《His Trouble Maker Luna》 Alpha Luna 1 Chapter 1 JESSICA I have a confession to make. I think the Alpha hates me. No¨Cdespises me. That might be the right term because there is absolutely no logical reason why I am standing here, simply existing, doing nothing, and yet somehow, he still finds a reason to kill me with those goddamn eyes. Like,e on? Really? But if there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve learned in my seventeen years within the ckmoor Pack, it¡¯s that Gray Westwood never stares at me without a reason. Or maybe¨Cjust maybe¨Cthose eyes were made to fuck me and ruin me all at once. ¡°Uh¨Coh,¡± Logan mutters beside me. ¡°What did you do this time, Jes?¡± ¡°What?¡± I scoff, crossing my arms. ¡°I exist. That¡¯s usually enough.¡± Logan hums, eyes flicking toward the other side of the yard. Every pack member is expected to train, to fight, to serve. That¡¯s why after ss, we¡¯re mandated toe here. PO ¡°Mm. That so? Because Gray Westwood is looking at you like he either wants to fight you or-¡± ¡°Or what?¡± His grin turns wicked. ¡°Or fuck you against a wall.¡± My stomach drops. ¡°Shut up.¡± I re at him. ¡°He hates me.¡± ¡°Hates you?¡± Logan smirks. ¡°Or wants you?¡± Oh, gods. Not this again. I roll my eyes, but it doesn¡¯t shake the feeling. ¡°Come on,¡± he grins. ¡°All that tension? The arguing? The way he watches you like you personally offended his ancestors?¡± He leans in. ¡°Repressed. Sexual. Energy.¡± I snort. ¡°Yeah, no. If anything, he wants me dead.¡± Logan snickers. ¡°Okay, but imagine-¡± ¡°No.¡± I cut him off immediately. ¡°Oh,e on.¡± Logan grins, eyes gleaming. ¡°Just for a second. Imagine him-¡± he tilts his head, voice dropping lower, ¡°pinning you against a wall, all muscle andmand, those big fucking hands-¡± ¡°Just for a second,¡± he teases. ¡°Imagine him-¡± he tilts his head, voice slipping into something dangerous, ¡°pinning you against a wall, all muscle andmand, those big fucking hands-¡± 173 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul Gti. I freeze. My body betrays me. 73% 20 However, before I can stop it, the image forms. Gray pressing me against the cold stone. His body heat licking at my skin. His fingers fisting in my hair, dragging my head back- I rip the thought away so fast it feels like I¡¯ve been burned. No. Absolutely not. I snap my head toward Logan, scowling so hard I swear the air should sizzle. ¡°Shut. Up.¡± Logan outright cackles. ¡°Oh my gods, you did just picture it.¡± Why is he even my best friend? I shove him. Hard. He justughs harder, stumbling back a step. ¡°Whatever,¡± I mutter, heat licking up my spine. My skin is too tight, my pulse too wild because of what I freaking imagined. I push my hair behind my ear, letting my lips curl. ¡°I¡¯d rather have a beast fuck me than-¡± ¡°Is that so, Jess?¡± The words slither down my spine, smooth as silk, sharp as fangs. My lips part, and very slowly, I turn¨Conly to find Gray Westwood standing in front of me, his eyes burning with rage. But¨Chow? He was just across the yard- Oh, fuck. Gray steps forward, close enough that I feel his breath on my skin. He leans in, voice low and dangerously amused. ¡°Didn¡¯t think you had a preference, Jess.¡± His voice is low, casual¨Cdangerously amused. ¡°Beasts over Alphas, huh? That why you¡¯ve been running your mouth all these years?¡± I shift slightly, trying to put some space between us. But I can still feel his breath on my neck. ¡°I¨Cl..Did..you hear everything?¡± His nostrils re. Before I can process it, his hand moves¨Cfast, decisive¨C his fingers move fast, curling around my wrist before I can retreat. I inhale sharply, pulse mming against my ribs. Slowly, he lifts my hand. Guides it forward. Until¨Cheat. My palm presses against something firm. Hard. My breath catches as I nce down, realization crashing over me. His abdomen. Warm, sculpted muscle beneath my fingertips. Moon Goddess. Gray exhales, slow and controlled. His grip flexes over my wrist, like he¡¯s waiting. Watching. Drinking in my reaction. My core clenches. No. Fuck. No. Gray¡¯s golden eyes flicker, his grip flexing over my wrist. His own breathing is heavier now, but his smirk is still there, sharp ±Ø»á73% 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul ?G Yi ? and devastating.¡± ¡°Tell me, Ash.¡± ¡°Would you still rather f*ck a beast?¡± My breath shatters. My pulse is a frantic, betraying thing against my ribs. Gray¡¯s gaze never wavers, watching me¨Cwaiting. ¡°I¡­¡± The word dies on my tongue. Because I don¡¯t know what the fuck I was about to say. Because my body is still pressed against his, my palm still against the impossible warmth of his skin, and Gray Westwood- the bane of my existence, the Alpha I swore I hated¨Cis still holding me there. Waiting for me to break first. I think that has always been his goal. I think Gray Westwood has always loved watching me fall apart. I rip my wrist away. Or¨C1 try. ¡°Let me go.¡± He didn¡¯t. My gaze shifted from everyone around us but no one wille and help me because in ckmoor Pack, no one challenges the son of the Alpha who is also the strongest male warrior. ¡°LET.ME.GO.¡± ¡°You sure you want that?¡± My stomach flips. I scowl. ¡°What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡± He hums, his golden eyes dragging over my face¨Cdown to my lips, then lower. For the briefest moment, I see his throat bob, like he¡¯s swallowing back something dangerous After a few moments, he shoved me back harshly and stepped away from me like he¡¯s trying to gather himself. I didn¡¯t know what was happening to him but all I know is that when I tried to move away, he roughly grabbed my chin and intensely look at me. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± ¡°Away from you,¡± I said, shoving my hands on his chest. The second I shove him, a low grow! rumbles from his chest. In a blink, he snatches my chin, grip firm. Then, slowly- deliberately¨Chis nose drags up the side of my neck My who Alpha Luna 2 Chapter 2 GRAY POV Huh. Does she think I¡¯m going to kiss her? 0 Jessica Wilkinson actually closes her eyes, standing there like some naive little idiot, head tilted up, lips barely parted, her breathing in these shaky, uneven little exhales like she¡¯s waiting for something. Like she¡¯s expecting something. Me. My lips. On her. Seriously? How can someone be this stupid? A muscle ticks in my jaw. I shouldn¡¯t be surprised because Jessica is always like this. Reckless. Unfiltered. Always saying and doing things without thinking. Running her mouth, pushing my buttons, making my job a hundred times harder than it needs to be. She never follows orders. She never does what¡¯s expected. She never shuts up and falls in line like a proper pack wolf should. And yet somehow, against all reason, against all logic, against every single fucking thing that makes sense in this world- I can¡¯t handle or discipline her enough to behave. That¡¯s what pisses me off the most. No matter how many times I put her in her ce¨Cshe never bends. She refuses to learn. She refuses to be the kind of wolf this pack expects which is very wrong because I have expectations for her I mean for everyone in this pack. The ckmoor Pack is not the kind of ce that allows for mistakes. We are the strongest pack in the North, built from the blood of war and generations of ruthless, calcted dominance. We do not tolerate weakness. We do not tolerate failure. We do not tolerate wolves like Jessica Wilkinson¨Cwolves who have no rank, no purpose, no discipline, and no fucking idea how easily they could be crushed. In other packs, someone like her would be ignored. Left behind or worse¨Cdisposed of. But here, in my pack, in the pack my father has ruled with an iron grip and an unchallenged reign for over two decades¡ªshe is a problem. A problem that, one day, the pack will expect me to eliminate. Fuck. shift closer. Just enough for my breath to graze her ear. Just enough to make her squirm, make her overthink every single thing that just happened here, make her hate me for what I¡¯m about to do and yet¨Cmy own pulse betrays me. Fuck, No. What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± 73%•þ 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul G ti. Her eyes snap open so fast it almost looks painful. I lean back, just enough to take in her expression, the full force of her embarrassment crashing into her like a physical blow. A pretty little blush is spreading over her face, crawling up her throat, staining her cheeks in a way that should mean she understands, that she¡¯s finally realizing what a fucking idiot she looks like. ¡°Uh¡­ uuh.¡± Tss. 20 click my tongue, shaking my head as I let my gaze drop to her parted lips, to her flushed skin, to the way she can¡¯t even form a coherent word right now. Like I said, really fucking stupid. She actually thought it. She actually stood here, in front of me, and convinced herself for even one second that I would ever- ¡°Gather here, everyone!¡± I raise my voice, turning away from her like she¡¯s not even worth my time. The warriors snap to attention immediately. I don¡¯t even have to check if they¡¯re obeying¨Cthey always do. That¡¯s how it is in ckmoor. Order is absolute. Hierarchy is unquestioned. Loyalty is unbreakable. The pack does not tolerate disobedience. We do not tolerate weakness. And we sure as hell do not tolerate wolves who can¡¯t figure out their ce. The warriors snap to attention, jogging in from different parts of the training yard, forming a disciplined semi¨Ccircle in front of me. ¡°We¡¯re done for the day.¡± A few warriors nce at each other in surprise. I ignore them. I¡¯ve lost any fucking patience I had left. ¡°Get out of my sight,¡± I add, sharper this time. ¡°Now.¡± They move immediately, peeling away, heading back toward the barracks. All except for one. All except for the problem still standing behind me. I exhale, slow and sharp. ¡°Why,¡± I say, deadpan, exhausted, questioning all of my life choices. ¡°Are you not getting out of my sight?¡± And that¡¯s when I see it. Or rather¨Chim. Logan. Dragging her. 274 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul Gi No, not dragging. Tugging. I blink. 73% +20) There¡¯s an actual fucking dogtched onto the hem of her pants, yanking her backward like it¡¯s trying to drag a particrly stubborn chew toy out of the yard. Jessica stumbles, ils- ¡°I¡¯m trying! I¡¯m trying! Let go, you stupid mutt!¡± The dog¨Ca massive, shaggy¨Cfurred beast belonging to one of the trainers¨C**does not let go. It growls, pulls harder, almost yanking her clean off her feet. Logan is fucking dying. Bent over,ughing his ass off, barely staying upright. Jessica is kicking, iling, cursing, trying to wrestle the dog off her while looking like the absolute dumbest excuse for a wolf I¡¯ve ever seen in my life. The warriors? Yeah, they¡¯re definitely watching now. I blink again, slowly and drag a hand down my face to contemte my choices. One day, she will really be the dead of me. I lift a hand. Two fingers. The dogs here are being trained too then I say, ¡°Pss. Stay.¡± Her lips part. Just slightly. I don¡¯t know why I notice that. I should not have noticed that. And she- She fucking stays. For one glorious, mind¨Cbreaking second- Jessica Wilkinson, the single most disobedient wolf in this entire fucking pack, the girl who has spent her whole life fighting authority, ignoring orders, running her mouth like she¡¯s allergic to shutting up- Obeys. Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake. I don¡¯t even process it at first. Because I wasn¡¯t talking to her. I was talking to the fucking dog. It takes her a solid five seconds to realize what she just did. And then- 3/4 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul G I. She malfunctions. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean-¡± »òÆø:73%•þ Then she fucking runs. The awkward shuffle of boots against dirt, a sharp inhale, the frantic, mortified energy of someone trying to get the fuck out of here as fast as possible. Logan is stillughing. ¡°Oh gods¨Cshe¡¯s¨Cshe¡¯s actually running-¡± I pinch the bridge of my nose, sighing through my teeth. Really stupid but hell she¡¯s kinda¡­cute. ¡°She¡¯s your friend. You deal with her,¡± I mutter then walk away. Aj4 Alpha Luna 3 Chapter 3 I should run, vanish or pretend I never existed. Because if Gray Westwood tells the Alpha what just happened, I might not survive the fallout. The thought alone makes my stomach churn. I wanted to be part of the warriors in our pack. I still do. More than anything. It¡¯s all I¡¯ve ever wanted¨Cto stand on my own. To fight. To be more than some girl waiting to be chosen, waiting to be protected, waiting to be imed. I was supposed to be strong. My fingers curl into fists, nails digging into my palms. Hard enough to hurt. Hard enough to keep me here, in my body, in control. I trained for years. Harder than the boys who sneered at me. Harder than the instructors who never let me forget that I wasn¡¯t meant for this. That I would never be strong enough, fast enough, brutal enough. And for what? To always end up as an embarrassment? To be looked at, not as a warrior, but as something else? No she¨Cwolf has ever made it to the top ranks. Not one. Not because we can¡¯t¨Cbut because they won¡¯t let us. Because in their eyes, we¡¯re not fighters. We¡¯re not equals. We¡¯re just something to im. Something to knot.. I refuse to be just another she¨Cwolf waiting for someone to decide my worth. I will carve it out myself. I groan and shove a pillow over my face. A sharp knock on my door yanks me back to reality. ¡°Jessica! Are you alive in there?¡± I groan. ¡°I am not mom! Leave me alone please!¡± For one blessed second, I think she¡¯s actually going to listen. ¡°Get up, sweetheart. The Alpha is here. He wants to see you.¡± I sit bolt upright. ¡°Mom,¡± I say, slowly, carefully. ¡°¡°When you say ¡®the Alpha¡®¡­ do you mean¡­ Gray¡¯s father?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she says, like it¡¯s the most normal thing in the world. ¡°Who else would I mean?¡± I exhale. Long. Slow. Relieved. Oh, thank the gods. I was so sure. so sure this was about Gray. 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul 6 Gti. ÁÖÍê73%•þ That he¡¯d decided to track me down, humiliate me further, demand I apologize for embarrassing him in front of the warriors or some shit. But no. This is fine. This is better. Because while the Alpha is terrifying, at least he doesn¡¯t actively go out of his way to make my life miserable. Unlike his son. ¡°Give me a second!¡± I call out, already climbing out of bed, dragging my hands through my tangled hair. I¡¯m still in my sleep clothes. An oversized sando, shorts, bed hair so bad it could legally be ssified as a crime. Do I care? Nope. Because it¡¯s just the Alpha. Because at least it¡¯s not Gray fucking Westwood. I stumble downstairs, rubbing my face, yawning. I don¡¯t bother checking a mirror. I don¡¯t bother grabbing a sweater. I don¡¯t bother preparing myself. 201 Because I think¨C**i believe¨C**that when I step into the living room, I will see a middle¨Caged, terrifyinglyposed, cold- blooded Alpha standing there. What I do not expect- What I do not prepare for- Is the tall, broad¨Cshouldered, ridiculously unfair, infuriatingly broody figure leaning against the wall like he owns the ce. I stop dead in my tracks. He lifts his head. Our eyes meet. And suddenly, I remember. The first time Gray Westwood ever looked at me like this. 2/5 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul G. 73% 20 It was years ago. I had snuck into the training grounds, hiding behind the storage shed, watching the older warriors spar. I had been so fascinated by their strength, their precision, the way Gray moved like he had been born to lead. But then¡­ he had turned. As if he had felt me watching. Our eyes had locked, and for the first time in my life, I had felt truly, utterly seen. However, that immediately turned into a bad memory because when I turned fifteen and was finally required to join the pack training. I had been excited¨Cnervous, but excited. I had trained in secret, pushing my body, preparing myself for the moment I could finally prove I belonged. And then Gray had been there. He was the one assessing the young wolves. Thad stepped forward for my first spar, fists tight, heart pounding. Before I even had a chance to move, my opponent¨Ca seasoned warrior¨Chad knocked me to the ground. Hard. The air had been forced from my lungs, the world tilting for a moment as I gasped, struggled, forced myself up- And Gray hadughed. Not loud. Not cruel. But it had been there, under his breath, just enough for me to hear. Just enough to carve itself into my bones like a permanent scar. ere rever That was the moment I had decided: I would forever hate Gray Westwood! And now, standing here, staring at him in my living room, that same weight crashes down on me. I immediately want to set myself on fire. ¡°WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?¡± Gray¡¯s gaze drags down my body. Slowly. Like he¡¯s assessing, deciding. Something in his posture shifts¨Cjust slightly¨Cbut it¡¯s enough. Enough to make my pulse trip. Enough to make something primal inside me tighten. I follow his gaze and then¨CI realize. My nipples are poking in my thin shirt. My fingers curl into my shirt. My shoulders bunch, heat licking up my throat as I shift under his stare. I whip around so fast I nearly give myself whish, throwing my arms over my chest, cursing myself, cursing the gods, cursing my entire bloodline. ¡°Don¡¯t look!¡± I shriek. Gray¡­ says nothing. ¡°Why are you in my house?!¡± I demand, still facing away from him, still contemting running straight out of the nearest window. Gray¡¯s lips twitch¨Cjust the barest hint of amusement. ¡°You weren¡¯t waking up.¡± His voice is quiet, low, the kind that makes you lean in without realizing you¡¯re doing it. I straighten, fighting the instinct to shrink under it. ¡°So you decided to break into my house?¡± My voice is meant to sound sharp. It isn¡¯t. Gray leans in slightly, the heat of him wrapping around me like a second skin. ¡°You were mine to wake.¡± I whip back around, forgetting my current disaster situation in favor of processing the new disaster situation. ¡°I¨Cwhat?!¡± 315 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul & GE Gray raises an eyebrow. ¡°I was sent to get you. You wouldn¡¯t wake up. So I waited.¡± HE WAITED IN MY HOUSE. ¡°YOU WAITED?!¡± I choke. ¡°YOU¨CYOU JUST¨CWHAT¨CHOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?!¡± ¡°Long enough.¡± There¡¯s a amusement tone in that. I am not sure if I am just imagining things but he looks satisfied? Of what? Gray sighs. ¡°Wilkinson.¡± ¡°NO.¡± I stumble away from the wall, still flustered, still overheating, still activelybusting from the inside out. ¡°No, ham not doing this today. I am not talking to you. I am not dealing with you. You are not here. This is a bad dream. I am going back to sleep.¡± I spin around, ready to bolt back upstairs. I pivot so fast my foot catches on the step behind me. My foot misses. Or catches. Or¨Csomething. Because suddenly, I¡¯m not running anymore. I¡¯m falling. Oh gods. Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods- I close my eyes. This is it. This is how I die. I am going to break my skull open on the floor, and Logan is going to people I was always reckless, and Gray- at my funeral, and my mom is going to tell Gray is going to be thest person I ever see. And for some reason, that thought is more terrifying than the fall itself. One second I¡¯m falling, the world tilting. The next¨CHeat. Strength. The scent of im_pine and something dark, something undeniably male¨Cfloods my senses. Gray catches me like he was expecting it. Like he was waiting for the moment I¡¯d stumble right into his hands. His grip is firm, possessive, his fingers sying wide against my waist, as if testing how well I fit beneath them. His chest is solid against mine, the warmth of him bleeding into my skin, and I swear¨CI swear¨CI hear the faintest sound of his breath hitching. Or maybe that¡¯s just me. Maybe I¡¯m imagining things. Because when I lift my head, Gray¡¯s expression is unreadable. Except for his eyes. His eyes are locked onto mine, dark and steady, like a wolf with its teeth already buried in the throat of its prey. Waiting for the moment to finish the kill. 4/5 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul 6 G. And then¨CGray growls. That¡¯s when I realized I did not just fall right in his arms but very, very braless chest- Is pressed against him. My nipples. My fucking nipples is brushing against his bare, warm, rock¨Chard chest. The second I part my lips to say ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡®, something elsees out. A breathy, soft, humiliating fucking sound. A moan. 73% +20 Gray stills¨Cbut not like a man restraining himself. No, he stills like a wolf savoring the way its prey trembles in its jaws. His breath drags in slow, heavy. His fingers twitch against my waist, pressing in just slightly¨Clike he¡¯s testing something, like he¡¯s memorizing the shape of me. Then, his pupils dte. His chest moves against mine, slow and deliberate. Like he¡¯s breathing me in. And just for a second¨Cfor the briefest, most fleeting moment¨Che leans in. ¡°Fuck, Jess¡ª¡± His voice is wrecked. Low. Unsteady. ¡°I can smell your fucking arousal.¡± W¨CWhat? No. No, that¡¯s not- That can¡¯t be- Gray¡¯s breath shudders. He stares at me, something unreadable flickering across his face¨Csomething wild, reckless, barely restrained. Then, he curses under his breath. A sharp, low sound. He drags a hand through his hair, exhaling slow, like he¡¯s trying to get himself under control and then- he rips his hands off me like my skin just burned him alive. For the first time ever, Gray Westwood looks at me like he doesn¡¯t know what the fuck is happening. ¡°¡­Fuck.¡± 515 Alpha Luna 4 Chapter 4 73% She¡¯s not fucking eighteen yet. Some wolves don¡¯t even awaken at that age. That¡¯s why the bond happens after. So why the fuck can I smell her? Feel her? And worst of all? I reacted. A sharp growl rumbles in my chest, vibrating through my ribs. My jaw clenches so tight my mrs creak. I press my hands into the shower tile, letting the ice¨Ccold water m against my body. It should help. It doesn¡¯t. This is wrong. A mistake. A fucking glitch in the universe meant to distract me, weaken me. A test to see if I¡¯m worthy of leading this pack. Because if I give in¡ªif I fail¨CI¡¯m not fit to be Alpha. I m a fist against the wall. Control. Get control. I am not thinking about Jessica Wilkinson¡¯s scent. I am not thinking about how she felt against me and I am not fucking hard right now. ¡­Except I am. My lips pull back from my teeth. A growl builds in my chest, low, vibrating, hungry. Fucking uneptable. ¡°Do you want me to help with that?¡± My jaw locks and tilt my head slowly to see Ste? Be? Arie? I can¡¯t even remember her name. All I know is that I picked her up earlier in the bar after I drop Jessica on my father¡¯s office. Slowly, too slowly, I shot my arms out reaching the woman¡¯s shoulder and guiding her to drop on her fucking knees. She fucking offered. Without second thoughts, I stuffed my cock down her throat and fuck her. ¡°Shit,¡± I blew out a breath.¡°Ah, damn.¡± I couldn¡¯t possibly be thinking about her right? The woman whimpered, her hands on my thighs trying to stop me from obliterating every inch of her throat but I couldn¡¯t fucking care less. Heck, I am no saint. I had done many despicable things to be where I am right now but nobody, nobody had ever made me feel like this. I grunt, fisting a handful of her hair, hips snapping forward as she takes me deep, choking around the length of me. Her mouth is warm. Wet. Perfectly trained to please. It should be enough. It should be fucking enough but when I close my eyes, for a single, brutal second¨CI see her. Jessica Wilkinson, breathless, angry, trapped against me.. My jaw tightens. I m my hips forward, forcing myself to forget. ¡°Oh, fuck.¡± The pleasure rolls through me in a sharp, violent release. 12:38 Wed, 30 Jul 73% 1 20 My muscles lock, my body strains, and I hold myself in my own hands as I let my cum shot down on the woman¡¯s body on the floor. She looks so perfect and in ce. The image of her on the floor, quivering, ruined, should be enough to make me want to drag her to bed and take more. But I won¡¯t because my wolf is fucking silent. Because I am hard, burning, wrecked- and there¡¯s only one woman that I fucking want right now. ¡°Get out.¡± She blinks. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Get the fuck out.¡± Her lips part¨Cshock, offense, a flicker of hurt but she doesn¡¯t move fast enough. I hate it when they fucking malfunctions like this. I stand, towering over her, chest rising too slow, too controlled. ¡°Now!¡± She scrambles back, grabs her clothes, mutters something about me being a cold bastard. I don¡¯t care. I barely hear her. Because the second she¡¯s gone, I drop onto the corner of the cold bathroom, head in my hands, breath uneven. And I know¨CNo one else is going to fix this. No one else is going to erase her. Jessica Wilkinson is in my fucking blood. And I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever get her out. It takes me long minutes before I can even move. Before I can gather the shattered, broken pieces of myself because an alpha cannot be weak. From the outside, it looks like this shit is easy but try being the son of the Westwood. Try carrying the weight of a legacy built on dominance, blood, and absolute fucking control. Try being me. I roll my shoulders back, exhale, shake the tension out of my fingers a nd then¨CI knock on my father¡¯s office door. A sharp, single rap. ¡°Come in.¡± I push open the door, stepping inside, shoulders squared because he got only one rule for me. No matter what¡¯s happening to me¨Cno matter what¡¯s happening inside me¨C**I don¡¯t falter in front of him. My father don¡¯t even acknowledge. So I proceed reading my reports like how I always does. Training. Pack affairs. Patrol status. Territory reports. The bullshit details that make the pack function. When I was done, I had to wait a few more minutes before he gave me his worth¨Cfucking¨Ctime. * And what about your Luna?¡± I clenched my jaw. Not this fucking conversation again. ¡± i told you I can lead without a fucking Luna.¡± ¡°The pack expects stability,¡± he says, voice even. ¡°The Elders expect continuity. I expect more than obedience. I expect that you find yourself a worthy strong Luna to continue the bloodline of our pack.¡± 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul G. There it is. The real conversation. 73%1 +20 The Westwoods have ruled this pack for over two centuries. Through war. Through blood. Through unshakable, ruthless dominance. We are the strongest pack in the North because we take what we need. Because we don¡¯t hesitate. We don¡¯t love. We produce. We breed strong wolves, strong warriors, strong sons who will rule after us. And my very own father doesn¡¯t believe in mates. He doesn¡¯t believe in bonds. He believes in breeding. In taking a woman, putting sons in her, and moving the fuck on. To him, a Luna is nothing more than a name beside an Alpha¡¯s on a blood contract. That¡¯s why my mother left us because once she had me, my father never show him his attention And if he had his way, I would be the same. But I¡¯m not. I refuse to be. I am not my father. ¡°You have five months.¡± Something hot and sharp lodges itself in my chest. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°To find your Luna.¡± anymore. I exhale through my nose, slow, controlled. But inside¨Cinside, my wolf is snarling. A growl builds in my throat, but I swallow it down. ¡°You¡¯re fucking kidding, right?¡± My mighty father grins. That same cold, sharp smirk he wears when he knows he¡¯s already won. ¡°Since when did I not be serious about this, Grayson?¡± He shrugs, casual, like he didn¡¯t just rip the ground out from under me. ¡°Five months.¡± His voice is even. ¡°Find your Luna, or I will find your recement.¡± He shifts his nce to the picture on the frame and then he speaks the name that shouldn¡¯t fucking matter. ¡°Riot, perhaps.¡± My ws slip out before I can stop them, pressing into the polished wood of his desk. I won¡¯t let him give this pack¨Cmy pack to a fucking bastard. I won¡¯t let some illegitimate afterthought carry my name, my legacy, my birthright but even as my wolf snarls inside me, even as the heat of my rage surges sharp and violent through my veins, I realize- I have a bigger fucking problem because even if I can¡¯t admit what¡¯s happening to me¨Ceven if I refuse to say her name in this fucking office- I already know. Jessica Wilkinson is my mate, and she doesn¡¯t even know about it. But in five months, when the next full moon rises- when her wolf finally awakens, when the bond between us fully snaps into ce- I will im her. I will sink my fangs into her throat. I will mark her. Make her mine. I need to make her my Luna. My very own trouble maker Luna. 3/4 Alpha Luna 5 Chapter 5 JESSICA 73% +20 ¡°You¡¯re going to take my cock and cum down your throat like a bitch in heat.¡± Gray grabbed my arms and shoved me to my knees before his thumb forced my mouth open, pressing down on my tongue, making the saliva pool and drip messily down my chin. ¡°You want to be a fucking brat, Jess? Would rather take a beast than my cock, huh?¡± Before I could prepare myself, Gray stuffed himself down my throat, wrapping his hand around my chin, making me whimper in pain. I gagged, my eyes bing watery, and gargled on him, spit dripping out of my mouth. ¡°Jess.¡± ¡°Jess.¡± My eyes snapped open. What the fuck was that? Did I just-? Did I just dream getting face -fucked by Gray in my sleep? A high¨Cpitched, dying¨Canimal noise strangled out of me. I lunged for my pillow¨Cfound it halfway across the room, grabbed it, and screamed into it so hard my throat burned. No. No. This was Logan¡¯s fault. Logan and his big stupid mouth, always talking, always putting things in my head, and now, I am going to kill him! I was imagining ways to murder him when I realized I am not alone in the room. I turned toward the door and my soul fucking left my body because Gray is standing there, watching me like I was the most insane thing he had ever seen. ¡°Aaaah!¡± I grab the nearest pillow, and the next thing I know I was throwing it at his f face. He caught it. Mid¨Cair. Arms tight, eyes locked on me like he couldn¡¯t believe I just did that. ¡°Jessica¡­¡± I am so dead. My chest rises and falls, like I¡¯m gasping for air, praying for some kind of mercy. Please, moon goddess, save me. Gray¡¯s got a short fuse¨Chell, he¡¯s made people cry just by looking at them the wrong way. I blinked hard, shut my eyes, bracing for whatever came next. The shout. The explosion. The anger. But it didn¡¯te. ¡°Look at me.¡± I can¡¯t. ¡°Jessica. Open your damn eyes and look at me.¡± 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul GEI 73% My hands shake, my breath ragged as I crack my eyes open. There he is. Gray is now standing beside my bed, towering over me. He¡¯s so tall. I gulped, heart hammering in my chest. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry.¡± I blurted it out, half¨Cheartedly because first, it¡¯s his fault. Why is he here? ¡°This is my room.¡± I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Shit. ¡°Do you know what time is it?¡± 20 What the hell does he mean? My brows furrowed, and without thinking, I shot my arms out, pointing at the clock beside my bed. Don¡¯t tell me he can¡¯t afford a damn clock. Izily flicked my hand, showing him the time like it was obvious. ¡°It¡¯s 6 o¡¯clock in the morning, Alpha Gray.¡± He licked his lips. ¡°Yes. And do you know what that means?¡± Training? No. ¡°It¡¯s Sunday,¡± I shot back, matter¨Cof¨Cfact. Warriors don¡¯t train on Sundays. He sighed again. And my mind¡­ it drifts. That damn dream. Shit. If he keeps looking at me like that, I might- What, Jessica? You might what? My gaze trails down without even realizing it,nding on the bulge in his pants. There are rumors about him being huge. I mean, I¡¯ve heard it before, from the other warriors. They say he¡¯s like a monster, and he feels so damn good. They also say he wants it sloppy- I barely catch myself before my mind wanders too far, but I hear him clear his throat, and it snaps me back. I quickly look up, punishing myself for those thoughts. ¡°Can you be ready in ten minutes?¡± ¡°In ten minutes, Alpha?¡± He nodded, but his gaze wasn¡¯t on me. It was on the picture of Logan and me on the bed, like it personally offended him. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Gray¡¯s eyes flicked to mine. ¡°I¡¯m going to take you out.¡± T¨CTake me out? My jaw dropped, and he caught it, quickly realizing it before he let out a vicious chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s not a date.¡± Uhm. Okay, it¡¯s not like I want to go on a date with him. I furiously re at him, shoving the damn nket off my body and jerking myself upright. Stupid. Who even wants a date with him? He¡¯s not even that good looking 214 12.39 Wed, 30 Jul I didn¡¯t even realize how hard I yanked the nket until it nearly flew off the bed. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Gray¡¯s voice cuts through the air, cool and steady. He¡¯s looking at me, like he¡¯s hiding a smile behind that damn serious face of his. 73% 20 I gave him a tight smile of my own, nodding. ¡°Of course. Can you wait outside, Alpha? I know you¡¯re my brother¡¯s best friend, but this is awkward.¡± I didn¡¯t wait for his answer. Instead, I walked straight to the bathroom, mming the door behind me so hard the walls rattled¨Cshocking me. ¡°I¡¯m not angry!¡± I shouted at the door, like that would somehow make it better. I am not, right? I stood there for a second, my forehead banging against the door, hard enough to make my eyes sting. 166 ¡°Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.¡± Now, that man will think I am probably angry at him correcting that this is not a date. After a few minutes, I finally threw on the first thing I found¨Ca full jacket over my pajama shorts¨Cand stomped downstairs. Why do I even care what I look like? This isn¡¯t a date. It¡¯s not even remotely close to a date. He¡¯s probably dragging me somewhere miserable, like training grounds or a graveyard or straight into hell. Gray and Pierce sat at the kitchen counter, coffee mugs in hand, looking obnoxiously rxed for two grown men ruining my morning. Pierce noticed me first. He¡¯s my older brother. Technically, he is also Gray¡¯s future Beta if he bes alpha. ¡°Wow, sis,¡± he said, leaning back in his chair, eyes dragging down my outfit with exaggerated judgment. ¡°That short could use more fabric.¡± I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw the back of my skull. ¡°And your mouth could use less talking, but here we are.¡± Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw it¨CGray, mid¨Csip, almost spilling his coffee. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯sughing or angry, but either way, he slowly set the cup down, fixing me with a sharp, unreadable stare. ¡°Change your dress.¡± Excuse me? i am still sleepy, and it¡¯s Sunday, and I am not about to start taking fashion advice from Alpha Killjoy over here. Gray¡¯s stare burned into the side of my face as I grabbed an apple from the basket and took a massive, exaggerated bite, just to be difficult. ¡°No.¡± Pierce snorted. ¡°You¡¯re ying with fire, Jess.¡± Gray¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°You look inappropriate.¡± Inappropriate? I looked at myself¨Cjacket, shorts, looking like half the damn town. My nose red. Gray always hated me. Always had something to say about me. Something bad. 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul Gti. ¡°Jessica.¡± He pinched the bridge of his nose like I was a problem he couldn¡¯t shake. ¡°Go. Change.¡± I narrowed my eyes, ring at him like he just announced the end of the world. ¡°Make me.¡± Gray blinked once. Twice. His jaw clenched, nostrils ring. 73% And then, with a sharp, terrifyingly neutral expression, he said, ¡°You have two minutes to change before I throw you over my shoulder and drag you out.¡± My eyes widened. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Before I could even react, he put his coffee down. Fast. Like it was an afterthought. He took a single step toward me and I shot back, almost stumbling. *FINE! DAMN YOU!¡± I shouted, turning and running for the stairs, the sound of my feet pounding on each step like a drum. I was NOT going down without a fight. But as I mmed the door behind me, I couldn¡¯t stop the rush of heat flooding my chest. I was actually changing for him. Damn him. Alpha Luna 6 Chapter 6 JESS We¡¯ve been driving for thirty minutes. Thirty. Entire. Minutes. Gray hasn¡¯t said a single word about where we¡¯re going, which, to be fair, isn¡¯t exactly shocking. He¡¯s not the talkative type -at least, not with me. With me, it¡¯s always clippedmands, sharp nces, and long silences thick enough to suffocate someone less stubborn. Unfortunately for him, I¡¯m not exactly known for my survival instincts. I¡¯vee to terms with the fact that, in Gray¡¯s perfect little Alpha¨Cbrain, I¡¯m just another bratty omega who needs to fall in line. The thought alone almost makes me snort. Me? Fall in line? Over my dead body. I cross my arms, making sure to shift just enough to make it obvious I¡¯m annoyed. Childish? Probably. Satisfying? Absolutely. ¡°Where are we going, Alpha?¡± I ask. The word still feels wrong on my tongue ¨C like I¡¯m tasting something bitter ¨C but whether I like it or not, Gray is the next Alpha of this pack. Might as well get used to it. He barely spared me a nce, but he reached out and adjusted the aircon, angling it directly at me. Well, he always does that. I just noticed now because what the hell? Did Pierce tell him about how I always get car sick? 1 chew on the inside of my cheek, deciding to just be quiet. The road looks familiar. Maybe he¡¯s just going to dump me at his father¡¯s office, deliver the brat personally, like some kind of package marked fragile but annoying. Fine. Whatever. I can survive that. ¡°Are you seeing Logan?¡± My head snaps toward him. ¡°What?¡± Gray¡¯s jaw flexes. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer the question.¡± I blink. Because huh. That¡¯s¡­ new. I force augh. Fake as hell. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize you cared about my dating life.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Liar. ¡°Do you ask all your packmates who they¡¯re screwing, or am I just special?¡± The second it¡¯s out, I realize my mistake. My breath catches¨Cjust for a second¨Cbefore I force myself to look away, quickly, tou quickly. My hand twitches against my leg before I shove it under my thigh, pinning it down. ¡°I mean¡ªobviously I meant dating. You know. Like¡­ rtionships. Normal, appropriate¨C¡± 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul G ¡°It was a simple question, Jess.¡± Yeah, sure. 73% And I¡¯m a simple girl who makes simple choices and doesn¡¯t have the overwhelming urge to start shit just to see what happens. I press my nails into my thigh, dragging my fingers slow, feeling the heat prick at my skin. I¡¯ve been asked this question before. Plenty of times. Hell, too many times. I don¡¯t even know why Gray is asking now. tilt my head, letting the words roll off my tongue,zy and just a little cruel. ¡°Logan¡¯s cute.¡± +20 Gray¡¯s hands flex on the wheel. Did I say something wrong? I nce at him, trying to read the sharp cut of his expression, but he doesn¡¯t look at me. He just stares ahead, all tense shoulders and locked jaw, like he¡¯s grinding his teeth into dust. I frown. After a few minutes, he licks his lips, slow, like he¡¯s forcing himself to stay in control. And then, finally, he looks at me. ¡°You like him?¡± I do. When I was ten. But I won¡¯t tell him that. Instead, Iugh, quick and sharp, shaking my head. ¡°What, are you jealous?¡± It¡¯s a joke but when Gray snorts, it was ugly, mean and dismissive like having that idea is the dumbest thing he¡¯s ever heard in his life. Ouch. I huff, crossing my arms, leaning back. ¡°Why are you asking, anyway?¡± Gray simply shrugged.¡± Just curious. You both look so stupid together.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± However, he¡¯s back to being mean again and just focus on the road. Sometimes, I wonder what goes inside the head of Alpha Gray Westwood? It must be dark in there. Pure of evil things. I scoff, turning toward the window, biting down hard on the inside of my cheek. My reflection stares back at me, narrowed eyes and tight lips, the neon signs from passing buildings shing across my face. ¡°You could do better.¡± I blink. ¡°Sorry, what?¡± Gray just keeps driving, like the conversation is beneath him. ¡°Logan.¡± He says it like it¡¯s enough. Like the name itself is the insult. ¡°You could do better.¡± all 214 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul 73% +20 My fingers hook around the frayed edge of my sleeve, pulling harder than I mean to, threads catching under my nails. If he weren¡¯t my Alpha, I¡¯d put my fist through that smug face without hesitation. But I can¡¯t. So, I count in my head. One. Two. Three. It barely helps. I open my mouth ¨C ready to spit something back ¡°I¡¯m going to train you.¡± Train me. ¨C Gray¡¯s grip on the wheel tightens. ¡°You heard me.¡± but he beats me to it. ¡°No, I wish I didn¡¯t. What the hell does that even mean?¡± He exhales through his nose, like this¨Cme, my entire existence¨Cis a problem he has to deal with. His knuckles flex against the wheel, and his jaw¨Coh my god, his jaw¨Clocks tighter than a damn vault. ¡°Training. You need it.¡± I blink. Thenugh, because what the actual fuck? ¡°Gray, I know you have a superiorityplex the size of the entire goddamn pack, but excuse me?¡± ¡°You have no control.¡± His voice is t, unbothered. ¡°You run your mouth. You act on impulse. You make reckless, stupid choices.¡± ¡°Wow.¡± I can¡¯t believe he just said that! It¡¯s infuriating. ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± he says, because of course he is. ¡°You¡¯re the weakest among your age.¡± I hate him. ¡°I¡¯ll make you stronger.¡± I bark out augh. ¡°I¡¯m already strong.¡± His fingers drum against the wheel. ¡°Not strong enough.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± I sigh, shutting my eyes for a second because this conversation is starting to piss me off.¡± Where are you getting at? Why do you hate me that much?¡± Very much, actually. It¡¯s like I piss on his coffee every morning. Well, I might start considering doing that. ¡°You frustrate me.¡± I freeze mid¨Crant, blink at him. ¡°What?¡± 3/4 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul Gt. Gray exhales through his nose, jaw flexing. ¡°You frustrate me,¡± he repeats, like he hates admitting it as much as I hate hearing it too. I frustrate him? Me? Frustrate Alpha Gray Westwood? ¡°Uh.¡± I wet my lips. ¡°uhmm¡­¡± He drums his fingers against the wheel, quick and impatient. ¡°You¡¯re reckless.¡± I roll my eyes so hard it almost hurts. ¡°I¡¯m not reckless. You¡¯re reckless.¡± Gray lets out a sharp, humorless breath. ¡°I¡¯m controlled.¡± I gape at him, so violently offended that I nearly choke on air. ¡°You threw a guy through a fucking wallst week.¡± His fingers twitch. ¡°He had iting.¡± ¡°You shattered his ribcage.¡± ¡°He got up, didn¡¯t he?¡± 73% 20 Why are we even having this conversation? I still hated Gray but for the record, if he¡¯s serious about he¡¯s offer that might be my chance to have advantage on my training so as much as I hate it, I ask him again. You¡¯re serious about training me, Alpha?¡± ¡°You just call me alpha when you want something from me.¡± Oh,e on. I rolled my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re serious or you¡¯re not?¡± Gray shrugged, giving me one quick nce before I saw him almost, almost smiling to himself. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Jess. I¡¯ll train you. I¡¯ll make you strong. I want you to be..¡± There¡¯s a small silence before he proceed. ¡°I need you to be strong.¡± AD Comment Alpha Luna 7 JESSICA Try again? Fuck that. I¡¯m done. No more. Since when do I take orders from this asshole? I hit the ground again, the impact mming every bit of air out of my lungs. Everything hurts¨Cmy legs, my arms, my ribs, my pride. Especially my pride. It¡¯s the only thing left of me that hasn¡¯t been shattered, and I can feel it breaking into pieces with every second I stay down here. I roll onto my side, groaning. Fuck, my body really hurts. My ribs ache with every breath, my muscles scream with every move. But it¡¯s not just my body. It¡¯s everything. I¡¯m lying here, unable to move, too weak to stand, and I hate it. I hate him. I close my eyes for a second, just to block out everything. The sun¡¯s warm against my skin, but before I can even take a proper breath, his shadow falls over me. It¡¯s thick and heavy, blocking out the light, and I instantly feel the weight of him. Gray. I don¡¯t even have to look up to know he¡¯s there, towering over me like he¡¯s some kind of god. He doesn¡¯t need to say anything¨Chis presence alone is enough to suffocate me. ¡°Giving up already?¡± I want to scream at him, rip him apart for enjoying this, but I can¡¯t even get the words out. Instead, I just lie there, staring at the ground, trying to get some air into my lungs. My heart¡¯s racing, my chest is tight, and I can barely breathe without feeling like my body¡¯s about to give out. But then, I feel him. His hand¨Cit¡¯s not rough. It¡¯s soft, It shouldn¡¯t make my heart race, but it does. His fingers brush against my shoulder. Barely a touch, but it¡¯s enough to make me flinch. I feel the heat of his skin, even through the dirt. I¡¯m so aware of him, I can¡¯t escape it. I can¡¯t get away from the way his presence presses in on me, suffocating me. I turn my head, refusing to look up at him. He¡¯s too close. I can feel him watching me, waiting for me to crack. His breath hovers over me, and I¡¯m trying so damn hard not to let it break me. ¡°Fuck off,¡± I whisper, voice rough, but ites out weak. I¡¯m too weak to fight it. I can¡¯t even look at him without feeling like I¡¯m giving in. Gray chuckles¨Clow, amused, like he¡¯s enjoying this more than he should. ¡°I really thought you couldst a week/ Jess.¡± My pride stings. He doesn¡¯t even have to touch me to break me, does he? I fight the urge to look away. I force myself to meet his eyes, even though the weight of his gaze almost crushes me. ¡°You just offered because you want to torture me.¡± 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul Gti. ¡°Then why¡¯d you ept?¡± 73% +20 I blink, my stomach sinking just a little. He¡¯s not wrong, but I¡¯m not about to admit that. I don¡¯t need him thinking he¡¯s got me figured out. I want to be the strongest warrior in this vige, prove that I can take whatever he throws at me, but I¡¯m not about to tell him that. He¡¯ll justugh in my face and use it against me. So instead, I push his hand away with more force than I intend. Fuck him. I don¡¯t need his help. I don¡¯t need anyone¡¯s help. I¡¯ll get up on my own. I force myself to sit up, grinding my teeth as I do. Every muscle protests, but I refuse to show it. Gray¡¯s not gonna get the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. ¡°Weed some help?¡± He extends his hand, that mocking smile ying on his lip. I was stupid to reach for it, thinking he actually have a heart before he pulls its back. My eyes widen. I freeze for a second, shock racing through me. I don¡¯t even have time to process it before my knees give out, and suddenly I¡¯m face¨Cfirst in the dirt. ¡°Oooops. You okay there, Jessica?¡± I lift my head, everything spinning. The dirt¡¯s caked across my face, and the world is tilting. Above me, Gray stands, that stupid smirk still dancing on his lips. He¡¯sughing. I spit dirt from my mouth, ring up at him, rage bubbling in my chest. ¡°Is this funny to you?¡± I grind out, my voice rough. ¡°You like ying with me, huh?¡± He looks down at me with that smug smile. ¡°A little bit,¡± he says, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°You make it too easy.¡± Too easy. I¡¯ve been told that my whole life¨Cthat I¡¯m weak, that I don¡¯t belong in this family. Hell, I¡¯ve been told I don¡¯t deserve to be here. Every day, someone finds a way to remind me. That I¡¯m nothing but a pretty face. That I¡¯ll be lucky if some strong alpha takes me as his housewife. I¡¯ll never be a warrior. Right now, hearing those words from Gray¡­ feels so fucking sick. I wanted to curse him, scream, rip that smug look off his face. I wanted to throw everything at him¨Cthe rage, the pain, everything I¡¯ve been holding in. But then his expression changes. For a split second, his eyes soften. I don¡¯t even realize that my vision¡¯s blurry until I blink. My chest tightens, and before! can stop it, the tears start to burn in my eyes. 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul GE ? What the hell? & 73% ¡°Hey.¡± His voice changes. It¡¯s¡­ softer now. A little too soft for my liking. His eyes widen as he watches me, genuine concern suddenly shing across his face. ¡°W¨CWhy are you crying?¡± I sniff, wiping my face. Shit. They won¡¯t stop. ¡°I¡¯m not crying,¡± I mutter, but my voice cracks. It¡¯s a lie, and I know it. ¡°Jess.¡± His hand reaches for me, trying to wipe the dirt off my face. I shove it away. Fuck off. I don¡¯t need him. I don¡¯t need him to pretend to care. But then he tries again. His hand is there, hovering. I shove him harder this time. My palms hit his chest, hard enough to send him back a step. I don¡¯t want his hands on me. I don¡¯t want his pity. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± I snap, my voice thick, but I don¡¯t care. He pauses for a moment, and then¨Che sighs. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I can feel his breath hitting me, heavy, like he¡¯s holding something back. ¡°Really¡­ I don¡¯t want you to cry,¡± he murmurs, voice rougher now. ¡°I just¡­what did I do wrong Jess?¡± ¡°Nothing!¡± I shove him hard, my palms mming against his chest with all the force I have left. He stumbles back but doesn¡¯t fall, and I don¡¯t care. ¡°Nothing! You stupid alpha!¡± The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, pure, raw anger that I can¡¯t bottle up anymore. Fuck him. Fuck this stupid game, fuck the way he stands there, like he¡¯s in control of everything. I want to punch him, hit him, anything to make him feel what I¡¯m feeling. But I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t stay here another second. I turn on my heel, my legs burning with effort, my chest aching from everything that¡¯s left unsaid between us. I¡¯m done. Irun. My breathes in ragged gasps, each step a reminder of how much I want to leave him behind. I don¡¯t look back. I hear him shout, but it¡¯s toote. ¡°Jess, wait!¡± I don¡¯t stop. I don¡¯t even slow down. I just run, letting the rage and pain pour out with every step. Alpha Luna 8 Chapter 8 GRAY She hasn¡¯t looked at me in three fucking days. Three. Goddamn. Days. ? ???, 73%2 20) I¡¯ve had rogues gutted for less disrespect. It¡¯s been three days since I made Jessica Wilkinson cry¨Cand I haven¡¯t slept right since. I don¡¯t lie awake regretting shit I meant to do. That¡¯s not who I am. But the tears? Those shook me. I¡¯ve snapped. Growled. Manhandled her just fine and she always bounced back like a damn rubber band¨Cspitting fire, chin high, that smart little mouth of hers begging to be shut. So why the fuck did she cry? When I told her I was going to train her, I meant it. Physically. Brutally. Like I train my warriors. She wanted to be stronger. She said she could handle it. Said she wanted to be taken seriously¡­ So I didn¡¯t hold back. But that doesn¡¯t exin why I¡¯m here now, ten feet from her window, in the freezing goddamn woods like a rabid fucking animal. I don¡¯t even remember walking here. My wolf took over hours ago, and all I¡¯ve been doing is pacing. Watching. Breathing her in from a distance like the scent of her is enough to keep me from losing it entirely. It¡¯s not. Through the ss, I see her. She¡¯s in bed. Hair loose. Skin flushed from the heat of her room. And she¡¯s not alone. Logan. That soft little prick is sitting on the edge of her mattress, grinning like he has a shot. I step closer to the ss. Just one step. But it¡¯s enough. My whole body is vibrating¨Crage, lust, the kind of raw, violent hunger that can only be satisfied with bruises and cries and spit and submission. I want to kick that window in. Grab her by the throat. Drag her down to the fucking floor and bury myself so deep in her she forgets her own name. I want her gagging on my cock while Logan watches. I want her moaning through tears, trying to breathe while I fuck every thought of him out of her mouth. I want her wrecked. Smeared. Spit¨Cslick and cum¨Cdrunk and sobbing my name like it¡¯s the only word she remembers. She is fucking mine. And then I hear it her voice. Sharp. Breathless. Annoyed. ¡°It¡¯s We have 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul training tomorrow!¡± Yeah. Go the fuck home. Run while you still can. GE ? .,73% 20 Logan blinks, startled, like he forgot where he was. Forgot whose territory he¡¯s sitting in. He stands slowly, dragging his eyes across her legs like a dead man trying to get in onest look. My teeth grind. He moves toward the door, stumbling over his boots like an idiot, and that¡¯s when she does it¨Cshe walks to the window. I freeze. She¡¯s only ten feet away now. Bare feet. Tank top. No bra. Fucking wless, even angry. My body goes hot. Every instinct howls to move. To rip through the ss and take what¡¯s mine. Her hand reaches for the curtain. She pauses¨Cjust for a second. And I wonder¡­ Does she feel me? Her eyes scan the woods. She¡¯s looking right at me. I can feel my own fucking heartbeat in the back of my throat. She knows. She fucking knows I¡¯m here. However, Jessica she pulls the curtain shut. Hell, like that¡¯s going to stop me. I bare my teeth. The second I hear Logan¡¯s engine roar to life outside, my body moves before I think. I circle the back of her cabin, boots silent, breath sharp. Her backdoor is locked but it doesn¡¯t fucking matter. I slip inside and her room smells like her. Vani. Skin, shampoo, heat, memory. It wraps around me, clogs my throat, makes my cock twitch so hard I nearly growl. My teeth grit. I shouldn¡¯t be here. The shower¡¯s running. Fuck. I¡¯m hard enough to split my zipper. I should leave. This was never my n but the second the water shuts off, I know I¡¯m not leaving. I sit on the edge of her bed, elbows on my knees, waiting for her to step out. She opens the bedroom door, humming lightly, skin still damp, hair dripping down her back, wearing nothing but a fucking towel and a look that says she thinks the world is still safe. Her eyes meet mine. She freezes. Mid¨Cstep. Towel tight in her grip. ¡°Grayson?¡± she breathes, voice already cracking. ¡°What the fuck-¡± I stand. 2/5 12.33 C 73% 20 She backs into the wall, clutching that towel like it¡¯s going to save her. It won¡¯t. I take my time. Step by step, stalking across her floor like a loaded weapon. Her pupils blow wide. Her pulse stutters. I press my hand to the wall beside her head and lean in. ¡°You are avoiding me, Jess.¡± Goddess, she¡¯s beautiful like this¨Ccornered, guilty, and still too proud to admit she missed me. ¡°You saw me at training. Walked the other way. You passed me in the hall¨Cdidn¡¯t even flinch. Bold.¡± I tilt my head. ¡°And then you let that pathetic little beta sit on my fucking bed. That¡¯s the part that really got me.¡± She shoves me hard, hands mming into my chest. I stumble half a step, and Iugh¨Cnot because it¡¯s funny, but because she¡¯s giving me exactly what I fucking want. ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you drunk?!¡± I let out a low, humorlessugh, sharp enough to cut. ¡°Drunk? Really, Jessica?¡± I tilt my head, eyes locked on hers. ¡°You think I fucking drink?¡± She swings. Sloppy. Emotional. I catch her wrist before itnds and m her into the wall so hard the drywall cracks. The towel slips halfway off her chest. She scrambles for it, fumbling like a weak little thing. I don¡¯t help. I don¡¯t even blink. I just watch her squirm. She res, panting. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± It takes everything in me not to rip the towel off her body, bend her over the bed, and fuck her until she forgets her own name. Not because I want to make love to her. No. Because I want to ruin her. Ruin her for every other wolf that ever thinks they can breathe the same air she does. So instead¨CI level our eyes. Lock her down. ¡°You, Jessica,¡± I whisper. ¡°You¡¯re what¡¯s wrong with me.¡± She stiffens. ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± I step right into her¨Cchest to chest. Force her back until her spine ms into the wall again. I hear the ster groan. ¡°You think! hate you?¡± I sneer, my voice a snarl in her face. ¡°You don¡¯t get it.¡± I grab her chin¨Cfirm, possessive, fingers digging into her jaw until I feel bone. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you.¡± She blinks, stunned. Confused. I smell it¨Cfear spiked with something filthier. I lean closer, bury my nose in the crook of her throat and breathe her in like a man deprived of air. I am a man deprived. Deprived of her. ¡°I fucking resent you,¡± I hiss into her skin. She shudders. ¡°I resent that your scent won¡¯t leave my fucking sheets. That I smell you in my fucking mouth when I haven¡¯t even tasted you yet.¡± Her throat works, trying to swallow. Her breathes fast¨Cshort little gasps that make my cock twitch with rage. I press my body into hers and fuck it if it¡¯s not everything that I want. ¡°You made me want something I was trained to destroy,¡± I snarl, dragging my lips along her neck without kissing her. ¡°You made me fucking feel.¡± 3/5 12:39 Wed, 30 Jul GY ÁÖÄî73%ÈÕ 20 Iugh against her skin. It sounds wrong. Too sharp. ¡°I ruin things, Jessica. I fuck, I fight, I break.¡± I press my knee between her legs and shove¨Cjust enough to make her thighs spread. ¡°And now I¡¯m stuck craving you.¡± Her breath catches¨Cshallow, high in her throat like a fucking warning bell. Her hands twitch. She lifts them just an inch, like she¡¯s going to push me away. She doesn¡¯t. Smart girl. So reward her with something cruel. I fist a handful of her hair¨Crough, no grace, no warning¨Cand yank her head back until her throat¡¯s exposed. Bare. Vulnerable. I stare at it. At her. I¡¯ve imagined this exact position a thousand fucking times. Years. Years of fantasizing about having her like this¨Cpressed beneath me, breathless, furious, trapped. ¡°Think you¡¯re strong?¡± I whisper, voice like gravel scraping bone. My mouth is an inch from hers. My breath hits her lips. ¡°You think I¡¯m training you just so you can fold the second I press you too hard?¡± Her jaw flexes. I see the fire in her eyes. She wants to speak. I don¡¯t let her. I drag my nose up her throat, slow, inhaling her like filth I can¡¯t get enough of. She shudders. I drag my nose up the column of her neck, slow, deep, like I¡¯m savoring something sacred and filthy. ¡°You¡¯ve got no idea what I¡¯ve held back,¡± I breathe. ¡°No idea how many nights I¡¯ve stared at you and thought, One second is all it would take. Just one second to break you open and climb inside.¡± Her breath is rapid¨Cfire now. Her chest heaves against mine. Her thighs shift against the pressure of my knee. ¡°I need to make you strong, Jess,¡± I growl. ¡°Not for the world. Not for the pack. For me.¡± She opens her mouth¨CI shut it with a snarl. ¡°I need you indestructible,¡± I snarl, dragging my mouth near her ear. ¡°Because when I finally take you, I want you to survive it.¡± I m my body into hers, harder this time. My cock throbs against her stomach and she jerks¨Clike she didn¡¯t expect me to be this fucking gone. But 1 am. I¡¯ve been gone for years. ¡°You¡¯ve been mine since the moment I smelled you,¡± I snarl, lips at her jaw. ¡°And you¡¯re too fucking stupid to admit it.¡± 4/5 Alpha Luna 9 Chapter 9 73% JESS ¡°AAAAAAH!¡± I scream at the top of my lungs, loud enough to rattle ss and probably kill birds mid¨Cflight. Logan nearly jumps out of his skin beside me. ¡°Shit, Jess¨Cwhat the hell?¡± ¡°It¡¯s our fucking break,¡± I snap, dragging both hands down my face like it¡¯ll peel the memory off. ¡°Where the fuck is our teacher? I¡¯m about to lose my mind.¡± He raises a brow. ¡°You mean more than usual?¡± don¡¯t answer. Because the truth is: I didn¡¯t sleep. I couldn¡¯t. Not with him in my head. In my blood. In every inch of my skin. I clenched my thighs three times this morning in the shower and nearly cried from how wrong it felt. ¡°You good?¡± Logan asks again. I blink at him. No. I¡¯m not good. I¡¯m not even close to good. But I can¡¯t say that. I can¡¯t say that Grayson Westwood broke into my roomst night and told me I was his. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I mutter. ¡°Just tired.¡± Logan studies me. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡± Worse. I saw the monster in the woods and he saw me. The bell rings. I shoot out of my seat so fast I nearly knock the chair over. Logan grabs his bag and follows, jogging to catch up as I storm into the hallway like movement might erase thest twelve hours. The halls are crowded. Loud. Smelling like sweat, wet grass, and too much cheap cologne. No Grayson. Good. I don¡¯t want to see his face. I really, really don¡¯t. ¡°Are we going to the caf?¡± Logan asks. ¡°No.¡± He blinks. ¡°Cool. Love that. Super specific.¡± I don¡¯t answer. I just keep walking¨Cfast, aimless, heart pounding like I¡¯mte for something I don¡¯t even want to show up
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115 73% 12:40 Wed, 30 Jul G. ¡°You wanna sit outside for a bit?¡± he tries again. ¡°I said no.¡± Ites out too sharp. Like a p. I wince and don¡¯t look at him. He falls silent for a second. Then- ¡°¡­Hey. Can I ask something?¡± grunt. ¡°Does ite with fries?¡± He snarts. ¡°Serious question.¡± ¡°Wow, rare.¡± ¡°Why is Grayson walking in our direction?¡± 1 stop Like¨Cphysically freeze in the middle of the hall. One foot in the air. Mid¨Cstep. ¡°What?¡± Logan points ahead like we¡¯re in a goddamn zoo exhibit. ¡°Right there. Past the chemb. He¡¯s¨Coh yeah, he¡¯s definitely looking at you.¡± No. No no no. I don¡¯t want to look. I really don¡¯t. But I do. And he¡¯s not where Logan pointed. Because by the time my eyes lock forward, Grayson Westwood is no longer twenty feet away. He¡¯s right in front of me. Towering. Massive. Quiet. Probably pissed as hell, too¨Csince I kicked him square in the ballsst night right after he whispered those disgusting words in my ear like he owned me. Mine. The word echoes in my skull like a bruise I can¡¯t scrub out. And yet, my stupid body still remembers the heat of his chest, the pressure of his thigh, the sound of his voice¨Clow, dark, dangerous. I clench my jaw, but my breath betrays me. It stutters. 275 13% 12:40 Wed, 30 Jul Logan shifts beside me. ¡°Uh¡­ Jess?¡± I can¡¯t answer. I can barely breathe. ¡°Are you going to lunch?¡± The hallway noise drops out. It¡¯s like everyone heard the only Grayson asking if I¡¯m going to lunch. Shit. Shit. I need to get out of here. It was Logan who answers him. ¡± Yes, Alpha! Do you want toe with us?¡± Us. I nearly choke. Logan turns to me, smiling like he just did something helpful. I widen my eyes¨Cwarning him. Screaming at him silently to shut the fuck up. To not do this. But the asshole can¡¯t read a room to save his life. Or mine. Logan grins. ¡°We were gonna hit the cafeteria¨Cunless, you know, you¡¯ve got Alpha stuff to do.¡± I want the ground to swallow me whole. Hell, I¡¯d dig the grave myself if it meant getting out of this moment. I don¡¯t look at Grayson, but I feel him shift. Just slightly. The air pressure around me changes, like a storm dropping in all at once. ¡°No,¡± he says, finally. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything Alpha to do.¡± Loganughs awkwardly. ¡°Cool, man. Come on, then.¡± Cool, man. I swear to the fucking moon goddess, I will murder him in his sleep. Grayson takes a step forward. Just one. But it¡¯s enough to make every nerve in my body snap tight like pulled wire. My lungs forget how to function. My legs forget whose side they¡¯re on. I finally look at him. And he¡¯s already looking at me. Me. ¡°Is it okay with you, Jess?¡± I blink H¨CHuh?¡± ±Ø»á 72% 12.40 wed, 30 JUI OG There¡¯s a small curve on his lips. Almost a smile. ¡°If Ie to lunch with you?¡± What. The fuck. W¨CWhy is he asking? Logan makes some kind of awkward, throaty noise beside me and I will probably do the same thing. ¡°Uh, I mean¨Cyou¡¯re wee, obviously. I was just offering, didn¡¯t mean to¨Cuh¨Cspeak for her.¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes don¡¯t leave mine. He¡¯s waiting for me to say yes. My mouth opens. Nothinges out. Because what the hell do I say? Yes? No? Help? Logan bumps his elbow into mine¨Clight, awkward, too casual¨Cand I snap my mouth shut so fast my teeth click. ¡°Uhm¡­ okay,¡± I mutter. It doesn¡¯t sound like me. It doesn¡¯t sound like anything at all. Then I grab Logan¡¯s arm¨Chard¨Cand start walking. Fast. On instinct. Like if I don¡¯t move right now, I¡¯m going to start screaming. I nce over my shoulder, and saw himzily nodding his head before he slides his two massive hands into the pockets of his dark jeans like he¡¯s got nowhere in the world to be but here. Following us. Following me. Oh, dear moon goddess! Apparently, I am not the only one noticing him. Head turns in our direction and everyone is talking. A couple of girls actually giggle as he passes¨Cwhich made me roll my eyes. Logan chuckles under his breath, oblivious. ¡°Huh. I think he actually ising to lunch.¡± No shit, Logan. Really top¨Ctier observation skills there. After a few minutes, we make it into the lunch line, Grayson still right behind me. My heart is hammering against my ribs, beating so fast it¡¯s probably bruising something in there. He still hasn¡¯t spoken¨Cnot one single word since we left the hallway. I nce around, trying to pretend everything¡¯s fine. It¡¯s not. Because every single set of eyes in this entire cafeteria is locked onto us. What the hell does he think he¡¯s doing? If this is another one of his sick little mind games, I swear to the goddess¨CI¡¯ll rip his throat out. Nicely. In public. I am dreaming of ways to kill Grayson when I felt his rough palm touching the small arch in my back. My head whips in his direction so fast my neck nearly cracks. ¡°W¨CWhat¡­are you doing?¡± I look away immediately because I can feel it¨Cthe throb between my thighs, violent and embarrassing and impossible to ignore. Shit. Shit. Shit. Why the hell did I suddenly feel so hot right now? Why did his hand on my back feel like it was burning straight through my spine? ¡°I was calling your name.¡± His voice is so low, so casual, like he doesn¡¯t have his entire damn palm on my lower back in front of the whole school. Grayson¡¯s fingers flex. Flex. And then they spread just slightly¨Cjust enough to make me feel him 415 72% even more. ¡°I was asking what food you want.¡± That¡¯s when I hear it¨CLogan choking. I turn just in time to see his jaw practically on the floor. Grayson however is still busy talking to me. ¡°I know you like those little baked potatoes,¡± he murmurs, dragging his thumb slightly across my spine¨Cbarely there, but I jolt anyway. ¡°The ones with sour cream, right?¡± ¡°This is your favorite, isn¡¯t it?¡± It is. I want to scream. I want to smack him, bite him, throttle him and ask if what the hell is wrong with him but all I manage is a breathless, stuttering, traitorous answer. ¡°Y¨CYeah¡­¡± Grayson nodded. Then, he inches closer to me, his eyes dropping to my lips for a second making me suck in breath. ¡± Good girl.¡± 0 Alpha Luna 10 Chapter 10 GRAY¡¯S POV She¡¯s cute. Fuck. 72% Grab ahold of yourself, Grayson. I pick up the damn water bottle, twist the cap with a little too much force, and take a long sip¨Cmostly to stop myself from smirking like a lunatic across the table. She¡¯s edgy. Fidgety. Can¡¯t meet my eyes for more than two seconds without shifting in her seat like I¡¯m burning her from the inside out. Good. She should be. If she only knew¨Cif she had any fucking clue¨Chow close I was to kissing her in that lunch line just to shut those other girls up. Just to mark her with my mouth and make it clear: this one¡¯s mine. But I didn¡¯t. Because I can¡¯t. Not yet. My thumb taps once¨Ctwice¨Cagainst the side of the bottle as I stare at her. She¡¯s not even eating. Just pushing food around like it insulted her. Hershes flick up for half a second and our eyes meet. She looks away. Fast. Gods, she¡¯s going to kill me. No, scratch that. I¡¯m going to kill for her. Logan is talking about something. Laughing, gesturing. I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t care. My focus is locked on the way her fingers grip the edge of the tray. Tight. White¨Cknuckled. She¡¯s trying so hard to pretend she¡¯s okay. She¡¯s not. And neither am I. I shouldn¡¯t have touched her. Not in public. Not like that. weu, su ÁÖÄî72%•þ But the second I felt the arch of her back under my hand, the soft little flinch she thought I didn¡¯t notice¨CI knew. She¡¯s sensitive there. Delicate. Breakable. Perfect. +20 And every fucking instinct in me screamed to drag her onto the table, bare her throat, and bite down until she screamed my name with her legs wrapped around my waist. 1 blink slowly. Take another sip of water. Try to breathe like a sane person. I¡¯ve led war parties with moreposure than this. My cock is still half¨Chard under the table, twitching every time she licks her lips like that. Goddess. Help me. She finally stabs something with her fork, then pauses, like she forgot how to eat. Cute. Distracted. Mine. ¡°So,¡± Logan says, ncing between us like a dumbass who enjoys ying withndmines. ¡°Since when are you¡­ uhm, friends?¡± Friends. Huh. Jessica¡¯s fork clinks against her tray. Her eyes go wide. She sits up a little too fast. ¡°We¡¯re not!¡± Fast. Too fast. Like she¡¯s desperate to outrun the idea. I lick my lips, slow and deliberate. The annoyance coils in me tight, dark, bitter. Really, woman? well she fumbles, cheeks going pink. ¡°I don¡¯t know what we are.¡± Logan lifts a brow, clearly loving this. Jessica stares down at her food, stabs a potato like it personally betrayed her. Her knee bounces under the table. Her lip twitches. She peeks at me, then back at her tray, like the eye contact might kill her, 12.40 ?? ? 72%i +20) It might. ¡°We¡¯re definitely not friends,¡± she mutters, quieter now. ¡°That would imply I¡­ like you.¡± I raise a brow. She nces at me again. ¡°Which I don¡¯t.¡± This bitch. grind my mrs, hard enough to pop something in my jaw. My grip tightens around the bottle until the stic buckles beneath my hand. ¡°In fact,¡± she adds, eyes still on her tray, ¡°if we were thest two wolves alive and I was bleeding out, I¡¯d still choose the sweet release of death over yourpany.¡± I swear to the goddess- She¡¯s too fucking proud. Too smug. Too untouchable. And it¡¯s driving me insane. Doesn¡¯t she get it? She wants me to lose it. She wants me to snap. I will. Eventually. And when I do? I¡¯m going to teach that mouth exactly what it¡¯s for. I stare at her. At her neck. Her lips. The delicate shift of her throat when she swallows. I want to ruin her. ¡°So,¡± she adds, daintily wiping her mouth with a napkin, ¡°what are you still doing here, Alpha?¡± Alpha. ¡°Jess, stop it,¡± Logan tries to cut in, voice nervous. ¡°Girl, not here.¡± But like I said- She¡¯s a brat. Jessica cocks her head at me, eyes dark and bright and begging for war. ¡°What?¡± she purrs, dragging out the word. ¡°Did I stutter?¡± I twist my lips, slow and tight, jaw ticking as the fire rises up my spine. Jessica throws me one stupid nce before she stands. ¡°Enjoy your lunch, boys,¡± she mutters, swinging her tray onto the bin with a tter and then she walks away. I¡¯m an Alpha and Alphas are calm. Measured. In control. So, I do what they teach us. I count. One. Two Fuckit. I shove my chair back so hard it screeches against the floor. Heads turn. I don¡¯t care. She wants to be a brat. Fine. I¡¯ll y. My boots hit the floor like war drums as i stalk across the cateteria, eyes locked on the sway of her hips ahead. This stupid, reckless, mouthy little girl who keeps thinking I won¡¯t lose it. Who keeps thinking I won¡¯t snap her in half just to prove a point. 12:40 Wed, 30 Jul & GE 72% I follow her through the hallway, every step pounding out of me like a war beat, like my body is preparing for a fight or a fuck and doesn¡¯t care which it ends up being. She takes a hard left¨Cfast. Sharp. Like she thought she could lose me. Her head snaps over her shoulder, eyes locking on mine for half a second.. Her brows furrow. Good. She¡¯s finally realizing how deep in she is. And then she runs. She actually fucking runs. Short, quick steps, like she doesn¡¯t even realize she¡¯s doing it. Like her body reacts before her brain catches up. Her bag bounces. Her ponytail swings. Her scent floods the air like it wants me to lose control. That¡¯s fucking right. Run. 20 You pissed me off. You wanted a reaction? You¡¯re about to choke on it. I storm after her, not even trying to stay quiet now. The soles of my boots m against the floor like thunder. She darts down the side hall behind the science wing¨Cthe part of the school that always smells like copper and floor wax. No students. No cameras. She fucked up. She doesn¡¯t know it yet but she just walked into the fucking den. She throws open a random door in the hallway¨Cdoesn¡¯t even check what¡¯s behind it. Just slips inside like the universe won¡¯t punish her for being that stupid. Storage room. I slide in right after, boots skidding slightly against the tile as I round the corner and shoulder into the door. I pause. Check the frame. ¡°Is the lock broken?¡± Nope. I twist the knob. Locked. Good. Stupid girl. Stupid, reckless, unthinking girl. It¡¯s dumb for her toe out here- back of the school, no windows, no teachers, no noise. No exits. I lean into the door. Press it shut behind me. My palm grazes the handle once more¨Cdouble¨Cchecking. Secured. She¡¯s not getting out without me. She spins around so fast her hair whips with her, eyes zing. ¡°Why are you following run from me first. me?¡± she barks, like she didn¡¯t just 72% 12:40 Wed, 30 Jul G I don¡¯t answer right away. I stay there for a second¨Cleaned against the door, watching her chest rise and fall like she sprinted through a battlefield instead of a school hallway. Then I push off the door and started walking towards her. Damn. I wonder if her mouth tastes as mean as it sounds. I take two steps forward. She stiffens. ¡°You¡¯re stupid,¡± I say tly. Her eyes widen. She stares at me like I just pped her across the face. ¡°Excuse me?!¡± ¡°You heard me.¡± +20 I stop walking. Right in front of her now. Jessica looks stunned and I am so fucking hard I could lose my mind. She doesn¡¯t know what she just did to me. She doesn¡¯t know that I¡¯ve had this scene in my head for years. Doesn¡¯t know how many times I¡¯veid awake dreaming about touching her like this. Cornering her. Pressing into her. Watching her break. My hand lifts before I can stop it. I brush her cheek with the back of my fingers. Soft. Just like I imagined. She jerks slightly but doesn¡¯t move away. Not really. ¡°You are just an omega,¡± I murmur, voice rough as gravel. ¡°Yet this filthy little mouth of yours keeps disrespecting me.¡± Her lips part¨Cand my cock fucking twitches. Right there. One breath away from her. So close I could taste the smartass words off her tongue if I wanted to. And fuck me, I want to. I slide my thumb across her bottom lip. Drag it slow. She gasps. Tiny. Barely audible. But I hear it. Feel it. Fucking thrive in it. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I whisper, pressing in closer. My chest brushes hers. ¡°You only know how to talk when you¡¯re mouthing off, huh?¡± She swallows, hard. My hand slips lower¨Cfingers grazing her throat, the base of her neck, right where I¡¯d mark her. Right where I¡¯ve dreamed of leaving bruises no one else is allowed to see. ¡°Thought you were brave, Jess,¡± I mutter. ¡°Thought you were a big girl.¡± I lean in. My lips hover right next to her ear. ¡°Say something nasty again,¡± I growl, voice filth and heat. ¡°So I can stuff your mouth with my fingers and remind you what it¡¯s really for.¡± Her lips tremble. ¡°Y¨CYou can¡¯t.¡± I tilt my head. Smirk slow. ¡°Why not, Jess, hmm?¡± Her throat tightens. Her eyes flick to my mouth like she doesn¡¯t mean to, ¡°I¨CI¡¯m not your mate.¡± That makes me chuckle. Oh baby, if you only knew. If you only fucking knew. My gaze drags back to her lips. Pink. Trembling. Slightly parted. 5/6 72% 12:40 Wed, 30 Jul GYI I stop myself. No. I want a fucking taste. Just a fucking taste. I said I wouldn¡¯t touch her. 20 Wouldn¡¯t taste her. Not until she was mine. But fuck¨CShe looks drunk on me. Head tilted. Eyes half¨Clidded. Breathing all wrecked and uneven like I just kissed her already. She looks like temptation and sin wrapped in soft skin and sharp teeth. My hand lifts¨Cfinds her jaw. I hold her there, thumb brushing against that perfect, stubborn mouth. She leans into it. Just slightly. Just enough and I almost give in. Almost. I step back. One breath. Two. ¡°No,¡± murmur to myself. ¡°Not yet.¡± I turn. Take one step toward the door. Do the right thing. Walk away. Be patient. But then I hear her exhale¨Csoft, shaky. I feel it. Like a hook buried in my chest. I nce over my shoulder. She¡¯s still standing there. Stunned. Dazed. Flushed. Lips swollen from nothing but tension. And that¡¯s it. Fuck it. I spin on my heel, cross the space in two strides, and m her back into the shelf. My hand wraps around her throat¨Cfirm, possessive, not squeezing¨Cjust iming. She gasps, eyes wide,shes fluttering as she stares up at me like she just realized what I really am. ¡°Mine,¡± I growl. Then I crush my mouth to hers. She fucking gasps and I swallow it. All of it. Kiss her harder. Deeper. My free hand tangling in her hair, tilting her head just right so I can take all of her. Everything. Even her fucking sanity just like how she takes mine. 6/6 Alpha Luna 11 Chapter 11 JESSICA ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± he growls. I shove at his chest¨Chard¨Cbut it¡¯s like pushing against a wall of muscle wrapped in rage. He doesn¡¯t budge. Instead, he catches both of my wrists in one hand¨Cfast, rough¨Cand yanks them up over my head, pinning them against the cold metal shelf behind me. The shelf rattles violently. Something tumbles off¨Ca can? A box? I don¡¯t know. It crashes to the floor like thunder, but I barely hear it. I¡¯m too busy trying to breathe. His other hand grips my jaw¨Cfirm, possessive¨Cand angles my face to the side like he¡¯s done it a thousand times in his head. ¡°Stop talking,¡± he snarls. Then he licks me. God. From the curve of my neck all the way up to just under my ear¨Cslow, wet, iming¨Cand I swear I feel it in every nerve, every fucking inch of me. I shiver. My stomach flips. Heat coils low¨Cdeep and fast and wrong. ¡°God, you taste¡­¡± he groans, voice wrecked. ¡°Fuck.¡± His mouth drags back down¨Ckissing, sucking, biting¨Cand I can¡¯t even think straight. It¡¯s too much. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you,¡± he mutters into my skin. Another kiss. Another bite. My fingers dig into the metal shelf behind me like it¡¯s the only thing keeping me upright. ¡°I¡¯ve waited for this,¡± he groans. ¡°Dreamed of this mouth. This neck.¡± He angles me again, dragging his tongue over my pulse, and I swear I moan like he just touched between my legs. My breath stutters. My hips twitch. I¡¯m not even trying to hide it. ¡°Grayson- 416 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul Gr ¡°So soft,¡± he rasps. ¡°So fuckin¡® sweet.¡± His hand slides under my shirt. Rough fingers against bare skin. I gasp again, my body arching into him on instinct. ¡°I hate you,¡± I whisper. His tongue slides up my throat again. ¡°Lie better,¡± he growls. blink. Hard. The memory rips away like it burned me¨Clike my body still feels him pressed against mine, mouth hot and filthy against my skin. Asshole. My gaze rips into the field and to the asshole standing at the edge of it like a goddamn statue¨Carms crossed, shoulders squared, eyes locked on me. Grayson fucking Westwood. ¡°One morep,¡± he barks. Loud. Sharp. In front of everyone. I freeze. I know half the pack¡¯s watching now. Warriors. Trainees. Even that one she¨Cwolf who keeps batting hershes at him like he¡¯s not Satan in a ck shirt. ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± I snap, turning with fire in my eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve done seven.¡± Seven. My legs are shaking. My lungs are begging. My shirt is soaked. And my pride? It¡¯s already bleeding from the way he¡¯s been ignoring me since that goddamn kiss. Logan jogs up beside me, panting. ¡°I told you not to piss him off earlier,¡± he mutters. I re. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± The sky groans above us. Dark clouds churning like the gods are watching this mess and seriously considering throwing hands. I feel a drop hits my shoulder. Then another. The air shifts¨Cwet, thick, and mean. One more, Wilkinson,¡± Grayson calls out. I turn slowly, chest heaving, legs trembling, blood hot in my ears. ¡°I¡¯ve done seven,¡± I bite out. ¡°Everyone else did five.¡± Then make it eight 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul I take one step forward, ready to snap, ready to tell him to shove his order right up his smug Alpha ass¨Cbut he cuts me off before I even open my mouth. ¡°Or you can be a fucking example of what a weak omega looks like.¡± The words hit harder than they should. Harder than he probably meant them to. Or maybe he knew exactly what he was doing. I freeze where I stand. Logan mutters something under his breath-¡°Dude, what the fuck?¡°¨Cbut I don¡¯t hear the rest. Everything else fades. Because the second Grayson said that¨Cweak omega¨Csomething inside me fractures. My throat tightens. My chest burns. My eyes start to sting. Fuck. No. Not here. Not in front of all these people. Not in front of him. He kissed me. He touched me. He said I was his¨Cacted like I was something he wanted, something worth chasing. And now he¡¯s standing there like I¡¯m just some pathetic trainee he gets to humiliate in front of the pack. Like that storage room. never happened. Like I imagined it all. I feel heat crawl up my neck, like shame and fury are fighting for space under my skin. I won¡¯t give him the satisfaction. I won¡¯t let him see me break. I straighten my spine, force the wobble out of my voice. ¡°Fine,¡± I spit, each word sharp andced with ss. ¡°You want one more?¡± And before anyone can say a word, before the tears can fall, I run. The sky opens up above me as I hit the track. Thunder rolls across the field like a warning, and the first drop of rain ps against my cheek like a second insult. Weak omega. His voice keeps echoing inside my skull, louder than the wind, heavier than the pounding of my feet. ¡°Fucking weak?¡± 1 round the far edge of the field, lungs on fire, heart mming like it¡¯s trying to punch through my ribs. ¡°Fuck you, Grayson!¡± I don¡¯t care who hears. I hope he hears. I hope the whole goddamn pack hears. Let them watch me run¨Clet them choke on
  1. it.
