*Noah*
Life had been extrely busy lately, so Zara and I decided to set so ti aside early each morning to spend with Briella. Zara was able to break away from her studies for so breaks in order to tend to our daughter, but my duties were more often spent outside the mansion, so I wasn’t able to get as much ti with our baby.
Fortunately, Briella was an early riser, even as an infant. I sat content in the plush rocking chair in the corner of the bright room as Zara got our daughter dressed and ready for the day. I could watch the gentle scene for hours if given the chance.
Zara was such a natural mother, which was even more remarkable considering the trauma we experienced imdiately following Briella’s birth. I still thought about the haunted look my mate had in her eyes as we tried to persuade her to bond with our daughter initially. It hurt to think about it.
Now, it was more shocking than anything else to think that had ever occurred. Zara lifted our daughter up and kissed Briella’s chubby cheek, causing a bright smile to flit across her lips. Zara held her so gently and skillfully. The two looked perfect together.
“Look, Briella,” Zara said suddenly lowering her head to our daughter’s tiny ear. “Your daddy is staring again with a silly look on his face.”
I rolled my eyes but chuckled. “What? Am I not allowed to sit back and admire my girls?”
Zara giggled and made her way over to , Briella watching with her expressive eyes. I held out my arms, already grinning as I imagined cradling the little girl. Zara placed the little bundle in the crook of my arm before sitting in the plush chair next to .
She stroked the downy fuzz on top of Briella’s head for a mont, and we both let out a content breath as we savored this quiet mont with our daughter before beginning our grueling duties as the future Alpha and Luna.
I ducked my head to kiss our daughter’s forehead before looking up to grin at Zara. I frowned imdiately though when I saw that my mate’s eyes seed far away, almost sad.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, putting a hand over hers where it rested in her lap.
“Sorry,” Zara murmured. “I was just thinking about Gray and Lorelei again.”
I nodded in understanding, even though I wasn’t happy about it. I started to rock Briella carefully, more to calm my nerves than hers. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out for them,” I said. “But this could also be for the best if Gray truly hasn’t changed his ways.”
Zara pursed her lips, and I could tell she didn’t agree with . “I know,” she muttered. She let out a shuddering breath, the sound defeated. “I just really thought he had changed, and I’m actually still not convinced he hasn’t.”
“We need to be cautious,” I told her sternly, my arm tightening very slightly around Briella as protectiveness swelled up inside of . “It’s for our family and for our pack. You know that.” I wasn’t about to take a chance on that boy being a spy.
I wouldn’t put my loved ones in harm’s way.
Zara sighed. “I know,” she said finally, her shoulders slumping. “I know we shouldn’t risk it. I’m sorry for being so pushy about it lately.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I said at once, and I reached up to caress her cheek. “You have a heart of gold, my love. That is hardly anything to be sorry for.”
Zara didn’t look convinced, but she leaned her head against my shoulder and didn’t say another word about it, forcing herself to focus on our daughter.
I kissed my mate’s forehead tenderly, a pensive frown on my face.
After mulling it over for the rest of the day, I made my way down the stairs leading to the prison cell where Gray was being held. I kept my expression passive and uninterested as I nodded at the guards who were stationed right outside the cell.
“You may leave us for a mont,” I told them.
“Yes, sir,” they said before obeying and taking their leave.
I watched them go before turning to face Gray, who was sitting against the back wall. He was watching a little bit nervously, and that was when I realized how young he looked. He truly was practically a boy.
That doesn’t an he can’t be a spy, said a tiny but clear voice in my head.
The two of us stared at one another and I felt my face hardening with each passing mont. I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted.
“Father banished from Silver Fang.”
It was impossible to hide the shock on my face, but it was replaced quickly by suspicion.
“Explain,” I commanded. “I see little reason to believe that your father would do such a thing.”
Gray laughed a little without humor. “Believe ,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “It was a shock to as well. However, it appears he saw little use for a son who resents him once he had full control of the pack with his new Luna by his side.”
I was taken aback by the sadness that suddenly filled the young man’s eyes, but he seed to force it down before standing up and making his way to the glass wall separating us. He kept his head low though, in a respectful way.
“I am a rogue,” he said. “Please accept my request for asylum within your pack. I have nothing left, and now that Lorelei has rejected and my apology, I just long for nothing more than a fresh start.”
