His Trouble Maker

Chapter 46

23

JESSICA

When I was little, all the other she wolves dreamed of wearing the Luna’s crown. I, on the other hand, dreamed of anything else.

“So,” Pierce sneaked up behind me, making me roll my eyes. I heard him pouring himself a cup of coffee before starting a very expected conversation.

“Today’s the day, huh?”

“You didn’t have to ask, Pierce,” I sighed, crouching down to tie my boots. The faces were stiff, like they didn’t want to cooperate any more than I did. I hate when he pretends to be the fool. He isn’t. “I know you-”

“Jess,” Pierce says again, softer now. “It’s not too late to back out.”

I laugh. Once. Bitter. “And do what? Stay in the pack house and play good little omega until someone decides I’m fit to breed?”

He flinches, and I hate that I hit a nerve. But not enough to stop.

“I’m not backing out,” I say. “Not when I’ve bled for this.”

Pierce moves beside me, leaning on the counter like he’s trying to be casual, but I see the way his jaw flexes. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, you know.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I finally look at him. “If I don’t prove myself today, I’m just the omega who fucked her way to the top.”

I didn’t wait for him to say anything else. I just threw my pack over my shoulder, adjusted my jacket collar, and walked out the door before

the tightness in my chest could bloom into something messy. What I need today is to be focus on the trial. The top five contenders get to choose which department they’ll lead. If I wasn’t one of them, I was nothing. Worse than nothing.

I need to get into one of those departments, preferably combat or border patrol. Anything that gets me away from the center of pack politics.

After what happened with Aria, I think everyone have this perception of me. Everyone giving me those looks–half–pity, half–confusion. Poor little omega Jess, playing at being something she’s not. If they only knew how hard I’ve trained for this.

A few wolves were already gathered, circling the arena.

I didn’t make it twenty steps before the scent of rot hit me–Vex, Kendra, and their pack of spoiled alpha jackals. They clustered near the path to the arena, five pairs of eyes locking onto me like predators scenting wounded prey.

“Look what crawled out of her hole,” Kendra sneered, her lip curling. “Thought Grayson’s little pet would be smart enough to quit after the

scandal.”

My stomach twisted, but I kept my mouth shut and tried to keep walking. Vex stepped directly in my path, his broad shoulders creating a wall I couldn’t get around. He reached out, dragging his fingers down my arm in a way that made my skin feel dirty.

“Are you really still fighting, baby?” His eyes gleamed with pure hate. “Don’t tell me daddy Gray hasn’t upgraded you into his full–time whore yet?” He leaned in closer, his hot breath hitting my face. “What nasty tricks do you do for him that keeps him so… interested?”

I tried to step around him, but Kendra shoved me hard with both hands, sending me staggering back.

“Answer him when he speaks to you, slut,” she hissed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Or is your mouth only good for sucking dick these

days?”

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Trent made an obscene gesture with

to show us what she’s been showing Grayson,” he said, grabbing his crotch. “Bet that’s the only fucking reason

this trash around.”

at my sides. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I noticed wolves already gathering beyond them, circling the arena, some staring our way. Each second made it worse–another humiliation, another chance for the rumors to

fuck out of my way,” I growled through clenched teeth, trying to sound

up until I felt Kendra right behind me, her breath on my neck.

my face. “That’s the only way a worthless bitch like you could keep

into the dirt so hard the air jumped out of him. I squeeze harder on Trent’s throat,

snarl, spit flying

others tried to stop us, but I push harder making Trent’s face turn purple. My vision blurs

when someone shoves me hard. I tumble into the

happens to-” His boot connects with my ribs. Pain explodes through me. I curl up, gasping. “Not so tough now, are you?” He grabs my hair, yanks my head back.

burst behind my eyes. It fucking hurts like

he growls, spitting in my face. “Get up

in the stomach.

circling me like prey. “Crawl,

fist catches my jaw. I taste

“ENOUGH!”

everything. Grayson stands there, eyes blazing with fury. Everyone

your hands

backs up, hands

barely see it. Suddenly he’s there, holding Trent by the throat, lifting him clean off the ground. Trent’s head bounces off the packed earth with a sick thud. “I said GET. OFF.

Everyone’s frozen, Nobody breathes.

but never really took it. Instead, I roll to my side,

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then barks out, “Get in lines.

rush back on the field while he tries to help me again. Grayson crouches down, voice lower but still hard. “You’re done for today. Get your ass to the

away. My palm leaves a bloody print on

not fine.

cut him off by forcing myself up, legs shaking. Pain shoots through my side. “I

right behind me. His voice

hurt bad.”

J

of my hand. “Save your concern for someone who gives a

limp back toward the others, he grabs my arm.