Chloe tried to think of what to say next, but she drew a blank. She looked to Colten beside her, his lightly stubbled cheeks were now the host of tears.
Grayson looked a bit uncomfortable, but he spoke, “Colten, we're sorry.”
Colten looked up to him, “What did Darcy do?”
Chloe's eyes widened and she heard the darkness in his voice, “Colten, I named her, but you... I...” her words failed.
Grayson looked to his mate and made a face at her that resembled a shut up.
Chloe shut her mouth, swallowing her rising discomfort.
Grayson continued, “My brother had her in a cave on the west side of the valley. Chloe was kidnapped by his beta.”
Colten looked up to him, his brow creased in every wrong way imaginable, “And the baby?”
“Your sister was pregnant. Chloe helped deliver the baby before Savannah died.”
Colten stood abruptly and walked away from them, he pressed his hand to his face.
Chloe could tell he was trying to hold it together. Whether or not he would succeed was up for debate.
Grayson and Chloe stared at each other as the baby stirred in her arms. Beth was leaving them all well alone, which was possibly making it easier. However, Grayson looked to be drowning in responsibility towards what he was telling Colten Turner.
“So you're brother killed my sister?” he turned to Grayson.
Grayson took a breath, “I was looking for Chloe. To be honest, it's lucky my mate and the baby even got out of there like they did. It could have been a lot worse.”
“Except, my sister is dead,” Colten snapped.
Chloe looked to the cowboy, he had bright red cheeks and he was fighting back a breakdown, she was sure of it. She cuddled the baby closer, trying to hold it together.
“I'm not defending my brother, Colten. As soon as Darcy returns I'm going to challenge him and if you want to avenge her death with me, you're welcome to accompany me.”
Colten's eyes flashed to Grayson as he ran the back of his hand under his nose and dropped his hat to the near couch, “You're planning on doing this right away?”
“As soon as Darcy comes onto the territory,” Grayson nodded.
“And what's your plans as far as my sister is concerned?”
“Quite frankly, I haven't thought about that as much. I will strip Darcy from Alpha and then I was going to address my pack with what to do with him.”
“I think death is a decent recourse,” Colten snapped.
Grayson nodded, “Well, we can discuss that.”
Colten glanced to Chloe and the baby, he stayed quiet a few moments as he sniffled back his tears.
Chloe noted how strong he was, he was used to hard decisions, hard circumstances. He really was an Alpha.
She stood and walked over to him with slow steps, “Do you want to hold her?”
He looked to the baby and swallowed.
She moved the tiny newborn in her arms and held her out for him, “Here.”
Colten hesitated, but then took Ella in his hands and pulled her close, looking down at her. The baby woke up and opened her eyes to look at her uncle.
She let out a little cry and he hushed her.
It hurt Chloe just a tiny bit; she knew Ella was going to his in the end. She accepted it in that moment.
Colten cradled her in his arms, “You said, you've named her. Is it what Savannah wanted?”
Chloe swallowed, “Honestly, no, she never said anything about a name to me. But I – I know I shouldn't have named her, so just forget it. It wasn't my place.”
He tilted his head to her, “It's alright. Tell me.”
Chloe shifted, tangling her fingers together, “Daniella or Ella, for short.”
Colten looked back down to the baby, “That's a nice name.”
Grayson walked to Chloe and pulled her into his side. Radiating sadness, he knew that somehow, offering her the close comfort in return.
His hands held her sides, pulling her tight. She buried her face in his chest as her eyes watered up. She thought about Savannah and everything that had happened. She was beginning to think it would be easier to just not think about it at all anymore.
Colten walked to them, “Thank you.”
Grayson and Chloe looked to him simultaneously.
“Oh, um...” But Chloe's words failed her again.
Colten looked down to her, “She looks like Savannah. If it's even possible this young.”
Chloe's heart mushed into tiny pieces, “I think so too.”
A tiny smile grazed his lips and he lifted the baby to his shoulder, holding her tight.