I felt my suspicion crumbling slightly, and I fought hard not to show it as I stared the young man down. He hesitantly looked up at , and the sincerity in his hopeful but nervous eyes was unmistakable. I gritted my teeth, suddenly torn about the situation as I finally started to see Zara’s side more clearly.
“Very well,” I said finally.
Gray’s head imdiately snapped up, and the shock was plain on his pale face.
I tilted my chin up, refusing to show too much leniency. I forced my eyes to darken with warning.
“You may stay in Drogomor,” I confird. “However, you will be given supervised work duties in order to earn your stay here.”
“Yes, of course,” Gray said, straightening. He clasped his hands together and bobbed his head gratefully a couple of tis. His dark eyes were determined. “I promise that I will work hard to earn my place here.”
“Not so fast,” I said, holding up a hand and narrowing my eyes into thin slits. “This generous offer doesn’t co without a price.”
“I’ll do anything,” Gray said earnestly.
A part of was still wondering if I was making the right decision, but I found that I couldn’t ignore the obvious regret and hope in the young man’s eyes. He was beginning to remind a bit eerily of myself when I was trying to make things up to Zara after I hurt her.
Maybe Gray and I were more similar than I realized.
I pushed away the thought, slightly disgusted with myself for how soft I was being, but I reasoned that if he dared to take a single step out of line, he would regret it dearly, even more so than he regretted hurting Lorelei.
“I’m sure you are more than aware that we are tracking down your father,” I said in a no-nonsense tone.
Gray nodded in confirmation. “Yes, you have made that abundantly clear when tossing in here.”
I ignored the jest and continued. “We have several teams investigating and searching for any signs of him but have largely been coming up empty. I will naturally be expecting your full cooperation in providing intelligence on Daven’s operations whenever possible and whenever we demand it of you.”
“That won’t be a problem at all,” Gray assured .
I was shocked that a large part of actually believed him.
I pushed the optimism away, once again reminding myself that we had to be cautious when it ca to Gray. While he claid to be banished, there was no hard evidence of that.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I said in a hard voice. “I must also inform you that Lorelei will soon depart from Drogomor, so I must warn you not to cling to any false hopes in that departnt.”
I watched Gray’s face fall, but he looked resigned as well. “I understand,” he said at last. “I am disappointed to hear that, but I know that I must respect her feelings and wishes. I was so awful at that in the past. I can’t help but feel that I am receiving my just desserts, not just by being rejected by her, but also by being thrown in here. I’ve had ample ti to do so serious reflection while being held here.”
I nodded, slightly impressed that the young man was able to co to that conclusion, despite the immaturity he displayed that got him into his current predicant.
That shouldn’t have been too surprising. I rembered myself when I was his age, and even though that was just a few years ago, it still felt like ages when I thought about how much had changed since then. Young adults his age were going to make a ton of mistakes and in turn, change drastically in little ti. I supposed it was just the nature of early adulthood.
“Thank you again for this second chance,” Gray said earnestly, taking another step toward the wall. “I really, truly appreciate it. I vow to keep my head down and work hard to build a humble, peaceful new life in Drogomor.”
“I hope for your sake that you hold to that promise, boy,” I said in a low voice, annoyed by my own renewed optimism.
“Yes, sir,” he said, nodding firmly. He pressed his lips together tightly. “I must admit I am hopeful that soday I will be able to have reconciliation with Lorelei, but for now, I am willing to view my banishnt as the chance to beco my own man. I know I’ll be starting with nothing, but I am grateful for the chance you’re offering to .”
While his words seed sincere, I couldn’t help the suspicion that started to stir up in my gut. But I couldn’t deny the hope I had for this kid. I also couldn’t deny that he’s had it rough and did deserve to try to make up for what he did.
“We’ll see about getting you set up with so work first thing tomorrow,” I said, turning to go.
“Thank you!” Gray called after my retreating back. “I won’t let you down!”
I didn’t answer, just left the prison and ordered the guards at the top of the steps to continue watching him carefully.
I walked through the halls of the mansion, intent on finding Zara and telling her what had occurred. I knew she would be encouraged, and I looked forward to seeing her face light up.
Concerning Gray, I decided that I would reserve judgnt for now. He would be granted basic freedom, but I would ensure that he was watched closely for any signs of possible deception.
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