Weak? He called me weak after shoving his tongue down my throat like I was the only thing he ever fucking wanted. After gripping my wrists like he couldn¡¯t decide whether to kiss me or strangle me. After looking at me like mine meant something. And now I¡¯m the example? Bite me, Alpha. Better yet¨Cchoke on it. My feet hit the track again, sshing through a puddle so hard water hits my thigh. I don¡¯t stop. I run faster. Harder, Likel can outrun the sound of his voice. The heat still between my legs. The burn in my throat from swallowing 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul GEI Gods, I let him touch me. I liked it. And now he wants to parade me like some pathetic, mouthy little omega who can¡¯t keep up? I¡¯ll show him weak. I¡¯ll show him fucking feral. imagine his face under my boot. imagine spitting in his mouth after I make him beg. My eyes burn. I blink hard, once, twice, don¡¯t let the tears fall. I won¡¯t cry over him. Not today. Not when my thighs are still clenching like they miss his fucking leg. ¡°Fucking bastard,¡± I snarl under my breath. I swear to the Moon, if hees near me again¨Cif he even looks at me¨Csomething growls behind me. My breath snags. I stop mid¨Cstride, mud sucking at my boot like the forest itself just told me to fucking freeze. Shit. +20 My body jerks, breath hitches sharp in my throat. I twist toward the trees¨Cneck craning, shoulders braced¨Ceyes darting through shadows like I can see what the fuck is watching me. My heart¡¯s pounding now, wild and fast, the kind of panic that makes your mouth taste like metal. I step back. Then another. Heel hits a root- I stumble, catch myself on a tree, hand scraping bark, eyes still locked on the dark. The bushes move. I crouch slightly, knees bending, weight shifting to the balls of my feet. Ready to run. Ready to shift. Ready to fucking die if I have to. ¡°Show yourself,¡± I whisper, voice shaking so hard I almost choke on the words. It sounds pathetic. Weak. I hate it. Rogue. It¡¯s a fucking rogue. I try to step back again, but the moment I move, the thing snarls¨Cloud¨Cand then it¡¯s on me. Alb 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul & GE A massive body ms into my side, knocking the breath straight out of my lungs. I hit the ground hard, shoulder first, spine cracking against wet earth as ws dig into the dirt beside my head. The rogue is on top of me, snarling, drooling, heavy. Its breath reeks¨Chot and sour and feral¨Cand it snaps at my face, teeth gnashing inches from my cheek like it wants to rip it off and wear it. I thrash beneath it, kicking, punching, ws barely formed, but it¡¯s stronger. So much fucking stronger. ¡°Get off me¨Cget the fuck off!¡± I scream, bucking my hips, trying to twist free, but the bastard just snarls louder and shoves me down harder into the mud. I feel its ws scrape across my ribs. It bites down on my shirt¨Csnaps its fucking head back¨Cand the fabric splits like skin. Shoulder to stomach, shredded. Gone. I feel air. Cold. Exposed. Like it¡¯s already tasted me. The cold air ms into my bare skin and I shriek, twisting, punching, anything¨Cmy nails rake across fur but it doesn¡¯t flinch. Doesn¡¯t fucking move. It just growls again, deeper now, almost satisfied. Its snout lowers to my neck. I feel teeth graze my skin¨Cnot biting, not yet, just threatening. My throat is burning. My legs are shaking. My hands are soaked in mud and blood and I¡¯m still fighting¨Cbut it¡¯s not enough. I¡¯m not fast enough. Strong enough. I can¡¯t get it off. It¡¯s pinning me like I¡¯m prey. And that¡¯s when it happens. I break. I don¡¯t think. I don¡¯t care. I just scream- ¡°GRAYSON!¡± Louder than I¡¯ve ever yelled his name, ¡°GRAYSON!¡± ¡°HELP ME!¡± My voice cracks on thest word. Tears mix with the rain and the rogue rears back, lips peeling over teeth, ready to sink them straight into my throat. ¡°GRAYSON!¡± I scream, throat raw, voice shattering through the trees- right as the rogue sinks its teeth toward my neck and- 5/6 Alpha Luna 12 hapter 12 Chapter 12 GRAYSON ¡°Dude, she¡¯s gonna cry again tonight.¡± Pierce nudges my elbow like that¡¯s something I want to hear. I don¡¯t even turn to look at him. My eyes are still locked on the woods. The path she tore through, all wild breath and rage. He keeps talking. ¡°You could¡¯ve eased up. One morep? She was dead on her feet.¡± ¡°She needed to learn.¡± ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°I said she needed to learn.¡± My voice is low. Final. And if he says her name again, I swear to the fucking Moon I¡¯ll snap.He doesn¡¯t get it. No one gets it. She¡¯s not just some omega. She¡¯s my Luna. And my Luna doesn¡¯t get to be weak. She doesn¡¯t get to fall apart in the middle of a battlefield just because someone hurt her feelings. Not even when that someone is me.l exhale through my nose, hands flexing at my sides like they¡¯re itching for something to hold. ] My cock¡¯s still half¨Chard. Still aching from that goddamn kiss earlier¨Cwhen her body pressed into mine and she moaned against my mouth like she was made for me.That sound wrecked me. I can still taste her. Still feel the way she arched. How her fingers trembled. The way her throat pulsed when I licked it. Fuck And now I¡¯m the viin. Now she¡¯s running through a storm like I didn¡¯t just humiliate her in front of the pack. Because I did. I had to. Because love doesn¡¯t matter if she¡¯s not strong enough to survive what¡¯sing. Because no one gets to break her¨Cbut me and I¡¯ll rebuild her after.Stronger. Sharper. Mine. ¡°You¡¯re cruel sometimes, man,¡± Pierce mutters. ¡°Good,¡± I say. ¡°She¡¯ll remember it.¡± After a few minutes, Pierce gave up waiting beside me. He muttered something I didn¡¯t bother listening to, then walked off across the field, leaving me alone in the middle of the storm like some goddamn fool. The others are already gone¨Ctucked into dorms, hiding from the cold, from the thunder that¡¯s been crawling closer with every breath¨Cbut I¡¯m still here. Sitting on the soaked grass, elbows resting on my knees, eyes fixed on the edge of the woods like she¡¯s going toe running out of them at any second. I told her one morep. She agreed. So where the fuck is she? I drag a hand down my face, pushing rain away from my eyes as the wind shifts and another crack of thunder tears 1/5 12:43 Wed, 30 Jun through the sky. The downpour gets harder. Louder. It pelts my shoulders, soaks through my shirt, seeps into my boots- but I don¡¯t move. I can¡¯t. She¡¯s out there. Jessica. My omega. My goddamn Luna. I let my gaze scan the treeline again. Nothing moves. Not a single branch. Not a sound. Not even the faint rustle of her breath trying to hide from me. What the hell is taking you so long, baby? You¡¯re not that slow. You¡¯re not that weak. You¡¯ve got enough fire in you to finish ap in a storm and curse me out on the way back, so where the fuck are you? I probably look insane¨Csitting here in the pouring rain, waiting for a girl who wouldn¡¯t even look at me an hour ago without wanting to p me¨Cbut I don¡¯t care. I told her to finish thep. I needed her to finish it. And now every second she doesn¡¯te out of those woods, my gut twists tighter and my jaw starts to ache from how hard I¡¯m grinding my teeth. Another rumble shakes the sky and I finally exhale, sharp and rough, dragging my ass off the ground. Enough waiting. If she finished thep and decided to detour to her room without telling me, I swear I¡¯ll find her and put her on her fucking knees. I¡¯ll drag her right back out here and make her do ten moreps with my name in her mouth. I¡¯ll- No. Something¡¯s wrong. It hits me all at once¨Cno sound, no sign¨Cbut I feel it like a punch to the chest. The kind of stillness that doesn¡¯t mean peace. The kind that means danger. That means silence right before the scream. I take one step forward. Then another. Then I start walking¨Cfast¨Ctoward the woods. ¡°GRAYSON!¡± My lungs drag in air too fast. My foot slips in the dirt, catches,unches forward again. Rain pelts my face, my arms, my chest. I don¡¯t fucking feel it. ¡°Grayson!¡± Her voice rips through the trees, high and broken¡ªand everything inside me snaps. My lungs seize. My head jerks toward the sound so fast my neck cracks. 215 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul Gti ? ¡°Fuck. Jess¨Cfuck.¡± My feetunch forward. 71% +28 I hit the tree line like a fucking animal, shoulder¨Cmming branches out of the way, ducking under limbs, boots pounding into the earth as rain slices across my face like ws. ¡°Grayson!¡± ¡°Damn it,¡± I hiss under my breath. ¡°Damn it, baby. Where are you?¡± My vision tunnels. The trees blur past me¨Cshadows and bark and soaked leaves pping against my skin¨Cand I barely register any of it. All I see is her. All I hear is her voice echoing in my skull like it¡¯s carved there. Scream again, baby. Give me one more. Just one more. ¡°Fucking scream again,¡± I mutter, breath tearing out of me. ¡°Let me find you. Just scream¨Cone more time,e on¡ª¡± My boots skid through a patch of mud, sliding, catching¨CI barely keep upright. I nce around¨Cfrantic now¨Ceyes scanning the trees like they¡¯ll split open and show me what¡¯s hurting her. ¡°Jess,¡± I breathe, mouth dry, throat tight. ¡°I swear to the gods-¡± My chest heaves. My ribs ache from the pressure building in them. I close my eyes for one second¨Cjust one second¨Cand try to feel her. Fuck. My eyes fly open. She¡¯s not alone. I run. I fucking tear across the field like my bones are fire and my blood is knives. I don¡¯t care if I break something. I don¡¯t care if I bleed. I don¡¯t care if my legs give out or if I lose my lungs in the sprint. She¡¯s scared. She¡¯s terrified. My woman is fucking terrified. Im into the trees at full speed. Branches whip across my face. Thorns rip my arms open. Bark shreds my knuckles as l shove past every fucking obstacle in the way. Jessica. On her back. In the dirt. Shirt ripped open. Chest heaving. Mud smeared across her stomach. Her legs are kicking, but not fast enough. Her hands are scratching the earth like she can dig her way out. ¡°Get off me!¡± she screams, voice cracking. ¡°Fuck¨Cplease! Get off me!¡± I see red. My vision narrows so sharp I nearly ck out. 1 fucking lunge. 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul We hit the ground in a tangle of ws and teeth, mud exploding around us as the storm beats down. The bastard growls, tries to get leverage, but I¡¯m already swinging, already shing for his fucking throat. He bites me. Right in the forearm¨Cteeth tearing through skin¨Cand I roar. Not in pain. In rage. You want a fucking taste? I drive my fist into his snout, bone crunching under my knuckles. He lets go, and I grab the back of his head and m it into the mud until it dents around his skull. He kicks¨Ctries to roll¨Cbut I bite his fucking shoulder. Hard. Deep. I taste blood. I taste fur. I taste victory. He snarls again¨Ctries to rise¨Cbut I m him back down, hard, my hand locking around his throat. I drive my knee into his ribs, feel the crack underneath me, my ws already digging into his chest like I¡¯m reaching for something to tear out. ¡°You fucking want her?¡± I growl through clenched teeth. 1 grab his jaw, force his face to mine¨Cblood already gushing, mixing with rain¨Cand I drag my ws down his cheek in one savage swipe. Deep. Slow. Meant to mark. Let that fucking scar remind him who he tried to take from me. He roars. Twists. I don¡¯t let go. ¡°She¡¯s. Fucking. MINE.¡± He bucks hard¨Cshoulder to chest¨Cthrows his weight into the push and shoves me off bnce. I skid in the mud, but I¡¯m already swinging, ws out, aiming to rip his head clean off his fucking neck. He¡¯s fast. Faster than I thought. He bolts just as my ws slice through air¨Cjust as my fist drives down into nothing. ¡°NO!¡± I snarl, voice cracked wide open, lungs burning. ¡°GET BACK HERE, YOU FUCKING COWARD!¡± But he¡¯s gone. Bleeding. Scarred. Running like the pathetic bastard he is. I I stay there, kneeling in the mud, chest heaving, fist clenched tight enough to shake. One fucking second more. One second, and I would¡¯ve killed him. Behind me, I hear her breathing¨Cchoked and shallow. 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul Gi Jessica. Fuck. My knees hit the mud. My hands go straight to her shoulders¨Cgentle, shaking, too rough¨Cbut I can¡¯t stop them. I can¡¯t think. I don¡¯t know how to fucking touch her right now without falling apart. ¡°Jess,¡± I rasp. My voice cracks in half. ¡°Fuck, Jess¨Care you okay?¡± Her lips part. ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡± her voice is barely there. Broken. ¡°Grayson, I¡­¡°: She winces. My heart fucking stops. I slide closer, gather her into my arms, press her against my chest like she¡¯s going to vanish if I blink. My hand cradles the back of her head, the other gripping her waist¨Csteady, tight, desperate. ¡°Shh,¡± I whisper, kissing her temple, breathing her in like oxygen. ¡°You¡¯re okay. I¡¯ve got you. You¡¯re safe now. I¡¯ve got you, baby, I¡¯ve fucking got you.¡± Her fingers twitch against my chest. Rain slides down her face, mixing with the tears she won¡¯t let fall. ¡°I thought¨Che-¡± she chokes. @ S My hand finds her face, thumbs brushing mud from her cheek. I tip her chin up, eyes scanning every inch, checking for blood, bruises, anything that shouldn¡¯t be there. ¡°You¡¯re safe now, Jess,¡± I whisper, voice low and ruined. ¡°You¡¯re fucking safe. I promise.¡± ? 515 Alpha Luna 13 Chapter 13 Jessica POV ¡°Yes. She¡¯s with me. We got stuck here in the cabin, man. I¡¯ll take her home early in the morning.¡± My lips purse as I stare at Gray talking to my brother. He¡¯s got one hand braced against the wall, the other gripping his phone tight, jaw clenched like he¡¯s barely keeping it together. He sighs through his nose, runs a hand through his drenched hair, and says something else to Pierce, but I don¡¯t hear it. I¡¯m shivering. My teeth are clenched so hard my jaw aches. I¡¯m trying not to show it ¨C trying to sit still on this damp¨Cass wooden crate like I¡¯m fine. Like my legs don¡¯t feel like they¡¯re made of ss. Like I¡¯m not five seconds away from curling into a ball and falling the fuck apart. I¡¯m not fine. I feel it in my fingertips that numb buzzing that happens when you¡¯re too scared to admit you were scared. When the adrenaline fades and all that¡¯s left is the echo of it. He could¡¯ve taken me. That rogue. He was on top of me. I could still feel it¨Chis breath, his weight, that fucking snarl- I swallow hard, but it catches in my throat. A sh of lightning cracks outside. A secondter, the thunder rolls in, deep and slow like the sky¡¯s growling back at us. I flinch. Gods. Grayson hangs up. He turns around, and I straighten automatically¨Clike I wasn¡¯t just falling apart over here like a damn child. His eyes meet mine. Don¡¯t look at me like that. Soft. Controlled. That whole Alpha thing that makes you feel small and safe and like he could kill the world if you asked him to. I cross my arms across my chest. I can feel how hard I¡¯m shivering. My clothes are soaked. My skin¡¯s freezing. I want to move, but I don¡¯t trust my legs. 1/4 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul 6G x ? Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t fucking cry. 71% He takes a step forward. I press my palms against the crate to ground myself, try to hide the way they¡¯re trembling. Gray stops in front of me. Kneels. Eyes locked on mine. ¡°Cold?¡± he asks, quiet. Inod. Yes. Freezing. Scared. And so fucking close to breaking I could scream. But I don¡¯t say that. I just nod. I feel Grayson shift in front of me. His thumb drags slow over the damp fabric clinging to my thigh, tracing a line that makes my skin prickle under it. ¡°You¡¯re freezing,¡± he says again, quieter this time. His gaze drags back up to meet mine. ¡°You need to take that off.¡± I blink. Stare. What. ¡°What?¡± My voicees out sharper than I mean it. ¡°Are you¨Care you crazy?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t look,¡± he says, low. t. ¡°There¡¯s a clean nket over there, You can use that.¡± He jerks his chin toward the corner some old stack of supplies, a folded wool nket sitting right on top like the universe wants tough at me. ¡°You¡¯ll freeze in that,¡± he adds, still crouched in front of me. ¡°Take it off.¡± I exhale, tight and shaky. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous,¡± I mutter, ring at the floor like it personally offended me. I nce at him ¨C still standing there like a wall between me and the rest of the world. ¡°You said you won¡¯t look.¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t even blink. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he says again before I saw him get up on his feet and turn around. This is stupid. This is humiliating. However, he is right. ¡± Take it off, woman. Atleast one of us won¡¯t die tonight.¡± Yeah and it is me because I am so embarrassed right now. I felt him moving, probably getting the nket. I drag the wet fabric up slow, wincing as the cold air hits my skin like a p. My arms are goose pimpled. My whole body feels too small, too raw. i sit there for a second¨Cshaking, breathing like I¡¯m choking on my own heartbeat ¨C arms crossed over my chest like that¡¯s going to do shit. ¡°Okay,¡± I say. It barelyes out. Pathetic little whisper. ¡± Grayson.¡± I feel him shifted. ¡°Okay?¡± I¡¯m never going to recover from this. ¡°I¡¯m naked now,¡± I blurt and immediately want to m my head against the nearest wall. Shit. Fucking shit. ¡°I mean-¡± I close my eyes, mortified. ¡°Shit. I mean-¡± My heartbeat feels like it¡¯s fucking everywhere ¨C in my throat, in my head, in the tips of my fucking fingers where they¡¯re curled tight against my legs trying not to shake. ¡°Can you just throw the nket?¡± I manage. It sounds pathetic. Small. Beaten down and defensive all at once. ¡°Please.¡± Grayson didn¡¯t answer. I waited for him to say anything when I felt his hand barely touching my shoulder. ¡°W¨CWhat are you doing?¡± I felt him sigh behind me before the nkete up around my shoulders, rough and dry and warm against my skin that still felt raw and to expose and then his chest hit my back. 12:43 Wed, 30 Jul 8 Gti. I freeze. ¡°G¨CGray?¡± ¡°I thought I¡¯d lose you.¡± My stomach flipped so sharp it made my ribs hurt. 71% ¡°I thought-¡°He exhaled hard like he hated even saying it. ¡°When I heard you scream¨Cfuck, Jess¨CI¡¯ve never moved so fast in my life.¡± My throat went tight. Burning. Stupid. Soft in the worst way. I didn¡¯t know what to say. I didn¡¯t know how to breathe around words like thating from him. ¡°You didn¡¯t,¡± I whispered. Gray nodded and then he dropped his head to my shoulder- so sudden, so heavy ¨C it knocked the air straight out of my throat and made me gasp like he¡¯d just touched skin I didn¡¯t know was bare. ¡°Gray¡­¡± breathed ¨C small, shaking, wrecked. His arms came around my waist ¨C rough, iming ¨C yanking me back into him like he didn¡¯t give a single fuck about space anymore. His breath hit my neck ¨C hot, shaking, pissed. ¡°I was so fucking gone for you, Jess,¡± he snarled low, voice wrecked, gutted, like it cost him everything just to admit it. ¡°Losing you? Fuck ¨C it would¡¯ve gutted me clean.¡± His grip on my waist got harder ¨C fingers digging in like I was the only goddamn thing keeping him upright. ¡°You think I care if I scared you?¡± he muttered against my skin ¨C rough, bitter, breaking. ¡°I¡¯ll take you scared. I¡¯ll take you mad. I¡¯ll take you fucking fighting me-¡± He exhaled so hard it damn near shook me. ¡°But goddess, Jess¡­¡± His head dropped lower¨Cright at the curve of my neck. ¡°I won¡¯t take you gone.¡± That did something awful to me. Like my heart stuttered sideways. Like my knees forgot how to exist. And what do I say to that? What in the actual hell can I say to that? ¡°Wow,¡± I blurted ¨C stupid, small, the kind of word that fills up space when my chest¡¯s too tight to handle real ones. That¡¯s what I manage. Fucking wow. I clenched my hands like maybe if I held myself hard enough I wouldn¡¯t fucking shatter. ¡°Turn around, Jess,¡± NOWO I shook my head small, pitiful. I couldn¡¯t. I felt him move. Fast. Closer. Boots scraping hard against the floor as he closed space I thought I needed. that ¡°I want to kiss you.¡± 3/4 12.43 yea, 30 Jul I My eyes shot up¨Cwild, stupid, wrecked¨Csnapping straight to him like I misheard, like maybe my brain was short- circuiting from hypothermia or trauma or whatever the fuck this was. But no. 71% +28) No. Grayson Westwood stood there ¨C close, huge, looking down at me like I was both the problem and the solution to every goddamn war he¡¯d ever fought. My throat went dry. My whole fucking body locked tight. ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± It came out stupid. Weak. I hated it. His jaw ticked. ¡°You heard me,¡± he said¨Cvoice low, gravel¨Cdeep, like it was dragging straight from his chest without permission. ¡°I want to kiss you.¡± Another step. Closer. Too close. ¡°I want you.¡± ¡°You-¡± My voice caught. Stupid. Pathetic. A whole damn mess. ¡°You can¡¯t just-¡± His eyes dropped to my mouth again. I swear I forgot how to breathe. ¡°I want you, Jess and I¡¯m so fucking tired of pretending I don¡¯t.¡± 4/4 Alpha Luna 14 JESSICA ¡°I want you, Jess¡­ and I¡¯m so fucking tired of pretending I don¡¯t.¡± W¨CWhat did he just said? Did Grayson Westwood¨CAlpha asshole, my nightmare, the boy I¡¯ve hated breathing near me since forever¨Cjust say he wants me? Me. Jessica Wilkinson. Myshes fluttered like maybe blinking harder would reset reality. It didn¡¯t. He was still there. Still looking at me like that. Still standing in front of me with that stupid, wrecked look on his face. Gods. He was serious. ¡°You hate me,¡± I rasped ¨C because I needed it. I needed him to say it. Needed it sharp. Ugly. Easier to swallow than whatever the hell this was. But he just huffed ¨C sharp and bitter, like I¡¯d wounded him. His jaw clenched ¨C that hard, furious line he always had when he was two seconds from snapping. ¡°Yeah,¡± he muttered. ¡°Hate you so bad I dream about you.¡± Dream? Sure, he gets dreams. You know what I get? Nightmares. Of him ¨C standing in the middle of the clearing while the entire pack watched ¨C shouting my name like it was shouting my name like it was a curse and dragging my reputation through the fucking mud. But yeah. Tell me more about your little dreams, Grayson. ¡°Jess ¡°he stepped closer. Nope. I backed up fast, boots dragging hard across the wood floor. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± My palm flew up like that could stop him. ¡°Don¡¯t fuckinge near me.¡± ¡°What the hell is your problem, Jess?¡± Grayson¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t calm anymore. It was a snarl. Rough. Sharp. Furious like I was the one ruining his night. Fuck him. I ripped my wrist out of his grip so hard my shoulder ached it was about to explode. ¨C didn¡¯t care, wouldn¡¯t care, not when my whole chest felt like ¡°My problem?¡± I barked¨Chigh, raw, shaking like I was about to punch him in his too¨Cperfect jaw. ¡°You¡¯re asking me what the hell my problem is?¡± 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul G He just red down at me big, wolf¨Cbright, that goddamn Alpha heat rolling off him like he owned this whole cabin and me right along with it. I shoved him back with both hands. It didn¡¯t move him an inch. So I stepped right the fuck into his space anyway¨Cfire in my throat, pulse a riot ¨C and jammed my finger hard against his chest. ¡°You¡¯re my fucking problem!¡± I practically screamed it. Loud. Furious. Wrecked. Every word hit him like a p to the face. ¡°You¡¯ve always been my problem!¡± I jabbed my finger harder, chasing him like I wanted the fight. ¡°From the second you opened your goddamn mouth, from the second you made it your personal hobby to humiliate me in front of everyone- you have been in my way. In my head. Under my fucking skin-¡± ? I stop. Fuck. Fuck. Stupid, stupid, weak. I sniffed hard ¨C ¨C sharp, ugly scrubbing at my face like that could erase the whole fucking moment. ¡°You bullied me,¡± I spat ¨C low now, raw. ¡°You ruined me, Grayson. Every fucking chance you got. Every trial. Every training. Every goddamn time I got back up, you were right there waiting to knock me down again.¡± His jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jump. ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I pointed at him again ¨C shaky, but gods, still furious. ¡°You practically told me I¡¯m the weakest wolf in our pack and now you want me?¡± ¡°I never wanted to break you,¡± he said. ¡°Bullshit,¡± I snapped, heat spitting off every word. ¡°Bull¨Cfucking¨Cshit, Grayson. You didn¡¯t just want to break me¨Cyou wanted to watch me break. Wanted front row seats while you ripped me apart in front of everyone like some power¨Cdrunk asshole with a goddamn godplex.¡± His jaw locked. Good. I stepped right back into his space fucking said so. ¨C toe to toe with the big, bad Alpha who thought the sun rose and set just because he ¡°You think I don¡¯t know what you are?¡± Myugh was pure poison. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic.¡± That got him. His whole body went tight, every line of him pulled sharp. ¡°You walk around like you¡¯re untouchable, like everybody¡¯s supposed to fucking kneel just because you bark loud enough -newssh, Westwood¨CI¡¯d rather fucking die.¡± His chest heaved¨Cbreathing rough, wild, pissed. ¡°Jess- 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul G ti ? 71% ¡°No!¡± I jabbed a finger straight into his chest ¨C hard enough to rock him back a step. ¡°Fuck you. Fuck your ego. Fuck your alpha bullshit. You don¡¯t get to treat me like dirt for years and then look at me like¨Clike I¡¯m yours just because you finally figured out you have feelings.¡± His eyes burned¨Cgold and furious and helpless all at once. ¡°You wanna want me now?¡± I sneered. ¡°Too fucking bad. You don¡¯t deserve me. You don¡¯t even deserve to fucking look at me.¡± I could barely breathe around him around this fucking heat wing up my throat. Gods, I hated him. I hated Grayson Westwood like it was a full¨Ctime fucking job ¡°You wanna fuck me now, Grayson?¡± I bit ¨C voice shaking, not with fear, but with how goddamn hard my heart was mming against my ribs. ¡°Now you wanna put your hands on me?¡± He didn¡¯t move. Gryason just stood there -jaw clenched, chest heaving like breathing hurt. I stepped right into him ¨C toe to toe, chest to chest ¨C grabbed the front of his shirt in both hands like I might tear it straight off him just to watch him burn. ¡°So what?¡± I hissed ¨C breath all over his lips, sharp enough to cut. ¡°Kiss me then. Fuck me. Go ahead.¡± I grabbed his hair. Rough. Mean. I wanted him to feel it. I need him to feel it. This is what he fucking wanted? Fine. I yanked his head down close enough to taste his goddamn breath. But I didn¡¯t give him shit. ¡°Isn¡¯t that how it works with you?¡± I breathed against his lips, hate tangled with want, voice all broken ss and venom. ¡°Take what you want. Mark it up. Bragter.¡± His throat worked like swallowing me down was killing him. Good ¡°Maybe after you¡¯re done,¡± I sneered, words all teeth, all spit, ¡°you can go run your fucking mouth to the whole goddamn pack. Tell them how easy I was. Tell them how I threw myself at you like every other stupid bitch who didn¡¯t know better.¡± I pressed my mouth to his ear¨Chot, shaking, vicious. ¡°Do it,¡± I whispered, all poison and pulse. ¡°Touch me, Grayson. Fuck me. Own it.¡± His breathing was ragged now. Chest rising and falling like he¡¯d juste off a fight and his eyes- gods, his fucking eyes -burning straight through me, wild and dark and wrecked in a way that was not victory. Tshoved him back. Hard. Like touching him made me sick. It does. It does make me fucking sick. It makes me want to vomit. ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± I spat ¨C voice low, sharp, like breaking skin. I smiled. mean as hell. ¡°That¡¯s the thing about you, Grayson,¡± I snarled, ¡°you can hurt me. You can humiliate me. But you¡¯ll never fucking have me.¡± Enjoy your fucking dreams, Westwood. That¡¯s all you¡¯ll ever get. 3/4 ²Î»á71% 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul G . Alpha Luna 15 Alpha Luna 14 Chapter 15 GRAYSON I¡¯m so fucking stupid. ¡°You¡¯ll never fucking have me.¡± Are you sure about that, baby? Are you real fucking sure? I swear that smart¨Cass mouth of yours really knows how to fucking hurt me. ¡°Fucking Omega,¡± I hiss under my breath, ring down at my drink like it owes me answers. ¡°What was that?¡± Pierce nces over from his little orgy of a situation ¨C omega on hisp, another leaning too close like I won¡¯t break her fingers for it. I don¡¯t even bother looking at him. ¡°Nothing,¡± I grit out. Because what am I supposed to say? Hey, Pierce, you¡¯re little sister is such a bitch I want to fucking tie her in my bed and fuck the attitude out of her. ¡°You good, man?¡± he asks, raising a brow like he thinks he¡¯s funny. ¡°You look like you wanna bite someone¡¯s head off.¡± I look at him. You have no fucking idea. I down the rest of my drink in one pull, m the ss down harder than necessary ¨C loud enough to shut him up. ¡°Maybe I do,¡± I growl, standing up so fast the chair scrapes across the floor like a threat. Pierce watches me like he knows better than to ask. ¡°Where the fuck you going?¡± he calls out. I shove my hands into my pockets, boots already pounding toward the door. ¡°Where do you fucking think?¡± I bite back over my shoulder. I¡¯m done letting that mouth of hers get thest word. She says I¡¯ll never have her? Baby, I already fucking do. Afterst night, Jessica left the cabin without saying anything. She rejected me. She fucking rejected me. And that¡­ that shit hurt. Is that bitch fucking sleeping now? One way to find out. I m the door of my truck so hard the whole thing shakes, grip the wheel like I could rip it clean off if I wanted to, and I start the engine. It pisses me off so bad I almostugh. That stupid, reckless, big¨Cmouthed little omega who doesn¡¯t know when to shut the fuck up ¨C probably curled up right now in that tiny fucking bed like life¡¯s real sweet for her. Warm. Soft. Safe. Fucking clueless. Probably drooling into her pillow, wrapped up in some shitty nket like she didn¡¯t just stand there tonight and rip my fucking chest open like it was sport. 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul ¨­ G ti ? Like she didn¡¯t spit in my face and tell me I¡¯ll never fucking have her. Stupid little brat. Fucking dumb, delusional omega. Does she really think it works like that? That she gets to cut me down, run her fucking mouth like a filthy little whore, throw all that attitude at me like I won¡¯t fucking do something about it and then crawl into bed like the world owes her peace? Nah, baby. It would be so fucking easy to im her. To mark her. To fuck her full of me until this whole goddamn pack knows exactly who she belongs to without me having to say a fucking word. I kill the engine and sit there for a second, breathing through my nose like that¡¯s gonna do shit for how fucking pissed I am. This side of the forest wraps around the back of her house. Pierce and I used to run through these woods like wild fucking kids sneaking out, sneaking back in¨Cnever thinking twice about it. Funny how shites full circle. ¡°Nope. Nothing happened that night.¡± ¡°Ugh. Logan, you are such a whore.¡± Jess walks closer to the window. I press a hand against the rough bark of the tree nearest her window because if I don¡¯t, I might walk right through the ss. Her legs are bare. That stupid little sleep shirt hangs loose on her shoulder like an invitation she doesn¡¯t even know she¡¯s seriding. My teeth grind hard enough I taste copper. She looks outside. Right fucking at me. Her brows twitch like maybe ¨C just maybe ¨C that stupid little omega instinct of hers is working for once in her life. ¡°Yeah. No, nothing is wrong. I just thought I saw something.¡± You fucking did. Me. My tongue drags slow across my bottom lip, rough, filthy, like I could taste the fear she should be feeling right now but isn¡¯t. She turns away and I heard her giggle before saying goodbye to Logan. I lean back against the tree, shoulder pressing into the bark, arms crossing tight over my chest like it might hold me together for one more second, My head tilts up. The moon¡¯s right above me. Watching. Silent. Big fucking eye in the sky like it¡¯s just as sick as I am. I wonder if this is what the Moon Goddess had in mind. Fate. Mates. Destiny. Bullshit. I wonder if she knew how fucked up I¡¯d end up. Watching a bratty little omega who has no goddamn idea that the man she¡¯s been screaming at all her life is standing ten feet away thinking about how good her throat would look in my fucking hand. I shut my eyes just for a second. Just long enough to drag the rage down from my throat and bury it somewhere deep. 1 still have time to train her so she¡¯ll get strong and be my Luna or I can start begging my father and prove how muchm 213 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul G fucking obsessed with her. It¡¯s Jessica Wilkinson or no one. Fuck. I open my eyes and goddamn it because Jess is fucking standing right infront of me. ¡°This is stalking,¡± Jessica said. Her hands are on her hips as she stared down on me. Stared down. Un¨Cfucking¨Cbelievable. ¡°What are you doing here, Grayson?¡± My eyes drag from her bare feet in the dirt¨Cup those ridiculous legs ¨C up the curve of her hips ¨C slow enough that I want her to notice. I could marry that stubborn little streak and bury my cock in it for the rest of my life. I roll my shoulders backzy, loose, dangerous and step out from behind the tree like this forest belongs to me. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for Pierce.¡± She barks out a sharp littleugh. Bitter. Bratty. Fucking perfect. ¡± Outside of my room?¡± 3/3 AD Comment Alpha Luna 16 Chapter 16 GRAYSON ¡°Yes. I try to knock but it seems like your parents are asleep.¡± I¡¯m going to hell for lying. She squints at me. Suspicious. ¡°You¡¯re a terrible liar.¡± ¡°Then why are you still standing here talking to me?¡± She huffs. Rolls those big, furious eyes like she isn¡¯t five seconds away from either punching me or letting me back her into that fucking wall. ¡°You¡¯re a fucking creep, Grayson.¡± ¡°And you came outside to talk to me,¡± I remind her, sharp, low, loving every goddamn second of this. ¡°Barefoot. In your sleep shirt. No bra.¡± Her face twists ¨C mortified ¨C because she knows I noticed. Of course I fucking noticed. I notice everything when ites to her. ¡°Fuck off, Grayson.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Jess?¡± My voice drops, low enough to scrape. Low enough to crawl down her spine. ¡°Thought you didn¡¯t care if I looked.¡± Her bare feet shift back. One step. Then another. Instinct. Survival. Stupid. Because there¡¯s nowhere to run. It¡¯s me. It¡¯s always going to be me. ¡°I didn¡¯te out here for you,¡± she snaps, arms clutched tight like that¡¯s gonna save her.¡± I¨CI thought I heard something!¡± ¡°Sure,¡± I hum, slow, dangerous. ¡°Keep lying to yourself Jess.¡± She res up at me, fiery and furious and everything I want to ruin. ¡°I told you you¡¯ll never have me.¡± fucking went still. Is she serious right now? ¡°Say that shit again, Jess.¡± My voice drops, low, sharp, shaking with control I don¡¯t have right now. ¡°I fucking dare you.¡± She opens her mouth hesitates thinks she¡¯s smart. ¡°You suck, Grayson.¡± ¨C ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± I scoff. ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯ve got left in that pretty little mouth? ¡®You suck?¡°¡± She scowls harder. ¡°Get out of my woods.¡± Iugh dark, rough, not nice at all. 1/4 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul & G 71%8 ¡°Your woods?¡± I step closer again, forcing her back until her spine hits rough bark. ¡°Baby, you¡¯re standing in my fucking world.¡± She tries to move sideways but I quickly catch her wrist before she can go away. ¡°Let me go,¡± she snaps, trying to yank away. I pull. Quick. Spin her right back around ¨C back hitting that tree hard enough to shove the air out of her. Hands t on her shoulders pinning her there. ¡°Grayson-¡± I lean in. Real fucking close. ¡°You hate me Jess?¡± My thumb brushes against the side of her breast and I fucking love watching her flinch. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t feel like hate to me,¡± I murmur low. ¡± I think you like me Jess. You want my attention.¡± She snarls. ¡°You¡¯re delusional.¡± Goddess, I want to fuck her. I press in slow¨Cgrinding my cock against her ass, letting her feel exactly how fucking hard I am for her. ¡°Feels pretty real from where I¡¯m standing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re dirty,¡± Jess spits, lips parting as I watch her expression twist ¨C furious, wrecked, so fucking fuckable I could lose my mind. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting, Grayson.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± I rasp against her ear, my hand dragging up her waist ¨C rough, slow¨Cuntil I¡¯m brushing the underside of her breast again. ¡°Say it slower, baby. You¡¯re shaking like you want me to prove it.¡± She jerks, pushes at my chest. ¡°Get off me.¡± I chuckle dark, low in her ear. ¡°If I get off, Jess¡­¡± I rock,my hips against her harder, filthy ¨C ¡°you¡¯re gonna feel it dripping down your fucking thighs.¡± She gasps. ¡°You¡¯re the worst- ¡°Keep going,¡± I grin against her neck. ¡°Keep talking dirty to me, sweetheart.¡± ¡°Let. Me. Go.¡± She bites out every word like it hurts. I press in closer ¨C grind against her ass again, slower this time¨Clike I could fuck her through this thin little sleep shirt if I wanted to. I fucking could. ¡°Why?¡± My voice drops, dark, filthy. ¡°So you cany awake tonight with your thighs pressed tight, thinking about this anyway?¡± Her whole body jerks. Nailed it. ¡°Fuck you,¡± she snaps. ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± My free hand slides over her stomach t, rough¨Ctrailing lower. One day, .will not stop owning what¡¯s mine. ¡°Tell me 2/4 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul Gt. 71% again how much you hate me, Jess,¡± I rasp, nose dragging along the side of her neck. ¡°But say it while I¡¯ve got my hand checking if you¡¯re fucking wet for me.¡± She squirms. ¡°Grayson¨C¡± ¡°Open your legs baby.¡± She jerks hard against me, twisting her wrist in my grip like she¡¯s still got fight left. ¡°Fuck you,¡± she hisses. Iugh ¨C low, dark, all teeth. ¡°Thought we covered that.¡± Fucking hell. This is better than a dream. My hands hovers down her thigh, right where bare skin meets the edge of those tiny little shorts. ¡°Wearing these out here like you didn¡¯t want me to touch you,¡± I rasp, dragging my fingertips just under the hem right along the inside of her thigh. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not ripping them off with my fucking teeth.¡± She gasps and moves to p my hand away ¨C too slow. I catch her wrist easy ¨C pinning both hands above her head now, trapping herpletely against the tree. ¡°I¡¯ll scream!¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± I hum slow, filthy, voice dripping with every sick thought in my head. ¡°I don¡¯t mind a fucking audience, Jessica.¡± I shove my thigh between hers ¨C rough, controlling¨Cpinning her open just enough. ¡°Stay still,¡± I snarl. ¡°Or I swear to fucking gods, Jess, I¡¯ll take this shit further than you can handle.¡± ¡°Grayson-¡°It¡¯s warning. It¡¯s breathless. It¡¯s herst line of pride. ¡°What?¡± I rasp against her ear. ¡°Scared?¡± My nose drags up the side of her neck ¨C slow, sharp, breathing her in like it¡¯s thest clean thing I¡¯ll ever have. Fucking hell ¨C she smells like heat, anger, and every dirty fucking dream I¡¯ve ever had about ruining her. ¡°Smart girls run, Jess.¡± My grip tightens over her wrists. But a whore like you?¡± My voice drops ¨C dark, guttural ¡ª right in her ear. ¡°They fucking obey.¡± She jerks hard¨Cfurious. ¡°You son of a-¡± I shove my leg higher between hers ¨C grinding up hard right against that soaked little cunt hiding behind those useless fucking shorts.¡± Grind.¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± ¡°Grind yourself on my thigh, Jessica.¡± I lean in closer ¨C mouth dragging over her ear¨Cvoice like sin dripping down her spine. ¡°Make yourself cum for me, baby She shakes her head barely. ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°Do it.¡± My hands m her hips down ¨C rough, no patience ¨C dragging her against the hard flex of my thigh. ¡°Right here.¡± ¡°You wanna act like a brat?¡± I rasp, breathing harsh against her neck. ¡°Then you fucking earn your attitude.¡± 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul & GE. I shove her hips again ¨C hard. ¡°Grind that pretty pussy on me like a good fucking girl.¡± AD Alpha Luna 17 Jess POV 4971%ºÏ ¡°What? Scared?¡± Grayson ducks his head to my neck ¨C breath dragging hot across my skin like he owns that too. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know how to pleasure yourself, Jess?¡± ¡°Fuck you, Grayson. You¡¯re so stupid.¡± I feel him smirk against my neck. ¡°I know,¡± he says low, cocky, ¡°but look who¡¯s breathing hard now.¡± I snap my head to the side¨Caway from him- sharp, stubborn, petty. Big mistake. His hand snaps out¨Crough¨Cfingers curling around my jaw, gripping hard enough to sting. He jerks my face back to his, forcing me to look at him. ¡°Don¡¯t. You. Look. Away.¡± My heart kicks hard in my chest. His eyes are gods. He looks feral. Unhinged. Exactly like I imagined him in every filthy dream I¡¯ll never admit to having. Guess what, Grayson? It¡¯s not just you having those dreams. But he¡¯ll never know that. Damn him for making me feel like this. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he mutters, dragging his thumb slow across my lips again ¨C slower this time, like he owns the shape of my mouth now. ¡°Right here, baby. Eyes on me. Where they fucking belong.¡± I re or I try to ¨C but my chest is rising too fast. My whole body¡¯s too hot. ¨C ¡°Fucking mess,¡± he says, almost like it¡¯s fond. Almost like it¡¯s mine now. ¡°Mouthy little brat¡­ dripping all over my thigh¡­ and still trying to act tough.¡± His hand slides down¨Cgrabs my throat next ¨C not choking, just holding. ¡°You wanna act like you hate me?¡± Grayson leans in, voice a low rumble against my ear. ¡°Fine.¡± His thigh grinds up ¨C hard¨Cbetween mine, rough enough to steal the sound out of my mouth. ¡°But your pussy says otherwise.¡± ¡°F¨CFuck you,¡± I choke, shame flooding my chest so fast I can¡¯t swallow it down. I turn my head again. Stupid. His hand snaps back to my face- rough, no patience ¨C grabbing my jaw hard enough to make me gasp. ¡°What the fuck did I just say?¡± Grayson snarls. I w at his wrist but it¡¯s pointless. Grayson other hand drops, shoving it up under my shirt and I gasp feeling his brutal palm sliding up my ribs, over my stomach, catching the underside of my breast. ¡°You told me I¡¯d never have you,¡± Grayson growled. ¡°Fucking lie.¡± His hand snapped to my throat ¨C rough, heavy, unrelenting. His palm pressed firm just below my jaw, cutting off my next breath before it could even leave me. My hands shot up to grab his wrist, nails biting into his skin. He didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t loosen. His other hand mped down on my hip¨Cfingers digging in, bruising, pulling me forward like my body belonged to him. 4»á71%ÈÕ 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul G. He shoved his thigh up between my legs, forcing them apart without care, dragging me down hard against the thick muscle of his leg. I gasped sharp, ugly my knees buckling as friction shot through me. ¨C ¨C He pushed me down again, rougher, grinding me until I was rocking against him without even meaning to. ¡°You feel that?¡± His voice was low, dangerous, vibrating against my skin. ¡°This is mine. This fucking mess is mine.¡± I twisted, trying to pull back. He yanked me forward harder. ¡°Run all you want,¡± he bit out. ¡°I¡¯ll just drag you back.¡± His grip on my throat tightened. My head tipped back against the wall, mouth parting in a shaky gasp. My pulse hammered against his palm. He didn¡¯t stop. He didn¡¯t slow. He ground me down again, dragging me over his thigh like I weighed nothing. Every time my hips jerked away, he pulled them right back. Every sound I made, he punished with more. ¡°You told me I¡¯d never have you?¡± Hisugh was low, sharp, bitter. ¡°Nah, Jess. I¡¯ll have you any fucking time I want.¡± He shoved his thigh higher, rocking it up until I swore my legs would give out. My breath broke in pieces, torn between the crushing grip on my throat and the brutal friction between my legs. ¡°You¡¯re gonna fuckinge on me like this,¡± he snarled. ¡°Just like this- choking, shaking, begging.¡± I shook my head¨Cuseless ¨C the sound stuck somewhere in my chest. His hand left my throat only to catch my jaw again, holding me still, forcing my eyes to his. His re cut straight through me.¡± Why are you so fucking stupid Jessica?¡± Jessica. He called me by my full name. Grayson took a deep breath, giving me space to breath but quickly taking it away when he give me a single kiss. ¡°Why are you making this hard for me baby?¡± Me? I¡¯m making this hard for you? ¨C ¡ª I gulped chest tight lost. Grayson Westwood eyes locking with his and that¡¯s when I saw it. The worst thing I could¡¯ve seen. He looked a little the man who was sure of everything ¨C looked at me like he didn¡¯t know how to touch me 71% 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul without wrecking himself. ¡°You make me crazy,¡± he said. His thumb brushed my cheek. ¡°Some days,¡± his voice dropped, throat working around it, ¡°you make me wanna discipline you.¡± His hand slid down¨Cslow¨Ccupping my jaw like I¡¯d shatter if he grabbed any harder. ¡°Some days,¡± he breathed, ¡°I wanna chain you to my bed. Keep you there till you can¡¯t fucking walk straight.¡± My breath caught. I want to fuck you so hard so you¡¯ll not walk out of me when I¡¯m trying to make you strong,¡± he breathes. ¡°I want to use your throat so you¡¯re too sore to fucking speak evil on me.¡± W¨CWhat did he say? ¡°I can¡¯t do it,¡± he muttered again, this time quieter, raw, like it gutted him to admit it out loud. I blinked up at him, my own breath catching in my throat, my pulse beating wildly against the grip he still had at my waist, his fingers flexing like he wanted to bruise me there ¨C like if he held tight enough, I wouldn¡¯t slip away. ¡°W¨CWhy?¡± The word escaped me before I could catch it, shaky and embarrassingly small. His eyes snapped to mine instantly. Fuck. The way he looked at me- Grayson Westwood looked at me like he hated me for asking, like he hated himself more for having an answer. Because this was the man who never hesitated. Never questioned. Never wavered. But right now, his jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscle twitch, and there was something breaking wild behind his stare that made my stomach twist. ¡°Because if I start,¡± he said, dragging me closer so fast I stumbled forward, my hands ttening against his chest as if that would save me from him, ¡°if I fucking start, Jess, I¡¯m not stopping.¡± His hands curved over my hips now ¨C firm, iming, like he was holding something fragile and dangerous all at once- and he pulled me up against him like he needed me pressed so close he could feel every goddamn breath I took. ¡°I will fuck you until there¡¯s nothing left of that smart little mouth but my name,¡± he said, his voice rasping hot against my neck as he dipped his head, dragging his nose slow- too slow- across the line of my throat. ¡°And I will keep you,¡± he promised ¨C low, filthy, absolute ¨C and the terrifying thing was, I didn¡¯t think it was a threat. It was a vow. ¡°And I swear to fucking Moon Goddess, Jess, I will never fucking let you leave me again.¡± 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul Gi ? Alpha Luna 18 I have a rule. Whatever first thing I do whatever line I cross ¨C it¡¯s going to be with my mate. I promised myself ¨C a long, long time ago that if anyone was going to get that part of me, if anyone was going to wreck me so bad I couldn¡¯t crawl away from itter¡­ It was going to be the person the Moon Goddess chose for me. Someone worthy. Someone fated and I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s not Grayson Westwood. ¡°Logan.¡± He pauses mid¨Cchew, a banana halfway to his mouth, legs swinging off the back of his truck bed. I actually ask him to skip ss for me. ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Kiss me.¡± He chokes so violently he nearly falls off the tailgate. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¨Cwhat?¡± ¡°Just once,¡± I say, already regretting it, already spiraling. ¡°Quick. Nothing weird.¡± ¡°You want me to¨Care you-¡± He blinks. ¡°Jess. Are you fucking serious right now?¡± Logan¡¯s cute. Objectively. We¡¯ve been friends since forever. He is safe. Harmless. I shift, swinging my legs down from the truck bed and standing, brushing imaginary dirt off my jeans like it¡¯ll help. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal,¡± I mutter, avoiding his eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll forget it even happened.¡± ¡°You seriously want me to kiss you?¡± His brows pull together. ¡°Did something happen, Jess?¡± I force augh. ¡°Nothing happened.¡± He gives me a look. Dry. t. Oldest¨Cfriend¨Cwho¨Cknows¨Cbetter kind of look. ¡°Jess.¡± ¡°Nothing happened,¡± I say again, sharper this time. ¡°Not that kind of happened.¡± Which is technically true. Grayson didn¡¯t kiss me. 1/4 12:44 Wed, 30 Jul GI He just¡­did everything else except that. I cross my arms, legs tense like I might bolt even though there¡¯s nowhere to go. Logan¡¯s watching me like he¡¯s piecing it together anyway. * ¡°You don¡¯t even like me like that,¡± he says, halfughing, half¨Csquinting at me like he¡¯s waiting for the punchline. ¡°Exactly,¡± I snap. ¡°That¡¯s the point.¡± He blinks. ¡°¡­I¡¯m the control group.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± He stares at me for a beat longer, then huffs out augh ¨C low, a little bit exasperated, a little bit concerned. ¡°Shit,¡± he mutters. ¡°Who messed you up this bad?¡± I look away. ¡°So you won¡¯t kiss me?¡± ¡°Jess.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that deep,¡± I mutter, heat crawling up my neck. ¡°It¡¯s a five¨Csecond thing. We move on.¡± ¡°You think kissing me is gonna undo something someone else did?¡± ¡°It might.¡± ¡°Is this about Grayson?¡± My head snaps up. ¡°It¡¯s not-¡°I cut myself off, biting the inside of my cheek. Logan freezes and that¡¯s all it takes. ¡°It is,¡± he says, softer now. Brow furrowed like I just told him I wa dying. ¡°Goddamn. What the hell did he do to you?¡± 71% +28 I shake my head,ugh- ugly, bitter, sharp at the edges. ¡°He told me he wants to fuck me.¡± Logan drops his banana, literally drops it. ¡°HOLY SHIT. HE SAID WHAT?¡± ¡°Logan-¡± ¡°No, no, no, back up, back the actual hell up-¡± He¡¯s pacing now. Hands on his hips. Turning in a full circle like the information is physically too much for his body to handle. ¡°Grayson Westwood¨CAlpha Asshole himself¡ªlooked you in the eye and SAID that to you?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t-¡°I scrub a hand down my face. ¡°It wasn¡¯t exactly like that.¡± ???? 7 +29) ¡°Jess. There¡¯s literally no version of that sentence that¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Holy shit.¡± He¡¯s still staring at me. Still horrified. ¡°And you declined?¡± The way he says it ¨C like I¡¯m the crazy one here ¨C like I¡¯m the viin in this story ¨C has me blinking. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t?¡± His whole body recoils. ¡°ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT.¡± He throws his arms out ¨C fully scandalized ¨C walking away from me like he needs five feet of space just to survive that idea. ¡°Jess. Be so serious right now. Do you know how many women in this pack would pay to be ruined by Grayson Westwood? There¡¯d be a line.¡± ¡°Gross.¡± ¡°True.¡± He turns back, still pacing, shaking his head like this is hands¨Cdown the most unhinged conversation he¡¯s ever had. ¡°And he said it to you ¨C you of all people ¨C like it wasn¡¯t even a negotiation¨Clike it was just¡­fucking fact.¡± I cross my arms, ring at nothing. ¡°Yeah, well. It didn¡¯t feel like apliment.¡± He snorts. ¡°Did it feel like a threat?¡± I pause. I hate how I pause. ¡°¡­Worse,¡± I mutter. Logan stops pacing. Looks at me real slow. ¡°Worse than a threat?¡± I meet his eyes. ¡°It felt stupid. Really in stupid. I don¡¯t like him, okay? I mean, he¡¯s such a bully. He¡¯s a-¡± I throw my arms up like maybe the sky has the vocabry I¡¯m missing. ¡°He¡¯s a bossy, controlling, always¨Cin¨Cmy¨Cface pain in the ass. Like, congrattions, you bark orders and people jump- must be nice living on top of the food chain when you were born into it.¡± Logan shifts. I pace faster. ¡°If he weren¡¯t a Westwood? No one would even look at him.¡± I stop. Turn to Logan. ¡°You know it¡¯s true. If he didn¡¯t have that name¨Cif he wasn¡¯t born into it¨Cno one would give a shit about him.¡± My voice is getting louder. Shakier. I can feel the adrenaline flooding now, but I don¡¯t stop. ¡°He¡¯s not some genius. He¡¯s not some great leader. He¡¯s just a violent, arrogant, emotionally constipated bully who got lucky with a bloodline.¡± ¡°He thinks he can show up and say things like that to me¨Clike he can tie me up, blindfold me, throw me against a wall and 12.44 Wed, 30 JUI I¡¯ll just say yes? Like I¡¯ll just break like everyone else?¡± /1%1 28) I scoff, pacing again. ¡°I don¡¯t care if he¡¯s Alpha or Warrior or Moon¨Cblessed or built like a damn statue¨CI¡¯m not impressed. I won¡¯t bow. I won¡¯t beg. And I sure as hell won¡¯t-¡± I stop because Logan¡¯s not reacting anymore. His face is pale and his eyes locked on something over my shoulder. No. No way. I turn, slowly, praying to the moon goddess that Grayson Westwood is not standing behind me. ¡°G¨CGray..¡± His face is grim. ¡°Pierce couldn¡¯t reach you.¡± My heart knocks sideways. I check my phone and realized the battery just died. ¡°Something happened to your parents, Jess.¡± The world stops. Logan curses under his breath ¨C a soft, horrified ¡°Shit.¡± But all I can do is stand there. Frozen. Stupid. Numb. ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± My voice cracks like it doesn¡¯t know how to work anymore. Grayson¡¯s jaw clenches. His eyes flick to Logan ¨C just once, just brief- then back to me like I¡¯m the only thing on this entire he gives a damn about right now. ¡°Rogues. Your parents were attacked near the east ridge. Pierce told me to get you.¡± ¡°No¡­no¡­¡± That can¡¯t be¡­ Gray steps closer. I noticed how his hand lifts, like he¡¯s going to reach for mine but he stops halfway. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he says. Alpha Luna 19 Chapter 19 JESSICA 28 ¡°Is she okay?¡± I ask Grayson after following him inside the pack clinic and not having the courage to go in. My hands won¡¯t stop shaking. My chest is tight and everything in me is screaming that I need to see her, but my legs won¡¯t move. ¡°She¡¯s stable,¡± he says, and I exhale too fast. My eyes sting. ¡°Pierce is already there. You should go inside too.¡± hate how cold he sounds. It¡¯s because he heard everything. Shit. I was angry. I was scared. I didn¡¯t think it would matter because he wasn¡¯t supposed to be there. He wasn¡¯t supposed to hear the parts of me I don¡¯t let out unless I feel like I¡¯m drowning. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it,¡± I say, voice barely above a whisper, barely enough to carry. ¡°I was just-¡± I stop. What? Upset? Hurt? Trying to prove something? Grayson finally turns. Just slightly. ¡°I understand,¡± he says. I blink. Understand¡­ what? My eyes search his face before I can stop myself. Grayson looks empty. He¡¯s never looked at me like that before. Not once. It¡¯s always anger or control or that sharp edge like he¡¯s about to say something reckless just to get a reaction. ¡°You said what you felt,¡± he says, quiet now. ¡°I¡¯m not going to punish you for being honest.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t-¡± I start, but the words get stuck halfway out. The clinic door creaks open. Pierce leans out, face pale and drawn. ¡°Jess.¡± I turn to him fast, the sound of my name snapping through whatever held me frozen. My heart stutters, caught between one breath and the next. His brows are furrowed. Eyes shift¨Cme, then Grayson, then lower. ¡°She¡¯s awake,¡± Pierce says. ¡°She asked for you.¡± I nod because it¡¯s all I can do. My throat is too tight and my chest is too full to answer properly, and I know that if I open my mouth right now, something else mighte out instead. I try to find Grayson but he¡¯s already walking away. ¡°Jess?¡± Pierce calls again, and I blink hard, dragging my eyes away and forcing my feet to move. ¡°I¡¯ming,¡± I say, even though the words scrape on the way out. After that day, Grayson seems to be so busy. My mom has been discharged, and it¡¯s good that the bite from the rogue is healing well. I don¡¯t know how she got bitten inside our vige perimeter though. I think Pierce is leading the investigation, which is why I can¡¯t ask him about Gray. 1/4 12:45 Wed, 30 Jul GE That¡¯s why I¡¯m here now, standing outside his office like an idiot, fighting for my life over whether I should knock or pretend I just passed by. I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m going to say. Or why I need to say anything at all. ¡°This is so stupid, Jess,¡± I mutter, pressing my forehead against the door. ¡°Why are you even bothered about it?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ excuse me?¡± I freeze. Slowly¨Cso slowly¨CI look up. And my heart drops somewhere past my ribs. She¡¯s gorgeous. 71% +28 Tall hair curled just enough to look effortless, lips painted soft but sharp, like she didn¡¯t even try and still walked out of a magazine. Expensive perfume, perfect posture, a folder in one hand, and a face I recognize even though I¡¯ve never seen it this close. Grayson¡¯s rumored girlfriend. Or ex. Or secret. Or whatever she is now. No one¡¯s seen her in years since her family left the pack. ¡°Hi,¡± she smiles, and even her smile is gorgeous. ¡°I¡¯m Aria, and I¡¯m looking for Grayson¡¯s office? I¡¯m sorry, everything in here changes. You know, I¡¯ve been here before¨CI mean, I was part of the pack, but our family moved to Italy so¡­¡± Sheughs again, soft and breezy. ¡°Oh, shit. I¡¯m talking too much, aren¡¯t I?¡± I blink. My mouth is dry. She talks with her hands when she¡¯s nervous, but her nervous still looks good. ¡°Is Grayson inside?¡± she asks. ¡°I¡­¡± I swallow, trying to find my voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t knocked yet.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± she says, and her smile doesn¡¯t falter. ¡°Were you-?¡± ¡°No. I mean¨Ckind of. Not really.¡± God, I sound insane. She steps back slightly, giving me space like she¡¯s trying not to make it weird. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to interrupt or anything. I¡¯ve just been trying to find this hallway for like ten minutes.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I say quickly, even though none of this feels fine. ¡°Really.¡± She smiles again, and this one¡¯s softer. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve had a long day.¡± And I don¡¯t know what to say to that, because she doesn¡¯t mean it in a bad way. She¡¯s just¡­ kind. Warm. The exact opposite of what I was expecting from the girl everyone whispered about. Before I can say anything, the door swings open behind me. I jump. Literally jump and then I freeze because standing there, in the doorway, is Grayson, wearing that same unreadable expression I haven¡¯t seen in three days. His eyes go to me first. Then to her. Then back to me. I feel so awkward especially when Aria squeals, pushes past me, throws her arms around his neck. ¡°Oh my god¡ªbabe!¡± Aria leans back, still smiling, still close enough to breathe his air like it¡¯s hers to take. ¡°God, it¡¯s been forever,¡± she says. ¡°I miss you, Gray.¡± and 371% 12:45 Wed, 30 Jul Gray chuckles, and suddenly I feel the urge to rip his smirk off his face. What¡¯s so funny, Westwood? +28) ¡°What? You won¡¯t tell me you missed me too?¡± she says, looking up at him through a flutter ofshes that look anything but subtle. ¡°Still arrogant, I guess?¡± That makes meugh. Both of them look at me, and I pretend to look away. I mean I¡¯m not eavesdropping. Not really. ¡°Jess.¡± Grayson called my name and I forced a smile. Thankfully, Aria¡¯s hands are no longer around his neck. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± i straighten a little too fast. ¡°Nothing¡­ I was just-¡± I don¡¯t even finish the sentence. My brain scrambles for something that makes sense, but all I end up saying is, ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± His eyes flick down. ¡°You don¡¯t have ss anymore?¡± ¡°I¡ªyeah. I just¡ª¡°I want to say I came here to apologize but he looks really not pissed and even have time to catch up with some girl. ¡°Go and wait inside my office.¡± 1 re at his back. I¡¯m not his damn dog. ¡°I should go.¡± ¡°Inside. Now.¡± Aria looks at us, and I suddenly feel so exposed I can¡¯t breathe right. Tss. I just don¡¯t want to embarrass him, so I follow his order and walk inside. As I reach the door, I catch him leaning in¨Cwhispering something to Aria before she chuckles and gives me a look. ¡°Just give me a minute,¡± he tells her, voice low. A secondter, he¡¯s inside too. The door shuts behind him. ¡°Sit down, Jessica.¡± I don¡¯t move. ¡°It¡¯s bad to make your girlfriend wait for you.¡± His eyes flick over me. ¡°Sit.¡± I¡¯m not your dog Grayson.¡± ¡°Could¡¯ve fooled me,¡± he says, moving behind his desk. ¡°You¡¯ve been circling this office like a stray for the past forty minutes.¡± 12:45 Wed, 30 Jul & G ti X71%2 My eyes widened. So he fucking knew. ¡°You¡¯re such an asshole.¡± Grayson shrugs. He pulls open the top drawer of his desk, fingers shifting through loose papers until he finds what he¡¯s looking for. It¡¯s a small ck bag. He zips it closed before handing it to me. This will keep you here for a while,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯ll try to be back in fifteen. I want you here.¡± My brows furrow. I don¡¯t want to ept anything from him, so Grayson puts it on myp instead. ¡°Don¡¯t be such a brat.¡± A¨Cwhat?¡± I blink at him. He lets out a quiet chuckle, then takes a step forward before I even figure out what thatugh is supposed to mean. His handnds on the arm of the chair, and before I can pull back or ask what the hell he¡¯s doing, he leans down and kisses
  1. me.
