Page 33 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

Grayson shakes his head. “Nah, Dad, I was careful. I didn’t tell anyone about... you know,” he says, lowering his voice.

Layla jumps in, changing the subject. “So, Gray, are you excited for school to start?”

“Nope,” he says with a grin, eliciting laughter from everyone at the table.

Then he turns to me, his eyes hopeful. “Can I hang out with you, Liam?” he asks. “I only have two days before school starts again.”

“But Grayson, you just got back,” Mom protests.

“It’s okay, Mom. We’ll just hang out tomorrow, and then I’ll bring him back,” I say reassuringly.

Grayson leans in to kiss her cheek. “Thanks, Mom,” he says, flashing her his most winning smile.

As we eat, Layla mentions that Night Corp, the family company, is reporting profit margins of 23 percent. “That’s great news!” I exclaim.

Throughout the meal, we avoid discussing anything supernatural because Alyssa’s wife, Lennox, is unaware of our true nature. It’s a rare moment of normalcy for our family, and I cherish every minute.

After dinner and dessert, Alyssa and Lennox bid us goodnight, leaving just the family behind.

Dad smacks Grayson playfully upside the head, grinning. “You’ve got to be extra careful around humans, kid.”

Grayson nods, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Sorry, Dad,” he mumbles.

Mom chimes in. “You’d better go get your clothes, Gray, if you’re leaving with Liam.”

As soon as Grayson disappears upstairs, Mom leans in close. “Take good care of him, Liam,” she whispers. “And make sure the wards in your apartment are still up. If you need Layla to reinforce them, just let her know.”

I’m touched by her concern and give her a grateful hug. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep an eye on him,” I promise.

She nods, squeezing my hand before releasing me. Grayson returns, carrying a massive oversized suitcase. Colt chuckles, teasing him. “Are you moving into Liam’s house or what?”

We all laugh, and I thank them for dinner before Grayson and I head out.

As we drive to my apartment, Grayson fiddles with the radio, his fingers tapping impatiently against the dashboard. I glance at him, catching his eye. He’s trying so hard to seem grown-up, mimicking my casual demeanor with a forced nonchalance.

“You know, you don’t have to impress me with the radio,” I say teasingly. “Just pick a station you like.”

He grins sheepishly, adjusting the volume. “Sorry, just trying to find something we’ll both like.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “So, how was camp?” I ask, steering the conversation away from his attempts at maturity.

Grayson brightens, launching into a flurry of chatter about classes, camp guides, and the latest drama among his friends. But as we pull up to my apartment, his excitement fades, replaced by a hint of uncertainty.

“I’m gonna unpack,” he announces, heading inside.

Alone in the living room, I take a moment to breathe before following him. Grayson’s growing up too fast, trying to navigate the complexities of adolescence while still clinging to the simplicity of childhood. I know he looks up to me, seeking guidance even as he struggles to find his own footing.

“Hey, Liam?” Grayson calls from his room, his voice hesitant.

I step into the doorway, leaning against the frame. “What’s up, kiddo?”

He fidgets with the hem of his shirt, avoiding my gaze. “Um, so... how do you know if a girl likes you?” he asks, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

I grin, crossing the room to sit beside him on the bed. “Ah, the age-old question,” I reply, nudging him playfully.

Grayson leans in, eager for advice.

“Well, if she laughs at your jokes, even when they’re not that funny, that’s a good sign,” I explain. “And if she finds excuses to touch you, like brushing against your arm or something, that could mean she’s interested.”

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