Chapter 9

I woke up to find something warm draped across me, was it a cat? Wait, I didn't have a cat... As I slowly began to pull my senses from their comfortable slumber everything hit me at once, his scent, the unfamiliar room and everything that had happened in the past 48 hours came back to me. I slowly pulled myself away from the Alpha's sleeping body, I turned to look at him once I was safely out of the bed. He looked beautiful, the gentle sunlight that was creeping its way around the blinds gave his face a slight glow, he looked so at peace as I watched his chest rise and fall softly. His chocolate brown hair was tousled and a light stubble was starting to form on his chin. My eyes were drawn to the tattoo that went across his arm to his chest, it was half-hidden underneath his tank top and I yearned to trace my fingers along the patterns, to commit each detail to memory. I yanked myself from my own thoughts, careful not to wake up Amara, she would only encourage me to pursue my desire to explore each and every detail on the Alpha's body. I decided a cold shower would be necessary, I was desperate to wash his lingering scent from my body. 

As I towelled myself dry I froze, in my haste to wash away my traitorous, sexy thoughts of Alpha Grayson away, I forgot to grab clean clothes. I silently prayed to Goddess that he would still be asleep as I wrapped myself up in the towel and tiptoed to the door.

I peeked around the door and saw his sleeping body exactly as I had left it.

"Wouldn't it be a shame if I decided to take control right now and threw off your towel while howling as loud as I can", Amara teased.

"You wouldn't dare", I challenged her, I could feel her excitement grow as I snuck passed the bed. 

I cursed at myself for not thinking clearly and forgetting something as basic as clothes. As I crouched I was fully aware that my towel was riding up my behind, and I slowly pulled the zipper across my suitcase. As I dug around for something to wear I finally settled on a red, floral playsuit and stood up triumphantly, confident that the Alpha was still asleep. As I was about to turn around my nose wrinkled and I was aware of a presence behind me. I swallowed hard as I slowly stood up and turned to face Alpha Grayson. His eyes were black and I was very aware of how close he was standing to me. I took a step back, forgetting about my suitcases and stumbled. I dropped the clothes I was holding and gripped onto my towel as I felt myself falling backwards. I closed my eyes as I braced for impact, but opened them to find the Alpha's eyes at my level, his face mere inches from my own as his hands grasped my hips tightly. I started to breathe heavily as my heart rate skyrocketed, I could feel the Alpha's hands tighten as he surveyed my body hungrily. Amara managed to let a quiet growl escape my lips as she fought for control, she was longing to be intimate with our mate and I could tell Grayson's wolf felt the same as his eyes were now pitch-black, his grip was almost painful on my sides. I could feel my control start to slip, my own longing matching Amara's. I twitched as I felt a hand slowly creep up from my hips, making its way to the knot my towel was bunched in. Grayson searched my eyes, looking for any hint of hesitation. As his hand continued to travel, confident in the reply my eyes had given, I began to smell something sweet. I quickly tightened my thighs, aware that the smell of my lust had escaped me. I was sure that Grayson could smell it, he let out a deep growl as he finally reached the knot his fingers were searching for. As he was about to drop my towel his head snapped up, I would have felt disappointed but I too adjusted my hearing as I could hear a pair of hurried footsteps making their way through the front door. 

Grayson immediately rushed to the door, only turning back to tell me to stay put.

"Like hell", I thought. Images of murderous Dark Moon members popped into my head. Had they found out who I was? Were they here to kill me? And if so, would Grayson protect me? I quickly pulled on the jumpsuit that was laying on the floor and dashed to the door, opening it slightly to aid my hearing. Amara perked her ears up, working together we could hear slightly raised voices in the stairway down the hall. 

"I told you to stay away! Why is it that everyone else can follow orders except you?", Grayson rumbled.

"And I told you I left something here and I needed to pick it up, besides there's clearly no war going on so I think I'm safe here for 15 minutes", a female voice spoke up. 

"You know that's not the only reason I don't want you here".

"Ahh yes, you're foe mate". 

After her last reply, I couldn't hear them anymore as I was overcome with emotions. Jealousy flooded through my body, it was cold and acidic as it settled into my stomach. Who was this woman and why was she here? Why was she in my mates home, is she his lover? Amara snarled at thought of another woman touching our mate, her fur bristled as she prepared to fight for what's hers. As I continued to wonder who this mystery woman was another question pushed it's way through to the front of my mind, 'Why do I even care?'. I was so sure that we're not meant to be, and yet I couldn't shake the jealousy away, nor could I fight the protectiveness that Amara sent through me. 

For once I let Amara take control, well at least half control. I relied on her confidence and strength as we stalked out of the bedroom and towards the sound of the voices. Alpha Grayson was at the top of the stairs, anger radiating from him as he stared at a pretty girl around my age. Immediately my jealousy subsided as I took in the girls features, she had hair the same as Grayson's, yet her eyes were a bright hazel colour. I could feel a sense of familiarity between the two, but it wasn't sexual, it was comfortable and familiar, despite their current standoff. I realized that she must be related, and sent Amara back in my mind. As I stood quietly to the side I felt their eyes both turn towards me. The girl's eyes were suspicious, curious, but not menacing while Grayson seemed to relax slightly. 

"So, you're the Crescent girl", she said as she continued to look me up and down. 

"Yes, and I'm assuming you're the Dark Moon girl", I replied confidently. I was unsure of what to expect from her, as I am from her rival pack and standing in her packhouse, but to my surprise, she burst out in laughter. 

"I like this girl, she's got some fire to her", the girl stepped past Alpha Grayson and pulled me into a tight embrace, "I'm Brynn, your soon to be best friend. Now, I would love to stay and chat but I need to go. Take care of my big brother", and as quick as she came, Brynn left, leaving us both standing on the stairway slightly stunned. 

After a few moments had gone by I walked back to the bedroom, Grayson followed. I began to pack everything neatly inside my suitcases as he watched me, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"And just where do you think you're going?", he asked. 

"I'm going to find myself another room".

Anger flared in Alpha Grayson's eyes, I almost trembled as he stormed towards me, ripping my suitcases away from me.

"I thought you learnt your lesson yesterday, why are you being so stubborn?", he barked as I inched towards the door. I wasn't interested in a repeat shower. 

"Why are you? You know this cannot be, so why pretend like we have a future. Please, just let me go", I pleaded with him.

As we spent more time together our mate bond grew stronger, which meant turning away from him would soon become impossible. I just needed some space from him to let him think without our bond clouding his judgement. 

Alpha Grayson stormed from the room, I didn't dare follow him. An hour had gone by and still, he didn't reappear. I couldn't help but feel disappointed as each minute passed by. I longed to see him walk through the door, my inner loyalty cringed as I continued to fall deeper into the mate bond. Another hour passed, I decided I needed some air, sitting in his bedroom inhaling his scent isn't going to be doing my any favours.

Stepping out into the fresh air I took a deep breath and started walking towards the forest line. I didn't have a clue where I was going, I only knew that I needed some space. As I walked through the cool woods I started to hear running water. I followed the sound as it led me towards the source, a breathtaking waterfall stood before me, towering over a crystal blue lagoon. I ran towards the water, desperate to wash away the events of the morning. I looked around, listening for any signs that I wasn't alone. When I was convinced the coast was clear, I stripped off my clothes leaving me in my bra and panties and dove into the lagoon. The water was fresh and welcoming as I swam around, leaving all my previous anxieties long forgotten. 

I soon felt relaxed and started to float on my back, soaking up the warm sun that poked through the trees above. As I was drifting into a blissful state my ears pricked up, I could hear heavy footsteps, and they were coming this way...