It¡¯s just a quick kiss, but it¡¯s enough to knock the air out of me. ¡°Fifteen minutes. Don¡¯t disappear.¡± AJA Alpha Luna 20 Chapter 20 GRAYSON I don¡¯t just want to kiss Jessica Wilkinson. I want to ruin her. Slowly. Thoroughly. God, the things I¡¯d do to her¡­ she¡¯d beg me to stop, then beg me not to. And that¡¯s before I even get her naked. My cock¡¯s been throbbing since the second she walked in. Sitting in my office like sin wrapped in silk- If Aria wasn¡¯t in the next room, I¡¯d already have her pinned to the damn desk, swallowing her moans between my teeth. ¡°Is she jealous?¡± Aria asks, eyes locked on the office door like she¡¯s trying to see through it. Tch. My jaw twitches. Fucking wish she was. At least jealousy would mean she felt something. Anything. Even hate would be easier than this silence. Honestly? I¡¯m just d Jess showed up. Rogues hit, and I got dyed. Couldn¡¯t get to her. Whole time, my chest stayed tight like my lungs forgot how to work. If something had happened to her mom that day¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have forgiven myself. ¡°Grayson?¡± My head snaps. Aria¡¯s bluffing. I see it in her posture. That little smirk. That fake confidence. We ran into each other oncest week and now she thinks she can toss out ¡°babe¡± in front of Jess like she has a im. ¡°Don¡¯t do that again,¡± I say, voice low, even. Her brows lift. ¡°Do what?¡± ¡°Use that name again in front of Jess and I¡¯ll make sure your tongue forgets how to shape it.¡±
  1. GE.
She crosses her arms. Posturing. ¡°It¡¯s not like you corrected me.¡± Aria¡¯s right. It¡¯s pathetic. Pathetic that I even entertained the idea- that maybe, if she saw another woman touch me, Jess might feel something again. But if it were her? If I saw Jess in someone else¡¯s arms,ughing like she used to with me? I¡¯d lose it. I¡¯d fucking level the room. Aria and I were together for a year. But the moment I felt the bond with Jess- really felt it, like fire in my bloodstream¨CI walked. Didn¡¯t ask for permission. Didn¡¯t wait to be understood. I don¡¯t give a fuck how it made Aria feel. Because once you know who you belong to, everyone else turns to ash. It¡¯s Jess. Or it¡¯s no one. ¡°I¡¯m here because your father asked me to be,¡± she says, like that name still holds fucking weight. ¡°He said you were looking for a Luna.¡± I stop mid¨Cstride. Shoulders square. Jaw locked. My mrs grind like I¡¯m chewing through bone. He said what? A low breath hisses through my nose. My fists curl at my sides, knuckles popping one by one. Of course he fucking did. That maniptive bastard never stops. Always ying god, pulling strings behind my back like I¡¯m some broken thing he can steer into obedience. ¡°Looking for a Luna?¡± I¡¯m not looking for shit. I¡¯ve already found her. She¡¯s ten goddamn feet away, sitting in my office with her arms crossed like she¡¯s trying to shield herself from me. ¡°You see, Grayson,¡± Aria purrs, tilting her head, letting her damn fingers crawl across my chest. I grab her wrist before she fucking convinces herself I¡¯m still the guy she can y with. ¡°Oh, feisty.¡± I blink. ¡°What happened to you?¡± she chuckles. ¡°You used to be such a baby.¡± I fucking hate being touched. Especially by women who aren¡¯t Jess. It crawls under my skin. Makes me want to rip my own shirt off just to get rid of the feel of it. 2/5 12:45 Wed, 30 Jul & G. µÚ71%Ãæ ¡°You used to be so good,¡± she says. ¡°So obedient. Always ready to please. Now you¡¯re just¡­ angry.¡± Her free hand presses into my stomach, fingers moving in slow, suggestive circles, nails dragging enough to leave heat behind. Her hand drops lower. My grip on her wrist tightens hard enough to make her fingers tremble. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking touch me like that again,¡± I say. ¡°You sure?¡± she says, her eyes drifting to my mouth. ¡°There¡¯s a storage room at the back of this hallway, Grayson. I miss our little adventures.¡± That¡¯s it. I shave her back. Hard. Her back hits the wall with a thud that echoes down the corridor. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking touch me,¡± I growl. ¡°Not now. Not ever. You don¡¯t get to put your hands on me and pretend it means something. You don¡¯t get to pretend I was ever yours.¡± Sheughs. A short, breathy sound that¡¯s all teeth. ¡°Still intense,¡± she says, brushing her hair back from her face like I didn¡¯t just m her into a wall. ¡°It¡¯s Jessica, right?¡± My whole body stills. Her smile widens¨Ctoo proud. ¡°She¡¯s your mate.¡± My eyes snap to hers. Wide. Fuck. ¡°Oh,¡± she breathes. ¡°I was guessing. But that face¡­¡± Sheughs¨Clow, satisfied, victorious. ¡°God, you always were terrible at hiding anything real. That¡¯s why I knew it couldn¡¯t be me.¡± I take a step back without meaning to. Just one. It¡¯s enough. She tilts her head, eyes glittering. ¡°Does she know?¡± she asks. ¡°That you¡¯re keeping it a secret? That you¡¯re ashamed to say it out loud?¡± I clench my fists, but I still can¡¯t look away. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± She pouts¨Cdramatic, mocking. ¡°You¡¯re not a good liar, Grayson.¡± She takes a slow step toward me. Her fingers hover near my chest again. I catch her wrist¨Crough this time. I shove her back into the wall, full force. She hits with a sharp sound, breath knocked from her chest, but she still fucking grins through it. ¡°There he is,¡± she whispers, voice thin with delight. ¡°The version of you that doesn¡¯t care who he breaks.¡± I could kill her right now. My whole body is screaming for it.nOne move and her throat¡¯s mine. One blink and I¡¯ll m her through this wall until she stops breathing. My fists shake with it. My teeth ache from clenching too hard. ¡°y nice, Grayson¡­¡± she says, breathless, smile widening again. Then she leans in, lips near my ear. ¡°¡­or it¡¯s her who gets hurt.¡± It takes me a full minute to gather myself, to get my heart rate down, to stop imagining the sound her skull would make against the floor if I hadn¡¯t walked away. When I finally move, it¡¯s stiff, mechanical¨CI open the office door and step inside I don¡¯t hear anything they¡¯re saying. I don¡¯t need to. I already know what this is. Aria¡¯s the prime candidate. The perfect Luna. At least ording to my father. I sit there, jaw ticking, barely listening to the words circling the room like vultures, because all I can think about is Jess, and whether she¡¯s still here, and whether that look on her face earlier was her closing the door for good this time. The second that damn meeting ends, I don¡¯t waste time on pleasantries or excuses¨CI¡¯m halfway down the hallway before the door even clicks shut behind me, practically running, heart in my throat, hands still shaking, just hoping¨Cfucking praying that Jess didn¡¯t leave. That she¡¯s still here. That I still have a chance to make her stay. When I was finally outside of my office, I didn¡¯t even pause¨CI reached for the door like if I hesitated, she¡¯d vanish. But the moment I stepped in, everything stopped. She was there. Curled up in the chair, her body small, quiet, head resting against her folded arm on the desk. The book I gave her sat open beside her, spine cracked, pages softly bent like she¡¯d been reading it until her eyes gave out. Her breathing was slow. Even. A soft snore slipped from her mouth, barely audible, but somehow loud enough to punch a hole through my chest. She looked peaceful. And for a full minute, I couldn¡¯t move. It¡¯s like something inside me stirs every time I¡¯m looking at her. Someone told me she¡¯s been training hardertely¨Cpushing herself to the edge, refusing to rest, throwing herself into the gym like it¡¯s the only ce she can still fight back after what happened. hate that I wasn¡¯t there. Nhate that she felt like she had to handle it without me. But most of all, I hate that I¡¯m the reason she ever thought she was alone. 5/5 Alpha Luna 21 Chapter 21 JESSICA Something warm dragged across the curve of my shoulder. Barely there. A breath, a kiss¨Cso light it could¡¯ve been a dream. Then another, lower. Lips. Definitely lips. Soft. Devoted. Burning. I didn¡¯t open my eyes. Couldn¡¯t My body was too heavy, floating somewhere between sleep and something else, something deeper. ¡°Jessica¡­ ¡°Jessica ny ribs, his mouth trailing after it, worshipping inch after inch like he More desperate this time. Closer to wrecked. His breath fanned over my was starving and I was thest thing left worth tasting Myshes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was shadow, A body hunched close, one forearm braced beside my head, the other cupping the edge of the table like he was holding himself back Grayson He was crouched next to me, his face only inches from mine. He was crouched beside the table, arm bent, wrist braced beside my head like he needed to hold himself in ce or he¡¯d do something reckless. The other hand ran through his hair, fingers dragging slow across his scalp before sliding down over his mouth, thumb brushing his bottom lip like he was trying to erase a smirk before it gave him away. He failed. That smile curled anyway,zy and dangerous, like he was thinking something filthy and finding it funny. ¡°You drool in your sleep, he murmured, eyes dropping to my mouth again. ¡°Kind of adorable. Kind of disgusting.¡± I let out a sound¨Ca groan or maybe a growl¨Cand shoved half¨Cheartedly at his arm. He didn¡¯t budge. He just grinned wider, fingers still lingering at the edge of his lips, dragging down his jaw like he was remembering what my skin tasted like. ¡°What?¡± he said, too innocent to be real. ¡°You looked peaceful. I didn¡¯t want to wake you. Figured you¡¯d w my face off¡± I quickly sat up and fix myself before looking at him for someone who saw his ex¨Cgirlfriend for the first time, he looks really happy. He¡¯s right, 1suddenly want to w his face off ¡°You look thrilled,¡± Isnapped, stepping back. ¡°Should¡¯ve brought her flowers while you were at it¡± Grayson smirked. That same slow, mocking curl that always made me want to p him or climb him¨CGod, I hated that ¡°Are you jealous?¡± Lopened my mouth¨Cready to spit something mean, something sharp¨Cbut nothing came out. Because I didn¡¯t know. I wasn¡¯t sure Actually I was fucking confused out of my mind. My head was shattering, all the pieces mming into each other, making it impossible to breathe, let alone think straight. He was looking at me like that, touching me like that, saying shit that didn¡¯t line up with any of it. And I hated him for it Because I knew who he was I knew his goddamn reputation. Grayson¨Cthe smooth talker, the fuckboy with a trail of broken hearts and lipstick stains behind him like trophies. I¡¯d seen the wreckage And still Still I stood here, hoping¨Cfucking hoping that I wasn¡¯t just another story. That I wasn¡¯t just another girl he¡¯d sweet talk out of her clothes, only to forget by morning. That maybe when he looked at me like that¨Clike I was something worth tasting slowly¨Che meant it. But I didn¡¯t say any of that. I couldn¡¯t. So justughed, bitter and ugly. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself¡± ¡°Right.¡± He stopped inches away, eyes locked on mine. Because I will never have you, huh?¡± ¡°Grayson¡­¡± Gray looks at me lip tight,¡± I perfectly remember it, Jess.¡± He pauses as if he needed to breath, ¡°Trust me. I had a hard time forgetting about your words baby¡± I don¡¯t like Grayson Yes, he¡¯s making me feel so many things I never felt for anyone else before but that doesn¡¯t mean that I like him romantically. Plus, he have a mate. I will have mine in a few months from now so what the hell are we doing? ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He chuckles. ¡°I am really sorry Grayson,¡± That made him chuckle. I feel so bad rejecting him for how many times now but it doesn¡¯t feel right. Grayson is quiet. I turn to look and he¡¯s watching me with that soulful look on his face. I saw him angry, furious and even terrified but I never Saw him like this. ¡°I¡¯m going to tell you something,¡± he said, carefully watching my expression. I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m suddenly nervous.¡± But you have to promise me you won¡¯t tell anyone about it¡­yet. Not tell anyone? ¡°Even Logan?¡± He nodded. ¡°Even Logan especially Pierce Grayson slowly approaches me, eyes serious as he lifts his hands and touch my face. For the first time, it felt gentle. He was never gentle with me though so whatever he¡¯s going to say is making me nervous. ¡°Let¡¯s be better for each other.¡± -2/4 Chapter 21 My jaw drops. ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean?¡± Grayson took a deep breath then he look away.¡± It means¡­I¡¯m going to be good to you, for you and with you.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I try to catch his eyes and there¡¯s affection and embarrassment on it. ¡°You ¡°Yeah, Jess.¡± He gave azy chuckle, rill stop being an asshole to you. I¡¯ll fucking worship every details about you just¡­ve me a fucking chance to-¡± ¡°But why?¡± My eyes ttered and Grayson stops from talking. His mouth widely open as if he didn¡¯t expect my question when he run this scenario in his head. His brows furrowed. ¡°What do you mean why?¡± I look into his eyes and I cannot help but to curse inside my head. Is he always this dense? I cannot believe the future alpha of our pack is like this. Against all reason, I take his hands off my cheek and put it over my waist. Grayson mouth drops open.. I thought he only knows how to get angry. ¡°Why do you want a chance with me?¡± He groans,¡± Do you really don¡¯t know why?¡± * You hate me. I still wish to kill you.¡± Grayson made a noise. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s him agreeing or disapproving. All I know is that I am also so fucked up because I am so confused yet so sure I want his lips on mine. You have your mate- You ou don¡¯t even know her.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± I told him. ¡°I don¡¯t know her but I am sure that it¡¯s not me.¡± Graysonughs and I squeak when he suddenly grabs my neck with his huge hand. I felt him nting another quick kiss on my lips before he took a deep breath and press our forehead together. ¡°So, what if it¡¯s not you?¡± Ouch. it hurts. ¡°Do you want it to be you?¡± ¡°No.¡± I stare at him. For a second, I saw shock written all over his face but he quickly wash it out with his usual poke expression. ¡°Because if it¡¯s me, you will probably told me about it already but you haven¡¯t. So, either it¡¯s not me, or that you really hate me so much you will keep it from me.¡± Plus, it¡¯s stupid. The moon goddess chooses ma because they arepatible with. Grayson and I are far from beingpatible. We are going to consume each other. If not, we are going to cut each other¡¯s throat. Lam aware of that Everyone is aware of that 09:44 Tue, 5 Aug Aug Grayson gives me a long look, then he sighs. ¡°Of course, Jess. I will,¡± Then why are you asking for a chance with me?¡± Because I like you. Right now. I like you and I want you.¡± Grayson search for my eyes and I almost want to run. Being confessed at is one thing but Grayson freaking Westwood telling me he likes me is probably going to be the death of me. ¡°I want a chance Jess. I want my chance to make you happy. I want it with you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Okay. I will give Grayson a chance but¡­it¡¯s not because I like him but it¡¯s because I want to make myself happy too and maybe, his position as the next alpha of our pack will give that to me. This is my payback. Alpha Luna 22 Chapter 22 JESSICA I gave Grayson freaking Westwood a chance. Oh, Moon Goddess! What did I do? I sit up too fast, feeling the dizzy spin of my head, the ghost of Grayson¡¯s hands still burning on my skin. I shudder, trying to shake off the residue ofst night¨Cthe way I let him touch me, how I let it all happen. But the thought only makes my stomach flip more.. I shouldn¡¯t have said yes. I shouldn¡¯t have let him get that close. fix itter. I¡¯ll fix itter. However, I nce at the clock and realizeter is now. Training starts in twenty minutes. I¡¯m alreadyte. For the first time, I don¡¯t want to freaking gol I know I told myself I¡¯ll y with him, but it feels so wrong. I am not a bad person. The whole thing feels stupid now. ¡°Jess! Open t the door!¡± Pierce shouts from the other side, his voice with impatience. I roll back into bed, pulling the nket over my head, as if it could somehow block out the chaos in my mind. ¡°Go away, Pierce! I¡¯m sick,¡± mutter, hoping my voice sounds convincing enough to make him leave. Thear him pause on the other side, a soft sigh slipping through the door. ¡°Really? You¡¯ve been fine all week. What¡¯s going on with you?¡± I groan into the nket, pressing it tighter around my face, trying to push the reality of everything away. Why is he so persistent? ¡°I¡¯m not feeling good. Just leave me alone,¡± I mumble, squeezing my eyes shut. But before I can think any more, the door creaks open, and Pierce steps inside, all tall, broad shouldered, and looking at me like I¡¯ve just done something he can¡¯t quite figure out. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you?¡± He crosses his arms, eyes scanning me with that sharp look I¡¯ve known my whole life. ¡°I¡¯m fine, okay?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look fine.¡± ¡°I am,¡± I snap, and immediately hate how brittle I sound. He sighs, runs a hand through his hair. ¡°Look, Grayson¡¯s been acting weird all morning.¡± My stomach drops He says the name so casually, like it¡¯s nothing,ke it¡¯s not soaked in sweat and guilt and me ¡°What do you mean weird?¡± I ask, trying to sound casual, failing spectacrly. Pierce shrugs, steps further into the room/Just¨Coff. He¡¯s not talking. Just sitting there like someone died.¡± I blink. I physically flinch. He notices. U9:44 Tue, 5 Aug $5 Aug at me, connecting dots I didn¡¯t even know I spilled. ¡°Did something happen between you two?¡± ¡°Wait.¡± He squints at me, My mouth opens. No wordse out. My body¡¯s already betraying me¨Cheat crawling up my neck, fingers twitching like they want to hit rewind, ¡°Is Grayson giving you a hard time?¡± ¡°No. He¡¯s¡­ whatever. It¡¯s fine.¡± I force the words out like they don¡¯t taste like shit in my mouth. Pierce raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. ¡°Really? ¡®Cause I can talk to him. Seriously, why do you hate each other?¡± Troll my eyes, snatching the nearest pillow and hurling it at him. ¡°You¡¯re so annoying,¡± I mutter, watching it fly andnd smack on his chest. Pierce catches it effortlessly, his lips twitching like he¡¯s trying not tough. But his eyes stay serious. ¡°Come on, Jess. You can¡¯t avoid me forever¡± I throw the nket off me, sitting up with the urgency of someone trying to outrun their own mess. I grab the first excuse I can think of to shove him away. ¡°I don¡¯t need you ying therapist. Seriously. Just go.¡± The words spill out sharper than I mean them to, desperate to cover the truth. ¡°You know I can tell when something¡¯s up, right?¡± His voice softens, but there¡¯s no humor in it. Thate that he¡¯s always been this way. Always protective. Always hovering. Even with Grayson. Especially with Grayson, Pierce has always made it clear that Grayson doesn¡¯t belong in my world. That I should stay the hell away from him. And the worst part is, I¡¯ve never fully disagreed with him. Grayson¡¯s a mess, and Pierce sees that, ¡°Look, Jess, I don¡¯t care what happened with Grayson, but don¡¯t make this harder than it needs to be,¡± he says, voice low, serious now, I re at him, my insides twisting like I swallowed a live wire, ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± He runs a hand through his hair, eyes narrowing, ¡°I don¡¯t care if you two are ying whatever little games you¡¯re ying. But if you¡¯re gonna do this whole thing, don¡¯t get too close to him, alright? Don¡¯t get caught up in it.¡± ¡°Caught up in it?¡± I scoff, not even trying to hide my frustration. ¡°What the hell does that even mean?¡± Pierce steps further into the room, his eyes hard now, no trace of teasing left. ¡°You know exactly what I mean. Grayson¡¯s an ass. Don¡¯t let him mess with you, Jess. You¡¯re better than that? I almostugh, but ites out more like a bitter exhale than anything else. ¡°Better than that?¡± I shake my head, trying to get the sting of his words out of my chest. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. It¡¯s not just ck and white like you think. I¡¯m not some- ¡°Yeah, I get it,¡± he interrupts, his voice a little softer now, like he¡¯s trying to find the right words without making it worse. ¡°But I know you. And I know him. He¡¯s not worth it.¡± He stares at me for a second, making sure I¡¯m listening. ¡°Trust me. Don¡¯t deal with him. It screw you up.¡± I want to argue, but something in his voice stops me, makes me freeze for a second. He¡¯s not wrong, Grayson is a mess of contradictions, and for some godforsaken reason, I keep getting tangled in them. Pierce watches me like he¡¯s waiting for something¨Csome kind of acknowledgment that I¡¯m hearing him. And for a second, I want to tell him everything. To exin why I even let Grayson get that close, but the words feel like they¡¯ll choke me. Instead, I throw my pillow at him again, this time with less force. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with it, Pierce, Just go. Please.¡± 204 09:44 Tue, 5 Aug 14 Tue, 5 A Pierce doesn¡¯t budge, just stares at me for a moment longer. Then, finally, he sighs, his shoulders slumping in resignation. ¡°Fine. But so you know? The idiot¡¯s outside, asking for you.¡± My eyes widen. ¡°And you¡¯re just telling me that now!¡± I quickly scramble to my feet, but my legs betray me, and I end up crashing to the floor in a tangled mess of limbs and sheets Pierce¡¯sugh rings out, sharp and loud, cutting through the air like it always does. ¡°Smooth, Jess,¡± he teases, leaning against the doorframe, ars crossed. ¡°You really know how to make an exit.¡± I shoot him a re, heat flooding my face. ¡°Shut up,¡± I growl, pushing myself up from the floor. My hands shake, frustration and panic swirling inside me. ¡°What do you mean he¡¯s out there! What the hell is he doing waiting outside for me?¡± Pierce shrugs, the smirk still ying on his lips. Probably he personally seeks you out so he can punish you for beingte¡± ¡°It¡¯s not funny, Pierce,¡± I snap, trying to find a decent clothes. Thest time we got stuck in a cabin and I got mangled by a rogue wat turn to him and his face turns sour. ¡°Is that the same rogues that attack mom?¡± Pierce¡¯s smirk fades, and for a moment, and that made me curious. When it to know so I can train better and help our pack-¡± ¡°You will not be a warrior Jessica¡± My jaw drops I stare at him, wide-eyed, as if waiting for him to take it back, but his eyes are cold, serious, like he actually believes it. Like he¡¯s sure. And for a second, everything in me goes cold. A lump forms in my throat, but I can¡¯t swallow it down. It¡¯s not just the words, it¡¯s the way he says them¡ª like it¡¯s some kind of done deal, like I¡¯m not even allowed to fight for my ce, for my worth. ¡°You¨Cyou¡¯re serious?¡± My voice cracks with a mix of disbelief and rage, and I take a step forward, my hands shaking as I fight to keep myposure. ¡°So that¡¯s it? I don¡¯t even get a shot? You just¨Cwhat, you just decide for me? What makes you think you can tell me what i can and can¡¯t do!¡± Pierce¡¯s face hardens. He doesn¡¯t back down, and I can feel the anger rising inside me, scorching my insides, pushing everything to the surface. ¡°Jess,¡± he says, the wordsing out like he¡¯s exining something simple. ¡°You¡¯re a woon. This isn¡¯t about strength or skill. This is about what¡¯s expected of you. There¡¯s a line, and you¡¯re not crossing it. Not in our world.¡± Every word ms into me harder than thest. A woman. I tilt my head, theugh that escapes me nothing short of bitter. ¡°A woman?¡± I scott, ¡°Right, because that makes me what? Fuck you Pierce. You are just like Dad!¡± The words fall out before I can stop them, but the moment I say them, Pierce¡¯s eyes darken, like a storm cloud rolling in. His jaw tightens, muscles goingut. His gaze turns colder, darker, as if I just stepped into dangerous territory¨Cterritory I have no business crossing ¡°Don¡¯t you darepare me to that son of a bitch, Jessica,¡± Pierce growls, his voice low but seething with rage. His chest rises and falls with every breath, and I can feel the heat of his fury radiating off him. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking dare.¡± He¡¯s right Our dad is an asshole. 3/4 09:45 Tue, 5 Aug He left us. Chose the rogue life over his own blood. Over me. Over Pierce. AD Comment Alpha Luna 23 Chapter 23 GRAYSON She¡¯s pissed. She won¡¯t even look at me when she gets inside my car. I shouldn¡¯t be ncing in the rearview every five fucking seconds just to see if she¡¯s still got that look on her face¨Cthat one that says she¡¯s two seconds away from either crying or tearing the world apart But I do. I heard her and Pierce shouting earlier back in their house. I am not a man who dwell in other¡¯s business but fuck it, I want to tear Pierce just by shouting at her like man, that¡¯s my fucking girl. ¡°This is not the direction to the training center,¡± Jess said. Tss. I know, baby. I almost pull over and fuck the attitude out of her right then and there¨Cnot because I need to correct her, but because seeing her this furious makes my cock hard in a way nothing else does. Her mouth says stop, but her body twitches in that way it always does when she wants me to keep going. I grip the wheel tighter. Not to calm down, but to keep my hands busy soil don¡¯t drag her over the console and bury every inch of her protest with my cock and a fist in her hair. I love pissing her off I hate it when someone else does. ¡°Grayson!¡± she shouts now, turning toward me, face flushed, eyes wild with fury she barely knows what to do with I feel her shitting beside me, throwing her body on the passenger seat. When I didn¡¯t answer, she lunges, grabs at me making the fucking car swerves ¡°Fuck, Jess-¡°Im the brakes. My hand flies off the wheel, catches her throat before she can fling herself through the damp windshield. I shove her back into the seat with enough force to knock the fight out of her lungs. ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you?¡± I snarl, face inches from hers, watching her eyes go wide¨Cfull of panic ¡°Do you want to fucking die?¡± Her eyes water instantly. Red rims. Wetshes. ¡°You almost killed us, baby,¡± whisper, leaning in until my breath hits her tongue, slow and vile and mine. ¡°Are you that pissed, huh?¡± Her hands go to my arm, weak little scratches that make me squeeze harder. I understand that she¡¯s fucking angry¨Cbut hell, I almost killed her. My grip stays another second, just long enough to feel the panic spike again in her throat, just long enough to remind her who¡¯s got the final word in whether she breathes. Then I shove her. Sharp, brutal, dismissive. She hits the seat hard and starts coughing¨Craw, wet, painful. Her body curls on instinct, shoulders heaving, and I just stare at her. Watch her Every twitch, every flinch, every broken breath. Her hair¡¯s a mess around her face, lips parted, throat marked red from my grip. She looks fucking wrecked. Beautiful And exhale through my nose, low and ragged, eyes still on her. My hands are back on the wheel but I don¡¯t move. I don¡¯t drive. I jua sit there jaw clenched so light it aches. ¡°Fuck,¡± I mutter, Quiet this time. t, More to myself than her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mesh- ¡°Are you fucking insane?¡± she screams. ¡°I reach for her¨Cslow, open¨Cpalmed, careful for once¨Cbut she flinches the second my fingers get close. Shit ¡°Jess,¡± I say, and ites out rough. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry. Are you hurt?¡± Her mouth twitches like it might open, like she might snap something back¨Cbut all that fury from before is caged now. Quiet Sill sparking but trapped behind something else. Something heavier, Hell. I probably fucking scared her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean ¡°I start, but it sounds too much like an excuse. I bite it off. Just sit there, breathing hard, staring straight ahead Be if I don¡¯t look at her, I won¡¯t feel the shape of my hand still burning into her neck. The silence eats a minute. Maybe two. Then, quiet. So small I almost miss it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry too,¡± she mutters. Not looking at me. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean-¡± She cuts herself off. Like she can¡¯t even finish the lie And that does something ugly to me. Something that makes my knuckles pop against the wheel, because I don¡¯t want her sorry I want her closer. Want her mad, want her wing, want her voice back up in my face sol know she still has fight in her. So I know I didn¡¯t break the only thing that ever mattered: y head. Slow I turn my h She¡¯s locking down at herp, hands clenched tight like she¡¯s holding her own apology together by the seams. *Jess,¡± I say again, quieter this time. ¡°Look at me.¡± ¡°Look at me.¡± She hesitates, but then her eyes fick up ¡°What do you want?¡± I ask, my voice low, raw, wanting to know what¡¯s turning inside her head. ¡°Tell me what you want, Jess I watch her, waiting. She takes a deep breath, swallowing hard ke the words are fighting their way out, struggling to keep her voice steady. ¡°I -I don¡¯t know. She doesn¡¯t know. But I do. I¡¯ve known for years. All my life, I¡¯mcking sure of one thing¨Cit¡¯s her that I want. In this lifetime, next lifetime, however many it I lean in a fraction closer, enough for my lips to brush her arm, soft, but every inch of my skin hungry for hers. The heat from her body hit me like a spark. ¡°We are going to make this work, I tether, feeling her quiver under my touch, her body betraying the walls she¡¯s trying to hold up! 09:45 Tuc, 5 Aug ¡°But you need to tell me what you want. Or I swear to God, I¡¯ll make the decision for both of us¡± I don¡¯t even see iting Her hands, trembling but sure, slide up to my face, her fingers curling around my jaw with a grip that could break bones. She¡¯s holding me there, in ce, like I¡¯m the one at her mercy. But it¡¯s not mercy. It¡¯s power. Her power. And it fucking wreck me She pulls my face closer, her eyes locked on mine for a heartbeat longer before her lips shatter my world. ¡°Kiss me,¡± she breathes, but it steals mine. ¡°Kiss me, Grayson. I want you to kiss me.¡± And fuck, she doesn¡¯t need to say it twice. Im my lips back onto hers, rough, hungry, taking what she¡¯s offering like a man starved. I feel her lips part under mine, her breath hitching, and I slip my tongue inside, slick and desperate, not caring that it¡¯s messy, that it¡¯s fucking ra It¡¯s just us. Her taste. Her heat. This¨Cher¨Cis all I want I pull her onto myp, her body colliding with mine, pressing every inch of her against me like I¡¯m drowning in her. She¡¯s the only thing that matters now. Her hands, shaking but sure, dive into my hair, pulling me closer like she needs me as much as I need her, I can¡¯t think straight, can¡¯t breathe, can¡¯t do anything except follow her lead. Her hips grind down against me, slow at first, teasing, pulling a growl from the back of my throat. But it¡¯s not teasing anymore. She¡¯s pulling me into the madness, showing me how much she wants it, wants me, and I¡¯m lost in it. My hands move to her back, gripping her harder, pulling her closer, because I can¡¯t stand the distance between us. She breaks the kiss, gasping for air, but I don¡¯t give her any room, I drag my lips down her neck, kissing, licking, biting the soft skin there, marking her, reminding her that she¡¯s mine. Every inch of her is mine, and I¡¯m showing her that with every touch, every kist Her hands don¡¯t stop. They tug at my hair, my shirt, her nails digging into my skin like she¡¯s iming me, and fuck, that¡¯s exactly what she¡¯s doing. I let her. Let her have it all I pull her face back to mine, kissing her again, this time slower, worshipping her with my lips, with my tongue, with the way my hands move over her body. Every second of this is a dream. Every second I get to kiss her back, hold her, fuck¨CI don¡¯t deserve this. But it doesn¡¯t matter. Il take it anyway. She moans into my mouth, and that sound¨Cher sound¨Cdrives me to the edge. I can¡¯t stop. I don¡¯t want to stop. ¡°God, Jess,¡± I rasp, breaking the kiss for just a second to catch my breath. I¡¯m trembling, shaking with the need to have her, and the need to keep her, forever.¡°Stop grinding for a moment baby. You¡¯re fucking killing me. Her eyes are wild, dark with that same fucking need that¡¯s tearing through me, and when she hears the desperation in my voice, she doesn¡¯t stop. She doesn¡¯t fucking care. She just grinds harder. Alpha Luna 24 Chapter 24 JESSICA I¡¯m spent. Completely fucking drained. My body¡¯s aching, still trembling with the aftermath, but I can¡¯t move. Can¡¯t even open my eyes. The car feels like it¡¯s swallowing me whole, the leather seat cold against my skin. I¡¯m sticky, sore, and every inch of me is throbbing, but I don¡¯t care. The only sound I can hear is the heavy rise and fall of my breath. His breath, too, deep and slow, like he¡¯s savoring the moment just as much am. ¡°Where the fuck did you learn that Jessica?¡± His voice is thick with something between amusement and disbelief, like he¡¯s trying to figure out, plece by piece, It¡¯s a question that doesn¡¯t deserve an answer, but I know he¡¯s expecting one. I tilt my head back, trying to find the strength to speak, but all I can do is smirk, barely able to keep my eyes open. ¡°Does it matter?¡± My voicees out hoarse, cracked from more than just the words. ¡°You seem to like it, though.¡± He chuckles, dark and low, the sound vibrating through the car. His fingers trace the edge of my jaw.¡°Damn girl.¡± ¡°Is that apliment?¡± Gray smirks, that familiar arrogance dancing in his eyes. Without warning, he licks his lips like he¡¯s savoring something dangerous. He leans in close, his lips brushing mine for a fleeting second, a kiss that¡¯s too quick to be mal, too fucking perfect to forget. Then he pulls back just as fast, his lips moving to the top of my head, pressing a kiss there as if marking me in some fucked¨Cup way that makes my stomach churn and tighten ¡°You don¡¯t needpliments, Jess,¡± he says, his voice low, like he¡¯s savoring the taste of his words, and everything in me burns. ¡°You already know what you are to me.¡± Yeah? And what¡¯s that? I chuckle, trying to shake the thought away, because if I start questioning this now, I¡¯ll lose myself in the mess of it. I don¡¯t have time for that Instead, I let my head fall back against the seat, closing my eyes. It feels good hearing him shouting, not out of anger for the first time. Ater a few minutes, I heard him start the engine of his car. His one hand is still holding me and I feltfortable with it. ¡°Are you driving us back to the training center?¡± He lets out a low chuckle, his hand tightening slightly around me. ¡°Do you still have strength to train today?¡± I open my eyes, blinking through the haze, and nod. ¡°Yes. I need to train.¡± It¡¯s the only thing that keeps my mind from spiraling. ¡°Why do you think you need to push so hard?? He doesn¡¯t sound judgmental, but there¡¯s something in his tone that makes it feel like he¡¯s trying to crack me open. ¡°You could just be an instructor, Jess. Work in the Alpha¡¯s office, y it safe. Why the need to always go further?¡± I hate the question more than I should. My jaw clenches, and I can feel the fire stirring in my chest. He doesn¡¯t get it. He doesn¡¯t understand why I can¡¯t settle for anything less than this constant fight. I force myself to stay calm as answer, my voice low but firm. ¡°Because I¡¯m not some damn desk jockey,¡± I snap, before biting my tongue. I don¡¯t want to sound like I¡¯m attacking him. But I can¡¯t help The words just spill out, sharp and raw,. ¡°I hate it when people say women can¡¯t be warriors. That shit¡­ It¡¯s Infuriating.¡± 09:45 Tue, 5 Aug I can hear him shift slightly in his seat, but he doesn¡¯t say anything right away. ¡°Who says that, though?¡± he asks, his voice soft, but there¡¯s an edge to it now, like he¡¯s trying to make sense of what¡¯s driving me. troll my eyes, the frustration creeping up again. ¡°Everyone. The Alpha¡¯s office. The pack. They¡¯re all still stuck in the past, thinking we should Just.. be quiet. Be ¡®good¡® little women. But that¡¯s not me. That¡¯s never been me.¡± There¡¯s another beat of silence, but this time, it feels different. He seems to be processing, his grip tightening on the steering wheel like he¡¯s trying to keep his thoughts in check. ¡°You know, you don¡¯t have to prove anything to anyone, Jess,¡± he says, his voice softer now, almost a whisper. I almostugh, but it¡¯s bitter. ¡°You really think that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing? Proving something? I¡¯m not. I¡¯m fighting for what they think I can¡¯t have. That¡¯s what it is.¡± He doesn¡¯t say anything at first, just lets the car roll forward as the streetlights flicker past us. And for a moment, I wonder if he¡¯s given up on understanding. Then, finally, he speaks again. ¡°You want to be a warrior?¡± I nodded. ¡°You know what that means, right?¡± I tilt my head slightly, unsure of what he¡¯s asking. I¡¯ve been fighting all my life¨Cfighting against what everyone thinks I can¡¯t do, who they think I should be. ¨C For you to be a warrior, you need to have Pierce and mine¡¯s approval first.¡± Right. I turn my head slightly, staring at the dashboard, the familiar streets passing by like I¡¯m seeing them for the first time. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that?¡± I murmur, low, my voice tight. I tum back to him, feeling my heart m against my ribs. ¡°I¡¯ve had to prove myself my whole life. To everyone. But you¡± I swallow hard, the bittemess creeping in, ¡°you heard us earlier?¡± He will never give you his approval Jess¡± He said, and I fucking know why.¡°He¡¯s Pierce and thest thing he wants is to have his baby sister fighting a war that he¡¯s trying to fought for her.¡± ¡°I can fight for myself too¡± I just¡­need more time. I look at him. Goddess. Sometimes I think the universe was a little cruel putting eyes like his on someone like him. Because when Gray looks at me¨Creally looks¨Ci forget everything. All I know is the quiet way his I reach out, almost without thinking. My fingers brush his hand, and I feel him stiffen¨Cbut he doesn¡¯t pull away. I let my fingers curl between his, slowly, nervously, like threading a thought through a needle. His hand is warm. Big. Still, He looks down. His lips parted for a second before he finally looks up and meet my eyes. 213 09:45 Tue, 5 Aug ¡°I¡¯ll get your approval,¡± I whisper, softer than I mean to. ¡°Right?¡± He looks at me and suddenly, I¡¯m thirteen again. Barefoot on the back porch, heart hammering against my ribs, stealing through shadows just to catch a glimpse of him training past midnight like a fucking lunatic. But just like then, Grayson only spares me a nce¨Cbrief, careless¨Cand turns away, continuing his life like he never even saw me Alpha Luna 25 Chapter 25 GRAYSON Damn We¡¯ve got the girl wolfie. My wolf¡¯s smug pacing like a beast who¡¯s finally cornered his prey¨Cand now doesn¡¯t know whether to lick her wounds or tear her wide open again. She gave it to me. All oth Her breath. Her body. Her fucking fight.. And I took it slow. Savored every fucking second like I wasn¡¯t starving for it all this time. I¡¯ve fed; baby. I¡¯ve fucking fed. I take every goddamn piece of her she tries to keep. I take her breath¨Cespecially the shallow ones, the desperate ones, the ones caught in her throat when she¡¯s trying not to make a sound. I¡¯ll take those like oxygen, like they¡¯re the only thing keeping me alive. I¡¯ll bleed for that fucking breath. Because I¡¯m ruined now. Feral. Unfuckinghinged. I adjust the cor of my shirt¨Cstill wrinkled from earlier and flip open the report my old man handed me this morning Yeah, Great Four pages of scribbled corrections, circled names, and notes like: ¡°Double¨Ccheck Pierce¡¯s numbers.¡± The guy¡¯s meticulous as fuck Annoyingly so. ¡°Something good happened?¡± I stop whistling¨Cdidn¡¯t even realize I was doing¨Cand turn my head, jaw already tight. Fucking Pierce. He¡¯s leaning against the doorframe, cigarette burning low between his fingers, smirking like he thinks he knows something I don¡¯t. I hate that look on him. Hate the way it twitches at theer of his mouth like he¡¯s about to say something smart He smirks like the bastard he is, holding the stick up between his fingers. ¡°This?¡± I don¡¯t blink, ¡°You drop ash near my car again, grind your fucking hand against the pavement ¡®til your bones scream. He takes a drag anyway¨Cprovoking on purpose, like he wants to see if snap his spine in half. Testing me Chapter 25 ¡°You¡¯re whistling, Gray Smoke slips through his teeth, ¡°You only do that when you¡¯ve fucked someone stupid or gutted something alive.¡± He pauses, sniffing the air like he can still smell her on me. ¡°Which was it?¡± I don¡¯t move, and I don¡¯t blink. if I tell him right now I just fucked his little sister, there¡¯s no way this doesn¡¯t end with me breaking something -his face, his skull, something. He¡¯s not ready to hear it, and I¡¯m not in the fucking mood to deal with his temper ¡°What do you want, Pierce!¡± He raises his brows a slow drag of smoke curling past his lips. ¡°So, it was someone,¡± he murmurs. ¡°Damn, poor gir I don¡¯t flinch, but my jaw twitches. Fucker. My fists tighten at my sides, because there¡¯s a thousand ways I could respond to that, and all of them end with him bleeding. Poor girl? You mean your sister? Yeah. Thought so ¡°You always this interested in my sex life, Pierce!¡± My voice is dry. Almost bored. ¡°Should I start sending you a recap every Monday moming?¡± He doesn¡¯tugh. He just watches me, eyes narrowing, cigarette burning low between his fingers. He¡¯s not stupid. He¡¯s been around long enough to know when I¡¯m deflecting. ¡°Look, if you¡¯re here to throw shade, try harder. Otherwise, get the fuck out of my doorway.¡± I shove past him, open the office door. ¡°Youing in or nning to lolter out there all day like a stray?¡± He stubs the cigarette out against the wall¨Casshole¨Cthen follows me in. Tss. Inside, I toss the folder onto the desk. Papers scatter like I give a shit. Pierce strolls over to the window and sighs. ¡°Theard something¡± he says, eyes fixed outside. My lips twitch. Of course he did. He always hears something. Like the damn walls speak to him. Like the wind gossips when he¡¯s around. He¡¯s got this uncanny talent for sniffing out other people¡¯s business like it¡¯s blood in the water. Pack secrets, training rumors, who¡¯s fucking who in the supply shed¨CPierce collects them like weapons. Stores them behind that cool look, waiting for the perfect moment to drop them like a hammer. ¡°You always do,¡± I mutter, crossing my arms as lean back against the desk. ¡°Let me guess¨Cmore whining from the Delta unit? Or did someone finally catch you spying through the barracks window again?¡± He doesn¡¯t even flinch. Just gives this little snort, one side of his mouth twitching like he¡¯s half¨Camused, half¨Csick of me. ¡°It¡¯s pot about the pack,¡± he says, slow. ¡°Not that kind of pack¡± That gets my attention. My spine straightens, breath tightening in my chest. He turns, jaw tight, brow creased. ¡°There¡¯s been rogue activity. His voice is clipped. Business. ¡°Near the easter borders. Two packs hit. One¡¯s missing a beta. The other¨CAlpha¡® kid didn¡¯t make it Fuck That hits different. I drag a hand down my face, every muscle in my back locking right. ¡°When?¡± ¡°Last night.¡± He¡¯s pacing now. Controlled, but fast. Like the movement helps him process. ¡°They¡¯re not just random strikes either. These hits were coordinated. Timed. Like someone¡¯s been watching them.¡± Trun a thumb along my jaw. My teeth grind on instinct. ¡°What about the one who went after your mother? Or your sister?¡± The wordse out colder than I mean. I know he won¡¯t stop until he finds the bastard responsible, And neither will ¡°Still nothing,¡± he mutters, turning to face the window again. Pierce be the head of their family when their father abandoned them. That¡¯s why he hates rogues like he does. ¡°Rogues are getting bold,¡± he says after a pause, voice clipped, like the words are something he¡¯s been rehearsing. ¡°Coordinated attacks¡­ timed. They don¡¯t just want us weak. They want us pissed. And thest thing we need right now isa fucking war.¡± ¡°Yeah, I get it,¡± mutter, trying to brush off the ache that settles in my chest. ¡°They think they can take us down. They don¡¯t know who they¡¯re fucking with¡± But I know Pierce is hearing something I don¡¯t. His jaw tightens again, and his eyes narrow, not at me, but at something in the distance. Like he¡¯s hearing the echoes of our father¡¯s abandonment in every rogue attack, in every piece of the family falling apart. His voice is low when he speaks again. ¡°I won¡¯t let them get to us. Not now. Not after everything we¡¯ve fought for.¡± I don¡¯t have to say anything. He got his own rage and I got ming, But somewhere deep inside on going to make sure the rogues pay for every fucking thing they¡¯ve done¨Cjust like he will, ¡°You¡¯ll get your shot,¡± I say finally. y, my voice as hard as I can make it. ¡°But we¡¯re going to make sure this stops before it starts.¡± He gives a sharp nod, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. He knows what¡¯s rogues aren¡¯t the only thing I¡¯m after right now. The past keeps fucking with me. My head keeps going back to Jessica, to everything I¡¯m not ready to deal with. And I don¡¯t have time for distractions, but she¡¯s there -her voice, her touch, her eyes. He doesn¡¯t know his little sister is my mate And fuck if I¡¯m ready to confront that shir Every time I think about it, my gut tightens like someone¡¯s squeezing the air out of my lungs. I¡¯ve never been one for patience, especially not when ites to things I can¡¯t control. And Jessica? She¡¯s everything I can¡¯t control. She haunts my thoughts in ways I didn¡¯t expect¨Clike the soft curve of her neck, the way her hair falls when she moves, and the fire behind her eyes when she looks at me. It¡¯s like a goddamn ma pulling me in Every second with her is a goddamn tug¨Cof¨Cwar between what! should want and what I can¡¯t keep away from. But Pierce? He has no idea, Not a single clue. If he knew, if he even suspected, I¡¯m pretty sure I wouldn¡¯t make it out of this room alive. Because Pierce doesn¡¯t y when it to his sister. He¡¯s the one who¡¯s always been there for her, keeping her safe, protecting her from every fucking thing ¨C including me. The know I was nning So, I keep my mouth shut. I let him believe whatever the fuck he wants. It¡¯s easier that way. For now US¨C45 D MUL The problem is, every minute I spend pretending I don¡¯t care, pretending I¡¯m not falling into whatever this is, just makes it worse. My thoughts keep drifting back to her, to that damn kiss. It¡¯s like my body knows what my brain refuses to admit. I¡¯m not just after her need her. And the more I try to fight it, the harder it gets to breathe, But Pierce won¡¯t know. Not yet. And I do whatever it takes to keep that truth buried. Alpha Luna 26 Chapter 26 JESSICA ¡°Fuck, Jess-¡°Grayson grits, pounding into me as he shoves all the way in, one brutal thrust that knocks the air from my lungs. My hands p the wall. My knees give out. He catches me with a growl and fucks me harder. ¡°You hide this pussy from me all week? All Il fucking week?¡± My check¡¯s pressed to the concrete. My legs are shaking. My fingers w at the shell, trying to hold on. He pulls out halfway¨Cms back in Again. Again. ¡°Grayson-¡°I gasp, already unraveling He grabs a fistful of my hair, yanks my head back like he owns me¨Cand licks a long, filthy stripe up the side of my neck. ¡°You¡¯re so fucking tight, baby,¡± he pants against my skin, voice cracked and shaking. ¡°Ahh, fuck¨Clike you¡¯re made for me.¡± I moan, desperate and breathless, hips jerking back against his every thrust. I¡¯m not even trying to y it cool. We¡¯ve got thirty minutes¨Ctops -before the training center floods with warriors andmandants and every sharp¨Cnosed enforcer who¡¯d smell the sex off me in seconds. Grayson doesn¡¯t care. He¡¯s gone. He fists my hair tighter, dragging my head back until I¡¯m arching for him like I need this¨Cbecause I do¨Cand growls into my ear, ¡°Thene fast, omega. We don¡¯t have time.¡± He drags me back by the hips, pulls out hallway, then shoves back in deep, forcing a scream from my throat. The metal shelf in front of me rattles with every thrust, and I¡¯m wing at it like it¡¯s the only thing keeping me upright ¡°Grayson-¡°I gasp. I¡¯m already shaking. My thighs are soaked. He shoves deeper. I cry out. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± One hand slides around my waist, rough fingers rubbing circles against my clit while he pounds into me from behind. ¡°You sound so pretty when you fall apart. So sweet. So fucking good for me.¡± My vision blurs. I¡¯m close. So close. ¡°You gonnae for me, baby?¡± he growls, frantic now, his rhythm turning messy, desperate. ¡°You gonnae while I¡¯m balls¨Cdeep in you? While anyone could open that door and find you spread and soaked and fucking¨Cmine?¡± ¡°Grayson, I-¡°My words dissolve into a sob. ¡°Do it,¡± he hisses. ¡°Come for me, Jess. Come on my cock. Let me feel it¨Clet me feel you iming me back.¡± I break. My body convulses, mouth open in a soundless scream as my orgasm hits like a car crash, fast and brutal and unforgiving I¡¯m clenching so hard it pulls a groan from his chest. ¡°Fuck¨Cfuck, baby, that¡¯s it-¡°he ms into me once, twice¨Cthen holds, buried deep, trembling, ¡°Gonna fill you up. Gonna stuff you so full you won¡¯t walk straight¡± He doesn¡¯t pull out. His cock twitches inside me, leaking heat, and I can feel it¨Cevery drop¨Cspilling out around him and soaking down my thighs. 09:45 100, 5 Aug ¡°Holy fuck,¡± he breathes, voice wrecked. Grayson presses his forehead between my shoulders, still panting, will hard. His hips twitch again. Just a tiny thrust Too much, My legs go useless. Heughs against my skin¨Clow, bitter, wrecked. ¡°Damn. I told you to not tease me like that.¡± His mouth finds my shoulder. Then my neck.L have to roll my eyes on him because it¡¯s not my fault he¡¯s been gone to some mission outside for a damn week. ¡°Still mad I forgot to tell you a goodbye?¡± I snort¨Chalf breath, half eye¨Croll¨Cand tilt my head just enough to re at him sideways. ¡°Tch I told you I¡¯m not mad.¡± He chuckles¨Clow and smug and way too proud of himself. ¡°Mmhmm.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± I push back against his chest like it¡¯ll prove something, but my legs are jelly and his cock¡¯s still buried inside me, so really it¡¯s just pathetic squirming at this point His hand curls around my stomach again, possessive. ¡°You pouted through every training session this week. Practically snarled at anyone who asked about me.¡± My face flushes. ¡°I did not snarl- ¡°You sniffed Jakob¡¯s neck, Jess.¡± I snap my head around. ¡°That was one time- ¡°That¡¯s three years in heat suppression down the drain, baby.¡± He bites my shoulder, not gentle. ¡°You nearly started a territory fight in the weight room. Don¡¯t lie to me? I grumble something under my breath. He hears it anyway. Of course he does. ¡°And now you¡¯re sulking,¡± he whispers, nosing behind my ear. ¡°Still think you¡¯re not mad?¡± I try to twist around to face him¨Cmostly to re, maybe to p his stupid smug face¨Cbut he just tightens his arm around my waist and grinds his hips, slow and evil. ¡°Oh my god-¡°My head thumps against the wall again. ¡°You¡¯re the worst.¡± He prins against my neck. ¡°You missed me. ¡°¡­Shut up.¡± ¡°You missed me.¡± ¡°I hate you. ¡°Sure, baby.¡± He kisses my shoulder, then thrusts once¨Cdeep and slow and maddening. ¡°Hate meter. Come for me against.¡± ¡°Grayson-¡°I gasp but he¡¯s not listening He drags his mouth to my ear, breath hot and filthy. ¡°One more, omega. Give me one more.¡± Then he ms back in.. Thirty minutester, I¡¯m standing on the field, watching Grayson tear into Jakob Stupid. I told him it was just a mistake, but he can¡¯t get over it. Seriously, how the hell does he know? I¡¯m dying to know who spilled it to him. 09:45 Tue, 5 Aug Tue, 5 Aug ¡°Girl,¡± Logan says beside me, voice low and amused like he thinks this is funny, ¡°you¡¯re very lucky today. Not your ass on the I shoot him a re sharp enough to slice tendon. ¡°Shut up. If we get caught talking- Grayson growls on the field¨Cthat growl¨Cand both of us finch. I don¡¯t finish the sentence, Because I know exactly what that prowl means. Damn it. We made a deal to not let anyone know about us but that means he torturing me in front of others. I sighed and waited as the great alpha walk closer to where I am, ¡°Did I tell you to talk?¡± My mouth opens. My first instinct is to bite back¨Cto say something sharp, to humiliate him right here in front of Logan and the rest of the team but that would just make it worse. Worse for me. Worse for him. Worse for tonight So I bow my head. Just a little. Just enough. My voice is low and careful. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha.¡± That did it. His breath hitches, Yeah, I think. That did it. ¡°You remember how to behave after all.¡± His hand lifts to my jaw, two fingers tipping my chin up¨Cnot gently. ¡°Look at me¡± I do. Big mistake Because now I¡¯m staring into wildfire. Into possession. His pupils blown wide, chest still rising like he hasn¡¯te down from the fight. The others beside me is gasping probably because he¡¯s touching me ¡°You¡¯re always been my favorite Jess.¡± he murmurs. My eyes widened. I almost ask if what the fuck does he think he¡¯s doing but when he tightened his grip on my chin I almost yelped in pain. ¡°Poor thing,¡± Grayson croons, thumb brushing mockingly over my lower lip. ¡°Already got you two extraps for beingte¡± I stiffen. My nails dig into my palms. ¡°Then you show up here,¡± he says, tone dipping lower, darker, just for me, ¡°like a little brat who cannot keep her mouth shut,¡± Heat floods my face. A few of the others shift awkwardly but no one dares move. Not with the way he¡¯s looking at me like I¡¯m prey he hasn¡¯t quite decided whether to eat or y with. ¡°You think this is just a game?¡± His grip slides, dragging my face higher until I¡¯m forced to meet his eyes. ¡°You think I waste my time training my warriors just so they can talk behind my back?¡± I try to shake my head, to say no, to pull back¨Canything¨Cbut his fingers hold me there, and goddamn it, my whole body is burning Betraying me 09:46 Tue, 5 Aug Chapter 26. ¡°Alter this training,¡± he breathes, voice low and lethal, nose brushing mine, ¡°I want you on cleaning duty.¡± I blink. ¡°What ¡°For the showers,¡± he says softly, like a kindness. ¡°Lockers, Gear, Floor, Scrub it all. Alone.¡± ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡± I whisper. But he¡¯s not. He smiles like I just gave him a gift. Like he¡¯s going to unwrap meter, piece by piece, and make me say thank you. ¡°You¡¯ll start when everyone¡¯s done,¡± he murmurs. ¡°You¡¯ll wait until they¡¯re finished. You¡¯ll best. You¡¯ll stay until the floor shines.¡± His voice doesn¡¯t rise. The way he says it, I feel it all the way down to my knees. ¡°Why?¡± I ask, my voice barely there. He leans in ¡°Because you need to be reminded what obedience tastes like.¡± And then louder¨Cfor them, for the pack still watching, eyes flicking between us like they¡¯re afraid to blink¨Che adds, ¡°Everyone else, move. Now. The field shifts. Shuffling feet, Nervous nces. I¡¯m still held by the chin like I¡¯m his to correct. His voice is pure alphamand when he speaks again. ¡°You stay.¡± And I do. Goddess help me, I do. É« Alpha Luna 27 JESSICA ¡°Do you know there¡¯s a party at school next week?¡± I mumble, hallughing, hall sighing, as Grayson¡¯s lips trailzily along my neck. Goddess! He¡¯s so insatiable. I don¡¯t know how many times we did it in his office earlier. It turns out, he just wanted some alone time so the told the others this is my punishment. Grayson¡­ His lips stop for a second, just long enough to nce up at me, eyes zing with that intensity I love and hate in equal measure. ¡°Hmmm?¡± He asked before his mouth slides back down my body, past my navel, and I shiver as his breath catches on the sensitive skin of my lower belly. ¡°Are you even hearing me?¡± I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady despite how much he¡¯s undoing me. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Grayson. I¡¯m so sore. I don¡¯t think I can take you again.¡± He lets out a soft, amused chuckle, his lips still on my skin. ¡°Okay, baby,¡± he murmurs, his tone yful, almost affectionate in the way I cannot believe I¡¯m hearing it from him, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you cum thrice tonight.¡± I groan, hiding my face. What a jerkt ¡°Seriously?¡± I mutter against his skin, but I can¡¯t help the small smile tugging at my lips. ¡°Are you this arrogant?¡± Grayson shrugs, azy grin tugging at his mouth as he shits his position, rolling onto his side and draping his arm over my waist. His hand finds its way to the curve of my hip, fingers lightly tracing patterns on my skin. ¡°Arrogant?¡± He chuckles, his lips brushing against my temple. ¡°How dare you say that to your alpha Jess?¡± I smack his chest, the yful sting making himugh. ¡°Stop power tripping!¡± Grayson grins even wider, pulling me closer until we¡¯re face to face. ¡°You won¡¯t walk for days if I¡¯m power tripping Jess.¡± He kisses the tip of my nose, then my lips, slow and teasing his tongue just brushing against mine. I snort, trying to pull back but not getting very far. ¡°Stop kissing me, you cocky jerk. So, listen¡­¡°I continue talking even if Grayson didn¡¯t stop kissing me.¡°Next week, there¡¯s a party-¡± ¡°Ubuh.¡± ¡°Grayson!¡± I protest, struggling to keep my focus. ¡°I¡¯m serious. This party- ¡°Hmm, no parties, Jess.¡± He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his expression that perfect mix of smirking and serious. ¡°You know what kind of party it is. Our vige will be open for other non¨Cpack members, and it will be dangerous.¡± I pause, the yful mood shifting as his words settle in. ¡°Dangerous?¡± I repeat, frowning slightly. He always has a way of turning things darker, even when we¡¯re having fun.. Grayson¡¯s eyes don¡¯t leave mine, his hand brushing through my hair as he shifts closer again. ¡°We still haven¡¯t caught the rogues who attack you and your mom.¡± Right. But what does have to do with the party next week? Grayson must¡¯ve noticed my confusion. There are a lot of attacks outside the pack not just ours and I think they are connected with what happened to you.¡± I swallow hard. That makes sense, more than I want it to. But it still doesn¡¯t sit right. ¡°So, you don¡¯t want me to go!¡± Grayson shifted again. I notice him thinking for a second before he sighs. ¡°I know how much you love those parties.¡± There¡¯s an usation on that. Well, it¡¯s Logan. He¡¯s the one who taught me how to party hard and you know, drink harder. It¡¯s funny how we always ended up so drunk we slept at the training field. 09:46 Tue, 5 Aug Iraise an eyebrow at him. ¡°So what, I can¡¯t have fun now!¡± Grayson just looks at me. That quiet, infuriating alpha stare¨Clike he¡¯s already made the decision and he¡¯s letting me catch up. ¡°You can have fun,¡± he says, stroking a slow line down my side, fingers grazing the spot where his mouth was earlier. ¡°Just not there. Not next week. Not when I don¡¯t know who¡¯s gonna be watching you¡± My stomach tightens¨Cnot from fear, not exactly. From the way his voice lowers when he talks like that. From the way he says watching you like it¡¯s a sin someone else might even look at me. I swallow, ¡°You think they¡¯d try again? The rogues?¡± ¡°I think,¡± he murmurs, kissing the dip below my corbone, ¡°that if someone tried to takey once, be losing my damn mind.¡± That sends a chill down my spine. I try to sit up but his hand ttens on my belly, holding me there. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you were this smitten on me, Alpha.¡± That earned a growl on him. ¡°You should start calling me baby too, you know?¡± Lblink. He smiles¨Cdark, slow, satisfied. ¡°What? You don¡¯t like it?¡± It¡¯s not that I murmur ¡°Then what is it?¡± he says, kissing the corner of my mouth. ¡°You prefer calling me alpha? That turns you on?¡± I try to re. ¡°I¡¯m not like you.¡± Grayson smirks ¡°Huh. Says the girl whose on her knees earlier.¡± My face flushes, full¨Cbody heat. ¡°You¡¯re such an asshole ¡°I know baby,¡± he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my jaw, ¡°I know¡± The thing about calling him baby is it feels real. I bite my lower lips and try to imagine calling Grayson baby and I almost cringe. Never in my entire life I thought of having this kind of rtionship with him. I mean, aside from those yet dreams¡­I heard Gray chuckle and frowned. ¡°What¡¯s funny?¡± asked, shifting so I can face him. Grayson¡¯s can¡¯t decide if I want to p him or kiss him for it ¡°Grayson,¡± warn, narrowing my eyes. He tries to school his expression, but the smirk stays. ¡°Nothing. You were saying again?¡± exhale through my nose, trying to keep my cool. ¡°The party. I want to go.¡± His expression doesn¡¯t exactly change, but it hardens¨Cjust a flicker around his eyes. Tension sharpens his jaw like he¡¯s already imagining breaking someone¡¯s teeth. ¡°I mean,¡± I add quickly, pushing up on one elbow, ¡°you¡¯ll be there, right? And Pierce¡¯ll be there. And it¡¯s not like I don¡¯t know how to protect myself so- 09:46 Tue, 5 Aug His gaze cuts to mine. Sharp. Dangerous. ¡°Fine,¡± he mutters, voice low and tight. My eyes snap to his. ¡°Wait, seriously?¡± ¡°But-¡± he adds, and oh, there it is¨Cthe catch. ¡°No drinking. No boys.¡± I snort.¡± Boys?¡± ¡°Correction,¡± he says, leaning in until his breath brushes my lips. ¡°No one else aside from me, Jess.¡± My stomach flips. I try to sound casual¨Cfail miserably. ¡°That¡¯s a little possessive, don¡¯t you think?¡± He grins, slow and unapologetic. ¡°Baby, that¡¯s me being merciful.¡± I roll my eyes, but I¡¯m smiling. ¡°So that¡¯s a yes?¡± He kisses me once¨Cfirm, iming, like sealing a deal in blood. Then he pulls back just enough to whisper, ¡°Yes. But one step out of line, Jess -and I¡¯ll drag you out of there myself¡± I shiver not expecting this side of him. But I like this one better. ¡­Noted.¡± Alpha Luna 28 JESSICA A few days days now and I¡¯m kind of pissed because I haven¡¯t seen him. Seriously? How busy can he be to not show his face to me? It¡¯s not like I need him. Obviously. But¡­e on twalk through the center of the vige, where warriors are drilling in formation and omegas are running around with crates of food and armfuls of decorations. Everyone¡¯s moving fast, voices sharp, nerves stretched thin. You¡¯d think the damn Moon Goddess herself wasing spot Pierce talking to two warriors by the training posts. He catches my eye and gives me a chin¨Clit, casual and cool. Not what I need right §á§à§Þ ¡°What¡¯s with these preparations?¡± I snap, not bothering with a greeting. Pierce¡¯s mouth quirks like he¡¯s trying not tough. ¡°Stop pouting, Jess. You¡¯re not cute anymore.¡± ¡°Really? I think she¡¯s cute¡± My eyes widen and I quickly turn my back to see Grayson towering behind me. ¡°What are you doing here, omega?¡± ¡°Grayson.¡± Pierce cough.¡± Alpha, Jess. Alpha.¡± ¡°Alpha,¡± echo tly, giving him a mocking little nod. ¡°Didn¡¯t see you there. Too busy barking orders from your ivory tower?¡± ¡°Someone¡¯s mouthy today,¡± he murmurs, hands behind his back, the kind of posture that s at says discipline but his eyes are all mischief. And I should stop. Should shut up. Should smile politely and back off before end up on Grayson¡¯s hit list again. But no. Instead, I tilt my head, looking up at him through myshes like I¡¯mpletely innocent, like there¡¯s nothing in the world more pure than my expression. ¡°What? Just saying what everyone¡¯s thinking.¡± I add the smallest, most yful smile I can manage, just to see how far I can push him. Pierce chuckles low. ¡°Stop it Jess¡± Grayson eyes sdarkens 1 then he take step closer. ¡°You¡¯re needed in the training center, Pierce,¡± Grayson says. Pierce blinks, clearly thrown off guard for a moment. There¡¯s a brief, almost imperceptible hesitation before he shrugs, a smile tugging at his Tips. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± he says, his voice a mix of amusement and resignation. ¡°But don¡¯t make her cry that much okay?,¡± he adds over his shoulder as he heads toward the training center, still chuckling. Grayson, however, doesn¡¯t move his gaze from me. When Pierce is gone, he leans down, his breath ghosting over my car, making me hold my breath. *Pretend you¡¯re scared baby. He whispered, eyes probably noticing that others are looking at us. ¡°I miss you.