Gray nodded, rubbing his head gently against Simon’s. He kissedSimon’s forehead and pulled back to stare at him. “Okay. I still want to see you though. I’m serious about that. I wasn’t just saying I felt something for you to try to convince you to be my mate.”
“I believe you. I feel something for you too. We can work something out. I’m not ready to walk away from you yet.”
They kissed again, this time short and sweet.
Gray broke away first and traced a finger over the reddened skin around Simon’s lips. “I suppose I should shave. My beard is scratching you all up.”
“Don’t you dare.”
They both laughed and shared another quick kiss.
“I don’t want to cause trouble for you, but we don’t know anything about demons, and right now, you’re our only connection to the one that attacked the cubs. We don’t know how it got in or how to protect ourselves against it. What if it tries to go after Garon or the other cubs again?”
“I understand what you’re saying, Gray, but the thing is, I didn’t know what I was doing when I went up against it. My instincts led me there and helped me save them. I don’t have the answers to your questions, and I honestly don’t know what I can do to help. With this Conclave meeting hanging over my head, I could make things worse for both of us by staying involved.”
It frustrated Gray to admit Simon had a point. He’d already said he had limited knowledge of Others, but Gray’s instincts told him to keep Simon close. On the other hand, he didn’t want to add to Simon’s problems.
Gray decided he had to figure out a way for them to meet in the middle. “This is getting more complicated by the minute, isn’t it?”
Simon leaned into him and nodded. “I want to help, but this is all so confusing. I don’t know what to do.”
“It’s okay, Simon. I don’t want to cause you any more problems, and if associating with the pack is going to do that, maybe you shouldn’t come to the meeting tonight. Besides, I know you’re here if we need you or have questions.”
Simon tilted his head to the side and looked into Gray’s eyes as ifsearching for some clue. Gray kept his gaze steady, showing Simon he didn’t need to be reluctant. Simon seemed to find the answer he sought, because after a moment, he nodded. “Okay. I’m sorry you had to wait around here for nothing.”
Gray ran his finger over Simon’s cheek and smiled. “It was worth it,” he said and kissed Simon again to prove it. “Okay. The full moon is this weekend, so I’ll be tied up with the pack. Can I call you on Monday?”
“Absolutely.”
“If you need me before then—”
“I’ll call. I promise.”
Leaving Simon behind was one of the hardest things Gray had ever done. Every instinct screamed at him to turn around, go back and get Simon, and bring him to the compound where he would be safe. Gray knew he couldn’t do that, and it made the drive home difficult.
The drive was nothing compared to the icy reception he received from his family when he returned alone. Aunt Maggie and Garon both glared at him, demanding to know where Simon was. He tried to explain, but they weren’t having it. Garon threw a tantrum and had to be sent to his room. His bedroom door slammed behind him so hard the windows rattled.
Aunt Maggie retreated to the kitchen, where pots and dishes started clanging with alarming ferocity. He decided she was the lesser of two evils and followed her. “Auntie, I couldn’t force him to come.”
She gave himthe look.
“Okay, I could have forced him. But what kind of person would that make me? Not the man my father raised, I know that much.”
She huffed and rearranged the contents of the cabinets.
“It has to be his choice. He wants to be a mage, and if he stays here, he gives up the dream he’s had his entire life. He just needs a little time.”
She slammed a tin can down so hard Gray thought he might have to replace the cabinet shelf. “A little time? How much is a little? Andwhat happens if we need him again? What if something happens to Garon or the cubs?”
“I’ll get him here as fast as I can.”
She hmphed at him and straightened out the cans she’d knocked over. “Well, he needs to be here. He’s family now. Family stays together. It’s the pack way.”
“I know, Auntie.”
“That boy needs a family.”
“Yes.”
