6

GRAYSON’S POV

The moment Ashen disappeared behind the wall of guests, I felt my wolf pacing violently inside my chest, his growls scraping along the edges of my mind with agitation. Morvek had never been this restless unless there was danger close enough to touch. The presence of that arrogant former mate of mine was enough to poison the air around Ashen, and my patience was already hanging by a single thin thread that threatened to snap at any moment.

I pushed past several alphas who attempted to greet me, ignoring their forced politeness as their eyes flicked between my face and the direction Ashen disappeared. Their curiosity irritated me, but nothing compared to the simmering rage that grew when I caught the scent of the man who dared speak to my mate without permission.

He stood beside a pillar, arms folded, smirking as if he expected me to come. His silver hair looked too immaculate for someone who used to beg for my attention, and his stance screamed provocation that irritated every instinct I had. The moment our eyes met, his smirk curved deeper, challenging me with a silent mockery that made Morvek roar.

“Grayson,” he greeted, voice dripping with false respect that made my jaw clench hard. “Long time no see.”

“You should not be here,” I said, moving closer with slow, deliberate steps that made him tense. “Your invitation was revoked months ago, and you know exactly why.”

He chuckled, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve like he still deserved the right to stand in my presence. “I came because I heard interesting rumors. They say the infamous cold-hearted alpha has taken a fragile little thing as his mate. I had to see it for myself.”

I stopped barely a foot away from him, letting my aura bleed into the air until several guests looked away, trembling at the weight of it.

“You spoke to Ashen,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “Without my permission.”

He raised an eyebrow mockingly. “He looked lonely. I thought he needed company.”

“You thought wrong. You always think wrong,” I growled, stepping even closer until he had to lean back slightly. “If you ever direct a single word toward him again, I will rip your tongue out and feed it to the hounds.”

His smirk faltered, though only for a second. “You’re still dramatic. Tell me, Grayson… how long before you destroy this one too? How long before your temper kills him the same way it killed—”

My fist connected with his jaw before he could finish that sentence, and he flew several feet across the polished floor, crashing into a decorative pillar with a loud crack. Gasps filled the hall, and music screeched to a halt instantly. Every leader present turned their heads toward us, but none dared approach. They knew better than to involve themselves when my aura pulsed with lethal intent.

He groaned, wiping blood from his lip as he stood up shakily. “Still the same monster,” he spat.

“Correct,” I replied coldly. “But now I have something worth killing for. Consider that your final warning.”

I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned away sharply and marched back into the crowd, my eyes scanning for Ashen. My anger faded just enough to allow worry to seep in. He was nowhere near where I last saw him, and the hall suddenly felt too large, too crowded, too dangerous.

Morvek snarled inside me.

“Find him. Now.”

My steps quickened. My senses sharpened. I followed the faint trace of Ashen’s scent—soft, warm, tinged with fear—until I spotted him standing near the far side of the hall, his body tense and his eyes unfocused as though the warning he received moments earlier was still echoing inside his mind. His hands were gripping his robe lightly, and his breathing was shallow.

He looked small. Too small. Too shaken.

My chest tightened with something I didn’t want to name.

“Ashen,” I called sharply.

He flinched and turned toward me. His eyes widened slightly as he saw my expression, but he did not move away when I approached him. I stopped right in front of him, forcing myself to lower my voice instead of letting instinct take control.

“What did he say to you?” I asked, controlling every syllable with effort. “Tell me everything, Ashen. Now.”

He hesitated. For a moment, I thought he would lie. But then he swallowed hard and spoke.

“He told me to run,” Ashen whispered, his voice uneven. “He said you… take from people. He said I would be the next tragedy.”

A low growl escaped my throat before I could stop it. Several alphas nearby stiffened, but I ignored them all. I focused only on the trembling boy in front of me.

“He lied,” I said, my voice firm. “He lied because he wants to hurt me, and he used you to do it. Do not believe a single word that comes from that man.”

Ashen looked up at me, uncertainty clouding his eyes. “Why would he say something like that if it wasn’t true?”

“Because he hates me,” I replied. “Because he hates what I became after I ended things with him. Because he hates that I chose someone who is worth more than he ever was.”

Ashen blinked, startled. “Worth more…?”

“Yes,” I said, stepping closer. “You.”

His breath hitched. I didn’t let him look away.

“Listen carefully, Ashen. I do not hurt what is mine. I protect it. I keep it safe. That is the truth.” I paused, then added with a lower tone, “You are mine. Nothing will change that.”

His cheeks flushed slightly, though the fear in his eyes had not fully disappeared. “Grayson… I don’t understand you. One moment you’re terrifying, and the next moment you’re…”

“Still terrifying,” I finished for him. “But never to you. Never again.”

There was silence between us for several long seconds, broken only by the soft murmurs of the party around us. I reached out, gently brushing my thumb across his cheek. Even that small touch made Morvek purr with satisfaction.

“Ashen,” I said, “if anyone speaks to you without my permission, tell me. I do not want you dealing with people who intend to manipulate or harm you. You don’t have to handle anything alone anymore.”

He exhaled shakily. “I wasn’t planning to. I just… I feel out of place here.”

“You’ll adjust,” I answered. “And I will deal with anyone who makes that difficult.”

His eyes lowered slightly, as if trying to decide whether he should trust me. That hesitation irritated me, but I swallowed the annoyance. I had to be patient with him.

The hall music resumed again, though softer this time. Several leaders glanced our way, waiting for my reaction. I ignored them and stepped to the side, placing my hand on the small of Ashen’s back.

“We’re leaving the hall,” I said. “You’ve had enough of this spectacle.”

Ashen nodded, relief flickering across his face. I guided him through the crowd, maintaining a protective perimeter with my aura until the doors closed behind us. The quieter corridor instantly felt safer, warmer, more controlled.

Ashen exhaled softly, shoulders relaxing. “Thank you,” he murmured.

I watched him for a long moment, the dim hallway light reflecting off the silver lining of his robe. Every instinct I had pushed me toward him, telling me to claim him, mark him, lock him inside my territory where no one could ever reach him.

But I restrained myself. Barely.

“Ashen,” I said quietly, “you are not a tragedy waiting to happen. You will not become a story of loss or pain. I will make sure of that with everything I am.”

He looked up. “You sound so certain.”

“I am,” I said. “And one day you will understand why.”

I stepped closer, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the warmth of his breath.

“Do not fear me,” I said, voice deep. “Fear the world. Fear everything outside these walls. But do not fear me.”

His eyes trembled, but he didn’t step back.

He whispered, “I’ll try.”

I let the corner of my mouth lift slightly.

“Good.”

A moment passed. Then another.

And then Morvek suddenly snapped inside my mind.

“Someone is approaching.”

I turned sharply, aura flaring—just as Delta Lucien ran down the corridor, face pale, breathing heavily.

“Alpha Grayson,” he shouted, “we have a problem. A very serious one.”

My eyes narrowed. “Speak.”

Lucien swallowed hard. “There’s an intruder near the inner gate. Someone from Grimrest Pack managed to slip past the outer patrol line.”

Ashen stiffened instantly. His scent spiked with fear.

My expression darkened into something lethal.

Of course Grimrest would dare come tonight.

“Stay behind me,” I told Ashen, my voice turning cold as ice. “This ends now.”

And without another word, I stepped forward to face whoever had come for what was mine.