His Trouble Maker

Chapter 115

GRAYSON

I don’t think she’s hearing a single word she says.

It’s like Jess is speaking from somewhere ten feet behind her chest–sharp, certain, the kind of certainty only stubborn people or martyrs ever get. Her jaw’s locked, lips barely moving as she spits the words. Every sentence is a knife. Every breath, loaded.

She’s not asking.

She’s already decided.

And that’s the part that fucking kills me.

Because I know where this goes. I’ve seen it before–in my brother, in the ones who thought they were stronger than fate. You make war against your blood, and it doesn’t end clean. Doesn’t end with a crown or a funeral pyre. Ends with you standing over someone you used to love, and not knowing

who you are anymore.

Jess doesn’t get that yet.

She thinks the fire in her chest is enough to carry her through. That being right is enough to make her safe.

But I’ve been to the other side of right.

I’ve seen what it turns you into.

And still–still–I can’t look away.

She stands there, storm–eyed and half–wild, chin up like she’s daring me to stop her, and all I want is to grab her, shove her against the wall, and kiss that

furious mouth until it softens. Until she remembers we’re not enemies.

That I’m not him.

But I don’t move.

I just breathe her in. Blood, dirt, salt, magic. The tremble in her left hand she doesn’t think I see. The crack in her voice she doesn’t admit.

She’s already gone.

Walking into war like it’s her birthright, like she wasn’t made to be held, loved, saved,

Jess meets my eyes like a challenge.

And 1–God help me—I nod,

Because I won’t break her,

Even if she breaks herself.

Even if it’s me she shatters on the way.

If she’ll ask me about my plan, I’ll tell her the truth.

That I dream every night of knotting inside her–deep, final, brutal–marking her until she’s mine and no one else’s. That I wake with her name in my mouth and the ache still in my chest. That I’d rather be her fucking pet than an alpha without her.

I’ve already reduced myself to her lover.

Chapter 115

And I don’t regret it.

It’s the only thing that still feels holy.

But she won’t ask me.

She doesn’t care about plans. Not mine, not hers. Not anymore.

She’s here to bleed.

We’re all in the woods now–cleared space surrounded by black pines, the ground uneven, moss slick underfoot. No rules, no titles. Just sweat and rage and fists.

Jessica’s breathing hard across from me, shoulders glinting with sweat, shirt clinging to her back like a second skin. Her lip’s split. Her knuckles red. And she’s still fucking going.

“Come on, then,” she spits, circling me like I’m prey.

“Don’t,” I growl. “You’re tired. Your form’s shit.”

“Afraid I’ll win?”

lunge before she can

Pin her. Hard.

a wild thing, elbow aimed for my jaw,

behind me–sharp, mocking. “You getting

fuck up,” I bark

uses the distraction to twist free. Her body slams into mine again, faster this time, teeth gritted, every inch of her vibrating with anger. Not at me. Not really.

And I let her.

feel something that’ll

forward, chin high, already cocky. “This your plan? Let her beat you

my chin,

doesn’t need thanks,” I say. “She needs someone who won’t fucking leave her when

needs control,” Theo snaps. “Not another wolf

I lose

shove him. “Say

He does.

of

once. Just once. And it’s enough to send him

your dicks or do I need to

Chapter 115

from his lip.

stare at her. “You want to train? Fine. But don’t look at me like I’m

eyes flick. “Then don’t get

She hits.

Hard.

absorb the blow. She moves fast–wild, reckless -throwing every ounce of fury into the swing like I’m

her wrist. She

back to circling,

And then-

She charges.

I brace too late.

earth, her weight slamming into me. She’s straddling my hips, fists raised, hair sticking to her cheeks,

“Say it,” she snarls.

thighs, dig my fingers in.

think

I shove up.

to her throat, legs pinning hers. She bucks like she wants to kill me.

I’d let her.

I grit out, jaw throbbing. “I

Her eyes flare.

to die before he gets the chance to

spits in my

I blink.

Then smile.

that,” I

She goes still.

Just for a second.

she slams her

behind my eyes. Blood

3/5

Chapter 115**N

such a fucking asshole,” she

me,” I fire

before I can finish breathing it. Hard. Bone to muscle,

“Fuck you, Grayson.”

“I’m right.”

Her voice cracks on it, but she doesn’t let up. “Even

to still her, not enough to hurt. “You don’t get to

still under me.

“No.”

“Let me-”

whistle cuts the

Theo.

around a smug grin. “You two done dry–humping each other into a therapy bill,

the whole forest?”

him like she

to

Pierce cuts in, stepping forward, dragging a hand through his

at me. Hard.

I do.

seconds from either snapping or snapping her back