Chloe swallowed, her heart warming. Colten Turner was smitten with her.
Grayson interrupted the tender moment happening though, “Well, I'm hungry.”
Chloe rolled her eyes and flicked his chest, “Sorry, Colten. Grayson is part neanderthal.”
Colten's face broke with some soft humour, “Don't you have to be a bit like that to run a pack?”
Grayson nodded, “That's what I thought. No one messes with us.”
“I highly doubt Colten is a neanderthal,” Chloe noted.
Colten looked to her, “I'm a cowboy. I do tend to get dirty, eat a lot of meat, and do grunt work.”
“Still, a cowboy is much more flattering than this,” Chloe smiled and looked up to Grayson, “What happened to you?”
Grayson raised an eyebrow at her, “Pushing the alpha button, Chloe.”
She tried not to laugh at him and instead pressed herself back into his side, biting into his shirt and skin beneath. He tightened his grip on her and her playfulness, which she knew he liked, probably a little too much.
She felt it should have been more somber, considering what had happened, but Ella added a lightness to it. Savannah was gone, but not forgotten, and her death was about to be avenged.
Beth tip toed in and walked to the baby, “She's so beautiful.”
Colten looked to her, “She is.”
“She may want a bottle soon. I can show you how to do that.”
Chloe's heart thumped, she waited to see Colten's reaction. This would be a clear sign of his affection for the child.
He nodded, “I'd like that. I'm used to kids, not so much babies.”
Beth smiled and took him away into the kitchen.
Chloe looked up at Grayson, “I'm sad.”
Grayson sighed, “Let her go, Little.”
She sighed, “I am.”
Grayson put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him again, “You did good, Chloe.”
She closed her eyes and breathed him in, “You smell good for once, Grayson.”
“Do you always have to ruin a perfectly good moment?”
She let out a laugh, “Yes.”
Grayson leaned down and wrapped his arms around her waist to lift her up against his chest.
She giggled, “Are you gonna promise we'll have a baby one day?”
“Should have figured your wolf hormones would ignite a baby hunger.” He smiled at her, “I'll promise you, one day.”
She rolled her eyes as he kissed her and put her hands into his shaggy head of hair, “I think you need a haircut, Wolfboy.”
He kissed her once more and put her down, “You're such a nag.”
Chloe pinched him and he moved away, displeasure plastered across his brow.
“You see, Gray there's a problem.”
Grayson looked to her, “What's that – my mate's annoying?”
“No.” She put her hands on her hips, “You need me and quite frankly, I don't think you could live without me. You're sorta incompetent, Gray-gray.”
He smiled and sat back to the couch, “You should shut your mouth, Loe.”
Her eyes flashed with displeasure, “You know, I don't like that nickname.”
He smirked and looked up to her, “Oh, scary mate.” He teased as she sat down next to him and put her legs in his lap.
“You're so relaxed, Grayson.”
He laughed, shaking his head at her, “Like I said, minimal drama at the moment.”
“No, wait!” Chloe tensed, “I hear a car.”
Grayson looked to her and listened, “Huh?”
She started to laugh at him, “Gotcha ya!”
Grayson rolled his eyes and leaned back, putting his hands behind his head, “You're so annoying.”
“I know.” She put a finger to her lips, smirking. “You're like a puppy. Easy to get going.” She poked him with her toes.
“You're right.” He grabbed her thigh, pulling her over to him.
She yelped as he came over top of her, “God, you're so hormonal.”
He smiled, “No, you're a tease.”
Chloe poked his forehead and then they fell silent, their faces also softening.
He dropped his nose against hers and kissed her, “I love you.”
She smiled, “You don't.”
He grunted, “I do.”
She drew her fingertips over his cheek, “Wolfboy, all gushy.”
“You need to come up with a different nickname. I'm pulling my alpha card.” He sat up from her.
She pouted about it, “No way in heck I'm doing that.”
He smirked, “Yes, you are. Gray works for me. No wolfboy or Gray-gray...”
“Oh come on, Gray-gray, is so cute.”
