Chapter 21

Throughout the night mom kept waking up screaming. It woke almost everyone in the house and Bennett couldn't manage having lack of sleep. Being the Alpha and all, his responsibilities drain most of his energy during the day. With no sleep, he's more of a prick then he usually is.

Every time mom woke up, he would be yelling my name. It was his way of telling me to deal with it, or he will take matters into his own hands. And that wasn't going to help mom's psychological health one bit.

They say, never wake a beast when he is sleeping.

I'd get up from bed and Greyson would follow me. He apologized on behalf of how Bennett was being rude and said it was due how their wolves' act in an animalistic nature. I honestly told him that if they always blamed their behavior on the wolves, no one will buy their excuses.

You can always teach an old dog new tricks.

"You don't have to get up." I told him.

My head pounded in tiredness. When I stared at Greyson's complexion, I envied how fresh and flawless he looked despite having gotten out of bed. His tousled bed hair made it hard for me to look at him without flushing, especially when he grinned. Just imagining how we stand together in comparison makes me think we don't suit each other. He was genetically made to look perfect, while am average.

He likes me only because we're so-called mates.

The door to mom's room was already opened when I entered inside. Greyson remained outside the door because he knew being inside would further agitate my mom, like the last time.

Charlotte was already inside, tucking herself beside mom in bed. "Celeste is here mom, see?" My eyes prickled to hold back my tears, seeing my mother so disheveled.

I ended up having to join them in bed because mom didn't want me to leave. Charlotte and I sandwiched between her as she held both our hands, tucked close to her heart. Her hands shook until she fell asleep and she didn't wake up from night terrors after that. However, because Dr. O'Dell told us to, we shook her a couple times to make sure she was still responsive due to the hairline concussion on her head.

As I took a glance at the bedroom door, I would guessed Greyson had returned to his room.

The next day, I woke up first. Charlotte and mom were lightly breathing and still asleep. Mom still had her hand clasped on mine and I slowly removed it without waking her. I got up and stretched my sore back feeling the tension there relax. Usually when I slept in Greyson's room, this would be around the time he would get up and prepare for the errands Bennett will assign him.

I tip-toed to the door and pushed it gradually open. A figure was rested against the wall sitting on the ground. I looked down and found Greyson with his eyes pressed tightly closed and yawning. He shook his head almost the same way dogs did after petting them. The mannerism was cute that I almost patted his head to see if he would nudge his face into my palm.

What the hell am I thinking, he's not a pet!

When he saw me, he smiled and said. "Good morning." It was too early in the morning for my face to redden the way it did. Something deep inside me itched. It was like I wanted to scratch the center of my chest but there was no physical reason why.

His bright curious eyes watched me. "Celeste are you alright?"

I nodded and clutched my fist over my chest demanding my stupid heart to stop pounding so fast.

"Did you stay here all night?" I asked him dumbfounded.

He stretched his arms and warmed up his neck muscles before hopping to his feet. "I got up one time to take as night stroll around the house."

"That's not what I meant. Did you sleep here against the wall?" was my question.

A sly smirk formed on his and before I knew it, he was leaned inches from my face. "Why...Are you worried about me?"

Words couldn't come out my mouth. Luckily, mom's cry saved me.

"Celeste?"

Greyson's smile dropped and he stared at the direction on my mom. "She's looking for you."

"Yeah." I said despite how dry my mouth was.

"If you need me, I'll be outside all day. Dad wants me to patrol the maze because a lot of people have passed through it lately and their scents are still strong inside. It could be dangerous if a rogue picked up the right route through."

"But I thought you can't-

"I can't head outside? I can't. The maze is technically still inside so I'm not really exposed to the outside world."

Again, the way he said it made me feel like I wasn't the only one being trapped in confinement. The more I get to know Greyson, as the person, I feel a sense of sympathy for him.

He lived in this prison his whole life, molded to become the beast people (his pack) expect him to be. Bennett is a strict father and he expects nothing but the best from his son. Despite all that, Greyson never once complained. Sure he can be cocky sometimes, but he never neglects his duties.

He was the type of person anyone could be proud of. Selfless.

"Celeste!" Mom cries again.

"Mom, she's okay. Celeste is on her way." Charlotte tried to sooth her.

Greyson pats my shoulder. "Take care of your mom. I'll see you later." He winks. For a second it looked like he wanted to bend down and kiss me.

I watch him walk down the hallway until he disappears at the corner. Once he's gone I take a long needed breathe and press my hand over my thumping heart. "Why they hell am I feeling this way?" I ask myself.

It's not until the afternoon that I finally get the chance to leave mom's room. She no longer needed observation but she stubbornly refuses to leave the bed. It was quite frustrating having to deal with mom when she was not acting like herself.

"I swear, she isn't normally this maddening." I tell everyone, who seems to be avoiding the section of the house where mom was staying.

