Claws Against Petals✓

11•|Scent

Grayson's POV:

"I still don't agree that you let her leave with him. It's obvious that he's a possessive alpha! How can you be okay with my friend getting hurt by that asshole-"

"Language young lady, no one is saying that we're okay with it."

Mother spoke with Marissa in the kitchen as I stayed seated along the stairwell. Hunching myself over, the anger within my veins still lingered as I debated on whether or not to let Orchid go. But then I'll be no better like Damien. He was controlling and over-dominating, and I'm certain that wound on his hand was when he ran into our pack. Though I'm surprised he was able to get away, I am curious to know how old his wolf is. But judging by his persona, I could assume he's still fairly young...

"Should I have killed him?"

I growled to myself as I heard my father's footsteps coming from behind me.

"Killing him would have only made that girl fear you. I'm trying to get you to understand that you shouldn't always get your claws dirty out of hatred. As much as you loathe that young male wolf, it's better to just let him be. Come, Grayson...we need to talk."

He said while patting my shoulder, gesturing me to follow him into his office. I released a breathless sigh, it wasn't until I stared down at my big hands, that I saw how complex I'd become. I've killed so many before, however...it terrified me how I could hold Orchid so gently. That's a side of myself I've never seen before. So as I stood up, I walked up the steps until it was only me and my father alone in the room. Closing the door behind me, I saw that my father was already sitting down on his chair looking at some paperwork.

Deciding to approach the window, I looked out into the night sky and felt the tingling sensation of my nerves wanting to be out there with the pack. Will it always be in my nature to never be part of this society that my father wants me to be in? I don't see how it's possible when we could never be like the humans-

Stopping mid-thought, I gripped harshly along the window frame as I felt my claws slowly beginning to pierce between the cracks of the frame. The sight of Orchid embracing that toxic alpha right outside our home made me sick to my stomach. Seeing that they hadn't left yet, I was about ready to just head out and have them separate! However, I stopped myself from going anywhere the moment I reminded myself of what my father said. Self-control...I will only kill when I need to. Besides, why the hell am I so worked up over the two of them? It's not like im-

"Jealous? Now that's an expression I haven't seen you make. Can I assume that those two are still outside-"

"Don't be ridiculous, why would I ever be jealous? That's absurd...stupid. I could care less what that male wolf does to her. I only wanted to kill him for disrespecting me-"

"Your mother already told me what you did. Grayson, I'm very proud of you for helping save that girl. It was your body that kept her from freezing to death. You know, when your mother called me...she said that... she'd never seen you be so vulnerable with anyone before. But when she went to check on Orchid, she was surprised to see that you'd fallen asleep beside her. Though next time...make sure you lock the door so your mother can't just walk into your room-"

"Now isn't the time to be making jokes. I only saved her because she's Marissa's friend. And I wouldn't hear the end of it from her if I refused to help, but mostly...I wanted to prove to myself that I was not just some beast that was born to kill. I wanna believe that I'm more than just that, but I don't know how?"

As I spoke my last words, I loosened my grip on the frame once I saw Orchid and Damien drive off on his bike. It was only then that I turned myself around to face my father who was now staring at me. However, his gaze wandered around my injured leg. Although I had it covered with my pants, there was no way I could ever fool his strong sense of smell...