Caught by the Alpha's Gaze

Chapter 9 Dinner

Indianna hadn't seen her mother all evening. She had gone straight to her room and collapsed on the bed, stressing about the time she would have to spend with Greyson. She was sweating and didn't know if it was because she was ill or just nervous.

7 pm rolled around quickly, and Indianna felt sick as she walked downstairs, dressed modestly in blue jeans and a white top that sat off her shoulders, her beige coat draped over her arm. Nothing fancy, especially since the last thing she wanted was to spend the evening with Greyson. She was surprised to see her mother walk out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and holding a tea towel.

"Indie, there you are!" Iris called. "I was just making—" Iris paused, frowning at her daughter's outfit. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes," Indianna said.

"Where?" Iris asked.

"I don't know," Indianna said honestly, checking the time on her phone. It was exactly 7 pm.

"Well, I'm glad to see you're making friends," Iris said. "I know that you... struggle."

Indianna pointed awkwardly toward the door, wishing this stage of her mother showing interest would pass. It was easier when her mother didn't care. She had forgotten how to talk to her mother—it always felt forced and unnatural. "I have to go. Grey—" Indianna stopped, eyes widening, cursing under her breath as Iris's eyebrows shot up.

"Greyson?" Iris said. "You're going out with Greyson Evans?"

"N-no! I'm not going out with him. We're just... it's just this once."

"You need to stay away from that boy!" Iris scolded. "He's bad news, he's trouble! You should stay in tonight. You're not seeing him."

For once, Indianna wanted to listen, but she knew she couldn't. "If I don't leave this house in the next minute, we both know he'll knock on the front door," she said with a sigh. "It's a one-time thing. He has something I want."

"What could you possibly want from him, Indie? He's dangerous!"

"Answers," Indianna said shortly. "Unless you want to tell me about what you and he discussed the other day, then I'm leaving."

Iris paled. "I d-don't know what you mean! You can't go with him, Indie. He's going to take you away from me!"

"You lost me yourself, Mother," Indianna sighed, continuing to the door. Greyson was waiting in the car, engine running. He checked his watch as she approached, tutting.

"7:03 pm," he called.

"Consider yourself lucky I'm even here," Indianna grumbled, sliding into the car and turning to look at him. He pushed the sleeves of his black top up and reached forward, brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear.

She froze at the contact, feeling familiar tingles intensify at his touch. She sucked in a breath, unable to place the sparks. She had never felt anything like this before.

"You're not wearing your glasses, sugar."

"I only wear them at school," she said, avoiding eye contact.

"Well, I'll make sure to see you outside school if it means I can spend longer staring into your eyes," he said, smirking as she shifted uncomfortably. He pulled his arm back, focusing on the road. "We should get going."

"Where are we going?"

"You wouldn't know," Greyson said dismissively.

"My mother told me to stay away from you," Indianna said as they drove.

Greyson's lips twitched, and he let out a short chuckle. "I'm sure she did. I'm glad to see it's not just me that you don't listen to."

"How do you know her?" Indianna asked, ignoring his comment.

"Later," Greyson said simply.

"Now. You said you'd give me answers, Greyson."

"And I will, later. You'll have answers by the end of the night."

Indianna sighed and shook her head. She shouldn't have expected anything different from Greyson. The two of them settled into a comfortable silence as they drove to the unknown location. Indianna wished it were uncomfortable; she wished she felt awkward sitting so close to Greyson with no words being shared. But it wasn't. It felt rather peaceful, and she hated it. She didn't want to feel comfortable around him—not when he infuriated her and stirred a kind of anger she'd never felt before.

Indianna reached forward, touching the dial to turn up the volume on the radio just as Greyson pressed the button to change the station. Their hands met, and she hurriedly yanked hers back, not wanting to feel the sparks from his touch—but it was too late. Tingles danced down her fingertips, spreading across her palm and into her wrist. She wanted to reach out, grab Greyson, and never let go if it meant feeling the sparks again.

She glared at her hand and clenched her fingers into a fist.

"There's no point in trying to hide it, sugar," Greyson said. He slowly trailed his fingers down her arm, smirking when her body reacted. "I know you feel it."

"Stop." Indianna attempted to slap his hand away, but he easily caught her wrist.

"It feels nice, doesn't it? You like my touch. The feeling of my skin against yours... You've never felt this before, have you?"

Indianna shook her head vehemently. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Don't lie, he said, smiling. "I'm in your head, remember?"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do I feel them?" Indianna asked.

"We're connected in a way you couldn't possibly understand yet," Greyson said simply, almost dismissively.

Indianna gave him a look. "Is that seriously all you're going to tell me?"

"Yes, especially with that attitude, sugar."

Greyson smirked as Indianna pulled her wrist from his grasp and hit his shoulder. "You're so infuriating!"

"And I'm also currently driving. I suggest you don't hit me unless you want to crash headfirst into a tree."

"Is this... connection, is that how we can talk in our minds?" Indianna asked, eager for answers.

"That's part of it," Greyson nodded.

"What is it?"

