I didn't remember falling asleep, but when I awoke I was being carried in Greyson's muscular arms. He smelled of body spray and aftershave, the mixture oddly intoxicating.

I groaned as I slowly peeled my eyes opened, instantly blinded by the light rushing into them. "Greyson, what-" I started with a groggy voice, but he quickly hushed me.

"Don't move. Pretend you're asleep. I don't want you to meet them yet," he said, his voice low and demanding and his eyes looking straight ahead.

"Greyson-"

"Sleep, now," he lowly growled, his chest vibrating under my head. Not wanting to argue or to die today, I closed my eyes and got comfortable in Greyson's arms. As he continued walking, a million scents filled my nose as well as voices, some I vaguely recognized and others completely foreign to me.

"The new Luna."

"She's real."

"She's gorgeous."

"She's breathtaking."

Conversations filled my ears and the foreign compliments cause the corners of my lips to subtly turn up and another growl to come from Greyson effectively shutting them up. But I still felt the heat of their curious eyes.

I felt Greyson climb up a few stairs before he carelessly kicked open the door. He continued walking a little while as new voices and scents bombarded me once more. This must be the pack house. Eventually, he climbed up more stairs before walking a short way and stopping. "You can open your eyes now," he stated and I instantly did, not trusting him enough to keep my eyes closed longer than I had to. He effortlessly pushed open a huge oak door that led into his massive office.

In the center was his massive desk which was overflowing with paperwork and books. Bookcases lined the wall and he had a sofa along with a few chairs strategically scattered throughout the room. "I have a lot of work to do today," he said as he began walking toward his desk.

"And I'm here because...?" I trailed genuinely curious as to why I was there instead of at the house with Matthew or by myself.

"Because I don't trust you enough to leave you alone, and I don't want you and Matthew-or any other male for that matter- getting too close, especially if I'm not around."

Oh, is that a hint of jealousy in Greyson's voice? I couldn't help the mischievous smile that tugged at my lips. He should be jealous. I like Matthew way more than I like Greyson so far and I'd trade them in a heartbeat, Matthew told me to give Greyson time, so I would. Not because I trusted Greyson, but because I trust Matthew. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you," I joked, causing Greyson to scuff.

"I don't get jealous. I have what is mine and everyone knows you are mine and if they have a problem with that, I will gladly elaborate for them," he lowly said, nearly growling the next part as he sat us down, positioning me so that I was sitting on his lap with my back against his chest. I had to admit that he was super comfortable. "You better get comfortable because we're going to be here a while," he sighed, in warm breath dancing over my exposed neck as he did so.

"Wait," I said as I made a move to get up, but that only caused his grip on me to tighten as he gave me a pointed look.

"Relax, Greyson," I said as I carefully put my hand on his, feeling the familiar sparks dance between us as I did. "I'm just getting a book. You said we'll be here for a while and I doubt you want to teach me this boring Alpha paperwork today let alone ever and I don't want to be bored out of my mind. Please?" Greyson searches my eyes in search of a lie or an alternative motive, but after a few seconds, his grip loosened on me. I slowly pulled his hands off me before I jumped out of his lap and began perusing the shelves for a book that seemed interesting. Most of the books were boring or the words were too faded due to age, but after a couple of minutes, I found a book that had a pretty title and cover.

I began reading the back cover and didn't realize I was walking back to Greyson until I was sitting on his lap again. Greyson slowly scooted the chair up so that we were close enough for him to do his business. Without wasting another second, his thick long arms effortlessly reached around me and picked up one of the many papers that littered his desk. Pack negotiations, peace treaties, board reports, you name it. Greyson had it all.

Suddenly, I felt a foreign pressure grow on my shoulder, causing me to flinch but the sparks that raced through my veins confirmed it was merely Greyson's chin. I involuntarily relaxed. My body was getting too used to Greyson's and I didn't like it one bit. "Relax," he muttered, his voice sounding husky as it traveled through my ear as he pulled my back flush against his chest and readjusted his chin on my shoulder. "I won't bite unless you make me." Why did that make a shiver run down my spine?

I swallowed and nodded as I opened my book, but no matter how hard I tried or how many times I reread, I just couldn't concentrate. Between Greyson constantly moving and the restless rustling of papers, I couldn't focus. I sighed as I gave up and closed my book before I focused on what Greyson was currently looking over. It was a border report and he was signing on a line that said "Alpha" which was right above a blank line that read "Luna". I wanted to ask if I'd be able to sign off on important documents and agreements such as these, but I felt that even a single question could set Greyson off.

"You'll be able to sign these after you have your Lunar Ceremony and learn some discipline," Greyson stated, flawlessly reading my mind.

"My what?" I asked, completely ignoring the insult he'd thrown in there

"Your Lunar Ceremony," he said as if repeating it would make me understand. "Your official reception into this pack and the official bonding of our hearts." I swallowed. This sounded very important. And permanent.