¡± My eyes snap to his, but his face is already cool again, unreadable to everyone else. To the pack, he¡¯s still their Alpha. Stoic. Commanding 49.40 Tue, 5 Aug Untouchable. But to me? To me, he¡¯s the heat burning just beneath my skin. ¡°I thought you were busy,¡± I whisper, my tone sharper than I mean, but I¡¯m still flushed from what he said. What he did. What I want him to do again. His hand brushes down my arm like it¡¯s nothing, like it¡¯s casual, and I nearly shiver on the spot. ¡°Was,¡± he says. ¡°Now I¡¯m not. Meet me after drills.¡± I narrow my eyes. ¡°You think I¡¯ll just crawl back like that?¡± He smirks, and it¡¯s that soft, cocky kind of smirk that only I get to see. ¡°No,¡± he says. ¡°I think you¡¯ll run.¡± That¡¯s not true. Grayson nodded before he walks away I was still holding my breath when Logan walk towards me. ¡°You got scolded again?¡± Trolled my eyes, calming myself ¡°As always¡± He chuckles, nudging my arm with his elbow like we¡¯re still kids and nothing¡¯s changed, like I¡¯m not one wrong word away from unraveling. ¡°You¡¯ll get yourself demoted to kitchen duty at this rate.¡± ¡°Better than being alpha¡¯s chew toy,¡± I mutter Loganughs. I don¡¯t. Because it¡¯s lunch. Which means it¡¯s still five whole hours before I see Grayson again. Five hours of pretending I¡¯m not already counting down every minute. ¡°You should stop pushing him, Jess i bite my lip, unsure of how to answer. The truth is, Grayson has a way of getting under my skin. We¡¯ve crossed a line I never thought we¡¯d cross, and now I can¡¯t go back. The chemistry between us is¡­ destructive. And I¡¯m not sure I want it to stop, even if it means keeping secrets from everyone around me. The seconds tick by, and I find myself staring off into the distance, lost in thoughts of Grayson. My mind reys every moment¨Cevery touch, everymand¨Clike it¡¯s a soundtrack I can¡¯t escape. I didn¡¯t realize I was staring so intently until Logan snaps his Engers in front of my face. ¡°Earth to Jess?¡± He says, his voice teasing, but his eyes still watch me closely. I blink, startled, and shake my head. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got that look again,¡± Logan says, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Like you¡¯re somewhere else entirely.¡± I¡¯m somewhere else entirely, alright. Somewhere I can¡¯t admit to. ¡°I¡¯m fine, I mutter, my voice t. I know he¡¯s not buying it. He never does. He studies me for a moment longer before sighing ¡°You can¡¯t hide everything forever, Jess I don¡¯t respond. I can¡¯t. Because he¡¯s right hiding something that I don¡¯t know how to face. Not just from him, but from everyone. Especially Grayson. Logan smirks, clearly knowing I¡¯m not going to open up. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± he says, his voice light, but there¡¯s a quiet undercurrent of concept 09:46 Tue, 5 Aug ¡°Just don¡¯t do anything stupid, okay?¡± I nod absently, but my thoughts are already elsewhere. I know I¡¯m walking a fine line with him, and maybe that¡¯s part of the appeal of the danger. I¡¯m not sure anymore. I wonder how far I¡¯m willing to let him go. How much of myself i¡¯ll give up before there¡¯s noing back Because there¡¯s no denying it¨Cthe more I give, the more he takes. And each time, it feels like I¡¯m sinking deeper, losing pieces of myself, and I¡¯m starting to wonder if I¡¯ll ever be able to find the surface again. However, the closer I get to the edge, the harder it is to walk away. And if I¡¯m being honest¨Cif I¡¯m being really honest¨CI think I stopped trying to save myself the moment I give myself to him. AD Alpha Luna 29 Chapter 29 GRAYSON ¡°This one?¡± Aria twirls in front of me and I sigh, annoyed because why the hell is Jessica not answering her damn phone? I shifted on the couch and try to test her again. I told her I¡¯ll wait for her after drills, but I got sabotaged, ¡°Grayson?¡± she asks, voice sweet enough to rot my teeth. I blink once, slow. If she wasn¡¯t the daughter of one of my father¡¯s oldest allies, I would¡¯ve already thrown her out. Or worse. Probably worse. ¡°Aria,¡± I mutter, not even bothering to hide the venom this time. ¡°If you ask me one more time, I¡¯m going to lose my fucking mind¡± She flinches, lips parting, and I know I should care. But I don¡¯L ¡°Aria, I¡¯m not in the mood, I mutter, hall detracted as I keep my eyes on the screen of my phone. Still no response, Aria pauses, her eyes narrowing ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± She pouts, hands resting on her hips. ¡°You¡¯ve agreed to apany me today.¡± She really doesn¡¯t get it. She steps closer, that perfume choking the air. ¡°You¡¯re father will not be happy with you if I tell him you¡¯re this grumpy with me baby,¡± she says, making me more furious The heck is her problem? ¡°Don¡¯t touch me,¡± I snap, low and lethal, like a warning growl. She freezes, hand hovering near my shoulder before pulling back. Smart girl. But she still tries to y coy. ¡°You¡¯re so tense,¡± she says with a pout. ¡°Let me help-¡± I stand up. She shuts the hell up real quick when I do. I tower over her. And I know exactly what she sees in my eyes. She is so fucking disgusting. ¡°I don¡¯t want you,¡± I say, t, brutal.¡± So stop whatever shit you are nning,¡± She stares, wounded. Like I give a fuck. I should be with Jess right now. Should have her pinned under me again, hand around her throat, watching that smart mouth go quiet when she can¡¯t breathe without me Instead, I¡¯ve got this¡­girl fluttering around me like she¡¯s earned a piece. Like she deserves anything from me. God, if she wasn¡¯t my father¡¯s precious little political guest I¡¯d have broken her already. I¡¯d have sent her crawling out of here on her hands and knees, sobbing, stripped of that smug entitlement she wears like perfume. ¡°Leave, Aria. Now.¡± She hesitates, like she¡¯s about to cry. ¡°Don¡¯t make me say it again.¡± She bolts¨Cheels clicking, pride shattered¡ªand good. One less problem in my fucking face. I drop back onto the couch, elbows on my knees, phone clutched tight. That girl¨Cmy girl¨CJess, better have a goddamn reason for this Because she¡¯s driving me fucking insane. And I swear, the more she pulls away, the more I want to bear the world apart just to get to her. I sit there another thirty seconds¨Clong enough for the silence to piss me off even more. Then I¡¯m up, phone in hand, heading for the ce she told me we¡¯d meet. She¡¯s not there. 09:46 Tue, 5 Aug No scent trail. No jacket she left on purpose just to see me carry it. Not even a footprint. The sun¡¯s bleeding out across the trees now, bruising the sky. She said she¡¯de. She promised. I pace once, twice, my jaw aching from how tight I¡¯m grinding it. I don¡¯t do this. I don¡¯t wait. I don¡¯t chase. And I sure as hell don¡¯t get stood up like some whipped omega in heat. Fuck. I pull out my phone again, fingers already dialing before my temper talks me down. ¡°Pierce,¡± I growl when he picks up, no Apause. Then, ¡°Grayson?¡± ¡°No shit¡± ,no time for hellos. ¡°Is Jessica there?¡± Another pause, longer this time. I can hear him shit his stance, like he knows exactly what I¡¯m about to do if I don¡¯t like his answer. ¡°She¡¯s not here, man. Why? Something wrong? I think she¡¯s with Logan earlier-¡± I quickly drop the call and dialed Logan¡¯s number. He answers it in one ring. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Jess?¡± He sounded wasted. ¡°Uh¡­Jess, wait, she¡¯s not at home?¡± My jaw ticks. No, she¡¯s not fucking home. And the fact that his voice is all slurred andry makes my blood go cold. ¡°She¡¯s not with me either,¡± I snap. ¡°So you better start thinking real hard, Logan, about where the hell you left her.¡± ¡°-uh¨CI don¡¯t know, man. We were just hanging out. She left like an hour ago, said she was gonna meet someone or something y hand tightens around the phone. She was supposed to meet me. My ¡°And you let her leave alone?¡± My voice drops, slow and dangerous, the kind of tone that makes most wolves drop their eyes and back away. ¡°She said she was fine!¡± Logan says, suddenly more awake. ¡°Swore she was okay, Grayson. I wouldn¡¯t¡¯ve Thang up. I don¡¯t need his excuses. Inged her. I need her now. Every step I take back toward the vige feels like fire in my bones. I check every side path, every shortcut, eyes sharp, senses ring. Her scent¡¯s faint¨Ctoo faint, which means either she got smart and masked it¡­ Or someone else did. My mind¡¯s already spinning with the worst. Rogue hands on her. A cor. Chains, Blood No. No fucking way. I reach the edge of the forest, chest heaving. My fingers curl around my phone again¨Cbut this time, I don¡¯t dial. Instead, I drop it, letting it fail into the dirt as I feel that primal need surging inside me, Ishift Right there in the shadows, bones cracking, muscles stretching, fur rippling over my skin as I drop to all fours. The world sharpens, every scent, every sound heightened as my wolf takes over. I¡¯m running now, faster than I ever thought possible, my ws digging into the earth, propelling me forward with spend that feels like fire under my paws. And then, I smell it. Her scent. It¡¯s faint at first, buried beneath the leaves and earth, but I know it. My mind doesn¡¯t need any more confirmation. Jessica My chest Lightens, my pulse racing as I follow the trail, not even thinking about the danger, not about the rogue scent i¡¯d picked up earser. not about the tension in the air. All I care about is her. But then, as I push deeper into the trees, I catch something that stops me dead in my tracks. Her scent. Stronger now. But mixed with something else. Something wrong I grow! low in my throat, the sound vibrating through the trees. My hackles raise, but my feet stay frozen, nose working overtime to find her push forward cautiously, ears pinned back, every instinct screaming that I¡¯m on the edge of something bad. And there she is. Under a tree. She¡¯s curled up in the dirt, her bodypletely still Her hair is a mess, there¡¯s a blood stains on the sleeve of her shirt, dark and stark against her pale skin No. Fucking. Way. My heart pounds, and I want to run to her, to wake her up, to demand what the hell she¡¯s doing out here alone, but stay put. My senses go into overdrive, scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. There¡¯s no one else here. No one but me. I move slowly, carefully, closing the distance between us. Her chest rises and falls in a soft rhythm, but it¡¯s shallow, weak, She¡¯s sleeping¨Cor unconscious, I can¡¯t tell. I crouch low, just a few feet away, the weight of the world pressing against me. Every part of me wants to shift back, to run to her and make sure she¡¯s okay, but I wait. I need to be sure. Her er lips part slightly, but she doesn¡¯t stir Treach out with my senses, checking for any signs of immediate danger. No more threats. But the blood fuck. I can¡¯t just leave her like this. Carefully, carefully, I nudge her with my nose, pushing the hair from her face, my breath hot against her skin. Thank goddess! She looks okay. I was just about to carry her when I noticed something tucked by her side, half¨Chidden in the grass. I pluck it up, already bracing for whatever bullshit it holds. Sloppy, bold handwriting ¡°Do you wanna share?¡± -R. My blood ices. R What the fuck? Who thinks they can share what¡¯s already mine? My jaw clenches. I look back at Jess¨Cstill sleeping, lips parted, oblivious. I scan the area, heart hammering like I¡¯m back inbat and that¡¯s when it hits me. This is near where she was attackedst time. That clearing. That fucking scar in the trees where I found her blood before. Where I almost lost my goddamn mind thinking I¡¯d lost her for good And now she¡¯s back here. Alone. Again. With this? I feel the shift rising under my skin again¨Chot, feral, dangerous. My wolf¡¯s right there, wing just beneath the surface, begging to tear through whoever left this message. Begging to hunt. To punish. I crouch beside her, hands shaking as I brush a leaf from her shoulder. ¡°Jess,¡± I whisper, my voice rough, desperate. ¡°Wake up, baby, please.¡± Ishake her gently, trying to rouse her, but she doesn¡¯t stir. Not even a twitch. Damn it. I need to get her out of here. With a low curse, I scoop her up in my arms, her body heavy against me. It¡¯s a struggle, but I keep my grip firm. I don¡¯t care what happens to me, but I¡¯ll be goddamned if I¡¯m going to let anyone get away with touching her. I don¡¯t know what the note means¨Cwho R. is, or what the fuck is going on. But I know one thing for sure. Whoever is behind this is going to wish they never touched her. I start heading back toward the pack house, every step more urgent than thest I need to get her somewhere safe, somewhere where I can make sure she wakes up. And when she does¡­ we¡¯re going to have a very serious conversation about how far people are willing to go before they fuck with the wrong person. Alpha Luna 30 Chapter 30 JESSICA Grayson is so fuckingte. That asshole. He told me to wait in this spot and now he¡¯s nowhere to be found. I was silently cursing him in my head when I heard a familiar voice. ¡°Jessica¡­¡± Huh? ¡°Jessica¡­¡± What the fuck. I sit up sost the room tits. Did 1-1 Was 1-7 My eyes dart, frantic. I scan the room and realize I¡¯m in my own fucking bed. But why am I here? Thest thing I remember is I was waiting for.. ¡°Shit,Grayson.¡± I quickly jump off the bed and grab my phone, dialing his number. It¡¯s past midnight already, and this is beyond ridiculous. What the hell happened? The phone rings. Once. Twice. ¡°Pick up, you asshole¡­ A third ring and I¡¯m already out of my room, finding Pierce so he cane with me to check for Grayson instead I stop in the middle of the hall, blink like because that is weird. Our kitchen¡¯s light is on. Mom is not around, and Pierce is probably sleeping at this hour. Something feels¡­ wrong. So, I tiptoe and walk near our kitchen. I spot Pierce and Grayson standing by the kitchen ind, beers in hand. I lean in closer, trying to catch every word. ¡°50, you and Aria are back, huh?¡± I feel the ground slip out from under me. My stomach drops, a wave of nausea rushing over me. Aria. Grayson¡¯s fucking ex? I barely breathe, pressing my back to the wall, my chest tight, as if I¡¯ve just been punched. My eyes burn, the sting of tears threatening to spill, but I don¡¯t let them fall W What does he mean by that? Pierce¡¯s voice, quieter now, almost too calm. ¡°So what are you gonna do about it!¡± Graysonughs, and the sound ws at my insides. It¡¯s rough, like he¡¯s trying to mask something, but it only makes it worse. ¡°Don¡¯t know yet. But my father wants her to be my Luna.¡± Luna, His Luna. His ex It¡¯s like a knife twisting in my chest. The tears I¡¯ve been holding back surge, but I force them down, biting the inside of my cheek until it hurts. I want to scream, but I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t breathe. My lungs feel like they¡¯re full of concrete I close my eyes, fighting to hold it together. But the pressure inside me builds, and for a moment, everything spins. Grayson¡­ Luna¡­ I should¡¯ve known. I should¡¯ve fucking known. What the fuck am I? Just a fucking distraction? Grayson speaks again, and I freeze, straining to catch every word, to understand how I¡¯ve gotten here. Chapter 30 ¡°So what do you think?¡± Grayson¡¯s voice is rough, but there¡¯s something else in it, something that sounds like frustration Demmyba letart Pierce¡¯s s voicees next, calm but pointed. ¡°Does it matter what I think? You¡¯ve already made your decision. Haven¡¯t you? I can feel the pit in my stomach widening, my heart pounding faster, like it¡¯s trying to escape. Grayson sighs. ¡°You know how dirty the old man ys. He threatened me that if I don¡¯t do what he wants, he¡¯ll give it to My mind races, scrambling to make sense of it. The name sounds familiar but I cannot remember who it is. ¡°I¡¯m confused as fuck, Grayson mutters again. He lets out a harshugh, one that¡¯s empty. ¡°I don¡¯t know, man, Maybe I just marry the girl Maybe that¡¯s how I get out of this mess.¡± It hurts, goddess, it fucking hurts. It all falls apart. My chest is tight, my throat burns like I¡¯m choking on broken ss, but I don¡¯t make a sound. He was always going to choose her, wasn¡¯t he? Shit. More tears stream down my cheeks and I feel so fucking pathetic. Everything hurts. Every single fucking part of me aches. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve been carved out, hollowed out, and all that¡¯s left is this raw, gaping hole. I wipe at my face, but it doesn¡¯t matter. The tears just keeping, relentless, like they know what I can¡¯t even admit to myself. I was such a fool thinking I was the one using him for my own leverage but look at where it got me. I¡¯m pathetic for even thinking there was something real here. The tears won¡¯t stop. And neither will the ache, the one gnawing at me from the inside, tearing me apart. It¡¯s all just so goddamn stupid. I don¡¯t know how I went back to my room that night. I just know that it really happened. I woke up with my eyes hurting because I couldn¡¯t stop crying. The tears had soaked my pillow, my face raw, swollen. I¡¯ve never felt so stupid. What the hell did I expect? That Grayson would change for me! That he¡¯d somehow look at me and see something worth keeping? Haugh, but it¡¯s bitter, like bile in my throat. It was past noon when Logane barging into my room. He was practically pulling the cover out of me when I snap way his jaw drop is dramatic. and just let him. The ¡°Shit,¡± he curses under his breath. His eyes dart to my face, like he¡¯s afraid to see what¡¯s so fucking obvious, but when they do, he doesn¡¯t even try to hide his shock. ¡°Who made you cry, Jessica?¡± I hate how soft his voice is, like he¡¯s trying to piece me back together with nothing but pity. ¡°No one,¡± I lie but Logan doesn¡¯t buy it. His gaze hardens, like he knows exactly what¡¯s going on in my head, like he can see the thousand tiny cuts Grayson left in me and it drives him insane, ¡°Come on, Jess,¡± he mutters, a tone so masculine I almost thought he¡¯s a guy. ¡°Who the fuck am I going to kill?¡± I almost want tough at how ridiculous it sounds. I almost want to say something snarky¨COh, sure, Logan, go ahead and murder the future alpha for me. Logan doesn¡¯t let me off the hook. With one swilt motion, he drops beside me on the bed. ¡°Jess.¡± ¡°Logan, just¨Cdrop it,¡± I mutter, pulling the nket over my head but izan doesn¡¯t back down. Instead, he pulls the covers off me wit force I don¡¯t expect, and now I¡¯m wide open, no hiding try to look anywhere but at him, anywhere but those goddamn worried eyes. ¡°Pop My voice is shaky, but i don¡¯t care. ¡°To fine.¡°I wave a hand, like brushing this off will make it go away He doesn¡¯t. He leans in, his hand gripping my chin gently, but firm enough that I can¡¯t look away. ¡°Who, Hurt You We¡¯re still in 1 position when the door to my room suddenly opens, and Grayson and standing there, staring at us like we¡¯remitting a crime ¡°Oh shit¡± Pierce¡¯s voice cracks, the shock evident as he turns around, looking like he¡¯s disgusted by what he¡¯s seeing ¡°Jesus it¡¯s damn afternoon 1thought you two were just best friends?!¡± I try to sit up straighter, but Logan¡¯s hand is still on my chin, and it feels like everything is moving in slow motion. Grayson doesn¡¯t look at me -he¡¯s staring at Logan, his gaze cold, dark, I can¡¯t look at Grayson, I can¡¯t. The hurt is too fucking much. I turn my head slightly, away from his gaze, away from the way his eyes seem to pierce into me. Logan shifts beside me, his grip on my chin loosening. ¡°Rx, Pierce,¡± Logan says, unaffected. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think I want to say something anything to make this stop. To make everything stop, but all I can do is sit there, staring at my hands, feeling like the biggest fucking mess in the world. ¡°Are you fucking serious right now, Jessica?¡± Grayson spits out, practically seething, eyes burn on me. I feel the rage building in me, a heat that¡¯s hotter than his. He doesn¡¯t get it. He doesn¡¯t fucking get to shout at me like he didn¡¯t fucked with Without thinking I turn to Logan, standing too close to me. My chest is tight, everything in me is a wound. I don¡¯t even care if I¡¯m making the worst fucking decision. I grab the back of his neck and pull him to me, crashing my lips into his, the taste of desperation and fury flooding my I want him to feel it. I want Grayson to feel it. The fury, the ache, the fucking betrayal. My eyes never leave Grayson¡¯s, mocking him, daring him to say something. To say the fucking words that will make me care, that will make me stop. But I don¡¯t think he can. He¡¯s too busy watching, too busy realizing that I don¡¯t give a single shit about him anymore. That I never fucking will He can go fucking that slut all he wants but I am done with him. Alpha Luna 31 GRAYSON Someone¡¯s going to die. Someone¡¯s going to fucking die. I¡¯m not heartbroken. I¡¯m not weak. I¡¯m not going to crawl to her on my knees and ask her why. I¡¯m going to rip the bastard¡¯s throat out with my teeth and then drag her back by her pretty little neck and remind her who the fuck I am. I¡¯m the Alpha. And she¡¯s mine. Every. Goddamn. Inch. Of Her I¡¯m running before I can think. Im into him so hard the air knocks out of his lungs before he hits the dirt. Pierce yells, ¡°Grayson¨Cwhat the fuck?!¡± of his sh Jessica¡¯s screaming my name now. Like that¡¯s going to stop me. I grab Logan by the back of his shirt and hurt him backwards so hard his body hits the wall, picture frames crash to the floor, the fucking drywall cracks. ¡°GRAYSONI¡± Jessica screams, stumbling Hair tousled Mouth red Pierce turns, frozen mid¨Cstep. ¡°What the fuck-?¡± I don¡¯t wait. I pounce Logan tries to speak¨Ctries¨Cbut my fist¡¯s already in his face. His head ms sideways. Blood sprays. My forearm pins his throat against the wall. *YOU KISSED HER?¡± I rar His jaw¡¯s already swelling. He chokes. ¡°Gray¨Cwait¨C1¡± ¡°YOU KISSED HER?!¡± Im him down onto the floor so hard the boards groan. His head bounces. He coughs blood. Pierce yells, ¡°Grayson, what the fuck is going on?¡± I see red. Full crimson haze. My wolf¡¯s wing up my throat I grab Logan again¨Cby the cor this time¨Candunch him across the room. He hits the bookshelf. Books rain like thunder. He groans, slumped. Dazed. I turn to her. My chest heaving. Rage boiling. ¡°You let him fucking touch you?¡± STOPI she crie ¡°Grayson¨CSTOPI¡± she cries Toote. He¡¯s choking on dirt and I¡¯m not done. I flip him over, m my forearm across his throat, baring teeth. He tries to speak. I punch him again. ¡°Try that shit again,¡± I snarl, voice so low it¡¯s animal. ¡°See if I don¡¯t rip your goddamn tongue out Jessica shoves mr. ¡°Grayson, STOPITI You¡¯re going to kill him/ I turn to her. Snart still dripping from my mouth. My chest is heaving. ¡°Good.¡± She flinches. Pierce grabs my arm, but I rip out of his grip like it¡¯s nothing. ¡°Don¡¯t fuckin ¡°Don¡¯t fucking touch me,¡± I snap. I take one step forward, then Pierce is in front of her¨Carms out, blocking me. His face pale. ¡°Grayson, back the fuck off¨Cshe¡¯s my sister.¡± ¡°Oh, now she¡¯s s your sister?¡± Pierce¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡°What the hell does that mean-?¡± I shove him. Hard. He stumbles back, nearly crashing into Jess. ¡°You really didn¡¯t know, huh?¡± Pierce looks between me and Jessica. ¡°Know what?¡± Silence. Jessica¡¯s eyes widen, lips trembling. Fuck. I stalk toward her. ¡°Tell him. Go ahead.¡± ¡°No¨CGrayson-¡± *Tell him, Jess.¡± ¡°Grayson,¡± she gasps, eyes wide with panic, her voice already cracking. ¡°don¡¯t-¡± I take another step. ¡°Tell him, Jess ¡°Stop,¡± she whispers again, but it¡¯s weaker this time, like she¡¯s already losing the fight with herself and maybe I¡¯m still hoping she¡¯ll say it. That she¡¯ll take my hand. That she¡¯ll stand in the fire with me. I will fight for us, Jess. I will fight for us just don¡¯t do this to me: I don¡¯t know how to feel But she doesn¡¯t She looks at me like I¡¯m a stranger. Her mouth opens. And the wordse out in a voice so soft, so strangled, it tears something inside me clean in half, ¡°We¡¯re done, Grayson.¡± DAUG Everything in me just¨Cstops. ¡°We¡¯re done. She says it like a fact. Like it¡¯s already over. Like there¡¯s nothing left to fight for, And it doesn¡¯te with yelling, or ps, or even tears¨Cnot yet. It justes quiet and steady, and somehow that¡¯s worse. Somehow that kills more than screaming ever could, My heart keeps beating, but it doesn¡¯t feel like it belongs in my chest anymore, It feels wrong, Heavy Loud. Out of ce. Jessica takes another step back, her breath hitching, arms wrapping around herself like she¡¯s trying to hold her own bones together ¡°Please,¡± she says, and now her voice does break, choked and shaking. ¡°Please, Pierce. Get him out of the house I can¡¯t fucking afford to lose her. Goddess, I can¡¯t. Jess is everything. She¡¯s the only thing that ever made any of this shit make sense. ¡°Jess¡­¡± I croak out, stumbling forward like a man shot in the stomach. My hands reach for her without thinking, desperate, begging. needing, but she flinches back before I can touch her. ¡°Please,¡± I whisper, dropping to my knees, my palms open, empty, shaking so hard! can¡¯t hold them steady. ¡°Baby, please don¡¯t I can¡¯t even finish it. She folds her arms around herself and steps farther away, backing herself behind Pierce like she¡¯s hiding from me, like I¡¯m the fucking monster in this story. I try to crawl toward her anyway, because my legs don¡¯t work, because my brain¡¯s gone, because I can¡¯t not go to her. I can¡¯t just fucking sit here while she throws me away. ¡°Jess,¡± I choke, reaching for the hem of her shirt like if i could just grab her, if I could just touch her, she¡¯d remember¨Cshe¡¯d remember everything But she steps back again. Fast. Terrified. And that breaks me worse than anything else ever could. ¡°We¡¯re done,¡± she says, and her voice cracks right down the middle, raw and wet and miserable, and I know she¡¯s hurting too, I can see it but she still looks at me like she can¡¯t stand the sight of me. ¡°Please,¡± I beg one , baby. Don¡¯t do this. Don¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯t break up with me please?¡± She doesn¡¯t say anything. She just shakes her head, slow and trembling and sure. 09:47 Tue, 5 Aug Pierce moves in, hesitating, like he¡¯s waiting for her to change her mind, to say something¨Canything¨Cbut she doesn¡¯t She just presses h hand to her mouth ke she¡¯s trying not to cry, shoulders shaking so hard I can feel it in my bones. Pierce mps his hand around my arm ¡°Grayson-¡°His voice is sharp now, low, warning. 1jerk away so violently I almost knock him over, but I don¡¯t fight him, I don¡¯t fight anyone. I just stare at her. I want to memorize her I want to beg. I want to drop my head in herp and fucking cry like a pathetic plece of shit who doesn¡¯t deserve her. But she doesn¡¯t want that. She doesn¡¯t want me. So I push up to my feet, every joint locking, every breath punching out of my lungs like ss shards, and I back away one step at a time. I don¡¯t even know how I make it to the door. What I did fucking know is that I just lost my girl. AD Alpha Luna 32 Chapter 32 JESSICA I feel so bad. So fucking bad. But Pierce told me Mom¡¯sing home and I need to fix myself. Soltry. I¡¯ve wiped my face a dozen times, I¡¯ve told myself to breathe, to calm down, to hold it in for five damn minutes¨Cbut it just keepsing. My chest hurts. My ribs feel like they¡¯re caving in. My throat¡¯s raw from trying not to sob out loud. Pierce is next to me. He¡¯s not saying anything, thank god, but I can feel him watching me out of the corner of his eye. I hope he doesn¡¯t ask hope to god he doesn¡¯t touch me, if he does, I¡¯ll fall apart right here. I¡¯ll scream. I¡¯ll throw up. I don¡¯t know Mom¡¯s car pulls up. When she entered the house and give us a warm hug, I try to pretend I¡¯m d I saw her. I press my face to her shoulder and try not to cry. ¡°I¡¯m happy you¡¯re home,¡± I whisper. She pulls back just enough to lock at me, her brows knitting as she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. Her fingers are soft against my cheek. ¡°You okay, Jess?¡± ¡°Y¨CYeah¡± ¡°You look pale,¡± she says, brushing her thumb across my cheekbone. ¡°Have you been eating?¡± I choke on a push. She just pulls me close again, arms wrapping around me.¡± Aw. Both of my babies are so sweet¡± Pierce growls in the background, making meugh. He hates it when mom call us babies, ¡°Did Pierce take care of you while I¡¯m recovering, Jess?¡± ¡°He tried,¡± I say, smiling a little because that¡¯s what she wants¨Cwhat she needs. I can¡¯t give her the truth, so I give her that. Pierce snorts behind me.¡°I did take care of her. She¡¯s the one who didn¡¯t make it easy¡± Momughs like that¡¯s the cutest thing in the world,pletely missing how tight my voice is. How stiff my shoulders are in the kit After eating dinner with mom and waiting for her to sleep, Pierce and I are left in the kitchen doing the dishes. I mean, I¡¯m the only one doing the dishes He¡¯s just standing there, watching me. ¡°What?¡± Lasked, bothered. I scrub at the same dish twice. Finally, he says, ¡°You gonna talk about it!¡± I don¡¯t look at him. ¡°Talk about what?¡± I stare at the sink, at the swirling soap, trying to pretend that if I just keep washing, I can scrub the whole damn memory away. He sighs. ¡°Jess¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I whisper. He hesitates, then straightens,ing closer. ¡°You were shaking. I¡¯ve never seen you like that. He didn¡¯t he didn¡¯t hurt you, right? 09:47 Tue, 5 Aug I whip around. ¡°No. Jesus, Pience. No. ¡°Jess,¡± Pierce says again, firmer this time. ¡°Was he hurting you?¡± ¡°No.¡± My voice cracks, I turn around fast, clutching the towel like a shield. ¡°No, he never he didn¡¯t hurt me. Not like that¡± Pierce looks unconvinced Imeet his eyes anyway. ¡°He didn¡¯t hurt me, I repeat, ¡°I swear,¡± Grayson just broke my heart. He shattered it. ¡°Jess ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± I shake my head, fast, desperate.¡± can¡¯t. If talk about it, I start crying again and Mom will hear and I can¡¯t¨Ci can¡¯t ruin her first night back with this.¡± Pierce moves like he¡¯s about to reach for me. I step away and that makes him stop. clutch the edge of the sink tighter, my knuckles going white, my breath hitching high in my chest because it feels like if let go of this stupid fucking dish towel, if let my hands go ck for even a second, I¡¯ll fall apart all over the floor. ¡°Jess,¡± he says, quieter now, like he¡¯s trying not to scare me off. ¡°You¡¯re not okay.¡± I squeeze my eyes shut I know I¡¯m not. I feel like my whole body¡¯s bruised from the inside out, my heart cracked wide open and bleeding down into my stomach, making me sick, making me hollow. ¡°I just need to get through tonight¡± I whisper. ¡°Please, Pierce. Just let me get through tonight.¡± There¡¯s a stretch of silence where neither of us moves, I can feel the words he¡¯s holding back, the way he wants to push, to fix, to be the big brother who drags the truth out of me whether I want it or not But he doesn¡¯L instead, he shifts his weight like he¡¯s hurting too, like he¡¯s still seeing the pieces of me i can¡¯t hide fast enough. ¡°You know,¡± he says slowly, voice tight, ¡°if you just said the word¡­ I¡¯d fucking kill him.¡± Something inside me shatters all over again, Pierce has and will always be protective of me. I know that Tears burn hot at the back of my throat. I shove the dish harder into the sink, hearing the porcin crack against the steel, but I don¡¯t care. ¡°I don¡¯t want him dead,¡± I whisper. ¡°I just want him to stop hurting me.¡± My voice breaks on thest word. I cover my face with my hands and suck in a breath so sharp it stings my lungs. Pierce curses under his breath. The next second, his arms are around me, pulling me into him whether I want it or not I try to shove him away. I try to push at his chest, beat my fists against him because it¡¯s not fair, it¡¯s not fair that he¡¯s being kind when all want to do is drown in how much this hurts. But he doesn¡¯t let me go. And somewhere in the fight, my legs give out and I copse against him, silent sobs tearing out of me as I cling to his shirt like it¡¯s the only thing keeping me standing. ¡°I¡¯ve got you, Jess,¡± he mutters into my hair, holding me tighter. ¡°I¡¯ve got you.¡± I don¡¯t know when the fight leaves me. Maybe it¡¯s somewhere between the second and third sob. Maybe it¡¯s when Pierce tightens his arms like he¡¯s trying to hold all the broken pieces of me together. Maybe it¡¯s when the truth ws its way out of my throat before I can swallow it back down. ¡°I liked him,¡± I gasp into his chest, the words ripping out of me, ugly and broken and raw. ¡°I really liked him, Pierce.¡± His hand moves up and down my back, rough, desperate. ¡°I thought- My voice snaps, cutting off into a choked, humiliating noise. I drag a hand across my face, smearing tears everywhere, but they just keep falling, hot and relentless. 1 thought maybe I shake my head because I can¡¯t even finish the sentence. It¡¯s too stupid. Too pathetic. Maybe he loved me too. be I wasn¡¯t just a thing he used up and threw away. Maybe I But now the only thing that¡¯s real is the way Grayson looked at me, cold and guarded, like I was a problem he was finally solving by leaving And that look hurts worse than anything he could have said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whisper into his shirt, the words tasting like iron in my mouth. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean for any of this- ¡°Jess,¡± Pierce says, rough and sharp, dragging me back, ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to be sorry for.¡± I sob harder, pressing my forehead to Pierce¡¯s shoulder, my whole body wracked and trembling. The ache in my c my ribs might split apart just trying to contain it. chest is so deep it feels like It¡¯s not fair. None of it is fair. Alpha Luna 33 Chapter 33 JESSICA Days had passed and I think everything just went back to normal. Or maybe it didn¡¯t. Maybe I just got better at pretending Pierce is beside me, saying something about Mom and her medicine schedule, but it¡¯s all a blur. His voice is just noise now, I nod when I¡¯m supposed to nod. I smile when I¡¯m supposed to smile. I¡¯m getting good at it, Logan tried calling. He called once. Then twice. I stared at the phone until it stopped ringing. I told myself if I answered, I¡¯d have to say it out loud. I¡¯d have to hear myself admit that everything fell apart. So, I didn¡¯t pick up. Grayson¡­ Goddess. Grayson came to the house a few days ago. I heard the knock. I felt him through the door like he was a ghost wing at me from the other side. I didn¡¯t move. I didn¡¯t breathe. I just pressed my back to the wall and prayed he¡¯d leave. He didn¡¯t, not at first. He stayed. I could hear him outside¨Cbreathing, shitting, whispering my name so broken and desperate it almost cracked me open again. But I didn¡¯t open the door not when he¡¯s asking me what he did wrong for me to break up with him. I didn¡¯t open the door because if I saw him, I wouldn¡¯t survive it. Because if I looked him in the eyes and saw him shattered, it would ruin me. Because even now, even after everything, some stupid, bruised part of me still loves him. Pierce found me hourster, curled up on the floor, still huping my knees, still shaking like I could shake the memory out of me. He didn¡¯t say anything. He just picked me up like I weighed nothing and carried me to bed. That night, Pierce tucked me in like I was five years old again. He sat with me until I fell asleep. I think he¡¯s scared if he leaves me alone too long, I won¡¯t be here when he gets back. I¡¯m scared of that too. ¡°Jess,¡± Pierce says, stopping right before the door. His hand hovers near my elbow like he¡¯s scared I¡¯ll bolt. He insists on driving me to ss. even though I tell him a hundred times I can manage. ¡°You sure about this?¡± I give him the fakest smile I¡¯ve ever made in my life. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Pierce. Seriously.¡± He doesn¡¯t push. He just stands there, watching me with that same worried look that makes my chest splinter apart. Istep into the ssroom. I barely nce around¨Cbut my eyes catch on him immediately. Logan. He¡¯s lounging back in his chair like he doesn¡¯t have a single care in the world, messy hair, hall¨Clidded eyes. When he catches me looking, he gives me azy grin. I force a smile back. Honestly, I am not sure why I am even attending ss. Mom is worried when I skip ssesst week so I promised her attend today, I don¡¯t know what the teacher is saying. I don¡¯t care. For the past 2 hours, my mind is numb. It was when the bell rings i stop scribbling on my notes. However, I stay seated waiting for everyone to go out of the ssroom. I waited until it was me and Logan left. He tilts his head a little. ¡°You good, Jess?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I blurt out, voice cracking, barely above a whisper. I can¡¯t meet his eyes. Logan frowns. Steps closer. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°For dragging you into my mess. For-¡°My voice breaks again. I squeeze my eyes shut for a second, fighting for control. ¡°For being this There¡¯s a long, aching pause. Logan shits his weight, be wants to reach for me but doesn¡¯t know if he¡¯s allowed ¡°Jess,¡± he says, softer this time. We¡¯ve known each other since we were kids, and I just ruined us.¡°It¡¯s me. You don¡¯t have to apologize. 1/4 09:47 Tue, 5 Aug ¡°I just ¡°I cut myself off, gripping the strap of my bag like it¡¯s the only thing holding me to the earth. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to hurt anyone. ¡°I know,¡± Logan says quietly. I squeeze my eyes shut. Goddess, it would be so easy to just sink into him. To let him hold me, to pretend everything¡¯s okay, to be somebody else for five fucking minutes. But I can¡¯t. Because every time I close my eyes, it¡¯s still Grayson it¡¯s still him. And it hurts. Logan clears his throat. ¡°You don¡¯t have to talk about it.¡± I nod, swallowing a sob that burns all the way down.¡± We¡¯re still friends, right?¡± ¡°After you kissed me?¡± I finally look up at him, and he¡¯s watching me, like he¡¯s trying to figure out what piece of me to catch before I fall apart again. I want to tell him everything I want to tell him I¡¯m so tired. That I miss Grayson so much it feels like I¡¯m dying a little more every time blink. But I can do is swallow it back, force a brittle, shaking breath, and shove my things into my bag. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Logan. for that too,¡± I whisper, voice breaking around the words. I mean it. Goddess, I mean it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you got hurt because of me, He chuckles under his breath, touching the edge of the bruise purpling along his jaw with a wince. ¡°Hey,¡± he says, halfughing, half- groaning. ¡°At least now we know why he¡¯s going to be the future Alpha,¡± The joke stabs me right through the ribs, I choke out a wateryugh, clutching my arms tighter around myself, trying to hold all the broken pieces inside. Logan just smiles¨Clopsided, bruised, still trying to make it easier for me. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Jess,¡± he says, voice dipping soft like a secret just for me. ¡°I¡¯m your best friend, remember? Baby, I¡¯d take a punch for you any day.¡± He nudges my arm with his elbow, gentle, familiar. ¡°I¡¯d throw a few back, too,¡± he adds, grinning, ¡°just say the word.¡± That almost makes me cry again. I blink up at the ceiling, biting hard on my lip to keep it together. ¡°Thanks,¡± I manage, my voice barely a breath. He ruffles my hair like I¡¯m still that stupid kid he used to sneak cookies with behind the cafeteria. ¡°Always got you, Jess,¡± he murmurs, We¡¯re walking toward the door when Logan nces at me, like he¡¯s checking again if I¡¯m okay, I nod¨Ctoo fast, too fake¨Cbut he lets it go, nudging the door open for me. I step out first and immediately freeze. Grayson is there. Leaning against the wall just a few feet away, casual in a way that¡¯s anything but casual Hands shoved deep into his pockets. Shoulders tense beneath his jacket. His head tipped down, but his eyes¨CGod, those eyes¨Care locked straight on me. He¡¯s a mess There¡¯s a split on his lip, a bruised smear along his cheekbone. His knuckles look raw too, like he¡¯s been fighting something bigger than just 09:47 Tue, 5 Aug? *j*** ? Logan. ¡°U¡°Logan¡¯sugh is shaky, scraping the back of his throat. He squeezes my shoulders once, quick and nervous, then steps back think i should go,¡± he mutters under his breath, almost like he¡¯s asking permission I don¡¯t say anything. I can¡¯t. Logan backs away, tossing Grayson a pointed re as he goes, but Grayson doesn¡¯t even blink at him. He¡¯s not looking at Logan. He¡¯s only looking at me. Grayson straightens up from the wall like it hurts to move, like every bone in his body¡¯s bruised from the inside out. His shirt¡¯s wrinkled, cor askew, blond dried in the corner of his mouth where it split. His eyes¨Cgod, his eyes¨Cthey¡¯re hollowed out inged dark like he hasn¡¯t slept, like he¡¯s bem dragged through every circle of hell and still begged for more if it meant petting to see me one ¡°Jess,¡± he says a sand almost fall apart. ¡°Can we talk?¡± He drags a hand through his hair, rough, helpless, and then his voice cracks apart when he says, ¡°Please, baby just need five minutes with you.¡± My throat closes so tight I can barely breathe. Five minutes. Five minutes to what? To lie to me again? To break me all over? I take a step back, ¡°No,¡± I whisper, then louder, fierce enough to make my own ears ring, ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to you anymore, Grayson.¡± For a second, he just stands there¨Clost¨Cblinking at me like he can¡¯t make sense of the words, like they¡¯re a foreignnguage he doesn¡¯t know how to survive. His mouth opens, shuts. He shakes his head like he¡¯s trying to clear it, like he¡¯s trying not to fall apart right there in the hallway where everyone can see. And then, brokenly, raw enough to scrape the marrow from my bones, he says, ¡°My father is going to announce my engagement to Aria tomorrow.¡± My lips part, air hissing in that feels like knives down my throat. I stagger a step back, vision blurring, nausea climbing up my spine. ¡°W¨CWhat did you just say?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he says, voice wrecked and small, so fucking small, like he¡¯s the one about to cry now. ¡°I didn¡¯t want it to happen like this¨Cfuck Jess, I didn¡¯t want you to hear it from anyone else. I just ¡°he chokes off, running a hand down his face. ¡°I just needed to tell you first.¡± Something inside me snaps. Without thinking, without hesitating, I shove him back with both palms to his chest ¨C hard¨Cand when he stumbles, blinking at me like he can¡¯t believe I¡¯d actually touch him like that, it my hand and p him across the face ¡°Fuck you,¡± I gasp, chest heaving, vision swimming in wetness1 can¡¯t blink away. ¡°Fuck you!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± he whispers, s, voice hoarse, ruined, his arms loose at his sides like he¡¯s forgotten how to defend himself. Tm sorry. I just. I wanted you to hear it from me first. You deserve that much.¡± I don¡¯t even realize I¡¯m crying until the bears it my lips, salt and bitter, sliding into the open wound he just made deeper. I don¡¯t say another word. Trun.. U3.47 ue, 5 Aug And I don¡¯t look back Alpha Luna 34 Chapter 34 GRAYSON I¡¯m so fucking done. I tip the ss back, bourbon searing down my throat, but it¡¯s not enough to numb it. Across the clearing the pack¡¯s celebrating like they¡¯re at a fucking carnival Banners, bonfire,ughter. All for me. All for the death of the only goddamn thing ever wanted. Lalmost begged him. I almost fucking begged the old man not to do this to me But I knew better knew it wouldn¡¯t change a thing. It would only make me look weaker. Make it worse. He fucking sold me. Tied my future to Aria¡¯s fucking bloodline because her father offered the right bribe at the right time. And if so much ¨¢s blink wrong tonight¨Cdifuck this up¨Che¡¯ll call Riot back from whatever hole he¡¯s been rotting in and hand him the blessing to be the next Alpha. The pack would never survive that. Jessica would never survive that. I grip the ss so hard it creaks, the urge to smash it against the nearest tree almost overwhelming I could kill Riot. I could kill him in three seconds t, easy, like breaking the neck of a rabbit. But Aria¡­ Aria would take me down with her She made that crystal fucking clear thest time we spoke, Drop her name, she said, and she¡¯d ruin me. Drag my name through the mud until there was nothing left. What fucking choice do I have? I can¡¯t do a fucking thing except pour another drink with hands that won¡¯t stop shaking and pretend this isn¡¯t killing me. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Pierce asked. He pours himself another drink while we both look at the crowd. The announcement has been made earlier as a surprise. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you¡¯re getting married.¡± | sport- adry, humorless sound that feels like it scrapes my throat raw. ¡°Yeah, I mutter. ¡°Me neither.¡± He ?¡± I bark augh, ugly and hollow. ¡°You volunteering?¡± I snap. Pierce chuckles. I know he¡¯s got a lot of fucking questions, especially after seeing me begging his little sister to stay with me like some pathetic fuck ¡°I mean,¡± he sayszily, swirling his bourbon wound like we¡¯re just two guys shooting the shit, ¡°if you need someone to hold the ring, carry the coffin, whatever you call this mess¡­¡± I shift my stance, crossing my arms, uncrossing them, taking another drink just to have something to do with my hands. ¡°fucking wish¡­¡°I muller, voice rough and low. I press the heel of my hand against my mouth for a second, like I could shove the word back down, but they keeping ¡°I fucking wish none of this was happening.¡± I turn toward him, biting the inside of my cheek so hard | taste blood. My voice scrapes out raw ¡°Is she here?¡± CU9.4/ Pierce is an eyebrow. ¡°You mean Jess?¡± he says, like he¡¯s amused. ¡°She¡¯s around. Probably at the bar getting a third ss of wel Third ss. Because of me. The next words crawl up my throat like ss. ¡°Did I make her¡­¡± I swallow hard The shame is a fucking noose around my neck. Cry!¡± It sounds pathetic even to me. Weak Small. But it¡¯s the only thing I care about anymore. Pierce looks at me for a long second, the smirk sliding off his face. His mouth pulls into a grim line. ¡°Every night,¡± he says finally, quiet and mean and real ¡°Good job, asshole¡± A few minutester, I was called by my father and I was forced to have a dance with A for everyone. ¡°I feel so lucky,¡± she says, the words dripping off her tongue. The arrogance in her voice, the way she presses in closer, it makes my stomach burn. ¡°You¡¯re everything I¡¯ve ever wanted, Grayson,¡± she breathes, her voicew, teasing. Her hand slides down my chest again, leaving that burning trail of her touch, If the whole pack is not watching, I probably had my hand on her throat, watching her struggle to breath. ¡°Shut up and just dance Aria¡± ¡°Oooh, Is my baby Grayson pissed right now! She chuckles, ptoe a little bit until her lips is almost brushing at my ear.¡°You know, we can get out of here and have a little fun.¡± People giggle at our direction, I am very tempted to push her. Aria loosened one of the strings of her dress. I realized that there¡¯s no fucking saving her. That this is not just our father¡¯s scheme. ¡°What happened to you?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± I stop dancing and just stare at her face. She¡¯s kind and heartwarming when I first met her. Now, I can¡¯t even look at her. ¡°Why are you doing this? ¡°I want you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± She looks at me. ¡°What do you mean that¡¯s it? Aria also stopped dancing. We were just in the middle of the crowd now, looking like fucking idiots. It¡¯s a good thing the others already decided to join us. ¡°You¡¯re just going to be a whore.¡± I say mercilessly as I watch the color drain her face ¡°When my father asked you to be my Lane, he doesn¡¯t mean you are good, perfect or a respectable woman. He means, you¡¯re a good breeding material for our family to continue our bloodline.¡± Aria¡¯s breath is fast and shallow. I curl my lips, not caring that she¡¯s almost tearing up. That¡¯s what she gets crossing me ¡°So if were you, will stop this obsession and just live my life¡± After that, I left her. I don¡¯t fucking care if my father is shouting my name. The crowd shatter in half as I made my way out of the crowd. I don¡¯t know which way I¡¯ll go because I have nothing but Jess in my mind. I¡¯m halfway to my car, my mind nk except for one thing¨Cher¨Cwhen see her. Jessica. My girl She was a fucking disaster¨Chair tangled, dress riding high, a half¨Cempty bottle of wine swinging from her fingers like a weapon she was too drunk to use. Wine was dripping down her chest, soaking the front of her dress, sticking it to her tits so tight I could see everything. For the love of the moon goddess! I dragged my tongue across my bottom lip because it I didn¡¯t, I was gonna grab her, throw her over my shoulder and drive until we hit a state line. Instead, I walked. Right toward her. ¡°Ohhh look,¡± she slurred, tipping the bottle toward me. ¡°It¡¯s my cheating ex AD Alpha Luna 35 GRAYSON I squeered my fists so hand my knuckles popped ¡°Your drunk, Jess?¡± iharked, grabbing her wrist before she could stumble thefucking Sheughed again, threw her head back, and try to touch my face. I backed her up on her as hit the side of my car with a hollow that. Her dress code up, Bashing bare thighs and the edge of palece where she hadn¡¯t bothered with proper clothes tonight No one¡¯s around. No one would slop the I could open the door, shove her inside, and drive until this entire fucked up vige was a smear in the rear vie I could take her far away from everyone and everything and no one would find us until it was toote. I dragged my gaze over her¨Cfilthy, hungry, sick with it¨Cdrinking in every drunken, ruined inch Fuck, the her up, steal her, fix her. ¡°Get off me,¡± she mumbled, voice slurring, hands weakly pushing at me. Pathetic little shoves that didn¡¯t even fucking move me an inchiughed low, mimacing, Itaged her in harder, pressing her into the side of the car until she felt every inch of the weight of me. Felt how hopeless it was felt how much could crush her if I wanted to Her body went rigid, and I could feel her pulse quicken, the rapid beat of it against my chest. She was scared. But she¡¯d never admit it ¡°You think you can still tell me what to do, baby?¡± rasped, voice low and soaked with a venom I was sure she could feel vibrating through her ¡°You think you can still fucking run?¡± I gritted out, moving my mouth closer to the shell of her ear, brushing my lips against the side of her neck. I could feel her shudder, but it wasn¡¯t from the cold. It was fear. Good. I wanted that Her body Trembled violently under mine, a stark contrast to the way her mouth kept spitting out lies. ¡°You¡¯re getting married,¡± she said again, her hands shoving at me like it meant anything. ¡°Damn you! You freaking asshole¡± She had no fucking clue. No idea what she was really up against. Lepted her pain because it the only thing I could do for her right now, it¡¯s all i could do. Jess kept pounding at my chest with those tiny hands, those pathetic, desperate little ps. But each time they hit, they felt weaker. caught her wrist¨Cquick, brutal¨Cpulling her hands above her head and pinning them to the car. She gasped, a sh of panic flooding her face. Her lips parted, breathing shallow, but the anger still wing at her face. She was so fucking beautiful, so goddamn broken, Fuck her for making me want this ¡°Listen,¡± I growled, jerking her ann just enough to make her wince. My other hand went to the back of her neck, holding her in ce while! let my eyes roam over her body. She was soft. Vulnerable, Drunk, Mine. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re the only one hurting here, Jess?¡± She tried to jerk away, but I pinned her tighter. Held her there, Held us both there. ¡°You think this is what i fucking wanted¡± snarled against her mouth. ¡°You think I wanted to stand there tonight, wearing a ring that means nothing, dancing with a girl I don¡¯t give two fucks about crushed her wrists harder into the wall, my whole body shaking. ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice, baby,¡± My volce cracked. ¡°I never fucking did.¡± Jess whimpered, salt, broken. Her eyes glistened, but she blinked the tears away like she hated herself for it. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. I crushed my mouth down on hers¨Csavage, brutal¨Clike I could shove the words she refused to hear straight down her fucking throat. She struggled for half a second, her body writhing against mine, and then her lips opened and she kissed me back, angry and desperate and furious ¡°Grayson¡­¡± I drank her in, kissed her like I was drowning, like she was thest breath I¡¯d ever g get. ¡°Give me a week I broke the kiss just enough to growl against her mouth, my forehead mming lightly into hers. ¡°Just a fucking week to sort this out.¡± Another kiss¨Charder, harsher ¨C biting down on her lower lip until she gasped. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you hate me,¡± I rasped, tasting blood and wine and pure goddamn heartbreak. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you want to kill me.¡± I kissed her again, dragging her bottom lip between my teeth until she whimpered. My hand slid down from her wrist to the side of her face, holding her jaw, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes were wild¨Cssy with anger and confusion and the kind of grief that mirrored my own. I¡¯ll burn ????? it all down, Jess,¡± I said, voice wrecked and raw. ¡°This wedding. My fucking family. Everything. Just say the word,¡± She shook her head, a sob catching in her throat. ¡°No¨Cno, you can¡¯t-¡± ¡°I will,¡± I cut her off, fierce and unrelenting. ¡°I¡¯ll destroy it all for you. Just¡­¡± I swallowed hard, the words wing their way up my throat. ¡°Just don¡¯t walk away from me yet¡± Jess sucked in a shaking breath, tears spilling over even as she shook her head again, her whole¨Cbody trembling under my hands. I kissed her again¨Crougher this time, like punishment, like prayer. My thumb brushed her cheek, catching a tear. ¡°Give me a week¡± I begged against her mouth. ¡°Just a fucking week baby and i¡¯ll make us work.¡± Jess pushed at my chest, weak, useless, drunk. ¡°You¡¯re a liar,¡± she choked out, hitting me again with the softest fucking fists. ¡°You¡¯re getting married. Why would I trust you? Theard you talking about her with Pierce.¡± I grabbed her wrists again, mmed them back over her head, pinning her to the car so hard the frame groaned. ¡°So, that¡¯s why you¡¯re angry at me? Why you ended us?¡± She whimpered, twisting, but I didn¡¯t let her gg. Couldn¡¯t. I needed her to hear me eavesdropping make sure to finish the damn conversation.¡± needed her to understand. ¡°Next time, if you¡¯re I told Pierce I¡¯ll marry the girl. That girl is Jess in my mind, I just couldn¡¯t drop that shit because she wanted to hide us ¡°I hate you,¡± Jess whispered, eyes ssy, mouth trembling, after I told her that. I kissed her ¨C savage, feral¨Cswallowing the lie from her lips. ¡°No, you don¡¯t,¡± I growled against her mouth. ¡°You fucking love me and you hate yourself for it¡± She cried then¨Creal, broken sobs that tore out of her chest and ripped through mine like barbed wire. loosened my grip, just enough to cradle her face in both hands, holding her like she was thest fragile thing left in my fucked¨Cup world. ¡°I¡¯ll fix this,¡± I swore, forehead pressed to hers. ¡°I don¡¯t care if I have to burn the whole fucking world down. I¡¯lle back for you.¡± Jess sobbed harder, her hands fisting into my shirt like she couldn¡¯t decide whether to punch me or pull me closer. I kissed her onest time¨Cslow this time, lingering, like memorizing a wound I¡¯d never be able to heal before forcing myself to pull away ¡°I love you,¡± I said, the words breaking something open inside me as they left my mouth. ¡°Goddess help me, Jess, I love you more than my own fucking life.¡± Alpha Luna 36 Chapter 36 JESSICA I feel so stupid. Goddess, am I that easy to get? Grayson is snoring beside me as I stare at the ceiling. What did I do? I look at myself under the cover and sigh because atleast, I didn¡¯t had sex with himst night. However, I still ended up sleeping with him on my bed. What the fuck is wrong with me? He¡¯s getting married. I don¡¯t even know if he¡¯s lying to me or not. I don¡¯t know if any of the words he saidst night meant anything at all. Maybe I¡¯m just the fool who keeps falling for it- for him- every goddamn time. I feel the mattress shift behind me. Grayson is already pushing up behind me, his chest pressed to my spine, his legs bracketing mine. I squeeze my eyes shut when his mouth finds my shoulder ¨C a soft kiss, barely there. Another one, higher up, where the strap of my dress has fallen down my arm. A third, at the side of my neck. Lingering. ¡°Good morning baby,¡± he said. ¡°What are you thinking, hmm?¡± I don¡¯t answer. I can¡¯t. If I open my mouth, the tears wille. Grayson shifts behind me, sliding even closer, pressing kiss after kiss up the line of my throat to the back of my ear. ¡°Please,¡± he whispers, the word shaky, almost broken. ¡°Share your thoughts with me.¡± My chest tightens. I want to believe him so badly it physically hurts. I turn my face slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of him over my shoulder. His hair is a mess. His eyes are heavy, rimmed with exhaustion and something deeper, something rawer. Without thinking, I lift a hand and brush my fingers against his jaw. Grayson stills¨Clike he¡¯s afraid to move, afraid to scare me off. I guide his face toward me, needing to see him, needing something. ¡°¡­¡± My voice cracks. I swallow hard, fighting past the lump rising in my throat. ¡°I remember what you saidst night.¡± He lets out a slow breath, like he¡¯s been holding it all night. His hand finds my waist under the nket, fingers sying against my ribs like. he¡¯s trying to hold me together with just his touch. ¡°I meant every word,¡± he says roughly. ¡°Every single one.¡± I blink up at him, searching his face, desperate for a lie I can cling to or a truth I can believe in. Grayson leans down. ¡°I¡¯m not lying to you, baby.¡± Another kiss, right under my jaw. ¡°I swear it.¡± Are you? It¡¯s hard to trust a love that is unsure. We spend so much time hurting each other sost time when he confessed his love to me, it felt¡­..like it¡¯s not real. ¡°Jess,¡± he says hoarsely, pressing his forehead against mine, eyes squeezed shut like he¡¯s praying for something. ¡°I meant every fucking 1/4 Chapter 36 word.¡± I nod, but it feels mechanical. My chest aches. ¡°You¡¯re still engaged,¡± I say, and the words taste like ash on my tongue. He flinches. ¡°I didn¡¯t want that,¡± he rasps. ¡°You know I didn¡¯t want that. It¡¯s my father. It¡¯s ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± I say, shoving at his chest. Grayson groans ¨C a deep, broken sound ¨C and finally nts his mouth over mine. ¡°Aria wants to be r my Luna.¡± ¡°So what?¡± I gasp, yanking my mouth free. Tears blur my vision, but I blink them back viciously. ¡°I¡¯m your mistress now?¡± His face twists. ¡°Guess it¡¯s too bad,¡± I snap, shoving him again, ¡°because I don¡¯t want to share my man, Grayson.¡± Something shifts. Everything stills. Grayson stares down at me- stunned like he¡¯s just been hit across the face. ¨C ¡°My man,¡± he repeats, his voice low, disbelieving. Dangerous. A dark, molten heat sparks behind his eyes. Before I can shove him again, he¡¯s already moving. He catches my wrist, fingers wrapping around it tight, and with one rough jerk he flips us over into the bed. I yelp, scrambling, but he¡¯s instantly on top of me. All heavy muscle, caging me in. His knee presses between my thighs. His hand pins mine above my head. I¡¯m trapped ¨C breathing hard ¨C my heart mming against my ribs. Grayson leans down until our noses almost touch. ¡°Say it again,¡± he says, voice shaking. ¡°Say it like you fucking mean it.¡± I squirm beneath him, angry and humiliated and wanting him so badly it terrifies me. ¡°This is stupid,¡± I mutter, turning my face away. ¡°You¡¯re getting married, you¡¯re-¡± His free hand catches my chin, forcing me to look at him. ¡°No. His thumb brushes my bottom lip, rough but weirdly gentle. ¡°No more running, Jess. No more lies between us.¡± Tears slip out ¨C silent, traitorous. Goddess, I hate him for making me feel this much. I hate myself for still wanting him even more. Grayson presses another kiss to my mouth ¨C softer this time, aching. His body shudders against mine like he¡¯s holding back something brutal and ugly and desperate. ¡°I¡¯m yours,¡± he says, breathing the words into my mouth like a prayer. ¡°I¡¯ve always been yours. Even when I was too fucking stupid to admit it.¡± I clench my eyes shut, trying to block him out/But there¡¯s no escaping him. ¡°Please, baby.¡± His lips trace down my jaw, my throat. ¡°What can I do for you to believe me?¡± Another kiss¨Clower¨Cdragging his mouth slowly down the curve of my shoulder. ¡°Anything,¡± he whispers, breath hot against my skin. ¡°Anything you want, Jess.¡± I bury my fingers in his hair and he moves up instantly. He would let me do anything to him right now. He wants me to. ¡°You¡¯ll do anything?¡± I whisper, voice shaking. Chapter 36 He nods once, so fast it almost hurts to watch. ¡°Anything, baby. Anything¡± I swallow, heart pounding so hard I can barely breathe. ¡°Be good to me,¡± I say, barely more than a breath. ¡°During practice. Don¡¯t, don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t care.¡± His face crumples, pure agony crashing across his features. ¡°Oh, Jess,¡± he rasps, kissing my forehead, my eyelids, my cheeks frantic desperate kisses like he¡¯s trying to stitch me back together with his mouth. ¡°I care. I fucking care so much it kills me I fist his hair tighter, dragging him down to me, and he follows¨Chelpless¨Csmashing his mouth against mine like he can¡¯t bear another second of distance. Our kiss is messy. Open¨Cmouthed, tear¨Cslick, hungry. His hand slips under my dress, trembling, not trying to take ¨C just touching, worshipfully, like he can¡¯t believe I¡¯m real. ¡°I¡¯ll be good,¡± he promises, broken against my mouth. ¡°I swear it, baby. I¡¯ll be so fucking good for you.¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t stop kissing me. His lips trail down the curve of my neck, soft, reverent kisses that make my pulse race. I gasp as his mouth lingers lower, just below my corbone, and my hands find his head again, threading through his messy hair. ¡°Grayson¡­¡± I murmur, voice shaking. ¡°What are you doing to me?¡± His eyes meet mine then, a storm of need and something far more desperate, as if he¡¯s trying to carve himself into me. ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever you want,¡± he growls, voice raw, cracking with restraint. ¡°I¡¯ll be everything you need, Jess. Just¡­ let me love you like this.¡± He kisses lower, moving past my throat, down the center of my chest, while his hands slide to the edge of my dress, pushing it up slowly, worshipping my skin as if every inch of me is sacred. His lips follow the path of his hands, soft, slow kisses that make me shiver. I gasp again, my chest rising and falling with each ragged breath, my body reacting in ways I can¡¯t control. His kisses are a slow burn, igniting every nerve in my body. He doesn¡¯t rush; it¡¯s like he¡¯s savoring every moment, memorizing the way I feel beneath him. When his tips find the curve of my breast, I push my head back, unable to stop the desperate little sound that escapes me. ¡°Grayson¡­¡± I breathe, pushing at his head, though my fingers tighten in his hair, urging him closer. ¡°Don¡¯t stop.¡± His eyes re with intensity, a fire burning deep in his gaze as he looks up at me. He licks his lips like he¡¯s savoring a taste that he knows will never be enough, then lowers his mouth to where I need him most. ¡°You feel so fucking good, baby.¡± His voice cracks as he pulls my underwear down, teasing me, making me ache for more. ¡°I want you to feel every inch of me.¡± I w at his shoulders, pushing him lower, forcing his head between my legs. ¡°Don¡¯t make me beg,¡± I say, my voice strained, barely above a whisper. Grayson smirks against my skin, brushing his lips over my inner thigh, teasing me with his breath. ¡°You think you can make me beg for you, Jess?¡± he murmurs, voice dripping with lust and something darker. ¡°You think I need to beg for anything from you?