He stared at her, blinking, “I'm cute? I'm about to be Tribune's Alpha. I don't think that cute works here.”
She smiled, “You're cute, Grayson. Get over it.”
He snorted, giving up on her, “So, I'd say Colten took the news pretty good.”
Chloe shrugged, “I guess the best he could. I think he knew she was gone already though. He just seemed so sad this whole time. The first bit of life I've seen out of him, has been when he was holding Ella.”
“He deserves her. His pack does.” Grayson stood, “Anyway, I'm hungry.”
Chloe looked up at him, shaking her head at him. He hauled to her feet and brought her into the kitchen, not waiting for an actual answer from her.
Once in the kitchen, Colten still held Ella, now feeding her a bottle, but Beth was keeping a close eye on the situation.
Grayson opened the fridge and searched it, “Mom, leftovers?”
Chloe smiled, “Beth, Grayson can't live without you.”
Beth walked to her son and took over the food search, “Go sit, Gray.”
He sauntered over to Chloe and hopped up on the counters next to her.
Colten looked up to Beth, “She fell asleep.”
Beth put some leftovers to the countertop and helped him readjust Ella to his shoulder, “Burp her, pat gently.”
Colten cringed, “She's too little.”
“No, it's okay, like this.” Beth showed him, “And she may spit up, but that's okay.”
Chloe smiled at Colten's nervousness and then looked to Grayson as he wrinkled his nose up. She snapped the back of her hand to his chest, “Gray.”
He looked to her, “What?”
The phone rang and Beth walked away to answer the call.
The kitchen fell silent and then his mother reappeared, “Grayson, it's Mike.”
Grayson jumped off the counter and grabbed the phone from his mom, “Yeah?”
Chloe watched him, but he walked into the living room. Her stomach knotted, she had a n impending doom feeling.
She stayed in the kitchen, trying to distract herself by watching Colten and Ella. No one talked to one another though, so her thoughts were distracted again and back on the fact that Mike was on the phone.
After a minute, Grayson returned and hung the phone back to the receiver on the wall, “Mike had an idea.”
Chloe swallowed, “About what?”
“They're going to make Bruce call Darcy in.”
Colten nodded, “Good idea.”
Grayson agreed, “Any Alpha hearing his beta using a distress call should come running.”
“In theory.” Colten leaned against the counters as Ella slept on his shoulder.
Chloe looked between them, “What's going to happen if he comes soon?” They ignored her question though.
Beth got some dishes and started to make up two plates of food, “Grayson, please make sure your father is safe before you-”
Grayson sighed, “I won't hurt Dad.”
Beth nodded, “Thank you.”
Chloe knew when it all hit the fan, she'd be safe, but she had begun to get nervous for what was coming. There was a lot of what ifs and Darcy was ruthless, he had proven that.
“So, where are you from, Colten?” Grayson asked.
“Silvertun, Texas. My pack borders the outside ranches of it.”
Chloe smiled, “Sounds nicer than snow and ice.”
Grayson snorted, “Chloe's from California.”
“Los Angeles!” she chirped. “And sometimes, I seriously miss it. Life was not wolfy there.”
Grayson rolled his eyes, “She also likes to bitch.”
Chloe swatted his chest, “Shut up.” She smiled at him, all of sudden their relationship, gooey and cute.
She turned to Colten, “So, you run your pack?”
“Unfortunately. My father died years ago and I was left in charge.”
“No idiot's tried to come in and challenge you for it?” Grayson became interested.
Colten sighed, “The whole mate thing is getting the better of me. I have a good pack behind me, they will fight for my position if it came down to it, but as of right now, no one has tried to challenge me. Of course, we try to keep it on the quiet side. I don't need a bunch of rogue alpha's coming in, threatening my pack.”
Grayson nodded, “No, you wouldn't want that.”
Chloe swallowed, “Have you looked for your mate?”
Grayson smiled at her, “Chloe, you don't look for a mate. It's generally an involuntary meeting.”
