Extra Two Months

INARA'S POV 

The door clicked shut behind Grayson, leaving me alone in his private chambers with half-eaten food and a racing heart. I stared at the spot where he’d been sitting, replaying that last intense look he gave me. 

Two months. We had two whole months before the ritual, and already I felt like I was drowning in whatever this thing between us was. 

My wolf wouldn’t settle—she kept pacing inside me, urging me to go after him, to wait up like some lovesick pup.

I wasn’t that girl. Or at least, I didn’t want to be.

I helped clear the table a little, then slipped back to my own room, but sleep was a joke. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his silver gaze dropping to my lips, felt the ghost of his fingers on my jaw from earlier that day. By the time the sky started lightening outside, I gave up and went for a walk in the gardens to clear my head.

The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of dew and pine. I wandered the paths, trying to rehearse how I’d act normal around him today. Polite. Helpful. Not obviously affected by every little brush of his arm or that rare almost-smirk.

I didn’t get far before I heard footsteps behind me. Heavy, purposeful ones.

“Inara.”

Grayson’s voice rolled over me like warm thunder. I turned, and there he was—looking unfairly handsome in the soft morning light, dark hair still damp from a shower, a fresh tunic stretched across his broad chest. 

The bandage from last night peeked at the collar. He’d clearly come straight from dealing with the rogue situation.

“You’re back,” I said, trying to sound casual even as my pulse jumped. “Everything okay out there?”

He stopped a few feet away, hands shoved in his pockets like he didn’t trust them. “Handled. For now.” His eyes scanned me slowly, from my messy morning hair down to my simple dress. “You didn’t sleep.”

It wasn’t a question. I shrugged, offering a small smile. “Hard to sleep when your Alpha keeps running off into danger and leaving charged conversations unfinished.”

A low sound escaped him—half growl, half chuckle. He stepped closer, and that pine-storm scent wrapped around me, making my knees feel a little weak. “You’re trouble, you know that?”

“Better than being invisible,” I shot back, tilting my head. “Or a consolation prize.”

His expression darkened, but not with anger. Something softer. Regret, maybe. “I shouldn’t have said that. The first night.” He ran a hand through his hair. “This whole situation… it’s messed up. But you’re not invisible, Inara. Not anymore.”

My breath caught. The way he said my name, low and rough, sent heat curling through me. We stood there under the trees, the pack house distant enough that it felt private. Just us. 

My wolf pushed forward eagerly, drawn to the raw power rolling off him even with the curse clinging like shadows.

I took a small step closer, drawn like a magnet. “Then stop fighting this pull so hard, Grayson. I can feel it too. Every time we touch, every time you look at me like you did last night. The curse doesn’t erase everything.”

He exhaled sharply, eyes locking on mine. “You don’t understand what the curse does. It poisons bonds. Makes them… dangerous.” But even as he said it, his hand lifted, fingers tracing my cheek the same way he had yesterday. This time he didn’t pull away so fast. His thumb brushed my lower lip, and I shivered.

“Gray…” I whispered, my hand coming up to rest on his chest. His heartbeat was strong under my palm, steady but faster than normal.

He leaned in slowly, like he was fighting every instinct. Our foreheads almost touched. I could feel his warm breath on my skin, see the way his silver eyes had gone dark with want. 

My lips parted on their own. Just a little closer and—

A distant howl cut through the morning air, urgent, from one of the border patrols. Grayson stiffened, pulling back with a frustrated growl that vibrated through his chest. The almost-kiss hung between us, unfinished and electric.

“Damn it,” he muttered, stepping away. His jaw was clenched tight, hands fisted at his sides like he was physically restraining himself. “I have to go. Another sighting.”

I nodded, trying to hide how shaky I felt. My lips still tingled from how close he’d been. “Go. Be careful. And come back in one piece, okay? I still need to yell at you for leaving me hanging like that.”

That earned me another ghost of a smirk, but his eyes stayed serious. “We’ll finish this conversation later. Tonight. My chambers. No interruptions if I can help it.”

The promise in his voice made heat pool low in my belly. I watched him stride away toward the training grounds, his broad back tense with duty and whatever else he was holding back.

The rest of the day dragged in the best and worst ways. I helped with pack logistics—meeting with some of the younger wolves, listening to concerns about the delayed ritual, and even sparring lightly with one of the female warriors who wanted tips on Moonveil fighting styles. 

Every spare moment, my mind wandered back to that almost-kiss. The way his thumb had brushed my lip. How his scent had thickened with want.

By late afternoon, I was back in my room changing into something nicer—a soft lavender dress that hugged my curves just enough—when a knock sounded. One of the maids delivered a note in Grayson’s bold handwriting.

Dinner in my chambers at sunset. Wear whatever you want. Just be there.

Short. Grumpy. But it made me smile anyway.

I took extra time getting ready, brushing my hair until it shone and adding a touch of scent that I hoped would tease his wolf. 

When I arrived at his chambers as the sun dipped low, painting everything in golden light, Grayson was already there. 

He’d changed too—dark pants and a fitted black shirt that made him look ridiculously sexy. The table was set simply but beautifully, with wine and dishes that smelled amazing.

He looked up when I entered, and his eyes heated as they swept over me. “You came.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t?” I teased, walking closer. “After that almost-moment this morning? You’d have to drag me away.”

He pulled out my chair, his fingers brushing my shoulder as I sat. The touch lingered. Dinner started normal enough—talk about the rogues, the pack’s worries about the two-month delay, my ideas for strengthening alliances. 

But the air between us kept thickening. Every shared glance, every accidental brush of hands over the table built the tension higher.

After the plates were cleared, Grayson stood and offered me his hand. I took it, letting him pull me up until we were inches apart. No table between us now.

“Inara,” he said, voice low and rough. His free hand cupped the back of my neck gently, tilting my face up. “Tell me to stop.”

I didn’t. Instead, I rose on my toes, sliding my hands up his chest. “I don’t want you to stop.”

Our lips hovered so close I could almost taste him. His breath mingled with mine, hot and uneven. I felt the tremble in his fingers, the war he was fighting with himself. The curse. The contract. The fear of hurting me. But the pull was stronger tonight—his wolf clearly battling the battle inside him.

Just as his lips brushed mine, soft, like a promise—a sharp urgent knock shattered the moment.

“Alpha!” A beta’s voice called through the door, breathless. “Emergency council meeting. The elders are demanding your presence now—there’s been a major breach near the sacred grounds. It might affect the ritual delay.”

Grayson cursed, forehead resting against mine for one precious second. His hands tightened on me like he didn’t want to let go. “This isn’t over,” he growled softly, the words vibrating against my skin. “Not even close.”

He pulled away reluctantly, pressing one quick, almost-kiss to my forehead before striding to the door. 

I stood there, lips still tingling, body humming with unmet want as he glanced back one last time—silver eyes full of frustration and something deeper, almost feral.

The door closed behind him, and I sank into the nearest chair, heart pounding wildly.

Two months suddenly felt like forever and not nearly long enough. Because after tonight, there was no pretending this was just a contract anymore.

Grayson Ansel was starting to want me. Really want me.

And I was terrified of what would happen when the moon finally revealed the truth.