach. “Cora, I know you’re scared. And it’s okay to be. But whether you’re ready for it or not, this is happening.”
“I don’t even know how to tell him. How am I supposed to tell Grayson?”
“You’ll find the words when you’re ready. But you don’t have to decide right now. If you want, I’ll keep this between us until you’re ready to tell him.”
Cora lowered her hand, and her eyes burned with unshed tears. “Thank you.”
Elena nodded. “Whatever happens, you’ll figure it out. And I’ll help you however I can.”
The words offered little comfort as Cora left Elena’s house and made her way back home. The weight of what she’d learned pressed down on her with every step, and by the time she reached her apartment, she felt as though she could barely breathe.
Everything had changed in an instant, and she wasn’t sure how to move forward.
Cora let herself into the apartment and toed off her boots, her mind still racing as she closed the door behind her. The silence was a welcome reprieve, though it did little to settle her swirling thoughts.
As she stepped into the living room, the faint clatter of metal drew her attention. Grayson was there, his back to her, methodically checking the contents of a bag spread out on the coffee table. The sight of him—his broad shoulders hunched in concentration, the quiet efficiency in his movements—sent a pang through her chest.
“What’s all this?” she asked, forcing her voice to sound casual.
Grayson looked up. “Getting ready. Ryder and Zane want to move on Voss’ compound sooner rather than later. We’ve got some supes to free.”
Cora’s stomach twisted, though she did her best to keep her face neutral. “What’s the plan?”
“We’re going in tonight,” he replied. “The scout gave us enough intel to work with, and we don’t want to give Theodore’s people a chance to regroup. If we can hit the transport site before the auction, we might be able to save some of the captives.”
Cora nodded, even though she hated the thought of him walking into danger. He was more than capable of handling himself, but it wasn’t just the bond anymore. There was so much more involved now.
“And what happens if it’s a trap?”
Grayson pinched his brow together as though the question was absurd. “We’re being careful. Ryder’s got a teamwatching the perimeter, and Zane’s handling the surveillance. We’ll know what we’re walking into.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
“It never is,” he said simply. He stood taller and looked at her. Really looked at her, and whatever he saw had him taking a few steps closer. “What’s really bothering you, Cora?”
She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. How could she explain the storm raging inside her? The fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming realization that she wasn’t just worrying about him as her bonded mate—she was worrying about him as the father of her child. A child he didn’t even know existed until half an hour ago.
Instead, she shook her head and forced a small smile. “Just…be careful, okay?”
“I always am,” he assured her. His hand brushed against her arm, a fleeting touch that sent warmth coursing through her. “I’ll come back. I promise.”
“You’d better.”
Grayson smiled faintly, but there was a hint of something in his eyes—something that told her he understood more than she wanted him to. Before she could say anything else, he turned back to the table, double-checking the gear he’d packed.
When he finished, he slung the bag over his shoulder and faced her again. “Ryder and Zane are waiting. I need to go.”
Cora nodded, swallowing against the lump in her throat. “Good luck.”