She looked to him, amusement in her eyes, “Involuntary? I'll agree there.”
Colten rubbed Ella's back, “Well, things will work out the way they need to, but I have a hard enough time running a pack unmated. It would be nice to have a Luna to help me.”
Chloe smiled, “Well, no girl can say no to a guy with a cute baby.”
Colten seemed to think through what she said, “So, you're wanting me to take her?”
“Oh,” Chloe's heart picked up.
Beth put two plates of reheated food to the breakfast bar, “There, my son. Eat.”
Grayson walked to the food and sat, digging into the food, “It's up to you, man.”
Beth looked to Colten, rubbing her hands clean on a near dish cloth, “If you're unable to care for her, I can. You make the decision that's right for you. You'll be welcome to come see her when you want.”
Colten appeared uncomfortable, “Well, I'm not... sure...”
Chloe's eyes widened, but Grayson elbowed her, shaking his head in reply to her spiralling thoughts.
The cowboy sighed, “I'm not used to babies.”
“You have some females that can help you?” Beth asked.
Colten hesitated, “A couple, yeah.”
Beth smiled, “There you are then, they'll whip you into shape!”
Chloe smiled at Colten, “Guess, she's all yours.”
Colten wrapped his hands around the baby as she slept still on his shoulder, “I have no family left, she is a miracle in itself to me. I thank you.”
Grayson swallowed, “Everything works out for a reason.”
Chloe nodded, holding back her budding tears towards the whole thing as it flashed through her mind once more.
Colten turned to Grayson, “Does your pack know what's happened with my sister?”
Grayson shook his head, “Not yet, I'm sure some of them know something wasn't going right with him, but he came back claiming his mate rejected him-”
Colten sneered, “My sister fell at his feet in love and I tried to interject, something didn't seem right with him. She was a beautiful girl. All my pack protected her, but then Darcy just came in, claimed her, and the next thing I knew, I was forced to let her go.”
Beth's emotion caught in her throat, “I didn't raise Darcy to be like this.”
Grayson looked to his mother, “Mom, it's okay. Just go upstairs for a bit or something.”
Beth dabbed the edge of her sleeve under her eyes and nodded, “I'm so sorry, Colten.”
Colten swallowed, “I understand Alpha's can get arrogant, their wolf side taking over without sympathy. I would not fault you for this.”
Beth swallowed, “My two other sons are so different. Perhaps him being the oldest, I didn't give him enough attention.”
“Mother,” Grayson growled, “If anything Darcy got more attention. That's why he's such a royal pain in the ass and always has been. Big bad Darcy, always getting what he wants.”
Chloe looked to her mate as his voice darkened; she put her hand on his shoulders and rubbed, “Hush, Gray.”
Beth sighed, “I'll be upstairs. Please call me if you need anything.” She put a hand on Ella's back once more, rubbing.
“Sure,” Grayson mumbled in reply as she exited the kitchen.
All went awkwardly quiet again, Chloe would think of something to say, but it just wasn't coming out.
Colten spoke though, “What if we go look for Darcy?”
“My father and him, have been gone for days looking for me. I think Mike had a good idea of calling him in. Like you said, what Alpha will ignore a distress from his beta?”
Colten nodded, “It's hard for me to wait like this, especially with what's happened to Savannah.”
Grayson swallowed what was in his mouth, “Yeah, I understand. I'd like to give this beta call a try though. You can go relax in the living room if you want, looks like the kid is out cold anyway.”
Colten took him up on the relaxing and walked to the living room.
Chloe leaned into her mate once Colten had disappeared from view, “Do you think it's a good idea to let him help you with Darcy?”
Grayson shrugged, “He deserves closure and I'm fed up to here with my brother.”
Chloe nodded, staying silent again.
“I should call Henry and let him know we found you.”
She nodded, “Yeah.”
“Should I call him now? He's likely still out there worried.”
She nodded in reply and he got up taking his plate with him to the dish washer.
Colten came back in, “Chloe, could you hold Ella for a few minutes. I need to use the washroom.”
