Moon Dancer - Hidden Wolf 1

Grayson

I could hear Ares behind me. He was gaining ground fast.

My feet hit the forest floor hard as my legs propelled me forward.

He would catch up to me if I didn't do anything.

I was fast, but Ares was an Alpha. He was built for endurance and strength.

A small whine ripped out of my throat as my arm snagged on a branch, a line of bright crimson splattering on my white shirt.

"Fuck." Ares cursed behind me at the scent of my blood. "Please, Grayson. You're hurting yourself." He didn't sound as winded as I did, but his voice was desperate.

It made me more manic to get rid of him. If he caught me, just his touch and scent would be enough to get me to submit and give in. I was craving being in the arms of my mates and I couldn't curb such strong instincts when he was so near and I was hurt.

I fumble for my bracelet, the small stones feeling slippery in my small fingers. I grasp the light blue stone, and focus on my second chakra gate.

The Third Eye gave us the power of illusions.

If I could manage to throw together even a haphazard one, it might bring me enough time to get away.

"Grayson! Stop! We can talk!" Ares was shouting.

I had a feeling he was holding back his pace. He probably didn't want to tackle me to the ground. He wanted me to choose him.

That thought alone is enough to force another whine out of me and the bracelet slips out of my fingers. The gold chain falls against my wrist but I don't make to grab it again.

For all that Ares was, he was giving me a choice.

Right now, right here in this moment.

He was letting me choose.

I slowed my pace and gradually came to a stop. I stayed facing away from him, my body tensing to get ready to bolt away again.

Ares stopped behind me, his body only a few feet away. I could smell the others running to catch up to us. They would be here soon.

I panted heavily as I stood on shaky legs, my mind spinning.

"Grayson." Ares breathes my name like it belonged on his tongue. "Please."

My shoulders shook as I turned to face him. I keep my eyes pointed at the ground, studying my bare feet.

I wondered if the Royal wolves felt connected to the earth when they were barefoot in the forest like this. I could feel the life force of the earth trickling into me from the ground.

I curled my toes into the earth to ground myself as Jagger runs out from the dark and stops at Ares' side. His eyes are wild as they scan me. Finn and Ryker skid to a stop behind them, their faces a mixture of desperation and possessiveness. I keep my head down, not meeting any of their eyes.

"What we were talking about, that doesn't matter right now, okay?" Ares says.

My body shudders and I wrap my arms around myself, holding in my sob. They knew. They knew. Oh Goddess they knew.

It hadn't snapped in place for them, but they knew.

"The only thing you need to focus on is getting better." Ares took a very very small step forward, as if he was giving me time to react. "Don't worry about everything else. Come with me, and we will take care of you."

I finally brave lifting my head and look into his eyes. My breath catches like it always does and I bite down on my bottom lip.

Ares tilts his head down to look and me and steps another minuscule step toward me.