Zodiac leaned against the doorway after Gray disappeared inside, feeling a rare moment of calm settle over him. For weeks, his wolf had been restless, angry, frustrated, and constantly on edge. The incident that had nearly shattered their bond gnawed at him endlessly. But today… today had been different. The way Gray had laughed, the way her eyes had softened when she spoke, the subtle way her hand had fit into his—these small, fleeting moments reminded him why he had fought so hard to keep her close.
He ran a hand through his hair and let out a low sigh, his wolf still stirring beneath the surface, restless but less turbulent. The Alpha's instincts, which had demanded dominance, protection, and sometimes impulsive action, were being tempered by something new: patience. Respect. Love. It was terrifying, yet exhilarating.
She's mine, he thought, letting the words reverberate in his mind. Not in the possessive sense of claiming, but in the sense of connection—an unspoken, unbreakable tie. And I'm not losing her. Not again.
Zodiac's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement across the room. Griffin, his beta, was leaning casually against the counter, arms crossed, a bemused smile playing on his lips.
"You're in trouble, aren't you?" Griffin asked, his tone teasing but knowing.
Zodiac's jaw tightened. "I'm not in trouble."
"You're in deep, Z," Griffin said, stepping closer, eyes glinting with mischief. "The way you look at her when you think no one's watching… Yeah. That's deep trouble. And don't try to deny it. Even your wolf's been pacing all day."
Zodiac growled softly under his breath, his fingers curling into fists. "She's my mate. There's nothing to deny."
Griffin's grin widened. "Exactly. And that's why you're a mess right now. You're trying to act calm and collected, but every muscle in your body is screaming that you want her. And if you're not careful, you'll blow it all before it even starts."
Zodiac exhaled sharply, knowing Griffin was right. The truth was, controlling his impulses had never been so difficult. His wolf craved her in a way that demanded action, yet he had learned restraint. He had to, if he wanted to make things right with Gray.
"She deserves better," he said, his voice low, more to himself than to Griffin. "I won't screw this up again. I won't let my pride or my instincts ruin what we could have."
Griffin's expression softened, his teasing replaced with a rare seriousness. "Then don't wait. Show her, Z. Not just with words, but with every little thing you do. Make her feel safe, make her feel wanted… make her feel like she belongs with you."
Zodiac's chest tightened at Griffin's words. His beta had always been perceptive, often reading situations before Zodiac even realized the dynamics at play. Griffin's advice wasn't just practical—it was a challenge, a reminder of the stakes involved.
He ran a hand over his face, letting the weight of the day sink in. He had nearly destroyed their bond with one reckless act, yet Gray had not recoiled entirely. She had laughed, shared stories, and even allowed herself to be vulnerable. That was more than Zodiac had expected, and he wasn't about to squander it.
I need to show her, every single day, that she can trust me, he thought. That she can rely on me to be the mate she deserves.
As he moved toward the window, Zodiac's gaze fell on the fading sunlight, the golden hue casting long shadows across the room. His mind wandered back to Gray's hand in his, the warmth of her touch, the soft curve of her smile. Every detail was etched into his memory, a constant reminder of what he was fighting for.
The sound of the front door opening drew his attention. Zoey stepped inside, carrying several shopping bags, her bright smile lighting up the room.
"Mission accomplished," she announced triumphantly. "Gray's wardrobe has officially leveled up, and her confidence? Off the charts. I think she's actually starting to like you."
Zodiac's lips twitched into a small, reluctant smile. "She doesn't need my approval, Zo. But… thanks."
Zoey winked, placing the bags on the counter. "Trust me, she's not thinking about you. Not yet. But you? You're thinking about her all the time. Admit it."
Zodiac's eyes narrowed playfully. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Does it matter?"
"Completely," she said, rolling her eyes. "She's your mate, Z. You can't hide from that. You have to act, and you have to act right. No stupid mistakes. No impulsive heat-driven disasters. Got it?"
He nodded, a shiver running down his spine at the memory of the chaos they had narrowly avoided. "Got it."
Zoey clapped her hands together. "Good. Now, let's get serious. You need to plan something for her. Something that shows you care, but isn't… overbearing. And definitely not another heat-fueled mistake. Gray's not the type to forgive easily if you mess up."
Zodiac's mind raced, considering the options. He wanted to make her feel special, to rebuild her trust, and to honor their bond in a way that would resonate with both her human and wolf sides. It had to be thoughtful, intimate, and patient. Not flashy, not forced.
"I have a plan," he said, his voice steady. "But I'll need your help, Zo."
"Of course," she replied eagerly. "You know I live for this kind of chaos… in a controlled, productive way."
He allowed himself a rare laugh, the sound echoing softly through the room. "Good. Then let's start planning."
As Zoey and Zodiac began discussing logistics, Gray emerged from her room, carrying a small notebook she had grabbed. Her expression was tentative, but the subtle smile on her lips hinted at a flicker of confidence.
"You're planning something?" she asked cautiously, her eyes scanning the room and landing on Zodiac.
"Maybe," he said, leaning casually against the counter. "But it involves you, so technically, it's your plan too."
Gray blinked, a mix of confusion and intrigue crossing her face. "Me? How?"
"You'll see," he replied, his eyes locking with hers, a promise hidden behind the intensity of his gaze. "I want this to be perfect, for both of us. No mistakes. No regrets. Just… us."
Her breath caught at his words, the subtle but undeniable pull of their bond drawing her closer, even as caution lingered. Gray realized that this was more than just a plan, more than a gesture—this was Zodiac's way of rebuilding the trust they had almost lost, and she knew, deep down, that she wanted to be a part of it.
Maybe we really can start over, she thought. Maybe we can really make this work.
Zodiac noticed the shift in her demeanor, the subtle relaxation in her posture, the softening of her eyes. His wolf stirred in approval, sensing the strengthening bond, the quiet acknowledgment of their connection.
"Then it's settled," he said, his tone firm yet gentle. "We start tomorrow. Together. One step at a time."
Gray nodded, a small smile breaking through her nervousness. "Together," she echoed, the word carrying a weight of promise and hope.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the room, Zodiac felt a rare sense of peace. The path ahead would not be easy—there would be challenges, temptations, and moments of doubt—but for the first time in a long time, he felt ready to face them. Not alone, and not recklessly, but with Gray by his side, as his mate, his equal, and his partner in every sense of the word.
And for Zodiac, that was more than enough to keep fighting for her—every single day.