Chloe jumped at the opportunity to cuddle the baby and took her from him as Grayson instructed him to the lower level bathroom.
Grayson grabbed the phone off the receiver and walked into the living room. Chloe's heart picked up as she followed.
She sat to the couch as Grayson made the call, waiting, “He's not answering.”
“My dad always answers his phone.”
Grayson shrugged, “Maybe he's busy.”
“He always answers his phone, Gray.” She started to think something had happened.
“He'll call me once he sees the missed call. Don't worry.”
She nodded and rocked the baby in her arms. Grayson grabbed up the television remote and turned towards the large flat screen.
“Gray, are you going to-”
Grayson stopped her, holding up his hand as he turned to look out the living room window. Henry's police cruiser pulled up in the drive.
Chloe jumped up, “Oh, my dad?”
Grayson stood stone still, “Chloe, go upstairs with the baby.”
“Why?” Chloe made a face, “It's just my dad. He shouldn't freak out too bad, now that he knows.”
Grayson walked up to her and grabbed her arm, “Go, Chloe.” His voice deep and full of instant agitation.
The door of the cruiser opened.
Chloe smiled, but it faded, she tensed, and Darcy stepped out of the vehicle, “No!” she screamed.
“Go upstairs!” Grayson pushed her towards them, “Now, Chloe! Go see my mother!”
“Where's my dad!” Tears over took her eyes.
“Now!” Grayson pointed up the stairs.
Her body began to panic. Darcy hadn't hesitated to kill Savannah, would he have pitied Henry?
Her tears streamed her cheeks, “Gray.”
Grayson grabbed her, “Listen to me, Chloe. Now!”
She whimpered, her heart tearing in two, “Dad.”
Grayson looked to the door as the heavy steps of Darcy ricocheted off the timber porch, “Go!” His grip on her tightened, “I'm begging you, Little ... Please, go!”
Chloe nodded, knowing she had to do what her mate was saying. She started for the stairs, stumbling in her panicked state. Ella now waking in her arms and starting to fuss from all the commotion going on.
She got half way up the stairs, when the front door opened.
Grayson tensed, his muscles testing his shirt again.
Darcy stood stalk still in the door frame as he looked up to his brother idly. The two stared at each other.
“Well, well, well, look who's back home. I looked everywhere for you, Gray-gray.” Darcy's dirty, dark voice sending chills through the house.
Grayson sneered at him, dropping his chin, “Get outside, Darcy.”
Chloe knew she had to make a break for upstairs and just when she turned away to do so, Ella let out a bellowing cry.
Darcy's eyes snapped up to Chloe, where she was perched on the stairs, “Hey!”
Chloe yelped and she pushed off the step beneath her, but her toes slipped on the next step and she stumbled.
Darcy threw himself on Grayson and pushed him out of the way, climbing the stairs, taking them three at a time to catch up with her.
Chloe scrambled, running up the rest of them. She could hear Grayson right on his brother's heels, crashing up the stairs after them.
“Run, Chloe!” Grayson yelled.
Darcy grabbed her arm and turned her into him.
She hugged the child against her chest and stared up at her mate's brother who was looming over her, his nostrils wide, his eyes dark and angry.
“That's mine.”
Grayson came up behind and grabbed him by the shirt, throwing him into the near wall, “Get away from them!”
Darcy smacked into the wall and looked to him, smiling, “Apparently, you've been busy while I was out looking for your ass!” He sniffed the air once more, cementing the idea that Grayson Holtz was mated and now his direct competition.
“Get outside, Darcy,” Grayson growled.
Beth walked out of her room, “Oh, Darcy.”
Her dark haired son looked to her, “Mother, did I say Grayson was allowed back on Tribune territory with his little slut mate?”
Grayson ran at him and slammed him back into the wall, punching him in the face, “It's my pack now you twisted idiot! So get outside and we'll finish this once and for all!”
