Grayson looked up from his mahogany executive desk in his office at the base of Franconia Mountain when his packmate entered to announce her. Victoria worked both as an admin and in a marketing capacity at the resort, reporting to Grayson and Rafe.
“Thank you, Victoria. Send her in.”
Her gaze lingered on him before she spun on her heels and left.
Grayson’s gaze dropped to her rear, which she seemed to put an extra sway in for his benefit. Still, nothing. No reaction on his part. Too bad.
He attempted to keep a professional tone and friendly distance between Victoria and himself. She’d made it clear numerous times that she thought they should be mates. Although she was beautiful with lush red hair, vivid green eyes, and a curvaceous body, he didn’t feel any sparks. The unattached wolves in the pack thought he was crazy. They’d kill to have a chance to be with Victoria. Grayson had known her since they were young and didn’t have any romantic feelings toward her, something he considered essential in a mate.
It was unfortunate. They would’ve been a good match since they knew each other well and had a satisfactory professional relationship. But Grayson couldn’t settle. He longed for the connection between mates, that magical union of two souls. His parents had it. If they had it, why couldn’t he?
Life was short—too short to settle for someone who wasn’t the right match.
He and Rafe had discussed that many times in recent months. They’d spent the last decade building up the resort to the success it now achieved, but both had felt it was time to find their mates. They’d even ventured from the mountains to expand their search. Damon had met his mate, Sophie, during a trip to Massachusetts. That was an odd twist of fate since he’d been so reluctant to ever find his mate.
Grayson snorted. That’s the way that fate worked, didn’t it? He pictured it as a mischievous imp who amused himself by messing in the affairs of other beings.
Victoria returned to his office with a brunette who looked petite standing next to her statuesque frame. The woman wore a white jacket with black and white fur around the hood and a navy blue travel bag slung over her shoulder. Grayson’s wolf perked inside, taking notice of the woman. She had a heart-shaped face and chestnut hair that fell in loose waves over her shoulders. Her most notable feature were her eyes, which were almost too large for her face. They were a striking shade of a blue that bordered on violet. They stared at him from under long dark lashes.
She bit her lip. Her lips were pale, pink, and plump—a mouth perfect for kissing. She was pretty, no doubt, but not a knockout like Victoria. Her beauty was more accessible, more like the girl next door. Something about her made him look closer, and he quickly scanned her up and down. Through her unzipped jacket, the curve of her full breasts were visible beneath a periwinkle blue cashmere sweater. Her black jeans clung to rounded hips.
“Grayson, this is Aurora Crawford, the mediator from Salem,” Victoria introduced.
Grayson stood up from his leather chair behind his executive desk. “Welcome, Ms. Crawford.” He motioned toward the two chairs that were across from him. “Please have a seat.”
“Thank you. Please call me Aurora.” She walked over.
“Indeed, Aurora.” Her name sounded musical, rolling over his tongue. “I’m Grayson.”
She smiled. “Yes, Victoria just mentioned that.”
He blinked. Of course she did. Why was he acting so odd in response to this woman?
Victoria must have sensed something. Her nostrils flared and eyes narrowed before she turned and strode out of the room. She closed the door with more force than necessary.
Grayson swallowed. He didn’t have time to deal with Victoria. The situation with the pack matter was more important.
Aurora sat. When he inhaled her scent, a powerful blast of pheromones almost knocked him out of his chair.
His wolf froze inside and then turned absolutely manic. Mate. Mate. Mate!
While Grayson’s heart thundered and fireworks blasted through his skull, he struggled to regain his composure.
Could she be his mate?
Yes, his wolf insisted. Can’t you sense it?
Grayson stared into Aurora’s large eyes, which gazed back at him with a curious expression. Blood simmered in his veins as it rushed through his body. His skin felt tight and hot.
Yes, Grayson agreed with his wolf. She’s the one.
Only one problem—she was here to mediate between the packs, not to be courted by Grayson.
Besides, she was a witch. She lived in another state. Witches and wolves didn’t often mix, and for good reason—they were too different.
“Grayson?” Aurora stared at him.
He blinked. “What?” He must have spent the last several seconds gaping at her.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
Indeed there was. The mediator he’d requested had arrived to help calm tensions between the packs was his mate. How would he be able to work with her to prevent war between the packs when his body felt near combustible with the impulse to get closer to her?
He’d just have to ignore whatever urges he felt toward her. The fate of the pack depended on a peaceful resolution.
Chapter 2
Aurora
Why did the wolf who had invited her up to the mountains have to look like that? How was she supposed to ignore anyone who looked the way he did, all hulking and muscular and downright striking? His imposing presence was softened by the warmth in his smile.
But when she sat across from him, his expression turned absolutely mortified, maybe even frightened.
“What do you mean by a problem?” Grayson asked.
“Yes. The way you’re staring at me makes me think that something’s wrong,” she replied.
“Oh.” He broke eye contact and rubbed the back of his neck. When he returned his gaze to her, his expression appeared neutral. “No, nothing’s wrong.”
Something about the catch in his voice made her examine him more closely. Was he being truthful?
But what reason did he have to lie?
Another explanation came to mind. Was it because she was a witch? After all, the welcome she’d had from that wolf shifter Victoria was frostier than the ice dam outside Grayson’s window. The view itself was spectacular with a grand view of the ski mountain.
“Great view,” she pointed out.
He followed her gaze out the window. “It helps me ensure that operations are running smoothly.”
Aurora returned her focus to him. The intensity in his hazel eyes was downright smoldering. She could practically feel his stare boring through her.
She gulped. “Are you okay with me being a witch?”
“Of course,” he replied quickly. Too quickly.
“I get the sense that there’s something odd here, and I’m trying to figure out what it is.”
She should know why. She was attuned to reading people’s emotions. Something about Grayson’s enigmatic reaction to her was undecipherable. It wasn’t something she’d ever encountered.
“I apologize if I’m acting off.” He swallowed. “Maybe it is because our kinds have been wary of each other in the past. But I have no problems with that. And I’m hoping our differences will not get in the way of a working relationship.”