¡± My body trembles as he lowers his mouth, sending waves of fire through me. His tongue flicks against me, and I bite my lip to keep from moaning too loudly. ¡°God, you taste so fucking good.¡± He growls, licking, sucking, every movement deliberate, torturously slow. His hands grip my hips, pushing me into him, and I can feel how much he wants me¨Chow much he needs me. But he¡¯s not rushing. He¡¯s making me suffer with every touch, every slow, agonizing second. ¡°Grayson¡­ please¡­¡± I whimper, my hands threading through his hair, tugging him closer. ¡°I can¡¯t take this anymore. I need you.¡± Chapter 36 He grins up at me, that filthy grin that makes my insides twist. ¡°You¡¯ll get what you need, baby. Don¡¯t worry shout that! And tha me again, his mouth relentless, like he¡¯s trying to own every inch of me. I¡¯m a mess. My body writhing, desperate for him to touch me more, deeper. My hands pull at his hair, dragging him up, my fingers pipPIGER jaw as I crush my lips to his. My body burns. ¡°Please, Grayson,¡± I moan, my voice full of desperation. ¡°I need you. I want you. Right now.¡± His expression hardens, the intensity of his desire matching mine. Without another word, he ms his mouth back onto mine, his hands pushing my thighs apart as he moves between them. ¡°Good girl,¡± he mutters against my lips, his breath hot. ¡°You¡¯re fucking mine, Jess. Alf mine.¡± Alpha Luna 37 Chapter 37 JESSICA Me: Stop looking at me like that. Baby Alpha: Looking like what? frown, throwing Grayson a hideous look as he chuckles, still staring at his phone. We¡¯re taking a break from training session when I notice him giving me a look. The others look at each other because he is very weird right now and I know why. Logan hisses beside me. ¡°You¡¯re making it obvious.¡± I quickly hide my phone and stole his bottle of water. ¡± Obvious of what?¡± ¡°You¡¯re back together?¡± I throw Grayson another look, trying to force my voice steady. ¡± No. He¡¯s getting married.¡± I swear to the moon goddess, if Grayson doesn¡¯t stop with that fucking grin, I¡¯ll strangle him with his own damn shirt. ¡°So, you knew,¡± Logan says, dragging out the word as he finally looks up, locking eyes with me. He tilts his head, the corner of his mouth twitching. ¡°Just make sure you know what you¡¯re getting yourself into, Jess.¡± It makes me sick how much his words make my stomach flip. I know what he¡¯s thinking, and I know what others will think of me if this goes out and I know I am better than this. ¡°Alright, enough of the damn gossip.¡± Grayson shouted, shifting everyone¡¯s attention to him. ¡°Back to practice.¡± I don¡¯t even have time to respond. Grayson¡¯s already moving, striding to the center of the room with that swagger he knows drives me crazy. ¡°Pair up,¡± he demands, his eyes scanning the room. ¡°And for the love of the gods, get this right. I want this session clean. No bullshit.¡± I roll my eyes, still pissed off at the whole situation, but I have to move. It¡¯s practice. So I walk to the designated spot, my muscles tense as I wait for whateveres next. Grayson looks at me, and I freeze. ¡°You¡¯re with me, Jess.¡± A few heads turn, eyes narrowing in suspicion, but Grayson doesn¡¯t care. He¡¯s already walking toward me, too confident, too sure of himself. ¡°No, Grayson,¡± I say, my voice harsh, but I can feel the heat in my stomach rising. ¡°I mean, alpha. I think I¡¯ll just partner with Logan.¡± He¡¯s trying to make it obvious! Inside, I¡¯m panicking because what if the others realize what we have? He smirks. ¡°You don¡¯t get a say. Get over here.¡± The others are silent. No one moves, but I can feel their eyes on us. It¡¯s like everything slows down, like they¡¯re waiting for me to snap. I should. I should say something¨Ctell him to fuck off. But instead, my feet move. My body reacts before my mind can catch up. Grayson¡¯s already waiting, arms crossed, his eyes locked on mine. ¡°Try to stay alive at the end of the practice, okay. I just step up beside him, my jaw tight, my chest rising and falling faster than I want it to. Damn him and his mouth. 11:14 Tue, 12 Aug His grin widens. ¡°Don¡¯t die on me, fets- I swallow hard, feeling a mix of anger and desire surge through me. He¡¯s always been like this dominant, confronting and i kena tara trying to let the others not suspect is, but I hated how he talks to He steps closer, his presence a smoldering inferno I can¡¯t look away from. His fingers trace the outline of my jaw a soft, pe to lips hover next to my ear, barely a breath away, sending a shiver straight down my spi?e ¡°You still think you can take me on?¡± His voice is dark, stow, like it¡¯s meant to strip ma Bare with just the words. His regiti hit, agating my skin, making my pulse race even faster. I meet his gaze, refusing to break eye contact. Every part of me aches with wanting him. I know this game. And I vina endil anda. Bid Air now, I want to y. ¡°I like you better when you¡¯re talking dirty, baby,¡± I whisper back, just loud enough for him to hear The others are watching, but I don¡¯t care. It¡¯s just Grayson and me. ¡°You still think you can take me on?¡± he whispers, lips brushing my ear, his breath hot against my skin. I meet his gaze, refusing to break eye contact. Every part of me aches with wanting him, I know this game. And I know how it ends. But fo now, I want to y. ¡°I like you better when you¡¯re talking dirty, baby,¡± I whisper back, just loud enough for him to hear. Grayson smirks, but before he can say anything, I act ¨C fast, reckless, just like me. I snap my leg up in a swift kick aimed straight at his chest The others gasp in unison, shock shing across their faces as they take in the move. Grayson stumbles back, caught off guard, but only for a second. His eyes darken, lips curling into a wicked smile. ¡°Not bad, Jess.¡± I barely give him time to respond before Iunch myself toward him, my body moving with a fluidity that¡¯s almost instinctual i twist around, using my momentum to send another roundhouse kick toward his ribs. It¡¯s controlled, precise, and the force behind it is enough to make h grunt. I can tell he¡¯s impressed, though he hides it behind that cocky grin. ¡°You¡¯re good,¡± he mutters, his voice rough as he steps back, just barely out of reach. ¡°But I¡¯m not done yet.¡± He moves fast, faster than I expect, and suddenly I¡¯m the one¡¯on the defensive. His hands grab my wrists, pinning them above my head in one swift motion. My heart stutters, a mixture of rage and heat flooding my veins. ¡°That¡¯s cheating,¡± he says, a little too close forfort, his breath hot against my face. ¡°But you¡¯ve still got a long way to go if you wanna take me down.¡± I pull against his grip, frustrated, but the strength of his hold only makes me more determined. I twist, shifting my body under his, and with a quick jerk, I pull one hand free, mming it against his chest. ¡°Get off me,¡± I grit out, every wordced with defiance, but it sounds like a plea even to my own ears. And just when I think he¡¯s about to push me further, make me break, the sound of a car door mming in the distance breaks through the tension. Grayson freezes, his gaze snapping over my shoulder, and the look on his face¨Csurprise mixed with irritation¨Cm my blood run cold. A sleek ck car rolls into view, the engine purring as ites to a stop. And when the door opens, I don¡¯t need to see her to know who it is. Aria. ?? 11:14 Tue, 12 Auge His future fucking Luna. The sight of her stepping out of the car, tall, confident, and perfectly put together, is enough to fear a jagged hole through everything that was building between us. Grayson¡¯s jaw tightens, his body tense. He looks at me for a split second, something unreadable shing in his eyes, and for a moment, think he might say something¨Csomething that¡¯ll change everything. But then, he lets go of me, stepping back, his expression hardening ¡°Perfect timing,¡± he mutters, more to himself than to me. I stand there, breathless, my heart pounding in my ears. Grayson already walking towards her, his stance changing¡ªback to that cold, distant version of himself. I don¡¯t move. I don¡¯t know what to do. Aria¡¯s eyes flick to me as she approaches, her smile almost smug as she takes in the scene, like she knows exactly what just happened. She holds Grayson¡¯s gaze for a second longer than necessary, her lips curling into something that¡¯s not quite a smile. And then, in a move so casual it makes my blood boil, she takes his arm, threading hers through his like she¡¯s the fucking queen of the world. ¡°Hi baby, I miss you.¡± AD Send gift No Ads Jue, 12 Aug 2 Chapter 38 Alpha Luna 38 Chapter 38 GRAYSON C ¡°Baby?¡± ¡°Did she just fucking call you baby?¡± ¡°In front of me ah! Grayson¡­¡± There she shut up. My baby looks so fucking beautiful with madness on her face. Hair a mess, cheeks flushed, lips parted like she¡¯s about to cuss me out again and I swear to the moon, nothing turns me on more than the way she res at me like she wants to kill me and kiss me in the same breath. I¡¯ve got her pinned under me, her wrists caught in one hand above her head. My thigh¡¯s between hers, spreading her wide. ¡°Ignore her,¡± I mutter, leaning down to kiss the corner of her mouth, not quite letting our lips meet. ¡°She means nothing. You know that.¡± Jess jerks her head back, nostrils ring. ¡°Why did she want to talk with you anyway? And why are you letting her touch you like that?¡± I smirk ¨C fuck, I can¡¯t help it. She¡¯s so hot when she¡¯s spitting fire. ¡°Are you jealous?¡± Her eyes sh. I roll my hips down slow, just enough to press my hard¨Con against her soaked panties. She gasps and fuck, that sound could end me. ¡°I am not,¡± she snaps. She says she¡¯s not jealous. Cute. Iugh, low and rough, right against her jaw. ¡°Sure, baby. Keep lying to yourself.¡± She tries to buck me off. Dumb move. My thigh just presses harder between hers and I feel it ¨C that slick heat against my leg that says she¡¯s full of shit. She¡¯s wet. Furious. Gorgeous. And mine. ¡°Get off me, asshole,¡± she growls, struggling in my grip. ¡°Go entertain your little Luna.¡± Luna. Fucking hell. I groan, dropping my head to the crook of her neck, breathing her in. Her jealousy will be the death of me. If she only knew what it does to me. If she only knew I¡¯d let her cut my throat open if it meant she¡¯d keep looking at me like that ¨C like she owns me and hates it. ¡°She touched your arm,¡± she uses, biting each word out like poison. ¡°And you let her. You fucking let her.¡± ¡°So?¡± I mutter, dragging my lips across her neck, biting just enough to feel her jerk. ¡°What, you want to mark me up yourself? Put your mouth where hers was?¡± Her eyes re. Fuck. 1114 Tue Chapter 38 Troll my hips again, grinding slow, watching her breath catch. Her legs twitch around mine ¨C fighting it. Heading in I should¡¯ve told A to fuck off the moment she opened her mouth, that bitch is really looking for trouble. I know what we¡¯d deta cannot touch her unless I¡¯m fucking sure I¡¯m ready to burn her alive, Soon. When that happens, I¡¯m going to let Jess watch, so she knows not to get mad every time a girl touches me. I mean, she acts like she doesn¡¯t know who owns me. Who I crawl for. Who I fucking kneel for every goddamn time she so much as breathes too hard near me, It¡¯s only her. Always her. Jess probably doesn¡¯t know it yet I¡¯m addicted with her. Every time I see her, all I ever imagined is to put her on all fours, push her face into the pillow, and fuck her so deep she¡¯ll get knocked up with our pups. I sit up on my elbows, the sheet sliding down my abs, her eyes tracking the movement. Perv. ¡°She told me we¡¯re having dinner with her father,¡± I say, voice low, rough, like it hurts to say it out loud. Jess shifts onto her side. Her hair spills over her face, and she shoves it back with a scowl, but then¨Cfuck¨Cshe rests her head on my chest. Her fingers graze along my ribs. ¡°And you¡¯re going?¡± I swallow. Keep doing that and I¡¯ll probably just fuck her. Tss. She doesn¡¯t even know what she¡¯s ying with. ¡°I don¡¯t have a fucking choice.¡± I mutter. ¡°You always have a choice.¡± Goddess, look at her. That bratty little mouth that talks back and drives me insane and makes me imagine the most depraved shit I¡¯ve ever thought in my life. ¡°I¡¯m not going to fuck her, Jess,¡± I say through my teeth. ¡°I don¡¯t even want her breathing near me.¡± I watch her swallow. Her throat moves. Fuck. ¡°She touched your arm.¡± Oh, baby. I want tough. I want to fucking moan. ¡°She touched my arm,¡± I echo, rolling my hips up against hers, just to feel her pulse race. ¡°And you were ready to w her fucking eyes out.¡± She doesn¡¯t deny it. She doesn¡¯t even flinch. My beautiful little psycho. She just holds my stare and clenches her jaw like she¡¯s the one barely restraining herself. ¡°That better mean you¡¯re mine.¡± ¡°I never said I wasn¡¯t.¡± I bite the inside of my cheek. Fucking hell. That answer shouldn¡¯t make me this hard. I roll us, pinning her again, our bodies sliding against the sheets, every inch of her under me like fire under skin. She¡¯s staring up at me with that look¨Cfurious, embarrassed, hungry¨Cand I swear to the Goddess, if she breathes w cock buried so deep in her she¡¯ll forget Aria ever existed. ¡®ll end up with my ¡°I hold back so hard for you, Jess.¡± I whisper it as I kiss the corner of her mouth. ¡°You don¡¯t even know. You think I don¡¯t want to ruin you every fucking morning you walk around in those tiny shorts, acting like you¡¯re not mine?¡± Chapter 38 I kiss her throat, her corbone. Drag my tongue across her skin like I¡¯m starving. ¡°I could be such a bad fucking man for you. You¡¯d hate how much you liked it.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re still going?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want me to,¡± I say, low, dragging my hand up her thigh. ¡°That¡¯s cute.¡± ¡°Grayson-¡± I groan, dragging my mouth back up to hers, barely brushing our lips. ¡°If I don¡¯t show, they¡¯ll notice,¡± I mutter. ¡°Aria¡¯s dad will take it as disrespect. I¡¯m already walking on ss there.* Her jaw clenches. ¡°But,¡± I add, voice dipping, ¡°she invited you too.¡± That makes her blink. ¡°She what?¡± ¡°You. Pierce. Logan, if you want to drag his dramatic ass along.¡± I watch it hit her. Her whole body goes stiff under mine. ¡°She invited me? Knowing I¡¯d be with you?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± I kiss her nose. ¡°Aria¡¯s not subtle. She thinks she¡¯s ying chess, but baby, she brought a dagger to a gunfight.¡± Jess shifts under me again not to pull away. Just to get a better angle. Her thigh curls around my hip like muscle memory. Her voice is a mutter now. ¡°If i go, I¡¯m bringing silverware.¡± Iugh, full and loud, burying my face in her shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re jealous. It¡¯s hot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not jealous,¡± she says, very obviously lying. ¡°I just don¡¯t like that she calls you baby. That¡¯s my I grin. ¡°Say it, then. Come on. Call me it.¡± She stares at me, eyes narrowing, lips twitching. ¡°Asshole.¡± ¡°Not that one.¡± ¡°Dog.¡± And I swear to the fucking moon, I could marry her right now. But before I can say it- Knock knock knock. insult.¡± Jessical Let¡¯s eat dinner¡± Het ev¨¦s go huge. She shoves at my chest. ¡°Get up shit, shit, get off me 1ugh, dragging the nket up as she climbs over me, hair wild, panicked. She throws one of my shirts at my face. ¡°Ge away. Pierce will kill you.¡± ¡°Let him. I¡¯ll die happy.¡± ¡°Grayson.¡± I sit up slowly, shamelessly grinning. ¡°You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re scared.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not scared. I just don¡¯t want my brother walking in and finding his Alpha between my legs.¡± I start tugging on my pants,zy, not even hurrying. Another knock. Louder. ¡°Jess? You okay?¡± She¡¯s shoving me now, dragging me toward the window. I look at it, then back at her. ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± ¡°Use it. Fast.¡± ¡°I¡¯m your Alpha,¡± I hiss, yanking on my shirt. ¡°And you want me to jump out the fucking window?¡± ¡°You¡¯re my dog, Grayson.¡± She kisses my cheek, wicked¨Cfast. ¡°Bye. I love you.¡± And then she shoves me, onest time. Tgo. Laughing. Alpha Luna 39 Chapter 39 JESSICA The garden is stupidly beautiful. Fairy lights hang like stars from the trellises, weaving through blooming white roses and night jasmine. The long table sits in the middle of it all, wrapped in soft gold linen, glowing candles flickering down the center. Someone even had the audacity to put real crystal sses out I know exactly whose work this is. Grayson¡¯s mother. She¡¯s obsessed with gardens, beauty, appearances. And it¡¯s working¨Cif I didn¡¯t feel like was about to be gutted and served with dessert, I might¡¯ve enjoyed this. Logan leans in. ¡°This looks like a wedding rehearsal dinner.¡± I elbow him. ¡°Shut up.¡± He snorts, unbothered, and steals a grape from the tray in front of us. I smooth down my dress for the third time and instantly regret wearing it. It¡¯s too soft, too clingy. Too pretty. I feel like I¡¯m trying too hard, which is pathetic, because I don¡¯t even know why I¡¯m nervous. It¡¯s just dinner. With my brother. And Grayson. And Logan. And Aria. Okay. Thatst one exins it. Aria looks like a goddamn porcin dagger. Pale pink silk. Thin straps. Glossy lips. Every move she makes is too graceful, too intentional, like she¡¯s performing for someone. Grayson hasn¡¯t said a word to me since we sat down. I wonder what¡¯s making my baby sad? I smirk at that thought. ¡°So,¡± Aria says, tilting her head at me. What a bitch. ¡°I just really wanted to meet the people Grayson grew up with. Since we¡¯re all going to be family soon.¡± I take a long sip of water, just to keep myself fromughing in Aria¡¯s face. Family. She really said family. ¨C Bitch thinks because she wore a pastel dress and memorized/a few facts about Grayson¡¯s mom¡¯s roses, she suddenly gets a seat at the table? more than once. Grayson¡¯s mother probably still waters the hydrangeas Please. I¡¯ve bled on this soil. Fought on it. Gotten fucked on it too beside the training field without knowing her future daughter¨Cinw had her legs over her son¡¯s shoulders right therest week. Aria¡¯s still babbling, her hand grazing Grayson¡¯s bicep in that fake¨Cinnocent way. He doesn¡¯t look at her. Doesn¡¯t touch her. But he doesn¡¯t stop her either. I don¡¯t me him. If he blinked too fast, he might get used of mistreating her or whatever polished bullshit she¡¯s rehearsed with her father. Aria¡¯s not subtle. She¡¯s a ss doll with a de behind her back ¨C too pretty, too practiced. She¡¯s here to perform. I shift in my seat, casual as hell, and stretch my leg under the table until the arch of my foot brushes against the inside of Grayson¡¯s thigh. Bullseye. He jolts ¨C barely ¨C just enough to make his knife scrape against his te. Got you, baby. ¡°Are you alright, alpha?¡± I ask sweetly, reaching for my napkin. I press it to my lips like I¡¯m hiding a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve barely touched your food.¡± Chapter 39 His eyes flick to mine. Stormy. Dangerous. Starved. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he says, but his voice is lower now. Rougher. That¡¯s the voice ite uses when he¡¯s trying really hard not to grab my face and vise in smirk off it. ¡°I¡¯m just so d your father arranged this,¡± she¡¯s saying. ¡°It¡¯s lovely to be included.¡± ¡°He really has such exquisite taste,¡± Aria continues, as if she doesn¡¯t notice Grayson¡¯s hands curling into fists. ¡°The decor¡­ the food¡­ I can see where you get your refinement from.¡± I flex my toes just below his zipper. Gods, I love making the Alpha squirm. ¡°You¡¯ve barely touched your food,¡± I murmur again, eyes locked on his mouth now, tongue darting out to wet my lower lip. ¡°You sure you¡¯re not¡­ hungry?¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t answer. His knuckles whiten where he grips his fork. His thigh tenses beneath my foot like he¡¯s daring me to go further. Challenge epted. I slide my foot up one more inch toe brushing right over the thick, hot bulge straining under his pants. He twitches. Just a blink. A sharp inhale. A tiny shift of his hips. And I fucking feel it ¨C the way his cock pulses under the pressure of my touch. Oh, baby. I smirk and keep my gaze perfectly polite. Logan is still chewing. Pierce is sipping wine like this isn¡¯t the most unhinged dinner of his life. Aria, that stic doll, keeps talking. ¡°I just think it¡¯s important to really bond with everyone. I mean, when I¡¯m Luna, it¡¯ll be my duty, right?¡± Ugh. Shut up, Aria. Grayson exhales, nostrils ring. He drops his fork. I press harder. Aria is still talking. ¡°I mean, of course, no one can rece the people you grew up with,¡± she says. ¡°But I want to be part of it too. I want to understand what shaped you.¡± He shaped me, bitch. On his tongue. On his cock. In his bed, in his office, up against the goddamn war room door. I lean back slightly, legs still crossed over his thigh, watching the muscle jump in his jaw. I wonder if he¡¯s hard enough it hurts. I hope so. I hope he sneaks into my room tonight. Climbs through the damn window, yanks my panties off with his teeth, and finally fucks me until forget how to walk. Because ever since I had him, I¡¯ve been in heat like something wicked. He¡¯s ruined me. That cock should be a controlled weapon. And right now? He can¡¯t do a damn thing about it. I brush him one more time slow, filthy, just enough to feel his whole body stiffen ¨C and then I pull away. Sit back. 714 Chapter 39 Take a dainty sip of my wine. ¡°Such a lovely dinner,¡± I purr. ¡°We should do this more often. His gaze traps to me if ever could bitz 14 bleeding ¡°Really?¡± Aria asked. I mean, I get it she¡¯s trying to intimidate me. But little titties and harsh words won¡¯t make me fold Hall, Eva KORVAT Gray¡¯s temper tantrums. ¡°I mean, that¡¯s so nice of you. Thank you,¡± she said sweetly, shooting me a smile. Grayson look like he¡¯s cursing me in his head right now. ¡°So¡­¡± I tilt my head at her, all innocent curiosity. ¡°What makes you like out alohas Aria blinks. ¡°I¡­ well, I admire his leadership. He¡¯s strong. Respected. Responsible. He¡¯s very- ¡°Loud,¡± I interrupt, deadpan. Aria pauses. ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°I said loud.¡± Hean forward slightly, chin in my palm. ¡°He barks like a dog when he¡¯s angry. It¡¯s actually so embarrassing. I mean, I¡¯m allowed to say that, right? We grew up together. I¡¯ve seen him throw tantrums over burnt toast.¡± Pierce chokes on his water. Logan grins into his te. I sh Grayson a wink. Aria forces a politeugh. ¡°Well¡­ he¡¯s passionate.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I say.¡± And he¡¯s also an alpha¨Chole.¡± ¡°Jess.¡± Pierce warned. Grayson darkly chuckle. I bet he¡¯s thinking of ways to punish me now. I just don¡¯t like it when he¡¯s letting another girl touch him. ¡°Is that what you think of me, Jess? An alpha¨Chole?¡± I raise one eyebrow, swirl my wine again. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. You know it¡¯s true.¡± His nostrils re. ¡°We both know why I¡¯m so asshole when ites to you.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been curious.¡± ¡°Well,¡± I say sweetly, ¡°I¡¯ve been curious.¡± ¡°I think she¡¯s drunk,¡± Pierce cuts in like the good little soldier he is, trying to rescue me from my own mouth. Pathetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha.! should get her home.¡± 1 shove him away with one sharp elbow. ¡°I¡¯m not drunk. And even if I was, it doesn¡¯t make it less true.Grayson Westwood is a big asshole,¡± I continue. ¡°A very big jerk who was born to humiliate me, to get angry at me, and to make my life so unbearable I¡¯ve considered praying for divine smiting.¡± I grin. ¡°I mean, if the moon goddess has a hit list, his name better be on it.¡± Aria¡¯s eyes go wide. Pierce looks like he¡¯s praying, to that same goddess to shut me up. Logan has the audacity to smirk behind his cup. How¡¯s that for pretending we hate each other, alpha? His eyes are ck now. Gone is the polished pack leader look. What¡¯s staring back at me is the feral thing he tries to keep chained ¨C the one that knows exactly what to do with a brat like me. I cross my legs again, biting back the grin. Aria clears her throat. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t realize there was so Alpha Luna 40 Chapter 40 ug JESSICA 377%0 3237 After probably pissing Grayson the whole night, the dinner ended The second the car doors shut, Logan burst intoughter. ¡°As in, seriously?¡± he wheezed, smacking the back of the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°You tried to one¨Cup Aria in that dress? Jess, babe. Have you forgot she¡¯s our future Luna?¡± I jerked my head toward him, jaw dropped. ¡°Fuck you.¡± ¡°Language,¡± Pierce muttered without looking up from the road. His knuckles were tight on the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead like he was reying the whole damn dinner scene in his head on loop. ¡°Oh please,¡± I snapped. ¡°Don¡¯t start with me. You didn¡¯t even defend me when Aria is insulting me earlier.¡± Pierce just sighed. Logan keptughing. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen your face when Grayson handed her that wine ss,¡± Logan teased. ¡°Jealous so much?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t jealous,¡± I bit out, crossing my arms tight. ¡°Why would I be jealous?¡± Damn right, I am. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s getting revenge but after our banter, he sticks on his script of bing Aria¡¯s fianc¨¦. ¡°Why would you?¡± Logan grinned at me with all his teeth. ¡°You¡¯re just nothing but his omega, right?¡± I threw my heel at him. It hit the dashboard with a thud. ¡°HEY!¡± Pierce yelped. ¡°These are leather seats!¡± We hit a bump, and I jolted, letting out an annoyed grunt as I adjusted my dress back down my thighs. I could still feel Grayson¡¯s hatred from earlier. Thank goddess his father joined us or else we really ended up messing up tonight. He wasn¡¯t supposed to look at me. But all he did was to stare the entire dinner. I mean, I cannot really me him. Pierce finally spoke, his voice low. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have gone tonight if you weren¡¯t going to control yourself.¡± I stiffened. ¡°Control myself? I didn¡¯t do anything-¡± ¡°You were breathing like you were about to start a fight,¡± he muttered. ¡°And Grayson noticed. Everyone noticed.¡± I rolled my eyes, but heat rushed to my cheeks. ¡°Shut up, Logan.¡± We were just a block away from the house when it happened. SCCCRRRRREEEEEEECHHH. I m forward. My shoulder smacks the passenger seat. Logan jerks upright. ¡°Fucking hell-¡± The car halts. Lights sh behind the windshield, blinking white and red and murderous. ¡°What the fuck?¡± Pierce says. ÁÖÈâ77%̨ I shot up, heart racing, lungs skipping, and stared through the windshield as the driver¡¯s door creaked open. A man stepped out, rolling his sleeves up to his arm. I didn¡¯t realize I was holding my breath until I finally let it out, shaky and fast. ¡°Grayson?¡± What the fuck. What the fuck. What is he doing here? 1 blinked. Swallowed. My whole spine locked. Grayson reached the front of the car just as my hand flew to the door handle. I needed to stop him. Ask him. However, Pierce grabbed my arm, stopping me. ¡°Wait here,¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯ll just go and talk to him.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for my answers. The door mmed and he was already out, walking towards Grayson. I couldn¡¯t hear whatever they are saying but they looked like they are serious as hell and both of them kept ncing inside the car. A minuteter, Grayson walked closer, straight to my side of the car. I quickly scrambled back into my seat. Grayson raised both eyebrows- mocking. He looks amused when he opened the door. ¡°Get out,¡± he said. Grayson looked pissed. ¡°No.¡± He bent lower, closer. His hand braced on the roof of the car. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Step out of the car, Jess.¡± He let out a long breath through his nose. ¡°Now.¡± If I stepped out, I don¡¯t know what will happen to me and even though I like him better when he¡¯s angry, I really don¡¯t want to deal with him right now. A few feet away, Pierce was silent. ¡°Seriously, what¡¯s your problem?¡± I asked, still not budging. ¡°My problem,¡± Grayson said, his voice low, ¡°is that my fucking girlfriend don¡¯t is being a brat again.¡± His hand tapped the roof once. ¡°Get out of the car, baby.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Jessica!¡± ¡°I said no! Damn it!¡± Grayson stares at me, hard, his eyes cold and wild, lips curling in disbelief. Shit. ¡°I¨CI mean¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have fucking patience tonight.¡± One second, I¡¯m on my feet, the next, Grayson¡¯s hands are under me, lifting me effortlessly. My feet leave the ground with a jolt, and a breath catches in my throat as his grip locks around my ass, pulling me against his chest. ¡°Grayson, what the hell-¡± I push against his chest, but it¡¯s useless. ¡°Let me go!¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t respond¨Chisugh is low, guttural, like he¡¯s enjoying every second of this. ¡°I swear to goddess!! I¡¯ll fucking kill you.¡± 11:15 Tue, 12 Aug He barely looks at me as he speaks, his voice directed at Pierce. ¡°I¡¯ll give her back before sunrise.¡± 422 Grayson doesn¡¯t give him a second nce. Without a word, he turns, carrying me in his arms. When we reach his car, he tosses me in, almost too roughly, but not enough to hurt. I¡¯m breathless, my body still on fire from how tightly he¡¯s been holding me. I re at him, my face flushed, fists still clenched, but he¡¯s already opening the door, throwing me inside. ¡°Sit and shut up.¡± I¡¯m going to tear him open. I don¡¯t even have time to react before the car roars to life, and we¡¯re speeding off. ¡°Where the hell are you taking me?¡± I push against the seat, eyes narrowing, fists still clenched. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± I spit the words out, but they feel useless. My anger is a blinding me, and I can¡¯t even control it. Grayson shifts in his seat. His gaze slides over me, lingering on my body. ¡°Fix your dress, Jessica.¡± I hadn¡¯t even noticed how my dress had ridden up, how I was sitting like an exposed mess, my thighs pressing against the seat. Fuck him. ¡°Excuse me?¡± I growl, my teeth gritting. He doesn¡¯t respond, just keeps his eyes on the road. Oh, fuck you. ¡°I¡¯m not your damn doll, Grayson.¡± Grayson¡¯s lips twitch, a barely¨Cthere smirk forming. But before I can say another word, his hand is on me, grabbing my dress¨Croughly. He jerks the fabric down, yanking it so violently that I gasp, my breath catching in my throat as the movement has me off¨Cbnce for a split second. His eyes meet mine, and the smirk deepens. ¡°There,¡± he mutters, his voice thick with satisfaction, as if it¡¯s all part of the n. ¡°Fixed.¡± I feel my cheeks burn, a mix of embarrassment. I quickly look away, anywhere but him. This man knows how to make me feel exposed without even trying. ¡°Are you going¡­ to punish me?¡± ¡°Punish you?¡± he repeats, voice dripping with mockery. ¡°Did you do something wrong?¡± ¡®You look pissed earlier.¡± Graysonughs again, this time the sound louder, more amused. Am I?¡± he says, casting me a quick side nce, eyes glinting with something I can¡¯t quite ce. ¡°Guess I¡¯m a little pissed, but not in the way you think, Jessica.¡± My heart skips a beat. What does that even mean? He leans back into the seat, still driving with that casual arrogance. ¡°I always knew you have a very filthy mouth, baby. So I am not really surprised.¡± He smirks, his eyes flicking to me again, this time longer. I swallow hard, a knot forming in my stomach. ¡°So you¡¯re no angry?¡± I snap, my tone sharper now, more defensive. ¡°Your Luna looks like she¡¯s going to cry earlier.¡± He grins wider, the kind of grin that says he knows exactly why I did what I did. ¡°How does that tasteing out of your mouth, baby?¡± His voice is almost yful now, but there¡¯s no mistaking the hint of something darker. ¡°You really love calling her my luna when we both know, it¡¯s you I love.¡± I cross my arms tightly over my chest, trying to control the wave of heat spreading through me. ¡°But I¡¯m not the one wearing your family ring,¡± I mutter under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear. 77% ¡°What?¡± Grayson¡¯sugh is softer now, a rumble in his chest that seems to vibrate through the car. ¡°That bothers you?¡± His eyes flicker to mine for a moment, ¡°I could give you everything I have baby¡­ if you¡¯d let me.¡± My body tenses. I suddenly want to jump of the car because of what he said. He shakes his head, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. He bites down on them for a second, as if he¡¯s savoring the moment before his gaze turns to me. Without warning, his hand finds mine, rough fingers brushing against my skin as he holds it in a way that leaves no room for escape. ¡°If you want, I can give you the world.¡± He presses a soft, almost teasing kiss to my hand, the gesture sharp and possessive. ¡°But that¡¯s only if you stop being so damn stubborn and let me.¡± Alpha Luna 41 Chapter 41 GRAYSON My baby looks stunned. Jealousy looks so fucking good on her. I didn¡¯t know she was the jealous type. Now that I do, I want to feed it. I licked my lips, watching her get lost staring out the window, eyes wide, soft lips parted like she forgot how to breathe. This woman. She¡¯s not watching the trees. She¡¯s watching me. The way my hands grip the wheel, the way my jaw flexes when I don¡¯t smile back. Who¡¯s whoreshipping who? I choke down a grin, let my knuckles flex hard on the wheel like I¡¯m not picturing her crawling into myp just to cry through it. Baby, just say the word, and I¡¯ll pull over,y you across this road, and fuck the fight right out of you with your legs shaking against the dash. ¡°It¡¯s almost midnight. Where are you taking me?¡± I scoff, low and dangerous. ¡®What? Suddenly worried about curfews, baby?¡°¡± I don¡¯t give a shit about time. I¡¯ve got you. That¡¯s all that matters. Jessica stares at me like she doesn¡¯t know what she does to me. My cock twitches. I almostugh¨Cbecause I¡¯m already fucking hard, throbbing with every bratty look she throws my way tonight. I kill the engine. ¡°Get out,¡± I say. ¡°No.¡± I lean in then grab her ankle, yank her down t across the seat, climb over her, cage her in with my arms, my thighs, my weight, my heat. ¡°You want to be a brat?¡± I growl, nose dragging across her cheek, my breath hot and dangerous against her skin. ¡°You think you can test me tonight, Jess? Keep it up.¡± Her breath hitches, just like I know it will. I lean in, my lips grazing her jaw. ¡®Keep going,¡¯ I whisper, low and deadly. ¡®And I swear, Jess, I¡¯ll make youe so hard in this car you¡¯ll forget your own fucking name.¡® Her eyes go ssy, and I know I¡¯ve got her. I smirk, unlocking the door before stepping out. Sometimes, I want to break her. But tonight? I¡¯m holding back. Just a little. I still want to make her go full insane for me. I m the door behind me. It¡¯s fucking cold. I count to three and when she didn¡¯te out, I yank the door open again, reach in, and grab her by the wrist. ¡°No¨CGrayson, seriously-¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± She stumbles out, tripping into my chest. I catch her. Hold her there. Just for a beat. Her breath¡¯s shaky. Hands pressed against my chest like she wants to push, but doesn¡¯t. Her eyes search mine, mouth parted¨Cstill pissed, still proud, still trying not to care. I don¡¯t let her go. Instead, I hook a hand behind her neck, press my lips to her temple. ¡°Come with me.¡± She stiffens. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± I take her hand and start walking. Tue, 12 Aug We¡¯re surrounded by trees now, tall and quiet, shadows spilling like ink across the dirt path. She tries to tug away once¨Ctwice¨Cbut I just squeeze her fingers tighter, thumb brushing her knuckles. ¡°Grayson¡­¡± ¡°Trust me.¡± She falls silent. The moon¡¯s out¨Cfull and round, hanging low over the treetops. The night¡¯s cold but not harsh. It smells like damp leaves, pine, and something faintly floral. She notices it too. Her nose wrinkles. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I smirk. ¡°Keep walking.¡± She follows. And then we¡¯re there. The trees part into a small clearing, and everything changes. Fairy lights dangle from the branches, tangled in ivy and twining vines. Candles flicker along the stone path, warm and golden. In the middle: a heavy wooden beam suspended between two thick oaks¨Crope¨Ctied on both sides¨Cand from it, a wide hammock, low to the ground, draped in white cloth and thick nkets. I feel her breath catch. ¡°You did this?¡± I nce at her. ¡°Yeah.¡± She doesn¡¯t look at me. Her eyes are wide, reflecting the lights. Her fingers are ck in mine now, barely holding on. ¡°This is¡­romantic.¡± I shrug. I built it for her. Bled on the rope. Cursed the trees. She better fucking like it. ¡°I just thought¡­ you¡¯d like the moon and the quietness. And something that wasn¡¯t fucking Aria and that fake¨Cass garden dinner.¡± She turns to look at me. ¡°I built that thing today,¡± I mutter, nodding to the hammock. ¡°Took me two hours. Got rope burns all over my hands. Nearly punched a tree.¡± A smallugh slips out of her. And it fucking guts me. I can hate her. Fuck, sometimes I do. When she rolls her eyes. When she lies straight to my face. When she pretends I don¡¯t wreck her the same way she ruins me. But I love her for one reason¨CBecause my heart goes feral every time I see her. Even when she¡¯s pissed. Especially when she¡¯s pissed. When she crosses her arms, mouth sharp, muttering ¡°You¡¯re so fucking stupid,¡± under her breath like I can¡¯t hear her. I should hate her. I try. Goddess, I fucking try. But one goddamn breath from her and I¡¯m crawling back on my knees like a dog with her name carved into my ribs. +239 So, I don¡¯t say anything. I just watch her walk ahead, toward the hammock. She runs her fingers across the nkets, the pillows. The candles. Then looks up. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could do something like this.¡± 1 step in behind her. Wrap an arm around her waist. My chin rests on her shoulder. ¡°I can do anything for you.¡± She breathes in and I keep going as I let my lips brush the shell of her ear. ¡°You think all I¡¯m good for is fucking you senseless in my car?¡± That made herugh. ¡°You think I don¡¯t want more than that?¡± Jessica doesn¡¯t move. But her body leans¨Cjust slightly¨Cinto mine. I press a kiss to her jaw. ¡°I don¡¯t care where we fight,¡± I whisper. ¡°I just want to end the night with you like this.¡± She turns slowly. Our faces are close. So close I could bite her. So close I want to shove her back into the nkets and fuck her so deep the moonlight forgets her name. Jessica tilts her chin,shes low. ¡°What if I still want to fight?¡± I grin. ¡°Then I¡¯ll pin you to that hammock and make you beg for peace.¡± The truth is, there are a thousand words that try to define love. But none of them ever came close to what I felt watching her. It¡¯s been her. Only her. Always her. Alpha Luna 42 Jessica 4231 Is it wrong to make out with my Alpha right in front of my house? Goddess, probably but it doesn¡¯t stop me from chasing Grayson¡¯s lips as he pinned me harder into the hood of his car. A drop my head against his shoulder, augh slipping out of me. This is so insane. ¡°I should go inside,¡± I mutter, heart thundering. His mouth drags down my neck, teeth grazing. ¡°You should go,¡± he mutters, voice low and rough. ¡°Or we¡¯ll bete for patrol.¡± My brows pull together. ¡°Patrol?¡± He watches me, eyes dark with something feral, something too alive. Then his fingers¨Cthose rough, calloused fingers that always find the most fragile parts of me¨Ctuck a strand of hair behind my ear with an intimacy that makes my knees scream. ¡°Pierce didn¡¯t tell you?¡± he says. I shake my head, throat closing. ¡°Told me what?¡± His jaw ticks. Grayson¡¯s eyes drag over my face like he¡¯s memorizing me onest time before he says something that¡¯ll gut me. ¡°Tell me what, Grayson?¡± ¡°We¡¯re ssifying ranks next week. You¡¯re in the trials.¡± My breath catches. My stomach drops. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be tested. Against the others.¡± His voice is low, nearly a growl. ¡°Then after that, we¡¯re going to discuss if what department you were going to be assigned to.¡± My stomach drops. Grayson steps closer again, body aligned to mine, his mouth brushing my ear. ¡°You¡¯ll pass, Jessica,¡± he growls. ¡°You hear me? You¡¯re not ending up hidden away, filing reports, serving food like some good little girl.¡± His hand tightens at my waist. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure of it. I¡¯ll drag you to the top if I have to.¡± His lips skim the shell of my ear. ¡°You were born to fight. And I¡¯m going to make damn sure they see that. Even if I have to break you to prove it.¡± A few hourster, I still couldn¡¯t breathe right as I hear Grayson deliver the news to others. We were round up on the filed listening to his instructions. ¡°Fights will be one¨Con¨Cone, no interference. We¡¯ll be watching everything¨Chow you hit, how you fall, how fast you get the fuck back up. You¡¯re not just fighting to win. You¡¯re fighting to prove what you¡¯re worth to this pack.¡± His eyes skimmed across us like we were nothing but bodies to be broken open and sorted into piles. ¡°The top five,¡± Grayson says, pausing, gaze slicing through the group, ¡°get first pick of assignments. Warrior units. Defense positions. Patrolmand. The rest¡­¡± A cold smile. ¡°Well. You better like kitchens and border clerking.¡± I can¡¯t swallow. I nce around¨Cmost of them are older. Bigger. Harder. I feel like I¡¯m already bleeding and no one¡¯sid a hand on me. ¡°You got a week,¡± he growls. ¡°Train. Hunt. Learn to fucking think.¡± I stare at the spot where he left before, I turn to Logan beside me who is already nervous as hell. ¡°He¡¯ll definitely choose you, right?¡± I let out a shaky breath. ¡°Only if he¡¯s desperate.¡± Loganughed. ¡°Come on. You¡¯re fast. You don¡¯t hold back. That¡¯s more than half these guys.¡± ¡°Right. The other half is having actual muscle mass.¡± He nces at me sideways. ¡°You¡¯ve got rage. That counts.¡± I shrug, biting the inside of my cheek. Rage burns hot, but what if it burns out too fast? I made a promise to myself I¡¯m not going to end up behind a fucking desk. I¡¯m not going to rot in some corner of the pack house filing reports while the others bleed for the territory. I shove my sleeves up, step out onto the dirt. It¡¯s dry, packed down hard from all the boots. I can feel the vibrations of footfalls, people starting to circle, square off. Logan follows close, staying half a step behind. ¡°So¡­ partners?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not training with you.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± 1 nce over my shoulder. ¡°Because I like you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s insulting.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± He groans. I stop walking. Turn. ¡°You wanna get better?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t train with someone who¡¯ll go easy on you.¡± Logan looks away, jaw tight. He knows where I am going. I turn on my heel without another word. However, just as I was about to round up on the corner, I freeze seeing the Grayson¡¯s father and Ariaughing about something. I quickly bow my head and greeted him. ¡± Alpha.¡± Grayson¡¯s father doesn¡¯t look up immediately. Instead, he lets out a low chuckle, and when he finally nces my way, his eyes narrow like he¡¯s measuring me, trying to figure out my name. ¡°Jessica,¡± he says it with recognition. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize practice was over already. She¡¯s Pierce younger sister. Very different though in terms of strength and ability.¡± The insult stings, but I don¡¯t let it show. I force a smile that¡¯s all teeth. ¡°The practice just ended alpha,¡± I bite out. Aria, standing a little too close to him, tilts her head like she¡¯s some perfect little princess. ¡°You¡¯re going home after practice?¡± she remarks, her tone too sweet, almost insulting. ¡°I guess, the young wolves in our pack have more dedication, huh?¡± I grit my teeth, not giving her the satisfaction of my irritation. The Alpha chuckles low, that dark sound that doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. But when his gaze finallynds on me, I feel the sting of his disappointment cut deeper than any of Aria¡¯s little jabs. His lips curl like he¡¯s tasting something bitter, and his words drop from his mouth like daggers, ¡°Go back and train again, omega.¡± Omega. It feels like a brand, a mark I can¡¯t rub off, and the bitterness swells in my throat. Grayson¡¯s father turns away, walking toward the center of the field where the others are gathered. Aria follows, her heels clicking sharply against the dirt. I watch them for a moment, the urge to step forward and rip her down a few levels wing at me. To shove her off her high horse, to remind her that she¡¯s no better than the dirt she¡¯s walking on. But I stop myself. There¡¯s no point. Not now. Instead, I swallow that fury. Let it settle deep in my chest, where it can simmer. Let it burn. Aria will get what¡¯sing to her. Sooner orter, she¡¯ll slip, and when she does? I¡¯ll be there to grind her into the dirt. AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 43 Chapter 43 GRAYSON ¡°Fuck¡ª¡°Thiss, trying to lift my hips but her hand ms down on my stomach, pinning me. ¡°Jess¨Cbaby-¡± 1 fist the edge of my car seat, knuckles white, jaw clenched so hard my teeth ache. I¡¯m watching her lose herself and for the love of the moon goddess, what the fuck is wrong with her? She¡¯s hot tonight. Too hot. ¡°Poor baby,¡± she whisper, lips brushing to mine. I can fucking take her all night. But I¡¯m too fucked up having her so hot like this on me. ¡°You look like you¡¯re about to beg.¡± ¡°Jess¨Cfuck-¡± ¡°Uh¨Cuh.¡± Jess grab my jaw, nails digging in just enough to make my mouth fall open. Fucking whore. ¡°You don¡¯t get to talk. You don¡¯t get to touch. You get to sit there and take what I give you because what?¡± ¡°What?¡± she growls again, grinding harder, and fuck¨Cmy hips twitch but I stay down. Barely. My cock¡¯s leaking already, desperate, trapped, humiliated under her heat. I swallow. Breathe through my teeth. ¡°Because it¡¯s yours.¡± I grip her thighs where they bracket my hips, digging my fingers in¨Cnot to hurt, but to warn. I¡¯m barely holding it together. She knows that. She loves that. It had been a brutal fucking day. Watching Ariaugh with my father, all that fake sweetness coating her tongue while she talked politics like she actually had a stake in this pack¡¯s future¨CI swear my ears bled. I didn¡¯t even argue when she left. Just stood there like a good little heir, pretending I wasn¡¯t seconds from losing it. The second she was gone, I found her. My girl. My fucking chaos. Jessica, in her sweats and scowl and that damn stubborn jaw, asking me to ¡°practice¡°. I have something different in mind. ¡°Jess,¡± I say, stopping myself from chuckling because she looks so red now. My condition is for us to have this roley after I train her. It¡¯s always been my fantasy. ¡°This cock is yours. This body¡ªyours. I want you to be possessive of me, baby.¡± I think I¡¯m going to be fucking insane being in love with her. She lets out a shaky breath¨Ctoo high, too flustered¨Cand tries to cover her face. I grin. Her power trip just tipped into vulnerability, and I fucking love it. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, baby?¡± I murmur, low and dangerous, keeping my hands nted on her thighs so she knows I¡¯m still letting her lead¨Cfor now. ¡°Getting shy on me?¡± She res, but it¡¯s weak now. Her poutes out halfway between bratty and wrecked. ¡°Shut up.¡± (673 ¡°Mm.¡± I lean forward just a little, barely brushing my nose against her throat. ¡°Not what you said a second ago. Said I don¡¯t get to talk, remember?¡± I cock my head, smile sharp. ¡°Then why¡¯re you melting all over me, sweetheart?¡± Her nails press into my chest. ¡°You¡¯re such an asshole,¡± she mutters, cheeks flushed, eyes ssy with something that isn¡¯t just lust. ¡°You always makes deal using your cock.¡± True. ¡°And you¡¯re so pretty when you¡¯re flustered,¡± I growl back. ¡°Damn, I can do you all day.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not-¡± I sit up, fast. Trap her in myp, chest to chest, mouth to her ear. ¡°I can teach you a few more technique inbat,¡± I hiss. ¡°I can breathe every day just to help you be a warrior, baby.¡± She gasps, tries to pull back¨Cbut I grip her ass, hold her still. ¡°Do you want that?¡± She res at me, lip caught between her teeth, and that drives me fucking wild. Jessica moves out of me andy her back on the seat. I cannot help but chuckle because this is the reason I love her. Jessica never wants something she never deserved. I admire someone who works hard in life. ¡°What? So you¡¯ll use your power to choose me?¡± She mutters, but I hear the quiver in her voice. I love how she says that, like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡± I don¡¯t want that kind of corruption in the system, alpha.¡± ¡°Corruption?¡± I echo, lips grazing her jaw. ¡°Baby, are you seriously calling me that?¡± Sheughs, shaking her head. At day, I love seeing her fight her way out the stupid warriors in the field. It¡¯s my guilty pleasure. An alpha like me don¡¯t really have much time in their day to babysit young wolves. Jessica stares up at me and I know she¡¯s damn scared. I can hear her thoughts. She thinks she¡¯s not good enough with one week of preparation. But, she¡¯s really strong. Sometimes, she¡¯s just too stupid. I crawl over her, slow, bracing a palm on the backrest just above her head, caging her in. Her thighs fall open without meaning to, like her body already knows what I¡¯m about to do. ¡°You¡¯re not weak,¡± I growl. ¡°You¡¯re not soft. You¡¯re not like them, Jess. So why are you so worried about?¡± ¡°I saw your father earlier,¡± she says, shaking and sounding so small in that way that makes me ache. ¡± He called me an omega.¡± 1 know. I fucking know, baby. Of course that self¨Crighteous bastard opened his mouth, thinking rank gives him the right to spit on her. Thinking she¡¯s less. ¡°Jess.¡± I said, trying to make her look at me. ¡°My father is an asshole who thinks every she¨Cwolf is just a good little breeder.¡± It takes me years to learn that. After a long exhale, Jess stares at me. This time, her eyes look so worried. ¡°Do you think the same?¡± she asks suddenly. And fuck, that shatters me. ug 770 (231 I jerk back enough to see her face¨Creally see it¡ªjaw taut, lips parted like she regrets asking, like she¡¯s bracing for disappointment. Her throat bobs. She won¡¯t meet my eyes. ¡°Jess. She doesn¡¯t answer. Something behind my ribs twists and fucking burns. ¡°Jess,¡± I say, low and rough. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t what?¡± Her brows lift, defiant now, but her mouth is still soft. Her hands still fisted in my shirt like she doesn¡¯t know if she wants to push or pull. ¡°Don¡¯t ask if the future Alpha thinks I should stay in the kitchen and pop out heirs? Because I¡¯ve heard what they say about your pack. About your father. About the way he-¡± ¡°I will never be him.¡± My voice cracks on it. I mean it so hard I think it tears something in me. ¡°I will never be him.¡± J ¡°I don¡¯t want a mate I can own. I want a warrior who can ruin me.¡± I only fucking want her. ¡°I want you,¡± I rasp, dragging my thumb over her bottom lip, swollen from biting it raw. ¡°Not tamed. Not changed. Not bred into some pretty little box he¡¯d approve of.¡± Fuck politics. I will never be my father. Alpha Luna 44 Chapter 44 JESSICA 7760 14231 ¡°What did you do to piss her off?¡± Moon goddess! He¡¯s massive. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever saw this man before in our pack. Earlier, when Aria went here in our training field to observe, she surprises us with abat. Grayson is nowhere to be found. I think I heard him and Pierce is still stuck in the meeting. I nce at her.¡± Who? Her?¡± ¡°Her.¡± There¡¯s an amusement on the way he said it. ¡± You don¡¯t address her as Luna yet?¡± I wouldn¡¯t. Not for a million fucking reasons. Before I can blink, he¡¯s on me¨Chis hand grips my wrist, yanking me forward. I throw my fist at his jaw, but it¡¯s a millisecond too slow. He bats it away like I¡¯m nothing. Fuck. ¡°You¡¯re fast.¡± The new guy smirks, circling me as I catch my breath.¡± What is your name again?¡± ¡°None of your business.¡± I shift my weight, ready for the next move, but he¡¯s already there, throwing his elbow into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. ¡°Shit!¡± I choke, stumbling back. He doesn¡¯t give me a second to recover. Bastard. I m my knee up into his ribs. It fucking hurts. ¡°Too much?¡± His voice drops an octave, low and rough, like he¡¯s savoring the moment. The words are a mock, but his eyes¨Cfuck, his eyes are dark, searching, like he wants to strip me bare. I try to throw a punch, but his hand catches my wrist effortlessly, twisting it behind me. His chest is against my back now, and I feel his breath hot on my neck, his lips grazing my skin. ¡°Why did Aria tell me to ruin you?¡± His voice is a whisper against the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. There¡¯s no room to breathe, no space to think. His hand is firm on my waist, pulling me tighter against him, the hard press of his body against mine undeniable. I twist, trying to break free, but it¡¯s no use. He¡¯s too strong, too¡­ everywhere. His fingers trail up my arm, gripping my neck with a force that makes my breath catch in my throat. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I mutter, but my voice wavers, betraying me. Heughs, low and dark, and I feel his fingers curl at my neck, tightening, not painfully but enough to make me aware of every breath I take. ¡°Really?¡± His gaze slides to where Aria is seated and she looks happy with how I am losing. ¡°Are you Grayson¡¯s ex?¡± He chokes on augh, but my stomach is twisting. ¡°Bingo.¡± My breath hitches, and I want to scream at him to back the hell off, but instead, the words catch in my throat. Fuck, why does he feel so familiar? ¡°Let me go.¡± ¡°Make me,¡± he snap and that pissed me off. Without hesitation, I twist again, pushing off the ground, nting my feet in the dirt, and throwing all my weight into trying to break free. My arm jerks against his hold, but his grip is unyielding. Fucking bastard. Heughs, dark and low, the sound rumbling in my ear as I kick back, aiming for his shins. He shifts with ease, trapping my legs with his own, and then his hand on my wrist twists so violently, I can¡¯t help but cry out, my arm screaming in protest, 11:16 Tue, 12 Aug 770701 I¡¯m fucking helpless. His body presses harder against mine, and the heat of him seeps into me, suffocating. It¡¯s like I can feel him everywhere, even in ces I don¡¯t want to. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re tough,¡± he mutters, voice thick with amusement, his breath hot against my neck as his hands slide down to my waist. ¡°And hot. too.¡± What the hell is he doing? His words, his touch¨Ceverything about this is wrong, but¡­ damn it, it feels so fucking familiar. ¡°Stop it,¡± I grit out, trying to twist out of his hold, but it only makes himugh harder. That deep, rumbling sound that rattles my bones like he¡¯s savoring every second of this. ¡°You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re pissed off,¡± he says, voice dropping into something just shy of a growl. His hand slides up my back, his fingers tracing the curve of my spine before they dig into my hair, yanking my head back, exposing the delicate line of my throat. A gasp escapes me as the sudden movement takes me off guard. Before I can react, he spins me, throwing me to the ground with brutal force. The world tilts, and my back ms into the dirt. I try to breathe, but the wind¡¯s knocked out of me. I struggle, pushing myself up, but before I can even fully regain my bnce, his boot is on my chest again, pressing me back into the earth. The pressure crushes me, and all I can feel is him. Everywhere. Suddenly, I hear a p, sharp and jarring, cutting through the chaos. I look up. Aria¡¯s standing there, smiling down at me like she¡¯s enjoying the show. ¡°Very good!¡± she says, her voice dripping with satisfaction. I can¡¯t believe this. The crowd goes silent, eyes flicking between me and her. What the hell is her problem? I push against his boot, trying to shove him off, but he¡¯s not budging, still keeping me pinned to the ground. I hate her. I fucking hate her. ¡°Why the hell are you doing this in front of everyone?¡± I snap, my voice dripping with contempt. Aria¡¯s smile widens, almost smug, and she crosses her arms. ¡°I didn¡¯t know young wolves are disrespectful too,¡± Aria says, louder this time, for the crowd. Her voice is sweet, poisonous. Coated in power. I re at her, heart pounding, hands clenched. ¡°Then maybe you should¡¯ve stayed in your golden cage instead of showing up here, thinking you run shit.¡± A few gasps ripple through the circle. Her expression doesn¡¯t shift, but her eyes sh. Dangerous. Mocking. She walks toward me, slow, like she¡¯s approaching something pathetic. ¡°What did you just say?¡± I square my shoulders, not backing down, even as her nails curl into fists. ¡°You heard me.¡± Fuck. I am not getting away from this. Aria looks embarrassed. ¡°You little bitch, she hisses, ws shing. Fuck. 1 brace myself, heart hammering, every instinct screaming move, but I¡¯m frozen¨Cjust for a beat. Long enough. She lunges. I close my eyes. I feel the wind before the impact, the split¨Csecond of terror crawling up my spine. I wait for pain. For ws. For blood. However, before she can every her hands on me, a hand catches her wrist mid¨Cair. ¡°Are you out of your goddamn mind?¡± G¨CGrayson? My eyes fly open. He¡¯s right there, gripping Aria¡¯s wrist. His shoulders are tense, chest heaving, the vein in his neck pulsing like he¡¯s barely keeping himself from snapping. Then he turns, very slowly making my heartbeat for him once again. Grayson¡¯s eyes find mine and I swear, I¡¯ve never found him so furious like this. I swallow hard. This is bad. This is very bad. He muttered a curse, eyes flicking down to the smear of blood on my chin. ¡°Who the fuck touched her?¡± Alpha Luna 45 Chapter 45 JESSICA 7 70% +23 We¡¯re sopletely screwed. One second, I¡¯m still catching my breath¨Cnext thing I know, Grayson¡¯s lunging and throwing the guy on the ground. Shit. Everyone is watching! ¡°Grayson!¡± I half¨Cshout, half¨Cgasp, heart punching against my ribs as I shove forward. My hand mps around his arm, yanking him back just before he throws the next punch. ¡°Stop it!¡± He¡¯s so angry. ¡°Grayson, please.¡± It takes three seconds. Maybe four. But slowly¨Cgrudgingly¨Chis hand pulls back. He shoves off the guy¡¯s chest with a growl and stands, eyes never leaving the man now coughing on the ground. No one moves. It¡¯s like everyone around us just witnessed a fucking scandal and I¡¯m at the center of it. ¡°Training¡¯s over.¡± I nced at Aria and she looks shocked same as mine. One by one, wolves scatter. Murmurs start low, like whispers of a curse passed from one ear to another. No one dares speak loudly. Everyone just disperses fast. Because whatever just happened wasn¡¯t sanctioned. It wasn¡¯t packw. It was Grayson¡¯sw. A few minutes after, there¡¯s only two of us left. Me and Aria. She stands frozen, a few steps away, with her face full of humiliation of what just had happened. Even though I can¡¯t stand the sight of her, my heart aches for her. Especially when Grayson quickly went to my direction, his warm hands cupping my face. ¡°Are you okay?¡± His voice drops to that low rumble that always makes my stomach flip. His thumb brushes across my cheek. ¡°Did he hurt you?¡± I shake my head, too aware of Aria watching us. ¡°No, I¡ª¡± ¡°You just signed her fate.¡± Aria quietly said, making us turn to her. ¡°I told you to stay away from her.¡± She lunges forward, pping Grayson. I jump back with a gasp as she shoves me aside to get in his face. ¡°You think you can have both of us?¡± She spits, her eyes wild with rage. ¡°I will fucking tear her apart, Grayson. Every piece. I will make your precious little thing regret the day she ever looked at you.¡± Her nails dig into his chest as she pushes him. ¡°I know where she lives. I know her schedule. I know everything about her.¡± Aria¡¯s voice drops to something terrifying, almost animalistic. ¡°And I will make sure every single person knows what kind of whore she really is.¡± Aria storms off, shoving us both. I can¡¯t move. 11:16 Tue, 12 Aug 476% My legs feel cemented to the ground, and my lungs seem to have forgotten how to work properly. Every breathes in short, panicked gasps. ¡°Hey,¡± Grayson says, his hand finding mine. His fingers are warm against my ice cold skin. ¡°Look at me.¡± I can¡¯t. All I can think about is Aria¡¯s threat. ¡°She¡¯s gonna do it,¡± I whisper, finally meeting Grayson¡¯s gaze. ¡°You saw her. She¡¯s actually going to-¡± ¡°She won¡¯t touch you,¡± he cuts in, squeezing my hand tight. ¡°I promise.¡± But promises feel pretty damn flimsy right now. ¡°She¡¯s your future Luna.¡± I gulped, the words tasting acid in my mouth. ¡°She¡¯s right. I¡¯m just your ything. This is wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have let you¡­.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have ever¨Cthis was stupid from the beginning.¡± My voice cracks as I back away, my heel catching on something. I stumble but catch myself, hands trembling. ¡°Everyone will know. The whole pack will know what I am¨Cwhat we did. I¡¯ll be marked as the slut who thought she could-¡± Grayson steps forward, closing the distance I created. ¡°Stop.¡± ¡°No! You don¡¯t get it!¡± My wordse faster, sharper. ¡°She¡¯ll make my life hell. I will never be a warrior if she talks about this to your father!¡± ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake!¡± Grayson growled, grabbed a fistful of my hair before crushing his lips into mine. I tried to gasp but his mouth devoured mine, teeth scraping the bottom of my lip before biting down just hard enough to make me whimper. ¡°Shut up,¡± he muttered against my mouth, his breath hot and ragged. ¡°Are you done?¡± he asks, his forehead pressed against mine. ¡°Don¡¯t shut me up like that,¡± I hiss, but there¡¯s no real heat behind it. ¡°Then stop talking nonsense.¡± His voice is raw, dangerous. ¡°You¡¯re not some toy, Jess. You never were.¡± His fingers dig into my hips. ¡°I won¡¯t let her touch you.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t stop her. You know the power she has¨Cthe connections. She¡¯ll make it look like an ident, or she¡¯ll just slowly chip away until there¡¯s nothing left of me.¡± ¡°Listen to me,¡± he growls, tilting my chin up. ¡°I¡¯d tear this whole fucking pack apart before I let anyone hurt you. Including her. Including my father. All of them.¡± The intensity in his eyes scares me. Because I believe him. His tongue darted out, wetting his lips before he seized my hand. My heart hammered as he dragged me across the hallway. I tugged my hand, trying to break free. ¡°Grayson-¡± He didn¡¯t let go. His fingers tightened, almost bruising. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he snarled, eyes shing dangerously. My throat went dry. I look around to make sure no one is watching us before he kick the door of his office and shove me inside. ¡°Did he hurt you?¡± The words rumbled from his chest, dark and threatening. ¡°N¨Cno.¡± My voice barely a whisper. I saw his eyes scanned every inch of my face before his thumb traced the outline of my cheekbone, then dropped to my neck where I knew a bruise was forming. ¡°I should kill that bastard for touching you.¡± ¡°You exposed us.¡± I sulk, backing away from him, my spine hitting his desk. ¡°You think I give a fuck?¡± Grayson snarls, stalking toward me. ¡°You¡¯re being manhandled out there, baby.¡± ¡°Then let them manhandle me!¡± i shove at his chest, hard. His body barely moves. The rage in my veins feels like fire, burning in its path, ¡°Let me fight my own goddamn battles!¡± I hiss, throwing hands on him. This time, he stumbles back, surprise by my sudden tears. ¡°You ruined everything I worked for!¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw clenches. ¡°So you¡¯d rather have that piece of shit¡¯s hands on you than blow our cover?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. His eyes darken to near ck. ¡°Bullshit. Stop being a fucking brat.!¡± ¡°What the fuck did you just say?¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes darken. He backs me up until my ass hits the desk again, harder this time. Papers scatter to the floor. His grip on my wrists tightens¨Cnot enough to hurt, just enough to control. ¡°You¡¯re being a fucking brat,¡± he growls, voice dropping to something feral, something that makes my spine curl. ¡°And fucking selfish.¡± I wrench one hand free and p him. The crack echoes. His head barely moves. ¡°Fuck you,¡± I gasp, shock at his words. ¡°Fuck you!¡± Fuck Grayson Westwood. Fuck his arrogance. And fuck this fucking rtionship. Alpha Luna 46 Chapter 46 23 JESSICA When I was little, all the other she wolves dreamed of wearing the Luna¡¯s crown. I, on the other hand, dreamed of anything else. ¡°So,¡± Pierce sneaked up behind me, making me roll my eyes. I heard him pouring himself a cup of coffee before starting a very expected conversation. ¡°Today¡¯s the day, huh?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t have to ask, Pierce,¡± I sighed, crouching down to tie my boots. The faces were stiff, like they didn¡¯t want to cooperate any more than I did. I hate when he pretends to be the fool. He isn¡¯t. ¡°I know you-¡± ¡°Jess,¡± Pierce says again, softer now. ¡°It¡¯s not toote to back out.¡± Iugh. Once. Bitter. ¡°And do what? Stay in the pack house and y good little omega until someone decides I¡¯m fit to breed?¡± He flinches, and I hate that I hit a nerve. But not enough to stop. ¡°I¡¯m not backing out,¡± I say. ¡°Not when I¡¯ve bled for this.¡± Pierce moves beside me, leaning on the counter like he¡¯s trying to be casual, but I see the way his jaw flexes. ¡°You don¡¯t have to prove anything to anyone, you know.¡± ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong.¡± I finally look at him. ¡°If I don¡¯t prove myself today, I¡¯m just the omega who fucked her way to the top.¡± I didn¡¯t wait for him to say anything else. I just threw my pack over my shoulder, adjusted my jacket cor, and walked out the door before the tightness in my chest could bloom into something messy. What I need today is to be focus on the trial. The top five contenders get to choose which department they¡¯ll lead. If I wasn¡¯t one of them, I was nothing. Worse than nothing. I need to get into one of those departments, preferablybat or border patrol. Anything that gets me away from the center of pack politics. After what happened with Aria, I think everyone have this perception of me. Everyone giving me those looks¨Chalf¨Cpity, half¨Cconfusion. Poor little omega Jess, ying at being something she¡¯s not. If they only knew how hard I¡¯ve trained for this. A few wolves were already gathered, circling the arena. I didn¡¯t make it twenty steps before the scent of rot hit me¨CVex, Kendra, and their pack of spoiled alpha jackals. They clustered near the path to the arena, five pairs of eyes locking onto me like predators scenting wounded prey. ¡°Look what crawled out of her hole,¡± Kendra sneered, her lip curling. ¡°Thought Grayson¡¯s little pet would be smart enough to quit after the scandal.¡± My stomach twisted, but I kept my mouth shut and tried to keep walking. Vex stepped directly in my path, his broad shoulders creating a wall I couldn¡¯t get around. He reached out, dragging his fingers down my arm in a way that made my skin feel dirty. ¡°Are you really still fighting, baby?¡± His eyes gleamed with pure hate. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me daddy Gray hasn¡¯t upgraded you into his full¨Ctime whore yet?¡± He leaned in closer, his hot breath hitting my face. ¡°What nasty tricks do you do for him that keeps him so¡­ interested?¡± I tried to step around him, but Kendra shoved me hard with both hands, sending me staggering back. ¡°Answer him when he speaks to you, slut,¡± she hissed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. ¡°Or is your mouth only good for sucking dick these days?¡± 17:16 Tue, 12 Aug 0 376%0 The othersughed, tightening their circle around me. Trent made an obscene gesture with his hand and mouth, making wet slurping sounds. ¡°Maybe she needs to show us what she¡¯s been showing Grayson,¡± he said, grabbing his crotch. ¡°Bet that¡¯s the only fucking reason he keeps this trash around.¡± My hands balled into fists at my sides. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I noticed wolves already gathering beyond them, circling the arena, some staring our way. Each second made it worse¨Canother humiliation, another chance for the rumors to spread like wildfire. ¡°Get the fuck out of my way,¡± I growled through clenched teeth, trying to sound stronger than I felt. Vex¡¯s smile only widened, showing teeth. ¡°Or what? You¡¯ll call your guard dog?¡± He stepped closer, forcing me to back up until I felt Kendra right behind me, her breath on my neck. ¡°Spreading your legs for the alpha¡¯s son must be real convenient when you need protection. Does he make you call him daddy while you¡¯re on your knees?¡± ¡°Bet you take it up the ass too,¡± Trent chimed in, getting right in my face. ¡°That¡¯s the only way a worthless bitch like you could keep him interested.¡± I snapped. One second his mouth was moving¨Cnext, I had him by the throat, mmed into the dirt so hard the air jumped out of him. I squeeze harder on Trent¡¯s throat, digging my thumb into his windpipe. His eyes bulge as he ws at my hand. ¡°Fucking take it back,¡± I snarl, spit flying from my mouth. The others tried to stop us, but I push harder making Trent¡¯s face turn purple. My vision blurs with rage. Trent¡¯s still gasping under me when someone shoves me hard. I tumble into the dirt, tasting blood. ¡°Fucking cock¨Csucking cunt,¡± he rasps, scrambling up. ¡°I¡¯ll show you what happens to-¡± His boot connects with my ribs. Pain explodes through me. I curl up, gasping. ¡°Not so tough now, are you?¡± He grabs my hair, yanks my head back. ¡°Fucking worthless piece of shit.¡± He ps me hard. Stars burst behind my eyes. It fucking hurts like hell. ¡°Get up,¡± he growls, spitting in my face. ¡°Get up so I can knock you down again, bitch.¡± I struggle to my knees. He kicks me in the stomach. I retch, bile burning my throat. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Trent sneers, circling me like prey. ¡°Crawl, you¡¯dirty whore.¡± His fist catches my jaw. I taste more blood. ¡°ENOUGH!¡± The roar cuts through everything. Grayson stands there, eyes zing with fury. Everyone freezes. ¡°Get your hands off her. NOW.¡± Vex backs up, hands raised. ¡°She attacked first-¡± Grayson moves so fast I barely see it. Suddenly he¡¯s there, holding Trent by the throat, lifting him clean off the ground. Trent¡¯s head bounces off the packed earth with a sick thud. ¡°I said GET. OFF. HER.¡± Each word punctuated by tightening fingers. Everyone¡¯s frozen, Nobody breathes. Grayson turns, offering me his hand. I only look at it but never really took it. Instead, I roll to my side, spitting blood. My ribs scream. Everything hurts. Le, iz Aug Grayson sighs then barks out, ¡°Get in lines. Now!¡± Bodies quickly rush back on the field while he tries to help me again. Grayson crouches down, voice lower but still hard. ¡°You¡¯re done for today. Get your ass to the clinic.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I hiss, pushing his hand away. My palm leaves a bloody print on his wrist. ¡°You¡¯re not fine. You can barely-¡± I cut him off by forcing myself up, legs shaking. Pain shoots through my side. ¡°I said I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be fucking stubborn,¡± he mutters, suddenly right behind me. His voice drops low enough that only I can hear. ¡°Baby, please. You¡¯re hurt bad.¡± J I spit more blood and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. ¡°Save your concern for someone who gives a shit.¡± As I limp back toward the others, he grabs my arm. ¡°This isn¡¯t bravery. It¡¯s stupidity.¡± I yank away, nearly falling from the effort. ¡°Good thing I wasn¡¯t asking for your opinion.¡± Every step feels like knives in my side, but I straighten my back and join the line. I can feel Grayson¡¯s eyes burning into me, but I don¡¯t look back. If I am going to be a warrior, I needed to prove that it¡¯s because I¡¯m fucking good at it. +23 Grayson stands there for a minute, walks over to where his father and Aria are standing. That fucking bitch. Ever since Aria, they all look at me like I seduce Grayson. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to stop the pain from showing on my face. Fuck these hurts. ¡°Holy shit, you¡¯re hurt,¡± Logan appears beside me, eyes wide. ¡°No shit,¡± I snap, then immediately regret it when I see his face fall. ¡°Sorry. Just¡­ hurts like a bitch.¡± Logan¡¯s eyes dart to Grayson and his little fan club. All three of them keep ncing my way but I can¡¯t hear what they¡¯re saying about me. ¡°Fucking asshole,¡± I mutter, wincing as Logan examines my bruised arm. ¡°What the hell happened? One minute everything¡¯s normal, then Grayson goes psycho on that guy.¡± Logan¡¯s voice drops to a whisper. ¡°Never seen him lose it like that.¡± I shake my head, not wanting to get into it. ¡°Nothing. Just-¡± ¡°You call that nothing?¡± He points to the dark marks forming on my skin. ¡°Those look like finger-¡± ¡°Leave it, Logan.¡± Before I can answer, Thear heavy footsteps behind us. I turn to see Grayson marching over, his face still twisted with rage. His eyes lock on mine. ¡°Are you sure you can fight?¡± Logan steps between us. ¡°Dude, she¡¯s hurt-¡® ¡°Move,¡± Grayson shoves him aside. ¡°I¡¯m asking her.¡± I swallow hard. My arms sting where the bruises are forming, but I lift my chin anyway. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°I said I¡¯m fine.¡± 17:16 Tue, 12 Aug His eyes burn into mine, searching for something. I don¡¯t know what. Weakness, maybe. I lift my chin, refusing to give it to him. ¡°Goddamn stubborn,¡± he mutters, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Fucking hell.¡± He lets out a breath that sounds like it hurts. Then, surprising everyone¨Cespecially me¨Che leans in and presses a rough kiss to my forehead. It¡¯s quick. Almost angry. But something about it makes my stomach flip. He pulls back, jaw tight. ¡°I believe in you,¡± he says, but there¡¯s something else in his voice now. Without another word, he turns and walks to the center of the training area. He looks back over his shoulder, eyes challenging everyone watching. ¡°Let¡¯s fucking start then,¡± he calls out, loud enough for all to hear. ¡°Partner up. Alpha Luna 47 Two minutes. That¡¯s how long they gave them to knock each other out of the circle, Shit. The fight rages on. My body¡¯s on edge, every muscle twitching like it¡¯s ready to leap into the fray, but I stay rooted in ce, eyes locked on the chaos before me. Logan¡¯s breath is ragged, his chest rising and falling violently. Come on, Logan. I can¡¯t stop myself from muttering it under my breath, even though no one can hear it. Vex¡­ Goddess, Vex is a fucking monster. Logan ducks a punch, but Vex doesn¡¯t give him time to recover. He lunges forward,nding a hit square to Logan¡¯s ribs. The sickening crack is loud, and I flinch, my stomach flipping. Shit, that sounded like broken bone. Logan stumbles back, gasping for air. I always knew Logan wanted to be a warrior, but this is an unfair fight. Vex is just too strong for him. I mean, Logan is fast as hell, but Vex is too damnrge. His body¡¯s already taken punishment¨Chis lip split open, his ribs likely bruised¡ªbut his eyes? His eyes are locked on Vex with a dangerous calm that sends a chill up my spine. Vex charges, all muscle and aggression. His hands are like weapons, fists flying, aiming for Logan¡¯s face, his chest, his ribs. Bam. Vexnds a hit on Logan¡¯s side, and I hear the sickening crack of bone. My breath catches in my throat. Logan stumbles, his knee nearly buckling beneath him, but something flickers in his eyes¨Csomething darker. Something stronger. He recovers in a heartbeat, his arms snapping up to guard his face. Come on, Logan. The crowd is loud, but it feels like all the noise is muffled, distant. Everything inside me is focused on what¡¯s happening in that ring. Every strike. Every move. Every breath they take. It¡¯s only a matter of time before one of them goes down. Logan¡¯s struggling to get up, his hands trembling, and I want to scream for him to get up¨Cplease get up, Logan. Don¡¯t stop fighting. But I stay silent. Watching. Waiting. Vex¡¯s shadow looms over Logan as he stumbles back to his feet, a smug grin spreading across Vex¡¯s face. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, pup? Running out of steam?¡± Logan¡¯s breath catches in his throat, and for a split second, I think he¡¯s going to give up. I hold my breath. Logan steps forward the, ¡°Holy shit.¡± I blink, almost not believing it.. His fist connects with Vex¡¯s jaw so hard I feel it in my teeth. The force of the punch reverberates through the air, and for a split second, I see everything freeze. Vex¡¯s head jerks back, his feet skidding across the dirt, his body crashing into the ground with a heavy thud. Before Vex can recover, Logan¡¯s already on him¨Cfists flying like a hurricane, each blow faster, harder, more vicious than thest. Bam. Bam. 11:16 Tue, 12 Aug Bam. Every punchnds with brutal precision, breaking through Vex¡¯s defenses like they¡¯re made of paper. 70% (23) Vex tries to shield himself, handsing up in a desperate attempt to protect his face, but Logan is unstoppable. Bam! The sound of bone meeting bone. Crunch! The sick sound of knuckles mming into flesh. I watch, my heart hammering in my throat, my fists clenched at my sides. Yes. Yes. Vex gurgles, blood spilling from his mouth as Logan drives him back, step by step, each punch stronger than thest. His breath is ragged now, his eyes wild with pain, but Logan is a machine. Relentless. He doesn¡¯t even seem to be thinking anymore. His body moves on instinct, his rage carving through Vex like a de. One final blow. Crack. Vex¡¯s body goes limp, his head snapping back at an unnatural angle. His eyes roll back into his head as he crumples to the ground in a heap. Silence. I hear nothing but the ringing in my ears, the sound of my own breath, shallow and ragged. Logan stands over him, chest heaving, his fists still clenched like he¡¯s ready to throw another punch¨Cbut there¡¯s nothing left. He¡¯s breathing hard, every inch of him bloodied and bruised. For a second, everything is still. I stare at him, my heart pounding so loudly in my ears I can¡¯t hear anything else. His eyes meet mine across the arena, and there¡¯s something in them¨Csomething raw, something fierce¨Cbut it¡¯s not victory. It¡¯s relief. Relief that it¡¯s over. The crowd¡¯s eruption snaps me back to reality. The cheers are deafening. Bodies press in from all sides, shouting, pping, hollering for the victor. But I can¡¯t hear them¨Cnot really. I only hear the steady, broken rhythm of Logan¡¯s breath. I¡¯m not sure who moves first, but I¡¯m suddenly at his side. ¡°Logan,¡± Igasp, my voice rough from the adrenaline and fear that¡¯s still coursing through me. I reach for him, my hand brushing against his arm. ¡°You are you-?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± He coughs, wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand. His eyes flicker over me, and his lips twist into something that might almost be a smile, but it¡¯s strained. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I don¡¯t believe him. I can see the pain in his eyes, the exhaustion weighing him down, but I don¡¯t push. Not now. I want to say something¨Canything¨Cbut the words don¡¯te. So I just stand there, watching him, feeling the blood rush through my veins, the raw energy still coursing between us. I see Grayson¡¯s eyes on me from across the arena. He¡¯s standing still, rigid, his gaze locked on Logan. Before I can even process what¡¯s happening, I hear it. My name. ¡°Jessica Wilkinson.¡± I freeze. Everyone looks at me. My boots feel najted to the ground, but my legs start moving on their own. One step. Two. The circle feels like a pit, a mouth waiting to swallow me whole. Logan¡¯s still there, just barely out of it, his fists ck, face wrecked. He meets my eyes for a breath. 11:16 Tue, 12 Aug. He doesn¡¯t smile. Just nods. ¡°Kael.¡± Fuck. I whip my head toward the announcer like I misheard. I didn¡¯t. Kael steps forward like a wolf let off its leash¨Cshirt off, arms slick with oil and sweat, his face already grinning like he smells blood. Mine. He¡¯s taller. Wider. Older. Muscles like stone carved by war. His knuckles are still raw from hisst fight. There¡¯s a cut over his brow, crusted with someone else¡¯s blood. The crowd roars. J I don¡¯t hear them. I hear my pulse. Loud. Violent. Kael cracks his neck and steps into the circle with the kind of confidence that says he¡¯s done this before. Too many times. His eyes rake over me, and he actuallyughs. ¡°Should be an easy fight, eh?¡± He spits to the side, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°Didn¡¯t know they let little girls in.¡± He steps closer and I fucking swear, at the end of this day, I¡¯m going to rip his head off.¡± Hope you scream.loud.¡°. Alpha Luna 48 Chapter 48 JESSICA 7076 (423 Kael ys dirty. No one says it, but everyone fucking knows it. He¡¯s ranked first every time inbat training, and it¡¯s because he never fights fait. ¡°Well?¡± Kael¡¯s voice is a low growl, sharp, taunting. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to throw the first punch-¡± I don¡¯t hesitate. I fucking throw my fist at him, fast and hard. Kael dodges just in time. His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist like he knew it wasing, and the next thing I know, his elbow ms into my ribs. The breath rushes out of me, sharp and painful. My vision blurs. I stumble back, gasping, but before I can get my bearings- Kael¡¯s knee connects with my stomach. ¡°Ah!¡± The sound rips from my throat as I double over, choking. Pain. White¨Chot pain. I¡¯m not fucking stopping. I push back, gasping for air, but Kael doesn¡¯t let up. His hand catches my neck, tight¨Ctoo tight. His fingers dig in, and the world tilts as he ms my head into the floor. The impact rattles my skull. My body shakes with the force. I can¡¯t breathe. I try to push against him, but my hands are too weak, my body too fucking tired. Kaelughs. That arrogant, sickeningugh. ¡°Come on,¡± he sneers, twisting my arm behind my back. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna give up yet, are you?¡± I growl through clenched teeth, fury rising up like a firestorm inside of me. I don¡¯t give up. I twist my body, using every ounce of what¡¯s left in me, and m my fist into his side. The hit isn¡¯t clean, isn¡¯t perfect, but it¡¯s enough to make him grunt. It buys me a second. One fucking second. But it¡¯s enough. Kael stumbles back, just long enough for me to scramble to my feet. My legs wobble. My chest burns. Blood drips down my lip, mixing with sweat, stinging like acid. Kael¡¯s already back on me, moving too fast. His fistes down, cracking across my jaw. He doesn¡¯t give me time to breathe. His hand shoots out, grabbing my arm, twisting it behind my back, the muscles in my shoulder screaming, my body forced to bend in a way that shouldn¡¯t even be possible. I yelp. Fucking pain. ¡°You¡¯re pissing me off.¡± He hisses in my ear, his voice low and mocking, the heat of his body pressed against my back. I try to break free, but Kael¡¯s grip tightens, and he ms me into the ground. Then, the rain hits. Cold drops stter across my face, mixing with sweat and blood. It¡¯s a p of reality. But Kael doesn¡¯t care. His grip doesn¡¯t loosen. Kael grabs my hair, yanking my head back, forcing me to look at him as he positions himself above me. His smirk is all teeth. I twist beneath him, trying to squirm out of his hold. I need to move, need to get the fuck out, but he¡¯s too fast, too strong. My fistes up, aiming for his face, but it¡¯s like hitting stone. He ducks under my swing and grabs my wrist, twisting it hard until I feel the sharp jolt of agony shoot up my arm. 11:16 Tue, 12 Aug 7 ~ OSMANG ¡°You¡¯re weak,¡± Knel growls, his knee digging into my stomach, pressing the air out of my lungs as he presses his body down on me. My blood slicks the mud beneath us as I struggle to push him off. I need to move. Desperation fuels me, I throw my head back, mming it into his nose. I hear the sickening crack of bone, but Kael¡¯s grip doesn¡¯t loosen. He snarls and presses harder, both of his knees now pinning my legs down. His weight is suffocating. I can¡¯t breathe. I can¡¯t fucking breathe. I twist my body, ripping my arm free from his grip¨Cpain screaming through me¨Cbut I don¡¯t stop. I drive my fist into his side. I hear the air leave him in a violent rush, but Kael doesn¡¯t loosen his grip. His hands are crushing my throat, grinding the life out of me, and I can¡¯t breathe, can¡¯t think, can¡¯t do anything except feel the pressure. My vision goes blurry. ?? Everything¡¯s closing in around me¨Cmy body¡¯s fighting against the pain, but it¡¯s too much. I can¡¯t- I can¡¯t- The rain is getting harder, and every second is making me feel so weak. No. I refuse. I can¡¯t die like this. Suddenly, there¡¯s a flicker¨Csomething through the fog of my failing consciousness. I barely register it at first, but it¡¯s there. A face. Grayson. Through the rain, his face is a blur, but his eyes¨Cthey¡¯re fucking clear. Wide with panic. His eyes are locked on me, filled with rage and worry. He¡¯s charging toward me, but Pierce steps in front of him, blocking him off. Everything inside me snaps. The strength, the rage, the need to survive¨Cit all crashes into me like a fucking tidal wave. I twist again. My nails dig into Kael¡¯s flesh as I w, raking across his arms, desperate, frantic. I feel the burn in my throat, but I don¡¯t stop. Kael¡¯s grip falters just for a second. That¡¯s all I need. I m my knee into his side, my body bucking beneath him as I use thest bit of my strength to knock him off me. He stumbles back, and I don¡¯t wait. I spring up, ws out, heart racing, adrenaline pumping. My body screams in protest, every inch of me screaming for rest, but I don¡¯t care. I won¡¯t let him win. Not like this. Kael growls, ready for the next move, but I¡¯m already on him. Ish out,nding a solid punch to his ribs, sending a sick crack through the air. He roars, but I don¡¯t give him a second to recover. I¡¯m on him again, ws sinking into his shoulder as I shove him down, hard. The mud stters up around us, and the rain beats down harder, the storm raging, but all I can hear is the thunder of my own heart as I push, twist, and fight. He¡¯s off¨Cbnce now. I m my knee into his gut again, and his breath leaves him in a violent rush. I grab his shirt, yank him down, and for Tue, 12 Aug one split second, I see it in his eyes. He knows. He knows he¡¯s losing. And then, I shove him¨Chard. His body ms into the mud at the edge of the circle, his arm iling for purchase, but it¡¯s too Chapter 49 Jessica I¡¯ve never felt so much pain in my entire life. It¡¯s like everything inside me is being torn apart. I didn¡¯t know where I was, but I knew something had gone horribly wrong. ¡°She shouldn¡¯t have been out there,¡± Pierce¡¯s voice snapped. It was so sharp, full of fury. I could hear his teeth grinding through the words. ¡°You knew what would happen. You should¡¯ve stopped her.¡± I flinched at the sound of his voice. He¡¯s always so damn protective of me. ¡°I couldn¡¯t save her.¡± Was that¡­.Grayson? What is he talking about? Save me from what? Thest thing I remembered¨Cthe rain. The downpour. The way it mmed against me, against the earth, as I faced Kael. Had I¡­ won? Did I beat him? I remember throwing him out of the circle when my vision starts to blur. ¡°Damn it, Grayson!¡± Pierce shouted. I heard some sound of chairs rattling. ¡°You told me that there¡¯s no fucking way she will make it as a warrior!¡± I flinched, though I wasn¡¯t sure if I moved at all. I couldn¡¯t even feel my fingers. But his words¡­ they hurt like hell. I remember his exact words when we were younger. He always excluded me from his training. Always. He never let me in. For what? Why? ¡°She¡¯s stronger than you think.¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s not!¡± ¡°Then what do you want me to do, huh? Tell her that no, Jess, don¡¯t fucking try because Aria made sure you will never make it even if you fucking won the trial? Do you think how she will feel-¡± Aria? My mind was foggy, my body broken. But the mention of Aria¡­snap me back to reality. ¡°You think she¡¯s ready?¡± I wanted to answer, wanted to say something, but the words wouldn¡¯t form. And then Grayson growl. I know that¡¯s a sign Pierce is pushing his damn limits. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice,¡± he muttered, his voice low but raw. ¡°She needed to do this. She needed to prove it.¡± ¡°Prove what?¡± Pierce spat. ¡°That she¡¯s strong enough to survive your fucking games? To survive Aria? To be your fucking Luna?¡± Ready? Was I? Was I ever ready for what? Was that what Grayson had been doing all this time? Pushing me. Training me. Conditioning me because he had a damn n. My mind shed back to all those sessions, the endless hours I spent pushing myself past limits. I had been working so damn hard, grinding myself into the dirt to prove something. I closed my eyes, trying to gather whatever strength I had left. Grayson¡¯s words, Pierce¡¯s anger, the pain in my chest, everything felt like it was crashing into me all at once. My head spun ! thought I have no fight until I found myself reaching for Grayson¡¯s shirt. It¡¯s disgusting. When both of them saw that I¡¯m conscious, they quickly went to my side as if they hadn¡¯t been at each other¡¯s throats seconds ago, Grayson hovered closer, his breath tickling my cheek. ¡°Hey, take it easy,¡± Grayson said, holding my hand but I pushed him away. I saw how his lips parted but I cannot be weak when I just heard what they are talking about.¡± You¡¯ve been awake.¡± ¡°What did you do?¡± I pushed between them, my voice rising with each word. ¡°What the actual fuck did you two think you were doing?¡± J Grayson¡¯s eyes widened slightly. He hadn¡¯t expected this¨Chadn¡¯t expected me toe at him like this. ¡°Jessica-¡± He reached for my arm. I pped his hand away. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking touch me right now.¡± The sting of my palm hitting his skin echoed in the suddenly silent room. Aria took a step back, her shoulder bumping against the doorframe. ¡°You think I¡¯m some weak omega?¡± I spat, jabbing my finger into Grayson¡¯s chest. ¡°Some broken little doll you need to fix?¡± My voice cracked, betraying me. Goddamn it. I swallowed hard, my throat burning. ¡°We were just trying to-¡± Pierce started. I whirled on him. ¡°To what? Protect me? Save me?¡± Myugh came out ugly, twisted. ¡°That¡¯s riching from you two. Real fucking rich.¡± Grayson¡¯s nostrils red. ¡°You¡¯re not being fair.¡± ¡°Fair?¡± I was practically screaming now, my hands shaking so hard I had to clench them into fists. ¡°Was it fair when you went behind my back? When you talked about me like I¡¯m not even a person with my own fucking choices?¡± I paced in a tight circle, running my fingers through my tangled hair, yanking at the roots until it hurt. ¡°I trusted you,¡± I whispered, then louder: ¡°I TRUSTED YOU!¡± The words exploded out of me, bouncing off the walls. Something hot and wet rolled down my cheek. Fuck. I swiped at it angrily. ¡°Baby, please,¡± Grayson¡¯s voice softened, but his eyes¨CGoddess, his eyes looked like he was the one being hurt. The audacity. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare look at me like that,¡± I hissed. ¡°Like I¡¯m breaking your heart when you¡¯re the ones who¡­¡± My breath hitched, words failing me. I grabbed the nearest thing¨Ca book¨Cand hurled it across the room. It hit the wall with a satisfying thud, pages fluttering. I shook my head and stared right into Grayson¡¯s eyes. ¡°I fucking won. You saw it. I pushed Kael out of the circle. That¡¯s the rule, right?¡± I knew I fucking won and I¡¯m going to fight for that. There¡¯s no way I am letting them bully me into thinking that I am weak. Jessica Wilkinson is not weak. Tears burned behind my eyes but I refused to let them fall. ¡°Grayson¡­baby..please? Tell me, I¡¯ve won.¡± He looks at me but I see the reflection of my pain. It¡¯s like he¡¯s hurting too because I¡¯m damn hurting. ¡°I am on your side,¡± he growled, 723) running his hands through his hair. ¡°But Jess, you¡¯ve passed out after the first round baby¡­.¡± ¡°No¡­no¡­no..that¡¯s not true.¡± Grayson tried to reach me for a hug but I can¡¯t. This is not real. He¡¯s lying. There¡¯s no way I¡¯ve passed out during that time. ¡°Then I¡¯m okay now, I can go back and finish the next pool.¡± I straightened my shoulders, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. ¡°I feel fine. Totally fine.¡± 1 heard Pierce cursed beside me but all my attention is on Grayson. I watch how his face crumpled in pain. Not all at once, but in pieces¨Cfirst his brow, then his eyes, finally his mouth. He reached for me again, slower this time. ¡°Jess, it¡¯s been a week, baby.¡± I staggered back, my legs suddenly weak. ¡°What?¡± The word came out as barely a whisper. My eyes darted around, switching between his eyes and my brothers start. A week? That¡¯s impossible. ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡± They are not. I couldn¡¯t stop the tears that spilled over, hot trails down my cheeks. ¡°I remember pushing Kael. I remember winning.¡± Grayson took a careful step toward me, his hands sessfully holding mine. ¡°You did push him, Jess. Right before you copsed. Your body just¡­ shut down.¡± ¡°No. No way.¡± ¡°This is a fucking joke.¡± Grayson finally looked at me, his eyes pained. ¡°Baby, please. You need to rest.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®baby¡® me,¡± I spat. ¡°I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me this is a joke.¡± My voice broke. ¡°Grayson.¡± His eyes weren¡¯t pained anymore. They were cold, distant. Like looking at a stranger wearing Grayson¡¯s face. When he opened his mouth, my jaw dropped. ¡°I, Grayson Westwood, inform you, Jessica Wilkinson, that you¡¯ve failed your trial on bing a warrior.¡± My stomach hollowed out. The room spun slightly. ¡°What?¡± I whispered, my voice barely audible. His shoulders straightened, chin lifting in that way he did when he was pulling rank. The stance I¡¯d seen him use with others but never¨Cnever -with me. ¡°You heard me.¡± His voice was t. ¡°You¡¯re not cut out for this. Your performance was inadequate.¡± I flinched at each word, feeling them slice into me. My face burned hot while my hands went ice cold. ¡°Look at me,¡± I demanded, stepping closer. ¡°After everything we¡¯ve-¡± My voice cracked. I swallowed hard. ¡°This isn¡¯t about my performance at all, is it?¡± Something flickered in his eyes¨Cguilt, regret, I couldn¡¯t tell¨Cbefore his jaw clenched tight again. ¡°The decision is final.¡± He turned away, like he couldn¡¯t bear to look at me. ¡°You¡¯re hereby rank as caretaker.¡± Alpha Luna 50 Chapter 50 JESSICA 76% ¡°You should eat something,¡± Pierce says, setting a te beside my bed. It¡¯s been forty¨Ceight hours since my discharge, and I haven¡¯t left my room. I stare at the food without interest. ¡°Not hungry.¡± ¡°Jessica¡­¡± His voice softens in that way I can¡¯t stand¨Cpity wrapped in concern. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I pull myself up to sitting. ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t.¡± When he leaves, I drag myself to the bathroom, avoiding my reflection. The shower helps, hot water scalding my skin until I feel something again, even if it¡¯s just pain. As I¡¯m toweling off, I hear voices outside. One of them is Grayson¡¯s. I freeze, strain to listen. ¡°-shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± Pierce says. ¡°I need to see her.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done enough damage.¡± Their voices drop lower, and I press my ear against the door. ¡°There¡¯s something you don¡¯t understand,¡± Grayson¡¯s voice sounds desperate. ¡°It wasn¡¯t about failing her. The council-¡± The front door ms, cutting off whatever he was about to say. I slowly slide down the bathroom wall until I¡¯m sitting on the cold tile floor. The council? What did they have to do with this? A thought urs to me¨Ca dangerous one. What if this isn¡¯t about me being weak at all? What if there¡¯s something else going on¨Csomething they¡¯re not telling me? I pull myself up, a new determination taking hold. If Grayson won¡¯t tell me the truth, I¡¯ll find it myself. I grab my phone and text the one person who knows everything that happens in this pack: ¡°Theo, I need a favor. I¡¯ll tell youter. Pretty please?¡± Damn it. I swear I won¡¯t ever ask Theo for favors, but I need answers. My reflection catches my eye¨Chollow cheeks, dark circles, hair hanging in wet strands. I look pathetic. Weak. Just like they all think I am. ¡°Fuck that,¡± I growl, yanking open drawers, grabbing clothes. I throw on ck jeans and a tank top, not bothering to dry my hair. My muscles ache as I stretch, reminding me of how long I¡¯ve been lying in that bed. Wasting time. My phone buzzes. Theo: ¡°What kind of favor we talking about? I type back while shoving my feet into boots: *ess to council records. Last meeting.¡± Theo: That¡¯s not a favor, that¡¯s suicide. What happened to you?¡® 11:17 Tue, 12 Aug ¡°I¡¯ll exinter. Yes or no?¡± I grab my jacket, pull it on with jerky movements. My heart hammers against my ribs¨Cnot from fear but from something else. Rage. Pure, brutal rage that¡¯s been building for days. Theo: ¡®Fine, North entrance. 20 minutes. Don¡¯t bete. I stuff my phone in my pocket and yank open my bedroom door. Pierce is sitting at the kitchen table, head snapping up as I storm through. ¡°Jessica? What are you¨C¡± ¡°Going out,¡± I cut him off, grabbing my keys from the hook. He stands quickly, chair scraping. ¡°You¡¯re not ready-¡± ¡°Not your call.¡± I whirl around, facing him. ¡°I¡¯m done being coddled. Done with the lies.¡± ¡°What lies?¡± His face pales. ¡°What did Grayson tell you?¡± Iugh, harsh and sharp. ¡°Nothing. That¡¯s the problem.¡± My hand finds the doorknob, twisting it hard. Pierce lunges, grabbing my arm. ¡°You can¡¯t just-¡± I wrench away, shoving him back with a strength that surprises us both. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡± He stumbles, eyes wide. ¡°Jessica, please-¡± ¡°Tell me the truth, then.¡± I step closer, my voice dropping to something dangerous. ¡°What did the council have to do with what happened?¡± His silence tells me everything. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± I turn, yanking the door open. ¡°They¡¯lle after you,¡± Pierce calls as I step outside. ¡°If you start asking questions-¡± I look back over my shoulder, a cold smile forming. ¡°Let them try. I¡¯ve got nothing left to lose.¡± The door ms behind me as I stride into the night. My ribs ache with each step. But I¡¯m done crying, done waiting for Grayson to decide I¡¯m strong enough for the truth. Fuck his worried eyes and that goddamn frown when I try to do anything for myself. ¡°Overprotective asshole,¡± I mutter, kicking a stone across the pavement. It skitters away into darkness like my patience did about three days ago. My phone buzzes again. Grayson has been calling me. I don¡¯t care about him. I don¡¯t want to care about him. ¡°Go to hell,¡± I snarl, hitting decline and shoving it back in my pocket. I hate how my body betrays me¨Chow despite everything, I still catch myself watching him, wanting him. I hate how he makes me feel safe even when I¡¯m furious with him. I hate how much I crave his touch even while I¡¯m plotting to go behind his back. Most of all, I hate how I can¡¯t actually hate him, no matter how hard try¡­ ¡°Goddammit,¡± I mutter, wiping angrily at my eyes. 11:17 Tue, 12 Aug I¡¯m only on the street for two minutes when I sense it¡ªa shadow shifting where it shouldn¡¯t. My pulse quickens. The streetlights flicker, casting long, dark fingers across the pavement. Fuck, I shouldn¡¯t havee alone. I pick up my pace, boots scuffing against concrete. The shadow moves again. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± I call out, hating how my voice wavers. Nothing. I reach for my phone, fingers trembling. Before I can grab it, something¨Csomeone¨Cms into me from behind. A hand mps over my mouth, muffling my scream as I¡¯m shoved roughly against a tree trunk. ? ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be out here alone,¡± a low voice growls in my ear, hot breath against my neck. I thrash against his grip, but he¡¯s solid muscle, pinning me effortlessly. My heart hammers so loud I swear he can hear it. Then he spins me around, and I find myself staring into the coldest blue eyes I¡¯ve ever seen. Theo. ¡°Shut. The fuck. Up.¡± I bite down on his palm¨Chard. ¡°Fucking hell!¡± The pressure releases for just a second. I drive my knee up, aiming for his groin, but he twists, catching my thigh with his. My head whips back, connecting with the tree again. ¡°Would you stop fighting for two goddamn seconds?¡± the voice growls, lower now. Familiar. ¡°Get your fucking hands off me,¡± I spit when he cautiously removes his palm. He doesn¡¯t move back though, just nts his hands on either side of my head. ¡°No can do, sweetheart. There¡¯s a patrol two blocks down.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit-¡± ¡°Yeah, well, maybe you should.¡± His face is inches from mine, all sharp angles and barely contained fury. ¡°Because if they catch you heading to the council building like you¡¯re on some half¨Cassed suicide mission, your boyfriend Grayson isn¡¯t the only one who¡¯ll be screwed.¡± My chest heaves against his. ¡°He¡¯s not my-¡± ¡°Save it,¡± Theo cuts me off. ¡°I really don¡¯t care what you call him while you¡¯re making those little whimpering sounds in the training room.¡± Heat rushes to my face. ¡°Fuck you.¡± A dangerous smile curls his mouth. ¡°Maybeter. Right now we need to move.¡± He finally steps back, and the cold air rushes between us. I hate how my skin still burns where he touched me. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you Theo,¡± I say, but it sounds weak even to my ears. Theo¡¯s eyes flick over my shoulder. ¡°Suit yourself. Stay here, let them find you. I¡¯m sure Grayson would love exining why his precious little trainee was sneaking around restricted areas.¡± I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. ¡°You¡¯re still so stupid. Do you know that?¡± 770%0 +23) ¡°Baby, I¡¯m your first love.¡± He leans in again, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°Since when did you be so feisty, huh?¡± That¡¯s not true. Theo assumes we dated. His hand wraps around my wrist, tugging me into the shadows. I should pull away. I should scream. I should do anything but follow this asshole into the dark. But I don¡¯t. Instead, I let him drag me deeper into the corridor, my pulse racing beneath his fingertips. His touch burns against my skin, and I hate how my body betrays me with a shiver. ¡°Still responsive to my touch, I see,¡± Theo says, his voice dropping to that dangerous rumble that used to make my knees weak. ¡°Fuck you,¡± I spit out, yanking my arm back, but he just tightens his grip and pulls me closer. ¡°That an offer?¡± His smirk is infuriating, allzy confidence and sharp edges. He backs me against the wall, one hand nted beside my head. ¡°Because I remember how much you used to beg for it.¡± My heart hammers so hard I¡¯m sure he can hear it. The corridor feels too small, too hot, too everything with him crowding my space. ¡°Get off me,¡± I hiss, but itcks the conviction I need. His thumb traces my bottom lip, rough and possessive. ¡°Your mouth says one thing, but your body¡­¡± He leans closer, his thigh sliding between mine. ¡°Your body remembers me.¡± Fury floods my system, hot and thick. I shove him back with both hands. ¡°You don¡¯t know shit about me anymore. You lost that right when you-¡± ¡°When I what?¡± His eyes sh, dangerous and wild. ¡°When I did exactly what someone like me was supposed to do?¡± He¡¯s so close I can smell him. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic,¡± I breathe, hoping he can¡¯t feel the tremble in my voice. Theoughs, low and dark. ¡°Maybe. But I¡¯m not the one who asks for favors here, pup.¡± AD Comment Alpha Luna 51 Chapter 51 Chapter 51 JESSICA He¡¯s damn right. 200 I watched as Theo reaches into his jacket pocket, pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. My nostrils re as he flicks a lighter, the small me illuminating the sharp angles of his face for a brief second before he takes a long drag. ¡°Still hate these?¡± he asks, smoke curling from his lips as he speaks. ¡°Still a walking health hazard?¡± I counter. Goddess! Why am I even here? I¡¯m starting to remember how much I hate this guy to begin with. Heughs, tilting his head to blow a stream of smoke directly into my face. I cough, eyes watering, but when I try to push past him, his arm blocks my escape. ¡°Remember that time behind the training facility?¡± His voice drops even lower, rumbling through my chest. ¡°You said you loved the taste of cigarettes on my tongue.¡± Heat crawls up my neck. ¡°I was young and stupid.¡± ¡°You were fucking wild,¡± he corrects. Theo¡¯s fingers trail down my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. ¡°The things that came out of that pretty mouth when I had you against the wall¡­¡± My stomach tightens with an unwee heat. ¡°Stop.¡± ¡°Why? Because Grayson¡¯s got you on a leash now?¡± His cigarette¨Cholding handes to rest beside my head, ash falling dangerously close to my shoulder. ¡± I¡¯m really amazed at your choices of lover, Jessica.¡± He takes another drag, eyes never leaving mine.¡± He¡¯s just going to ruin you.¡± ¡°Why did I ask you for a favor again?¡± Theough.¡± Because you missed me?¡± My cheeks burn, but I hold his gaze. ¡°The favor, Theo. That¡¯s all I¡¯m here for.¡± ¡°Sure, baby.¡± He blows smoke past my cheek. ¡°Tell yourself whatever you need to. What do you want to know?¡± ¡°I need to know what happened with the council,¡± I say, trying to focus. Theo shifts closer, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°Your puppy went ballistic, Storming in, demanding they reconsider. Quite the show.¡± My heart hammers. ¡°What did they say?¡± ¡°Say?¡± Hisugh is whiskey¨Crough. ¡°Sweetheart, Grayson practically threw a fucking table. His daddy had to drag him out.¡± I swallow hard. ¡°And the decision?¡± ¡°Unchanged.¡± Theo¡¯s thumb brushes my bottom lip, his smirk widening when I don¡¯t pull away, ¡°Your knight in shining armor fought for you, and it didn¡¯t mean shit.¡± ¡°They¡¯re doing this to make an example of you, baby girl,¡± Theo says, his calloused fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face. ¡°Girls like you aren¡¯t supposed to have opinions.¡°, ¡°Fuck that,¡± I snap, trying to ignore how my skin tingles where he touches me. ¡°I didn¡¯t spend three years training just to be some 1/4 glorified caretaker. I earned my ce.¡± Theo¡¯s mouth quirks up in that infuriating smirk. His thumb traces the line of my corbone, so lightly it could be idental if I didn¡¯t know better. ¡°Caretaker?¡± Heughs, deep and husky. ¡°That¡¯s cute. You¡¯re sleeping with the future Alpha, sweetheart. Breeder is the right term. My hand shoots up to p him, but he catches my wrist, pressing it against the wall above my head. The cigarette dangles dangerously from his lips as he leans in closer. ¡°Don¡¯t act so offended,¡± he whispers, his mouth inches from mine. ¡°We both know that thought crosses your mind.¡± ¡°You¡¯re disgusting,¡± I hiss, but my voicecks conviction even to my own ears. ¡°Am I?¡± His free hand slides down to my hip, fingers digging into the soft flesh. ¡°Your nipples are hard, Jess. And I bet if I slipped my hand between those pretty thighs right now¡­¡± I clench my teeth. There¡¯s no point putting Theo on his ce tonight. I always knew he had a damn dirty mouth. ¡°I need to get into the Alpha¡¯s pack house. Tonight.¡± Theo raises an eyebrow, his grip on my wrist loosening slightly. ¡°With your boyfriend on a rampage? Suicide mission.¡± ¡°I need ess to those files,¡± I insist. ¡°Will you help me or not?¡± His eyes darken as he drops the cigarette, crushing it under his boot. Then his hand is in my hair, yanking my head back to expose my throat. ¡°Remember what happenedst time you asked for my help?¡± he growls against my skin. ¡°You screwed me over. I won¡¯t help you, but I will offer you some advice.¡± His eyes drift lower, tracing the outline of my body with a gaze so hot it leaves scorch marks on my skin. ¡°Adviceing from you? Please. Don¡¯t make meugh.¡± I manage to say, because thest thing I need in my life is getting advice from someone like him. Theo¡¯s lips curl into a knowing smirk as he leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. ¡°Use what you have, sweetheart. That pretty body of yours.¡± My stomach tightens. ¡°What are you¡ª¡± ¡°Grayson would kill to protect you,¡± he whispers, his fingers trailing down my neck to my corbone. ¡°And I¡¯d bet anything those files would be easier to ess if you were¡­ distracting him.¡± I try to pull away, but he holds me firmly, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip. ¡°You know exactly what I mean,¡± Theo continues, voice dropping to a husky growl. ¡°Get him on his knees for you. Have him begging. Men like him will spill every secret they have when they¡¯re buried deep inside a woman they want.¡± My face burns hot with fury and something else I refuse to acknowledge. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± His hand slides lower, fingers grazing the side of my breast. ¡°Because your heart is racing, and it¡¯s not just from anger.¡± I shove him hard, finally breaking his hold, ¡°Touch me again and you¡¯ll lose that hand.¡± Theo justughs, the sound dark and knowing. ¡°Better lose my hand than lose my spot in the warrior ranking, don¡¯t you think? i scoff. Chapter 51 ¡°You really did good Jess.¡± Theo sald, seriously.¡± Kael is pretty strong for your age but you managed to beat him. That takedowit may Fucking Impressive. Never seen a recruit execute it so perfectly.¡± His voice drops lower. The way he said it made my chest lighten. Coming from Theo, someone who barely praised anyone, it actually meant something ¡°Poor Grayson,¡± he said. ¡°His father is breathing down his neck to choose a Luna.¡± What? That caught my attention. Theo noticed the surprise in my eyes and he chuckled. ¡°Wait¡­he didn¡¯t tell you?¡± Now, it was my turn to push him against the wall, my fingers digging into his shoulders. ¡°Didn¡¯t tell me what?¡± His smirk grew wider, cruel almost. You really have no fucking clue what¡¯s going on, do you?¡± I shoved him harder against the wall. ¡°Spit it out or I swear to god-¡± ¡°Your boy¡¯s got himself in quite the predicament.¡± His fingers traced patterns on my arm. ¡°Daddy dearest gave him an ultimatum¨Cfind a Luna before the next full moon or kiss his session goodbye.¡± My grip faltered. ¡°You¡¯re full of shit.¡± ¡°Am I though?¡± Theo leaned closer, his breath hot on my face. ¡°Why do you think he¡¯s suddenly showing interest in you after all this time? After years of barely acknowledging your existence?¡± Blood rushed to my ears. ¡°Shut up.¡± ¡°What, you thought it was your sparkling personality? Your fighting skills?¡± Heughed, the sound grating against my nerves. ¡°Wake the fuck
  1. up. He¡¯s desperate and running out of options.¡±
A tear slipped down my cheek, and I hated myself for it. ¡°Fuck you,¡± I whispered, voice breaking. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Theo sneered, moving even closer. ¡°The truth always does.¡± I sniffed hard, trying to regain myposure, but my mind was racing, filling with doubts about Grayson that I¡¯d tried so hard to push down. ¡°He¡¯s just using you, Jess,¡± Theo¡¯s voice dropped lower, almost intimate. ¡°Tell me, what makes you think it¡¯s just coincidence Aria¡¯s always around? Always so fucking close to him?¡± My breath caught in my throat. ¡°You¡¯ve seen how they look at each other,¡± he pressed, circling me like a predator. ¡°The whispers. The touches that linger just a little too long.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± I choked out, but the doubt was already spreading like poison in my veins. ¡°Theyugh at you behind your back,¡± Theo said, his voice dropping to a mock whisper. ¡°Poor little Jess, so desperate for attention she can¡¯t see what¡¯s right in front of her face.¡± I hugged myself tighter, fingernails digging into my arms. ¡°I think he fucks her,¡± Theo said casually, like he was discussing the weather. ¡°Probably right after he¡¯s been with you. Your scent still on his 3/4 Chapter 51 skin while he buries himself in her ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± I said, but my voice had no conviction.. ¡°Am I?¡± Theo raised an eyebrow. ¡°Deep down, you know it¡¯s true. Why else would he keep you around? You¡¯re convenient. Avable, Avram mouth and willing body while he works out how to get what he really wants.¡± My stomach lurched. Images shed unbidden¨CGrayson and Aria together, tangled in sheets, her legs wrapped around him, his hands in her hair¡­ I tried to block out his words, but they crawled under my skin, nestling in the dark corners of my mind where my insecurities Eved. ¡°He¡¯ll drain you dry,¡± Theo continued, ¡°take everything you have to give, because you¡¯re a thrill he can¡¯t wash off. Do you really think a man like him suddenly settle for a girl? You hated him and called him a man slut too.¡± They were too many stories before. One that involves Grayson. The other talks about it like it¡¯s a damn trophy to be in his bed. I squeezed my eyes shut, but it only made me cry even more. I don¡¯t know what to believe anymore. Grayson¡¯s been good to me. I know he likes me. Or does he? Suddenly, everything about him and us feels like a dream. Theo tried to wipe my tears but I push him away. I need answers. I need to know everything. And if getting into Grayson¡¯s bed is the answer, then I might as well do it. I turn my back and walked away, feeling heat rush to my face. My fingers trembled as I pulled out my phone, tears still blurring my vision. Fuck Theo and his stupid warnings. Fuck everyone who thinks they know what¡¯s best for me. I opened my messages to Grayson and started typing: Need you. Now. Can¡¯t sleep alone tonight. Sneak me into your room? I deleted it, biting my lip. Too desperate. I tried again: I don¡¯t like it here. Can you sneak me in your room please? Baby¡­please? Alpha Luna 52 Chapter 52 JESSICA Grayson never invited me inside his room. I only have that realization once I¡¯m sitting on the edge of his bed and watching him lock his done Funny how you can be so close to someone and still feel miles apart. The mattress sinks beneath me, the unfamiliar give of it making my stomach tighten. His room smells like him¨Cpine and that expensive Cologne he pretends not to care about. He turns, eyes darker than usual, and takes three deliberate steps toward me. My mouth goes dry ¡°Where have you been?¡± ¡°Just¡­ around,¡± I manage, hating how defensive it sounds. Grayson¡¯s jaw tightens. He moves closer, stopping right in front of me. His fingers reach for my chin, tilting my face up to his. ¡°Around,¡± he repeats, the word bitter on his tongue. ¡°That¡¯s all I get these days, isn¡¯t it? He leans down suddenly, his intention clear in the hard set of his shoulders. I turn my head at thest second, his lips grazing my cheek instead of finding my mouth. The kiss that nevernds leaves a hollow ache between my ribs. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I whisper, not sure if I¡¯m talking to him or myself. He pulls back, hurt shing across his face before hardening into something colder. I don¡¯t want to kiss him. I don¡¯t want anything that involves touching him. It makes me feel sick and disgusted. ¡°When are you going to tell me about your father¡¯s ultimatum?¡± His head snaps up, eyes wide. ¡°How did you-¡± So, it¡¯s true. ¡°Does it matter?¡± Myughes out hollow. ¡°What matters is you didn¡¯t tell me.¡± I push myself off the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor. The chill shoots up my legs but doesn¡¯tpare to the ice forming around my heart. I pace to the window, arms wrapped tight around myself, fingernails digging into my skin. ¡°Jess, wait-¡± Grayson reaches for my arm, his fingers grazing my skin. I jerk away, knocking over amp on the nightstand. It crashes to the floor, the sound matching the shattering feeling in my chest. ¡°You asshole.¡± My voice cracks. ¡°I fucking hate you.¡± He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. ¡°I was going to tell you.¡± ¡°When? After you¡¯d already made your decision?¡± I spin around, jabbing a finger at his chest. ¡°Or maybe after you humiliat¨¨ me again because that¡¯s what you do right? Fuck. I almost forgot how Grayson Westwood loves to bully me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± His jaw tightens as he steps toward me. ¡°You know I never meant those things¨C¡± ¡°Do you?¡± I back up until I hit the wall, the framed photos rattling behind me. ¡°I¡¯m so stupid sleeping with you.¡± Grayson reaches for me again, but I p his hand away. His eyes darken, a muscle jumping in his cheek. ¡°Stop touching me!¡± I shove his chest hard. He barely moves, which pisses me off more. 1/4 Chapter 52 ¡°Just listen to me for one damn minute!¡± He grabs my wrists, his grip firm but not painful. I struggle against him, memories flooding back¨Cyears of pretending his words didn¡¯t cut, years of crying in bathroom stalls. ¡°Let go of met ¡°Not until you hear me out.¡± His voice drops low, almost desperate. ¡°Why should I?¡± I kick his shin, and he winces but doesn¡¯t release me. ¡°Your dad says jump, and you ask how high, right? You¡¯re a fucking dog Grayson. I almost forgot how loud you fucking bark just to obey your father¡¯s order!¡± ¡°I¡¯m your fucking dog!¡± He shouted, backing me against the wall, his face inches from mine. My breath catches. I wanted to pretend I didn¡¯t hear what he said but what the fuck? Grayson notices the shock written on my face. ¡°Wow.¡± He sarcastically says, watching my expression. ¡°You don¡¯t know how much leash you have on rhe, Jessica?¡± ¡°Let me go,¡± I whisper, hating how my voice trembles. He doesn¡¯t. Instead, he leans closer, his breath warm against my face. ¡°You think I want this? You think I asked for any of this?¡± I turn my head away, blinking back hot tears. ¡°Then what? You¡¯re being forced? Don¡¯t make meugh, Grayson.¡± He grabs my chin roughly, forcing me to look at him. His fingers dig into my skin, not enough to hurt but enough to hold me still. I try to jerk away, but he only tightens his grip. ¡°You have no fucking clue what¡¯s going on here,¡± he growls, his eyes dark with something I can¡¯t read. ¡°None.¡± I push against his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt. ¡°Because you didn¡¯t tell me anything!¡± ¡°Damn it, Jess!¡± Grayson shouted, making me still. ¡± Fuck. Can you listen for just a damn second and stop hating me?¡± I p him. Hard. The sound echoes through the room, and Grayson¡¯s head snaps to the side. My palm stings, but I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m too angry, too hurt. ¡°You don¡¯t get to y the victim here,¡± I spit, backing away. ¡°Not after everything.¡± His eyes darken dangerously as his hand touches the reddening mark on his cheek. Something shifts in his expression -something primal. ¡°That was a mistake,¡± he says, voice low. I turn to run, but he¡¯s faster. His arm snakes around my waist, lifting me off my feet. I kick and thrash as he carries me to the bed. ¡°Let me go!¡± I scream, wing at his arms. ¡°I hate you! I fucking hate you!¡± He throws me onto the mattress, and before I can scramble away, he¡¯s pinning me down. I feel something against my wrists ¨C a belt, maybe his tie ¨C I can¡¯t tell through my panic. ¡°Stop fighting me,¡± he growls, securing my hands to the headboard. ¡°You need to listen.¡± I pull against the restraints, my chest heaving. ¡°Untie me right now or I swear to Goddess-¡± ¡°You¡¯ll what?¡± His face hovers above mine jaw clenched tight. ¡°What will you do, Jessica? Because right now, you¡¯re not doing a damn thing except making this harder on both of us.¡± I struggle against the bindings, twisting my wrists until they burn. Tears of frustration sting my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Not in front of him. Chapter 52 ¡°I trusted you, I whisper, my voice breaking despite my best efforts. I actually believed you were different. Grayson straddles my hips, his weight pinning me to the mattress. His eyes travel down my body slowly, possessively. The aggs in met shifts to something else¨Chunger. He licks his lips, and my stomach flips. ¡°You still don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± His voice is rough as he leans closer, his breath hot against my neck. ¡°Everything I did was to protect your ¡°Bullshit!¡± i buck underneath him, trying to throw him off. ¡°Get off me!¡± He grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. ¡°I never lied about how I feel about you.¡± His hands move down to my boots, ucing them with deliberate slowness. I kick at him, but he captures my ankle easily ¡°Stop it,¡± hemands, sliding my boot off and tossing it aside. ¡°Just¡­ stop fighting for one damn minute.¡± I watch him, chest rising and falling rapidly as he removes my other boot. His fingers trail up my calf, and I hate how my body responds to his touch despite everything. ¡°You¡¯re a despicable asshole.¡± That made himugh. ¡°Yeah, Jess. I know. Now, shut up and listen to me, okay?¡± ¡°Go to hell,¡± I spit, twisting my body away from him. ¡°Go to hell and bring Aria with you!¡± I push myself up against the headboard, pulling my knees to my chest. The movement puts distance between us, but it doesn¡¯t ease the ache spreading through me. My fingers dig into the sheets, anchoring me when everything else feels like it¡¯s spinning out of control. ¡°What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡± His jaw clenches, those green eyes narrowing. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb. I saw how she touched you today.¡± My voice cracks embarrassingly. ¡°How long, Grayson? How long have you been screwing her behind my back?¡± He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. ¡°Are you fucking kidding me right now?¡± ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m kidding?¡± I try to kick him away but he¡¯s just fast blocking my attack.. ¡°Was I just convenient? Something to pass the time until you could get with her?¡± ¡°Where the fuck did you get that idea?¡± He moves closer, the mattress dipping under his weight. ¡°Jess-¡± I shove against his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! Don¡¯t you dare touch me after touching her!¡± His hands catch my wrists, not painfully but firmly enough to stop my next attack. ¡°I haven¡¯t touched Aria. Not once. Not ever.¡± ¡°Liar!¡± I struggle against his grip. ¡°I see how she looks at you. How you look at her.¡± ¡°How I-¡± He lets out augh that holds no humor. ¡°The only person I¡¯ve been looking at is you. The only person I¡¯ve been with is you.¡± That¡¯s a lie. He¡¯s lying. Grayson¡¯s grip loosens as he shifts back, something like hurt shing across his face. It¡¯s gone so fast! almost think I imagined it. ¡°You know what?¡± His voice drops low, dangerous. ¡°I¡¯m not doing this. Not tonight.¡± I scramble off the bed, yanking against the silk ties still binding my wrists. The fabric burns against my skin as I pull desperately. ntie me first, you asshole.¡± 3/4 ¡°No.¡± ¡°What do you mean no?¡± Grayson pull me closer. ¡°We¡¯re going to talk, Jessica. All night if we have to, until there¡¯s no fucking doubt in your mind shout where i stand His thumb brushes my lower lip. ¡°About where you stand.¡± ¡°You¡¯re my only Luna, Jess. It¡¯s you or no one so I don¡¯t fucking know why you doubt yourself, baby, I don¡¯t know why because it¡¯s always been you.¡± Alpha Luna 53 Chapter 53 JESSICA My heart thuds painfully against my ribs. Luna? Did he just say Luna? ¡°What did you just call me?¡± My voicees out barely above a whisper. Something flickers across Grayson¡¯s face¨Cuncertainty, maybe even fear. He releases my wrists, backing up slightly. ¡°You heard me.¡± His voice is rough, raw with emotion. ¡°Luna is what werewolves call their mates.¡± I stare at him, disbelief making my head spin. ¡°That¡¯s not¨Cwe¡¯re not-¡± ¡°We are.¡± His eyes sh gold for a split second, and I gasp. ¡°My wolf chose you long before I was ready to admit it.¡± I shake my head, trying to process what he¡¯s saying. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I¡¯ve never¡­ I would know if I you¡¯re my¡­.¡± Graysonughs, but there¡¯s no humor in it. ¡°My mate? You spend your life hating me, Jess.¡± ¡°Your eighteenth birthday is in a month,¡± he says quietly as he unties me. ¡°That¡¯s when you¡¯ll shift for the first time. That¡¯s when my father gave me the ultimatum¨Cbut I can¡¯t im you because¡­¡± ¡°Because I can¡¯t control myself around you,¡± Grayson growls, his fingers brushing against my skin as he works on the knots. ¡°And if I im you before you¡¯ve had your first shift, I could kill you.¡± The raw honesty in his voice makes me stop struggling. I¡¯ve never seen this side of him¨Cvulnerable, almost afraid. ¡°Is that why you¡¯ve been such an ass to me all these years?¡± I ask, watching his face carefully. ¡°To keep me away?¡± Heughs bitterly. ¡°Didn¡¯t work, did it? Every time you talked back or stood up to me, my wolf just wanted you more.¡± The first restraintes loose, and I rub my wrist, noticing the bruises already forming. Grayson¡¯s eyes follow my movement, and he sighs. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± His fingers brush over the reddened skin. I jerk away.¡± You¡¯re the one who tied me.¡± ¡°Because you won¡¯t listen to me, Jess.¡± That¡¯s true. Earlier, I was ready to just jump in bed with him to get answers. Right now, I feel so embarrassed sitting next to him. His eyes darken as they trail down my body. ¡°You have no idea what it¡¯s like,¡± he mutters, voice husky. ¡°Smelling your arousal every time we argue. Knowing you want me even when you¡¯re telling me to go to hell.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t-¡± but the lie dies on my lips when he leans in, his face inches from mine. ¡°Bullshit,¡± he growls. ¡°Your heartbeat gives you away. Your scent. The way your pupils dte when I get close.¡± His hand slides up my thigh and I almost moan. ¡°See?¡± ¡°So you¡¯ve known all this time?¡± I ask, my voice small. I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m starting to get turned on by his touch. So much ¡°That I was going to turn?¡± enge Chapter 53 He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. ¡°Since you were sixteen. I could smell the change starting in you ¡°That¡¯s fucking creepy, Grayson.¡± A ghost of a smile crosses his face. ¡°You don¡¯t know creepy yet, Jess.¡°. Suddenly, I have a feeling I don¡¯t want to know what more creepy he was talking about. Instead, I just lean my body to his while he adjver his position beside me. I¡¯m practically in hisp now. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted this for so long,¡± he murmurs against my ear, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°You have no idea how hard it¡¯s been to stay away from you.¡± My heart races, every nerve ending on high alert. ¡°Then why did you? Why all the fighting and nastiness if you knew I was yours¡­ your Luna?¡± Grayson¡¯s fingers trace my jawline, tilting my face up to his. ¡°Because the alternative was worse. My father has enemies, Jess. Powerful ones If they knew about you before you could shift, before you were strong enough¡­¡± His eyes darken. ¡°I couldn¡¯t risk it.¡± ¡°So what now? You want me to keep barking at you in public while we secretly-¡± ¡°Barking?¡± He cut me off, almostughing. ¡°You really won¡¯t give that up, huh?¡± I smirk, leaning closer until our noses nearly touch. ¡°What can I say? The next alpha just admitted he¡¯s my dog.¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes sh gold again, and before I can react, he¡¯s flipped our positions, pinning me to the bed with his body hovering over mine. ¡°Your dog, huh?¡± I giggle, the sound surprising even me. ¡°Down, boy.¡± He growls yfully, nipping at my neck. ¡°Tss. Stop it.¡± I try to look unaffected, but fail miserably when his fingers suddenly dig into my sides, tickling mercilessly. ¡°Stop!¡± I shriek between giggles, twisting underneath him. ¡°Take it back,¡± he demands, grinning wickedly as I squirm. ¡°Never!¡± I manage to get a leg free and hook it around his waist, using the leverage to flip us. For a glorious second, I¡¯m on top, pinning his shoulders to the mattress. ¡°Who¡¯s begging now?¡± His eyes widen in surprise before narrowing with challenge. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting something, Luna.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m stronger.