Page 70 of Gray

“That’s not unsettling at all,” Mason said under his breath, noticing my brothers.

Alastair was the first to approach, and the other three fell in step behind him. My eldest brother, as usual, appeared calm and collected—but his eyes gave him away. He looked as though he could set Mason on fire and not even think twice about it.

“I’m not the forgiving type,” Alastair said, stopping in front of us. “A threat to Konnar is a threat to me. If you were anyone else, I’d consider this a breach of our alliance and declare you an enemy.”

“Al,” I said. “He didn’t—”

“Silence, Sloth.” Alastair’s command shot through me, forcing me to obey. He stepped closer, eyes pinned on Mason. “Thank the fates for sparing you this time, hunter. Hurting you would hurt my brother. But threaten me or mine again and it’ll be the last thing you do. You won’t get another warning.”

“Understood,” Mason said. Not many people—human or not—could stand before Alastair when he was pissed and not buckle beneath the weight of his glare. I sure as heck couldn’t.

Alastair turned and walked back to the mansion without another word.

“What were you planning to do?” Galen asked, his gray eyes darkening. Wrath was trying to take him over. “Bring in all your hunter friends and slaughter everyone at Krave?”

“Only if I felt it was needed,” Mason responded.

“Know whatIfeel is needed?” A menacing grin touched my big brother’s lips. “Your head ripped from your shoulders.”

“Be nice,” I said. “He and I talked things through. No need to be hateful.”

“You don’t deserve him,” Galen told Mason.

“I never said I did.”

“Stop this!” I stood between them, a hand on each of their chests. “Bell, back me up here.”

Bellamy shook his head. “I’m staying out of this one. Otherwise, I’ll be inclined to agree with Wrath.”

“Sleep,”Sloth whispered.

“No,” I answered him out loud. At Mason’s questioning gaze, I said, “Sloth is talking to me. He wants me to sleep, but I don’t wanna.”

I yawned though and felt a bit weaker. Looked like I wouldn’t have much of a choice in the matter.

“Come here.” Raiden bent down and let me get on his back. “I’ll tuck you into bed.”

I laid my head on my brother’s shoulder and peered over at Mason. I was so sleepy I could barely keep my eyes open. They closed as Raiden returned to the mansion, the movement of his body as he walked rocking me to sleep.

When I woke again, it was morning. There was no sun though, only dark clouds and specks of rain hitting the windowpane.

Oh no. I had left Mason outside with Galen and Bellamy last night. Did they hurt him? Kill him?

I slid out of bed and ran from my room. Everyone else was still asleep, apart from Alastair, who I sensed downstairs. Probably drinking tea in his study.

My body moved on its own, taking me down the hall and to the guest bedroom. I cracked open the door and peeked inside. Relief slammed into my chest.

Mason lay on his stomach in bed, the blanket riding low on his ass, showing his gray sweatpants. Not dead or maimed at all. He was shirtless, his muscled back firm and his triceps perfectly rounded. I wanted to nibble them. I tiptoed over and crawled into the bed before placing a kiss to his upper arm.

His skin smelled earthy in the morning. Kind of spicy too. When I nuzzled him, he was so warm.

“Gray?” he rasped, opening his eyes. Dark lashes surrounded them, long and pretty.

“Nope. I’m Peter Pan. And I’ve come to take you far away, Wendy Darling.”

He cracked a smile. It was sleepy and kind of cute. Okay, alotcute. “To Neverland?”

“Would you settle for the kitchen? I want some waffles.”