"I'm not telling you yet."

"Greyson—"

"Sugar, there's no point asking questions you know I'm not going to answer," he cut her off, voice stern. "You'll get the answers when the time is right."

"When is that?"

"When I say so."

Greyson suddenly pulled the car to a halt. Indianna looked out the window and saw they were parked outside a small Italian restaurant. Fairy lights hung from the guttering, and flower pots lined the walkway to the front door. The car park was busy, considering the restaurant's size, and Indianna was so busy admiring the pretty location that she jumped in surprise when Greyson opened her door.

"I'm surprised you're not dragging me inside, thinking the sooner you get this over with, the sooner you'll get answers," he said, raising his eyebrows as he looked down at her.

"That's a brilliant idea," Indianna said, staring at Greyson in disbelief when he held out his hand.

"Don't give me that look. I can be nice," he defended himself. Indianna surprised herself by slipping her hand into Greyson's, letting him help her out of the car. She couldn't help but notice his bare arms, the tattoos trailing up to his elbow, the rest hidden by his black shirt. Everything about Greyson was dangerous. She couldn't help but think that the two of them were truly opposites.

Greyson was dark. He was clearly a rule breaker, used to getting his way and terrifying people into obeying. He didn't care that he was mean. He liked being in charge. He enjoyed the power.

Indianna was light. Kind, gentle, putting others before herself, following the rules. She didn't want to stand out. She liked blending in, living peacefully, away from drama and attention.

And yet, the two of them were having dinner together, albeit Indianna hadn't wanted to come. But Greyson, like always, got his way.

Growing up, Indianna had always thought opposites attracted, but standing next to Greyson, full of questions and frustration, she couldn't imagine why she'd ever believed that. Yet when Greyson placed his hand on the small of her back, she found herself leaning into his touch and walking alongside him into the restaurant.

"Okay," Greyson said once they were eating their main courses. He finished chewing a mouthful of pasta and pointed at Indianna. "First question. Ask away."

Indianna's eyes widened. She wanted to ask a million questions but contained herself, placing her fork on the table and looking into Greyson's eyes. "How do you know my mother, Greyson?"

"I don't. Not really," Greyson said. "I met her for the first time when I came by your house, but I've known of her for a long time."

Indianna frowned. "Why? Who is she?"

"You don't know your own mother?" Greyson wondered.

Indianna glared. "Apparently not. Don't dodge the question, Greyson. She's hiding things from me. Why? What is she keeping secret?"

Greyson smiled, lips thin. He didn't answer.

Indianna sighed, shaking her head. "Of course. You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Not yet. Next question, sugar."

Indianna looked down at her wrist, then back at Greyson. She wanted to ask, but always struggled with this subject. "The..." She swallowed. "The a-attack." She rubbed her scar, hiding it under the table. "How do you know about it?"

Greyson sighed, debating. He wasn't sure how much to tell. "Your father was well respected, Indianna. He didn't deserve to die that way, I'm sorry. The story of what happened the day you were attacked is known among certain people. Lots of people know."

"He shouldn't have died at all," Indianna said sharply. "You haven't told me how you know what happened."

"I know."

"You aren't going to tell me anything else? My father died, Greyson! Tell me how you know that!"

"I'm not going to."

"You can't keep something like that from me—"

"Your mother does. She knows the full story, but has she told you?"

Indianna faltered. "Full story... It was a wolf attack. That's the full story, isn't it?" She shook her head. "No. Greyson, don't tell me you know something else. It was just a horrific attack. There's nothing more... is there?"

"I think it's time for a different question," Greyson said sternly. "We'll come back to this another day."

"Greyson—"

"That's enough, sugar."

Indianna sat blinking, staring at him in shock. Her father's death, the attack—there was more information she didn't know. Greyson did. She clenched her fists, furious he was keeping something so important from her.

"Don't get angry—"

"How can I not?" she hissed.

"Ask a different question, or that's it for today," Greyson warned. "Do you want more answers or not?"

"Fine," Indianna said through gritted teeth. "How can you be in my head? Read my thoughts, talk in my mind, I feel strange sensations when we touch... How is that possible? No one else can do that."

"Actually, certain people can," Greyson corrected.

"Certain people? What do you mean?"

"There are some of us in this world who are different, sugar. Able to do things others can't."

"So... we're not normal?"

Greyson quirked an eyebrow. "Define normal."

"What are we?" Indianna asked.

Greyson's all-too-familiar look told her he wasn't going to explain further. "What do you think?" he asked. "I'm curious."

"I have no idea! You haven't told me anything." Indianna tried to piece it together, but everything was a mess. "All I know is you know something about the attack that killed my father, which makes no sense! Wolves were wild animals. A freak of nature—"

"Oh my gosh, Indianna!" A familiar voice stopped her mid-rant. She looked up to see Harry and Brooklyn. Harry's arm was protectively around Brooklyn's waist as they stopped next to the table. "I wasn't expecting to see you here, especially not with him!"

Greyson slowly turned, smiling. "Thanks, Brooklyn."

