His Trouble Maker

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.

claws itch beneath my fingers. I don’t shift. Even if I want to. Instead, I plant both hands on the table-

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Chapter 73

him in the

need a Luna to

That kind of voice that hunts

without kissing any elder’s ring. You want someone who fucks tradition and grovels for scraps–go find a tame

muscle ticks in his jaw and I hope he knows it’s me saying he cannot and will

if you want a wolf–one who knows every inch of these mountains, one who buried half your enemies

slam my hand down–not to

throwing her name in my face. But don’t act surprised when I stop playing civil and start tearing

week before her 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 weeks

are

her spine before

round the last corner just a few blocks away from her house when suddenly, a

I don’t shout. I don’t bare teeth. But my body vibrates with the restraint it takes not to shove her out of

together.

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

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

hand

to help you. I’ve always

You tried

and she

already moving. Already past her. Because every second wasted here is another second Jessica is in

halfway down the block when

“Grayson!”

Crack.

slap across my face. Slowly, I turn my head, jaw tight as I control myself to not kill

“You don’t get to

I stare at her.

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Chapter 73

decide where I go,” I say, voice low, sharp enough to bleed. “And you sure as hell don’t

forward. “She’s manipulating

stepping into her space now, 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 every lie that ever passed her lips “-is more important

some brokeri girl with scars and an attitude

thinking clearer than I ever have,” I bite back. “You want this title? This crown? Fine. Fight for it. But don’t touch

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

That. Stops. Me.

No.

That’s fucking impossible.

takes a hesitant step closer, her breath hitching, eyes glistening with tears–fragile, raw, almost breaking. “Can’t you feel it, Grayson? Can’t

us?”

tense, and for a good fucking second, I swear, my wolf

something snaps inside