Caught by the Alpha's Gaze

Indianna couldn't speak. She sat frozen in shock. Even though she had suspected Greyson before, realizing that the voice in her head was actually him left her completely speechless.

Sugar? Greyson urged, sensing her shock. Talk to me.

I...

You're shocked.

No kidding.

There's no need for bad language.

Indianna narrowed her eyes. Tell me... how is this possible?

I can't answer that yet.

But you said you'd give me answers!

I already told you who I am.

I really wish you hadn't.

Greyson's low chuckle echoed in her mind. Now, that's not very nice, sugar.

What were you saying earlier... with my mum?

I can't answer that either.

You're messed up, Greyson. Seriously messed up.

How so?

The way you talked to my mum... that wasn't right.

Care to elaborate?

You said I 'belong to you' and something about crossing the border into your land. And what the hell is a 'pack'?

You're full of questions, sugar.

And you find that annoying?

No... quite the opposite. But do you have to ask so many?

Indianna's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe this boy. This is your fault! You can't just start talking to a girl in her head and then call her annoying for asking questions!

You're talking a lot. You're angry, Greyson observed.

Yeah, you think?

You're way more talkative in your head than in person.

And what does that matter?

Just an observation.

Indianna huffed and rubbed her eyes. She couldn't deal with him right now-he was infuriating, and she wasn't sure if it was intentional. If you're not going to answer my questions, then don't talk to me.

Then I'll see you tomorrow, sugar.

I'm sick. You blackmailed me into going home today. Who says I'll even be better tomorrow?

I do.

Greyson was right.

The next morning, Indianna felt better. Her head no longer pounded like a drum, and she didn't feel like she was constantly going to be sick. She was well-rested, though her temperature was still a little high. That meant there was no avoiding school.

She had to see Greyson.

She sighed and climbed out of bed, heading to the bathroom to shower and get ready. She washed quickly, changed into a pair of jeans and a vest top, and slipped on sandals. The sun was shining brightly when she opened the curtains, glancing at her reflection in the window. She looked tired and worn out, but it was a definite improvement from yesterday.

She suddenly felt a shift in her head and sighed, knowing Greyson was in her mind.

I told you you'd feel better, he said.

I don't want to talk to you, Indianna said immediately. But I'm going to have to see you at school, so it's not like I have a choice whether I speak to you or not, is it?

Correct. See you soon, sugar.

"I don't like being called sugar," Indianna muttered under her breath as she walked into the kitchen where her mother was eating breakfast.

"Good morning, Indie. Feeling better today?" Iris asked.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure-"

"Yes, mum," Indianna interrupted sharply, grabbing an apple. "I'm freaking amazing. Can we go?"

Iris frowned. "There's no need for attitude, Indianna."

"How long is your caring going to last, mum?" Indianna snapped, her temper short from Greyson and her rough night. "In a few days, you'll act like I hardly exist. Just stop pretending. Being mother and daughter died when Dad did." She blinked, shocked she had said all that, but she didn't regret it. "I'll be in the car... Iris."

The drive to school was silent and awkward. Indianna scrambled out of the car as soon as it stopped and rushed inside, heading to her locker while cautiously scanning the halls, hoping not to spot Greyson.

Josh, the boy from yesterday, blocked her path.

"It's Indianna, right?" he asked, his eyes pleading. "Relax, I just wanted to apologise." His bottom lip had stitches, and a faint bruise ran across his cheekbone.

"Stay away from me," Indianna muttered, trying to pass him, but he stepped in her way.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" He sounded desperate but far from sincere. "Just... make sure he knows I apologized-"

"Josh." Ace appeared, and Indianna stiffened. If Ace was here, Greyson couldn't be far. "Greyson told you to stay away from her," Ace said calmly, stepping between them.

"Fine. Whatever. I tried," Josh muttered, puffing out his chest, then turned and walked away.

Ace rolled his eyes and smiled warmly at Indianna. "You okay? He didn't bother you too much, did he?"

"I'm fine," she mumbled, walking off, wondering what Ace knew. Did he know Greyson could get into her mind? About all the secrets hidden from her? She had a feeling he did.