"She sounds like me on my worse days, I couldn't be more proud. I think this is the first time Tracy and I have some sort of connection." Gran giggles.

Laura frowns at her and restrains herself from commenting back. It's probably due to Lexie nudging her on the shoulder.

"So are you planning on telling your mom about werewolves or should my dad due it?" Lexie asked.

"Please don't tell my mom yet. Not until she feels better. I don't think she is read to hear that type of news." I beg.

"Wait until she hears her precious boy is one of them!" Gran mutters.

I wish she didn't have to mind me, I was already stressed out enough.

"How's my brother doing?" I ask Laura.

"He's doing pretty fine. I have a feeling Greyson has taken it upon himself to help your brother through getting used to his transition. Last night, while you were tending to your mother, Bennett told me he sensed him go down to the dungeon to check up on your brother."

There was that itching feeling again. "He did?"

They both nodded their heads.

"Celeste, I know it's not my place to ask, but do you like my brother?" It really wasn't Lexie's place to ask and I was completely surprised that she did because her mother was in here keenly intent to hear my answer.

"Umm." The two woman circle me like vultures ready to peck my brains out if I answered wrong. "In terms of friends, I think I like him."

"You think...?" Was Laura's etched reaction.

Lexie wasn't satisfied either. She moved in closer, invading my personal bubble. "Not as friends, but do you like my brother as a man?"

Warmth crept up my face. "He is good looking-

Laura clapped her hands together. "Of course my son is good looking! But don't make the question complicated when it really isn't. Do you, or do you not love my son? That's our question."

"Mom, what are you doing?" Lexie sucked in her breath hid behind her mother. Laura stiffened when Greyson stride to my side. "Are they intimidating you?"

Laura pleaded with her eyes not to expose her to her son. Being a nice person I said.

"Kind of." I'm also can't forget that mom taught me to be honest.

Greyson frowned at his mother and sister. "What were you two telling her?"

Laura sighed. "We were just asking her if she likes you. It's not that big of a deal." Nonchalantly, she waved her wrist back and forth.

"I don't appreciate that you two are butting into my love life. What goes on between me and my mate is none of anyone's business!"

I didn't know what to say after what he just said so I kept my mouth shut.

"What love life, it hasn't started yet until both of you profess your affections towards each other! It's been weeks Greyson! Your father took only two weeks to charm me." Laura held up two fingers and waved it in front of Greyson's face. "The two of you act as if your dorm mates. I was just trying to see how well the two of you were progressing."

Greyson looked like he was about to blow a gasket. "Mom, leave us alone." Laura gawked and Lexie quickly left to escape her brother's wrath. "Let's go out for a walk Celeste. I think you need a little fresh air." He meant to say he needs fresh air.

He held out his hand and I obliged. We headed out the house and towards a small stream that connected to the maze. I saw a few tiny fish swimming in it, the water was so clear and clean.

I smiled when I picked up a pebble and dropped it into the water, scaring the fish.

"Celeste, I'm sorry about my mom's rash behavior."

I shook my head. "My mom has been a handful and my grandma can really drive a person mad, so it's okay. We both have a strange family. We can can't choose our family, but we aren't the people we are today without them."

He smirked. "You're really something. I still haven't completely figured you out yet."

"Ditto. You're a mystery to me too."

He began taking off his shoes, then his socks and when his shirt peeled off leaving him half-bare, I wanted to run back to the house screaming and locking the door.

"What are you doing?" I asked horrified.

He tossed his shirt on top of a large rock. "Let's get in the water."

"Oh-no, I'm fine. You can go in yourself. I like staying dry, thank you..."

He wasn't taking no for an answer. "Come on. This is the only day I have my afternoon and evening cleared. I worked my ass off the last couple of days so I could spend some time with you and this is how you want to spend it?"

I stepped back when he took a step closer to me. My eyes wanted to look at his chest and ripped lean muscles, but morals told me to keep peripheral view of his head.

"I'm not wearing the proper attire for a swim."

Covered in one of Lexie's baggie graphic tees and a pair of fades ripped shorts was all I had on. Laura gave me a box of Debbie's fashion designs, the same box that she gave me back at Gran's house. I still hadn't opened it.

"I wasn't either, but that didn't stop me." He gave me a wolfish grin.

"I'm not stripping." I said dead pan.

Greyson laughed. "As much as I would have loved that, that's not what I meant. You can swim with your clothes on."

"No," I refused.

"Too bad because I don't like party poopers."

Before I knew it, the world turned upside down and Greyson held me over his shoulder, kicking and punching.

"Greyson!" I squealed when I thought he would drop me.

My hands automatically grabbed on to his back trying not to fall off and hit my head to my death.

"Ouch." He hissed. "You need to trim those claws. Relax, I would never drop precious cargo."

"If you drop me, I'm going to kill you!"

He hitched my waist tighter. "Kill me, then you'll have to kiss me!" He sang.

