Chapter 73

Chapter 73

GRAYSON

She fucking needs me.

And I couldn’t be there for her.

My girl is in pain, and I am locked in this goddamn room pretending I give a shit to what the elders have to say. I don’t like it when things don’t go in my way, but it turns out, it’s the same for the alpha. I pissed him off that’s why he shows up with his bastard.

“Riot cannot be the next alpha,” Aria’s father said giving me a look. I think it translates to ‘fuck you.’

My fists clench so hard my knuckles flash bone white. I want to tear through this table. Flip it. Smash it. Rip out Riot’s smug throat and remind every asshole sitting here that bloodlines don’t mean shit when you’ve got bite.

“Grayson,” the Alpha says, low and clipped.

I lift my head slowly, not really interested to what he’s about to say. “You’re twitching like you’ve got something to say,” he mutters.

Say?

No.

I want to howl.

I stare him down, slow and quiet, the way predators size up threats. “Riot doesn’t have the spine to lead,” I say, each word sharp enough to cut meat. “You want a wolf who’ll bow to you. Not one who’ll burn for the pack.”

That gets a reaction.

“He isn’t even here,” Elder Vass says, his voice clipped, like my words are beneath the room. “You slander a wolf who hasn’t had the chance to defend

himself.”

“I don’t need him here to know what he is.” I lean forward, hands braced against the table, spine bowed like I’m ready to pounce. “I’ve been leading this pack since I’m eighteen. You know what I am capable of.”

The Alpha watches me closely now. I know why he’s trying to stir this coup.

When I refused to mate Aria that day, that’s when he decided to show me he’s not bluffing.

He wants me cornered. Wants to punish me for saying no with an audience.

“And what are you capable of, son?” He smirks, eyes glinting with that same old fake interest. “When you can’t even find a good Luna for this pack?”

Luna.

Tch.

He thinks I’m vulnerable there. Thinks I’m unbalanced without a pretty bitch at my side to dress up the throne.

He’s wrong.

I push my chair back with a slow scrape – not loud, not rushed – just enough to make every ear twitch. My spine stretches as I rise, the bones along my back shifting with tension, like fur could rip through skin at any second.

I don’t shift. Even if I want to. Instead, I plant both hands on the table- firm,

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Chapter 73

look him

think I need a Luna

voice is low. Not quiet. Low. That kind of

any elder’s

and I hope he knows it’s me

half

doesn’t get the chance. I slam my hand down–not to scare, just to interrupt – just to remind the room that I let them talk, not the

her name in my face. But don’t act surprised

birthday. A week from now, her body’s going to betray her. And it’s already starting. I can tell. The way the bond flares, the way her moods sharpen, the way I wake up at night already hard, already starving for her like my instincts are

what are

spine before it

away from her house when suddenly, a small hand stop

I don’t bare teeth. But my body vibrates with the restraint it takes

lips press together. “Grayson, you’re

once in this fucked–up mess, I know exactly what I’m doing. What I’m running to. Who

picture of concern. Or maybe performance. I can’t tell anymore. “You’re not thinking clearly. She’s not your mate,

hand

help you. I’ve always

You tried to

she

already moving. Already past her. Because every second

down the block when I hear

“Grayson!”

Crack.

turn my head, jaw tight as I control myself to not

“You don’t get to walk away

I stare at her.

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Chapter 73

enough to bleed. “And you sure as hell don’t get to lay a hand on

steps forward.

towering over her, letting the full weight of alpha bleed into every word. “And you think this → gesture between us, to the slap, to her eyes, to

your mate,” she hisses, desperate now. “She never was. I am. You think some brokeri girl with scars and an attitude

back. “You want this title? This crown? Fine.

face twists–hurt, fury, panic. “Then tell me why my wolf said she’s your mate

That. Stops. Me.

No.

That’s fucking impossible.

a hesitant step closer, her breath hitching, eyes glistening with

us?”

hard. My muscles tense, and for a good fucking second, I swear,

when something snaps inside

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