23

My suitcase filled up quickly, I only had two and since I wasn't careful about what I put in it, it was full in a matter of minutes.

I zipped up my coat, grabbed my suitcase and paused. Was I really about to go home with an Alaiser.

I looked at my luggage and how it was slowly following me down the hallways to the entrance hall, much faster than usual. I was still able to turn back. Presence and decision have nothing in common.

Just before I reached the hall, I stopped when my professor Elisane blocked my way. She rounded the corner and leaned against the wall, waiting. She didn't say a word. Her eyes were cold as always and for all I knew I had to be careful now.

"On the way home?" she asked, almost innocently curious.

"Yes. I'm late. I could use a break." She nodded her agreement and I walked on like there was nothing between us. As if Caspian and Grayson's words had never been said. As my heart raced and I lost control for a second, I thought about what to expect.

Grayson's stubbornness, the warmth of his hug, the smile I had to tease out of him now that I knew it existed for me too. Just the thought of it made the fear that had been there for a second completely go away. She couldn't take away what I had discovered in me.

"Don't worry, I'll be back on time and ready for the fox hunt," I said dryly as I walked past her. I even managed to get my breathing regular. All I had to do was focus on Grayson, that was all that mattered.

"We're back on time," thundered Grayson's voice, echoing behind me.

His footsteps caught up with me so quickly that I still saw Elisane out of the corner of my eye. His hand grabbed my waist and pulled me faster than I had run before.

My intention was not to show anything that he didn't seem to care about, stubborn as he was. He grabbed my suitcase and his other arm now wrapped completely around my waist.

"We're going home, Pebble," he whispered against my forehead, planting a long kiss on my forehead as he relentlessly continued to pull me toward the exit.

To my surprise, nothing more came from Elisane. Even if she had said something, I probably wouldn't have noticed it. Grayson's presence seemed to turn off my senses and claim them alone.

This feeling of being held in his arms was so wonderful that I didn't even resist it. I was still leaning against him as his brothers, Esme and Jade stood in front of us. The cold wind blew around my face, which otherwise only made me shiver.

"The car is waiting," Trevor's voice trembled and gave me a quick grin before grabbing Jade's hand and pulling her into the car.

"Could you have a moment for me?" Esme asked but looked at Grayson.

"I'll wait two meters away," he growled, releasing me. He kept his word and walked exactly two steps, which, considering his size, was more than two meters. He turned his back on us and Esme grinned after him.

She wasn't intimidated by anything or anyone, she was truly amazing and so full of mysteries. I suddenly had so many questions for her.

"Our Alaiser, who deserves your name more than you, has finally softened?" she asked me boldly. If she meant that he showed feelings, and some for me, then definitely, yes.

"Look, I won't be able to come with you. Taylor comes with me. My brother is always a little nervous when it comes to me and he already knows about him." Her smile was a bit embarrassed now, it was something personal and everyone had their own packet to carry around.

"Brothers. I've still got that to do," I laughed a bit cautiously.

"It will certainly get worse with your brother. Ask me for advice, I'll be prepared then." Esme threw her head back and laughed out loud that everyone turned to look at us instead of fleeing into the vehicles from the cold.

"Esme," I hissed, not impressing her at all.

"Your best friend is now a Black and Jade, well, she's your second best. She's a Fenton and is related by marriage to the Tungstens. Among the werewolves, that gives you more freedom than you ever dreamed of, Tara. So get started to dream." She slapped me on the shoulder, which only made me more aware of the pain of the cold.

Esme left me with her enigmatic words and sauntered over to Taylor. He put his arm around her and they both sat in a car and only the dusty snow was witness that they were just here.

"Did Esme leave you with riddles?" Grayson came over to me and pulled me into his arm. I couldn't believe his body still had warmth in this cold and I immediately snuggled into him.

Over his shoulder I saw Elisane watching us. Her history hadn't changed. Caspian and Grayson were right, I had to be wary of her.

"Esme's clan lives with the largest coven of witches in the world. It has produced witches who fear even the lycans." Grayson said it so loud that even the last ones around could hear it and I knew only too well who the words were meant for.

Stubbornly he led me to a car and the quick look I threw at Elisane showed me that she was more than dissatisfied.

"What do you mean Grayson?" I asked as he opened the car door. He glanced at me and then smiled.

"Is she unhappy?" he asked back and I nodded. There was no other way to describe it.

"Witches don't seek power, Tara, they have it and share it with those they think are worthy. They can affect the world around us more than we would like. Some have the power, themselves to fear a lycan." Grayson smiled mysteriously.

He said yesterday I shouldn't be here because Caspian isn't there. There was no witch to scare Elisane, only Esme.

"And you think that helps us?" I got in the car and Grayson paused before slamming the door. He looked at me silently, something I'd seen him do so many times before. He leaned on the car door and looked at me thoughtfully.

"Us, Pebble?" he asked after what felt like an eternity. Forgot where we were or who saw us. The heat in my cheeks warmed my whole body. Did I actually tell us?

"Us," I confirmed as he gently ran his hand down my cheek. .

"Us," he murmured. "No witch can disenchant the word, Pebble. Nor can she ever remove it from my heart."

"What about mine?"

"I hope there's no room for anyone else in yours, Pebble."

"Well, you two. As reluctantly and as much as I like to do this. I want to go home and we have the same plane." Trevor came up beside us and grabbed the car door Grayson was holding.

"Cuddle, smooch in the back seats, sweethearts, we really have to go now, I'm shitty cold." Trevor stood so close to Grayson that he twitched.

"Get out Trevor!" he hissed at him.

"You first!" he growled at him. He didn't seem to notice him and Grayson slipped into the car next to me without saying anything else to him.