Ravenswood

Chapter Eleven

As Grey ran home, he couldn't help but replay the night's events. He smelled her before he heard her and he heard her before he saw her. There she was singing and dancing in the street like it wasn't almost midnight. She sounded like nothing he had ever heard before. Her voice literally made him want to fly. He felt so overtaken by the happiest emotion. His wolf just wanted to run to her. He wanted to mate with her right then and there in the street, but Grey snapped back into control. Her singing was probably magic and he refused to succumb to that.

He did not want to admit that he was worried about her, but the truth of the matter was that he was. He didn't mean to get so close to her. He was going to watch and follow from a distance until she was safe, but his wolf just couldn't help himself. When she looked at him and continued to sing it took everything in Grey to remain as stone faced as possible. His wolf thrashed within him wanting to smile and join in on the singing even, but Grey knew better. He didn't care if this was who Goddess Luna chose as his mate – he would never accept her.

Even as they spoke, Grey would not let his guard down despite his wolf's pleading. But when she worriedly inquired about him Grey couldn't help but smile even if for a millisecond. As he ran, he fought the need to envision Isla. He would not give in to the mate's pull even if it meant embracing the alternative.

'So, you think I'm going to let you deny me of my mate?' His wolf, Riel, asked menacingly. 'I don't care if fate has made her our mate – she's a witch. Do you not remember what witches did to our people?' Grey retorted. His anger building as he ran harder. 'She's not those witches. She's unlike any person we've ever met before and you know it.' Riel sighed. 'She was made for us and I will be with her whether you like it or not.'

Grey shifted back a few houses down from his own and walked in silence. It was moments like this one that he disliked being a wolf. He disliked the two personas, one body aspect of it all. Riel was him and he was Riel in a sense, but they had their own personalities and consciousness. He could take over the wolf, like he did on the run home, while Riel could take over his body.

His mother used to say Riel would always take over when she made her infamous red velvet cupcakes. She could always tell by the change in eye color as Riel had golden eyes. Grey knew Riel would not stop, but he could not give in. His father hated witches and he hated them too. That was just the way it had to be.

He ignored the pull within to run back to Isla and kiss her perfect, full lips or touch her dark chocolate skin. He ignored the need to hold her and tuck her long strands behind her ear. He ignored everything within him, because they all led back to Isla. 

As he made his way into his house, he could hear his mother in the kitchen. "Out with the boys again," Tallulah asked. "No, just went out for a run." Grey informed taking off his shoes. "Oh, Grey, did you happen to hear the most joyful singing while you were out." She smiled. "I left the window open and this voice just traveled in and I can't explain it but we instantly became happy." Grey knew Isla was powerful, but he didn't think she was that powerful to have her voice travel all the way to Bane's Manor. "I didn't hear anything," Grey lied as he made his way to his bedroom. "Goodnight, Ma." He called out. "Goodnight honey."

Grey took off his shirt and jeans and was about to remove his boxers in preparation for a shower when his phone chimed.

Isla: Are you home yet?

Grey couldn't help but chuckle to himself. She really was worried about him. 'Duh, idiot, she's ours!' Riel thwarted in his head. 'She is not ours, because I don't accept her. There is no way I could ever love a witch.' Grey retorted before responding to the text.

Grey: Yes.

Isla stared down at her phone stumped. When she was near him it was almost like she couldn't think clearly. She wanted to touch him, needed to. She wanted to know everything there was to know about him and tell him everything about her. He captured every part of her mind, but now being away from him Isla could more clearly focus and had a feeling that he didn't like her. She was not one to let sleeping dogs lie so she inquired about it.

Isla: Did I do something wrong? I know we just met, but I have a distinct feeling that you don't like me and I just want to know if that's true or not.

Isla waited as the three dots formed on her screen.

Grey: It is true. I don't like you.

Isla had to pick up her jaw from the floor. What the hell? You don't even know me! She thought to herself. But before she could respond Grey sent another message.

Grey: I don't like vampires or any other supernatural species. But I especially hate witches. My focus is my family and my pack. Nothing more.

And with that Grey silenced his phone and took his shower. While Isla made a note to ask her grandmother everything there was to know about the new family in town.