At her locker, she groaned. Greyson was leaning against it, talking to Kal. Instinctively, she turned away, but Brooklyn and Harry appeared, blocking her escape.

"Indianna!" Brooklyn called brightly.

"Yeah," Indianna muttered, glancing at Greyson, who was watching her intently.

"That's great, sweet. Feeling better? How's your head?"

"It's fine now," she said, not telling the full truth. "Thanks, but I need to go." She excused herself and hurried down the hall, trying to create space between her and Greyson.

She yelped as she crashed into someone. Papers flew, books tumbled. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!" she gasped, bending to gather them. A mousy brown-haired girl crouched opposite her, stacking the fallen books, smiling kindly.

"So am I! I wasn't looking where I was going," the girl said. "Hi, I'm Cassie. You must be the new girl?"

"Indianna," she said shyly, handing over papers. "Really, I'm sorry."

"It's fine! Nice to meet you, Indianna. Even if you did knock my homework over."

Indianna chuckled. "I wasn't paying attention-sorry!"

"Don't worry! I drop everything all the time because I'm clumsy. I probably would have dropped something today anyway." Cassie laughed, eyes widening as the bell rang. "Shoot, I'm late! Gotta run, but it was nice meeting you!"

Indianna followed her to class and spotted Cassie at the front, organized and neat. She slumped to the back, hoping Greyson wouldn't notice her.

He did. Slowly, he walked to her desk and rested his arm across the back of her chair. She knew it was to keep her from leaving. He was trapping her, staring directly at her.

"Good morning, sugar," he said.

Indianna sighed and scowled. "Don't call me sugar."

"Sugar it is then," he grinned.

"You're an ass."

"Oh, sugar, I should get you some soap," Greyson whispered in her ear. "To wash out that dirty mouth of yours."

Indianna's jaw dropped. Greyson smirked. "I thought that would leave you speechless."

"You can't say things like that!" she gasped, blushing again.

He leaned back, chuckling. "I wanted to apologise, Indie, for the pain I caused. I didn't mean to, but you weren't listening, and I got angry. I couldn't control it." His dark gaze met hers. "I don't like it when people don't do as I say. Self-control is something I need to work on-especially with you."

"I never would've guessed," she murmured, looking away.

No need for sarcasm, sugar, Greyson said in her head.

"Don't do that!" she snapped, heart pounding. "That's not right!"

Why not? he asked, grinning. "It mixes things up a bit. I'm not one for boring, sugar."

"Greyson," she hissed, temper rising, "don't talk to me if you aren't going to give me answers!"

He raised an eyebrow. "You're talking a lot today."

"Well, you said it-it's my anger!"

"Do I make you angry, sugar?"

"More every second."

"Fantastic," he said, grinning. "I'll give you answers... when the time is right."

"Tell me now!"

"No."

She clenched her fists. "Fucking hell, Greyson!"

"You're not very polite, sugar," he teased.

"Are you really surprised?" she snapped.

"Acting like what?"

"You're intolerable," she groaned.

"You aren't making things easy either, sugar," he countered.

"Fine. Then leave. I wouldn't care."

"Ah, but I would," he murmured. She looked to the door, hoping a teacher would come. Students were staring-some envious, some glaring.

"Ignore them, sugar," Greyson whispered in her ear.

"Why are they glaring at me?" she asked nervously.

"Because you're talking to me," he said.

"My goal was to blend in, not attract attention."

"Blending in went out the window the moment I saw you, Indianna Hughs."

She looked down at her hands, silent, thinking of her wrist scar. Wolves, she whispered.

Greyson stiffened. "What did you say?"

"They travel in packs, don't they?" she asked quietly.

"They do," he said slowly.

"You mentioned a pack earlier. Greyson... is this about the wolves that attacked me? And... killed my father?" Her voice cracked.

Greyson was silent a moment. "Not really."

"Not really?"

"That's what I said."

"Why were you talking about a pack?"

"I can't say."

Indianna sighed. "Of course you can't."

The teacher entered, and Indianna turned her attention to the front, but she could still feel Greyson's eyes on her the entire time.