JoyReadChapter 26
-Grayson'’s POV-
| stared at my watch, counting down the seconds until she arrived. Patience wasn’t a problem for me. | was
trained to endure to wait but lately, it felt like everything grated on my nerves. | had no room for anything to
annoyeven more, and | knew Maria was about to do just that.
The door creaked open. My new PA, too jittery for her own good, peeked in. “Mr. Blackwood, your four o'clock is
here.”
| gave a curt nod. She scrambled out without another word, and moment later, Maria strolled in like she owned
the place. | took her in-the casual clothes, the air of someone who could break you without so much as lifting a
finger. She didn’t need to announce what she was; 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 |
don’t appreciate being called 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 tic 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 | frowned, wiping the grin
from my face, “You wouldn't have to be here at all if you'd answered my calls in the first place.”
She shrugged, unfazed by my annoyance. “Look, Grayson, | know we are friends well let's just say we tolerate
each other- you haven't ripped out my heart, and | haven't melted your brain-but | 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, no matter how reluctantly. She'd been the
one to tellall that nonsense about fated mates and the Moon Goddess, and though | 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
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“Cut the jokes, Maria. You're not funny.”
Her grin widened as she plopped her feet up on my desk-a move that always seton edge. “Tellwhy I'm
really here.”
“Take your feet off my desk,” | ordered coldly.
“You ever notice you're a bit uptight?” she shot back, crossing her legs on the chair instead. “So tellwhat it is
so | can leave because | like being around fun people.”
| clenched my jaw, eyes narrowing at her. 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 because she had proven herself worthy over the years. Apart from Ava, she was the only person aware of the
situation and | knew she would take it with her to the grave.
“| 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,” | snapped, the word coming out harsher than I intended. “The situation is complicated but | am getting
married to
someone.”
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Chapter 26
Maria was old school sol knew she wouldn't have heard about my marriage, “She is a doctor and well she
touchedduring her first session and it happened.”
“Well then she’s your fated mate,”
“Will you stop with the mate nonsense?” | snapped, “She is not mine because she already found hers.”
“Then why isn’t she with him? Why are you marrying her?” Her one 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 over her chest, 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,” | growled, warning her not to pushfurther.
“Look, Grayson, you ctofor answers, right? | did the spell. | told you what it revealed-that you'd only be
able to up and it have sex with your fated one. Your body wouldn't react to anyone else. Now you're telling me
this woman shows happens? The pieces fit.”
“I don’t believe in that crap,” | muttered, the frustration bubbling under my skin. “This whole ‘fated mate’
nonsense has never made sense to me.”
She gavea 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
sighed, leaning back in my chair. | hated how tangled up this all felt. My wolf, normally silent in these matters,
was stirring uneasily, not liking the confusion swirling in my head. Ava had thrown everything off balance, and |
wasn't used to feeling so out of control.
Maria got up from her seat and walked over to my desk, planting herself on the edge of it. | 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. | 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
a load of nonsense, but maybe it’s not. | know you well enough to know that this marriage is probably some
power play or it's related to that 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, | yanked my hand away. | 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 sspells,” she said, her tone lighter again. “Look into things for you. That's what you want, right?”
| 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?”
| snorted, the closest thing to a laugh I'd give her. It was enough to make her grin, though. She walked toward
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmthe door, stopping just before she exited. “There’s so much happiness in the world, Grayson. | 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.”
| shook my head, a humorless chuckle escaping my lips, Maria gaveone last smile before she disappeared
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. The memories clawed at the edges of
my mind, but | shoved them down, refusing to let them surface.
My phone chimed, pullingout of my thoughts. | glanced at the screen, swiping open a message from Rickon,
one of the
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Chapter 26
Alphas | was aligned with. It was an invitation to a ball he was hosting tonight, which unfortunately meant | had
to attend.
Why the hell was he throwing a ball on a Tuesday?
Why the hell was he even throwing a ball?
| swiped it away then opened the next message which was from Liam and | didn’t think it was possible for
anything to pissoff more than the fact | had to go to a stupid ball this evening but there it was.
| grabbed my jacket and keys, the irritation pulsing through me. There was no way | was going to get any work
done today.
As | stormed out of the office, Maria's words echoed in my head
“Maybe this is how you finally move on from the past.”
Easier said than done.
Especially when | was minutes away from murdering my cousin, my ex fiancé and the best friend of the woman
that was supposed to helpmove on.
And maybe if | had a little more time, her too.
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