Darcy pressed a hand to his now bleeding nose, “Grayson,” He had a laugh in his voice, “You've always been a bit thick. Tribune won't follow you, let's face it, you're not alpha enough.”
Grayson tensed and went to punch him again, but Colten was now at the top of the stairs, staring at Darcy.
Darcy looked to him, his eyes falling on the pissed off Texan alpha, “Colten?”
Colten ran at him and shoved him back into the wall, driving his fist right into Darcy's face, over and over.
Darcy yelled out and bent over, cupping his face, “What is going on here!”
Grayson swallowed and looked over his shoulder, meeting Chloe's wide eyes, “Go with my mother, Chloe!”
Darcy lashed out and slammed himself into Chloe, “That's my baby!”
Chloe screamed and sunk down against the wall, clutching the crying baby to her.
Grayson and Colten tackled Darcy and threw him to the floor.
“You're not going to win, Darcy!” Grayson grabbed him by his collar and hauled him, throwing him towards the stairs.
Chloe looked up to see Colten looking down at her.
He pointed to Beth, “Go, now.”
Chloe nodded and ran down the hall towards Beth. The woman took her and pushed her into the room. Beth now in a panic, “Ashton should be smart enough to keep Sherry downstairs. Oh, I hope so!”
Chloe swallowed, “Darcy showed up in my father's cruiser.”
Beth's face paled, “Oh my. Roger isn't here?”
Chloe shook her head as she heard shouting outside. She walked to the window, pulling back the blinds and leaning into the cold glass. She hugged Ella close, rocking her back and forth trying to calm the screaming baby.
She watched Colten and Grayson advance on Darcy.
“You tried to use my beta against me!” Darcy shouted, pointing at them.
Grayson and Colten both stopped, staring him down.
If Chloe was to be honest, she was positive that Darcy was afraid.
Grayson stepped forward, “I think without a doubt. You've just lost Tribune, Darcy.”
Colten inched up beside him, “What you did to Savannah will never be forgiven!”
“That little whore was good for nothing!” Darcy shouted.
Colten ran at him and punched him, grabbing him by his shoulders and slamming his face into his knee.
Darcy staggered back and slipped to the ground on his side.
Colten stepped back, staring down at him, his body tense and rage endued, “I knew you'd hurt my sister, but I didn't think you'd do this, Darcy! Now, I'll make sure to return the favour.”
Grayson put his arm out to stop Colten just as Darcy rolled on his back and pulled out a handgun.
“I took out an insurance policy,” he pointed the gun at Colten.
Chloe gasped, “He's got a gun!”
Beth came up to her side, “Oh my god!”
Chloe began to panic, she held out the baby for Beth, “Hold her. Hold her.”
“Chloe, stay here-”
The gun fired and that was it. Chloe could feel her bones starting to separate, the wolf in her breaking through. Her mate's life was in danger. An instinct rolling through her core.
Chloe turned to the window, trying to gain a few more seconds of time as she struggled to open the window.
She turned to Beth, “Keep Ella safe!” She flung herself out the window and in full wolf, landed on Darcy. His arm with the gun square in her mouth, she dug her teeth deep into his flesh.
He yelled out as he jumped up, now in his wolf as well.
“Chloe!” Grayson roared at her as Colten shifted into his regal white wolf. Jumping on top of Darcy, he dug his teeth deep into his throat.
Chloe snapped up to her four feet and looked up to her raging mate as he shifted and flew forward at her.
Get away from here, Chloe!
She backed away and grabbed the hand gun in her mouth, throwing it deep into the forest beside the house.
Darcy tossed Colten off him and flew at Chloe, grabbing her and chucking her into the side of the police cruiser.
You idiot! Grayson jumped and landed on Darcy, yanking him backwards and throwing him across the drive. Now, I'm going to kill you.
Chloe's shoulder was hurt. She had felt it crack upon her crash landing with the car. She knew she shouldn't have jumped out the window, but she would have never forgiven herself if Grayson or Colten had been hurt by what she was now sure, was her father's gun.
