AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sleep is important,” Grayden confirms, then nods in thanks to the waiter when he brings us our first dish.
I grab my spoon and try the mushroom soup. It’s delicious with a rich flavor. I’m enjoying just being here, chatting with Grayden while eating great food. Life with him by my side has been really good.
“Have you heard from Graham?” I ask, then gently blow on my soup to cool it down a bit. “I heard he’s taking his company public.”
“He’s doing amazing,” Grayden confirms with a nod. “Gavin mentioned that Graham got some huge investors interested in his company. He also said that Graham planned on growing his research and development team. We’ve done some calculations for fun, and the numbers we’ve come up with are insane.”
“So, he’s doing well?”
“Better than that,” Grayden assures me. “Gavin and I believe that by the end of three years, Graham will earn his first billion.”
“Whoa,” I breathe, my eyes wide upon hearing the insanely high number. “I know that your family is rich, but if Graham’s company earns that, he will be even better off than the rest of you.”
“He deserves it,” Grayden tells me, and I nod in agreement. “While Garren and I were partying, Graham worked on his tech. When Gavin was off to fight on the front lines, Graham set up a computer lab in one of the garages. He never stopped working and kept on following his dream. We were just too wrapped up in our own lives and didn’t notice it.”
“That’s truly impressive,” I say, meaning it. “Oh, by the way, James called to the house the other day. What did he want?”
“He just wanted to send me the report on potential new members that wanted to join the Pack of Survivors and the New Witches coven on the task force,” Grayden replies. “The small infractions have been keeping them busy, but we can’t ignore even one. It’s important that everyone knows that we’re serious about upholding the peace treaty.”
“It’s good to stay on top of things,” I agree. Even though we’re alone, I lean closer to share a piece of gossip I overheard yesterday. “Did Gavin mention anything about Tiana being sent to Australia?”
“Garren is still furious with her for trying to kill Alyssa,” Grayden replies with a grimace. “She’s lucky that he’s not sending the Pack of Shadows somewhere much, much colder.”
The waiter serves the second course. I cut my steak while the waiter refills our wine glasses. When we’re alone again, Grayden and I continue our conversation.
“How’s the new hospital department functioning?” Grayden inquires, referring to the separate wing of the White Sparks Medical Center that has been funded by the royal families to discreetly focus on wolves and is mostly run by witches.
“We’ve made some very promising discoveries,” I tell him, not bothering to hide my excitement. Using wolves’ blood is proving beneficial to discovering cures that will help us treat human diseases such as cancer or HIV. “In fact, Garren’s friend Esme came in the other day. We’re hopeful that with slow but steady treatment, we’ll be able to heal her scars. The acid really cut deep, but our magic combined with her wolf’s healing ability could really make a difference.”
“That’s incredible,” Grayden says, his eyes wide. I nod, the excitement in my own mirroring his. “Before I forget, Wyatt and Priscilla sent us a Save-the-Date card. It looks like that in less than a year, the most eligible bachelor will be taken off the market.”
“The duke is getting himself a duchess.” I chuckle softly. “I’m glad. Priscilla deserves to be happy. She did wonderful work with the hospital’s PR.”
“Speaking of the hospital,” Grayden starts, his eyes shining with mischief. “Did I see Liam and Jessica kissing the other day?”
“You can’t tell anyone!” I say quickly. “They’re still figuring it all out.”
“My lips are sealed,” Grayden assures me with a gesture of zipping up his lips and throwing the key away.
The waiter comes again to serve the dessert as well as opening another bottle of wine. The cheesecake looks just as delicious as everything else I’ve tasted tonight. This evening truly is perfect.
I sink my fork in and take a bite of the cheesecake. Grayden looks at me and I give him a small nod to confirm it’s good. He doesn’t stop looking at me. I take a second bite and this time, I abruptly freeze. There’s something in my mouth that shouldn’t be there. Grayden lifts his brow in question. I frown and pull the small object from my mouth.
I gasp. My eyes widen when I realize what I’m holding in my hands. I glance at Grayden who isn’t sitting in his chair anymore but is now down on one knee by my side. He takes the object from my hands and holds it up between us.
“Helia Payne,” Grayden whispers, his sexy voice sending shivers down my spine. “I could make a whole speech about how you changed my life and how perfect we are together. I could tell you how beautiful you are and how I’m the luckiest person on the planet. I could tell you so many things, but that would only postpone me getting the answer to the question that’s making me really, really nervous.”
Grayden’s lips curl up into a smile, and his eyes shine with so much love that warms my entire being. He clears his throat as if trying to gather the courage.
“Yes!” I cry out before he can continue.
Grayden grins. “But I didn’t even ask you yet. How do you know what I am going to ask you?”
“Yes, I’ll be your wife,” I tell him, grinning ear to ear.
Grayden frowns, glancing at the ring in his hand. His eyes widen as if in realization, and he shakes his head. “No, no, this is a mistake,” he says quickly. “I’m just looking for a new bridge partner.”
I roll my eyes and throw myself in his arms. Grayden catches me and pulls me in for a kiss. He puts the ring on my finger and brings my hand to his lips, gently pressing another kiss on my knuckles.
“I love you, Dr. Helia Payne.”
“I love you, too, Prince Grayden Gray.”
