Page 43 of Touched By Moonlight

His brown gaze grew hard. “Stephan and I left ourpack.”

Curiosity filled me. “Why did you leave?Boredom?”

The cynicism in his smile warned me this was a painful topic. “Survival. That’s all you need to know fornow.”

“We didn’t have much choice,” Stephan muttered, staring at the table. “I got in trouble for loving aFae.”

Swallowing hard, I studied his distraught expression. “What happened to theFae?”

“You don’t want to know,” Nicolas said smoothly. “Finish your breakfast, Sienna. Or aren’t youhungry?”

Chest tight, I concentrated on my meal. Nicolas had dark edges about him, and I suspected he was far more ruthless, and dangerous, than Grayson and Stephancombined.

I had plowed through my meal when I realized Stephan wasn’t eating. Feeling rude, I set down my fork. “Aren’t you having breakfast? I mean you cooked this fantastic meal for us and deserve one foryourself.”

He avoided my gaze, studied his coffee cup. “I’ll eat later. I’m not quitehungry.”

After breakfast,Grayson took me on a tour. Rolling hillsides covered with green meadow grass marched up to the slope of the mountain. Peace filled me as I inhaled the smell of summer clover, grass and trees. In the nearby distance stood a few tall wind turbines and solarpanels.

Grayson pointed to them. “We’re using green energy to partly power the homestead. One of my investment companies is a small start-up that makes solar panels and windturbines.”

There was a dirt road big enough to accommodate a vehicle. We walked on the road, our boots crunching on the stones pebbling thedirt.

“While you’re here, I expect you to obey my rules. My property, all 100 acres of it, is warded up to the fence line against evil and intruders. No straying outside the fence line. This is for your own good. That’s the number onerule.”

“I’m not a follow the rules kind of gal. Do you expect me to obey all your rules and yourcommands?”

“While you are here as my guest, yes I do.” He squeezed my hand. “Be warned, Sienna. I’m used to getting myway.”

“Is that an admission or a confession? I’m not used to be orderedaround.”

“But you are here, and here my word is law.” He lifted my finger with an index finger. “It’s for your own personal safety, Sienna. There are hidden forces outside my land that could damageyou.”

He paused a minute and caressed my skin. “We don’t want anything happening to you. Even though you are Fae andpowerful.”

Silence draped between us for a minute. I heard the wind rushing through the meadow grasses, felt the sun warm my face and the pit of panic unfurlinside.

“You know what I am.” I took a few steps back, wondering if I should flee now, or give him a chance toexplain.

“Yes.”

“Who elseknows?”

“Nicolas and Stephan. I told them the moment I found you working in the bar. The rest of the pack does not know.Yet.”

“Shifters don’t like Fae.” Another step back. “And I can’t believe Nick and Stephan are fond of them as well, after a Fae hurtStephan.”

He did not advance, but let me retreat. “They are fine with you being here. I discussed it with them before inviting you back. I don’t want Stephan to feel… threatened. He assured me he would not after getting to know you from our nights at Crossroads. We are not like most shifter packs, Sienna. You will find us quiteaccommodating.”

“How did you know I am Fae?” Shaken, I felt my stomach roil. If this alpha detected my true nature, how many others had as well? Inside, I wasscreaming.

Grayson gave me a long, steady look. Then he lifted my hand and slowly stroked the fingers. “Don’t be alarmed, my sweet lass. I’ve known all along what youare.”

“I’ve never heard of a werewolf being thatsensitive.”

“I’m not an ordinary werewolf.” He dropped a kiss on my neck and I shivered with pleasure. “Or an ordinaryalpha.”

True. But my internal security alarm was ringing. I wanted to run away because he had discovered the secret I had tried desperately to keep. But Grayson had known about Kallan as well, so maybe he had some kind of internal Faedetector.