I don't know how long Greyson and I were out looking over the cliff, but by the time we got back it was almost one in the morning.

Even though I hate to admit it, I enjoyed the time Greyson and I spent together. I didn't have to constantly be looking over my shoulder or fear him. I could just be with him.

After we got home, Greyson went to bed but not before pleading for me to go with him, but I told him I wasn't tired. Instead, I sat in front of the fire for an hour flipping things over in my brain. Should I trust him? Should I not? Should I risk everything and escape or stay here and ride things out? Should I let the past be the past or not? I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. I'd been asking myself those questions on repeat, yet I still had no clear answer.

I pushed myself to my feet and headed to bed. I silently maneuvered my way through the bedroom, Greyson's light snores filling the air as I did so. Once I made it to the closet, I slid on a simple pajama set Natalie had picked out consisting of a cropped pajama shirt with matching shorts since the pack grounds were exceptionally warm tonight. Greyson's extreme body heat wouldn't help either.

After a few moments, I climed into bed on my side while Greyson was facing the opposite way on his side. His snoring had ceased. As soon as I'd settled into the sheets, Greyson's arms suddenly latched around my body like a flycatcher to its prey. I screamed, but the sparks that ran through my body prevented me from elbowing him in the jaw. "Relax, little wolf. It's only me," Greyson sleepily chuckled, his voice husky and rough.

"You scared me, Greyson," I groaned as I weakly tried to pull myself out of his arms but to no avail. "And don't call me that."

"It took you long enough to come up here, little wolf. I was starting to get worried," he sighed as he nuzzled his head into my neck right next to where my mark would go if I chose to let him.

"I'm... here now," I struggled to make out as his nose tickled my sensitive flesh. He chuckled. He knew exactly what he was doing. "Sleep now, little wolf. You'll need it for tomorrow," he instructed before his arms left my body and he rolled back onto his side. My body and wolf instantly missed him, but I was above asking him to hold me again. So instead I made due with our feet that were gently brushing each other's.

***

I awoke to the moon still hanging high in the sky. The sound of labored breathing was coming from somewhere in the house and it almost sounded...pained. Greyson wasn't lying next to me. I looked at the clock. It was barely past three. I quickly got up and stealthily made my way down the hall and toward the stairs until I heard a familiar voice.

"Greyson, you need to calm down," Matthew's voice demanded with an authority behind it I'd never heard before.

"Don't you get it? I can't. He can't," another voice challenged. Greyson. I wanted to rush down there to see what was wrong but I just couldn't. My feet refused to move. "Just knowing that what he wants is right there is making him harder to control, especially when she's in his sights every single day. Now all he wants to do is have her and I will not have history repeat itself or-"

"History won't repeat itself because you have control," Matthew interrupted before the labored breathing returned accompanied by pained groans and grunt.

"I knew I shouldn't have let him out for the Hunt. He was fading but I let him have that burst of control and now he's-" he started before another groan was pulled from him. "He's too close. I need to get him away from her."

"Do I need to take precautions?" Matthew asked and my eyebrows furrowed. Who are they talking about and what makes them so dangerous? What's wrong with Greyson?

"Not yet. I'll let you know. Just stay with her and protect her at all costs. I refuse to let him get to her."

"Of course," Matthew said before Greyson's heavy footsteps stumbled through the house before the sound of the door slamming shut filled the house. I could hear Matthew's footsteps approaching and something told me I need to pretend I was asleep. That I shouldn't have heard what I had.

I quickly scrambled back into bed and as soon as I shut my eyes, I heard him enter. Breathe. Release the tension in your muscles. Relax. I repeated those simple things to myself as Matthew walked around the bed before sitting on Greyson's side. I felt his gaze on me. "You're his weakness," he whispered. "You have no idea the power you have over him." I wanted to get up and ask what was going on, but I knew I couldn't. So instead I stayed there with my eyes shut trying to figure everything out while sleep slowly crept over me until it swallowed me whole.