"Urg!" I groaned and he laughed, marching happily into the stream.

The water wasn't too deep and the water was only up to his ankles.

"This feels great." He breathed. "I love feeling nature between my toes. You should feel it too."

"I'm good."

"No...truly, I insist."

"Really, I'm fine."

"Yes."

"What, yes?"

"Oh, you said yes!" Huh?

He grabbed both sides of my waist again and lifted me up superman style.

Oh-my-Gawd. "Greyson, this isn't funny! Put me down, or I'm going to fall!"

I could see face past my hair cascading down around my face. The mischievousness practically seeped from his pores as he laughed. That stupid itching sensation between in my chest bubbled again. It was either a heart attack or something else was going wrong.

His hands released me after tossing me like a rag doll into the water. What the hell is he thinking? The water was too shallow, I was surely going to get hurt.

"Greyson!" My scream was the only thing I heard before submerging in the water. I expected pain, but instead, my whole body was engulfed in water.

Shit, it's cold!

My hands and feet started moving as I resurfaced. When I breathed in air, I accidently gulped in water. Greyson's laughter filled the air.

"Are you cooled off?" He asked between chuckles.

"It's your turn!" Making it to the shallow end, I crawled on my hands and knees. "Come here Greyson."

"You think I'd willingly obey you?"

"No, but I think it's in your best interest to help me. I think I got hurt."

Immediately all amusement washes off and he's over me like a hen and it's egg. "Oh god, Celeste. I didn't mean for you to get hurt. Tell me where it hurts and-

When I found my chance, I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the water. Thank god the shirt I wore was black and I had something on underneath, or everything would show!

"Sucker!" I said before his face hit the water.

Unfortunately, that part of the water wasn't that deep so Greyson didn't completely sink in. There were droplets showered across the plains of his back and the angle of the sun shadowed the curves of his defined muscles.

Greyson turned around and his short hair spiked on top. He ran a palm over his face to remove water from his eyes. "You tricked me!" His smile radiated in measures that I couldn't help but smile as well. It was funny how he tried to get back on his feet and would slip on the rocks. "Can you help me?" He stretched out his hand.

"Are you going to pull the same trick I pulled?"

"I wouldn't dare!" He said sarcastically.

I turned my head and crossed my arms. "And that's going to convince me."

He grumbled. "Would you feel better if I pinky swear?"

Greyson's really enjoyable when he acts like this. I actually feel comfortable around him for once. I chuckled and his lips widened more when he saw my smile.

"Okay."

He clasped his hand, leaving his right pinky finger out. "I pinky swear, that I won't pull you in the water. Now are you satisfied?"

There is no denying this guy.

I simply nodded and clasped his hand. His fingers were cold like mine, but as soon as our hands held tight our skins warmed instantly.

"Watch wear you step," I told him as he maneuvered through the slippery unstable floor.

"Hey Celeste, can I ask you a question?" His voice said low.

"It depends." What's the question?

"Uh," He hesitated.

I looked over my shoulder and saw the faint tint of red on his face. I was suddenly afraid to hear what he was going to say.

"It better not be a stupid question." I muttered, then the memory of Laura's question earlier popped in my head and suddenly I felt like it got cold. Good bumps formed on my arms and legs.

"It's not." With his free hand he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

I watched how his perfect body flexed with every movement. Celeste, you are a pervert. I can practically hear Gran cheering me on in the back of my head. Maybe this part of me was genes passed down from her.

"Just say it." I said.

"Do you...I mean. I feel as though." He swallowed. "Do you by any chance like me at all? Not to make you uncomfortable, like mom and Lexie did, but I just want to know if you feel safe with me? That's all I want to know."

"I-

Greyson took a step forward and the rock slid beneath his feat sending him falling backwards. Our hands were still connected and coherently I fell the same direction. By sheer unexplainable force my face was lined up with his and I had a full view of Greyson's surprised expression. Water splashed and my body pressed and molded against his.

It took only a few seconds for it to happen, but it felt like an eternity. I closed my eyes and when gravity completed the fall, my teeth painfully scratched my lips as I hit face first pretty hard on something.

My mouth didn't move on its own. As soon as I opened my eyes, I'm almost eyeball-to-eyeball with Greyson. One of his hands were stretched on the small of my back, keeping me firmly against him and our legs tangled. Another thing: we were submerged under water and our lips were on each other.

NOTE: Dec 24, 2016

HAPPY HOLIDAYS YOU FREAKISHLY AMAZING PEOPLE!!! I'M BACK!!! I've graduated and I'm ready to write again after a year of constant chaos. I have edited this book again so you will find some changes to the style of writing. This book has been closed off from the public but I have made it visible once more. SO YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL, you marshmallows! Let's make one thing clear though IF YOU COPY MY BOOK...I WILL FIND YOU.

BE WARNED. xo