Page 44 of Touched By Moonlight
I decided to press himharder.
“You promised to reveal all to me, remember? Now’s a good time to level with me, Grayson. What is going on? How did you know about the Fionn Fae back atCrossroads?”
The way he studied me, with such genuine concern, made me hope he would tell the truth. “First know this. Sienna, I promise I will not hurt you. No one here will. You’re safe here.” He spread out his arms. “My land is warded against outside magick and you can do as youplease.”
Fine. “I like you, Grayson. A lot. And your betas. But I don’t like anyone getting into my business. Or knowing my business. You seem to know a lot about me, yet I know little aboutyou.”
For a few moments, he remained silent. Then he took my hand. “Let’s walk and I’ll fill you in about my people, why I know what you are, and one of reasons I wanted you here. I want you to trust me, Siena. Trustus.”
What he told me seemed extraordinary. Grayson had founded the pack only ten years ago, after being kicked out of his own pack by the current alpha who viewed him as a threat. He’d had money and a knack for buying and sellingbusinesses.
He roamed the country, found this land and purchased it. And then he proceeded to build his own pack from a ragtag assortment of werewolves, witches and paranormal beings with nowhere else togo.
“Because I know what it’s like to be unwanted.” He paused and looked at me, his gaze filled with sorrow. “I know what it’s like to rove the country, not having a welcome place to rest your head, and not knowing where you’ll be from one day to the next. I wanted to give respite to those like me who werehomeless.”
Deeply touched, I kept my thoughts guarded. It sounded wonderful and altruistic. But in my years, young as I was, I knew that no one did anything truly out of the goodness of their hearts. They always made you pay aprice.
Sometimes that price wasequitable.
Sometimes that price cost yoursoul.
“And me, Grayson? How did you know what I am? Who Iam?”
He did not answer. We walked up the hill until it crested, giving way to a fairly level area of meadow. Near the road was a freshly tilled area of ground that looked dry and unhealthy. My Fae soul ached to see this kind ofdisuse.
Ground crunched beneath my boots as I entered the garden. I saw and unlaced my boots, stripped away my socks and walked barefoot on the soil. Sadness filled me. It was dry and cracked. My Fae soul felt it crying for help. I squatted down and touched theearth.
“The garden is dying. We haven’t had much rain and last winter the snow wasn’t as deep, so the melt off didn’t aid the growing season.” He flexed his fingers, his jaw taut. “We have tried everything to heal the garden so we can have fresh vegetables for thechildren.”
Grayson looked at me, his gaze level. “We’ve tried everything except bringing in a Fae to workmagick.”
“Ever consider rentingone?”
“Most Fae would never set foot upon this land, Sienna. But you are not most Fae. You are Fionn, the most powerful ofall.”
Oh damn. He knew exactly what I was, not only a mere Fae. My heart dropped to my stomach and my entire body tensed. Did Grayson bring me here simply to destroyme?
Much as I didn’t want this, my powers surged, as if in self-defense.
“You know? And you’re not terrified? Running away from me?” I spread out my hands, which glowed with pure white power. “You’re a shifter. I’m a Fionn Fae. We aren’t exactly bosomfriends.”
“Old misconceptions. I like you for yourself, Sienna. I don’t fear your power. I know you can use it for good. I know because I know you,intimately.”
He caressed my nape, his gaze light and erotic. “You may heal the garden if you wish. I won’t pressure you. The choice isyours.”
I considered the garden, with its brown leaves, wrinkled vines and parched earth. My natural ability to heal the earth rose up, urging me to take action. It was like being a veterinary doctor faced with a sick animal. But still, Ihesitated.
“I don’t like being used, Grayson. Is that why you brought mehere?”
He sighed. “I brought you here to protect you from the Fionn that tried to kill you, lass. And to have amazing, mind-blowing sexual pleasure you have denied yourself for years. I brought you here because you arouse and intrigue me like no other female hasdone.”
“So I’m here because you think I needsex?”
“I need sex. So do you. We had a great time lastnight.”
“So why did you bring me here?” I started to feel panicked. Had I walked into a trap out of sheer trust for this wolf? “Did you bring me here just to help you grow some damnvegetables?!”
“No, I brought you here because I need you just as much as you need me. I’ve wanted you and needed you since the moment we made love in your dreams,” heshouted.