Grayson and Colten stood over Darcy's hunched over frame. Their hair sticking up straight, teeth barred, the end was near for Darcy Holtz.
The twisted wolf got up, I'm glad she's dead. He spat at them, snapping his teeth.
Colten growled, lashing out and throwing himself on Darcy. They crashed down the drive together.
Grayson broke them up, but the icy drive made it hard for their nails to stop the sliding. They all rolled down the drive, all three of them, a big pile of angry wolves. Teeth, drooled and paws swinging about, as they went out of sight.
She limped forward, the sound of their snapping and growling still ringing in her ears but the sound of Grayson yelping, made her run. She slipped down the ice, trying to gain control of her feet and limp at the same time.
She reached the road and then looked to her left, where Colten and her mate had Darcy Holtz up against the steel barricade. Her eyes went wide. She knew the drop off at the top of that hill was a steep descent.
Darcy lashed out with teeth and blood in every direction.
Grayson swung his paw out and whacked his brother back against the edge of the highway.
Darcy snarled, You want this pack, Grayson? It's all yours.
Grayson snapped his jaw, You crossed the line. Seriously.
Colten's white coat reflected the moonlight taking over the sky as he leapt forward taking Darcy right over the edge of the highway with him.
No! Chloe ran onto the highway, just as a truck turned the corner. She skidded across the ice as the vehicle swerved trying not to hit her. She felt teeth sink into her neck as she was pulled across the road and shoved her into a near ditch.
Chloe! What are you doing!
Chloe stared up at her mate as his breath crystallized around him.
She whimpered, Colten... oh my god... he...
Grayson swung around and they both stood staring at the edge of the road as the sound of scrapping and nails digging broke the crisp air.
The white wolf gripped his way back onto the road and over the barricade.
Colten lifted his head, looking at them as he came back to his feet, Alpha. He bowed his head to Grayson, shaking his coat free of dirt and debris. He stood still, taking a moment to catch his breath and letting Grayson take in his new position.
Grayson bowed his head back.
Chloe limped forward, It's done?
Colten approached them, looking both ways before he came across the highway to them, Yeah.
Chloe washed with relief.
You will always push me, won't you? Grayson came to her side.
Chloe looked to him and a softness came to her eyes, I couldn't stop myself. Not with you in danger like that with the gun.
Grayson pressed his muzzle to hers and licked, I know... Let's go back to the house.
They turned and headed back to the driveway at the bottom of the small grade. They walked in silence; it was becoming easy company, the silence between them.
They walked in slow steady steps, all side by side as they approached the timber mansion.
Their silence broke from a muffled voice in the back of the cruiser, “Hello.”
Chloe's ears perked up and Grayson walked towards it, peering into the vehicle, It's Henry!
Chloe skipped forward, fumbling with her injured shoulder, Dad!
Her dad stared back at her as he came to a sitting position. His forehead covered in dried blood, but otherwise, he looked okay.
Chloe pressed her face to the glass, Daddy.
Henry leaned back in the seat and sighed, “Hey, Loe. How are you?”
She whined and pressed herself against the car, He knows.
I told you. Grayson said. I'll be right out to help him. He moved towards the house, jumping to his window on the second level and shifting mid-flight. He had that move down, that was for sure.
She stayed with her father, the two of them staring back at each other. It may have been minutes, maybe more, but Grayson returned, human form and dressed. He walked to the back door of the cruiser and opened it.
Ducking in, he looked in at middle aged man, “Hey, Henry.”
“How's it going, Gray?” Henry nodded to him.
“Well, you know – alright now.” Grayson held out his hand and helped him out of the car.
Chloe stepped back, watching to make sure her dad really was okay.
Henry looked to her, “You're kind of scary, Loe. Well, not really. But you both have a hell of a lot explaining to do.”
Grayson chuckled, “Sure thing. First I'll get your daughter back in a form you know.”
She snorted and walked beside them as they walked up to the house.
Beth stepped out the front door, still holding Ella, “Let's get that cut cleaned up, Henry.” She held out a blanket for Grayson, “For Chloe.”
