Greyson - Part 2: An Alpha Billionaire Shifter Romance (The Silver Moon Pack) (6 page)

Juno’s head was spinning, and she may have been stressed out before, but it was nothing compared to what she was now going through. Though it was clear Thayer wanted her to take him up on his offer, and she was thankful to have options, his motives were clearly selfish, and left her feeling confused and backed into a corner.

“Well, I’m glad we’ve, at the very least, given up on the asinine idea of fighting for me.” She glared at Thayer, fully aware that the man was alpha of his pack, and could easily tear her to pieces before her power ever warmed up. Not that Greyson would let her come to harm.

“Darling, that’s not entirely off the table, depending how things play out.” He gave her a crooked smile that was all charm, even as her eyes narrowed at him and Greyson let out a low growl.

But before Greyson could rip out Thayer’s throat and start a war between their packs, she stepped in. “The name’s Juno—not darling. And the two of you could tear each other limb from limb, and it wouldn’t change the fact that whether I stay or go, it’s my choice.”

“Is it?” Thayer sat forward, closing the distance between them, though he still kept up his charming smile. “I don’t mean any offense, but…we’re deadly predators. And you look more suited to a Seattle coffeehouse than the wilds of the mountains. You’re in a world that doesn’t play by your society’s rules, nor your values. So though you may think you have a say in all this—and knowing Greyson, he’s likely been nice enough to extend you the courtesy of a choice—the truth of the matter is, you don’t truly get to decide what happens to you. Isn’t that right, Greyson?”

“Stop being an antagonistic shit.” Greyson shook his head with a scowl aimed in Thayer’s direction, even as he pulled her in close. “And you’re fucking clueless if you think you’ll get Juno to do anything by threatening her.”

She couldn’t help but look up at Greyson and smile. They may not have known each other long, but it really did feel like he knew the heart of her like no one else ever had. She couldn’t help but fall for him just a little more, as he claimed yet another piece of her heart.

“Then let me offer you my apologies, Juno, since my offer still stands. You’d be a valued member of this pack—and if Greyson came with you, it would link our packs, which would be greatly beneficial.” Thayer shifted his gaze from her to Greyson. “You know it’s the truth. It’d solidify the alliance between our people.”

Juno looked up at Greyson in question, wondering what his take on it would be since she was still unsure of things when it came to pack politics. What Thayer said seemed to make sense, though whether it was actually a good idea, she didn’t really know. “Sure—it’d be good for our packs. But I’m not going to pressure Juno into something she’s not comfortable with, and our marriage comes first.
She
comes first.”

Greyson’s words gave her back her confidence—something that had slipped away since her nightmare began—and for that she was eternally grateful. Tightening her hold on Greyson’s hand, Juno gave Thayer a smile. “I appreciate the offer to stay here, but…this is a matter that involves more than just me. It involves our pack, and that means we need to give it some thought. That said, I won’t have you threatening me, Greyson, or my marriage, so if you can deal with that, then maybe we can figure out some sort of relationship that would work for everyone involved.”

She looked over at Greyson in question, hoping that her proposal was okay, and she hadn’t overstepped her bounds or made some sort of major faux pas. But Greyson just pulled her close and kissed her temple, giving her a smile before turning back to Thayer. “I think she’s being incredibly generous, and once we sort things out, we’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Greyson, you’re a pain in the ass—and Juno…well, I’m too charmed to be able to deny you anything.” Thayer gave her a charismatic smile, though being the sole focus of his intense gaze made her heart skitter, which in turn sent a crackle of energy racing through her body. “All kidding aside, I appreciate that you’re willing to consider my offer and find a way to make this work, given how important this is to my pack. But no matter what happens, I need you to know that you’ll always be welcome here.”

She wasn’t sure what to say to that, but figured she’d just take the offer at face value, to keep from stirring up any more trouble. “Thank you.”

With things finally less tense between the men, Greyson and Thayer were able to catch up on pack business and all that had happened in the time Greyson had been gone. Juno had to admit, it was a huge relief to not have the two of them at each other’s throats.

Getting to his feet, Greyson pulled Juno up into his arms, as Thayer stood. “Despite a rocky start to the day, it was good to see you again.”

Thayer shrugged and gave them one of his charming smiles, not looking too bothered about their earlier argument. “I’m just glad you came by for a visit—and Juno, it was a sincere pleasure. Where are you lovebirds off to next?”

“Heading into Wild Creek. Figure it’ll be good to show Juno around town. Pick up some supplies. Feels like we’ve got some weather heading our way, and we only just got to our place.” Greyson looked at her like she was his whole world, his gold eyes alight. And she loved that he’d called his parents’ home their place, since she’d like the chance to finally feel like she was home, especially with the chaos that constantly seemed to be swirling around her.