"When am I set to have it?" I quietly asked as I turned my head so that I was looking at him.

"In two weeks on the next full moon. But, if you prove that you're not ready or if you pull another stunt, it'll be postponed until the next full moon and appropriate disciplinary actions will be put into effect," he said as his moss eyes bore into mine, his voice dangerously low at the end. I nodded, my hand traveling to my neck as memories of what happened last night rushed back to me. Something flashed in his eyes as he looked at my slow healing neck, but before I could fully decipher it, it had disappeared without a trace. He broke eye contact and his focus returned to his work, tension evident in his jaw and his thick eyebrows were pulled together in what seemed like frustration or maybe it was scorn. I frowned as I slowly leaned back into Greyson's chest as I reluctantly opened the book again, actually focusing on the words that were on the page this time since Greyson wasn't moving as much.

We went on like this with little words exchanged between us except for when I asked where the bathroom was and he mutely pointed to a door on the left. When I returned from doing my business, Greyson tightly wrapped his arms around my torso before he buried his face in the crook of my neck, the air he exhaled tickled me. I didn't think too much of it since males often did this to their mates, so I picked up my book once again and began reading. I'd barely read five pages when I was pulled out of my reading by a quiet whimper as Greyson's arms became tighter around me. My eyebrows furrowed as confusion overtook me, but then I heard it again, a soft and broken whimper. I realized it was coming from Greyson. I attempted to look at him, but the way he was holding me prevented me from doing so. "Greyson, what's wrong?" I softly asked, causing him to draw in a sharp breath as he nuzzled deeper into my neck.

"Don't," he whispered, his voice muffled by my skin. "Stop!" Despite my eminence hatred for him, the mate bond got the best of me and I carefully turned in Greyson's tight grip so that was now straddling him and his face was on my chest. I realized his eyes were tightly screwed shut and his breathing came out in uneven pants. He whimpered again.

"Oh, Greyson," I whispered as I gently ran my fingers through his hair in order to provide him some comfort. He relaxed under my touch.

"Pain," he whimpered, causing a weird feeling I'd never felt before to sprout within my chest.

"Who broke you?" I whispered as I wrapped my other arm around him. As if he heard me, he suddenly shot up in a daze, his eyes bouncing all over the room until they landed on me and he relaxed.

"I apologize," he said, his voice gruff from sleep. "As you know I didn't get much sleep last night." I merely nodded. What plagued his mind so badly that made him whimper and break down in his sleep? Greyson gently placed his hand on my back and applied a bit of pressure, letting me know he wanted me to lay down, so I did. With one hand he gently rubbed my back and used the other to look over his work. I could hear his heartbeat since my cheek was pressed against his warm chest. I sighed, relaxing into his touch though my brain was screaming at me that I knew better than to conform to him. But this moment in time felt so right. How carefully he was handling me. The way his hand slowly transitioned from rubbing my back to playing with my hair. The soft sound of his heart beating adjacent to mine. Moments like these are what I'd dreamed of as a pup and even as I transformed into an adult held hostage in an attic. Moments like these made me feel truly safe, like nothing in the world could touch me as long as Greyson was there. And even though in the back of my mind that I knew Greyson was the source of most of my pain ever since I became free, I didn't let those thoughts ruin this moment. I just wanted it to last just a little bit longer.

"Are you hungry?" Greyson asked as his hand traveled back to my lower back and I nodded. Without another word, he stood up with his hands securely around me and carried me out the door while I clung to him like a koala to a tree.

"Aren't you worried about the pack seeing me?" I softly asked into his shoulder.

"No," he simply said. "They should all be out training with Matthew and the other trainers, and if there does happen to be a lone wolf wandering around, they'll know better than to look at what's mine without consent." I merely nodded as I held him tighter once I felt my grip slowly start slipping away.

Before I knew it, I was being placed on the counter which probably wasn't the best choice considering that Greyson and I had yet to go to the store to buy me proper things like underwear, but I didn't argue. I just made sure that there was no part of me touching the counter. "When are we going to buy some clothes?" I softly asked as Greyson began rummaging through the cabinets.

"A few of our pack members are getting clothes for you as we speak," he said as he pulled out a pot and walked it toward the sink. "Nothing too revealing or too conservative unless it's a special event with my permission. They should be here any moment. But for now," he said as he placed the water-filled pot on the stove, "relax. Lunch will be ready shortly." I nodded, knowing that this moment of serenity would be very rare and I didn't want to ruin it by saying something that could turn this nice moment into a screaming match.

I watched as Greyson meticulously picked out his ingredients and measured them to his desired amount. He was making pasta and salad, a meal that was a distant memory and a taste I could no longer recall. After about twenty minutes of watching him work, I grew restless and hopped off the counter and gingerly approached him as he worked at the dishes while the pasta boiled, his bare back facing me. I reached out to tap him, but before I could get within an inch, he'd turned and grabbed my outreached hand while he flipped us so that I was now trapped between the sink and his body instead of the other way around.

