All Chapters of A Step Away from You: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Millie POVTime ticked on, one agonizing minute after another. Greyson's expression grew darker.He picked up his phone several times, his finger hovering over the screen.But each time, he settled back.His jaw was clenched.Then Mr. and Mrs. Winslet approached, their faces set in grim disapproval."Greyson," Mrs. Winslet said sharply, "when will the marking ceremony begin?""Just a little longer," he muttered, voice edged with impatience. His fingers pressed hard against the gift box in his hands.Mrs. Winslet let out a chilling, dismissive scoff.."As expected from someone of such low breeding—no manners whatsoever. Even on a day like this, she dares to be late."Mr. Winslet didn't bother to soften his tone. "I told you, son, marrying a woman like that would only disgrace us. And now look, our family's become the laughingstock of the entire pack."Greyson's lips pressed into a thin, tight line. He said nothing.I had hoped that he would, at the very least, offer a

Millie POVGreyson seized my hand in a panic, his voice cracking."This can't be real... it can't be..." he whispered, as if denial alone could make it untrue."Millie, are you playing a game with me? You hid just to make me search for you.""Look, I finally found you... The officiant is waiting for us... Let me mark you now..."The final words were barely a rasp, his throat too tight to form sound.He paused, then his hands suddenly began to trace my cheek, my shoulder, my fingers."You must be cold... lying here like this... the freezing floor..."He stripped off his suit jacket, carefully draped it over me, and pulled me tight into his chest."Do you feel any better?"His jacket carried his warmth; his chest against me was hot and steady.But I could never be warmed again.Outside the storage room, the Winslets and Eliza had arrived, hovering at the doorway.Their expressions were a complex mess of shock and fear.Mrs. Winslet buried her face in her husband's shoulder, frigh

Millie POVGreyson neither ate nor slept, and after a night of vigil, he looked utterly ravaged.A chill breeze ruffled my hair. I lay in the coffin while the witch chanted the parting spell over me.Greyson gently lifted my hand, pressing a kiss to its cold skin.Then, he drew out the sacred moonlight ring—the very heirloom for the Lady of the Winslet family—and slipped it onto my ring finger.Among the mourners, Mrs. Winslet bristled with indignation."Greyson, how can you give her the ring? What about your future mate?"He offered a mournful smile. "I won't need a mate anymore. My one and only mate is Millie."Mrs. Winslet's voice rose to a screech. "That's absolutely impossible! Don't forget your family duties, your pack responsibilities!""So what if I don't?" His gaze was cold, unwavering. "You already have the heir you wanted.""Don't attempt to control me with family or pack duties ever again."Mrs. Winslet fumed, storming off with the others.The cemetery grew q

Greyson POVAfter Millie's burial, I walked back into her small apartment, my emotions a turmoil of regret and complexity. I was here to clear out her belongings, yet it took genuine courage just to walk through the door.Eliza was right about one thing. I had indeed betrayed Millie. What right did I have to call her the love of my life now?What right did I have to be the one cleaning up the pieces she left behind?The apartment was small—barely the size of my bedroom.Millie's possessions were sparse and simple, completely incomparable to the vast wardrobes of clothes Eliza owned.On the desk lay a notebook—her diary.My hand paused. I hesitated, then slowly opened it."They are together. Even though he says it's temporary, even though he says he won't love her, just thinking about their daily intimacy makes my heart hurt so much I can barely breathe...""She's pregnant. When he told me, his eyes were shining, but he didn't see my tears fall.""He set the date for our