Grady and Varya were sitting on the elevated edge that was separating the driveway from the lawn. They held hands and stared at each other.
Varya had so many questions, but she didn't feel like asking because Caden was right there, behind them.
Grady's eyes were darting all over Varya's petite face, lingering on her inviting lips he wanted to claim, but he held back. Not because of Caden, but because of Varya.
From everyone's attitude, Grady understood that people were looking down on him. He grew up with his mother, away from this world of werewolves, and when he bumped into Tristan and his group, no one told him that being a rogue was a bad thing.
They said they were free spirits, able to make their decisions and live on their own terms, and Grady thought how that sounded nice. As a bonus, for the first time in his life, he didn't need to hide when shifting into his wolf form, and there were many others just like him.
For the first time, he felt like he belonged somewhere.
But even with that, there were confinements he didn't like. The primary issues were that amenities in their small settlement were lacking and they had to be extra careful when venturing outside.
Tristan personally taught him to conceal his presence, and he had to be more vigilant than when he lived among humans.
When Grady asked why they were hiding like thieves if they did nothing wrong, Tristan told him that some of their kind live in packs and that unaffiliated werewolves like them were jeopardizing that hierarchy because youngsters from packs looked up to them. At that time, Grady believed Tristan, and now that he saw everyone looking at him like he was dirty, Grady's belief in that firmed.
If not for Varya, Grady would find a way to leave this wretched place.
But she was there, holding his hand, and the electrifying sparks told him that this was his home. With Varya.
Both Grady and Varya jolted when a fierce aura reached them.
"Sister!" Varya called Tatiana first. "Let me introduce you to…"
A low growl escaped Tatiana's lips, and Varya moved to stand in front of Grady.
"He is my mate. You can't…"
"This is my territory," Tatiana cut off Varya. "No one will tell me what I can and can't do here."
Caden swiftly moved to stand between the couple and angry Luna. "Calm down, Luna Tatiana. My Alpha and Luna sent him here. He can be of help."
Tatiana frowned. "What can a scum like him help?"
"He has information. But he can't disclose it now because of something they did…" Caden explained about body paint and bursting into flames and that Cornelia might be able to help.
"Stay away from him!" Tatiana hissed at Varya and then turned to Caden. "If body paint is the problem, why don't we wash it off? I'm sure we have a pressure washer nearby. Or how about we peel his skin off?"
"Tanya!" Varya called pleadingly.
"What!?" Tatiana snapped. "I heard you. He is your mate. But that doesn't change the fact he is a rogue. Do you know how many people we lost last night? We have casualties among guests, people in shelters, and our people. Warriors who were born and raised here, our people. I felt them, Varya. I felt when their lives were extinguished. It was like a part of me died, and it was all his fault!"
"He didn't kill anyone!" Varya shouted at Tatiana.
"His hands have no blood on them, and that makes it OK? Would his hands still be clean if he was caught later? If he meant no harm, why did he come here? Do you think that only by killing he could harm us? That rogue you call mate came here with people who killed MY people. My schedule is filled with joyful activities to entertain high-ranking members of other packs, but instead, I need to visit a dozen families and tell them that their sons and daughters died. Do you think that anyone will feel better because they died honorably, protecting this pack? There wouldn't be any need to protect the pack if they didn't come here! Gods! I would kill him myself if that would bring any of those innocent souls back. I would kill him right now if that would soothe wounds my pack suffered."
Tatiana jolted when Kalina's hand landed on her shoulder.
"Are you done venting your anger?" Kalina asked.
Tatiana glared at Kalina. "You tell me."
"We are all tired. Max and Tony are on their way back, and I suggest we take a quick break, shower, and eat. Let Omegas work on reports while you get a breather. You are pregnant now, and you need to take care of that baby."
When James returned, he saw Cornelia in front of the packhouse. She was squatting and collecting with cotton swabs samples of Grady's body paint.
James didn't like that Cornelia was so close to another guy, and he was on the verge of shifting and tearing that guy into pieces, but then he realized that other people were present. Maya, Caden, and Kalina were watching what Cornelia was doing, and a few warriors were standing nearby in attention, obviously keeping an eye on Grady.
James scrunched his nose. Why did he smell a rogue?
"After you wash up, we will see what's next," Cornelia said to Grady.
Before James reached her, Cornelia whipped her head in his direction, and her eyes scanned his exhausted form anxiously.
Dropping the samples in Maya's hands, Cornelia dashed toward James, and he welcomed her eagerly into his embrace.
"I was worried," she spoke into his shoulder.
"It's all fine now, Cora," he responded.
She nodded. It was not fine, but it was much better because they were together.
Two seconds later, Cornelia's body stiffened as she remembered, "What if your father is watching?"
James had no intention of letting her go. He needed her presence more than air, but he also needed a justification for their public display of affection. It took him a second to come up with something.
"My father knows we spent the night together. I left a great impression by satisfying you repeatedly, and it's normal that you are concerned about me."
Cornelia couldn't believe that he was using this as a chance to boost his ego, but she didn't want to bicker. "Is kiss acceptable?"
"Cora, Cora. Kiss is a necessity."
Their lips met in an urgent kiss that lasted much shorter than they wanted.
"You should shower," Cornelia said. He was wearing clothes that didn't fit him well, there were traces of mud and dried blood on him, but Cornelia craved privacy with her mate.
While James was away, Cornelia was worried sick. That's why she went to the pack hospital to help. She wanted to keep busy and ensure that if James was injured, she would be there to tend to him.
The time in the pack hospital felt like forever, every new patient made her stomach tighten at the thought that it might be James, and then she felt guilty because of the happiness when she realized how that bloodied warrior was not James. The whole night was an emotional rollercoaster, and she wanted just to snuggle with James behind closed doors and never come out.
"I will shower," James said to Cornelia before adding, "But only if you are coming."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Breakfast starts in five minutes!" Kalina shouted after them. "Food will be waiting for the next two hours! You have an option to ask for food in your room!"