My breath caught as my heart hammered in my chest while his eyes bore into mine, though he didn't say a word. And neither did I. I merely looked up at him trying to swallow down the odd arousal I felt being in this position even though he could go off on me at any second. And Greyson could smell it. His eyes slowly swept over me as if he'd never seen me before, and by the time his eyes reached mine once more, they'd gone from their moss-green color to a hard black which either meant he was highly aroused or his wolf was starting to push to the surface. Both possibilities scared me. Before I could blink, he was tightly holding me in his arms with his head buried in the crook of my neck as he aggressively inhaled my scent.

He growled as his grip on me tightened, and he said something that sounded like "stop", but I couldn't be sure. Suddenly, his grip on me slacked but his head remained in the crook of my neck. "Natalie," he called, sounded almost tired.

"Yes?" a feminine voice said from behind me, causing me to jump a bit before my eyes landed on a girl a bit older than me with beautiful black hair that cascaded over her shoulders and smoldering brown eyes. She was absolutely gorgeous. In her arms were at least five shopping bags, but she didn't seem to mind. Something within me was bothered that she threw him a casual "yes" instead of tacking "Alpha Greyson" or simply "Alpha" at the end of it like every other pack members would out of respect. It also bothered me that Greyson seemed totally unfazed by it.

"Take your Luna back to my office and give her her clothes. Stay with her and don't let her out of your sight until lunch is ready, alright?" he commanded as he straightened up and looked at me. His eyes seemed to apologize, but the words didn't come out of his mouth.

"Follow me, Luna," she said as she used her head to motion down the hall. I glanced at Greyson once more to see that he was back to what he'd been doing. His back muscles were immensely tense. I didn't realize I was staring until Greyson looked over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow.

"Go, Avery."

I did as I was told and meet with the supermodel Natalie in the hall where she was patiently waiting and followed her back up to Greyson's office where she handed me my bags before took her post by the door on the opposite side of the room from me watching me like a hawk. I turned my back to her before I hurriedly changed into a bra and underwear before I slide on some grey sweatpants and a black camisole. It felt good to wear my own clothes.

"Greyson might find that too revealing," Natalie advised, pointing at the sliver of my stomach that was exposed between the bottom of the camisole and the top of the sweatpants. That feeling stirred within me once more at the fact she simply called him by his first name. What was she to him? I flipped that question over in my mind as I gave her a nod of thanks and adjusted both my shirt and pants until I wasn't "exposed" before I positioned myself in Greyson's comfortable Alpha chair.

"So Natalie," I started, growing bored of the dense silence that filled the room. "How long have you been part of this pack?" I questioned.

"Six years, going on seven," she shortly replied. I sighed. She's been the only other female who hadn't hurt me ever since I've been here and so far she's not giving me much to go on.

"What do you do for the pack?" I asked, knowing that each member had a specific job to do in order to support the pack.

"I'm one of the top trainers and warriors along with co-attack orchestrator next to Matthew and Greyson." My throat became tight. She'd been among the people who'd orchestrated the attack on my home. So had Matthew. I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat as what happened to Luna Abigail flashed in my head. "I'm sorry by the way," she softly said, causing me to look at her and see the sincerity that lingered in her brown eyes. "Andrew and some of his guys...they were dicks and I'm sorry for what they did to you. No one should have to go through that, prisoner or not."

"Thank you," I weakly stated as I looked out the window, no longer wanting to discuss the pack. "So tell me more about Natalie," I said, wanting to take my mind off of the memories as I turned to her. "Not about pack Natalie, but just about Natalie." The corners of her mouth turned up and I got the feeling no one really asked her about herself. She explained she was Matthews sister, which explained why she didn't as hard and mean as most people in this pack, and she was about to get into how and why her and "Matty", as she called him, came here when Greyson called her telling her to bring me down. I inwardly frowned. I liked her like I liked Matthew and I didn't want to stop talking to her.

"We better get going before Greyson pops a blood vessel," she joked. "Just don't tell him I said that."

"As if," I said rolling my eyes before I walked through the door she was holding open for me.

"Thank you, Natalie. You are dismissed," Greyson said once we entered the kitchen. She nodded before she headed out, but not before we locked eyes making a secret promise to meet up again. Greyson looked me up and down before he nodded to himself. "Lunch is served." He placed a large plate of pasta on the table in addition to a bowl of salad each with two eating utensils. It looked amazing.

Greyson sat down in front of the food before he motioned for me to sit on his lap. He tightly secured his arms around me before we both started together in silence. It felt good. Greyson's soft side was lasting longer than it usually did and even though I basked in the tranquility, I couldn't help but wonder how long until he'd be back to his old ways. How long it'd last. How long until I said or did something that would send him over the edge.