Page 71 of A Luna's Dynasty
“That sounds nice.”
They left the bustle of the centaur village behind, following a narrow footpath that wound between stands of silver birch and ancient oak. They walked side by side, their fingers interlaced. The centaurs were giving them space today, and it seemed to Lita that Brad had asked them to give the couple some privacy.
Asher looked around and marveled at the territory. He couldn't remember the last time he'd simply walked somewhere without purpose, without the weight of his pack's expectations pressing down on him. The path curved gently upward, and the trees began to change character—sturdier, more ancient, with gnarled roots that broke through the earth like arthritic knuckles. Above them, the mountains rose in jagged silhouette against the clear blue sky, forming a natural barrier that had protected the centaur village for generations. From this vantage point, Asher could appreciate the strategic positioning—any approaching threat would be visible for miles, while the village itself remained nestled in the protective embrace of stone and forest.
“The waterfall is beautiful, isn’t it?” Lita felt the heat from Asher’s chest against her back as he wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s been hard for me to describe anything beautiful after meeting you.”
“Cheesy, but I like it.” She lifted her head to see him looking down at her adoringly.
"This is nice," Asher said after a comfortable silence, his voice low and private despite the fact that they were entirely alone. "Having a moment with just the two of us." He kissed her forehead, and the two looked at the waterfall. He rested his chin on her head and they stood there quietly, enjoying each other’s company.
Their tranquility was soon shattered like thin ice beneath a heavy boot. "There you are!" The crisp, familiar voice cut through the waterfall's constant roar, causing both of them to stiffen. Their moment of connection dissolved as they turned toward the sound, Asher's arm instinctively tightening around Lita's waist. Through the misty air, a figure emerged from behind a cluster of silver birch trees, his blond hair catching sunlight like polished metal.
Caspian stepped into the clearing, his blue eyes scanning the scene with an expression that shifted quickly to relief. “You two look like you’re doing well.”
“Caspy!” She went to give him a hug, but Asher tugged her back like a possessive child.
“You’re interrupting my date,” Asher growled, studying him. “What are you doing here?”
“The guardian will be arriving any time now, and I wanted to be here when he did.” Caspian looked at Lita. “The truth is, he isn’t just a guardian. He’s your guardian, Lita.”
"My guardian?" she repeated, the question sharp with disbelief. “Like mine alone?” She watched as Caspian nodded.
A thunderous roar split the air, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet like an earthquake. It wasn't the waterfall this time—this sound was organic, primal … the unmistakable challenge of a predator. Lita's gaze snapped toward the village entrance.
“I guess he arrived faster than I thought he would. We better go to him. He doesn’t sound happy.” Caspian glanced at Asher,who gave him a brief nod. They’d already had a discussion about Lita’s guardian, and he knew who they were going to see.
The three of them hurried to the entrance. Another roar echoed through the trees, closer now, accompanied by shouts and the distinctive sound of centaur hooves striking stone in agitation. They burst from the treeline into the clearing before the tunnel entrance, skidding to a halt at the scene unfolding before them.
A crowd of centaurs had formed a wary circle around two figures at its center. One was unmistakably Brad, and the other a mountain of a man, with shoulders broad enough to fill a doorway, who held Brad by his throat.
"Let me be perfectly clear," the giant growled, his voice a bass rumble that seemed to emanate from the earth itself. "If you ever touch my charge again, you will be dealt with. YOU HAD NO RIGHT!" The last four words carried a promise of violence so explicit that several centaurs took involuntary steps backward, their hooves clattering nervously against the stone ground.
Lita recognized the voice, but it couldn’t be him. “Stop!" she shouted, pushing forward through the ring of centaurs. "Let him go!”
The giant froze at the sound of her voice. His massive body went completely still, and he released his grip on Brad’s throat. Slowly, he turned toward her. When his green eyes found her, Lita felt the world tilt beneath her feet. Recognition slammed into her like a physical blow—not the vague stirring she'd felt with the sound of his voice.
Her voice was a shallow whisper as she spoke his name. “Grayson.”
Chapter 45
“Don’t you think that reaction is over the top?” Lita snapped at Grayson angrily.
“Not at all. There are consequences for interfering with a guardian.” His voice was cool and calm as his green eyes studied hers.
“Wait. So you are the guardian?”
“Your guardian.” He gave the smallest nod, barely a dip of his chin. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t say anything to you, but—”
“When I visited your pack …” she furrowed her brows, the words rushing out.
“It was for you to get better acquainted with me.” Grayson stepped closer, each movement deliberate, but she remained rooted in place, stunned.
“So you’ve always known?” She wanted to say more, but the words felt heavy, like stones in her mouth.
“Yes.” He reached his hand toward her, an apology in the gesture, but she stepped back into Asher’s solid chest.