“Juno…come back soon.” Thayer pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, while giving Greyson a sly smile, since he was clearly pushing buttons. “And Greyson…it’s been a pleasure, even if you are one hell of a lucky bastard.”

***

Juno had to admit that sitting in a tavern filled with shifters left her feeling uneasy, even if Ryder had decided to join them. And though she was starving, the amount of food that came on her plate was obscene. She just lucked out that the guys were happy to devour whatever was left.

Despite being in the middle of nowhere, Wild Creek was hopping with people, since it was located on neutral ground and surrounded by different pack and clan territories. Not that Juno had a clue as to what sort of shifter each person was. Hell…she didn’t even know what sort of shifters existed, other than wolves and bears. And yet, it was easy to see some similarities.

The wolf shifters were tall, lean, and muscular. From what she’d seen of the bears, they were even taller, and though they were also muscular, they were definitely bulkier than the wolves. As for the rest…she didn’t know what they were, but if they were hanging out with members of their pack and clan, once more there tended to be similarities between them.

“Are they all shifters? Or are there other…creatures?” Was that even the right word? She didn’t even know what the proper term was.

“Wild Creek is almost exclusively filled with shifters. Bears, wolves, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes. Even get a few other shifters rare to these parts, like lions and tigers.” As Greyson ran down the different types of shifters, he tilted his head ever so slightly in the direction of one group and then another, pointing them out as he mentioned their kind. “Shifters tend to be predators. Not sure why, but it’s how we evolved.”

Juno found it all fascinating. Yet as she looked around the tavern, it was clear that her presence hadn’t gone unnoticed. She nestled in closer to Greyson’s side as he swung his arm over her shoulder. “They don’t look too happy that I’m here.”

Letting his gaze wander over the room, he kissed her, making his point to those assembled that she was with him. “Don’t worry, June bug. No one’s going to bother you. They’re just curious. Though I can’t say I’m surprised to see Thayer again. He just couldn’t let you go.”

Ryder’s brow furrowed in question as Greyson tilted his head toward Thayer, who had wandered into the tavern twenty minutes earlier with a few members of his pack. “What the hell happened there?”

“Long story. Come on. Let’s grab those supplies and head back to our place.”

As they headed for the door, Greyson tried not to growl at Thayer, who got to his feet as they passed by. It figured the bastard wouldn’t just let them get out of there.

“I was hoping I’d run into you.” Thayer’s attention immediately shifted to Juno, after sparing Greyson no more than a moment’s glance—and then Thayer turned up the charm, his eyes all but glowing. “After you guys left, I made a few calls and have some information you might find interesting. When you have a bit of time, let me know and we can get together.”

With a quick glance at Ryder, Greyson stepped between Thayer and Juno, as Ryder escorted her outside. “Thayer…you’re fucking trying my patience. You wouldn’t be pulling this shit if it weren’t for me wanting to maintain the peace between our packs. But I’m going to tell you right now…look at my wife like that again, and I’ll rain a fucking war on your pack. Am I making myself clear?”

“I’m just trying to help her out, Greyson.” Thayer crossed his arms, but Greyson was done.

With a shake of his head, he turned around and walked outside, happy for the cold mountain air, though it did little to cool his temper. The only thing that calmed him was when Juno slipped into his arms so he could hold her tight. “Don’t let him get to you, Greyson. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know, love. But there’s more to it than that.” Like the lack of respect Thayer was showing him—not to mention, Thayer was so focused on Juno, it left Greyson wondering if he’d do something stupid. “At this point, I just don’t trust him. And I won’t risk you coming to harm.”

“Do you really think he’d hurt me?” Her brow furrowed with confusion, and he could see why, given how important her kind were supposed to be to his pack.

“The way he’s looked at you from the very start? I think he’d do whatever it took to have his way with you—so unless you’re willing… Yeah…I think he’d hurt you.” The mere thought of Juno with Thayer—or anyone else, for that matter—sent a jolt of jealousy through him. It didn’t matter that he’d shared other women. Juno was different—
she was his wife…his mate
.

“I would
not
be willing.” Her eyes locked on his as if trying to make sure that he knew she meant it. “I know you’ve gotten up to all sorts of things in the past, but…that’s never been my thing. I’m married to you, and that means you’re the only one I want to be with.”

Ryder looked at the two of them with a shake of his head. “We better pick up those supplies and head back, because I’m dying to know what the fuck is going on and how Thayer’s suddenly involved.”

