His Trouble Maker

Chapter 34

GRAYSON

I’m so fucking done.

I tip the glass back, bourbon searing down my throat, but it’s not enough to numb it. Across the clearing the pack’s celebrating like they’re at

a fucking carnival Banners, bonfire, laughter. All for me. All for the death of the only goddamn thing ever wanted.

Lalmost begged him. I almost fucking begged the old man not to do this to me

But I knew better knew it wouldn’t change a thing. It would only make me look weaker. Make it worse.

He fucking sold me. Tied my future to Aria’s fucking bloodline because her father offered the right bribe at the right time. And if so much ás blink wrong tonight–difuck this up–he’ll call Riot back from whatever hole he’s been rotting in and hand him the blessing to be the next Alpha.

The pack would never survive that. Jessica would never survive that. I grip the glass so hard it creaks, the urge to smash it against the nearest

tree almost overwhelming

I could kill Riot. I could kill him in three seconds flat, easy, like breaking the neck of a rabbit. But Aria… Aria would take me down with her

She made that crystal fucking clear the last time we spoke, Drop her name, she said, and she’d ruin me. Drag my name through the mud until there was nothing left.

What fucking choice do I have?

I can’t do a fucking thing except pour another drink with hands that won’t stop shaking and pretend this isn’t killing me.

“Are you okay?” Pierce asked. He pours himself another drink while we both look at the crowd. The announcement has been made earlier as a surprise. “I didn’t know you’re getting married.”

| sport-

adry, humorless sound that feels like it scrapes my throat raw.

“Yeah, I mutter. “Me neither.”

He laughs under his breath. I want to smash the glass in my hand against the wall just to hear something break besides myself

mouth with the back of

glass toward me with a smirk.

bark a laugh, ugly and hollow. “You

seeing me

two guys shooting the shit, “if you need someone to hold the ring, carry the coffin, whatever

them, taking another drink just

the word back down, but they keep coming “I fucking wish none of this was happening.” I turn toward him, biting the inside of my

1/4

CU9.4/

Chapter 34

Jess?” he says, like he’s amused. “She’s around. Probably at the bar getting a third glass of

Third glass.

Because of me.

crawl up my throat

“Did I make her…”

I swallow hard

shame is a fucking noose

Cry!”

pathetic even

Weak Small.

it’s the only thing I

at me for a long second, the smirk sliding off

pulls into a

and mean and real

by my father and I was

tongue. The arrogance in her voice, the way she presses in closer, it makes my stomach burn. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Grayson,” she breathes, her voice law, teasing. Her hand slides down

had my hand on her

my baby Grayson pissed right now! She chuckles, ptoe a little bit until her lips is almost brushing at

giggle at our direction, I am very tempted to push

of the strings of her dress. I realized that there’s

happened to you?”

“What do you mean?”