Page 50 of Touched By Moonlight

Chapter 14

Slightly shakenby what I’d witnessed, I went in search ofGrayson.

No matter how many assurances I’d given Stephan, doubt lingered in his once-merry gaze. He’d slunk away, head down. If he still had a tail, it would have been tucked between hislegs.

Back at the house, I found Grayson in the library, working on the computer at the desk. After I informed him what happened, he gently advised me it was best to leave himalone.

“It isn’t your fault, Sienna. He’s experienced too much pain and judgement from others. Give it time and he will learn to trustyou.”

“I don’t have time. Where would hego?”

The alpha sighed and leaned back in his leather chair. “Usually after he has meals, Stephan has the need to connect with his human half. He likes to tinker with his motorcycle in the garage if he isn’tcarving.”

Insight struck me. “That bench by the little copse of woods to the north of the house….he didit.”

Grayson nodded. “Stephan likes to perfect his human talents. He believes it grounds his wolf and makes him appear more…civilized to those in the pack who might think himsavage.”

Savage, when he was a wolf? A beast who hunted and had to eat to survive? I could see why Stephan preferred to dine alone. When people judged you on one character trait, they tended to dismiss your otherqualities.

I trailed a finger over the spotless shelves holding thick books on business and finance. “Grayson, what happened to him? Is that why he refused to eat breakfast and lunch withus?”

The alpha ran a hand through his black hair and sighed. “That’s a story only Nicolas and Stephan should tell you. It’s their story. I don’t have the right to shareit.”

He stood and clasped my shoulders. “It’s a sad story, Sienna. The Fae can be…merciless.”

Then it was about damn time Stephan saw the good side of Fae. “I’ll be back,” I told him, and kissedhim.

As I left the house to search for Stephan, I began to understand. This was a refuge for werewolves and those too deeply wounded to join a normal pack. LikeStephan.

Heading for the scattering of small outbuildings near the house, I heard a loud bang followed by a curse. Taking a deep breath, I approached theworkshop.

The double wide doors were open, and the pleasing scent of woodchips and cedar greeted me. Clad now in a forest green polo shirt and khakis and boots, Stephan stood in the shop’s center, sucking on his thumb. A hammer and chisel lay on the ground, the obvious reason for his injureddigit.

A hank of dark brown hair hung over his forehead as hescowled.

Stephan picked up the hammer and threw it at the wood on the table. “Fuck you,” heyelled.

I should have backed away on tip-toe. But I found myself mesmerized by the sculpture starting to take form from the woodblock.

Rising from the wood like a phoenix reborn from ashes was a man, one arm outstretched to the sky. Only his upper body was revealed, but the detail was astounding – from the muscular biceps to the tight anguish on his face as he looked upward. Broad shoulders were adorned with giant wings, like Icarus rising toward thesun.

“It’s amazing,” I breathed, unable to help myself as I went into the shop and touched the sculpture. “Suchlife.”

Stephan stood quietly watching me for a minute. He retrieved the hammer and swung it, his expressionmenacing.

“It’s not finished.” Then he picked up a canvas tarp and tossed it over the piece, tugging it to complete remove it from myview.

He turned and faced me, his brows drawn together, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “You shouldn’t be here, Sienna. This isprivate.”

“I needed to see you and apologize for interruptingyou.”

A curt nod. “Apology accepted.” He turnedaway.

Oh no, not going to be that easily dismissed. I could see how I’d hurt him more than the hammer had caused physicalinjury.

“I’ll leave, but not until I check out your hand. You injuredyourself.”

Holding his right palm behind his back, he scowled again. “It’snothing.”