Chapter 50

JESSICA

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“You should eat something,” Pierce says, setting a plate beside my bed. It’s been forty–eight hours since my discharge, and I haven’t left my

room.

I stare at the food without interest. “Not hungry.”

“Jessica…” His voice softens in that way I can’t stand–pity wrapped in concern.

“Don’t.” I pull myself up to sitting. “Just… don’t.”

When he leaves, I drag myself to the bathroom, avoiding my reflection. The shower helps, hot water scalding my skin until I feel something again, even if it’s just pain. As I’m toweling off, I hear voices outside. One of them is Grayson’s. I freeze, strain to listen.

“-shouldn’t be here,” Pierce says.

“I need to see her.”

“You’ve done enough damage.”

Their voices drop lower, and I press my ear against the door.

“There’s something you don’t understand,” Grayson’s voice sounds desperate.

“It wasn’t about failing her. The council-” The front door slams, cutting off whatever he was about to say. I slowly slide down the bathroom wall until I’m sitting on the cold tile floor.

The council?

What did they have to do with this?

A thought occurs to me–a dangerous one. What if this isn’t about me being weak at all? What if there’s something else going on–something they’re not telling me? I pull myself up, a new determination taking hold. If Grayson won’t tell me the truth, I’ll find it myself.

I grab my phone and text the one person who knows everything that happens in this pack: “Theo, I need a favor. I’ll tell you later. Pretty please?”

Damn it. I swear I won’t ever ask Theo for favors, but I need answers. My reflection catches my eye–hollow cheeks, dark circles, hair hanging in wet strands. I look pathetic. Weak. Just like they all think I am.

“Fuck that,” I growl, yanking open drawers, grabbing clothes.

I throw on black jeans and a tank top, not bothering to dry my hair. My muscles ache as I stretch, reminding me of how long I’ve been lying in that bed. Wasting time.

My phone buzzes.

Theo: “What kind of favor we talking about?

I type back while shoving my feet into boots: *Access to council records. Last meeting.”

Theo: That’s not a favor, that’s suicide. What happened to you?‘

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11:17 Tue, 12 Aug

Chapter 50

later.

pull it on with jerky movements. My heart hammers against my ribs–not from fear but from something else. Rage.

‘Fine, North entrance. 20 minutes. Don’t be

pocket and yank open my bedroom door. Pierce is sitting at the kitchen table,

“Jessica? What are you–”

him off, grabbing my keys

chair scraping. “You’re

I whirl around, facing him. “I’m

pales. “What did Grayson

and sharp. “Nothing. That’s the

doorknob, twisting it hard. Pierce

“You can’t just-”

away, shoving him back with a strength that surprises

stumbles, eyes wide. “Jessica,

closer, my voice dropping to something dangerous. “What did the council have to

silence tells

I thought.” I turn, yanking

I step outside. “If you

a cold smile forming. “Let them

I stride into the night. My ribs ache with each step. But I’m done crying, done waiting for Grayson to

that goddamn frown when

a stone across the pavement. It skitters away into darkness like my

ago.

has been calling me. I don’t care about him. I

hitting decline and shoving it back in my

feel safe even when I’m furious with him. I hate how much I crave his touch even while I’m plotting to go behind

wiping

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11:17 Tue, 12 Aug

Chapter 50

minutes when I sense it—a shadow

dark fingers across the pavement. Fuck, I shouldn’t

pace, boots scuffing against concrete. The shadow moves

out, hating how my

Nothing.

I can grab it, something–someone–slams into me from behind. A hand clamps over my mouth, muffling

د

out here alone,” a low voice growls in my ear, hot breath against

effortlessly. My heart hammers so loud I swear he can

find myself staring into the coldest blue eyes I’ve

Theo.

“Shut. The fuck. Up.”

down on

The pressure releases for just a

my knee up, aiming for his groin, but he twists, catching my thigh with his. My

stop fighting for two goddamn seconds?”

off me,” I spit when he

his hands on either side of my head. “No can do, sweetheart.

give

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