Saving Grace

Part 5

What does one wear to a salon opening night? I stand in my boxers looking at my closet, I feel a slight nervousness in my stomach. I shake my head, me Zander Black the big bad alpha nervous. I pull out a pair of black jeans a simple white t shirt and a black leather jacket. I slip on a pair of black suede boots to match.

I hear my room door creak a little.

“Oh he's here look the lord of darkness"

I turn to see Jamie grinning standing in front of my bed. I hold my jacket open a little "Will I do?"

"I mean you're definitely trying to impress her aren't you" Jamie says raising her brow.

I smirk exiting the closet and give her a wink. "You know me kiddo I just like to be smart."

"Ha! Right yeah that's what it is." She slaps my back playfully as we exit the room.

We walk down the pack house stairs into the hallway.

"Ahh my two babies" our mom appears from the library, she comes over and embraces us both.

"And where might you two be going?"

"Zan's new tenant is a beauty therapist and having a salon opening tonight I really wanted to go and thought I'd drag Zander along with me, what with the rogue attacks I wanted my big brother for protection" Jamie beams her best smile.

I suppose it's not a million miles away from the truth. Mom would freak if she knew I'd found my mate, I'm convinced she'd be un phased by her being human but I'm not ready to explain just yet if at all.

"Ahh how lovely, I'm sure there will be lots of potential young women there..."

Jamie cuts mom off by embracing her again and kissing her cheek. "We gotta go mom we'll see you later"

"Have fun you two!"

We jump into my car and set off driving towards the city we sit in silence for a minute before Jamie begins to speak. "Have you told Dan where we're going?"

"No" I reply simply.

"Do you think we should tell someone you know what with the attacks.." I flick my eyes to Jamie quickly to see a slight worry in her eyes.

"No, I'm your big brother and your Alpha I would never let anyone hurt you. We'll be fine I told you, there's nothing to worry about."

I glance again giving her a reassuring smile.

"I know Zan it just feels off to me that's all."

I turn the radio up a little to take her mind off of things and to take my mind off of seeing Grace again. I can't help but feel in the pit of my stomach this is wrong, I really do want to see her again but the unease of what I'm getting myself into is unsettling. I don't want a mate. I didn't want a mate...

"Look"

"You're"

We both start to laugh.

"We haven't done that in years" I say.

"I know remember when we used to start a conversation at the same time as kids then argue about who was going to go first" Jamie smiles at me whilst reminiscing.

"Go on little sis just this once I'll let you go first" I say rolling my eyes.

Jamie ignores it and continues, "I was going to say I can tell you're nervous aren't you."

I avoid looking at her and keep my eyes on the road as we near the city. "Ha! Me! Nervous? Nah sis I'm cool."

"Really? Your hands have gripped the steering wheel all the way here, your knuckles are white." She says looking at my hands.

I release the grip on the wheel a little before letting out a sigh.

"I don't know J maybe this isn't a good idea, I don't want or need a mate. It's a weakness to an alpha you know what as well as I do. What would father think? Dad would never..". My own words sting me a little at the thought.

"But dads not here anymore and you're not dad. No one will think any less of you, our pack is strong and like I said last night they'd follow you to the ends of the earth. A Luna would only strengthen this pack not weaken it." Jamie tries to give me a reassuring smile.

I pause for a moment lost in thought.

"Hey anyway, Grace doesn't feel the mate Bond she's human remember?! You may not have the same effects on her as all your other conquests" Jamie starts to smirk lightening the mood.

"Oh yeah?" I say starting to grin back just as we pull up into the space right outside the shop. We both look in through the window it's fairly busy, I'm happy for Grace that it is but a pang of jealousy creeps through me knowing I won't get alone time with her. I notice her looking at me her eyes light up ever so slightly, flicker to Jamie and a flash of emotion appears on her face for a split second, then back to me a quick smile back in place and she turns to greet another guest.

"Moon Goddess you are good. You better get in there and tell her I'm your sister before you have to put extra work in" Jamie rolls her eyes and starts to laugh as she climbs out of the truck.

A small glimmer of hope sparks through my heart. Was she jealous?

"I know" I say with a cheeky wink as I shut my door behind me and walk towards the shop with Jamie.

Her scent hits me immediately as I walk through the door, it's intoxicating. I smell the mix of mostly humans and a few she wolves around the shop, when they notice my presence they turn and nod respectfully. I notice my gammas mate Alaya who smiles gently and begins to walk over. "Alpha" she mouths not wanting anyone to hear her and question it. I nod again and smile. Jamie embraces her and as they begin chatting I scan the room over the bustle of woman to find Grace. My eye settle on her at the other side of the room chatting away to a middle aged human and Ron's wife June, I can feel my palms go sweaty a little as I watch her. Her glossy hair tied up tonight in a messy bun with tendrils of hair framing her face, I can feel the pull towards her. I know mate bonds are strong but I didn't expect it to be this strong especially not with a human.

