Chapter 69

~Grace~

Being here gave me the creeps.

My skin crawled as I stepped cautiously through the forest. Unfortunately, I had been here enough times to know my way.

I didn’t know how Christopher would react when he saw me. Would he be mad I left him on the boat, or happy to see that I sought him out?

All I knew was that I was anxious to see him.

I knew he’d ask for something in exchange for his help, but how much would I be willing to pay?

Sighing, I looked up at the Rogue camp. I was here. The scouts would have spotted me already; it was only a matter of time until Chrsistopher met me.

Taking a moment to prepare myself, I stood still and closed my eyes.

“You can do this,” I told myself. “You’ve already had three difficult conversations in the last 24 hours. One more can’t be that hard.”

Opening my eyes, I took resolute steps forward. It was time to face Christopher.

The doors opened for me when I stepped near. I was right about the scouts spotting me. They were expecting me.

The guards only glanced at me as I walked through, and on the other side, standing on the balcony of his house, leaning against the railing to look down at me, was Christopher.

I smiled when I saw him, but I’m not sure why. Maybe I was relieved he didn’t look like he wanted to tear my head off.

He smiled back.

He looked… well. I don’t know what I was expecting. I guess that he’d be disheveled and beside himself after I ditched him, like how Liam looked when I left his house.

But Christopher wasn’t Liam.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Maybe that’s why he bothered me so much; he was so difficult to read. I knew exactly how Liam would react to anything, and even Alex, to an extent.

But Christopher…

He kept surprising me. I didn’t trust him by any means, he had done too many awful things to me for that ship to ever sail again.

But he didn’t seem as evil as I first thought. He had actually helped me and kept his hands to himself recently, even though I expected him to try to mark me at any moment.

I just couldn’t figure out his angle. Was this all an act to get me to like him?

I didn’t know.

But I hoped with my whole heart that he could help the Black Lycan clan and break their curse.

“Grace, welcome,” Christopher called from the balcony. Rogues turned their heads toward me. It felt like a spotlight had suddenly clicked on, and I was the only one on stage.

I felt my face heat up. I really didn’t know what to say. I knew it was rude of me to leave him like I did, but I really didn’t feel like I owed him an apology, since he kidnapped me once.

“I see you made it off of the boat alright,” he continued, and I watched his expression carefully, but I couldn’t read his emotions.

He just grinned at me, as if talking to a friend.

Did he think that’s what we were?

Because I convinced Alex not to rip his head off?

I hoped not, because it couldn’t be further from the truth, but maybe it would at least get him to want to help me.

“I did,” I called back, swallowing nervously before continuing. “I need your help. Can we talk?”

I motioned around at all of the Rogues watching us, indicating I wanted to talk privately.

Christopher tilted his head forward, as if he were studying me. He took a moment to respond.

I wondered if he was considering throwing me out, if he were really that angry at me after all for leaving him on the boat.

“Come to my room. We’ll talk,” he finally responded, and he turned around and entered his house.

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least we had crossed that threshold.

Looking at the Rogues who continued to stare at me, I stood tall as I climbed the stairs to the wooden walkway that wrapped around the camp.

They parted as I walked, but everyone kept their eyes on me, still.

I had no idea what they thought of me, and I didn’t care to know. I really didn’t want to spend any more time here than I needed to.

I entered into Chrsistopher’s home. I don’t recall ever being in here, as he always set me up with my own place to stay whenever I’ve been here.

It looked surprisingly clean. Blues and greys accented the walls, and sunlight poured in through large windows.

It was much nicer than I had expected, too. Maybe he did have more money than I thought.

I just assumed since the Rogues always had to scavenge for resources and attack other packs that they had no money to go around…

But maybe Christopher just hoarded it for himself.

“Grace Windsong,” Christopher said, stepping out from behind a doorway, a grin on his face. “How surprising to see you seek me out. What can I do for you?”

I sighed. Here goes nothing.

“Christopher, I need your help. The Black Lycan clan has been cursed, and I don’t know how to break it. Well- that’s not true. I do, but I was hoping there would be another way.”

Christopher watched me intently as I spoke, his blue eyes shining with intrigue. It made me a little uncomfortable.

“Please, sit down. This might take a moment,” he said, motioning toward his couches.

Nodding, I sat down politely, pressing my legs together and placing my hand in my lap. I was still tense. It felt like I was meeting with a business clerk or something the way he was acting.

Christopher sat on a couch across from me and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

“The Black Lycan clan is under a curse. How interesting… What is the way you were told you could break the curse?”

I swallowed, looking away. Did I really want to be honest with him? I didn’t trust any personal information to him, I knew he’d find a way to use it against me or Alex at some point, but…

No. He didn’t need to know everything.

“Someone… needs to die. That’s all I can tell you.”

His eyes lit up, as if he just heard the most wonderful news.

“Are you sure? I’m dying to know who it is.”

I gave him a sharp look. “That’s all I can tell you.”

He sighed, looking disappointed. “Alright. You don’t want this person dead, so you’re hoping I can find an alternative.”

I nodded.

“I may know a way… I mean, I’ll have to know the details of the curse and all, but I’m sure I could find something that will suit your needs,” he said.

My heart jumped. This could be it!

But I couldn’t get my hopes up for long. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to get something this important out of Christopher.

I sat up straight. “What’s your price?”

Christopher froze. He looked shocked.

Then slowly, a smile spread across his face.

“You know how to make my heart sing, love. The question is… How much are you willing to pay?”