Page 72 of A Luna's Dynasty
She felt Asher’s arms wrap around her as if he could squeeze the confusion out. Her voice rose, higher and more piercing than she intended. “You’re not a werewolf?”
“No,” he said softly. She could tell he was trying to make this easier for her, but how could he?
“And what about Luke?” The name fell between them like a challenge. Luke, the man she thought was his twin brother, the man who shared his green eyes and easy confidence. “He’s not really your brother?”
“We aren’t real brothers. It’s a long story, Lita.” His voice wavered with the suggestion of so much more left unsaid. “But being in the Cedar Pack allowed me to be closer to you. The idea was that you could visit often so we could bond. But you started having headaches after being around me. We were afraid your awakening would start early, so I had to stay away from you. But I don’t have to stay away from you anymore.” He reached his hand out to her again, but she still didn’t take it.
Grayson watched her in silence, his eyes so full of intensity it made her look away. “Why was it a problem if I woke up early?” she snapped. Why had she been kept in the dark?
“It was for your safety,” Grayson said finally. He stood still, as if each movement of his body had the power to break her. “And mine. It’s a long story, Lita, and I hated every moment of being away from you.” His eyes searched her face, but she wouldn’t give him what he wanted. “You have no idea.”
“At least you knew,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “At least you weren’t kept in the dark like me.” Her heart pounded so loudly she couldn’t hear anything else. She felt the weight of their history pressing down on her, suffocating in its completeness.
Lita felt Asher’s hands knead gently into her shoulders, felt the understanding in them. “Don’t be too hard on Grayson,” he said, and she looked up, shocked at how calm he was.
“What?” She pulled away, needing distance to think. Her voice trembled with disbelief. “How can you say that?”
“It was all explained to me,” he said, his eyes steady on hers, waiting for her to understand Grayson's reasons.
Grayson stood a little apart from them, watching them both, and Lita didn’t miss the way his eyes flickered with hope. He was waiting, too. “I’ll be living with you,” he said. “If that’s alright.”
The words filled the space between them, pressing in on Lita. “What if it’s not alright?” she wanted to shout, but she knew it wouldn’t matter. They’d already decided without her.
“It’s so you’ll be safe,” Grayson added quietly. He didn’t move, but she felt the pull of him, the force of his desire to be close to her again. “Lita, please. You’re mad at me,” he said. It wasn’t a question, just the truth he had resigned himself to.
“No.” The single word came out before she could think. He deserved more than that. “No, but the next time you’re my guardian, just tell me. I don’t like all these secrets.” She lookedup at him with a small smile that quickly vanished seeing the intense look on his face. Caspian and Brad were silent and she tilted her head up to see Asher had a strange look on his face as well. “More secrets?” she practically whined.
“Yes.” It was Grayson who answered, his voice threading through the space between them. “Just a few,” he said, his voice half regret, half tease. He watched Lita rub the sides of her head, her expression a mix of frustration and exhaustion.
“Are the headaches getting bad?” His concern cut through the lightness of his tone, giving it weight.
Lita nodded. “They’ve been coming and going but getting more intense.” She saw the way Grayson looked at her, protective and full of concern.
“They’ll get worse,” he said, stepping closer. His eyes held hers, and she felt something inside her give way. “I can help you with that, though. I can help ease it for you.” His presence, which used to cause the pain, was actually easing it now. She was also surprised at how calm Asher was with another man being so close to her. It meant he accepted Grayson’s presence.
“I’m going to have to remember something unpleasant, aren’t I?” She knew, but she needed to hear him say it. Her mother’s death had always been foggy to her, and she felt like this might be where the barrier began.
“Yes.” Grayson glanced up at Asher, who tightened his arms around Lita.
“Let’s take things slow,” Asher cooed against Lita’s head. “Let’s get you back home first.”
“Good.” She felt the corners of her mouth lift. “I can’t wait to be back home.” She turned and looked at Asher. “I’m surprised you’re so calm about Grayson getting this close to me.”
“Only because he’s here to protect you.” Asher then glanced up at Grayson. “I’m going to treat him as if he was your brother.”
“And your brother, too.” Grayson grinned at Asher, who let out a small scoff.
“Don’t push it.”
“I’m voting for some down time after this. No more adventures for at least a couple of days,” Caspian said with an exaggerated yawn.
“How about a movie night? I noticed the theater room and I promised myself a date with it.” Lita listened as Asher hummed in agreement.
“That sounds perfect.”
“That sounds like a nightmare.” Grayson groaned, making everyone look at him. “Who gets to pick the movie?” He arched his brow at Asher. “Because if she’s picking, we’re going to end up watching Sleepless in Seattle or some other chick flick.”
“Talk about greedy. You want to be graced with my company AND to pick the movie.” Lita clicked her tongue, pretending to be irritated. “How about a movie roulette? We put names in a hat and draw from it?”
