Chapter 26

Grayson’s POV

I stared at my watch, counting down the seconds until she arrived. Patience wasn't usually a problem; I was trained to endure, to wait. But lately, everything grated on my nerves. I had no room for further annoyances, and I knew Maria was about to provide plenty.

The door creaked open. My new PA, too jittery for her own good, peeked in. "Mr. Blackwood, your four o'clock is here."

I gave a curt nod. She scrambled out without another word, and a moment later, Maria strolled in as if she owned the place. I took her in—the casual clothes, the air of someone who could break you without lifting a finger. She didn't need to announce her power; her presence did that well enough. It was a subtle, unmistakable aura that said, 'I'm dangerous, but you wouldn't notice until it's too late.'

"I understand you're all-powerful, Alpha Grayson," she said, her eyes narrowing as she crossed the room. "But I don't appreciate being summoned like a dog."

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. She was always so predictable. "Sit down, Maria."

She rolled her eyes, flopping into the chair with a dramatic sigh. "What is it this time? You need a spell to track down someone? Melt someone's brain? Set someone on fire?"

Finally, a full smile broke across my face. "And people say I'm the violent one." Then I frowned, wiping the grin away. "You wouldn't be here if you'd answered my calls."

She shrugged, unfazed by my annoyance. "Look, Grayson, I know we'refriends—well, let's just say we tolerate each other. You haven't ripped out my heart, and I haven't melted your brain—but I have a life. I'm not your personal, on-call witch. So stop blowing up my phone like you can't function without me."

She was pushing my patience, but that wasn't unusual. Maria had been a thorn in my side for years, yet she was one of the few people who knew the truth—one of the few I allowed in, however reluctantly. She'd been the one to tell me all that nonsense about fated mates and the Moon Goddess, and though I didn't buy into it, she'd earned her place beside me.

"Well?" she pressed, interrupting my thoughts. "Did you find her? Did you finally 'do the deed'? Were you calling me to tell me all about it because you lack actual friends?"

"Cut the jokes, Maria. You're not funny."

Her grin widened as she plopped her feet up on my desk—a move that always set me on edge. "Tell me why I'm really here."

"Take your feet off my desk," I ordered coldly.

"You ever notice you're a bit uptight?" she shot back, crossing her legs instead. "So tell me what it is so I can leave, because I like being around fun people."

I clenched my jaw, my eyes narrowing. Annoying didn't even begin to describe her, but she was also one of the most powerful witches alive. I'd learned that the hard way. The most annoying part was that my wolf liked her; she'd proven herself worthy over the years. Aside from Ava, she was the only person aware of the situation, and I knew she would take it to her grave.

"I felt something," I finally said, keeping my voice even. "My body…reacted to someone."

Maria's playful expression faded immediately. She sat up straight, her eyes sharp. "So you found your mate?"

"No," I snapped, the word harsher than intended. "The situation is complicated, but I am getting married to someone."

Maria, old school, wouldn't have heard about my marriage. "She is a doctor, andwell, she touched me during her first session, and it happened."

"Well then, she's your fated mate."

"Will you stop with the mate nonsense?" I snapped. "She is not mine because she already found hers."

"Then why isn't she with him? Why are you marrying her?" Her tone was serious now, all traces of sarcasm gone.

I ran a hand through my hair, my frustration growing. "I told you—it's complicated."

Maria leaned back, folding her arms, her gaze piercing. "You said you didn't believe in all that mate stuff, remember? So why are you acting like it matters now?"

"Maria," I growled, warning her not to push me further.

"Look, Grayson, you came to me for answers, right? I did the spell. I told you what it revealed—that you'd only be able to have sex with your fated one. Your body wouldn't react to anyone else. Now you're telling me this woman…shows up? The pieces fit."

"I don't believe in that crap," I muttered, frustration bubbling. "This whole 'fated mate' nonsense has never made sense to me."

She gave me a look, her eyes filled with something like pity. "Well, whether you believe it or not, your body does. You've never reacted to anyone in thirty-five years. Not once. Until now."

I sighed, leaning back. I hated how tangled up this all felt. My wolf, normally silent in these matters, was stirring uneasily, disliking the confusion swirling in my head. Ava had thrown everything off balance, and I wasn't used to feeling so out of control.

Maria got up and walked to my desk, perching on the edge. I shot her a cold look, but she ignored it, reaching for my hand. The warmth of her touch was instantly soothing, and I could feel the tension drain from my muscles.

"You carry too much anger, Grayson," she whispered softly. "Too much hate. It's weighing you down. I know you think the world's out to get you, but not everyone is your enemy. And maybe this whole 'fated mate' thing is just nonsense, but maybe it's not. I know you well enough to know that this marriage is probably some power play or something, but this woman, whoever she is, is important enough for you to have reacted to her. Fated mate or not, pursue it. Take a breath and allow yourself to be human. Maybe this is how you will finally move on from the past."

The second she mentioned the past, I yanked my hand away. I didn't want to go there—not now, not ever. She sighed, bending down to place a light kiss on my cheek before stepping back.

"I'll cast some spells," she said, her tone lighter. "Look into things for you. That's what you want, right?"

I didn't answer, but she knew what the answer was. She slid off the desk with a smile. "What would you ever do without me?"

I snorted, the closest thing to a laugh I'd give her. It was enough to make her grin. She walked toward the door, stopping just before she exited. "There's so much happiness in the world, Grayson. I hope you find a bit of it someday." Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "I can't wait to meet her—this woman who's got you all worked up. She must be something special."

I shook my head, a humorless chuckle escaping my lips. Maria gave me one last smile before disappearing through the door, leaving the room heavy with silence.

The moment it clicked shut, I let out a long sigh, leaning back in my chair. Memories clawed at the edges of my mind, but I shoved them down, refusing to let them surface.

My phone chimed, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen, swiping open a message from Rickon, one of the Alphas I was aligned with. It was an invitation to a ball he was hosting tonight, which unfortunately meant I had to attend.

Why the hell was he throwing a ball on a Tuesday?

Why the hell was he even throwing a ball?

I swiped it away and opened the next message, from Liam. I didn't think anything could annoy me more than the ball, but there it was.

I grabbed my jacket and keys, irritation pulsing through me. There was no way I was getting any work done today.

As I stormed out of the office, Maria's words echoed in my head: "Maybe this is how you will finally move on from the past."

Easier said than done. Especially when I was minutes away from murdering my cousin, my ex-fiancée, and the best friend of the woman that was supposed to help me move on. And maybe, if I had a little more time, her too.

(End of Chapter 26)