***

I awoke completely alone. As soon as I had woken up memories from last night flooded back to me and I expected Matthew to be lying on the floor or singing in the kitchen but he was nowhere. I was completely alone for the first time and to be honest I didn't like it. Not knowing exactly to do, I slowly made my way downstairs into the kitchen and made myself some toast with scrambled eggs mixed with cheese and bacon bits, a mundane meal compared to what Matthew, Natalie, and even Greyson usually fed me, but it sufficed.

After eating in an uncomfortably long period of silence, I decided to fully explore the giant house since I'd never had the chance to. After placing my dirty dishes in the sink, I wandered down the many hallways of the house. Guestrooms. Workout room. More guest rooms. Empty rooms. I was getting bored by the time I got to my tenth door, but I pushed it open nonetheless and was surprised to see an office that looked almost identical to the one in the pack house.

I slowly walked over to the desk and sat in Greyson's comfortable Alpha chair, his scent instantly rushing out of it as my weight sank down onto it. My eyes skimmed the papers on his desk, a small part of me hoping that I'd see something relating to what Matthew and Greyson were talking about. Who's so dangerous and why did they make Greyson so on edge? He's one of the strongest werewolves in the world and it was apparent he feared nothing...except whatever or whoever they were talking about last night. I let a breath out as I thumbed through his papers. Pack negotiations. Border reports. Official papers for new pack members. Nothing interesting. I was about to get up and leave when something caught my eye- a half-open drawer with deep claw marks in it.

I let curiosity get the best of me as I opened the drawer to see a half-empty syringe with a murky liquid that was delicately set on a cloth. Don't do this, Avery. This is his stuff. You have no right to trifle through his stuff without his permission.

Do it. He found out about you last night so why not find out about him?

The devil and angel on my shoulders were arguing and despite what I knew I should've or rather should not have done, I reached for the syringe. Unfortunately, as soon as I picked it up, an excruciating fire like pain rushed through my veins causing me to instantly let go of the syringe. It hit the ground and shattered, the smell of liquified wolfsbane burning my nose and my hand continued to burn from the droplets that had been on the outside of it. I coughed as I used my shirt to filter clean air to my nose and my hand slowly healed as the fire slowly diminished. After a few moments, the potent stench left the air leaving nothing but a mess I'd have to figure out how to clean up.

Why did Greyson have liquified wolfsbane? Didn't he know that a high enough dosage could kill us? What was I kidding, of course he knew, so why did he have such a deadly liquid in his office?

My thoughts were cut short by a loud howl before a teeth-clenching shot rang out. The howl belonged to Greyson...

Without thinking, I shot up and ran as fast as I could back to the main part of the house, forgetting all about the wolfsbane I'd spilled. Despite the current internal battle I was fighting against myself about trusting Greyson or not, the thought of losing him seemed taboo and painful.

I took a deep breath and instantly found him and his scent seemed to be getting stronger by the second. But before I could fully open my eyes or register what was happening, Matthew burst through the door with Greyson's arm slung over his shoulder in order to support his body weight.

"Oh my gosh, Greyson!" I gasped as I saw him. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth and there was a nasty looking bullet wound on his hip that seemed to be burning. That only meant one of two things. "Is that a silver bullet?" I questioned barely above a whisper, terrified of the answer I might receive.

"No," Greyson painfully made out as Matthew gently laid him across the couch, "but it hurts like hell just like silver."

I quickly took his hand in mine and held it tight. "What happened?" I asked, panic slowly taking over.

"What happened to you?" He questioned, his eyebrows furrowed as he weakly lifted my hand to expose my still slowly healing burn mark. "Your hand is healing."

"I burned myself in the stove," I quickly lied. "Now tell me what happened."

"I...I sensed something off at the border and I..." he trailed, his breathing becoming rough and choked.

"Matthew, get that bullet out of him now," I ordered, squeezing his hand tighter as I used the other to soothingly push his sweat-matted hair from his forehead. "You're going to be fine, Grey," I cooed, gently caressing his stubble covered cheek. "You'll be alright."

He weakly brought his hand up to his face and placed it on top of mine in order to keep it from moving so that I was merely cupping his cheek instead. "Thank you," he hoarsely whispered before closing his eyes.

