His Trouble Maker

JESSICA

“What do you want?” I say, words sharper than I intend, but it’s the only thing keeping me upright. The door clicks shut behind us, even though I dra want this talk in the first place, it gives me peace seeing how he look. His eyes are tired, darker than usual.

I hear the faint sound of his breathing. That’s all, I don’t want to notice anything else. “You yanked me in here like your lungs would stop working if you didn’t speak. So speak, Grayson. Say whatever the hell you dragged me in for.”

“You’re in my head, Jess,” he says–voice low, frayed at the edges. “You never leave. Not for a damn second.”

And for a second–one full, traitorous second–I want to lean back into him.

I want to fold but instead, I step away. “Grayson. We really shouldn’t be doing this.”

“We broke up,” I say evenly, even though everything inside me is clawing, raw, screaming. “And you promised to let me go.”

“I’m trying,” he growls, jaw clenched. “But Jess stay the hell away from my brother.”

Hah. Funny how he says that now considering he never mentioned anything about him.

“So this is what it’s all about?”

“He’s dangerous-”

“And you’re not?!” I snarl, shoving him hard enough to knock the breath from his lungs. “Stop doing this. Your father offered me a chance, do you know that?” Grayson growl but I continue to speak because I want him to know there’s a place for me in his pack again.” He told me I can be a warrior if I train under—”

“Under who? My brother?” he snarls, grabbing my wrist. His grip is too tight–tight enough that I feel the bones shift. I rip my arm away with a gasp. “Do you even know who he is?” he spits. “Do you have any idea what he’s capable of?”

“Let me guess,” I bite back, “You’re the only one allowed to hurt me?”

His face falls, jaw slackening. “Jess-”

“No! Don’t ‘Jess‘ me!” I’m circling him now, refusing to be cornered. My wrist throbs where he grabbed it. “Don’t you dare ruin this for me, Grayson. Not again.”

His nostrits flare. “You don’t understand what you’re getting into.”

“If you so much as breathe in my direction during training, if you threaten your brother, if you do anything–anything–to sabotage this opportunity…” I step forward, close enough to smell the pine and rage rolling off him. “I will make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life.”

I back toward the door, hand fumbling for the knob without looking away from him. Something feral flashes in his eyes–something that makes my heart stutter despite everything.

“Stay the hell away from me, Grayson. I mean it.” My voice drops to something barely above a whisper. “Cross me on this, and whatever was left between us dies. Permanently.”

I step out, slamming the door hard enough that the hinges groan in protest. As I stride down the hallway, back straight and head high, I feel something wet on my cheeks.

I wipe it away roughly. He doesn’t deserve my tears.

When I came back, Riot is nowhere to be found. I frown looking at his stupid note on the table.

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Chapter 69

tonight, I’ll pick you up. Don’t cry

him. Screw both of

he’ll just pick me up but I’m sure as hell

sleep doesn’t come. Instead, my body burns with frustration–at Grayson, at Riot, at myself. I toss and turn, sheets twisting around my legs ta restraints.

finally drift off, anger melting into something else

escapes before I can stop

goddess, it feels so good. His tongue flicks across the sensitive tip, and I arch my back, shoving myself closer to

caring how desperate

teeth nipping at my hipbone. I’m squirming, pushing his head lower, shameless in my

feral and

breath between

I notice the curtains fluttering wildly–my window’s wide open. When the hell did that happen? Cold night air rushes in, making me shiver. When did

perfect.” I kick off the tangled sheets wrapped around my ankles like vines and

eyes bright, lips swollen from my own teeth. I look feral, unhinged.

window, ready to slam it shut when something outside stops me dead. A massive wolf stands in

window.

At me.

my throat. I

drops open, revealing teeth made for tearing flesh. A string of saliva drips

the glass rattles.

backing away. Is that..Grayson? No, it’s not

my phone clattering to the floor. Damn it. I tried to crawl to get it but it’s

bed!

so faint I almost think I imagined it. Then it

inch. My neck creaks with the effort, muscles locked in fear. Just one more look. I need to be sure. I need

open, and I whirl around with

over me, slow, deliberate. And then I realize I’m standing here half–naked in front of him. I grab the edge of the dresser to cover myself, but it’s too late. His

– slow. Almost lazy. Then he cracks his neck

2/4

Chapter 69

son of a bitch –Thiss, reaching for the door, ready to shove him out. But

me against his chest, my breaths

twists, flipping me around en fast my head spins, my bark slamming downed ve arm snakes around my waist, locking me in place while his other hand pins

brushing the shell of my ear. “Wouldn’t want

his foot, hard, but he just laughs a dark, hungry sound

snarl, bucking against

escaped my lips when i felt his fingers tangle in my hair yanking my head back to expose