His Trouble Maker

JESSICA

The wind burned my cheeks as we moved, but I couldn’t stop touching him.

His fur was damp from the morning dew, but it still smelled like him–wild and sharp and impossibly familiar. I let my fingers tangle through the thuch tufts around his neck. He exhaled a low, rumbling breath as I leaned into his warmth.

For the first time in days, I wasn’t angry. Or scared. Or trying to pretend I didn’t miss him. I just… existed. With him.

I didn’t know where we were going. I didn’t ask. Maybe I didn’t care. It was stupid, wasn’t it? Letting him take me. Letting myself want this. Want him.

After everything–after Theo, after Aria, after the mind–reading confession that shattered everything I thought I knew I should’ve been running in the opposite direction.

But instead, I held on tighter.

Because for the first time in days, no one was yelling. No one was cornering me or threatening me or reminding me that I’d always be second–best

There was just the cold. The trees. The sound of his breath. And me.

I let my eyes flutter shut for a second, my forehead resting against the side of his neck.

What the hell are we doing?

I didn’t know. Maybe I didn’t want to.

His pace slowed suddenly, and my eyes snapped open.

Oh.

The clearing was exactly as I remembered–but not. Moonflowers spilled across the forest floor like fallen stars, their silvery petals catching the golden rays of the sun.

My fingers trembled against his fur as he crouched, letting me slide off.

in the quiet cleating. “You know that, right? Bringing me

eyes

give me that look. You know exactly

after me, his massive wolf form somehow managing to look apologetic. Which was ridiculous. Wolves can’t look apologetic. Except Grayson–as–wolf

now.” My voice cracked embarrassingly. “You kissed Aria infront of everyone but…Logan told me it wasn’t

my mind. It stings a lot knowing Aria can have him in ways that I probably won’t. Not in this

rapidly, focusing on the cool breeze against my hot cheeks, the

want to run away from you and run toward

lowered his massive head and rested it on my lap, those wolf eyes looking up at me. I guess we were the same. We just can’t meet

goddess, it’s

1/3

Chapter 64

as tears finally spilled over. I wiped them away

know how many heartbreaks võs have to sitter re realize we are not for each other.

head rested. Before I could process what was happening, he pulled away, his mantive form shifting in a blur of fur and

human, crouched before me with only scraps of dignity preserved.

that was going to work. When he tried to touch my face, I can only

“Look at me, Jess.”

my head, feeling pathetic. “I

by he

not?” His voice dropped lower, that dangerous edge that always made something inside me curl

you then I

want anything to do with him anymore. I’ll be out in my mind in seconds

kisses.

my ear. “That’s always your answer, isn’t it?

“Don’t you dare. You don’t get to make me the villain when you’re the

”