Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 212

Aria’s POV

The whole hall blew up the second Grayson said he was here for the husband selection too.

“What?!”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me-”

“Alpha Grayson?!”

The men who had been standing around with their best smiles and polished manners a second ago all turned to stare at him. A few looked offended. A few looked alarmed. Most just looked like they’d been slapped in the face.

I didn’t blame them.

I was stunned too.

Of all the men who could have walked through that door, Grayson was the last one I expected. He wasn’t some young noble trying to marry upward. He wasn’t some ambitious warrior trying to attach himself to Frostpine’s future. He was already an Alpha. He already had power, a pack, and territory of his own.

What the hell was he doing here?

“This is absurd,” one of the candidates snapped. “How are we supposed to compete with him?”

“Yeah,” another immediately said. “He’s too powerful. This was never meant for someone like him.”

A few others started talking over each other after that.

“This is unfair.”

“It ruins the whole point.”

“We might as well all leave now!”

Rhys stepped forward at that moment, still wearing that composed expression of his. “Or maybe that’s exactly what he wants,” he said, his eyes fixed on Grayson. “Alpha Grayson, are you here for Aria? Or are you here simply because you want a hand in Frostpine’s power?”

That made the room quiet down a little.

Before Grayson could answer, one of his Red Stone soldiers laughed.

“Frostpine’s power?” the man repeated with a smirk. “That’s funny.”

Another crossed his arms and said, “Our Alpha doesn’t need to steal power from anyone. He’s already the most powerful man in the earth.”

Well, nobody could argue with that.

Rhys’s face darkened. “Then why is he here?”

Grayson didn’t even bother looking at Rhys. He simply raised his eyebrow and said, “Because your rules don’t forbid me from being here.”

That wasn’t even a direct answer. Then he turned to Ila:

“So carry on. And let me sign up.”

Poor lla looked like she wanted to disappear.

She stood behind the registration table holding her papers so tightly they almost bent in half. Her eyes moved from Grayson to the candidates, then to me, like she was asking for my opinion.

“What should we do, Lady Aria?” she whispered to me. “Should we let Alpha Grayson sign up? I know Alpha Thalira wouldn’t be approving of this…”

Of course Alpha Thalira wouldn’t like this. She wanted me to marry somebody who could help, not a tyrant who could. hijack Frostpine Pack’s rule.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Grayson. He was staring at me. There was an intense, almost predatory gleam in his eyes.

I suddenly had a strong feeling that if I didn’t let him sign up, he might do some crazy shit.

After a little hesitation, I gave a small nod at Ila.

She sighed and cleared her throat, turning to the crowds.

“Very well,” she said. “Alpha Grayson may register as a candidate.”

That set the room off all over again. But Ila raised her voice quickly before anyone could start shouting again.

“There will be three rounds in this selection,” she announced. “The detailed rules for each round will only be explained right before that round begins.”

No one interrupted this time, though plenty of them were glaring.

“All candidates will be judged on strength, leadership, intelligence, loyalty, and compatibility with Frostpine’s future Alpha.”

That last line dragged a fresh wave of eyes onto me. I kept my face blank and wished they’d all choke.

“Only the strongest and most suitable men will advance. The first round will begin three days from now. That gives everyone time to prepare.”

She paused, then added, “That concludes registration.”

No one clapped or smiled. The men started filing out instead, stiff and tight–faced, and almost every one of them threw Grayson a look on the way out. A couple looked like they were already regretting signing up.

But Grayson acted like they didn’t even exist and walked out with his men. I thought he might come over to talk to me. But he didn’t.

Sable appeared at my side the second the crowd started moving.

“Well,” she whispered, nearly bouncing, “that was dramatic.”

I didn’t answer.

She leaned closer. “Did you know?”

I shook my head.

I slowed when I saw Grayson stop near one of the side arches. His men gathered around him at once and lowered their voices.

“You need to go back.”

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