Page 27 of Tethered Fates

He’s handsome in an ordinary way, with an average build and a pale complexion tinted by a natural tawny tan. He’s dressed smartly, but without any pomp his obnoxious personality provides—pressed black slacks, one hand tucked casually into a pocket, and a matching cashmere sweater with the sleeves artfully rolled to his elbows.

It’s his eyes that make him anything less than ordinary. That marks him as something more.

“Direwolf Grey Kobayashi,” I say, surprised to find him at our doorstep.

“Aren’t you lucky I came to help the family on such short notice?” he drawls, strolling in. His eyes, silver as a full moon, sweep over Vidar to land on me. “So you’ve found your soulmate?”

My friendship with Grey isn’t like Vidar’s, where my Maker refuses to admit it exists. However, even with all his power, Grey is still a young immortal, and I’m struggling to believe the leader of all British werewolf packs actually wants to be a glorified babysitter.

“You’re willing to protect him?” I demand.

Grey smiles, his pure silver eyes dancing. “You Haraldsson boys sure are a broody bunch.”

“Grey, follow me,” Vidar says in that annoying way where he has no doubt his order will be followed, and marches off. Even more annoying was that Grey and I actually trail after him, Grey smirking at me like we’re sharing a joke.

“Summer did something to my mate’s younger brother, Grey. We aren’t sure what, but it’s connected them somehow,” Vidar informs the Direwolf as we walk down the hallway.

“And you don’t trust Astra to help,” Grey guesses, voice tinged with an amusement I’d usually enjoy, but right now makes the back of my throat itch. “Wise, really, since her meeting with the other wolf packs didn’t go well.”

Vidar scoffs. “That witch won’t get the peace she claims to want.”

“Astra isn’t willing to give up just yet,” Grey tells Vidar as if he doesn’t care either way.

“The blood mages have spent thousands of years being a thorn in everyone’s collective sides,” I say. “Astra wanting peace is a joke. I only hope to get a good seat so I can laugh while watching the disgusting bastards fail.”

“And what a spectacular failure it was on Astra’s side. Her pride took a beating when meeting the packs, so I understand your hesitation about her help while she licks her wounds. Talking about wounds, Vidar mentioned you might’ve found a way to find our newly minted blood mage, Summer,” Grey says.

“It’s at least something,” I reply as we follow Vidar back into his room. Teagan remains motionless, and my only hope is that sleep is healing instead of harming him. “For Teagan, I’ll do whatever’s necessary.”

Vidar moves around Grey, aiming for Kai.

“The lengths people will go to for their soulmates…” Grey muses.

I glance at him. He’s the most widely connected of all the supernatural leaders, and if there’s one thing immortals love, it’s gossip. So if Grey had a soulmate, as a nosy immortal myself, I would’ve heard about it. “You understand?”

Grey arches a condescending eyebrow, as if I’d ask him something completely outlandish and remains silent.

“You must be Grey?” Kai asks.

“At your service.” Grey inclines his head. Lucero and I roll our eyes at the same time. “I’ll be your grand protector.”

Ramy scoffs, looking away with his arms crossed.

Vidar cups the scarred left side of Kai’s face and says, far gentler than I thought him capable of, “We won’t be long. Call me if anything happens, little prince. I will answer no matter what.”

Kai nods, his jade eyes filling with tears, and his hand reaching for his braids that hide his scars.

Vidar presses his forehead to Kai’s, shielding his mate from view, whispering promises as a wet, quiet hiccup shakes his young mate’s chest.

I stand a cavernous distance from Teagan. I want him to wake up, but what will he make of all this when he does?

I never gave much thought to what would happen if I found my soulmate—finding one is rare, after all. Lucero and Vidar finding theirs in such close proximity is something of a miracle. Add Rurik and his precocious relationship with his once-dead soulmate Apollo, and the chances I’d find mine were nearly non-existent. Yet now Teagan’s here, and all I can do is worry.

“It can be hard,” Grey says beside me, voice quiet as Lucero crouches to kiss Golden goodbye, “to be so close to your soulmate, yet so far away.”

“And how would you know?” I murmur back, never once taking my focus from Teagan.

Grey remains quiet, and soon Vidar, Lucero and I leave the mansion to find answers.