"Matthew!"

"I'm on it!" He announced before plunging his hand into Greyson's bullet wound, causing Greyson to groan in pain and for his grip on my hand to tighten. "I've almost got it," Matthew announced before pulling out a normal looking bullet out of Greyson, seeming not at all phased by whatever afflicted Greyson.

"Thanks, Matthew," Greyson sighed his breaths still coming out in pants.

"Come on, we need to get him upstairs," Matthew said as he placed the bloody bullet on the table before slinging one of Greyson's shoulders over his own. I copied his actions and together we slowly carried Greyson upstairs, my heart still rapidly beating due to the fear that hadn't completely left my system.

"You need to get washed up," I stated as soon as Matthew and I had successfully gotten him in the bed. "I'll start the shower. Matthew, can you disinfect his wound?"

Greyson lifted an eyebrow, an amused look in his tired eyes. "Avery, you know it's virtually impossible for us to get infections, right?"

"I don't want to take a chance," I said before looking at Matthew who nodded in response understanding what I needed him to do.

I quickly went into the bathroom and rearranged the continents of ledge's edge so that Greyson could sit while I bathed him since he was too weak to stand. Why would whoever was at the border have silver-esque bullets unless they knew what we were...unless it was one of our own. I shook my head. No one would do that...would they? I sighed as I turned on the water and letting it cascade over my fingers until I deemed it warm enough.

I quickly got up and went back into the main bedroom just as the boys were having their final goodbyes. "Is he alright?" I asked eying the massive bandage on Greyson's hip.

"He'll survive," Matthew commented.

"Good," I said with a nod. "Now can you and some of the Warriors track down who shot him?"

Matthew and Greyson exchanged looks before Greyson nodded. "Of course," Matthew finally said. I raised an eyebrow, but neither of them explained themselves before Matthew left.

"What was that about?" I questioned as I slung one of Greyson's arms over my shoulder and helped him up.

"What was what about?" Greyson dumbly asked as we approached the bathroom.

"Don't act new. I saw that little look you and Matthew exchange when I asked him to find who shot you," I explained.

"He was just making sure he had my permission as well," he brushed off. I nodded though I felt there was more to the story.

"Here, sit and take off your clothes," I said with as I led him to the toilet seat so he could undress.

"Oh, kinky," he said with a smirk causing me to narrow my eyes at him. I'd punch him if he weren't already hurt. He chuckled before doing what he was told. Every time I saw his godly body it was like the first time. I swallowed before I turned the opposite direction and began pulling my shirt over my head. "Wait, Avery what are you doing?" he asked from behind me causing me to turn around just as he tried pulling himself up, causing him to wince in pain.

"Don't move, sit back down," I instructed before I gently eased him back down. "As for your question, what do you mean, we're taking a shower," I said before I began to pull my shirt over my head once more, just to be stopped yet again, but this time it was by Greyson grabbing my wrist.

"You can't. I'll be fine. I just don't think I can handle-" he started but was cut off by me gently pressing my index finger to his lips.

"Greyson, you don't have a choice," I objected. "You're hurt. You can barely stand on your own let alone walk or bathe yourself and no matter how confusing and messy our relationship is at times, it's my job as your mate to make sure that you're okay and if that involves bathing you, than so be it." As soon as those last words left my mouth I effortlessly pulled my shirt over my head and stripped until there was nothing left covering me. Greyson's jaw clenched before he closed his eyes and took deep breaths, his muscles constantly tensing and relaxing until he looked up at me again and pulled himself up onto his feet.

This was the first time that I noticed him struggling to keep his eyes on mine and nowhere else. The conflict and want was evident in his eyes, but he made no moves to act on it nor did he speak any words as I helped him into the shower, the warm water beating down on our bodies like rain. "Sit. I cleared it off so you wouldn't have to stand," I said motioning to the ledge I'd cleared for him but he shook his head. "Greyson you need to sit-"

"No Avery. I need to remain eye-level with you or I might not be able to control myself. Trust me. You want this." I swallowed and nodded before I grabbed the towel and soap, a blush raging on my face at how straightforward Greyson had been. "Let me know if I need to stop," I said, my voice barely floating above the loud roar of the water, but Greyson nodded before he took a deep breath like he was getting ready to face the toughest challenge of his life.

