Chapter 37 Grayson
Grayson
Iwas looking over my shoulder more frequently, not exactly sure what I was afraid of.
Everyone knew the plan and I kept checking my phone to make sure I had the time right.
I bounced on my feet while I waited outside my last class.
I knew Riley would be coming this direction anytime now and in about an hour she would be headed to the Celica meeting and I would be monitoring, just like Asher wanted.
I wasn’t going to encroach on Chancellor Fowler’s plan and cause more problems, but I was more than happy to watch over her.
And if something did pop off then I wouldn’t hesitate to ruin anyone who threatened to hurt her, but for now, I would stay in my shadows and let her deal with things until she really needed me.
I saw her before she saw me. She held onto both straps of her backpack and walked with her head down, like she was trying to avoid eye contact with anyone that passed by. This school could be brutal with the way gossip traveled. I met her halfway, gripping her arms and startling her.
“Hey, it’s just me.” I let out a short laugh when she let out a breath of relief.
She looked over her shoulder, letting out her own awkward laugh. “Were you waiting for me?”
I nodded. “Well, yeah. That’s the plan.”
“Mm, I’m pretty sure the plan is for you to look on from afar, not literally shadow me.”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, keeping her moving forward. “I like a hands-on approach, aking sinta.”
Riley molded into my body as we walked, seeming to find comfort there. I could have kicked my feet with how happy I was with that, but I needed to focus.
“So, you came from a different side of campus. Isn’t your last class on the east side?” I asked, turning us so that we could make our way to the parking lot.
“Uh, yeah, it is. I had a meeting.”
I stopped walking, forcing her to stumble before regaining her footing. She looked up at me with confusion.
“Meeting with who?”
“The new human/magic liaison.”
I scratched the side of my head. “We didn’t know you had a meeting.”
“I didn’t know I needed to inform you of my schedule. Regardless of what’s going on, I am still very much allowed to do what I want.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry it came out like that. I just meant, well, I was just nervous it was another surprise Chancellor Fowler meeting.” She’d told us all about his crack of dawn intrusion at the house and his ominous message.
She sighed, pressing her lips together. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. He wasn’t there, but he might as well have been.”
I cocked my head to the side, confused.
“Celica, this meeting, it’s all his stipulations. Submitting to him makes my fucking skin crawl, but as much as you all want to see me safe and secure, I want the same thing for everyone else.”
I pulled her into me and she wrapped her arms around my middle. “Sending you to see the person who took over your dad’s old job is fucked, but I don’t really see how that helps him.”
“Lena is one of his. She’s another person to keep an eye on me. Unlike my dad, she isn’t human. Her powers lull you so you’re a little bit more susceptible to help and opening up. Even if I wanted to spew out all that I know about him, it wouldn’t matter.”
“How did it go?”
“It went. It was like I felt comfortable there, but I also knew I didn’t want to talk to her.
I did some research on her powers on my phone and it’s like it can be an offset of River’s.
It’s not necessarily mind control, but it’s almost like she’s trying to eventually condition you to believe something.
She kept trying to get me to talk about my dad, my powers, everything, but lucky me, I’m far too stubborn for one session to work. ”
“That’s my girl,” I praised, starting to walk again.
Corrin was waiting for us by her car, leaning against the hood and typing away on her phone.
She looked up, her eyes widening when she saw us.
She turned her phone so the screen was facing Riley.
“Jade sent me a picture of her and your mom. She said something about how she makes really good cookies, so now if anyone fucks with her, she’ll be even more inclined to rip their heads off. ”
Riley’s lips lifted a little at the mention of her mom and her safety. It had me thinking about my parents.
Corrin grabbed Riley’s hand, gently pulling her over to her side. “She is mine now, shadow boy. You know where the meeting is, so don’t be late. Mateo will be around as well, so if you hear some heavy-ish breathing, don’t be alarmed. You just have an alpha on your ass.”
“You really love saying that don’t you. Alpha,” Riley mocked and it was nice watching her be casual and playful.
