"What?" I sign, shocked.

He can't be. I don't understand.

"I'm in love with you, Acacia" he signs again, still grinning.

"But why? I don't understand. You've only known me for a couple of weeks? You hardly know anything about me?"

"So? I still love you. You're my mate Acacia and I've loved you since that first day when I saw you in the clearing."

"But why Grayson? Why do you love me? I just don't understand. Why would you want to be in love with someone like me?",

"Because you're perfect Acacia. Why don't you see that?"

"Because I'm not Grayson. I'm used, I'm tainted. I don't understand why you would want me?"

"Acacia, the Moon Goddess could have given me anyone but she gave me you and that means something. You don't have to love me back but I'm telling you that I'm in love with you and care about you no matter what your past is" Grayson signs, stepping closer to me again.

He cups behind my head and gently thumbs my cheek, watching me carefully for a moment.

"I love you Acacia," I watch as he says aloud, reading the words as they roll off his beautiful lips.

Oh god, he actually means it.

I stare up at him, not knowing what to say while my stomach does butterflies. I can feel my wolf stir again and it gives me a little hope that maybe this is meant to be.

I notice that Grayson's smile has disappeared and he quickly drops his hand. He gently pushes me behind him and I stumble, confused as to what is going on.

Grayson lets out a low growl that vibrates my core and I jump, shocked, before peering around Grayson to see a tall man standing in front of Grayson.

I watch as they talk and eventually the man leaves, closing the door behind him. Grayson loosens up and turns back to me, looking concerned.

"What's wrong?" I sign, confused.

"Nothing" Grayson replies, suddenly emotionless.

"Bullshit, Grayson. Don't do this again, tell me what happened."

"No."

"Fine" I reply, huffing before turning around and heading for the stairs. I feel Grayson grab my wrist and suddenly I'm against his chest as he envelopes me in a hug.

Eventually, he lets go but only to scoop me up and carry me to his room and set me down on the bed.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong, Grayson?" I sign, frowning. I watch as he runs his hands over his face and for the first time, I notice how stressed he actually is.

"He's still looking for you" Grayson signs slowly.

"We had another couple of rogues come and tell us that they don't think I have their prisoner because they can smell "them" further past my territory but if I do find them, then I should keep them and go find their group because their leader wants you back."

Oh god. Why can't Zane just leave me alone?

"How did they find my scent past your territory?" I ask nervously.

"Because that was what I was doing when I went away. I was visiting the other packs I trust and have alliances with and getting them to help me try and throw the rogues off the trail, trading in all my favours to protect you."

Wow. I can't believe he did that for me.

"I also took your old clothes and rubbed them everywhere to transfer your scent so it wouldn't just be my territory that smelled of you. I also, as I said before, I didn't mean to get shot, I was close to neutral ground and I wasn't paying attention and I didn't hear the hunters."

"Oh," is all I manage to sign, staring at him in shock.

We sit there in silence for a while and I avoid his eye contact as I process the information.

"Thank you" I eventually sign, looking up at him.

"Don't thank me, Acacia. I'd do anything to keep you safe, please know that."

"I know but thank you."

"Acacia."

"Yes?"

"Who is he? Who were you running from?" Grayson signs before moving closer to me.

I tense up as Zane's face flashes in my mind. I grimace and take some deep breaths in order to keep myself from crying.

"Zane Hardy" I sign, my bottom lip trembling as I look at Grayson.

He stares at me in shock before snapping out of it.

"Zane Hardy, the most wanted rogue leader by both werewolves and hunters alike, kidnapped you?" he signs, his eyes flashing between silver and his beautiful grey colour.

I nod, anxious, becoming more and more scared by the second.

I expect him to lose control but instead, he closes his eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He eventually opens them again and his eyes are back to normal.

"I've been hunting Zane and his stupid band of mutts for years" he signs, visibly upset.

"Why?" I ask, nervously.

"Well for starters, he's responsible for thousands of deaths and the destruction of multiple packs"

"Oh"

"Not to mention that he was born into the pack that kidnapped my grandmother before he grew up and broke off and found his own group of rogues."

Oh god. I close my eyes and steady my breath, the dizziness overwhelming me. I feel Grayson touch my face and I slowly start to feel better.

"I won't let him hurt you anymore princess. I promise you," Grayson signs after I eventually open my eyes.

"Okay."

"And I promise to also hunt him and kill him before he can cause any more destruction." he continues, his eyes shifting to silver.

I nod and sit there nervously, not knowing what to say.

He watches me for a while and I know I no longer have Grayson, I have his wolf.

"Grayson?" I sign nervously, watching him carefully.

"Sorry princess, I got too upset so I took over. The name's Dante" he signs with a small smile.

"Hello," I sign, biting my lip.

Dante lets out a low growl, sending vibrations racing through my body and gives me a lazy grin before Grayson's eyes change back to normal.

"Sorry, Acacia. Dante can be a bit, ummm, horny sometimes" he signs blushing.

I nod. Butterflies flutter around my stomach at what he said.

"But I'm back now. Hopefully, he won't have to come out for a while."

I smile at Grayson and watch him as he runs his hand through his hair. We sit there for a while in silence before Grayson finally breaks it.

"What's wrong" he signs, before moving closer to me.

"I'm scared, Grayson" I sign back, trying to hold back the tears.

"I won't let him hurt you, Acacia."

"I know but he's the reason I have no family. I don't know if they are alive and if they are, they probably think I'm dead."

"I know Princess. I'm sorry. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like not being with your family."

"It's terrible. I had a baby sister and I've missed all of her growing up. I had the most amazing parents too and that was all taken away in an instant. I used to know how to talk to Grayson, out loud, but I can't anymore. Everything I had then is now gone because of him" I continue, the tears falling down my face.

Grayson scoops me up in his arms and holds me while I continue to sob.

"I have nothing, Grayson" I sign before wiping away my tears.

"You know that's not true Acacia."

"What do you mean?"

"You have me, Princess, and you always will. I promise" he signs before thumbing my cheek.

I stare into his eyes and I know he means it.

Gently, he slides his hand behind my head and pulls my face towards him. His lips connect with mine and everything starts to just melt away.

I kiss him back softly and he deepens it.

Becoming intoxicated by him, he gently lays me down and kneels between my legs. My arousal becomes apparent but he doesn't focus on that. Instead, he focuses on kissing his way down to my mark and sucking on it.

How is he so good at this?

A groan escapes my lips and heat instantly floods to my cheeks. He stops and smiles, his beautiful grey eyes smouldering before kissing me softly.

He eventually makes his way back down to my sweet spot, sucking on it hard. I feel his canines graze against my skin before sinking into me.

I gasp in pain but that quickly changes into a moan as pure bliss takes over.

I grin and close my eyes as Grayson licks the wound clean. I lay there and soon Grayson's lips are back on mine, still just as gentle as before and I smile into the kiss.

Eventually, we break apart and he pulls me into him. I hear a faint mumble but I can't make out what he said which is frustrating.

Looks like I'm going to see Doctor Teresa tomorrow. I need to get my hearing aids. I need to learn to talk again.

For Grayson.

I close my eyes and I soon find myself falling asleep in Grayson's arms, his heat enveloping me.

He mumbles something again but I'm almost asleep so I don't even bother to try and listen.

"Goodnight Grayson" is all I manage to sign before I'm out cold.

____________________________

Hey Guys,

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for sticking by me through all this and feel free to leave me a comment below letting me know whether you liked this chapter!!

On a side note, Merry Christmas!! I hope you all had an amazing day and got everything you asked for! I also hope you have a good New Year too!

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Thanks,

- Allamy xx