Lukas POV
My phone ringing woke me up in the dark hours of the night.
I cracked my eyes open, trying orient myself and reached over to my nightstand. I grabbed the my ringing phone and tried to answer it as fast as I could.
Grayson stirred in my arms and let out a quiet whine as the noise disrupted his sleep. I gently stroked his hair and soothed him back to sleep before he could fully wake up and I silenced my phone. It did not sound so fun to deal with a cranky and tired teen at 3 in the morning.
I hit answer and held the phone to my ear, not checking who was calling.
“Hello?” I grumbled, sleep still evident in my voice.
“Rouges lining the Southern border. They aren’t attacking, they are demanding to speak with you.” Karsyn’s voice flooded over the phone. “And… they mentioned Grayson.”
I glanced at the sleeping boy in my arms and squeezed him tight to my chest. “I need someone here to guard him while I am gone. It’s not safe leaving him alone while there are rouges so close. Get Alex here.”
My mind link wasn’t going through to him so that meant he was asleep. Mind links don’t work when the person you are trying to reach is asleep. I untangled myself from Grayson and watched as he cuddled into my pillows, snoring lightly. He looked so gentle and peaceful. His blonde hair splayed messily across his face and his mouth was slightly parted open.
My purple hoodie against his skin looked so beautiful. The hoodie bunched up as he slept and a sliver of his stomach was exposed, highlighted by the moonlight that streamed through my glass wall.
A faint scar peaked just above his waistband and I reached out to trace it. Grayson shivered beneath my touch and pushed into my hand subconsciously. A small smile made its way onto my face at his action.
He’s so beautiful, even if he doesn’t believe it. The scars that mark his skin don’t take away from his beauty, nothing could. Not his stubborn personality, not his snarky comments, his rude remarks, nothing. He will always be beautiful in my eyes and nothing could ever change that.
My hand ran gently up and down Grayson’s back as I waited for Alex to get here. He sank into my touch and fell deeper into sleep. I couldn’t risk leaving Grayson vulnerable for even a minute. I don’t know what I’d do if he was taken from me. The thought made my skin crawl.
I reluctantly got out of bed and didn’t bother with shoes. I was going to shift in order to get to the Southern border quickly meaning I was going to have to strip so shoes would just be a waste of time.
I paced quietly until I heard Alex knock on the door downstairs and I went down to let him in. It was obvious to tell he came straight from his bed because his hair was sticking in all directions and he was wearing pajama pants and untied shoes.
“You’re in charge of Grayson until I return. Hopefully he’ll just stay asleep but if he does happen to wake up, just keep him safe in the house.” I instructed before hurrying out the door, quickly stripping and shifting into my wolf form.
I weaved through the woods that surrounded the neighborhood and tracked the scent of my pack and rouges to the Southern border. A large number of my night patrol circled the pack of rouges. The rouges stopped right along the border, not yet crossing it. There were only about 5 of them. Karysn and her mate Adrian stood directly in front of them. They were my top warriors, hence why Karysn is my third in command and Adrian trained the pups.
Standing before them was a scraggly man covered in filth. Shorts hung loosely below his beer belly and his eyes were crazy, they were the same blue as Grayson’s.
I miss Grayson’s eyes.
I scold myself for getting distracted and focus my attention solely on the man in front of me. I shift back to my human form and stood naked in front of everyone.
Adrian tossed me a pair of shorts and I nodded at him. Nudity wasn’t a huge deal to werewolves but it was nice to still have some privacy.
Especially when I only want Grayson to see me.
I cleared my throat, “Heard you wanted to chat with me?”
“You have something that’s mine and I need it back.”
“Oh? And what is that?” I question, already feeling annoyed. I really got torn away from my warm bed and my cuddly mate for this. As if I would have anything of this rouge’s. He’s probably just looking for money.
“Grayson.” I raised my eyebrows and stared at him.
“Oh yeah? What’s your relation to him?” I questioned, picking apart his features with my eyes, examining him much closer. He sort of resembled Grayson in a way but Grayson was beautiful and this man was not.
“He’s my son. Therefore, he’s mine. I want him back.” He held his head up and smirked.
“I can’t do that.” I smirked right back and looked him up and down pettily, “I have full guardianship over him. You have no control over him or his residence. Now away from my land, rouge.”
