Gray's POV
Gray sat on the edge of the sofa, hands folded neatly in her lap, staring at the floor as the room hummed with an uneasy silence. Zodiac had stepped out to take a call, leaving her alone with the quiet, and she could feel the tension lingering in the corners like a living thing. Her heart was still racing from the confrontation, the conversation, and the sudden, undeniable pull she felt whenever he was near.
She tried to breathe, slow herself down, remind herself that she was in control. But it was impossible. Every time she thought of his intense gaze, the flash of red in his eyes when he was angry, the growl of his wolf in her mind, she felt her body respond despite her best efforts. Her wolf stirred, tentative and cautious, matching the rhythm of Zodiac's, though he was far away. The bond between them hummed like a live wire, raw and undeniable.
Zoey sat across from her, flipping through a magazine, seemingly oblivious to Gray's inner turmoil. "Relax, Gray," she said casually, not looking up. "You're thinking too hard. He's… Zodiac. You don't argue with Zodiac when he's in full Alpha mode. You either follow or get stepped on."
Gray tilted her head, forcing a small smile. "I'm not worried about being stepped on. I'm worried about… everything else."
Zoey finally looked up, her expression sharp. "Everything else?"
"All of this," Gray admitted, gesturing vaguely between them and the house, the pack, and the invisible tension that hung between her and Zodiac. "I didn't sign up for this. I didn't expect… him, or his wolf, or… the bond."
Zoey laughed softly, leaning back in her chair. "Honey, you didn't exactly get a warning when it comes to him. Zodiac doesn't do normal. You knew that the second you stepped into his world. But you… you have him. That's what matters."
Gray sighed, resting her chin on her hands. "I know. But… it's complicated. He's complicated. And I… I don't know if I can keep up."
"You're stronger than you think," Zoey said firmly. "And you're smart. You handled that shopping trip like a pro. You didn't freak out when you met Griffin or the pack. You… handled it all better than most."
Gray let out a humorless laugh. "Maybe. But meeting the pack is one thing. Facing Zodiac… every day… that's another."
Zoey's expression softened. "Look, Gray, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. He's Alpha. He's intense. He's… overwhelming. But he's also loyal. Protective. And he's yours. Every bone in his body screams that you belong to him. And that scares you, right?"
Gray swallowed hard, nodding slightly. Zoey's words hit too close to the truth. She had never felt anything like this, not with Ridge, not with anyone. Zodiac was consuming her thoughts, her instincts, her wolf—and she wasn't sure she wanted to fight it anymore.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs made her sit up straighter. Zodiac reentered the room, his presence commanding every corner of her attention. His blue eyes were sharp, focused, and unreadable, but there was a tension in his shoulders that betrayed the storm inside him.
"I'll only be a minute," he said, his voice low, smooth, but carrying an edge that made her pulse quicken. "I need to check on something upstairs. Don't move."
Gray nodded, though her hands were trembling slightly. He didn't notice, or maybe he didn't care. She wasn't sure. But she didn't move, letting him disappear up the stairs while she sat in silence.
Zoey leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
Gray flushed, embarrassed. "How did you…?"
Zoey smirked. "Girl, I can read the signs. The way your wolf flickers, the way you can't stop staring. You're in deep. And trust me, Zodiac knows it too. That's why he's acting… like this."
"Like what?" Gray asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Like he's trying not to devour you whole," Zoey said bluntly. "Like he's torn between his wolf, his Alpha instincts, and… well, keeping you sane. But you know what? He's failing. Miserably. And you… you're doing better than him at hiding it."
Gray laughed softly, shaking her head. "It doesn't feel like I'm doing better. I feel… lost. Every time he looks at me, I… I feel like I'm falling apart, and I can't stop it."
Zoey reached across, taking Gray's hands in hers. "Good. That's the point. That's exactly what he wants. He wants you to feel everything, to be drawn to him. But he also wants you to trust him. And trust takes time. Patience. Something I don't think you realize you have yet."
Gray bit her lip, considering Zoey's words. She wanted to trust him, desperately, but the memory of the outburst, the argument, and the intensity of the bond made her wary. And yet… a part of her ached for him, for the closeness, the raw connection that only they shared.
The sound of the stairs creaking again drew her attention, and Zodiac stepped back into the room. This time, there was a folder in his hands, papers neatly stacked, something that suggested business or planning. His eyes flicked to Gray, and for a moment, the usual Alpha presence softened, replaced with something more personal.
"I need you to look at this," he said, extending the folder toward her. "It's… complicated, but it's important. I need your opinion."
Gray blinked, surprised. "My opinion?"
"Yes," he said firmly. "You're part of this now, Gray. Whether you like it or not, you're in my life. You're in the pack. And your voice matters."
Her hands trembled as she reached for the folder. This was a start, a way to bridge the gap between them without forcing intimacy or overwhelming each other. As she skimmed the papers, she realized it wasn't just about pack strategy or logistics. It was about trust, collaboration, and giving her a place in a world that had been closed off to her until now.
Zodiac watched her carefully, noting the way her eyes narrowed as she read, the subtle movements of her wolf reacting to the bond, the way she leaned slightly forward as if trying to understand every detail. His chest tightened, and his wolf purred low in satisfaction.
"You're… smarter than I expected," he said, his voice teasing but edged with genuine admiration.
Gray glanced up, startled by the rare compliment. "You expected me to be… what? Dumb?"
"Not dumb," he said quickly, shaking his head. "I didn't know what to expect. But you… you surprise me. And I like it."
Her cheeks warmed at his words, and for a moment, the tension between them eased. She wanted to reach for him, to close the distance, but she restrained herself. Patience. She reminded herself. One step at a time.
"Let's finish this later," she said, setting the folder down. "I need… some air."
He didn't protest, only nodded. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready."
As she walked toward the door, Gray felt a flicker of hope. It was fragile, like glass, but it was there. And for the first time in weeks, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could navigate this world, this bond, and this Alpha without losing herself—or her heart.