Grayson grabbed it, “Thanks, mom.”
She nodded, taking Henry's arm, “Are you okay otherwise?”
Henry grunted, nodding as he stepped inside the house.
Chloe looked around her, noticing Colten had disappeared. Then she heard the sound of a car door slam and there he was, by his bright red truck, back in his human form and dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans.
He walked to the front porch and came to Grayson's side, “Thank you.”
Grayson paused and looked up to him, “You did most of it.”
“You'll take care of Darcy's beta?”
Grayson nodded, “I've left the punishment to my beta; it'll be a fair one. Mike likes this sort of thing.”
Colten shook his hand, “I'll be inside. Don't think I'll get on the road with Ella till tomorrow and... Savannah...”
“Yeah.” Grayson nodded, “We can work it out. I can have her recovered.”
Colten only nodded and that was that.
Grayson watched him walk into the house, “Well, Little, you stuck?”
She whined, holding her sore leg up and sitting into the snow.
He turned to her and crouched down, running his hand over the side of her face and smiling at her, “Clear your mind.”
She let her blue eyes close, his touch calming, making it easy to slip into a comatose state.
He pressed his face to hers, “Calm.”
She let out a soft breath and felt her body cool, a soft wind caressing her on all sides as she thought of Grayson and only Grayson.
Her eyes opened and smiled at him.
He smiled back, rubbing his nose against hers and kissing her soft human lips, “Good job.”
She put her hands to his cheeks and pulled him in, kissing him, “Good job to you too.”
He pulled back from her, smirking, “Let's go get you some clothes.” She stood with him and he wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, leading her back into the house.
She looked up to see Roger standing in the foyer. It surprised her, but then again didn't.
Grayson put his hands on her shoulders, she cringed as a bit of pain shot through her, but it was fading, there were things to appreciate being a wolf.
Chloe smiled at him, “Hi, Roger.”
The man nodded to her, “I'm sorry for what Darcy did to you, Chloe.”
She swallowed and felt Grayson urging her to the stairs. She met Roger's sad eyes, “Everything's alright now.”
His father sighed and nodded once, “Thank you.”
She paused, her blue eyes hitching on the broken man. She could feel every inch of his thankful apology and it hit her core.
Grayson pushed her up the stairs, breaking her away from the moment, “Come on.”
They walked down the hall to his room and slipped inside
Chloe turned to him once inside, “I really need to have clothes here.”
He chuckled, “I think your dad will finally be okay with that.”
She smiled, “So, what's it feel it?”
“What's what feel like?” he asked.
She pressed herself up against him and looked up into eyes, “Being a big, bad alpha?”
He smirked, “It feels like,” He grabbed her sides, holding her close, “Like everything I'd ever been living for, doing, my whole existence was for this moment right here and now.”
She nodded, feeling the exact same, “I'm sorry, I suck at listening.”
Grayson tilted his head, “No, you're not sorry.”
She giggled, “No, I'm not. Now,” she poked his chest, “You owe me.”
He laughed, “I'm down. There's a bed right here.”
She lifted an eyebrow, shaking her head at him, “Not that, weirdo. You owe me a date.”
He put his arms around her and kissed her forehead, “Well, I can do that too.”
She hugged him and when he'd had enough of their tender moment, he hoisted her over his shoulder.
She yelped in protest, “Grayson!”
He walked her to the bed and dropped her into it, “But first, we need to, you know, since we're the new Alpha and Luna.” He came down around her.
Chloe wrinkled her nose at him, “You're a liar.”
He smiled, “Yeah, I am.”
She rolled her eyes at him, “Oh, Grayson.”
He kissed her softly, “Hush. You really need to learn not to complain.”
“Not like it stops you anyway,” she teased him.
He thought a moment, “You're right. Continue to nag.”
“Shut up,” she pulled him down, pressing her mouth against his, “Wolfboy.”
“I love you,” he smiled and sunk his mouth against hers, “Wolfgirl.”