Returning her focus to her breath, she turned her consciousness inward, seeking the energy within. She visualized a small light in the center of her chest and it growing to the size of a fist. Now it was time to ground herself. She pictured a small green tendril of energy curling from the bottom of her glowing light. This branch extended downward as it grew toward her feet. Once it extended from her into the snow and then the soil beneath, the branch thickened. It spread like a root in the soil, with shoots that spread and formed a foundation.
Aurora continued breathing through this energy transfer until she felt a solid connection to the earth. For the next few minutes, she visualized the excess energy flowing down and away from her and in turn drew on the earth to replenish her with more positive energy.
Calm. At last.
Once she felt refreshed, she thanked the earth and ended the connection. When she continued her walk back to Franconia territory, she was not as fraught by her emotions.
In front of the octagonal brown lodge where Grayson worked, adjacent to the main lodge where guests rented skis, signed up for lessons, and bought food, she sighed. Time to tell him the bad news. Sucking up her failure, she entered the lodge and walked up to Grayson’s office.
He had his phone up to his ear as he sat behind his desk.
Just seeing him there hit her with a wave of inappropriate awareness. His dark looks and muscular torso made it difficult not to stare. His movements, too, were magnetic. His confident bearing and smooth motions enticed her, especially in comparison to the rougher wolf shifters she’d just encountered.
When he saw her, he ended the call and invited her in.
“Hi.” Her voice came out breathy, and strange tingles warmed her cheeks.
Grayson smiled in a way that sent heat swirling all the way down to her toes.
“Aurora, you’re back sooner than I expected.” He tapped his strong chin. “Does that mean good news or bad?”
She pressed her lips together, wishing she could squash the reality. “I wish I could say it went great.”
As she summarized the unsuccessful talk, Grayson’s expression hardened.
She lowered her head. “I apologize. I know this isn’t what you want to hear.”
“No need to apologize for their unreasonable demands.” His voice was gentle. “I know what they’re like. My failure to make progress is what led me to reach out for your help.”
Despite his understanding sentiments, Aurora couldn’t help but feel useless thus far.
“Come on. We need to tell Rafe.”
In Rafe’s office, Grayson took on the unappetizing task and filled Rafe in on the situation.
“They are out of their minds to even think we would consider either one of those options,” Rafe bellowed. He narrowed his eyes and balled his hands into fists. “The head of an enforcer or the land and resort we have poured ourselves into building for the last decade?” He snorted and then banged one fist onto his desk, sending pens scattering. “Absolutely not.”
Rafe’s reaction fit with the temperamental picture she associated with alphas, and it made her appreciate Grayson’s calm nature all the more. In spite of the troublesome talks, he was considerate and never once blamed her, a reaction she’d encountered a handful of times by frustrated clients in the past.
“Is there anything else we can offer that they are more likely to reconsider?” she asked, struggling not to let Grayson down just yet.
Grayson’s eyes sparkled. “We could offer them another parcel of land, one of the undeveloped areas.”
“No,” Rafe barked, breathing through his flared nostrils.
“Think about it, Rafe,” Grayson suggested, his voice calm. “We’re asking them to negotiate, so we need to be willing to do so as well.”
Rafe snorted. “Why should we give them anything? They made this violent. They should be the ones coming to us with an offer.”
“To keep peace between our packs,” Grayson replied. “They’re our neighbors. If our enforcers are constantly on watch for signs of aggression, it will wear on them. They’re already a hair’s breadth away from fighting. The urge will grow even stronger as the full moon approaches. With the treaty in place for ten years, we’ve been able to prosper. If we turn our focus to war, everything we’ve built could be jeopardized. It’s better for all of us to find common ground.”
Rafe’s mouth twitched. A vein pulsed in his neck. He stared at the panoramic view of the mountain view outside, and Aurora was sure he would shoot down Grayson’s suggestion.
When he turned back to face them both, his face was tight, mouth grim. “Yes, you’re right, Grayson. Let’s look into options.”
Aurora blinked with surprise. How had Grayson managed to get the stubborn alpha to reconsider? His calmness throughout made her appreciate his quiet strength all the more.
“Will do,” Grayson declared with a solemn nod. “We’ll have to reconsider our plans for development in the coming years as we assess what we can propose, but it’s much better than either of their demands,” Grayson replied.
“Sounds good,” Aurora replied. “How long do you expect before you have a counteroffer for them?”
“A few days at least,” Grayson said. “Could you let them know we will respond by the end of the week?”
“Of course.”
After she and Grayson left Rafe’s office, he walked her downstairs and outside the lodge. “Thanks, Aurora. Would you mind staying up longer than the few days we originally discussed?”
“Not at all. It happens often.”
How different from her earlier urgency to get in and out of the mountains as quick as possible during the drive up from Salem. Of course, that was before she met Grayson. She was no longer itching to rush back home.
“I want you to know how much I appreciate having you here helping us.”
“My pleasure.”
He cocked his head. “Looks like you’ll have some time to kill over the next few days.”
She nodded. “True. I guess I’ll explore the area.”
“How about I suggest some options over dinner tonight?” The grin he flashed was mischievous, possibly flirtatious.
The one she returned was unmistakably so. “I’d like that, Grayson.”
Chapter 6
Aurora
At dinner, Grayson convinced Aurora to go skiing with him the next morning.
“I haven’t skied since middle school,” she protested.
“Great. You’re not a beginner.” He flashed a devilish smile. “You’ll pick it back up fast.”
She snorted. “I’m a little more skeptical about that happening.”
“Oh, but it will be the perfect day to get out there. Sunshine. Calm winds. You couldn’t ask for a better time to try it.” He cocked his head and gave her another one of those smiles that made her insides warm and tingly.
She shrugged one shoulder. “Maybe.”
“Since you’re only here for the week, you might as well take advantage while you can.” His voice was rich, decadent, irresistible…
“Fine, you convinced me to give it a go,” she replied. “You should be a mediator with your penchant at convincing people to try things—first, with Rafe earlier, and now with me.”