The man’s face turned sour, “He is of my own flesh and fucking blood. That kid belongs to me. I recall being the one to raise him so he needs to come back to where he belongs.”
“Actually, according to records, he hasn’t been in your care for almost 5 years. He turned up at the Straits pack one day and that’s where he remained. I don’t recall you ever filing him as missing or kidnapped? What is your explanation there?” I raised my eyebrows. I actually did not know the true answer. I didn’t want to intrude on Grayson’s past life because I wanted him to trust me and tell me in his own time. However, right now would have been a good time to know a little bit of information.
“That little shit ran like the pussy he is. Kid has no real balls on him, was always afraid of somethin’. He was immature and naive and needs to go back to where he’s needed.” The man’s anger was rising and and I glared at him. How dare he speak of my mate in such a negative tone?
“You have 5 seconds to get away from my land, rouge. Don’t you dare speak of my mate in such a manner. Don’t even speak of him at all. He is mine and will not be leaving my side if I have any say in the matter. You can try to bring this up to the council but trust me, the odds are not in your favor.” My alpha voice came out harshly and I saw a few of the rouges wince at the power.
Fear me.
However, the man did not fear me. He cackled instead.
“Ohh this will be fun. Your precious little mate is not who you think. You’ll be repulsed when you find out the truth, I just happen to be offering you an out. I will get him back one way or another, you can count on that.” He cackled more and almost lost control of himself due to his laughter.
I gave Karysn a look that was passed along all my guards and they moved to attack but before any of them could lay a hand on the rouges, they disappeared into thin air.
Of course they are working with witches.
I scowled at the rouge’s disappearance. They won’t be able to get onto my land by teleporting, my borders block witches powers. That’s why they were standing right along the border, not yet crossing it. Having a witch or multiple witches on their side could be dangerous though. If Grayson got off my land he was at serious risk and was extremely vulnerable.
My thoughts drifted to the man’s words and I scoffed. He thinks he can have my mate? I just got home and I am sure as hell not losing him now. Or ever for that matter.
“I want the night guard to be extra defensive for the remainder of the night. Call in extras if needed to ensure that command. We will have a meeting in the morning to discuss a new patrol ratio and strategy. Any questions before I leave?”
Everyone shook their heads at me and I nodded. I took my leave and shifted so I could get back home quickly. A million thoughts rushed through my head as I tried to process everything but one thing I could make out for sure is that I need to keep Grayson safe. I need to hold him now.
I shifted outside my house and changed into the clothes I left outside. I went to open my front door and heard arguing inside.
Lovely, he’s awake.
I entered my house and hurried upstairs. Grayson sat in the middle of the bed, a scowl etched deeply on his face. Alex was sitting in one of my armchairs, equally annoyed.
“You! You know how fucking scary it is to wake up and see some random dude watching me sleep?” Grayson shouted as he saw me walk into the room.
I sighed and looked over at Alex.
“You’re free to leave. Get some sleep and meeting in the morning. I’ll explain everything then.”
He nodded and quietly left the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Gray, I needed someone to watch you. It wasn’t safe to leave you here alone.” I explained and he didn’t calm down.
“And why did you leave?”
“There were rouge’s at the border of my territory. I had to go deal with it. I’ll explain everything in the morning but I need you to calm down for now and relax. It’s way to early to get so riled up and you need some more sleep. You’re still healing.” I kept my voice soft as I went upstairs to change.
I put on pajama pants and a T-shirt and returned downstairs. Grayson was laying on his side, typing on his phone.
“Hey, phone down. Go to sleep.” I said as I got in bed and laid next to him.
Grayson groaned as he put his phone back on the nightstand and rolled onto his back.
“Tell me if your just going to ditch me in the middle of the night. Waking up to a cold bed and someone staring at me from across the room freaked me the fuck out.” Grayson mumbled softly.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I just didn’t want to disturb your sleep and worry you. I was hoping I’d return before you ever even knew I was gone.”
“Did you at least beat some rouge’s ass?”
“I’ll tell you all about it in the morning.” I sighed and rolled onto my side, not touching Grayson but close enough that if he moved just a bit he’d be in my arms.
“Goodnight, Sweetie.” I whispered as I shut my eyes.
“Fuck off, Lukas.”
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