Novels by Inaya Grey

Donna’s POV The next morning, I entered the Luna Court hall with a cautious sense of determination. The sun streamed through the high windows, bright and cold, highlighting every polished surface, every attentive gaze. I could feel the weight of expectation settling over me again. Today’s trials would be more physically demanding, and I knew Silver would be ready to push me further.Clara followed closely, her eyes scanning the room. “Silver is already looking for ways to unsettle you,” she said softly. “Pay attention to every detail, and instruction. If she tries to misdirect you, don’t react openly. Think before you move.”I nodded, feeling the bond with Dane thrum faintly beneath my skin. His presence, though invisible, gave me a small measure of reassurance. I focused, setting aside the anxiety creeping at the edges of my mind.The first exercise of the day was a test of agility and endurance. Participants were to navigate an obstacle course designed to challenge balance, streng

Donna’s POVThe hall of the Luna Court buzzed with quiet murmurs as we assembled for the first stage of the contest. The sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting sharp lines across polished wood floors, illuminating each participant with an almost judicial clarity. I stepped forward, my chest tight with anticipation, the bond pulsing faintly beneath my skin as if urging me to remain alert.Silver was already positioned near the center, her movements flawless, her gaze calculating. Every subtle shift of her expression, every tilt of her head, carried intention. She was watching me, no doubt planning her first move, and I could feel the subtle tension she radiated to the others.Leona’s voice cut through the quiet, clear and authoritative. “The first challenge will test public speaking and composure. Each participant will address the Court, speaking on the responsibilities of a Luna in both governance and guidance. Speak clearly, confidently, and with purpose. Those who fal

Donna’s POV The great hall of the Luna Court was quiet at first, the sunlight streaming through tall arched windows, gilding the polished wooden floor. Women of the Court, betas’ wives, and advisors lined the walls, exchanging quiet whispers as they waited. I stepped carefully into the hall, heart racing despite my attempt at composure.Silver sat near the head of the council, her posture perfect, expression serene. But I recognized the flicker of amusement in her eyes as she scanned the room and landed on me. She was planning something, I could feel it even from a distance.The murmurs quieted as the council’s lead, Leona, spoke. “We are here to address a matter of protocol and tradition. The selection of a ‘Luna of the Day’ will be announced and observed. This contest is intended to showcase skill, composure, and leadership for those within the Court.”A soft gasp traveled through the assembly. The Luna of the Day contest was not common; it was both ceremonial and practical, testi

Donna’s POV I hadn’t expected Dane to ask me to the gardens, let alone for a private dinner. My footsteps carried me along the stone path, heart racing slightly—not from fear, but from anticipation. The scent of evening blooms hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of fresh herbs from nearby planters.When I reached the gazebo at the far end of the garden, I froze. The space was bathed in warm candlelight, each flame flickering softly, casting shadows across the carefully arranged table set for two. The sight made my breath catch.“Dane…” I whispered, surprised.He stood from behind the table, offering a small, tentative smile. “I wanted a quiet evening,” he said. “Away from the training halls, the court, and everything else. Just… us.”I felt a flutter of warmth. His presence alone calmed the tension I’d carried all day. “It’s… beautiful,” I managed.He gestured toward the seats. “Shall we sit?”I lowered myself carefully onto the chair, glancing around at the subtle

Donna’s POV The sun was still low when I entered the training hall. The room smelled of polished wood and iron from weapons racks, the quiet hum of early morning activity surrounding me. I found Kael near the practice dummies, adjusting the targets for a sparring session.“Good morning, Luna,” he greeted, his tone unusually easy. There was a warmth in his eyes that hadn’t been there before, something more open than I expected from the Beta.“Good morning,” I replied, cautious but curious. Kael had always been reserved with me, polite but distant. The way he smiled now made me think he was willing to cross the boundaries of mere formality.“I’ve noticed your training with Silver,” he said, leaning against a nearby post. “You handled yourself well yesterday.”I stiffened slightly, thinking of the sparring match that had left my ribs aching. “Thank you,” I said. “It was… challenging.”Kael nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “I imagine it would be. She’s not subtle in her methods, and she lik

Donna’s POV The courtyard was quiet, sunlight spilling across the stones, warm on my skin but not too hot. I found Dane standing near the fountain, arms crossed loosely, watching the water ripple. My steps were hesitant, unsure if I was prepared to face him after the recent events.“Dane,” I said softly, my voice careful but steady. He turned, eyes meeting mine instantly.“You came,” he said, his tone calm but carrying the weight of something unspoken.“I wanted to,” I admitted. “I… I need to talk. About us.”He gestured toward the stone bench near the fountain. “Sit with me.”I moved closer, lowering myself onto the cool surface. My hands rested on my lap, nervous. “I’ve been thinking,” I started. “About everything that’s happened. My past, my mistakes, the ways I’ve hurt others… and how I’ve been trying to survive rather than live. I… I want a second chance.”His expression softened slightly. “A second chance with me?”“Yes,” I said, meeting his gaze. “With you. I know it’s complic