I started with his broad chest and slowly moved the towel across it, taking in every detail. I slowly moved down to his abs, carefully moving the towel so that I wouldn't hit his wound. He sucked in a sharp breath as I approached his lower stomach. "You're treading on mighty thin ice, Avery," he groaned, causing my hand to freeze where it was and for my eyes to look at Greyson's face. For some odd reason, it excited my wolf and I that we had this much of an effect on him though I shouldn't be. Greyson and I were supposed to be going slow and building up each other's trust, but the look in his eyes and the struggle in his gruff voice was addicting and my wolf wanted more.

"Avery," he warned one last time once he realized that my hand hadn't moved, his darkened eyes looking at me through thick eyelashes. I knew I should stop, but my inner animal didn't want to. River wanted him and she wanted him bad. And unfortunately, her want for him was far stronger than my need to keep her at bay. Luckily, Greyson sensed my conflict with River because he grabbed my wrist before she could do what she wanted. Then in the blink of an eye Greyson was holding me tight with his head in the crook of my neck and greedily inhaling my scent.

"You need to stop," he whispered. "You have no idea how hard you make things for me, Avery." Confusion ran through my mind as he pressed his forehead against mine. "Every time you walk by, every time I smell your scent, every time your bare body is next to mine I just want you, but he keeps me from what I want. But not anymore." He looked down at me with dark eyes, lust evident in his gaze as his eyes wandered my bare body for the first time. "Goddess, you're beautiful," he whispered, cupping my cheek. "And now I have you all to myself without him here to keep us apart."

"Wait, Greyson, what are you-" I began but I was cut off by his lips smashing into mine. He wasted no time hungrily kissing me, his hands wandering all over my wet body. As if my body was on autopilot, I began kissing him back, my fingers raking through his wet black hair. He growled before trying to deepen the kiss but I refused his tongue entry into my mouth.

"Let me in, little wolf," Greyson lowly demanded before he lightly bit my bottom lip. My body shivered.

"Only if you say please," I breathlessly whispered, causing him to smirk.

"I never say please," and with that he roughly pulled my body into his, causing me to gasp. He took the opportunity to slide his tongue into my mouth viciously kissing me and holding my body flush against his. Before I knew it, he'd picked me up by my thighs and pressed my back against the wall, my legs wrapping around him on their own accord. His lips slowly strayed from mine and kissed down my jaw and neck until he was licking and gently biting the crook of my neck where he'd mark me. "You have no idea how badly I want you to myself, Avery," he spoke into the sensitive flesh of my neck.

"Who's stopping you?" I breathed, moving my neck so he'd have access to what he wanted. "Take me, Greyson. I'm yours." He suddenly tensed underneath me before his eyes met mine again, all lust gone. He cursed before setting me down. "Greyson, are you alright?" I questioned, confused by the sudden mood change.

"You shouldn't have let me do that to you, Avery," Greyson tightly stated before climbing out of the shower with no problem whatsoever. "God, I gave him exactly what he wanted," he sighed under his breath.

"Who are you talking about Greyson?" I questioned, climbing out of the shower as well to see him seated on the toilet lid. "Greyson are you alright? Ever since you got shot you've been acting a bit weird." He looked up at me before sucking in a sharp breath as his eyes flickered back to black and lust filled before shifting back to his normal moss green eyes.

"No I'm not alright," he said quickly getting up before he looked at me. "I can't be around you. Not right now. I'm calling Matthew to stay with you and if I come back before or even when Matthew comes back, do not let me in, okay?"

"Greyson, you're really starting to scare-"

"Promise me," he demanded in a tone that made me shrink back and nod as my heart raced. He sighed before he gently cupped my cheek and place his forehead on mine. I closed my eyes and focused on the sparks I felt where his skin touched mine. "I know you might not see it now, my little wolf, but I'm doing this for you, okay?" Before I could respond, he disappeared.