I feel a hand snake round my arm bringing me back to reality, I look to my right to see the blonde from last week I bedded. s**t.

"Hi there, I didn't expect to see you here!" She looks at me with lust and excitement in her eyes as though I knew she was coming and I'm here just for her. Not a chance.

"I'm here on business" I reply snaking my arm out of hers hoping Grace didn't see.

"Help" I mind link Jamie.

With a split second Jamie appears at my side. "Hey Clarissa, nice to see you here! Have you seen the new treatments the owner is offering, the facials sound amazing! She's even got some samples we should totally go try.." I wink at Jamie, my little sister to the rescue.

"Well I'll leave you ladies too it then." I say giving them both a smile, Clarissa pouts at me. "Don't stay away too long" she winks and turns to walk with Jamie.

"You owe me" I hear J through mind link.

I turn and head towards Grace I can't stay away any longer. As I approach her scent fills my nostrils even stronger now I'm closer, every fibre in my body is urging me to swoop her up into my arms and hold her close, I feel my wolf stir as she turns to face me.

"Evening Ladies" I flash a smile to June and the other woman before returning my gaze to Grace. Her chocolate brown eyes fixated on mine, her cheeks redden a little.

"Hi" she says softly.

"Hi" I reply back.

"This place looks amazing" I continue. "My sister Jamie loves it she's already been eyeing up a load of treatments so I'm sure she'll keep you in business." I slip it in as quickly as I can the woman i brought is my sister. Usually I'd thrive on making women jealous and fall all over me but not Grace I want to protect her heart.

"Sister? Right sister! How lovely, I'm sure I can get her booked in as soon as she likes" I see a slight relief cross Grace's face as she says it and then replaced with her usual smiling face.

I hear the woman standing next to June clear her throat. We break the gaze and look back to the two women.

"So aren't you going to introduce us then?" The woman looks like grace a little but older, the same brown hair just shorter and brown welcoming eyes.

"Yes sorry, Zander this is my Aunt Zoe and then this is June, Ron's wife and this is.." Grace says whilst gesturing to the women.

June nods her head and cuts Grace off. "Ahh yes my dear I know who Zander is I've known him since he was a boy." I smile at her "yes June made the best cookies in town!" I proclaim.

We all laugh and then I reach my hand out to shake the Aunts. She takes her hand in mind and shakes it politely. "Nice to meet you Zander, I hope you're going to treat my Grace well here!"

"Of course, I'm a gentleman and the best boss anyone could have isn't that right June". I raise a brow and smirk looking over to June. She chuckles and nudges my arm playfully, "oh only the best. Come on Zoe let's leave these kids too it and get a nice hot drink."

As the women walk off, Grace and I turn towards each other, finally a moment alone.

"So how is tonight so far?" I ask.

"It's amazing, I can't believe how busy it is. I've had so many people book in already I'll be packed for the rest of the month!" She beams up at me.

"That's great Grace, I'm really happy for you."

"Thankyou for coming too you didn't have to you know but I suppose it's great that you can see I'll be busy and worth your while." Her eyes flicker down my body and up to my eyes again her hand moves up to the loose hair and start to twirl it in her fingers. I feel a rush of lust race through my body.

"Oh I'm sure you will" I say my voice deepening a little.

I hear her breath hitch ever so slightly before a seductive smirk appears on her face, this is a side of her I'm dying to get to know.

"Hey!!" I hear from the side breaking my eye contact with Grace.

Jamie appears smiling at me and Grace. "Hi I'm Jamie Zander's sister, lovely to meet you!" Before Grace has chance to reply Jamie wraps her arms around Grace's petite frame and embraces her in a hug. I've never been so jealous of my sister I wish I could hold her like that.

"Hi! I'm Grace". She replies.

"I know I've heard all about you." Jamie winks playfully before smirking up at me. Graces cheeks redden a little as my eyes widen giving J a warning look. We stand chatting for a little, it's nice to see that Grace and Jamie actually get on and I can tell from Jamie it's genuine. The same slither of hope runs through my mind, could this work? I push it away again and just focus on the now.

Unfortunately there isn't just me in here tonight and Grace leaves us to make sure she's speaking to everyone. I watch her perfect little ass walk away from me, I never want to leave this girls side.

Jamie takes a sip of her glass of fizz. "She's the one."

My eyes widen a little and turn to her. "You know it and I know it. She's your mate Zan. And from the 20 minutes I just spent with her she's a Luna." I avert my eyes around us to make sure no one is listening.

"I know she's human but that girl has a fire in her I can feel it. Don't let pride get in the way of happiness." She says.

I glance over to Grace, she's right. Confidence radiates from her as she talks about her job, her passion. Her beauty plain for anyone to see, a glow coming from her skin like it was kissed by the moon goddess herself.