¡± He flips us again effortlessly, this time catching both my wrists in one hand above my head. His free hand continues its ticklish assault on my ribs. ¡°That¡¯s¨Cnot¨Cfair!¡± I gasp between fits ofughter, my body arching against his. Suddenly, his tickling stops. The yfulness in his eyes shifts to something darker, hungrier. I feel the change in his body too¨Cthe hardness pressing against my thigh. ¡°You feel that?¡± Grayson¡¯s voice drops to a husky whisper. His hand slides from my ribs to my waist, fingers digging in possessively. ¡°That¡¯s what you do to me, Jess. Every. Damn. Time.¡± I should push him away. Should remind him that an hour ago, I hated his guts. Instead, I arch my back, pressing myself again ¡°You¡¯re not ying fair,¡± I whisper. 2/4 ¡°You¡¯re still recovering. His grip on my wrists tightens just enough to make me gasp, something primal dashes across fishers Jess. There¡¯s warning in his voice, but I¡¯m past caring. Troll my hips against him deliberately, watching his self¨Ccontrol fracture. ¡°Please, Grayson¡± ¡°Fuck,¡± he groans, dropping his forehead to mine. ¡°I don¡¯t n on fucking you while your full of stitches, Jess¡± ¡°Grayson,¡± I moan, arching into his touch. ¡°Please.¡± He stares at me, conflict evident in his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t,¡± I whisper, sliding my hand between us to grip him through his pants.¡± You won¡¯t hurt me, I promise.¡± ¡°I want your cock so bad,¡± I whimper, shameless now. My fingers work at his zipper, desperate and clumsy. ¡°I want this.¡± His breath hitches as T free him, hot and hard in my palm. My body aches for him, throbbing with need. ¡°Jess,¡± he growls, stopping me but I¡¯m already shifting on my knees. Goddess! I¡¯ve never done this before. My eyes widen as his cock twitch in my palm. I lick my lips, nervous but determined. He¡¯s fucking huge, and for a second I wonder if I can even handle him. But the way he¡¯s looking at me -like I¡¯m something precious and filthy at the same time¨Cmakes me desperate to try. ¡°You don¡¯t have to-¡± he starts, but I¡¯ve already leaned forward, running my tongue experimentally along his length. The taste is salty, unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. His strangled groan is all the encouragement I need. His hand tangles in my hair, not pushing, just holding on like he needs an anchor. I take him into my mouth, clumsy at first, then finding a rhythm that has him cursing under his breath. ¡°Shit, Jess,¡± he pants, his fingers tightening in my hair. I pull back, looking up at him through myshes. ¡°I want to please you, Alpha.¡± I circle my tongue around the tip of him, watching his reaction. His head falls back, throat working as he swallows hard. ¡°Fuck,¡± he whispers, almost to himself. ¡°You¡¯re killing me.¡± I pull back slightly, keeping just the tip between my lips. ¡°Should I stop?¡± I ask innocently, my hand still stroking him slowly. His eyes snap open, wild and desperate. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare.¡± A thrill runs through me at themand in his voice. I¡¯ve never seen Grayson so undone, sopletely at my mercy. It¡¯s intoxicating. ¡°Then tell me what you want,¡± I whisper against his skin, cing soft, teasing kisses along his length. His chest heaves with ragged breaths. ¡°I want¡­¡± He stops, seemingly struggling with words. I wait, hand still moving torturously slow. ¡°I want you to stop teasing,¡± he finally manages, hips jerking slightly toward my mouth. ¡°Please.¡± The ¡°please¡± catches me off guard. Grayson doesn¡¯t beg. Ever. ¡°Since you asked so nicely,¡± I murmur, before taking him deep enough to make his knees nearly buckle. His hand cradles the back of my head, not forcing, just connecting us. ¡°Like that,¡± he breathes. ¡°Just like that baby please you¡¯re ruining me.¡± 3/4 Chapter 53 That¡¯s right, I think victoriously. Be ruined tonight, Grayson. Be ruined tonight so can sneak out of your room and find these documen I need. Suddenly I feel so guilty doing it like this but I have no choice. His confession makes me want to almost back out. Almost. But I always knew what I want. I always knew. Ìï Alpha Luna 54 Chapter 54 JESSICA Grayson is already snoring beside me. I stare at the ceiling, listening to his steady breathing, feeling like the worst person alive, seduced him to get what I needed. He called me his Luna. His mate. And what didi doti ¡°You¡¯re such a bitch, Jessica.* I turn my head slightly, watching his face in the dim moonlight filtering through the window. He looks so peaceful when he¡¯s sleeping like this. I trace my finger lightly over his jawline, feeling the scratch of stubble. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whisper, though I¡¯m not sure I mean it. Carefully, I slide from under his arm, wincing when he stirs. I freeze, holding my breath until his snoring resumes. The clock on his nightstand reads 2:17 AM. Perfect. Everyone will be asleep. *Just find the documents and get out. Nothingplicated.* Yeah, except for the bomb he dropped about me being his freaking Luna. However, that is tomorrow¡¯s problem. His desk is in the corner, neat and organized¨Cso typical Grayson. Everything has its ce. I slip across the room like a shadow, bare feet silent on the floor. The small key I¡¯d spotted earlier¨Cthe one he thinks I didn¡¯t notice him using -is taped under the third drawer. ssic hiding spot, Alpha. The locked drawer slides open, and I start sifting through the files. Most are pack business, territory disputes, things I¡¯d normally care about but not tonight. Then I see it¨Ca thick folder with a red tab. My name. *Why would he have a separate file on me?* I nce back at Grayson, still blissfully unaware, one arm stretched across where I should be. His face twitches in sleep, and for a second,! almost put everything back and crawl into bed beside him. Almost. The first page makes my stomach drop. ¡°Warrior Program: Final Decisions.¡± My eyes scan down to find my name with a bold red X beside it. ¡°DENIED.¡± I already knew that but it still hurts the first time. The next page is worse. It¡¯s a rmendation. From Grayson. ¡°Despite Jessica Wilkinsons¡¯s persistence, I cannot rmend her for warrior status. Her talents would be better utilized in pack childcare andmunity support. Effective immediately, allbat training will cease, and transition to caretaker role will begin.¡± My hands shake so violently that the paper makes a soft crinkling sound. I press it t against the desk, terrified of waking him, even as I feel my world copsing. Cold betrayal washes over me as I see the date¨Cit was just the night before the Trial. I p my hand over my mouth as a sob threatens to escape. Tears spill down my cheeks, dropping onto the damning paper. The worst part is scrawled in his handwriting at the bottom: ¡°Jessica¡¯s determination makes her difficult to reason with. Bet believe she¡¯s still in contention while gradually introducing her to her new role.¡± et her Chapter 54 My chest heaves with silent sobs. I want to scream. I want to wake him up and demand mawers I want to tip then pur¨¦e le throw them in his face. Instead, I take out my phone and snap pictures of every page, hands trembling so badly I have to retake several shots. Behind me, Grayson sights in his sleep and rolls over. In that moment, I know two things with absolute certainty: I will never be his Luna, and I will never let him decide my future again. I don¡¯t know how I was able to get out of that ce but I found myself running, the betrayal burning hotter than the tears streaming down my face. My fingers fumbled with my phone as I texted Theo. *Emergency, Edge of woods. Now. Bringing proof.* I attached the photos, hands still trembling. Part of me wondered why I was running to him of all people. My ex. But he was the only one who wouldn¡¯t sugar¨Ccoat things for me. By the time I reached our old meeting spot, I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe. Theo was already waiting, phone in hand, face grim in the moonlight. ¡°Oh, little fox,¡± he said, using that stupid nickname I used to love. He opened his arms and I crashed into him, hating myself for seekingfort from him but needing someone¨Canyone¨Cwho wasn¡¯t Grayson. ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± I choked out against his chest. ¡°It wasn¡¯t the council¡¯s decisi¨®n. It was Grayson¡¯s idea! He¡¯s been ying me this whole time!¡± Theo¡¯s body tensed. He pulled back, looking at me with an expression I couldn¡¯t quite read. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said finally. ¡°I kind of figured.¡± It took a second for his words to register. ¡°You¡­ what?¡± I stepped back, suddenly cold. ¡°You knew?¡± He didn¡¯t deny it. Just shoved his hands in his pockets and had the audacity to shrug. ¡°I had my suspicions.¡± ¡°You let me went there and you fucking knew!?¡± I screamed, rushing at him and shoving him with all my strength. He barely moved. ¡°You watched me train until I bled! You saw what it meant to me!¡°/ ¡°Would it have made a difference if I told you?¡± His voice was infuriatingly calm. ¡°You were so wrapped up in him, Jess. So desperate to prove yourself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare make this about him and me,¡± I snarled. ¡°This is about you lying to my face!¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Theo¡¯s calm facade cracked, something dangerous shing in his eyes. ¡°You want honesty? Here it is. You were never going to make warrior. Never. Not because you¡¯re not strong enough, but because you¡¯re too valuable.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± He stepped closer, his scent¨Cpine and something darker¨Coverwhelming me. ¡°What else did he told you tonight?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡­¡± My voice catches in my throat as Theo leans in closer, his familiar scent making me dizzy with memories I¡¯d rather forget. ¡°What did he tell you, little fox?¡± Theo¡¯s voice drops to that dangerous velvet tone I know too well. ¡°Did our mighty Alpha fina admit what everyone already knows?¡± Chapter 54 I step back, but my heel hits a tree root. Nowhere to go. ¡°That none of your business a His is low and mocking. ¡°Oh, but it is.¡± He ces one arm against the tree behind me, caging me in ¡°see, bragon len on you for years. Not just as another pack member. Not just as a warrior candidate¡± ¡°Stop it,¡± I whisper ¡°He called you his mate, didn¡¯t he?¡± Theo¡¯s eyes gleam in the moonlight, predatory and knowing. ¡°That¡¯s why you ran to his bed tonight. That¡¯s why you look sopletely wrecked right now.¡± My silence confirms everything. Damn him. ¡°You know what¡¯s funny?¡± He traces a finger along my jawline, and I hate that I don¡¯t immediately p it away. ¡°He¡¯s known for years. Years, Jess. And never said a word.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± His smile is cruel. ¡°Why do you think we broke up? One day, I¡¯m happily dating you, and the next, my Alpha is giving me special assignments on the other side of the territory. Coincidence?¡± My mind spins. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t-¡± ¡°He did. And now he¡¯s keeping you from warrior training because he can¡¯t stand the thought of his precious mate getting hurt.¡± Theo leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°You know what¡¯s even funnier? I warned you. Remember? I told you there was a reason you weren¡¯t advancing despite your skills.¡± The memory hits me like a punch. Theo, drunk after a bonfirest winter, telling me the system was rigged against me. I¡¯d thought he was just being bitter about our breakup. ¡°So what are you going to do now, little fox?¡± His fingers tangle in my hair, tugging gently. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything,¡± I hiss. ¡°I know he¡¯s got you wrapped around his finger.¡± Theo said. ¡°And I know there¡¯s a group of us who¡¯ve had enough of his leadership. We¡¯re nning something, Jess. Something big.¡± My blood runs cold. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°A challenge. Not just for Alpha, but for the whole pack structure.¡± His eyes are fever¨Cbright now. ¡°Grayson¡¯s too traditional. Too stuck in the old ways. We need change.¡± ¡°That¡¯s treason,¡± I whisper, horrified. ¡°It¡¯s revolution,¡± he counters. ¡°And I want you with us. You, with your wasted potential. You could be leading warriors, not warming his bed.¡± For a split second, the offer is tempting. So tempting it terrifies me. ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± I say, but my voicecks conviction. He hears it too. His smile widens, ¡°Am I? Or am I the only one brave enough to tell you the truth?¡± He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with false tenderness. ¡°He¡¯s using you, Jess. Keeping youpliant with sweet words about being his Luna while making sure you never reach your true potential.¡± I p his hand away. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± He steps back, hands raised in mock surrender. ¡°But think about it. What kind of mate sabotages your dreams? What kind of Alpha lies 3/4 Chapter 54 to his people?¡± ¡°I need to go.¡± I say, desperate to escape his poisonous words before they take root. ¡°Running back to him already?¡± Theo calls after me as I turn to leave. ¡°Tell me this, Jess if he really respected you, why didn¡¯t he truth from the beginning? Why the games?¡± I stop, his words hitting their mark. Why hadn¡¯t Grayson told me? Why let me believe I still had a chance? ¡°When you¡¯re ready to join us, you know where to find me,¡± Theo says softly. ¡°We could use someone with your fire. And I promise, no one will ever hold you back again.¡± I run without answering, his offer echoing in my head like a siren¡¯s call. Alpha Luna 55 JESSICA It¡¯s fucking treason. No matter how many ways I twist it, no matter how I dress it up in my head¨CTheo¡¯s n is an act of betrayal. So why the hell am I still sitting on it like someplicit little bitch? Why haven¡¯t I told the Alpha? Or Grayson? Or anyone with teeth and rank and the ability to crush this before it spreads? But if I tell Grayson, it¡¯ll blow everything up. And if I don¡¯t¡ªand something actually happens¨Cthat blood is mine. All of it. ¡°Shit!¡± I jolt, nearly tipping my chair over when fingers snap loud and sharp right in front of my face. Pierce is looking at me while I absently tear a chunk of meat between my teeth. ¡°The fuck are you thinking about?¡± he growls, his voice low as he sips his morning coffee. ¡°Where the hell have you beenst night, Jess?¡± ¡°Do you really wanna know?¡± I toss back, stabbing my fork into the remains of my breakfast. Pierce frowns, leaning forward with that irritating smirk that says he thinks he knows everything. ¡°You made up with him? So that means¡­. ¡°I epted the fact that I am a caretaker? Never.¡± I roll my eyes so hard they might fall out of my skull. ¡°Jess¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®Jess¡® me like I¡¯m some clueless pup.¡± I push my te away. ¡°Look, you¡¯ve chosen your side and clearly, it¡¯s not mine so whatever happens, it¡¯s your fault.¡± Shit. I shouldn¡¯t have said that. I quickly got up and turn around, but Pierceunches from his chair and blocks my exit. ¡°What does that fucking mean, Jessica?¡± He growls. ¡°I saw youst night. With Theo.¡± My throat closes up. A cold wave of panic washes over me as my eyes widen involuntarily. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit, did he hear about it? Does he know the n? ¡°Mind your fucking business, Pierce,¡± I spit, shoving against his chest. He barely budges. ¡°Since when are you tracking my movements?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he says, voice dangerously low. ¡°Are you cheating on Grayson, Jess?¡± What?! I push past him with my shoulder, stomping toward the door. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± When I wrench open the door, my heart stopspletely. Grayson stands there, one arm braced against the doorframe, his expression unreadable as his eyes find mine. Holy shit. Pierce, shut the fuck up. Please shut up. ¡°Don¡¯t I?¡± Pierce calls from behind me ¡°So why can¡¯t you fucking answer- swer..¡± Chapter 55 ¡°Grayson!¡± I blurt out, voice unnaturally high. ¡°Hey! wasn¡¯t expecting your My hand awkwardly hovers hear his chart Dorcher he hear Pierce? My eyes dart to where Pierce is and he shut his mouth Thank Goddess he seems to not heard anything. Grayson dips his head for a kiss, holding my waist, ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t wake me up. Heat rushes to my face as his lips brush against imine. He¡¯s making me so fucking guilty. I force myself to rx, to kiss him back, even as my mind screams that I don¡¯t deserve this moment of tenderness. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble against his mouth, the word carrying more weight than he could possibly tinderstand. ¡°I¡­ I couldn¡¯t sleep and didn¡¯t want to disturb you.¡± My eyes flicker to Pierce, who¡¯s watching us with narrowed eyes. I silently plead with him to keep his mouth shut, my heartbeat thundering so loudly I¡¯m sure both werewolves can hear it. Grayson¡¯s thumb traces small circles on my hip then he nod to my brother. ¡°I¡¯m taking her to the daycare today. Is that okay?¡± Pierce snorts. ¡°Are you asking for my permission or what? You slept with herst night?¡± My mouth opens but nothinges out except a strangled noise. ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t want to discuss that,¡± Grayson replies coolly, his expression hardening as he stares Pierce down. There¡¯s that dangerous edge to his voice ¨C the one that reminds everyone exactly who holds rank here ¡°Fuck all of this,¡± Pierce mutters, throwing his hands up. He grabs his jacket and turns his back on us, stomping toward the back door. Once we¡¯re alone, Grayson¡¯s hands slide up to cup my face. I can¡¯t meet his eyes ¨C guilt is eating me alive from the inside out. ¡°Hey,¡± he says softly, tilting my head up. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you two? He looks very pissed.¡± I should tell him everything right now. About Theo. About the n. About how I¡¯ve been sneaking around behind his back not for cheating, but for something that might be worse. Instead, I shut my eyes and chase for his lips. ¡°Nothing,¡± I lie, lips still pressed on his. ¡°He¡¯s just being Pierce.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± he says softly, tilting my head up. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you two? He looks very pissed.¡± I should tell him everything right now. About Theo. About the n. About how I¡¯ve been sneaking around behind his back not for cheating, but for something that might be worse. Instead, I shut my eyes and chase for his lips. ¡°Nothing,¡± I lie, lips still pressed on his, ¡°He¡¯s just being Pierce.¡± After a while, we¡¯re already inside his truck driving near the Daycare. This wasn¡¯t the n. None of this was the n. I fidget with my badge, flipping it over and over between my fingers. The stic ID with ¡°CARETAKER¡± printed in bold letters feels like a brand of failure. ¡°It¡¯s your first day,¡± he says, pulling into a parking space. His hand reaches for mine, but I subtly shift away, pretending to adjust my bag. ¡°Thanks to you,¡± I mutter. ¡°Look, I know this isn¡¯t what you wanted, but-¡± ¡°But what?¡± I snap, whipping around to face him. ¡°But I should be grateful? Do you want me to suck your cock for it?¡± ¡°Jess¡­nguage.¡± Chapter 55 Whatever. He deserves it for trapping me in this daycare helinotes. Grayson takes a deep breath, reaching into his pocket. ¡°I was going to wait until after your shift, but maybe you need this nam He pulls out a ne¡ªa delicate silver chain with a moonstone pendant. There¡¯s a wolf¡¯s silhouette and crescent moon etched on t will be damned immediately recognizing it. ¡°This belonged to my mom,¡± he says, watching my reaction. ¡± Been in the family for four generations. She gave it to me before she died and said I should only give it to someone who¡­¡± He trails off, looking almost embarrassed. ¡°Someone who means everything My fingers hover over it, guilt crushing my chest. ¡°I can¡¯t take this,¡± I whisper, knowing what I¡¯m nning to do. ¡°You can. You will.¡± He closes my fingers around it but when I didn¡¯t ept, Grayson gently circles behind me, his chest pressed against my back. His cologne¡ªwoodsy and wild¨Cfills my senses as he brings the ne around my neck. ¡°I told you you¡¯re my mate, Jess,¡± he murmurs, his lips grazing my ear, I catch a glimpse of us in the rearview mirror¨Chis tall frame enveloping mine, those ridiculous shoulders making me look tiny byparison. The sharp line of his jaw clenches as he secures the sp, those hands that could break someone in half moving with surprising gentleness. ¡°Grayson-¡°I start, but he turns me around, one hand at the small of my back. ¡°Just once,¡± he says, ¡°I need you to believe something I¡¯m telling you.¡± He¡¯s so close I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes, count each of his stupidly long eyshes. My breath catches as his thumb traces my lower lip. ¡°1 ¡°My mother is a caretaker too, Jess.¡± He pulls back just enough to look at me.¡± She would¡¯ve love to meet you.¡± Yes, I would¡¯ve loved to meet her too. But, I¡¯m not his mother. And I don¡¯t want to be a caretaker. AD Alpha Luna 56 Chapter 56 JESSICA For days, I¡¯ve been pretending I¡¯m okay with being caretaker. I think I¡¯m pretty good at it too. Pierce is still suspicious about me to fhad to f low with Theo and Grayson keeps oning to the Daycare to check on me so I really don¡¯t have a free time. In fact, it was almost luch when I saw him outside waiting for lunch. My heart does that stupid little flutter thing when I spot him through the window. I quickly dismiss the ss and went to him. ¡°Hey,¡± he says, tucking his phone away. ¡°Busy morning?¡± ¡°The usual chaos,¡± I reply, trying to ignore the way two admin assistants are openly staring at us from across the corridor. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Instead of answering, Grayson reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°You look so beautiful today Jess.¡± I pout and roll my eyes before we walk towards his office. Yes, his own office. It¡¯s clean, ordered, with floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows that let in actual sunlight¡ªa rarity in this concrete maze. And it¡¯s private ¡°I got your favorite,¡± he says, nodding toward the takeout bags on his desk. The smell of garlic and spices fills the air, making my stomach growl embarrassingly loud. ¡± That hungry huh?¡± I roll my eyes but can¡¯t stop the smile spreading across my face. We let ourselves dig into food and after that, I was practically on hisp making me his dessert. ¡°Ah~¡°I gasp as Grayson¡¯s lips work their way down my breast, tongue flicking on my nipple. ¡°Please..¡± My hands clutch at his shoulders, nails digging into the expensive fabric of his shirt. ¡°Shh,¡± he whispers, eyes gleaming as he nces up at me. A thin strand of saliva connects his mouth to my skin as he pulls back slightly. ¡°These walls aren¡¯t as thick as you think.¡± He¡¯s right but I am so hot. ¡°Come here,¡± Grayson murmurs, his voice low andmanding as he guides me toward his desk. My legs feel like jelly with each step. He clears a space with one sweep of his arm, papers fluttering to the floor. ¡°Bend over.¡± I hesitate for just a second, ncing at the door. ¡°Nobody¡¯sing in,¡± he assures me, his hand already at the small of my back, gently pressing. ¡°But they¡¯ll hear you if you¡¯re too loud.¡± 1 bite my lip and lean forward, palms t against the cool surface of his desk. My skirt rides up as I position myself, and I feel his appreciative gaze like a physical touch. ¡°Goddess, Jess,¡± he breathes, hands sliding up my thighs. ¡°Do you have any idea what you do to me?¡± His fingers hook into my underwear, dragging it down with agonizing slowness. I¡¯m trembling, chest tight with anticipation, breathing in short bursts. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, voice already wrecked ¡°Please¡­¡± He leans over me, his chest against my back, and whispers in my ear. ¡°Patience.¡± His teeth graze my earlobe, and I can¡¯t stop the whimper that escapes me. His fingers trail up my inner thigh, teasing, exploring. When they finally reach where I need them most, my hips jerk involun Chapter 56 ¡°So wet for me already, he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. ¡°Always so eager I push back against him, desperate for more contact. ¡°Stop teasing. I manage to say between gasping breaths, His response is to slip two fingers inside me without warning. The sudden fullness makes me cry out, and his other hand runckly came i mouth. ¡°What did i say about being quiet?¡± His voice is gentle but firm. I nod, understanding. When he removes his hand, I¡¯m panting against the desk, my cheek pressed to the wood. ¡°So wet for me already,¡± he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. ¡°Always so eager.¡± I push back against him, desperate for more contact. ¡°Stop teasing,¡± I manage to say between gasping breaths. His response is to slip two fingers inside me without warning. The sudden fullness makes me cry out, and his other hand quickly covers my mouth. ¡°What did I say about being quiet?¡± His voice is gentle but firm. I nod, understanding. When he removes his hand, I¡¯m panting against the desk, my cheek pressed to the wood. His fingers curl inside me, hitting that perfect spot that makes stars explode behind my eyelids. My back arches instinctively, pressing my ass further against him. ¡°Fuck yourself on my fingers,¡± hemands, his voice rough with desire. ¡°Show me how badly you want it.¡± My cheeks burn with a mix of embarrassment and arousal, but my body responds immediately. I rock my hips back, impaling myself on his fingers, setting a pace that has me biting my lip to stay quiet. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he growls, leaning down to lick a hot stripe up my spine. The wet trail of his saliva cools in the air, making me shiver. ¡°Such a good girl for me.¡± I feel his teeth at the nape of my neck, biting down just hard enough to send jolts of pleasure¨Cpain straight to my core. My thighs tremble as continue to rock back on his fingers. ¡°Harder,¡± he demands, adding a third finger that stretches me deliciously. ¡°Make yourselfe on my hand.¡± My breath hitches. ¡°Grayson, I can¡¯t¨CI don¡¯t know¡ª¡± ¡°You know exactly how,¡± he cuts me off, his thumb finding my clit and circling roughly. ¡°Stop thinking so much. Just let go.¡± Fuck him. I close my eyes and almost cry out loud again when Grayson push my back harder on the desk. His one hand put mine on the edge, positioning it there. ¡°Now thrust yourself on my fingers,¡± he demands. I start rocking back, working myself onto his thick fingers. It¡¯s humiliating and hot as hell all at once. ¡°Fuck, Grayson,¡± I gasp, my knuckles turning white as I grip the edge of the desk. His other hand closes over mine, squeezing tight. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he growls against my ear. ¡°Chase it. Take what you need.¡± I¡¯m losing my mind, pushing back faster, harder. My thighs are trembling, pussy clenching around his fingers with each thrust. The wet sounds are obscene in the quiet room. ¡°I¨CI can¡¯t-¡± My words dissolve into a whimper when his thumb finds my clit again. ¡°Yes, you can.¡± His grip on my hand tightens. ¡°I¡¯ve got you.¡± Something about his words sends me spiraling. I¡¯m fucking myself frantically on his hand now, desperate little moans efforts to stay quiet. ¡°Right there, don¡¯t stop, please don¡¯t stop-¡°I¡¯m babbling, shameless, grinding back against him as the pressure builds. Grayson bites my shoulder, and that¡¯s all it takes. Ie apart with a muffled cry, my entire body shuddering as waves of pleasure crash through me. Something about his words sends me spiraling. I¡¯m fucking myself frantically on his hand now, desperate little moans escaping despite my efforts to stay quiet. ¡°Right there, don¡¯t stop, please don¡¯t stop-¡°I¡¯m babbling, shameless, grinding back against him as the pressure builds. Grayson bites my shoulder, and that¡¯s all it takes. Ie apart with a muffled cry, my entire body shuddering as waves of pleasure crash through me. My vision whites out for a second, every muscle clenching and releasing in violent pulses. I¡¯m still riding the high when I felt him spread my legs wider before his tongue traces the sensitive flesh between my thighs. My body jerks uncontrobly, oversensitive and still quivering from my orgasm. ¡°Oh my god,¡± I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair. My hips buck wildly against his mouth as he devours me like he¡¯s starving. Each stroke of his tongue sends aftershocks rippling through me, making my thighs tremble and my back arch off the desk. He push my back harder, pinning me down as I writhe, his stubble scraping deliciously against my inner thighs. I feel him smile against me before he sucks hard on my clit, making my entire body convulse. ¡°Fuck, Grayson,¡± I pant, my voice barely recognizable. My toes curl so hard they cramp as he slides two fingers back inside me, curling them perfectly while his tongue works magic. ¡°I can¡¯t¨Cit¡¯s too¡ª¡± But he doesn¡¯t let up, just growls against me. ¡°I¨CI can¡¯t take anymore,¡± I plead, even as my hips betray me, grinding shamelessly against his face. Every nerve ending is on fire, oversensitive and raw. ¡°Too much, it¡¯s too-¡± He pulls back just enough to look up at me, his chin glistening. ¡°Tell me to stop then,¡± he challenges, knowing damn well I won¡¯t. Instead of waiting for my answer, he dives back in, his tongue now making deliberate patterns that have me seeing stars. ¡°Fuck,¡± I whimper, my voice breaking as my head thrashes side to side. My thighs are quivering uncontrobly around his head, muscles spasming with each precise stroke. ¡°Please don¡¯t stop, don¡¯t ever stop.¡± He makes a sound somewhere between augh and a groan, the vibration against my sensitive flesh nearly sending me over the edge again. My back arches involuntarily when he slides a three finger inside me, stretching me in the most delicious way. I¡¯m making sounds I¡¯ve never heard myself make before¨Cdesperate, pleading noises that would embarrass me if I could think straight. ¡°Grayson,¡± I gasp, my voice breaking. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m going to-¡± He curls his fingers at exactly the right moment, tongue working mercilessly against my clit, and I shatterpletely. The second orgasm hits even harder than the first, tearing through me like a storm. My body convulses, legs shaking violently as I cry out his name. When I finally stop spasming, he rises slowly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes are dark with hunger as he looks down at me, spread out and utterly wrecked on the desk. However, I can only thin of one thing. Grayson doesn¡¯t know it yet but tonight, I¡¯m going to betray him. I¡¯m going to be pai neo¡¯s little Chapter 56 revolution and I feel so sorry for him, Alpha Luna 57 Chapter 57 JESSICA ¡°Well, looks whosete?¡± Theo said, getting out of the shadows. We decided to not use cars since it will drag attentions Asusual, feder meet in our old ce but I prefer to meet here. His eyes look around and I did so too. This is really wrong but I don¡¯t have a choice. It¡¯s the only ce that I know which is private I shivered as a gust of wind hit my face. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumbled, pacing between the old trees. ¡°Pierce was suspicious.¡± Theo chuckled, following me. I side¨Cnce at him and he looks sofortable for someone orchestrating this one. ¡°Checking me out, little fox?¡± I snort.¡± Can you please stop calling me that?¡± ¡°Why? You loved to moan it.¡± I rolled my eyes and kept walking deeper into the woods, stepping over fallen branches. The moon cast eerie shadows through the trees, and once I¡¯m sure we¡¯re hidden enough, I turn to face him. Theo, however, looks scandalized when his eyes darts into my chest. For a second, he looks pissed until he darkly chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s the Westwood¡¯s heirloom.¡± My fingers instinctively touched the moonstone resting against my corbone. I¡¯d been so focused on not getting caught that I¡¯dpletely forgotten I was wearing Grayson¡¯s gift. ¡°What, this?¡± I tried to sound nonchnt. ¡°He just gave it to me yesterday.¡± Theo¡¯sugh was sharp. ¡°Just gave it to you? Do you even know what you¡¯re wearing?¡± He moved closer, eyes locked on the pendant. ¡°That moonstone has been passed down for five generations. Legend says it binds the wearer to the Westwood bloodline.¡± I stepped back, suddenly ufortable with how intently he was staring. ¡°It¡¯s just a pretty rock,¡± ¡°No, little fox, it¡¯s a im.¡± His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. ¡°Which makes this a damn mistake.¡± I pushed against his chest, trying to create space between us. ¡°Get off me!¡± ¡°Your boyfriend¡¯s father is the reason our families are struggling! The reason my sister-¡± His voice cracked before hardening again. Are you really that blind?¡± ¡°We are not going to hurt Grayson!¡± I shoved him hard, trying to break free from him but suddenly felt a sharp sting in my neck. I gasped, my hand flying to the spot where the pain bloomed. My fingers brushed against something small and metallic¨Ca needle. ¡°What did you-¡± The words slurred on my tongue as my vision began to swim. My knees buckled, and I grabbed at Theo¡¯s shirt to stay upright. ¡°Sorry Jess,¡± Theo said, catching me as started to copse. His face blurred above me, features softening with what almost looked like regret. ¡°But hurting Grayson is exactly what the n is.¡± W¨CWhat¡¯s happening? I feel so weak and cold. My eyelids fluttered open. Heavy. Everything felt so heavy. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar¨Cno, it¡¯s familiar. Where am ik I tried to move my arms, my body but I can¡¯t, I can¡¯t move anything. Oh goddess. Oh goddess no. The air hit my skin¨Call of my skin. I waspletely exposed, naked and vulnerable. My breath came in short, desperate gasps. ¡°Help!¡± I tried to scream, but it came out as a pathetic croak. Footsteps approached from somewhere beyond my field of vision. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might crack my ribs. ¡°G¨CGrayson?¡± I whispered, tears spilling down my temples and into my hair. ¡°Please be Grayson.¡± The footsteps stopped at the edge of the bed. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to look. A hand touched my ankle, and I feel so disgusted. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Jess,¡± Theo voice said softly. I felt his rough hands holding my face, making me look at him. Goddess! That¡¯s why it¡¯s familiar because it¡¯s his room. I¡¯ve been here before. I want to ask him why he is doing this but no wordse out of my lips. I watch as his other hand reached for the cor of his shirt, slowly undoing the first button. Then the second. I couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t scream, couldn¡¯t fight but I can only watch as Theo strip thest of his clothes leaving him naked like me. Tears pooled in my eyes, as I watch him sat beside me on the bed. ¡°I¡¯m not going to fuck you,¡± Theo¡¯s voice said softly. ¡°We just need pictures,¡± he whispered, his thumb wiping my tears. ¡°Insurance, you know? So you won¡¯t betray us.¡± Whatever drug they gave me had paralyzed everything except my eyes. I could blink, I could see, but my limbs felt like lead weights sunk into the mattress. Even my mouth wouldn¡¯t work, leaving me trapped in my own body. Theo¡¯s hands were surprisingly gentle as he rolled me onto my stomach. ¡°Shh, just a few photos and we¡¯re done,¡± he murmured, positioning me on all fours. My arms trembled under my weight, not from effort but from fear. He had to bend each limb individually, arranging me like a -doll. ¡°Perfect,¡± he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. I felt the bed dip as he moved around behind me, the sound of his phone camera clicking making me flinch inside. He moved in front of me, his cock dangling inches from my face. I couldn¡¯t even turn away. Another click from his phone. ¡°Open your mouth,¡± he instructed, then let out a sigh when I couldn¡¯t respond. ¡°Right, forgot.¡± His fingers pressed against the corners of my jaw, forcing my lips apart. ¡°There we go,¡°0 Click. Click. Click. ¡°Just a few more,¡± Theo said, positioning himself closer. His cock brushed against my lips while he snapped more photos. ¡°Look at me,¡± hemanded, tilting my chin up with his free hand. ¡°Good girl.¡± I noticed something strange in his eyes¨Cnot lust, but something almost like¡­ regret? For a second, his mask slipped. ¡°I¡¯m sorry it has to be this way,¡± he whispered, so quietly I barely heard him. Then louder: ¡°Just a few more and we¡¯re done Hate burns inside me, the only warm thing in my numb body. Not just for Theo, but for myself. For being so stubborn. For pushing away the one person who saw through all this. Grayson would kill him for this. The thought shes through my mind with startling rity. However, if Grayson ever found out what was happening right now, I will lose him too. I can¡¯t believe I really thought of betraying my pack¡­him. I¡¯m such an idiot. Stupid, naive me. I thought I was fighting for something good, something right. I¡¯d seen enough cruelty in the pack hierarchy to want change. But this? It¡¯s pure evil. Grayson is right. I am weak and vulnerable. I thought it was over when Theo shut his phone down and put it away but what he did next made my blood freeze. He leaned in, his face inches from mine, and before I could react, his lips are already on mine. Theo forces his tongue between my lips, the taste of him making me gag. He moans against my mouth, saliva sliding down my chin as I struggle to breathe. ¡°I forgot to mention one thing Jess¡± he whispers against my mouth, his breath hot and sickening. ¡°I also n to steal you away so this,¡± he trails his wet mouth down my jaw to my neck, ¡°makes it official.¡± I can feel his teeth scrape against my pulse point before hetches on, sucking hard enough to bruise. The disgusting sound of his mouth working against my skin fills my ears. ¡°Perfect,¡± he groans, pulling back to admire his work. ¡°Good luck hiding that from your alpha, Jessica.¡± Ìï AD Alpha Luna 58 Chapter 58 JESSICA I only cried this hard during my father¡¯s funeral. A sob escaped my lips but I continue to wash away Theo¡¯s touch, scrubbing until my skin way row and bleeding in ces. It wasn¡¯t enough. Nothing would ever be enough to erase what happened. I¡¯m so angry at myself. So fucking angry I could scream until my throat bleeds too, Why didn¡¯t I see iting? Why didn¡¯t I fight Harder? The soap slips from my fingers, ttering against the shower floor as my knees finally give out. I slide down the wall, hot water mixing with hotter tears. ¡± ¡°Stupid,¡± I whisper, digging my nails into my palms. ¡°So goddamn stupid.¡± Dad always said I had fighter¡¯s instincts. ¡°You¡¯re a wolf, honey, not a rabbit,¡± he¡¯d tell me. What would he say now? Seeing his daughter curled up, shivering, trying to scrub away shame instead of fighting back? Why couldn¡¯t I have been that brave? That quick? That strong? Augh bubbles up¨Cbitter, hollow¨Cmixing with my tears. I m the water off and wrap myself in a towel, not caring that water still drips down my legs onto the floor. Everything hurts¨Cinside, outside. My mind races like a trapped animal, reying every second, every mistake. My phone buzzes on the counter. Three missed calls. All from Grayson. I throw on the first clothes I find¨Can old tank top and sweatpants¨Cand dive into my bed, burying myself under theforter. The darkness feels good. Safe. The only ce I can hide from what happened, from what I let happen. Suddenly, the door creaks open and I instantly knew who it was because I smell his cologne. Grayson. I curl tighter, pulling the sheets over my head, making myself as small as possible. I can¡¯t let him see me like this. He¡¯ll know. One look and he¡¯ll know something happened, and then- ¡°Hey¡­¡± Grayson sat on the edge of my bed, hands trying to search for mine. ¡°Where were you today? You told the director you¡¯re sick?¡± I did. I don¡¯t want to go anywhere. I don¡¯t even want to see anyone. The bed shifts as Grayson moves closer. I can feel his warmth through the nket¨Cit should beforting, but right now it¡¯s just another sensation I can¡¯t handle. ¡°Hey, talk to me,¡± he whispers, gently tugging the covers. I clutch them tighter. ¡°What¡¯s really going on?¡± ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m fine.¡± My voice cracks, betraying me instantly. He sighs, and I feel his hand rest on what he probably thinks is my shoulder but is actually my hip. I jerk away instinctively, my body reacting before my brain can stop it. ¡°Whoa,¡± his voice is soft, concerned. ¡°What¡¯s that about?¡± I peek out from the nket, just enough to see his face. Mistake. His eyes are full of that protective worry that makes my chest ache. They scan my face, lingering on my red¨Crimmed eyes, my raw skin. ¡°Just don¡¯t feel good,¡± I mutter, trying to look anywhere but at him. ¡°Stomach bug or something.¡± He reaches out¨Cslowly, carefully¨Cand brushes damp hair from my forehead. The tender gesture makes my eyes sting with fresh Your hair¡¯s wet he observes. ¡°You¡¯re taking hot showers when you¡¯re sick?¡± Before I can answer, he leans down, pressing his lips to my forehead like he¡¯s checking for fever. It¡¯s so gentle, so Grayson, that for forget to breathe. ¡°You don¡¯t feel hot,¡± he murmurs against my skin. His lips move to my temple, then my cheek. Checking orforting, I¡¯m not sure any mor My hands push against his chest¨Cnot hard, just enough. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± He freezes immediately, pulling back to search my face. I see confusion, then hurt, then something sharper. More alert. ¡°Did something happen?¡± he asks, voice suddenly tense. ¡°No!¡± I answer too quickly, scrambling to sit up. The nket falls away and I see his eyes catch on my arms¨Con the red marks from scrubbing too hard. I pull them under the covers fast. ¡°I¡¯m just in a mood, okay? Nothing happened.¡± I force augh that sounds hollow even to my ears. ¡°Can¡¯t a girl just feel crappy without twenty questions?¡± His jaw tightens slightly, but his voice stays gentle. ¡°Sure. But most girls don¡¯t look like they¡¯ve been crying for hours when they have a stomach bug.¡± I roll my eyes, going for annoyed instead of terrified. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m not most girls.¡± ¡°That¡¯s definitely true,¡± he says, a small smile tugging at his lips. He reaches for my hand under the nket. I let him take it, even though every nerve ending screams. His thumb traces circles on my palm, and he leans in again, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. ¡°Whatever it is,¡± he whispers, ¡°you can tell me. You know that, right?¡± For a second, I almost break. Almost let the wallse crashing down. But then I imagine what would happen¨Cwhat Grayson would do- and I can¡¯t. Not yet. ¡°I know,¡± I lie, squeezing his hand once before pulling away. ¡°I just need sleep. Really.¡± He studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. ¡°Okay. But I¡¯m bringing you dinnerter. No arguments.¡± As he stands to leave, I notice how his eyes linger on my arms again, how his posture has changed from rxed to alert. He knows something¡¯s wrong. He just doesn¡¯t know what. And I pray he never finds out. Grayson has worked his entire life to be alpha. The pack is everything to him. His family. His purpose. His legacy. And I¡¯ve put it all at risk because I was stupid. Because I thought I could handle things on my own. A fresh wave of tears hits, and this time I don¡¯t try to stop them. I curl into myself, hugging my knees to my chest as sobs wrack my body. The look on his face when he noticed my bruises¡­ that wasn¡¯t just concern. That was the beginning of suspicion. How long before he connects the dots? Before he realizes that the one he called mate just joined a revolution to overthrow his family out of power? How can he ever forgive that? ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I sob, my words echoing against the sheets. ¡°I was trying to help.¡± 213 But good Intentions won¡¯t matter. I¡¯m a traitor now. If Grayson sees these photos without exnationst van Felo Mesa truth now, it will destroy us ¡°Goddess of the moon, keeper of mates and bonds, I recite the ancient prayer through huping sobs, guide me through this part me find a way to stand for justice without betraying my heart.¡± Fortunately, Theo told me something. The revolution is set to strike during the next full moon¨Cright on the event where I am supposed to shift to my wolf. I have to make an impossible choice. And I hope I make the right choice. AD Alpha Luna 59 Chapter 59 JESSICA My eyes burn, swollen from sleep or crying or both. I don¡¯t remember when I stopped sobbing. Only that I did. I stare at the ceiling for a long time, hoping for numbness. Hoping maybe if I worship it long enough, it¡¯ll show mercy. Maybe it¡¯ll numb me. Maybe it¡¯ll split open and take me back. However, no one takes pity on the weak. I know that now. I¡¯ve earned that knowledge when Theo took advantage of me. So, I decided to continue my day as if everything¡¯s alright. ¡°There she is!¡± Pierce eagerly shouted tapping Grayson¡¯s shoulder. I saw both of them having their morning coffee and discussing something. ¡°Going somewhere lil sis?¡± I ignore himpletely. My focus is entirely on Grayson, whose eyes widen slightly as he takes in my appearance¨Cthe dark smudged makeup I didn¡¯t bother washing off, the hickeys I didn¡¯t try to hide. Without warning, I straddle Grayson¡¯sp, knocking his coffee against his chest. He hisses at the heat but I silence him by crushing my mouth against his. My hands tangle in his hair, pulling just hard enough to hurt. When I break away, I smile at the shock on both their faces. ¡°Can we talk?¡± I whisper against Grayson¡¯s lips. ¡°Privately.¡± Pierce clears his throat. ¡°Uh, is that a fucking hickey Jessica?!¡± ¡°Pierce, you can go,¡± he says, voice terrifyingly calm. Pierce snorts. ¡°Dude, this is my house.¡± Grayson¡¯s hand slides up to my throat, thumb pressing against one of Theo¡¯s marks. His eyes never leave mine. ¡°Go.¡± The door ms a momentter. Grayson¡¯s fingers tighten slightly around my neck. ¡°Who touched you?¡± he asks, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. ¡°Who. Fucking. Touched. You.¡± I feel his rage like a physical thing¨Ca storm building inside him that will destroy everything in its path. Good. That¡¯s what I want. Destruction. ¡°I¡¯m cheating on you,¡± I say, feeling his fingertips press deeper into my skin. ¡°You have to break up with me.¡± Please be mad at me, Grayson. I need you to be mad at me. His pupils dte until his eyes are almost ck. Without warning, he flips me onto my back, the coffee table crashing beneath us. Pain shoots up my spine but the adrenaline makes it feel distant, almost pleasurable. ¡°Liar,¡± he growls, hands finding my throat again. This time, he squeezed until I¡¯m struggling for air. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± ¡°I fucked someone else,¡± I choke out, tears stinging my eyes. ¡°Last night. I let another man-¡± His other hand crashes into the wall beside my head, ster cracking. ¡°Stop lying to me!¡± ¡°Break up with me,¡± I plead, voice barely audible as his grip tightens. ¡°Grayson¡ª¡± The pressure increases. ck spots dance in my vision as I gasp for breath that won¡¯te. I¡¯m drowning in air. My lungs burn, my constricts. I w at his hands, my nails drawing blood from his wrists, but he doesn¡¯t seem to feel it. 1/3 This isn¡¯t what I wanted. His eyes are vacant, like he¡¯s somewhere else entirely. Someone else entirely. My fingers weaken, limbs growing heavy. Onest desperate scratch across his forearm finally breaks through whatever trance he sin He releases me suddenly, horror washing over his face as I roll to my side, coughing violently, gulping down air like I¡¯m starving forc ¡°Jess¡­ fuck. I¡¯m sorry!¡± His voice breaks, hands hovering over me, afraid to touch. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean would never¡± ¡°No!¡± I shouted, stepping away from him. I stumble backward, knocking over a ss that shatters against the floor. ¡°You were going to do it,¡± I whisper, my voice a painful rasp. ¡°You were really going to-¡± ¡°No!¡± He falls to his knees, keeping his distance. ¡°Jess, I swear to Goddess, I don¡¯t know what happened. It was like I wasn¡¯t even¡­ like! couldn¡¯t control¡­¡°. My phone buzzes from where it fell during our struggle. A text from Theo: ¡°Did you tell him yet? Are you okay?¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes lock onto the screen, and he moves faster than I can react. His fingers close around my phone, eyes scanning the message. ¡°Theo?¡± He looks up, betrayal washing over his features. ¡°You weren¡¯t lying?¡°. ¡°Grayson, no. Give that back!¡± I lunge forward, but he sidesteps me, already scrolling through my conversation history. His face grows pater with each swipe. ¡°You¡¯ve been seeing him.¡± ¡°Give me my phone!¡± Iunch myself at him, wing desperately for it. My nails rake across his cheek, leaving angry red lines. He barely flinches, just scrolls through more messages while holding me at bay with one arm. ¡°Stop it!¡± I scream, pounding on his chest. When he didn¡¯t give up the phone, I found myself pping him hard across the face. Grayson freezes. His head snaps to the side from the impact, phone still clutched in his hand. For a heartbeat, everything goes silent¨Ceven our breathing. ¡°You actually hit me,¡± he whispers, sounding more bewildered than angry. I back away, my hand stinging. What have I done? The redness blooming across his cheek makes my stomach knot. ¡°I-¡± My voice catches. His eyes track me like a predator as I retreat, bumping into the edge of the counter. He tosses my phone onto the aisle and steps toward. ¡± First, you tell me you cheated. Then, I found you¡¯re cheating with your ex¨Clover. And now you fucking hit me?¡± My lips tremble uncontrobly, tears threatening to spill over. I can¡¯t tell him the truth¨CI can¡¯t tell anyone. ¡°Damn, baby,¡± Grayson says, his voice cracking slightly. ¡°What else are you doing behind my back, huh?¡± The hurt in his eyes makes me want to confess everything, but I can¡¯t. I won¡¯t. This has to end, for both our sakes. ¡°You have to break up with me,¡± I say, my voice quivering. I reach for his hand, but he pulls away like my touch burns. ¡°Please break up with me.¡± Please break up with me, Grayson. This is destroying us both. You¡¯re hurting me more than you know, and I can¡¯t tell you why I need this to end. I just need you to walk away before one of us doesn¡¯t walk away at all. Chapter 59 His face crumbles before my eyes. I don¡¯t want to see him hurting but I had to pretend I¡¯m numb for this, His eyes are like open wounds, bleeding confusion and betrayal. He¡¯s searching my face with such intensity that I almost believe h every thought I¡¯m desperately trying to hide. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that,¡± he says, but uncertainty creeps into his voice. ¡°I do,¡± Ilie, digging my nails into my arms to keep from reaching for him. ¡°It¡¯s over, Grayson. Just say it and we can both move on. He shakes his head slowly and my heart feels like it¡¯s being torn in two. One blinks free, trailing down his cheek, and it takes everything in me not to wipe it away. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡± Grayson licks his lips and look away. ¡°This isn¡¯t you, Jess.¡± I¡¯ve never seen Grayson cry before. He¡¯s a Westwood and a future alpha never shed tears but now, he¡¯s crying over me. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry, I scream inside my head. Please understand someday that I had no choice. ¡°Fine,¡± he finally says, his voice hollow. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want.¡± It¡¯s not what I want. It¡¯s the furthest thing from what I want. But I nod anyway, my own tears threatening to betray me: AD Alpha Luna 60 Chapter 60 GRAYSON She fucking broke up with me.¡± I told Pierce as soon as I saw him resting on his chair. What the fuck? I quickly notice what the hell is happening when I heard him cursed, his hands disappearing under the table for a second before he pull his pants on. I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Am I interrupting something?¡± ¡°No¨Cjust¨Cgive me a second.¡± His jaw clenched, eyes unfocused as he adjusted himself. ¡°Vivian, stop,¡± he hissed downward. No fucking way. I¡¯m slightly distracted as the sweet innocent Viviane out, fixing her ck rimmed eye sses and covering herself. But it was the outfit that made my wolf snart inside me. A ck leather top that showed more than it covered, a skirt that wasn¡¯t much more than a belt. When she saw me, suddenly all shy and innocent again¨Cas if I hadn¡¯t just caught her on her knees. Her hands trembled as she grabbed Pierce¡¯s jacket from the back of his chair, wrapping it around herself. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry alpha¡± she whispered, voice small, before bolting past me and out the door, the scent of her fear and arousal lingering in her wake. ¡°Well,¡± I said, turning back to Pierce with a dangerous smile spreading across my face. ¡°Isn¡¯t this interesting?¡± Pierce adjusted his cor, looking more annoyed than embarrassed. ¡°What do you want, Grayson? I¡¯m kind of in the middle of something.¡± ¡°Clearly.¡± I dropped into the chair opposite him, propping my feet on his desk just to piss him off.¡± Your sister dump me.¡± ¡°Fuck yeah,¡± Pierce said, not even trying to hide his satisfaction. His smile spread wide, canines shing. ¡°Best news I¡¯ve heard all month.¡± I threw the sh drive I¡¯d been palming at his face. It hit him square between the eyes. ¡°What the-¡± he started, rubbing the red mark forming on his forehead. ¡°That¡¯s security footage from the border,¡± I cut him off. ¡°She¡¯s been seeing Theo.¡± Pierce¡¯s smug expression vanished. ¡°Shit.¡± ¡°Yeah, shit is right. And I know you knew about it.¡± Pierce froze. ¡°I..I warned her but I didn¡¯t know that she¡¯s cheating¡ª¡± ¡°She¡¯s not cheating on me.¡± I cut him off. There¡¯s no fucking way Jessica cheats on me. Because you can¡¯t cheat on something that belongs to you. And Jessica is mine. Always has been, always will be. Pierce¡¯s face twisted with confusion. ¡°Then what the hell are you so pissed about?¡± I leaned forward, my voice dropping to something dangerous even to my own ears. ¡°She thinks she can leave me.¡± A scraped out of my throat. ¡°As if that¡¯s even possible.¡± The wolf Inside me paced restlessly, wing at my Insides. Mine Mine Mine Grayson, Pierce said slowly, ¡°what did you do?¡± I ignored him, pulling out my phone and scrolling through the tracking app I¡¯d installed on Jessica¡¯s phone months ago. The leaped pulsed inside their house. ¡°Theo¡¯s moving again,¡± I muttered, more to myself than Pierce, ¡°I think he¡¯s going to use Jessica against me.¡± My wolf howled with rage inside my head. Jessica has no idea how dangerous Theo really is. The things he¡¯s capable of The bodies buried under his pds. ¡°She¡¯s my fucking sister, Gray,¡± Pierce growled, leaning over the desk. His eyes shed yellow¨Cwolf breaking through. ¡°I will kill you if something happens to her.¡± I grabbed Pierce by the cor, yanking him close. ¡°You think I want her in danger? I¡¯m in love with your sister and I will kill myself too if anything happens to her. But Theo¡­¡± I released him with a shove. ¡°I think Theo¡¯s behind the rogue¡¯s attack too.¡± My ws extended, puncturing the leather of the chair as I fought to keep my wolf contained. ¡°That fucking snake has been nning this for months. Getting close to her, filling her head with bullshit about me is thest of his bomb.¡± Suddenly, I fucking regret showing how much I care for Jess. Now, everyone is going to make her life a lot more painful. ¡°Jessica would never leave me on her own,¡± I snarled. ¡°That bastard¡¯s manipting her. Probably using some kind of fuckingpulsion. You know what they say about those Northern wolves.¡± Pierce¡¯s expression shifted from anger to something like concern. ¡°Gray, man¡­ have you considered that maybe she just-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± My voice was barely human. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare finish that sentence if you want to keep your tongue.¡± Jessica is my mate. She¡¯s my fucking mate so she won¡¯t hurt me intentionally. I understand that she¡¯s still so young to understand things so I am going to be patient with her. I yearned for her for so long I can taste it in my blood¨Cthat constant ache that¡¯s been there since I first caught her scent. ¡°What¡¯s your n, then?¡± Pierce leans against his chair, watching me carefully like I¡¯m some wounded animal about to snap. Maybe I am. ¡°You can¡¯t just force her to-¡± ¡°I¡¯m not forcing anything,¡± I growl, though the lie tastes bitter. ¡°I¡¯m giving her time to realize what we are to each other. What we could be.¡± Time. Space. Patience. These are the words I repeat to myself, even as I track her movements across campus, even as I memorize her schedule, her friends, her habits. Even as I leave small gifts outside her door before that she pretends not to find. I¡¯m done waiting. Done being the one who chases, who yearns, who fucking bleeds with need. Jessica doesn¡¯t know it yet, but today changed everything. ¡°I¡¯m done chasing her like a pathetic pup,¡± I mutter, tracing the rim of my ss. ¡°Time for little Jess to feel what I¡¯ve been feeling. Time for her to chase me for a change.¡± ¡°And how exactly are you nning that?¡± Pierce asks, eyebrow raised. I smile, and even I can feel how sharp it is. ¡°By giving her exactly what she thinks she wants. Distance.¡± I stand, dropping cash on the table. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long before shees looking for me.¡± Alpha Luna 61 Chapter 61 Chapter 61 JESSICA I broke up with Grayson Westwood. It sounds like a lie when I say it out loud. I stare at my phone one more time and realized how fucked up it is that I was the one who broke up with him but here I am waiting for his messages. ¡°You did the right thing,¡± I whisper to myself, shoving my phone into my pocket. But did I? I¡¯m supposed to enjoy thest few weeks before the full moon. A blue sedan pulls up. Logan. He¡¯s early for once, which is just my luck because I haven¡¯t had time to pull myself together. When he told mest night he¡¯ll pick me up, I quickly agreed. It¡¯s been a long time since Ist saw him. Really long time. ¡°Hey stranger,¡± he calls out, his smile fading when he sees my face. ¡°Shit, what happened?¡± 1 slide into the passenger seat, careful because my skirt is really small. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°You look different,¡± Logan says, eyeing my newly dyed blonde hair. The curls barely reach my shoulders now, a radical change from the long, straight locks Grayson used to run his fingers through. ¡°Like, really different.¡± I tug at my too¨Cshort skirt, feeling exposed yet somehow safer in this new skin. ¡°Needed a change.¡± My voice cracks. Fuck. Don¡¯t cry. Don¡¯t you dare cry. Logan starts driving, stealing nces at me. ¡°So¡­ Westwood, huh?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t wanna talk about it.¡± But I do. Goddess, I do. My chest feels like it¡¯s caving in, like someone scooped out everything inside and left this hollow, aching space. Instead, I focus on something else. Somewhere. Anything that don¡¯t make my heart aches. ¡°Your eyes are all puffy.¡± ¡°Thanks, asshole.¡± I try tough but ites out strangled. Logan made it to the warrior list. He¡¯s been training all along. I was shock but proud when he told me about it. And now I am shock seeing how he¡¯s kinda change. Well, he looks stronger. Muscr even. Logan turns down the music. ¡°When did you even get time to transform yourself? It¡¯s been what, two days since you dumped him?¡± ¡°Twenty¨Cseven hours.¡± The words slip out before I can stop them. I¡¯ve been counting every miserable minute. My phone burns in my pocket, silent. No calls. No texts. Why would there be? I made it clear. Crystal fucking clear. ¡°The makeup¡¯s a bit much,¡± Logan says softly. I touch my face, the heavy foundation, the dramatic eyeliner. Armor. ¡°Yeah, well.¡± I stare out the window, buildings blurring through unexpected tears. ¡°Turns out breaking someone¡¯s heart breaks yours too.¡± ¡°And this someone else wears¡­ that?¡± He gestures at my outfit¨Cmini skirt, fis stockings,bat boots. ¡°Eyes on the road, judgey.¡± I cross my arms over my chest. My reflection in the side mirror shows a stranger. Good. Maybe if I look different enough, I¡¯ll feel different too.. ¡°Jess¡­¡± Logan¡¯s voice trails off, and I can feel his eyes on me even as he drives. ¡°What?¡± I snap, harsher than intended. ¡°Don¡¯t start with the pity party.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to-¡± ¡°Sure you weren¡¯t,¡± I roll my eyes, blinking back tears that keep threatening to spill, Stupid, stupid tears. Twenty seven hours, fourteen amates that a how long it¡¯s been since I looked into Grayson¡¯s eyes and told him we were done. Logan! n sighs, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. ¡°You know you can talk to me, right? Like, actually talk. Not this bullshit deflection thing you¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°Me? Deflect? Never.¡± I force augh that sounds like broken ss. ¡°Hey, speaking of bullshit, how¡¯s being a warrior little guy?¡± Logan jerk away andugh when I touch his shoulders. It¡¯s funny how he tells me I look different when it¡¯s him who looks amazing Some bitterness crawls in my throat knowing I can still do it too but instead, I¡¯m forever stuck in my role as a caretake. No, not forever Probably not forever. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ intense,¡± Logan admits, his eyes flickering to mine before returning to the road. ¡°Honestly? Half the time I think I¡¯m gonna die. The other half I¡¯m already dead and just haven¡¯t noticed yet.¡± I snort. ¡°Sounds thrilling.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve been there.¡± His voice goes quiet. ¡°You were always better than me, Jess.¡± Yeah but look where that got me? ¡°Yeah, well.¡± I pick at my fis stockings, creating a tiny hole. ¡°Some of us don¡¯t get choices.¡°¡± Logan¡¯s hand finds mine, warm and calloused now. When did that happen? He squeezes once, and the pressure makes my eyes sting. I think he¡¯s going to say something meaningful, something that might actually crack me open, when suddenly his face changes. ¡°Shit,¡± he whispers, eyes wide. I follow his gaze, and my stomach drops through the floor of the car. There¡¯s Grayson¨Cfucking Grayson¨Cwith his hands holding Aria inside the school parking lot. My heart stops. Literally stops. Then restarts with a painful jolt that leaves me breathless. His fingers on her arm. ¡°Jess-¡± Logan¡¯s voicees from somewhere far away. Heat crawls up my neck, behind my eyes. Pressure builds in my chest until I can¡¯t breathe right. I¡¯m drowning sitting perfectly still. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Logan says, his hand shooting out to grab my wrist as I reach for the door handle. ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t.¡± I can¡¯t tear my eyes away. Grayson leans down to whisper something in her ear and sheughs. She fuckingughs. Goddess, how pathetic am I? I know I should stick with my decision but really? This fast? That¡¯s all it took to make a liar out of him. Out of both of us. Aria¡¯s gaze drifts over, catching mine through the windshield. Her eyes widen for just a beat, recognition flickering like a match being struck. She smiles at me, this little quirk of her lips that says everything words can¡¯t. Holding my gaze, she reaches for Grayson¡¯s face, turns it toward hers, and kisses him. Slow. Deep. Putting on a show with me as the only audience member. Something raw and primal rips through me. But I never know pain until I saw with my own two eyes how Grayson¡¯s hands move to Aria¡¯s waist, spinning her around, backing her against the car. His body presses into hers, possessive, hungry. Like he¡¯s trying to crawl inside her skin. My vision blurs, hot tears threatening to spill. I blink them back furiously because I refuse¨Cabsolutely refuse¨Cto let them see me cry. ¡°You know what?¡± I say, voice shaking but determined. ¡°Good. Let him have her.¡± Logan nces at me, disbelief written across his features. ¡°Jess- This is what I want. This is what I need. But fuck it, this is not how it should feel. I already know I love Grayson Westwood. I just didn¡¯t know i love him this Chapter 61 much. Comment Alpha Luna 62 Chapter 62 GRAYSON ¡°What the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± I snarl, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. The taste of Aria¡¯s cheap lip gloss makes me want to vomit. I shove her away hard enough that she stumbles back, hitting the ground with a satisfying thud. ¡°Whore!