"Are you..." Brooklyn looked between Indianna and Greyson. "Are you on a date?"

If Indianna had had any food in her mouth, she would have choked. "No! Definitely not!"

"You break my heart, Indie," Greyson said sarcastically. "Harry, pull up a seat. Join us."

"Oh, we don't want to interrupt!" Brooklyn said politely.

"It's fine. Indianna will have the same questions tomorrow. They can wait."

Indianna met Greyson's eyes, wanting to object, but didn't. The presence of others made her shy again. "Maybe I should go?" she said quietly.

"Nonsense," Greyson said dismissively. "You've not finished your food. Besides, I'm not letting you leave alone. This town can be dangerous at night. You never know what could be lurking in the woods."

Indianna remembered overhearing Greyson and her mother talk. Pack. Wolves travel in packs, and Greyson seemed to know a lot about the night her father died, the horrific event involving wolves.

No. Stop being stupid, she told herself. There was no correlation. Woods, wolves, packs... Greyson said the town was dangerous. Did he mean wolves in the woods?

Is there? she demanded.

Is there what, sugar?

Wolves. Are there wolves in the woods? Or is that classified too? Her voice was bitter.

Would you be worried if I said there was?

Yes, she said immediately. The thought of the attack, wild wolves, terrified her. Memories flashed—sharp teeth digging into flesh, ripping apart, her screams drowned out by growls and snarls. Eyes that looked almost human, staring as the animal pinned her to the ground.

Greyson blinked, seeing her memories. There are no wolves in the woods.

Indianna took a deep breath, hairs on end, looking out the window at the dark trees. She shook her head at Greyson. Liar.

Leaving the restaurant, Indianna couldn't stop staring at the tree line. The thought that the animals that had scarred her could still roam made her want to be sick. She rubbed her eyes, exhausted, unsure if it was from Greyson or still feeling unwell.

They reached Greyson's car. Instead of unlocking it, he leaned against the door, smirking.

"What?" she asked cautiously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're so different when we're alone. You were fine until Harry and Brooklyn joined, then you went quiet as a mouse."

"I'm not good with people," she mumbled. "Can you please take me home, Greyson?"

"You're not shy around me."

"Only because you never fail to infuriate me."

Greyson laughed, stepping forward, reaching her in one stride. "No. You're comfortable around me."

Indianna shook her head.

"You trust me."

"No. You hurt me and annoy the hell out of me. I don't trust you."

"You do," Greyson whispered. Lips close to hers. The world shrank until it was just them. Indianna bit her lip, trying to distract herself, but she desperately wanted to touch him, to feel the sparks again.

"You're wrong."

"It's the connection between us, sugar. I know you trust me."

"This mysterious connection you won't explain?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow. "How can I trust you when all you do is keep things from me and order me around? It's—"

Greyson placed a finger over her lips. "Language, sugar."

Indianna stepped back, but Greyson wrapped an arm around her, spinning her gently against the car.

"G-Greyson, get off!" The sparks muddled her mind, diffusing her frustration.

"We both know you don't want me to," he said. Her eyes fluttered shut as he ran his thumb across her cheek, smirking at her reaction. "What do you want me to do?" He leaned into her neck, murmuring against her skin. She gasped softly, arching slightly, tingles intensifying.

"No," she muttered, clenching her fists. "I want you to take me home, Greyson."

Greyson chuckled, smiling knowingly against her skin. "Now who's the liar?"

"Greyson—"

Both froze as rustling came from the woods. A cry caught in Indianna's throat as a shape emerged. She instinctively reached for Greyson, gripping his arm. "G-Greyson," she stuttered, lip quivering.

"Get in the car, Indie," he said gently, reaching for the door handle.

"It's a wolf," she whispered, unable to look away as it approached, growling. Indianna expected him to be nervous, but Greyson remained calm, eyes locked on the wolf, bright yellow and snarling.

"Car," Greyson said firmly, opening the door. "Now, sugar!"

Indianna was frozen, gripping him.

"Come on," he said, pulling her to the side.

"Wait!" She squinted at the wolf under the streetlight, memories rushing back. "Oh my God... It's the same wolf. Greyson, that's... It's—the same—oh my God."

Greyson held her, supporting her as energy drained from her. She hyperventilated. He pushed her into the car, yanking the seatbelt across her.

"Don't leave me!" she panicked.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said calmly, hiding his anger. "I'll be back in seconds. You're safe with me." He closed the door, staring at the wolf, now still but watching.

"You have one chance, Rogue," Greyson said low, almost growling. "Or I'll hunt you down. My pack isn't forgiving."

The wolf snarled.

"You don't scare me," Greyson hissed, power in his voice, walking to the driver's side. "One f*****g chance, or you die." He opened the door, sitting down, eyes on Indianna, tears streaming, hands clenched.

"G-Greyson... How is that possible?" she whimpered. "It's the same... He's... Oh my—"

"You're safe, sugar." Greyson took her hand, started the car, speeding away. Grip tense, teeth clenched, eyes on the road. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."