Grayson watched him from the doorway. The fear that had been radiating off Ryan in the truck had eased slightly, replaced by the passion he clearly felt for his work. This was who Ryan was when he wasn't terrified. Animated and caring and willing to fight for creatures that couldn’t fight for themselves.
Reese appeared beside Grayson, his voice low enough that only another shifter would hear. “He's good for you. Softens some of your edges.”
Grayson didn’t respond. His eyes stayed on Ryan, tracking the way his hair fell across his forehead when he tilted his head, the curve of his mouth when he smiled at something Colton said.
“You should show him where he's sleeping,” Malik said from the living room. He hadn’t looked up from his laptop. “It’s getting late, and he looks exhausted.”
Ryan did look tired. The energy that had animated him while talking about the dogs was fading, his shoulders curving inward again. Grayson could see the exhaustion in the way he held himself, the slight tremor in his hands when he picked up his phone to check the time.
“Come on.” Grayson moved into the kitchen. “I’ll show you your room.”
“My room?” Ryan stood up, pushing his chair back. “You make it sound like I’m moving in. This is just for tonight, right?”
Grayson grabbed Ryan’s duffel from near the stairs. He didn’t answer the question because he didn’t want to lie. Ryan wasn't leaving tomorrow. He wasn't leaving until the hyena pack was dealt with, until every threat had been eliminated. But saying that now would only frighten him more.
“This way.” Grayson started up the stairs. The wood creaked under his weight. Ryan followed behind him, his footsteps lighter, quieter.
The second-floor hallway stretched to the left and right. Four bedrooms and a bathroom, more space than they needed but useful for situations like this. Grayson’s room was at the far end. He led Ryan to the bedroom next to his, pushing open the door.
The room was spare. A double bed against one wall, a dresser, a chair in the corner. The window looked out over the backyard, the trees visible in the darkness beyond the glass. Grayson had made sure there were curtains, thick enough to block light and prying eyes. He set Ryan’s duffel on the bed.
“Bathroom is across the hall.” Grayson moved to the window and checked the lock then drew the curtains closed. “You need anything, my room is right next door.”
Ryan stood in the doorway, looking small framed by the entrance. His arms were crossed over his torso, hands gripping his own biceps. “This is really nice of you. All of you. Letting me crash here when you barely know me.”
“You helped those dogs. That means something.” Grayson turned away from the window. The room felt smaller with both of them in it. He could smell Ryan’s shampoo, something fruity and sweet that didn’t quite match his personality. Could hear the rapid flutter of his heartbeat. “Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be easier.”
“Will it though?” Ryan’s voice was quiet. He looked at the floor, at the worn hardwood that needed refinishing. “I keep thinking about that text. About someone watching me at work, knowing my number. It doesn’t feel like tomorrow is going to be easier. It feels like tomorrow is when things get worse.”
Grayson wanted to tell him that nothing would happen tomorrow. That the hyenas wouldn’t dare make a move with a full pride of lions watching the clinic. But Ryan was right to be scared. Things could get worse. Probably would get worse before they got better.
“You’re safe here.” Grayson moved toward the door, forcing himself to maintain distance when everything in him wanted to stay close. “That’s what matters right now.”
Ryan looked up at him. The lamplight from the hallway caught in his eyes, making them look darker. Older somehow. “How do you do it? Act like everything's fine when it’s not?”
“Practice.” Grayson stopped in the doorway, his hand on the frame. “You learn to compartmentalize. To focus on what you can control instead of what you can’t.”
“Right. Compartmentalize.” Ryan’s laugh was soft and sad. “I’m really bad at that. My brain just spirals. Thinks about every possible worst-case scenario until I can’t breathe.”
“Then don't think about tomorrow.” Grayson’s fingers tightened on the doorframe. The wood creaked slightly under the pressure. He forced himself to ease his grip. “Think about right now. Right now you’re safe. You have a bed and food and people watching out for you. That’s enough.”
Ryan was quiet for a long moment. He looked at the bed, at the window with its drawn curtains, at the dresser that probably had nothing in it. Then he looked back at Grayson, and something in his expression made Grayson’s heart constrict.
“Thank you,” Ryan said. His voice wavered slightly. “For everything. For not making me feel stupid for being scared.”
“You’re not stupid.” Grayson had to leave. Had to get out of this room before he did something that would complicate an already complicated situation. “Get some rest. I’ll be right next door if you need anything.”
He stepped into the hallway and pulled the door mostly closed, leaving it open a crack. Ryan stood in the middle of the room, still holding himself like he might fall apart if he let go. Grayson watched him for a moment longer than necessary then forced himself to walk to his own room.
The door closed behind him with a soft click. Grayson leaned against it, his head falling back against the wood. He could hear Ryan moving around in the next room. The rustle of fabric as he unzipped his duffel. The creak of bedsprings as he sat down. The quiet sigh that carried through the wall.
Grayson’s lion prowled under his skin, agitated by the separation. His mate was frightened and alone in an unfamiliar room, and every instinct Grayson possessed demanded he go to him. Provide comfort. Provide protection. Make Ryan understand that nothing would hurt him while Grayson drew breath.
But Ryan didn’t know what Grayson was. Didn’t know that the man who'd kissed him this afternoon could shift into a five-hundred-pound lion. Didn’t know that the roommates downstairs were all predator shifters who could tear through the hyena pack without breaking a sweat. Ryan thought Grayson was human, thought this was just about animal rescue and bad luck.
Grayson pushed off from the door and moved to his window. The backyard stretched out in darkness, and trees swaying in a breeze he couldn’t feel from inside. Somewhere out there, hyenas were planning their next move. Trying to figure out how to get their property back and how to punish the humans who'd interfered.
They wouldn’t get the chance. Grayson would make sure of it.