Jace’s POVThat night, after the last of the office lights were dimmed and the echo of footsteps faded down the hallway, I closed the door of the suite behind us and let the silence settle. It wasn’t an empty silence, it was the kind that breathed, that wrapped itself around you like a familiar blanket. Outside, the city was alive, restless, unrelenting. Inside, everything finally slowed.Lana stood near the window, her back to me, arms folded loosely around herself as she stared out at the distant glow of streetlights. The faint reflection of her face in the glass looked tired but strong. Always strong. Stronger than she ever gave herself credit for.I watched her for a moment before speaking, letting myself really see her. The woman who carried everyone else’s burdens like they were her own. The woman who fought battles quietly, often alone. The woman I love.“You don’t have to keep holding everything together in here,” I said softly, tapping my chest once. “Not tonight.”She turned

Lana’s POVBy evening, the office had settled into a rare, reverent quiet, the kind that felt earned rather than imposed. The volunteers had trickled out hours ago, their laughter and footsteps fading down the hallway one by one. The hum of the city outside pressed faintly against the glass windows, distant horns and the low murmur of traffic reminding me that the world beyond these walls never really slept. Inside, though, time seemed to slow, stretching itself thin in the soft glow of the desk lamps.Ethan had gone home with the nanny for the night. I had kissed his forehead longer than usual before he left, inhaling the clean scent of his shampoo, memorizing the weight of him in my arms like I always did when a day had been too heavy. He had wrapped his arms around my neck and whispered, “I love you, Mommy,” as if it were the most important thing in the world to say. Maybe it was.Now it was just Jace and me.I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, rubbing my temples with sl

Lana’s POVThe morning after the gala arrived wrapped in a calm so deceptive it almost felt cruel.Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of my office, warming the polished wood of my desk and casting soft reflections across framed photographs from past foundation events. Smiling faces. Grateful families. Children holding backpacks and books as though they were treasures. Everything looked exactly as it should, untouched, unbroken.And yet, something inside me refused to settle.I sat upright in my chair, scrolling through emails with practiced efficiency, answering donor inquiries, approving schedules, scanning reports. The foundation hummed along as it always did. Volunteers checked in downstairs. Phones rang. Coffee brewed somewhere in the hallway.Normal.Too normal.That subtle unease pricked at the edges of my thoughts like a persistent whisper. The kind that never raised its voice but never went away either.I tried to ignore it.I told myself I was just tired. The gala ha

Lana’s POVThe suite door closed behind us with a soft, decisive click, sealing out the noise of the gala, the laughter, the clinking glasses, the murmured conversations that had followed us like echoes even as we had retreated upstairs. The silence that greeted us felt almost sacred. Plush carpet muffled our steps, and the lights were dimmed low enough that the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows glowed like a distant constellation rather than a challenge waiting to be faced.Only then did I feel it, the weight of the night settling into my bones.I slipped off my heels by the door, my feet aching, my calves tight. The moment I straightened, the adrenaline that had carried me through the evening finally began to ebb, leaving behind a strange mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. My heart was still racing, but it wasn’t fear driving it anymore. It was something close to triumph.Jace watched me quietly as I moved farther into the room, his jacket already discarded over the ba

Jace’s POVI saw the smirk on Derek’s face before he even spoke.It was the same one he had worn a hundred times before, lazy, entitled, sharpened with the certainty that he could still walk into any room Lana occupied and bend the air around her. He stood near the edge of the ballroom like he owned the space, one hand curled around a glass of champagne he hadn’t paid for, the other tucked casually into his pocket. Predator was the only word for it. Not the kind that lunged without thought, but the kind that waited, watched, calculated.The foundation’s annual gala was supposed to be celebratory. Soft music floated through the room, laughter rising and falling in polished waves. Donors clustered in expensive suits and dresses, their conversations light, charitable, self congratulatory. Lana had spent weeks preparing for this night securing sponsors, refining speeches, ensuring every detail reflected the mission she cared so deeply about.And Derek had chosen this moment to show up.

Lana’s POVThe weeks leading up to the fundraiser had been a blur of meetings, spreadsheets, site visits, and late night phone calls. Every detail mattered. This wasn’t just another glamorous event, it was a lifeline. The foundation had projects already on ground, real people depending on the promises we had made, and startups waiting for that one chance to scale their ideas into something sustainable.I stood at the long conference table, laser pointer in hand, as the final slide flickered onto the screen.“This is what we are aiming for,” I said, turning to the team. “If we hit this target tonight, we won’t just sustain current projects, we will expand. Three new regions. At least twelve new startups onboarded.”Murmurs of excitement rippled around the room.Jace leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes on me with that familiar mix of pride and intensity. “She is being conservative,” he added smoothly. “Based on early donor interest, we could exceed this.”I shot him a look. “D