Looking at Grayson now, memories flooded back from our shared childhood. He had always been like a brother figure in my mind.
Before he inherited the position of Alpha King, Grayson was simply my neighbor. We had known each other since childhood, living in the same territory in Riverside Town, just a few miles apart. When I was ten years old, I was still a childish little girl with pigtails and scraped knees. My parents took me to Grayson’s house for the first time.
Back then, Grayson lived with his grandmother in a modest cottage surrounded by wildflowers. He wasn’t the Alpha King yet, just a teenage boy with extraordinary potential.
I remember that first meeting so clearly. Grayson was fourteen, already stunningly handsome with ice–blue eyes like winter snowflakes.
He seemed so mature and serious compared to the other boys I knew.
When my mother gently nudged me forward, I obediently called out, “Alpha Grayson.”
He only responded with a cold, “Hello.” His tone was so distant and formal that it made my young heart sink.
This made me think he must be an unapproachable and cold person. That misunderstanding lasted for several years.
In high school, I struggled terribly with combat classes. My technique was sloppy, my form was wrong, and I constantly embarrassed myself in front of the other students.
Grayson’s grandmother suggested that he tutor me, boasting endlessly about his almost perfect combat skills. “That boy could take down wolves twice his size,” she would say proudly.
When twenty–year–old Grayson came to help me, I was mortified. I defiantly told him, “I don’t need you to teach me.”
I crossed my arms and lifted my chin stubbornly, determined to maintain what little pride I had left.
He just smiled, that warm expression completely different from the cold boy I remembered. He reached out and tapped my forehead gently.
“But I insist,” he said, his voice carrying gentle authority that made my protests die in my throat. Contrary to my concerns, he was incredibly patient. He explained every fighting technique in detail, never making me feel stupid for not understanding immediately.
His hands would guide mine into the proper stance, his voice calm and encouraging as he corrected my mistakes.
Gradually, my resistance melted away and turned into genuine admiration.
“Wow, Grayson, why are you so strong?” I exclaimed one day after he demonstrated a particularly impressive move.
He smiled, that same gentle expression that had become so familiar. “Because I have people I want to protect.”
The sincerity in his voice made something flutter in my chest, though I was too young to
Chapter 11
7:35 pm
To me, he had always been a respectable older brother figure. I never had any romantic thoughts
about him whatsoever.
So when Grayson had proposed a mating contract to me years later, I instinctively refused. The idea felt wrong, almost taboo.
But now, seeing Grayson again after so many years, something inside me shifted dramatically.
My wolf, who had been dormant and broken since losing Ethan’s child, suddenly stirred with powerful energy.
She howled deeply within my mind, her voice clear and certain: “Mate. Ours.”
I was completely shocked by the revelation. Grayson was my second chance mate.
The Moon Goddess had given me another opportunity for true love, and it was with the man who had always been there, waiting patiently in the background of my life.
“Emma,” Grayson said softly, stepping closer. “You look surprised.”
“I… I didn’t know,” I whispered, still processing the earth–shaking discovery. “My wolf, she‘ saying…
“That we’re mates,” he finished for me, his silver eyes warm with understanding. “I’ve known fo years.”
He reached up to cup my face gently, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone. “Why do you think I waited so long? Why I never marked another she–wolf despite the pressure from the Roya Council?”
His touch sent electric sparks through my skin. Every nerve ending came alive under his gentle
caress.
“You knew?” I breathed, leaning unconsciously into his touch.
“From the moment you turned eighteen,” he admitted, his voice rough with suppressed emotion “But your wolf had already chosen Ethan. I couldn’t force a bond that wasn’t ready.”
His other hand came up to frame my face completely, his thumbs stroking my skin with reveren
tenderness.
‘So I waited. I hoped. I prepared for the day you might need me.”
The moonlight streaming through the French windows cast silver highlights in his dark hair. H looked like a god carved from marble, perfect and ethereal.
‘Grayson,” I whispered, feeling tears prick my eyes. “All these years…”
“Were worth it,” he said firmly, leaning down so our foreheads touched. “Every single day wa worth it to have you here now.”
His breath mingled with mine, warm and intoxicating. The space between us crackled with electric tension.
“I never knew,” I said again, my hands coming up to rest on his chest.
“I didn’t want to burden you with knowledge that might confuse you,” he explained, his voic barely above a whisper. “You needed to choose freely.”
Just as he leaned down to close the distance between us, a commotion from below broke
through our intimate moment.
Chapter 11
7:35 pm DDDD.
I turned toward the French windows, looking down at the beach scene unfolding beneath us.
Ethan was rushing into the water, his clothes soaking as he waded toward Scarlett’s unconscious form. Despite everything that had happened, despite James‘ punishment, he was rescuing her without regard for his own safety.
I watched as he pulled her limp body from the waves, carrying her to shore with obvious desperation.
He laid her on the sand and immediately began artificial respiration, his mouth covering hers as he breathed life back into her lungs.
After several tense moments, Scarlett’s eyes fluttered open. She immediately threw her arms around Ethan’s neck, sobbing against his shoulder.
He held her close, one hand stroking her wet hair while he whispered soothing words in her ear.
Even from this distance, I could see the tenderness in his expression, the way he cradled her as if she were made of precious glass.
Despite everything–despite the 105 betrayals, despite our relationship being completely over, despite finding my true mate–watching Ethan comfort Scarlett still created a sharp ache in my chest.
He had been the person I loved for so many years. Those feelings couldn’t just disappear overnight.
Grayson’s arms wrapped around me from behind, his warmth enveloping me like a protective shield.
“It’s natural to feel sad,” he said gently, his chin resting on top of my head. “You shared eight years of your life with him. Those memories don’t just vanish.”
I leaned back against his solid chest, drawing comfort from his steady presence.
“Healing isn’t linear,” Grayson said softly, his arms tightening around me. “I’m willing to wait unti you truly come out of this pain before marking you.”
7:37 pm D D D D
