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

explain later.

movements. My heart hammers against my ribs–not from fear but from

20 minutes. Don’t

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

“Jessica? What are you–”

off, grabbing my keys

quickly, chair scraping. “You’re

I whirl around, facing him. “I’m done being coddled. Done with

His face pales. “What did Grayson

laugh, harsh and sharp.

it hard. Pierce lunges, grabbing

“You can’t just-”

back with a strength

eyes wide. “Jessica,

me the truth, then.” I step closer, my voice dropping to something dangerous. “What did the council have to do with what

silence tells me

what I thought.” I turn,

after you,” Pierce calls as I step outside. “If you start

a cold smile forming. “Let them try. I’ve got nothing left

stride into the night. My ribs ache with each step. But

frown when I try to do

It skitters

ago.

I don’t care about him. I don’t want to

decline and shoving it back in

betrays me–how despite everything, I still catch myself watching him, wanting him. I hate how he makes me feel safe even when I’m furious with him. I hate

wiping angrily

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11:17 Tue, 12 Aug

Chapter 50

street for two minutes when

streetlights flicker, casting long, dark fingers across the

boots scuffing against concrete.

I call out, hating how my

Nothing.

reach for my phone, fingers trembling. Before I can grab it, something–someone–slams into me from behind. A hand clamps over my mouth, muffling my scream as I’m shoved roughly

د

a low voice growls in my ear, hot breath

he’s solid muscle, pinning me effortlessly. My heart hammers so loud I swear he

and I find myself staring

Theo.

“Shut. The fuck. Up.”

down on his

hell!” The pressure releases for just a

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

stop fighting for two goddamn seconds?” the voice growls, lower now.

fucking hands off me,” I spit when he

just plants his hands on either side of my head. “No can do, sweetheart. There’s a patrol two blocks

don’t give a

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