"Nothing, firefly. Everything's fine."
"Wow. You almost sound as condescending as Grayson. That take practice?"
He winces, then takes the seat Hilde vacated. "Everything is fine. We're just being overly cautious. But last night—this morning, really—a witch broke into the main office. There'snothing there, just old paperwork. We don't know what they were after."
I remember the office from when I broke into it. I can confirm there's nothing of value there. But something about that pricks at me. I say slowly, thinking out loud, "So, they came onto the land while I was running through the woods. Then again, this time into the office where Andrea attacked me—"
Orion's jaw tightens. "Yes, traces of your blood were there. We thought we'd cleaned everything, but it's possible they could still trace it back to you. I don't know what they were looking for, but the chances of them targeting two locations connected to you…"
"So why bring all the wolves in if I'm the target?"
If I hadn't spent so much time with him, I might've missed the strain around his eyes. The way his muscles tighten. "This is the third time in as many months the witches have infiltrated our land. That's… unprecedented. And concerning. We don't know if you're the only target, but regardless, the witches have escalated things. We're not in full-out war, but I fear we aren't far from it. They can't just traipse around our lands. We have families, kids…"
"I get it."
He nods, then reaches out and swipes my empty glass. "More?"
I shake my head. But I get the feeling he needs to keep his hands busy. "Did you eat?" I ask.
He smirks. "Not yet." Rising from the chair, he reaches one hand out to me. I take it, and together, we prepare food for us and Kellen. We make extras since several enforcers will stop by the cabin throughout the day. Protocol, he explains. Hilde must have anticipated this because there's extra of everything.
The day unfolds easily, and while Orion has to leave for work with the enforcers, I'm never with fewer than two guards.Kellen stays longest, and I get to meet some of the female alpha enforcers, Amber and Cynthia. I connect with them immediately—they've got the same commanding energy as their male counterparts, but without making me feel self-conscious.
They don't fawn over me as much as the betas in town do, either. I got perfunctory introductions—like the first time I met Eli—welcoming me to the clan, reiterating their honor-bound loyalty. That part's a little awkward, but once that's done, they treat me like an equal. It's nice.
Despite Grayson's strict rules about venturing into the woods, Amber and Cynthia coax me outside for some shifting practice. They strip down without hesitation, and I try to do the same. It helps that they know my limitations—not just about being an omega, but wolf culture as well—and don't judge me for it. They talk me through my issues, both in shift timing and our strength. They listen and offer helpful advice, while Beep and I try all of their suggestions. Each shift is easier than the last, though I'm nowhere near as fast as the other women. By sunset, I'm exhausted, but in the best way.
Grayson and Orion get home well after dark. I'm surprised at how much I missed them. I'm relieved when the enforcers file out, leaving the three of us alone.
I glance between the two of them as they pass dishes back and forth at the dinner table. These two men have become fixtures in my life. I was worried the other day about all the chaos—witches and enforcers, clan politics and shifting struggles—but that seems distant now.
I never imagined my life could feel this complete. Watching them across the kitchen table, something unfamiliar expands in my chest.
Grayson leans forward, nostrils flaring dramatically over the half-cooked meat. "High mountain grazing. This deer ate juniperberries and dandelions." He sniffs again. "And had a fondness for clover."
"Such bullshit," Orion mutters, rolling his eyes. He reaches across me for the salt, his arm brushing mine deliberately. "Fucking party tricks, don't let him fool you."
They bicker and perform for my benefit—these powerful alpha wolves, with so much responsibility—tease and argue like competitive brothers for my attention. By the end of dinner, I'm laughing so hard I nearly fall out of my chair.
My chest aches. The words are right there on the tip of my tongue.
These two fucking idiots. I love them.
I really love them.
And when Grayson's phone rings, breaking the easy laughter—his expression immediately transforming into Alpha-mode—I don't even mind the interruption, because I know we're going to have a lot more nights like this.
Chapter 33: Grayson
The phone sits silent in my hand. Unless he finds something about Lily or Silas, Kendrick won't call back today. I keep glancing at the blank screen anyway.
Across the room, Mona and Orion play chess. A distraction I typically enjoy, but my mind is elsewhere. I glance up at the clock. Past midnight. I debate urging Mona to go to bed. Her eyes are bloodshot, but I won't suggest she sleep. Last time I tried, her scowl nearly skewered me.
Kendrick's call came during dinner—no point hiding it from Mona, and I wouldn't, anyway.
The Ghost successfully infiltrated the high priestess's coven in Canada. I'm not surprised how quickly he got in. I doubt he's gained the trust of Deidre's inner circle yet, but he confirmed he scented wolves on the property. That in itself was a blow.
We've suspected Deidre was behind the disappearances for months, but had no proof.
