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Normally, he wouldn’t waste his energy thinking about Carnell, because Goddess knows Jay and Gideon do that enough for everyone. But since Carnell had sent someone into Grayson’s territory and threatened his mates, well, Grayson is making time in his schedule to think about killing him.

Was he sharing this with his mates? Hell no. After all, the queue formed to the right for the opportunity to end the bastard, and there was no way he was going to get even a piece of what was left over—not if Gideon had anything to say about it.

Sure, it pissed the wolf off, but he understood Gideon and Jay had rights to it.

Pushing back a branch, Grayson chuckles at the thought.

How did he end up here? Thinking about murder so casually, when even a year ago, that would have made him stop in his tracks with discomfort.

Now, it’s on his birthday wish list.

He’d long ago said goodbye to his pacifist ways and general eschewing of aggression.

Guess he can add his own weird behavior to the list of changes.

Grayson turns southeast and heads toward a small glade with oak and cypress trees. Sitting below the house, he can just see the edge of it withthe morning light reflecting on the windows.

Nix is awake and happy for the moment, broadcasting it along the bond frequencies.

Probably eating something Gideon has cooked and being spoon-fed by Rowan.

In yet another weird turn of events, he’s no longer jealous of the attention Rowan receives from Nix, and he doesn’t mind admitting that the absence of it is a relief.

He’s glad he can love Rowan as he’s always done, even if it is a bit of a “tables turned” thing sexually. In the past, Rowan had never minded it when Grayson put him in his place. It’s just new to Grayson the extent to which his wolf wants only that.

And not just with Rowan.

Grayson has had to push down his new urges to “top” Jay or the rutting Finn, who has had similar issues this week.

A true switch, Finn is equally excited by the idea of giving as receiving; and if Grayson’s honest, he always has been, too. Even during his earliest illicit sexual experiences before meeting the pack, he had always chosen partners who were as interested in both, just as he was.

But now? He has to push the wolf back, keep him from insisting on dominating when he never used to think about him at all.

Maybe Leo had been right in the truck earlier in the week: Nix is a catalyst; the impetus for an evolution.

Turning toward the house, Grayson sees something yellow and pink on the path ahead, and when he gets close enough, he sees that it’s an orchid.

Grayson doesn’t know a lot about flowers, despite his love of how beautiful they look. This single bloom is a harmonious blend of soft pink and yellow and looks like it has the sunrise reflected on its petals.

It’s lying on the path, and when Grayson checks the underbrush, there aren’t any more patches of pale yellow and pink anywhere. Each petal is adorned with intricate markings, as though painted by the lightest touch of an artist’s brush.

It’s so lovely that he yearns for his paints, and he knowsright away that it’s a gift for Nix.

He’s already anticipating the pleasure of Nix’s bright smile and picks up the pace toward their temporary den. Stumbling for a moment as the bond momentarily fades, he quickens his pace even more.

He’s standing on the deck in under five minutes, and when he pushes open the sliding glass door, he spots Nix sitting with Luca on the sectional.

Thick and tense, the air is flooded with unhappy scents, and the wolf is on guard in an instant.

Finn sits up from his supine position on the end of the sectional Grayson hadn’t been able to see. He looks exhausted and pale, but the wild glint in his eyes has dimmed to its usual shade of interest.

Placing the orchid on the counter, he asks, “What’s going on?”

“Gideon wants to chip us like cattle,” Luca mutters rudely, and if Grayson is surprised at the tone, none of the others are.

Obviously, it’s not the first time it’s been said today.

“You couldn’t wait for me? Seems like a family discussion, no?”