“Let’s make it quick.” They said little else while they grabbed what supplies were needed, though Greyson was half surprised they made it out of Wild Creek without any sort of real trouble, given that Thayer and a few bears from the Black Ridge clan were still wandering about.

Once they’d gotten back home and unloaded the supplies, Greyson gave Ryder the rundown of their morning with Thayer. “No fucking way. So Juno’s a
Laighir
—whatever the hell that is—and Thayer wants to steal her over to his pack?”

“And into his bed, by all accounts.” Greyson started to pace, wondering if Thayer would escalate things. He trusted Juno completely. That wasn’t the issue. But he didn’t trust Thayer not to do something stupid.

Juno reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him to her and forcing him to stop his pacing and sit by her side on the sofa. “Then I’ll turn down his offer. It’s as simple as that.”

“Exactly what kind of offer did he make you?” Ryder looked at them in question, his gaze intense and filled with curiosity, his mind no doubt running through all the possibilities. And though there were a ton of possibilities, none of them were good.

“He made his offer only after first challenging me to a fight over her.” It still pissed Greyson off to no end. Though it was an ancient law and custom to challenge someone for their mate, it was rare these days to issue that sort of challenge, especially when there was no prior relationship between the challenger and the one being fought over. “He backed off though, especially when he saw that it wasn’t gaining him any favor with Juno.”

Ryder was looking pissed off on his behalf, and for that Greyson was grateful. “Even Sawyer’s treaded more lightly than that, and you’ve always been on good terms with Thayer. That fucking asshole needs to show more respect. If you were alpha—”

“It wouldn’t have changed a thing. He’d have done the same.” Greyson wanted to put to rest any thoughts that he might challenge his brother to become alpha of the pack, even if he knew Ryder thought it to be a good idea. “Anyway, Thayer went on to offer Juno a place in his pack, since she’s
Laighir
, and they’re somehow bound to the Broken Ash pack and their territory.”

Ryder shifted his attention to Juno, taking her in as if he was looking at her in a whole new light. “And you didn’t know about any of this?”

“No…not really.” She shook her head, looking a bit unsure about discussing her power, though Greyson squeezed her hand in reassurance and gave her a nod. He trusted Ryder not only with his life, but Juno’s. “The energy had come forth on a few occasions. But it’s always been a defense mechanism.”

Ryder’s gaze shot over to Greyson for just a split second, looking for a confirmation, which he got. “So Atticus attacked you, and it was the energy that killed him. Well, it serves the asshole right.”

“Greyson has started working with me to learn to control it, but…I’ve never used the energy to heal, even though Thayer said it was possible.” Juno bit her bottom lip, as Greyson pulled her close. With Thayer’s obnoxious attitude, he didn’t exactly want her spending more time with him, even if he might have some answers. “He said he had some information he wanted to talk to us about.”

“That may very well be, love. And I promise to do whatever I can to get that information—but I’m not letting him near you again. That’s not happening.” Greyson’s gaze shifted to Ryder, a look of approval on his face. Juno may not be too happy, but this was a matter of territory and control, of ancient hierarchies and a primal fight for power. And there was no fucking way he was going to let Thayer near Juno.

“Greyson’s right, Juno. Thayer’s gone well beyond what’s acceptable when dealing with you, and if he keeps it up, he’ll be putting Greyson in a situation where he’ll have to defend what’s his—or lose it.” Ryder sat forward, his body tense and his intelligent eyes glowing in the light of the fire they’d built to ward off the chill in the night air. “He’s already been far too disrespectful.”

“I know.” Juno let out a ragged breath filled with far too much emotion. “But…I just want to know more about what I am, and how to control this curse, especially if it can actually be used to heal.”

“You have my word, Juno…we’ll get the information you need. It just may not involve Thayer. Not if he’s going to keep pushing things. He’s the alpha of his pack, and is used to getting his way with them—but I’ll be damned if I’m going to have him pissing on my territory. If it comes to fighting for you, I will.” Thayer was a damn good fighter, but Greyson could more than hold his own—even against him.

“That’s insane. You know that, right?” She pulled out of his arms and shrugged off his touch when he tried to pull her back to him. “First the bears. Now this. And I’m assuming it’s a fight to the death?”

Greyson took her hand in his and brought it to her lips. “It won’t come to that, Juno. You have my word.”

She pulled her hand away as her eyes shimmered with tears she was clearly trying to hold back. “I have your word that you won’t fight him to the death in some asinine ancient ritual? Or I have your word that it won’t come to that—but if it does, you’ll fight him?”

He was so screwed. “I love you, Juno.”

“Wrong answer.”