“Oh, fuck yeah. I’ve been telling them that they deserved it far more than Dante ever did. I’m glad that fucking prick is dead.” Corrin walked around to the driver’s side. “Jax told me he would piss on his grave if I let him.”
“Morbid much,” Riley scolded playfully.
I cut into their conversation. “I’ll let you know when I’m there, okay?” Riley looked at me, raising an eyebrow. “I have to do something first, real quick, and then I’ll be at the meeting spot.”
She started to open the passenger door but stopped to scan my face. Skepticism was written all over it, but I knew she wasn’t trying to come to a malicious conclusion.
“I’m checking on my parents, that’s all. I know Mateo has wolves on them, but still.”
Riley gave me the cutest smile I’d ever seen and opened the car door all the way. “You’re a good boy, Grayson.” She let those words linger as she got inside the car.
I heard Corrin giggle before the sound of the engine running drowned them out.
I took my ring off, washing the feeling of Riley calling me a good boy away for now and shadowing home.
I stood in the kitchen entryway and watched my parents bicker over how long something had been left in the refrigerator for.
My mom took a whiff inside the plastic container and wrinkled her nose, scolding my dad.
I cleared my throat and my mom’s shoulder’s lifted dramatically, flinching and my dad had to catch the container before it flew out of her hands.
I had to catch myself before a loud laugh erupted from my throat.
“Grayson! Bakit di ka man lang nagsalita! You know not to scare me like that!” My mom wagged her finger at me before letting the knowing smile return to her face and coming to hug me.
My dad chuckled. “If I was him, I would shadow all over the place.” He patted my arm and pulled me into another hug after my mom was done.
“What brings you home? Is something wrong at school? Are you hungry?” My mom questioned, looking like she was prepared to make me a whole meal.
I bite my lower lip, moving towards the stove and shooing my mom’s hand away from the knobs. “Um, can we sit down? There is something I need to tell you.”
“Is this about your shifter friends?” My dad asked, walking to the living room. “We were going to call you, but we all got to chatting and I forgot. You know I don’t shift anymore, but it was nice to hear them speak about their adventures while your mother forced them to eat.”
My mom smacked him on the back of the head when they sat down on the couch. “Wag kang magsinungaling. I forced no one. I suggested they get something to eat, like a good host.”
I sat on the other end of the couch, nervously running a hand through my hair. “It does have to do with them, but it’s more than that.”
I felt sweat prickle at the back of my neck and I knew the nerves were starting to kick in.
My parents were two of the most understanding people on the planet.
They were concerned with my education and what I wanted to do with my life, but not so much that I felt suffocated.
I never even told them I was bisexual. They were always curious about my love life, but not enough to infiltrate and interrogate me.
I’d introduced them to boyfriends and girlfriends, and they never batted an eye… they just asked me if I was happy.
I didn’t know what exposing my bad decisions would do to our relationship. I didn’t know if they would view me differently. I’d decided to hurt people over a scholarship, but also for their safety, but knowing them they would scold me for endangering others.
“Bakit ka nanginginig? What’s wrong, Grayson?” my mom asked, worry lacing her tone.
I pressed my lips together, hard. I wasn’t sure where to start, but somehow when I opened my mouth, the words just flooded out.
I blew out a breath when I was done, refusing to look at either of them.
They’d asked no questions during my explanation, but their eyes gave them away during certain parts.
I barreled through even though every part of me wanted to leave this house and never look back.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle it if they thought of me as a bad person.
I felt my mom’s hand on my thigh. “Grayson, tumingin ka sa akin”
I peeked over at her, preparing for the worst. Her face was neutral and no look of shame could be found.
“I know your father and I are honored you care so much for us.” She rubbed her lips together. “But we did not raise you to think that putting others in harm’s way was a good trade for our safekeeping.”
She sounded disappointed and that was so much fucking worse than anything I could have imagined.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I-I don’t know what else to say.”
“Did you apologize to Riley? Have you made that right?” my dad pressed, leaning forward.
I nodded vigorously.
“And how is she? You’ve said a lot and I don’t even think I could handle all those things at her age. Her father, her friend, the chancellor being her…oh, Grayson, is she alright?” My mom’s lips moved a mile a minute.