"I know." I spin back to Jamie. "The pull is something else J I don't know if I can fight it."

"Then don't Zander, grab happiness with both hands." Jamie smiles at me, my sister is right I can't reject her.

"She is human though, this might have to be the long game. She won't feel the pull the same way you do but I'm certain there is something there I saw the way she kept looking at you tonight." Jamie takes another sip from her glass. My heart skips a little with hope.

After a few hour or so the shop starts to filter out as it's now 10pm. Jamie, June, Zoe and I are the only ones left as Grace see's the last group of women out of the door. She turns towards us all "Well I think that's it guys, what an amazing night Thankyou so much for coming!" June and Zoe embrace her.

"Hey Zan a few of the girls are in a bar down the street I think I'm going to go meet them, I'll stay at her apartment tonight so I'm safe if that's good with you?" Jamie says looking up from her phone.

"Yeah no problem, just text me when you're in." I say.

"Will do bro"

Jamie walks towards Grace and hugs her again, man I'm jealous. She says her goodbyes and leaves. One down two to go. If I can just get June and Zoe to leave then I can have five minutes alone with Grace.

Just on queue Ron walks through the door.

"Evening ladies! Evening A.. Zander." Ron's eyes widen a little before he bows his head clearly mortified by his near slip up.

"Ron" I nod. Annoyance in my tone, I swear that old mans losing it. I've not even had chance to ask her on a second date yet and Ron's revealing all our worldly secrets.

"Ron why don't you make sure these ladies get home safe and I'll stay behind to help Grace clean this place up." I say looking towards her.

"Yes yes good idea!" Ron doesn't hesitate he knows it wasn't a suggestion but an alphas command.

"Are you sure? You're not going to take advantage of my niece are you?" Zoe looks over at me, Half joking half serious.

"Aunt Zoe!!" Grace exclaims shocked at her aunt.

"What? I'd let him take advantage of me." She throws me a wink and then burst out laughing.

Grace blushes immediately.

"Right, too much fizz for you, this is a great idea Ron make sure she gets home safe please" she says guiding her aunt and June towards the door who are now giggling like little girls. Ron nods in my direction before shaking his head.

" Goddess help me".

"Goddess? I didn't have you down as the type to worship a goddess Ron?" Grace says quizzing him.

Shit, what's with him tonight.

"Ah I'm sure there's lots we don't know about this old boy." I say walking over to usher them out the door. Ron laughs lightly and looks at me apologetically before mind linking me.

"Sorry alpha."

"It's fine get home and get to bed you must be tired." I cut the link as Grace and I wave goodbye and shut the salon door behind us.

"I am so sorry about my Aunt I don't know what got into her!" Grace says before turning and walking across the room.

"I do, all the free flowing champagne". I say with a chuckle.

"Speaking of, shall we have a little one before cleaning up?". Grace says appearing with two glasses in her hands. As she hands me one her fingers graze mine slightly, the spark burst through them into my hand and up my arm. I try to stay composed not wanting to freak her out but she jumps slightly and looks up at me her chocolate brown eyes staring into my soul. I flicker my eyes down to her perfect plump lips, it's taking everything I have not to lean in and kiss her. She clears her throat and breaks me from my trance.

"Shall we go and sit in my living room to enjoy this? I think I need a sit down after tonight?" She says.

"Of course, after you." I say gesturing my arm out to show me the way.

As we reach her living room upstairs we take a seat on either end of the sofa, the lamp in the corner dimly lighting the room casting a light on Graces beautiful face whilst I sit in the shadow. How apparent.

I watch her take a sip from the glass I imagine the cool liquid sliding down her throat, my body stands to attention immediately. I need to calm down. She turns to me catching me looking at her.

"What, have I something on my face?" She says wiping it.

"No, I've never seen a woman as beautiful as you." I say it before I can stop myself. My wolf comes to the surface, "tell her she's ours" he says. I push him out, I wish I could. Sitting here with only a foot between us is torture. She looks at me and the atmosphere shifts between us, her eyes have a look of lust, I can feel a low rumble in my chest dying to escape my wolf wanting to make his presence known but not yet, I can't tell her my dark secrets just yet.

"I don't think I've ever seen a man as beautiful as you either, Zander." She says placing her glass down on the coffee table in front of us and turning her body towards me. The way my name dances on her tongue if enough to tip me over the edge, I can't resist this pull toward her any longer. I place my glass down and move across to her, our faces barely a few inch apart. I pause for a second, waiting for her permission, I watch her look at my lips and up to my eyes, I know they'll have gone dark with lust. Before she can question it I move in, snaking my hand into the back of her hair and pressing my lips against her soft plump ones. She kisses me back hungrily, I lick her bottom lip asking for more and she gives it me without hesitation deepening the kiss. Sparks erupt all over my body a feeling like no other.

And there it is, life has changed as I knew it.