Chapter 237

Grace

I woke with a heavy feeling, a dull ache settling deep within my bones. The events of the past few days replayed in my mind like a fragmented film, leaving me with a confusing mix of emotions: fear, doubt, and a strange sense of detachment I couldn't quite shake. As I went through the motions of getting ready for work, a part of me felt numb, distant from the familiar routine. It almost felt alien, but it wasn't as taxing as it had been before. I remember being so irritated before. Now, it didn't matter which outfit I picked out. Not because they were all the same, but because Eason had redone my wardrobe for my day-to-day to help my image. They were all equally nice, and I hadn't really developed a favorite yet.

Still, something wasn't right.

Glancing down at my wrist, I noticed the familiar challenge marks etched onto my skin. However, something seemed different about them. The swirling lines had changed. I still couldn't read them, but they were definitely different.

A flicker of hope sparked within me. Could this be a sign? A change, perhaps, for the better? Maybe Alpha Shadow was getting over herself. Maybe the people of Mooncrest were already forgiving me. I hoped so.

I also realized how strange it was that I felt so hopeful all of a sudden.

Pushing aside my lingering worries, I finished getting ready and headed downstairs. No one seemed to be up and moving around in the living room, but I heard people in the kitchen. As I entered the kitchen, a cold silence descended upon the room.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixated on me. Eason wasn't in the group. George and Esme looked like they hadn't slept at all with their mugs of coffee in hand. Esme looked like she'd been crying all night.

They both looked at me like I was something fragile.

Before I could ask them why, Charles materialized beside me; he looked just as tired as they did. I could still smell the alcohol on his breath, but he'd showered and changed.

"Grace," he began, his voice low and serious. "We need to talk."

My heart hammered in my chest as I met his gaze. The events of the previous night, the fragmented memories, and the unsettling dream all came flooding back, leaving me with a sense of impending dread.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever was to come. "About what, Charles?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Charles's expression softened for a fleeting moment. A flicker of pain crossed his features.

"A lot of things... How are you feeling?"

I shrugged. "I'm... a bit tired still, I think. I've got this strange ache in my body, but nothing too serious... Oh," I lifted my wrist. "The challenge circles have changed. Please tell me it's a good thing?"

He took my hand gently and looked at the marks. The warmth of his hand felt so good, pushing back the odd chill in me. Maybe I should have put on tights.

"They've changed a bit," he said. "But the rules are still the same."

I huffed. "Then, why change at all?"

"Because... the contractors have gone through a change."

I glanced up at him. "Because she's in jail?"

His lips twitched and he kissed my forehead, warm still, but it sent a bolt of dread through me as I thought about the figure in my dream.

"My mate is not Alpha Shadow."

My shoulders slumped. "I suppose I can't ask for everything to be easy..."

He pulled me close, tucking me into his arms. His warmth soaked into me.

"You don't have to go to work," he said gently. "You've been through a lot already."

I chuckled. "You make it sound like I'm deathly ill. I probably just fell asleep in an awkward position. I'll be okay.... maybe I need a new mattress."

I wrapped my arms around him. "I'm fine... Though I won't ever turn down morning hugs."

He stroked my air and kissed my head.

"Are you going to tell me why you looked so grave last night? Now?"

He took a deep breath like he was bracing for something.

"Could you give us a second?" Charles said.

I heard George and Esme leave, shuffling off out of my range of hearing quickly. I frowned at that. That was weird. I couldn't hear them at all. The hum of the refrigerator and the lights were softer but more prominent than I remembered them being, too.

He pulled back gently.

"You don't remember anything?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

I shook my head, frustration lacing my voice. "No, nothing specific. Just… a feeling. I feel different. Settled, somehow."

He cupped my face. "What did you dream about?"

I frowned. "How did you know I had a dream?"

He smiled. "Magic."

I scoffed, finding the excuse amusing, but I told him about the dream. His eyes grew dark as I reached the end. Charles sighed heavily like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

"What is it?" I asked. "You know something about it."

Charles shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know for sure. But it's a sign, Grace. I'll... talk to some people about it. I was never very good at interpreting dreams."

I chuckled. "Potions. Dream interpretation. What else?"

He smiled. "An interest in my flaws, hm?"

"I need something to level the playing field."

He chuckled. "Trust me, darling. We're more than even."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"I want you to keep... aware of anything else you notice that's different, and tell me, okay? I can feel it too, but I'm still not sure of everything...."

I frowned. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

He shook his head. "If I knew, I would, but... I don't. Not entirely, and I don't want to worry you with something that.... might not be much of anything."

His voice sounded like he didn't believe that, but I didn't call him on it.

"You promise to tell me?"

"I promise," Charles said. "How about breakfast?"

I nodded and hung out at the bar while he made breakfast. I noticed it was different, but I couldn't say exactly why. There was something in the way he moved. He served it, and it tasted fine, but there was definitely something different about it all. It reminded me a lot more of the food he'd made before we had gotten seriously involved.

Charles studied me for a moment, his gaze filled with suspicion as I finished most of the plate. It seemed like my appetite wasn't quite all there.

"Are you sure you're alright, Grace?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I met his gaze, forcing a smile. "I told you, I feel different," I said, my voice steady. "But in a good way. Settled, like something inside me has finally clicked into place."

Whether he believed me or not, I didn't know. His expression remained unreadable. But after another moment of silence, he leaned in and kissed my cheek.

"Go to work," he said, his voice low and gruff. "I'll check in with you later, yeah? Call me if something happens. I'll be in Mooncrest."

I paused. "I called you before... And you didn't answer."

He smiled. "I didn't get your call. Did you get my message?"

I nodded. "Are you going to be... wherever you were again soon?"

"Silverlight," he said. "And no... I don't plan on leaving soon."

I nodded, oddly content with his answers. I trusted that he was telling the truth. I thought about asking about his mate and her jail sentence, but I'd find that out later when Devin's case came up.

What difference did it make anyway? She was his citizen, and I had other things to worry about...

Like Edgar Thorne and all the money Mooncrest still owed people aside from Charles.

I kissed him back. "Later then."

Leaving Charles in the kitchen, I stepped out into the crisp morning air. The world around me seemed different, maybe a little less sharp or sharp in a different way. I couldn't put my finger on it. I hummed and walked down the pathway to the awaiting car, and slipped inside.

"Morning," I said. "To Wolfe Medical, please."

The driver hesitated. "Are you not going to class today?"

I blinked and checked my phone. "Ah, sorry. The Academy, then. I'll head to work after classes. Thank you."

I frowned. I guess I slept the whole day yesterday. To be fair, I have been under a lot of stress lately. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I searched my briefcase. I hadn't even checked it before I left, but it was packed.

Had that been Charles' doing? The thought made me almost giddy as I pulled out some text to review on the ride there.