¡± Her eyes widen, fear flickering across her face. Good. She should be afraid. I¡¯m only apanying her because I pissed my fatherst night but she went ahead and kiss me. The other students are starting to notice themotion and I¡¯ll be damned seeing her almost crying. Shit. She fucking deserves it. Where the hell is Jess anyway? ¡°Get up,¡± I hiss. ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing yourself.¡± My phone buzzes. Logan. Finally. I nce at the screen, annoyed at the interruption but relieved I can ditch this pathetic scene. The urge to kick Aria while she¡¯s down is almost overwhelming, but I resist. Too many witnesses. ¡°Clean yourself up,¡± I mutter, turning away. ¡°And if you ever touch me again, I¡¯ll make sure everyone in this school knows exactly what kind of girl you really are.¡± I storm away from Aria, my blood boiling under my skin. Stupid bitch. My phone buzzes with Logan¡¯s message, and something in me tightens with anticipation. Jess crying? This day might not be a total waste after all. Behind the building, I spot them immediately. Logan leaning against the wall, looking bored, while Jess sits on the ground, knees pulled to her chest, mascara running down her cheeks. Beautiful. ¡°Took you long enough,¡± Logan mutters, Tignore him, focusing on Jess. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± I ask, though I couldn¡¯t care less about the answer. What I care about is the delicious sight of her tears. Jess looks up, and something in me freezes. The hell? Her hair- I almost don¡¯t recognize her. Blonde. She dyed her fucking hair blonde. ¡°What the fuck did you do to yourself?¡± The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. She stands up, wiping her face, suddenly defiant. This isn¡¯t the reaction I wanted. She¡¯s supposed to be broken, begging for me to take her back. ¡°Get away from me,¡± she says, her voice stronger than it should be. She stands, tugging at the hem of a skirt that barely covers anything. ¡°What is this?¡± I gesture at her transformation, disgust and fascination warring inside me. ¡°Some kind of post¨Cbreakup meltdown?¡± Logan leans against the wall, watching us with that stupid smirk. ¡°Told you she went crazy.¡± ¡°Not crazy,¡± Jess says, lifting her chin. ¡°Free.¡± Something dark twists in my gut. Free? From me? The audacity makes my fingers itch to close around her throat. ¡°You look ridiculous,¡± I say instead, keeping my voice low, controlled. ¡°Come here. Let¡¯s fucking get you home.¡± Damn it. The n backfired at me. I lied. She doesn¡¯t look ridiculous. She looks so fucking hot. Jess¡¯s eyes narrow, her gaze sliding from me to Logan. Her face transforms¨Crealization dawning like a fucking sunrise. ¡°You texted Grayson?¡± The betrayal in her voice almost makes me smile. She spins toward Logan, who suddenly looks less smug. ¡°You called him?¡± Logan tried to reach for her. ¡°Jess, look at yourself¡­ I¡¯m just so worried about you-¡± 1/4 ~ 11:12 Tue, 19 Aug ¡°Bullshit!¡± She ps his hand away. ¡°You just couldn¡¯t stand that I was finally having fun without either of you controlling me I watch her rage bloom, savoring it. This fury¨Cthis is the Jess I¡¯ve been cultivating. The one who¡¯s learning to bite back. ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide when I¡¯m ¡®too much,¡± she spits at Logan, then turns those shing eyes on me. ¡°And you don¡¯t own me anymore. The word ¡°anymore¡± implies I once did. She remembers correctly. ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong, baby,¡± I say softly, stepping closer until I can smell her perfume¨Cdifferent, cheaper than what I bought her. ¡°Some things don¡¯t end just because you say they do.¡± Her pulse jumps visibly in her throat. Fear? Excitement? With Jess, it¡¯s always been deliciously hard to tell the difference. I fucking miss her. If she didn¡¯t only beg for me to break up with her, I would¡¯ve probably pinned her in bed now. Her mascara starts to run. ck tears¨Clike her soul leaking out. Fucking poetic. I feel bad for her. I do. However, it¡¯s time for us to baby her in this world. Iugh softly. ¡°What exactly did you think would happen, Jess? That you¡¯d y dress¨Cup and suddenly be someone else?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know me anymore,¡± she whispers. I move closer, my fingers finding her wrist. Her pulse races under my touch. ¡°I know every part of you. Even the parts you¡¯re trying to hide under this¡­¡± let my gaze travel slowly down her body, ¡°¡­pathetic disguise.¡± She tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip just enough. Just how she used to like it. ¡°Let her go, man,¡± Logan says, suddenly growing a conscience. I ignore him, leaning closer to Jess¡¯s ear. ¡°That break¨Cup hurts like hell Jessica. Then you¡¯re here destroying yourself?¡± I know I¡¯m being harsh on her but 72 hours of her not contacting me after tearing my heart hurts my fucking ego too. She can do that? I can¡¯t even breath waiting for her message or calls. That¡¯s unfair. But right. I think I love her more. And I¡¯m okay with that. Jess, my so ever brave Jess look up with so much rage in her eyes. ¡°Well, how badly it hurts you¡¯re sucking Aria¡¯s tongue in the morning?¡± she snarls, tears gleaming in her eyes. ¡°Fuck you, Grayson.¡± So that¡¯s it. She saw us. I feel nothing but satisfaction knowing she¡¯s been watching, hurting, burning with jealousy. ¡°Is that why you¡¯re crying, Jess?¡± I whisper, tracing a finger down her cheek, collecting a tear. ¡°Because you miss my tongue?¡± She tries to p me. I catch her wrist mid¨Cair. Logan tried to step probably to save his bestfriend but I don¡¯t him anymore. One look at him and he¡¯s gone. He knows I won¡¯t hurt Jess. I hope Jess knows that too but well, she¡¯s a very stubborn woman so I might¡¯ve to fuck that thought inside her womb. ¡°Let go of me,¡± she hisses, trembling. ¡°Logan! Damn it. Come back here, you idiot!¡± ¡°Did it hurt, Jess?¡± I ask, voice deceptively gentle. ¡°Seeing me with someone else?¡± ¡°Fuck you.¡± Her hands ball into fists, nails digging crescents into her palms. ¡°You didn¡¯t even wait a day before-¡± ¡°Before what?¡± I step closer, eliminating the space between us. ¡°Before showing you exactly what you threw away?¡± She tries to shove me back, but I only pull us closer. Goddess, I¡¯m so stupid making her cry. I will go to hell for this. ¡°You think I care?¡± she snarls, but her voice catches. ¡°You think I give a shit who you fuck?¡± ¡°I think,¡± I say, lowering my voice to that register that always made her melt, ¡°that you broke up with me to punish me. To see if I¡¯de crawling back.¡± I lean in, lips nearly touching her ear. ¡°But that¡¯s not how this works, princess. I don¡¯t crawl. I hunt.¡± Her breathing hitches. ¡°I broke up with you because you¡¯re toxic.¡± ¡°Funny,¡± I whisper, ¡°you never it was making you scream my name. Her eyes sh, and she wrenches one hand free to p me. I let her¨Cthe sting is worth it to see that raw emotion, that pure, unfiltered Jess that onl/1 can bring out, ¡°I hate what you do to me,¡± she whispers, and there it is¨Cthe admission I¡¯ve been waiting for. I hate what you do to me too, baby. I hate how much you¡¯re willing to break me just so you can achieve your dreams. Theo is a dead man. Jessica doesn¡¯t know it yet but she¡¯s an open book to me. Her thoughts leak into my mind like blood through gauze. Always have. Messy little fragments that betray her every time. Right now, she¡¯s wondering why I can¡¯t just let her go and chose the easy route. Why is she wondering that? Doesn¡¯t she know she¡¯s the only option? Her mind is chaotic¨Cmemories shing of her meeting Theo in the woods. Then her naked on his bed. The fucking ckmail. Her crying in her room. Fucking hell. Ifreeze, not believing what she¡¯s allowing me to read inside her mind. My vision blurs red. My hands twitch with the need to wrap around his throat. I can already feel his pulse stuttering beneath my thumbs. ¡°He¡¯s ckmailing you,¡± I say. Her eyes widen, pupils dting with terror. ¡°How could you possibly=¡± I¡¯m such a fucking idiot. ¡°You think I haven¡¯t always known what goes on in that pretty little head of yours?¡± I step closer, watching her breath catch. ¡°Since we were kids, Jess. Every thought. Every secret. Every lie.¡± Her face drains of color. ¡°That¡¯s not-¡± ¡°Possible?¡± Iugh, the sound hollow even to my own ears. ¡°I already told you you¡¯re my mate Jess but even that you think is a lie.¡± She¡¯s backing away now, her mind screaming. Memories surfacing of other moments¨Ctimes when I knew things I shouldn¡¯t have. Times when she¡¯d thought something and I¡¯d responded as if she¡¯d spoken aloud. ¡°The photos he has,¡± I whisper, pulling the darkest parts from her mind like drawing poison from a wound. ¡°How did he get them?¡± A tear slides down her cheek. ¡°You don¡¯t understand! I was protecting you!¡± ¡°Do I look like a man that needs your damn protection Jessica?¡± Her thoughts spiral wildly¨Cnot just Theo. The Council. The entire fucking Alpha Council knows about us. About what we are. What we¡¯ve done. ¡°It¡¯s bigger than Theo,¡± I say, chest tightening as I follow the thread through her mind. ¡°He¡¯s working for them, isn¡¯t he?¡± The blood drains from her face. ¡°How are you doing this? You¡¯re in my head¨Cstop it!¡± ¡°You¡¯re my mate,¡± I snarl, gripping her shoulders. ¡°Your thoughts have always been mine to read. Did you think that was normal? Did you think everyone had what we have?¡± Her mind floods with realization¨Call the times she¡¯d thought I was just perceptive. All the times she¡¯d convinced herself it was coincidence. ¡°Theo is a dead man to me, baby,¡± I say, thinking of million ways to kill a man. Each method more satisfying than thest. Slower. More pair. dead man to me. You hear me?¡± She¡¯s shaking her head, but I can see it in her mind¨Cthe relief mixed with horror. She knows I¡¯m serious. She knows what i¡¯m capable of. And deep down, in that dark ce she tries to hide even from herself, she wants me to do it. ¡®s a Chapter 63 Alpha Luna 63 Chapter 63 GRAYSON ¡°You have to start firing your friends in council dad.¡± I muttered, staring at my old man as he sips his whiskey for breakfast. It¡¯s just us in the dining table and while and while most families talk about the weather or ns for the day, we discuss politics. He doesn¡¯t even look up from his old sheet newspaper. ¡°And why would I do that, Grayson?¡± ¡°Because they¡¯re not loyal.¡± I lean forward, lowering my voice even though the staff knows better than to eavesdrop. ¡°Jenkins has been meeting with the Northern pack. Moore¡¯s daughter is dating one of your enemies. They¡¯re weak links.¡± Finally, he looks at me, those cold eyes¨Cthe ones I inherited¨Csizing me up. ¡°You know what your problem is? You see enemies everywhere.¡± ¡°That¡¯s riching from you.¡± I scoff, stabbing my fork into my untouched eggs. ¡°You taught me to trust no one.¡± ¡°I taught you to be strategic.¡± He sets down his ss with a clink that seems to echo in the massive dining room. ¡°Firing council members without cause creates enemies. Real ones.¡± My jaw clenches. He doesn¡¯t get it. Or worse, he does and doesn¡¯t care. The pack is vulnerable with these traitors in our midst, and he¡¯s toofortable to see it. ¡°I saw how you handled Aria yesterday.¡± His voice drops, a dangerous edge to it. ¡°Making a scene in public? That¡¯s not a way to handle your future Luna, Grayson. Don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°SHE¡¯S. NOT. MY. LUNA.¡± I snap, feeling my wolf rise beneath my skin. ¡°She never will be.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice.¡± He smiles, but it doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. Never does. ¡°The arrangement with her family secures the eastern border. You¡¯ll mate her, and you¡¯ll do it withoutints.¡± I lean in, voice deadly quiet. ¡°And if I refuse?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll find an heir who understands sacrifice.¡± He takes another sip of whiskey. ¡°And as for your little pet¨CJess, is it? The girl you pushed the role of a caretaker just to get her out of my sight?¡± A low growl starts in my chest. I don¡¯t even try to suppress it. ¡°You know,¡± he continues, setting down his ss, ¡°I had her investigated. Fascinating girl. It would be a shame to hurt such a young vulnerabledy.¡± The rage that floods through me is instant, primal. I¡¯m halfway out of my chair before I realize what I¡¯m doing. ¡°You seem upset.¡± He chuckles,pletely unfazed. ¡°Funny, I thought you¡¯d outgrown these¡­ attachments. Your mother had the same weakness- caring too much about things that don¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bring Mom into this,¡± I snarl. ¡°Your mother understood duty. In the end, she did what was necessary for the pack.¡± His eyes harden. ¡°I¡¯ve already arranged for your little Jess to assist with the new recruits¡®bat training tomorrow. Without protection. idents happen all the time with new wolves who can¡¯t control their shifts.¡± The chair crashes behind me as I stand, the wood splintering against the floor. My teeth elongate, sharp and ready. I want to rip his throat out¡ªI could do it right now. ¡°Touch her, and I¡¯ll kill you myself.¡± The wordse out distorted, my wolf pushing forward. I¡¯m out the door in seconds, phone in hand, frantically dialing Jess¡¯s number as shift, clothes tearing, bones breaking and reforming. My wolf takes over, carrying me faster than human legs ever could toward their house in the woods. The phone goes straight to voicemail again. She hasn¡¯t answered since she ran away yesterday. 1112 106-13 AUD If they touch her if they hurt her I¡¯ll burn this whole fucking pack to the ground. When I reach her room, I pause and stare as I caught my reflection. Wild eyes, atted fur streaked with dirt and blood. I look exactly like what i ande monster who would tear apart the world for her. Movement catches my eye. The curtain pulls back. She stands there, sleep¨Ctousled and perfect. For a second, fear shes across her face, then recognition. Our eyes lock through the ss barrier. H¨¦r hand lifts slowly to the window. Not to close the curtain. To unlock it. ¡°Grayson?¡± Her voice is muffled through the ss, but I hear the tremble in it. ¡°What the fuck?¡± The window creaks open. I rear up, front pawsnding on the sill with a thud. My fangs catch the sun rays¨Cwhite, sharp, deadly. Jess stumbles back, hands flying to her mouth. ¡°Moon goddess!¡± she hisses. ¡°You¡¯re¨Cyou¡¯re fucking huge.¡± I¡¯ve never let her see me like this. The full wolf. The monster beneath the man. ¡°I know baby,¡± I try to say, but ites out as a guttural snarl, saliva dripping from my jaws. She should be terrified. Should be mming the window shut. Calling for help. Instead, the crazy girl steps forward. ¡°You¡¯re here early,¡± she whispers, reaching toward a gash on my shoulder I barely feel. ¡°Is it because of yesterday? I¡¯m sorry I left. I was just so scared of you.¡± I duck my head, allowing her ess. Her fingers trace my furs, tentative at first, then with more confidence. The wolf in me whines, pressing into her touch. ¡°Are you still angry at me?¡± Her voice cracks. ¡°About what I did.¡± I growl low in confirmation. My massive head swings toward her, muzzle nudging her stomach. I¡¯m so fucking angry I can fuck her right now. ¡°Shit.¡± She runs trembling fingers through my matted fur, finding my face again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grayson but you really scared the shit out of me too.¡± I¡¯m too big for the window frame. Have to back up, paws scraping against the siding as I drop back to the ground. I pace below, looking up at her, teeth bared in impatience. Then she does something that stops my heart. She fucking climbs out after me. ¡°Jess!¡± I try to shout, but it¡¯s just another snarl. Her bare feet hit the dirt beside me, sleep shorts and tank top nothing against the morning chill. ¡°Where do we go?¡± she asks, hand finding purchase in the thick fur at my neck. ¡°Your ce?¡± I shake my massive head, nudging her away because I don¡¯t think another rendezvous with us will make it any better. ¡°Are you¡­ can you change back?¡± No. If I shift back human, I¡¯ll be naked and hard and nothing will stop me from bending her over right here in the dirt. ¡°Then we should go somewhere,¡± she insists. My parents will be up soon.¡± I pull away, considering. Taking her deeper into the woods is dangerous¨Cfor her, not me, I¡¯m barely holding the wolf in check as it is. She steps closer, hand sliding down my nk in a way that makes my blood boil. ¡°Please, Gray. I want to understand.¡± ??? 1112 Tue Chapter 63 Little kitten thinks she¡¯s ready for the ws toe out. Doesn¡¯t realize I¡¯ve been gentle so far. Does she understand what she¡¯s asking? She hesitates only a moment before her fingers tighten in my fur. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Hower my body, a clear invitation. She stares, disbelieving. ¡°Seriously?¡± 1 huff, impatient. ¡°Okay. Okay.¡± She swings a leg over my back, settling her weight between my shoulder des. Her thighs grip my sides, arms wrapping around my neck. ¡°This is insane.¡± I rise carefully, adjusting to her weight. She¡¯s trembling¨Cfrom cold or fear, I can¡¯t tell. Doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll keep her warm. Keep her safe. ¡°Your fur¡¯s softer than it looks,¡± she mumbles against my neck, face pressed close as I take the first loping steps into the morning Softer than it looks. If she only knew the things these jaws have done and how much more it¡¯s willing to do just to have her. AD Comment Alpha Luna 64 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¨Cwild 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¨Cafter Theo, after Aria, after the mind¨Creading 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¨Cbest 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¨Cbut 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. ¡°This is maniption,¡± I said aloud, my voice thin in the quiet cleating. ¡°You know that, right? Bringing me here after what happened.¡± He turned, those wolf eyes impossibly expressive¨Churt, defiant, pleading. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. You know exactly what you¡¯re doing.¡± He padded silently after me, his massive wolf form somehow managing to look apologetic. Which was ridiculous. Wolves can¡¯t look apologetic. Except Grayson¨Cas¨Cwolf somehow did. ¡°I should hate you right now.¡± My voice cracked embarrassingly. ¡°You kissed Aria infront of everyone but¡­Logan told me it wasn¡¯t your fault.¡± He did. I just can¡¯t get those images off my mind. It stings a lot knowing Aria can have him in ways that I probably won¡¯t. Not in this lifetime anyway. My eyes burned. I blinked rapidly, focusing on the cool breeze against my hot cheeks, the distant call of birds, anything but the storm inside me. ¡°I want to run away from you and run toward you at the same time. How messed up is that?¡± Grayson lowered his massive head and rested it on myp, those wolf eyes looking up at me. I guess we were the same. We just can¡¯t meet halfway Moon goddess, it¡¯s so fucking hard. Chapter 64 The forest around us blurred as tears finally spilled over. I wiped them away furiously, angry at myself for being so weak ¡°Let¡¯s break up for real Grayson,¡± I whispered, snuggling closer even as I said those words. I don¡¯t know how many heartbreaks v?s have to sitter re realize we are not for each other. ¡°I can¡¯t I can¡¯t keep pretending this will work.¡± He growled, the vibration rumbling through my thighs where his head rested. Before I could process what was happening, he pulled away, his mantive form shifting in a blur of fur and muscle and magic. ¡°The bell we are,¡± he said, now human, crouched before me with only scraps of dignity preserved. His eyes¨Cstill wolf¨Cwild¨Clocked onto mine. ¡°You don¡® get to decide this alone.¡± I knew that was going to work. When he tried to touch my face, I can only look away before both of us could hurt again.¡± ¡°Look at me, Jess.¡± I shook my head, feeling pathetic. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± by he ¡°Why not?¡± His voice dropped lower, that dangerous edge that always made something inside me curl and tighten. ¡°Because if I look at you then I can¡¯t do this for real.¡± I can¡¯t break up with him for real. I can¡¯t tell him I don¡¯t want anything to do with him anymore. I¡¯ll be out in my mind in seconds getting drowned by his kisses. ¡°So you¡¯d rather run? Again?¡± He was closer now, his breath warm against my ear. ¡°That¡¯s always your answer, isn¡¯t it? When things get messy, Jess bolts.¡± I jerked away, suddenly furious. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare. You don¡¯t get to make me the viin when you¡¯re the one- ¡± My voice cracked, and I hated myself for it. For being this broken thing because of him. Again and again and again. His fingers trembled as they hovered near my cheek, not quite touching. ¡°When I¡¯m the what? Say it.¡± The tears came faster now, hot trails down my face. ¡°When you¡¯re the one who keeps hurting me!¡± His face fell and so does my heart. However, I need to do this. For real. For us. ¡°You keep hurting me,¡± I repeated, softer this time. My throat burned. ¡°And I keep letting you.¡± Grayson stepped back, running both hands through his hair. Goddess, I¡¯d traced those same paths with my own fingers justst week. How did we always end up here? ¡°That¡¯s not fair, Jess.¡± His voice was hurt. ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I want.¡± What you want. What you want. The words ricocheted in my head, a pinball of anger. ¡°I can¡¯t keep doing this, Grayson. I¡¯m so tired of being hurt by just loving you.¡± A tear slipped down my cheek, and I angrily swiped it away. Why do I keep on crying? ¡°You¡¯re not-¡± he started, then stopped. Frustration shed across his face. ¡°Goddammit, Jess. You don¡¯t understand.¡± I perfectly understand now. Something broke in his expression then. The hard lines of anger softened into something raw and vulnerable that made my chest ache. ¡°I¡¯m scared,¡± he admitted, so quietly I almost missed it. ¡°Every time things get good between us, I wait for it to fall apart. And then I-¡± ¡°You make it fall apart first,¡± I finished for him, understanding washing over me in a cold wave. ¡°So you can control when it happens.¡± Chapter 65 Alpha Luna 65 Chapter 65 JESSICA it¡¯s true. His eyes met mine, startled, hurt before he closed the gap and his lips found mine before i could react, his hands cradling my face like i was something precious. For a moment¨Cone weak, desperate moment¨CI melted into him, tasting rain and whiskey and familiarity. But then reality crashed back. I pressed my palms against his chest and pushed, breaking the kiss. ¡°No,¡± I gasped, trying to catch my breath. ¡°You don¡¯t get to do that.¡± But even as I protested, my hands weren¡¯t pushing anymore. They were fisting in his shirt, pulling him back to me. My brain screamed to stop while ray body arched into his. When we finally separated, both breathing hard, a chill crept over my skin that had nothing to do with my damp clothes. ¡°You¡¯re always so unfair with me, Jess,¡± Grayson said quietly, his thumb tracing my lower lip. ¡°You always break up with me too.¡± The usation stung worse than I expected. ¡°That¡¯s not-¡± ¡°it is,¡± he interrupted. ¡°You run. Every time things getplicated, you bolt. You decide it¡¯s over before we even have a chance to fix it.¡± Rain started falling harder now, droplets sliding down my face like tears I refused to shed. Maybe this is moon goddess giving us signs that we are really toxic for each other. The world around us blurred but Grayson was crystal clear, his eyes never leaving mine as he leaned in again. This time, his kiss was gentle, almost pleading. His lips brushed against mine once, twice, three times¨Clittle questions I didn¡¯t have answers for. ¡°Do you really want to break up with me?¡± he asked, voice barely audible above the rain. His fingers found their family heirloom hanging at my throat. Something so stupid and small that I¡¯d never taken off, even when I swore I hated him. ¡°Do you really want to do this?¡± he whispered, his voice so surrendered, so unlike the Grayson who¡¯d just thrown a man to the ground. ¡°Because I¡¯m not sure I can do this again, Jess.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so tired,¡± I admitted, my voice cracking. ¡°Of this cycle. Of loving you and hating you and being terrified of what happens next.¡± ¡°Then stop fighting it,¡± he murmured against my temple. ¡°Stop running.¡± I wish I could. But running away from Grayson just seems to be so hard. Thunder cracked overhead, making me jump. His arms instinctively tightened around me¨Cprotective even now. Even when we were destroying each other. He leaned in again, rain sliding between our lips as we kissed. His mouth tasted like desperation and promises we¡¯d broken a dozen times before. How many times had we stood in rain, in parking lots, in doorways, swearing things would be different? ¡°Okay,¡± he whispered suddenly, pulling back. Rain streamed down his face like tears. ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± His hands dropped from my waist. ¡°We¡¯re done.¡± The words hit harder than the storm around us. My stomach plummeted as ¡°What?¡± My voice sounded small, lost in the downpour. ¡°You heard me,¡± he said, voice t. ¡°You want out? Fine. I¡¯m giving you what you want. We¡¯re done.¡± ¡°Grayson¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯veid all my cards for you, baby,¡± Grayson whispered, his voice barely audible over the storm. ¡°But you still want out.¡± Chapter 65 The rain continued to fall around us, but I think it won¡¯t wash how much his fucking words hurt. His hand reached up, pushing a strand of wet hair from my face. ¡°You¡¯re on your own, Jess.¡± I stared at him, raindrops clinging to his eyshes, his jawline tense. Was he serious? This is all I¡¯ve wanted but it suddenly fell wrong ¡°Is this for real?¡± I finally managed, my voice cracking. ¡°Are you really¡­breaking up with He looked at me for what felt like forever, rain streaming down his face, his shoulders slumped in a way I wasn¡¯t used to seeing, Grayson¨Calways so confident, so sure¨Clooked defeated. ¡°You¡¯ve been walking away for months,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m just finally catching up.¡± Then he turned and did exactly that. Walked away. I couldn¡¯t move. My feet seemed cemented to the dirt watching his figure blur through the sheets of rain. I wanted this, didn¡¯t I? Freedom. Space. A life without the chaos that followed Grayson everywhere. So why did it feel like someone had just ripped my heart out? I loved him. Fuck, I loved him so much it scared me. A movement caught my eye¨Csomething shifting behind the row of bushes to my left. I blinked away raindrops, trying to focus. That¡¯s stupid because I¡¯m sure Grayson and I only know this ce. 1 froze. My heart tripped in my chest. There¨Ca shadow moving where it shouldn¡¯t. And then I saw them: two glowing red eyes, watching me through the curtain of rain. My breath caught. Those eyes. I¡¯d seen them before. They blinked once, slowly, deliberately. Recognition hit me like a physical blow, followed immediately by fear that froze me in ce. It couldn¡¯t be. Not here. Not now. The eyes moved closer, and I could make out the vague outline of a figure. Familiar in a way that made my stomach drop. ¡°Grayson!¡± I tried to scream, but it came out as barely more than a whisper. I couldn¡¯t tear my gaze away from those red eyes¨Ceyes I¡¯d hoped I¡¯d never see again. A twig snapped to my left. I jerked my head toward the sound, momentarily breaking eye contact with the approaching figure. Nothing there. Just shadows ying tricks in the rain. When I looked back, the red eyes were closer. Much closer. No. No, no, no- ¡°Stay back,¡± I hissed, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. ¡°Stay the fuck away from me.¡± I stumble backward, my heel catching on a fallen branch. Pain shoots up my ankle as I fall, palms pping into mud. The forest around me spins¨Cdark trees melting together in the downpour, branches reaching like skeletal fingers. ¡°I said stay back!¡± My voice cracks, dissolving into the roar of rain on leaves. I push myself backward, the earthy smell of wet soil filling my nostrils. My clothes cling to my skin, heavy and restricting. Then I see it clearly. Chapter 65 Those eyes. I knew those eyes. That stance. The rogue. The one who nearly tore my throat out. But now that I saw him¡ªreally saw him I realized something else. Something worse. He looked like Grayson. B Alpha Luna 66 JESSICA I¡¯ve never woken up before the sun. Never needed to. But today, I was running before the sky turned gray lungs burning, legs aching, chasing silence like it might outrun the iness inside my head. Whatever happened yesterday, it¡¯s not something I can forget. Not even if I wanted to. Did Grayson really give up on me? The question loops, cruel and constant. My chest still aches from how we left things. From the way he said it¨Ct, final, like I¡¯d finally pushed him too far. Maybe I had. I don¡¯t know how many tears I¡¯ve cried. I don¡¯t even know if they counted. I just know they didn¡¯t fix a damn thing. Even the rogue¨CI don¡¯t know what was real anymore. Maybe I imagined him. Maybe my brain¡¯s trying to sabotage me. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time. The door swings shut behind me, and I barely register the click before I see him The Alpha. Grayson¡¯s father. Everything in me halts. My breath snags on the edge of my throat, my heel stutters against the floor, and the sweat that had started to cool from my run suddenly feels icy. My eyes widen¨Cno time to hide it¨Cand my lips part, but no soundes. I can¡¯t even lie to myself and pretend I expected this. I didn¡¯t. No part of me was ready for this. His eyes look like Grayson¡¯s¨Cbut colder. Older. Stripped of anything human. Atleast Grayson can look with empathy sometimes. Sometimes. ¡°Alpha,¡± I manage, and my voice sounds wrong in my own mouth¨Ctight, strained, too quiet. He doesn¡¯t blink. ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± he says, and the calm in his voice makes it worse. ¡°I thought caretakers had the luxury of sleeping in.¡± I blink, stunned, trying to make sense of why he¡¯s even here, why he¡¯s saying these things to me like we¡¯ve already been in an argument I don¡¯t remember starting. ¡°I-¡°I start, but my mouth is dry and clumsy, and the second he lifts a single hand, I stop cold. ¡°Don¡¯t speak,¡± he says, the disgust bleeding through now. ¡°You¡¯ve already wasted enough of this pack¡¯s time.¡± My throat tightens. I blink. My arms are stiff at my sides, fingers twitching. I want to respond. I want to push back. But I don¡¯t know how to do it without shaking. ¡°I came because I hate watching talent rot,¡± he says, standing with slow, terrifying precision. ¡°And because my son has let your presence weaken him.¡± My head jerks. ¡°Weak-?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t speak again.¡± I flinch. Actually flinch. My mouth mps shut, breath stuck halfway in my chest. He walks toward me¨Cnot quickly, but with intent¨Cand it¡¯s terrifying how little space it takes for him to feel like a storm crashing toward me ¡°You let your legs open and your instincts/rot,¡± he continues, tone low and sharp. ¡°And you did it all for a boy who can¡¯t even keep his mouth off his ex in public.¡± Chapter 66 The shame hits hot, immediate, and I hate how much itnds, I hate that I care. But I do, I care too much and he sees it, and t ¡°Tell me,¡± he says, circling me now. ¡°Was it worth it? To give up everything you were building, everything you could have been¨Cjust to be girl in his bed?¡± That¡¯s not true. He walks back in front of me. Closer now. His voice lowers. ¡°I¡¯m offering you something most failures don¡¯t get. A way back¡± I can¡¯t think. I blink again, rapid, trying to focus. ¡°Back¡­ to what?¡± ¡°The field. Where you were supposed to be, if you hadn¡¯t let your legs open faster than your reflexes.¡± I inhale sharply. It burns. My ears ring. He tilts his head. ¡°Offended? Good. You should be. You should also be ashamed.¡± ¡°You will return to training,¡± he says, voice cold enough to sting. ¡°But not under Grayson. He¡¯s proven incapable of separating strength from weakness. And you have made yourself his weakness.¡± I blink. The words hit, but I can¡¯t absorb them fast enough. ¡°Wait¨CI don¡¯t¨Cthen who-¡± ¡°Grayson¡¯s judgment ispromised. Soft. Romantic. A disappointment.¡± I blink again, chest tight. ¡°Then who-?¡± My voice is barely audible. He doesn¡¯t answer right away. I hate how he makes this very casual as if it¡¯s nothing to him. ¡°Riot asked for you.¡± I blink once. Then again. ¡°¡­Riot?¡± I repeat it slowly. As if the name should supposed to mean something but it doesn¡¯t. ¡°My other son.¡± The floor tilts. ¡°What Grayson never¨Che doesn¡¯t-¡± I¡¯m stammering. I can¡¯t stop. ¡°He never told me he has a-¡± ¡°Half¨Cbrother,¡± the Alpha cuts in, voice clipped, cool. ¡°Stronger, Smarter. Less emotional.¡± I can barely process the words. My head¡¯s spinning. Grayson have a half¨Cbrother? ¡°You¡¯re sending me to him?¡± I ask, still flustered. ¡°Why? What does he want with me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care what he wants,¡± the Alpha replies. ¡°He asked. I agreed. You¡¯ll report to him this morning.¡± I shake my head¨Cnot in refusal, in disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t understand-¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to,¡± he says, cutting me off again. ¡°Your job is to show up. Follow orders. Make yourself useful. Unless, of course, you¡¯d rather be escorted out of this territory with nothing but a name that no longer matters.¡± The breath leaves me in one sharp exhale. Grayson¡¯s father doesn¡¯t wait for my answer. He doesn¡¯t have to. He¡¯s already decided I¡¯m going. The door clicks shut behind him, and I¡¯m still standing in the same spot. Blinking. Trying to understand what just happened. Chapter 66 It takes me a full thirty seconds to realize I¡¯m not breathing. My back hits the hallway wall outside my room, and I don¡¯t remember walking there. My chest is tight, arms mumb, and I dont kruin than that of it¨Cthis information, this weight. Riot. The word won¡¯t leave my mouth. It clings to the back of my throat like smoke. And then I¡¯m moving I storm down the hall, bare feet pping hard against the floor. My knuckles m into Pierce¡¯s door so fast and loud that my hand starts to sting before even register the pain. ¡°Pierce!¡± My voice cracks. ¡°Open the damn door!¡± It creaks open sluggishly, and when he appears¨Cblinking, shirtless, disoriented¨C1 forget everything I nned to say. Because his chest is a mess. Deep red welts¨Cw marks, fresh and ugly¨Ccurl under his corbone and down his side. I suck in a breath like it¡¯ll help settle the nausea that punches up from my gut. ¡°What the fuck happened to you?¡± I hiss, my voice shaking so hard I almost choke on the word ¡°idiot,¡± but fear swallows it whole before it makes it out His brow¡¯s pull together instantly. ¡°What the¨CJess? What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I-¡°I blink. I can¡¯t even look at him. My eyes dart to the wall beside his head, focusing on a chipped patch of paint like it¡¯s suddenly the most important. thing I¡¯ve ever seen. ¡°Riot,¡± I breathe out. ¡°Grayson¡­ has a brother?¡± The shift in him is instant. Pierce¡¯s eyes go sharp¨Cwide, alert, awake in a heartbeat. ¡°Who told you about Riot?¡± His voice drops to a whisper so tense it might as well be a growf. His hand grips the edge of the doorframe like it¡¯s the only thing holding him upright. So it¡¯s true. ¡°Oh my goddess.¡± I press a hand to my forehead. ¡°So it¡¯s true? He¡¯s real?¡± ¡°Half¨Cbrother,¡± Pierce says automatically, like it matters. He reaches for a shirt but keeps his eyes locked on the hallway behind me. His movements sharpen, focused. ¡°Did Grayson tell you?¡± ¡°No.¡± My voice is brittle. ¡°His father did. Just now. He¨Che told me Riot requested me. For training.¡± Pierce stills. ¨C My hands won¡¯t stop trembling. I press them to my thighs, but that only makes it worse there¡¯s nowhere to put this panic, nowhere to hide from how it¡¯s crawling up my throat. ¡°Fuck,¡± he mutters, dragging a hand through his sleep¨Cmussed hair. The bruises on his chest shift with the movement. ¡°Fucking hell, Jess.¡± ¡°Why would he want me?¡± My voicees out smaller than I want. ¡°I don¡¯t even know him. I didn¡¯t even know he existed until ten minutes ago.¡± Pierce doesn¡¯t answer. He¡¯s already reaching for his phone, fingers jabbing at the screen with practiced urgency. ¡°Stay here,¡± he snaps, tone dark and t, all protective big¨Cbrother authority now. ¡°Don¡¯t go anywhere. I¡¯m calling Grayson.¡± ¡°No!¡± I lunge forward, snatching the phone from his hand before I can think it through. ¡°Stop treating me like I¡¯m something breakable.¡± ¡°Jess, you don¡¯t know what Riot is-¡± ¡°Neither do you!¡± My voice breaks on it, raw and breathless, but I don¡¯t back down. ¡°I¡¯m going to find out for myself. And I don¡¯t need Grayson swooping in like some tragic goddamn hero to save me from a decision I didn¡¯t even get to make.¡± Chapter 66 He stares at me like I¡¯ve lost it. Maybe I have. Maybe this is what it looks like¨Cgrief for something that never gave me peake in the fret piwe I¡¯m done,¡± I say, and the words stinging out. ¡°Tell Grayson I¡¯m gone.¡± Before he can stop me, I m the door to my room shut behind me. My forehead thumps against the wood as my breath shakes out of me dona vihers don¡¯t even know. But I know I¡¯m not staying here. Grayson has a brother. A half¨Cbrother. And he wants me? I took a shower with all of these things running in my head. When I¡¯m done, I barely recognize the girl in the mirror. Wet hair. Pale skin. Jaw set. Haunted eyes. But beneath that¡ªbeneath the fear¨Csomething sharper simmers. I braid my hair back tight, hands steady now. ¡°You¡¯re not being smart,¡± I whisper to my reflection. ¡°But you¡¯ve never let that stop you before¡± And I leave before I can talk myself out of it. The training center is still mostly dark when I push through the doors. Light nts through the high windows in thin gold spears, catching the dust in the air. My boots echo across the polished floor. Eyes shift toward me. Some curious. Some confused. A few surprised. But I don¡¯t flinch. I don¡¯t pause. Let them wonder what the hell I¡¯m doing here. Because I don¡¯t care what anyone thinks of me anymore. If throwing myself into the lion¡¯s mouth is the only way to earn my ce back on that field, then so be it. At least I¡¯ll go down fighting. Alpha Luna 67 Chapter 67 JESSICA I didn¡¯t know why I was here anymore. I stood on that cold stone floor, knees locked, jaw set, spine straining to hold together what little was left of me. My face was nk, my chin tilted just enough to fake pride, because that was all I had. That, and a body trained for war¨Ceven if the world had decided I was better off forgotten. The arena was full now. Warriors lined the edges like shadows with sharp teeth. des at their hips. Bandages at their throats. Eyes tracking movement like it meant survival. Some stretched in silence, others ran drills with partners. But no one was really focused. Not until the doors opened. A gust of cool air rolled through the room, slicing through the heat and the sweat and the whispers. Every sound died. Grayson stepped in first and the room reacted on instinct. Spines straightened. Conversations died mid¨Cword. Eyes dropped.. But it wasn¡¯t him they were staring at. It was the man beside him. Goddess. 1910 Sa He looked like Grayson¨Cbut ruined. Sharper. Hungrier. A twisted reflection, like someone had taken the bone structure and charm of the Alpha and drowned it in sin. Same jawline. Same mouth. But colder. Filthier. A long, pale scar dragged down the left side of his face, cutting across his cheekbone and curling toward his mouth. I couldn¡¯t look away. He was terrifying. Utterly, absolutely terrifying. But there¡¯s something about him that makes you want to stay longer. Harder. I hated the way my breath shook. He¡¯s Grayson¡¯s brother. There¡¯s no more doubt about it. The longer I look at him the deeper I notice their simrities and differences. It¡¯s amazing how they look familiar but not simr. I hated that I noticed the line of his throat, the shape of his hands, the slow curve of his smirk like he knew exactly how he made people flinch until his eyes found me and I couldn¡¯t fucking breathe. His stare held and I am more frightened noticing how his eyes looks¡­no, that can¡¯t be. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn¡¯t realized he was already walking. Riot didn¡¯t stop until he was close enough to steal the breath from my lungs. ¡°You must be Jessica¡­¡± Riot said, his voice low and smooth, dragging each syble like he was tasting it. His fingers found the end of my braid, and he twisted it around one finger, gentle and maddening. Up close, he was almost too much to look at. ¡°I¡¯ve been dying to meet you.¡± I didn¡¯t understand why I wasn¡¯t moving. Why I wasn¡¯t snapping at him, or stepping back, or demanding he stop looking at me like he¡¯d already undressed my instincts andid im to whatever Chapter 67 was left. Because some sick, splintered part of me wanted to know what he¡¯d do next. ¡°W¨Cwhy?¡± He shrugged. As if that was an answer. As if he didn¡¯t owe me one. He tilted his head, still twisting the braid. His thumb grazed the inside of my wrist like he¡¯d tracked the tremor there. He didn¡¯t answer. He just smiled. And turned his head¨Cjust slightly. Looked past me. To ¡®Grayson¡®. 2 2 2 2 And I felt it before I saw it. The shift. The heat. The breathless drop in pressure that came when an Alpha¡¯s wolf stopped pretending to be leashed. Slowly, carefully, I turned. Grayson stood like a statue carved from fury. His posture hadn¡¯t changed, but everything about him was ¡°alive¡± now¨Ccoiled, twitching beneath the surface, his skin buzzing with the weight of his wolf. His fists were clenched at his sides, hard enough that blood had started to gather at his knuckles. His chest rose and fell in controlled rhythm, like he was trying to breathe around the instinct to kill. But it was his eyes* that undid me. No longer blue. No longer human. They glowed a molten red, low and wild, the same color I¡¯d seen in wolves just before they shifted to fight. And those eyes were locked on Riot¡¯s hand. On me. ¡°I want her,¡± Riot said again, each word a slow, deliberate spark dropped onto dry leaves. ¡°You don¡¯t mind, do you?¡± Silence snapped tight. Then- A sound ripped through the room that didn¡¯t belong to any man. A low, brutal growl echoed off the stone walls ¨C not from Riot, not from me, but from Grayson. My head snapped toward him just as it broke loose. The pack scattered before he even moved. They didn¡¯t run, but they stepped back. One by one, like instinct had taken hold and reminded them what it meant to be prey. I stood frozen in the center of it all, every hair on my arms rising, every breath catching in my throat like my body couldn¡¯t decide whether to fight, flee, or fall to my knees. Grayson didn¡¯t speak. His wolf was wing at the surface, dragging itself up, skin pulling too tight over bones that wanted to shift. Muscles flexed beneath his shirt like they were tearing at the seams, and his entire body trembled, not from fear ¨C but from the agony of restraint. He was ¡°this close* to snapping. Chapter 67 To lunging. To tearing Riot¡¯s throat out with his teeth and painting the floor in blood. But Grayson didn¡¯t give him what he wanted. Instead with visible, shaking effort ¨C he exhaled once, long and harsh, chest rising like it hurt to breathe before he uncurled his fingers, one by one slow it looked painful and then he turned. We all watched as he walks away, letting the door m with a growl of rusted hinges. I was still stuck processing what had just happened when Riot leaned in, shoulder brushing mine, breath warm and humid against the shell of my ear. His hand tugged on the end of my braid¨Cjust enough to tilt my chin, to im a fraction more of my body, like he already owned it. ¡°Jealous boyfriend, I guess?¡± he murmured, so low it made my skin crawl. A chill raced down my back. He was too close. Too solid beside me. His scent pressing in like heat. That scar¨Cvisible now in my peripheral¨Ctwisting as he smirked. Then, louder now, for everyone to hear, he straightened up, still beside me, still too close, and said: ¡°Come, Jess. I want you to tour me around.¡± His tone was light. Almost yful. ¡°No.¡± I didn¡¯t flinch when I said it even if I wanted to. ¡°I¡¯m not your damn tour guide,¡± I bit out, loud enough for the room to hear. ¡°And I don¡¯t take orders from strangers.¡± He stilled beside me, just for a second. ¡°Who the hell even *are* you?¡± I demanded, the words sharp, almost spit. Riot cocked his head, jaw ticking like he was weighing how much to give me. Then, with zero shame and a tone smooth enough to be a dare, he said, ¡°I¡¯m Riot, baby. But you can call me Alpha, if you want.¡± I barked augh. Ugly. Abrasive. For some unknown reason, I want him to get offended by me. ¡°You¡¯re not my Alpha,¡± I said, barely above a growl. His eyes dragged across my face, slow and calcting, then dropped to my fists¨Cstill clenched, still shaking slightly from how close he was standing. ¡°You¡¯re a brat,¡± he said simply. My head jerked like I¡¯d been pped. ¡°Excuse me?¡± The words came out too loud, echoing in the still¨Carena air. A few of the nearby warriors shifted where they stood, watching us more openly now. Some with wide eyes. Some with smirks. ¡°You heard me,¡± he said, tone infuriatingly calm. ¡°You talk big. But I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve realized what you are yet.¡± I took a step forward before I could stop myself. ¡°I know ¡°exactly* what I am.¡± He raised one brow at that. Just one. Then he shook his head, like he was disappointed. ¡°Really? My father gave you to me, remember?¡± he said, voice dropping just a little, enough to make the word ¡°gavend like a punch to the gut. ¡°So you¡¯ll be whatever I want. And right now?¡± He leaned forward again, his breath brushing my cheek. ¡°Right now, I want you to be my tour guide,¡± he finished, soft as sin.¡± So, where¡¯s the cafeteria, huh? I¡¯m starving.¡± Dear moon goddess, can I just kill him? I promise, it will be quick. Alpha Luna 68 Chapter 68 Chapter 68 JESSICA The cafeteria was loud¨Cbut the moment we walked in, it went quiet. Riot didn¡¯t seem to notice. Or maybe he did, and he just didn¡¯t care Inches the about him. He¡¯s so oblivious for someone who is fucking huge. He piled a tray high with meat¨Crare cuts, blood pooling, bs of protein that would made mest omegas flinch. I didn¡¯t sit. I leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, forcing myself to keep my chin up. I was still bristling. Still hot in the face and chest, still reying every breath he took near me like I could edit it after the fact. But my eyes wouldn¡¯t stop tracking him. And goddess¡­ watching him eat was a fucking experience. He didn¡¯t chew like a civilized person. He ore. Ripped into steak with his teeth, barely using the knife, stuffing mouthful after mouthful like he hadn¡¯t eaten in days. His jaw flexed hard. His throat worked with every swallow. Fingers slick with grease and blood. What the fuck is wrong with me? I cleared my throat, voice sharper than I meant. ¡°Where did they lock you, huh? Deep in the woods with the other wolves they couldn¡¯t civilize?¡± A line of juice rolled down his wrist. He licked it without breaking eye contact. I shifted where I stood, hating how my heartbeat ticked faster at that tiny movement. ¡°Seriously, Riot,¡± I muttered, arms tightening across my chest. ¡°What do you want with me?¡± He finally sat back a little, his tray half¨Cempty, his forearms resting against his spread thighs. Only then did he look at me-*really* look. I really hated the way it made my back straighten. ¡°What makes you think I want anything?¡± he asked, voice casual, almost bored. His tone didn¡¯t match his eyes. His eyes were sharp. I narrowed mine. ¡°Because I¡¯m not stupid.¡± He smiled again. ¡°I didn¡¯t say you were,¡± he murmured. ¡°But I don¡¯t need to ¡°want something to take it.¡± I blinked. ¡°What does that mean?¡± didn¡¯t mean for my voice to drop like that. Lower. A little tighter. But it did. Because something about the way he said it¨Ccasual and cruel¨Cmade my chest tighten and my thoughts stutter. Riot didn¡¯t answer. He just gave azy shrug¨Cshoulders rising and falling like my question hadn¡¯t even scratched the surface¨Cand picked up another piece of meat. He ate it slowly. I clenched my jaw. ¡°Riot.¡± Still, he didn¡¯t look up. He just devour the damn meat than give me his attention. After he¡¯s done, Riot atleast had the character to clean up his mess before I saw him dropping his head onto the table. ¡°Can you wake me up in an hour?¡± he muttered, voice muffled by the crook of his elbow. ¡°I have to meet my father then.¡± Chapter 68 Istared Is he damn serious fight now? 1blinked, once. Twice. And for the first time since he walked into this pack like a storm in boots, I felt¡­ off bnce) ¡°What?¡± I said, slowly. Carefully. He didn¡¯t lift his head. Just gave the smallest nod. ¡°An hour,¡± he repeated, like I hadn¡¯t heard him the first time. ¡°If I don¡¯t wake up, I¡¯ll miss the meeting and then he¡¯ll be pissed, and then I¡¯ll have to deal with ¡°that¡± on top of everything else, and honestly, I¡¯m already tired.¡± His voice trailed off into something that might¡¯ve been a yawn. I stood there, caught between outrage and disbelief, as this wolf of a man¨Cthis smug, scarred, insufferable menace who¡¯d just turned my morning into a living hell¨Ccurled over a cafeteria table like a stray mutt who had nowhere else to sleep. What kind of psychopath pulls the pin on a social grenade, drops it in the middle of the pack¡¯s power structure, and then takes a nap like he didn¡¯t just detonate half my life? My arms folded tighter across my chest. I swear to the Moon, if he starts snoring I¡¯m going to stab him with a stic fork. I shifted my weight, teeth grit, heat rising again in my neck and chest. I should leave. Let him miss his meeting. Let him deal with the fallout. I didn¡¯t *owe* him anything. But I didn¡¯t move. Because somewhere under the irritation and confusion and the building urge to kick the leg of his chair out from under him, he¡¯s my only chance to get out of being a caretaker. I didn¡¯t mean to stay. I didn¡¯t mean to sit. I definitely didn¡¯t mean to drift. But something about the heaviness in the air¨Cthe food, the quiet, the maddening sound of Riot¡¯s breathing slowing beside me¨Ctugged at my spine. My legs had locked from standing too long. My head hurt from clenching my jaw. And Riot¡­. Riot hadn¡¯t moved an inch since his head hit the table. It was stupid. It was dangerous. But it was also the first time since yesterday that no one was demanding anything from me. So I slid into the seat across from him¨Carms crossed, back stiff, like I was just giving my knees a break. I told myself I¡¯d leave in five minutes. I didn¡¯t. Because five minutes turned into ten. Ten into twenty. And somewhere between ring at his scar and wondering how a man like that could sleep so deeply with the whole pack watching, my body stopped Chapter 68 fighting me. I blinked once. And didn¡¯t blink again. The cafeteria around us dimmed. Voices blurred. Chairs scraped somewhere far away. And then- ¡°BANG. My chair jolted under me, the legs skidding an inch on the stone floor. I shot upright with a gasp, heart mming against my ribs, breath caught halfway in my throat. Riot¡¯s tray ttered to the floor, empty. His head lifted slow, groggy, like he¡¯d only been half asleep. Grayson stood over us. His arms were pinned at his sides, fists clenched so hard I thought I could hear the strain in his bones. His jaw was tight, mouth pressed in a line so sharp it could¡¯ve cut me. Fury didn¡¯t just show in his eyes¨Cit radiated off him, thick and hot and *lethal¡°. ¡°I need to talk to you,¡± he said. Not to Riot. To me. His voice was rough. Like he hadn¡¯t spoken in hours because he¡¯d been grinding his teeth through the urge to shift. Across the table, Riot blinked blearily, rubbed his eyes, yawned like this wasn¡¯t already a storm waiting to break. ¡°Me?¡± he asked, dragging one hand back through his hair, the strands sticking out in chaotic waves. ¡°Didn¡¯t know we were friends.¡± Grayson¡¯s stare didn¡¯t shift. ¡°Jess,¡± he said again, eyes snapping to mine. ¡°Please. Let¡¯s talk.¡± His voice dropped low on the word *please*. But there was nothing soft about it. It was demand dressed up as politeness. I opened my mouth¨Cbut Riot beat me to it. He rolled his neck, a loud crack echoing through the space. Then he shook his head. ¡°No.¡± The word was t. Unbothered. ¡°I¡¯m not done with her.¡± Grayson¡¯s entire frame went still. Goddess! Don¡¯t tell me they are going to fight here? Fuck. Why did I fall asleep? Riot leaned forward, elbows on the table, finally turning his head to nce at him. ¡°She¡¯s still under ¡°my¡± unit, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Her shift is over when I say it¡¯s over.¡± Then he looked at me. Directly. And everything in that look ¡°scorched¡°. ¡°Come now, Jess.¡± I didn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t. Not with Riot rising slowly beside me, unfolding from his chair like smoke turning solid. His movement was unhurried, unbothered¨Cbut my entire body locked up anyway. One step from him, onemand from Grayson, and I was the rope in a fucking tug¨Cof¨Cwar I never agreed to. Riot stood tall, back straight, head tilted just enough also piss Grayson off. ¡°I said,¡± he repeated, voice lower, darker, ¡°I¡¯m not done.¡± And suddenly I wasn¡¯t between two men. Both of them predators. Both of them circling. Me? I was the prey caught blinking in the middle, trying not to flinch while every pair of eyes in the est¨¦teria been years ¨C ¡°years since someone openly challenged Grayson on this territory. Since anyone stood toe to toe with him valllout ferdang I should¡¯ve felt honored. Terrified, ttered. Because it¡¯s my fault. I brought this tension in with me, strapped to my back like a loaded weapon I didn¡¯t know how to disarm. I wanted to believe I could belong again, that i could fight again, but all I¡¯d done was light a match between brothers who¡¯ve clearly been waiting to burn each other alive. So I made the choice I could make. I turned, slow, deliberate, and looked at Riot. His eyes were already on me, sharp and unreadable, but when I spoke, I saw it. That sh of surprise across his face like I¡¯d cracked his rhythm for the first time since we met. ¡°Five minutes,¡± I said, voice even, breath catching. ¡°Can I talk with him for five minutes?¡± There. I said it. The cafeteria didn¡¯t breathe. Riot didn¡¯t either. He blinked, once. A slow, deliberate drag ofshes. His lips parted, just slightly, like he wasn¡¯t sure what I¡¯d just done. Like permission wasn¡¯t something he expected me to ask for. Not from *him*. And maybe I shouldn¡¯t have. Maybe it was weak. Maybe it was humiliating. But I needed it. I needed to feel like I had control over something¨Canything. He stepped forward, just enough to tower. The room leaned in. My heart thudded loud in my chest. Then he did thest thing I expected. He nodded. ¡°Okay,¡± he said, voice rougher than before, quiet enough that only I could hear it. ¡°Do what you want.¡± His gaze held mine a beat longer. Something wild pulsed behind it. Then he stepped back, finally giving me space. AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 69 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 ce, 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¨Cvoice low, frayed at the edges. ¡°You never leave. Not for a damn second.¡± And for a second¨Cone full, traitorous second¨CI 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 wing, 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 ce for me in his pack again.¡± He told me I can be a warrior if I train under¡ª¡± ¡°Under who? My brother?¡± he snarls, grabbing my wrist. His grip is too tight¨Ctight 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 ckening. ¡°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 re. ¡°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¨Canything¨Cto 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 shes in his eyes¨Csomething 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, mming 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. Chapter 69 Let¡¯s meet tonight, I¡¯ll pick you up. Don¡¯t cry too much for my brother¡± Screw him. Screw both of them. I don¡¯t know what Riot means when he said he¡¯ll just pick me up but I¡¯m sure as hell I can use a rest. So, I just went home and try to sleep. But sleep doesn¡¯te. Instead, my body burns with frustration¨Cat Grayson, at Riot, at myself. I toss and turn, sheets twisting around my legs ta restraints. I kick them off, growling through clenched teeth. The clock reads 3 P.M. when I finally drift off, anger melting into something else entirely. ¡°Hmm.. please, ah¡± The sound escapes before I can stop it. A mouth finds my breast, teeth closing around the nipple making me squirm. Oh my goddess, it feels so good. His tongue flicks across the sensitive tip, and I arch my back, shoving myself closer to his hot mouth. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him harder against me. ¡°Please,¡± I whimper, not caring how desperate I sound. His tongue leaves a hot trail down my stomach, teeth nipping at my hipbone. I¡¯m squirming, pushing his head lower, shameless in my need. Sva glistens on my skin where his mouth has been. ¡°Yes,¡± I hiss, feral and unrestrained. ¡°Don¡¯t stop.¡± When I feel his breath between my thighs, I jerk upright, gasping- My eyes snap open and I notice the curtains fluttering wildly¨Cmy window¡¯s wide open. When the hell did that happen? Cold night air rushes in, making me shiver. When did I open that? Did I even open it? ¡°Perfect. Just perfect.¡± I kick off the tangled sheets wrapped around my ankles like vines and stagger to my feet. My reflection catches in the mirror¨Chair wild, eyes bright, lips swollen from my own teeth. I look feral, unhinged. I look exactly how I feel. I stomp toward the window, ready to m it shut when something outside stops me dead. A massive wolf stands in my yard, staring directly at my window. At me. The scream freezes in my throat. I can¡¯t move. Can¡¯t breathe. The wolf¡¯s jaw drops open, revealing teeth made for tearing flesh. A string of saliva drips from its maw. My hand flies to the window, mming it shut with such force the ss rattles. I fumble with the lock, hands shaking so badly I miss twice. ¡°Holy shit, holy shit,¡± I chant, backing away. Is that..Grayson? No, it¡¯s not him. Those eyes¡­ those fucking eyes. I stumble backward, knocking my hip against the dresser, sending my phone ttering to the floor. Damn it. I tried to crawl to get it but it¡¯s under my bed! Something scratches against the ss¨Ca sound so faint I almost think I imagined it. Then ites again. Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. I force myself to look up, inch by terrified inch. My neck creaks with the effort, muscles locked in fear. Just one more look. I need to be sure. I need to- The door swings open, and I whirl around with a strangled cry. ¡°Well, well.¡± Riot leans against the doorframe/smirking like he owns the night. His eyes rake over me, slow, deliberate. And then I realize I¡¯m standing here half¨Cnaked in front of him. I grab the edge of the dresser to cover myself, but it¡¯s toote. His eyes have already seen too much. He licks his lips ¨C slow. Almostzy. Then he cracks his neck to one side, giving me another long look. ¡°You son of a bitch ¨CThiss, reaching for the door, ready to shove him out. But he¡¯s faster 110 van je fan naam, his hand ea him but he¡¯s stronger. With a savage yank, he pulls me against his chest, my breaths teaving me in a shocked pasp: ¡°Going somewhere?¡± he growls, his face friches from mine. He twists, flipping me around en fast my head spins, my bark mming downed ve arm snakes around my waist, locking me in ce while his other hand pins both my wrists above my head against the door. ¡°Easy, wildcat,¡± he breathes, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you hurting yourself.¡± I stomp down on his foot, hard, but he justughs a dark, hungry sound that sends unwanted heat coursing through me ¡°Fucking let go!¡± I snarl, bucking against him. ¡°Riot!¡± I thrash against him, but it only makes him press harder. This fucking asshole. A whimper escaped my lips when i felt his fingers tangle in my hair yanking my head back to expose my throat. ¡°What are you scared about, Jess?¡± His teeth graze my earlobe, a deliberate bite that¡¯s just shy of painful. ¡°What makes you whimper huh?¡± Shit. I almost forgot about the wolf earlier. I jerk my head toward the window, searching for anything, any marks or evidence that what I saw was real but there¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s just pure darkness. Riot follows my panicked gaze, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. ¡± You saw a ghost Jess?¡± ¡°Fuck you.¡± It¡¯s not a fucking ghost. I saw someone. I saw something. I can feel himughing before he let me go. ¡°There¡¯s something out there,¡± In ¡°Worried about monsters, Jess?¡± Hisugh is cruel, mocking. I intend to really hurt him when he finally let me go. Riot stalks over and crashes onto my bed, sprawling across it. I scramble away, suddenly aware I¡¯m wearing only a tank top and underwear. ¡°Get off my bed,¡± I snarl, lunging for my dresser. I yank a shirt out, nearly ripping the drawer from its tracks. ¡°Why?¡± Riot stretches, muscles rippling under his tight shirt. ¡°Don¡¯t worry you¡¯re not my type.¡± I scoff, tugging the shirt over my head. ¡°Me neither. Why are you here, Riot?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to pick you up for training.¡± ¡°At this hour?¡± I snap, grabbing sweatpants and yanking them on. ¡°It¡¯s already dark!¡± ¡°Yeah, and?¡± His voice trails off, and I notice his eyes aren¡¯t on me anymore. They¡¯re locked on the framed photo I stupidly left on my nightstand. Me and Grayson, arms wrapped around each other,ughing like idiots at some joke I can¡¯t even remember now. Shit. Shit. Shit. Riot¡¯s eyes narrow, something dangerous shing across his face. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that sweet,¡± he growls, reaching for the frame with barely controlled violence. I dive across the space between us, snatching the photo away. ¡°Touch it and lose fingers.¡± His nostrils re, like he¡¯s physically restraining himself from attacking. ¡°Him? Really? That¡¯s who you¡¯re pining after?¡± The disgust in his voice feels like acid. ¡°None of your fucking business,¡± I clutch the photo tighter, backing away. Riot surges to his feet, towering over me, his body radiating heat and fury. For a second, I think he might actually strike me¨Cthen he scoffs, the sound rough and dismissive. Chapter 69 ¡°Fine. Whatever. Let¡¯s just fucking go.¡± He stalks toward the door, shoulders hunched like a well ready to pounce. 4/4 Alpha Luna 70 JESSICA What the hell? Hlook around again. Neat me is an empty field with lots of flowers. Pretty white flowers. Moonlight pools over the clearing, making the damn flower glow like they¡¯re mocking me. ¡°Move it, Jess¡± Riot said, pushing me to move. ¡°You think your enemies will wait while you admire the scenery?¡± I hate his condescending tone, ¡°This ce is¨C¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± he cuts me off, dropping a heavy bag that thuds against the dirt. ¡°Isted. No witnesses.¡± The bag unzips with a violent scrape. Metal glints in the moonlight¨Cknives, I realize. My stomach twists. ¡°I didn¡¯t sign up for this,¡± I mutter, but my feet stay rooted. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to use weapons.¡± ¡°And I didn¡¯t sign up to babysit Grayson¡¯stest fuck¨Cup,¡± Riot spits, pulling out a wicked¨Clooking de and testing its edge with his thumb. Blood beads instantly. He licks it off without flinching. ¡°But here we are.¡± He¡¯s stripping off his jacket while talking, revealing arms covered in scars¨Csome fresh, some old. ¡°You got two choices,¡± he says, tossing a knife at my feet while simultaneously lighting a cigarette. ¡°Learn to fight or learn to run faster than bullets.¡± W¨CWhat? My eyes widened, watching as he drops his smoke, grinds it under his boot, and disappears into the darkness. Just¡­ gone. I spin around, searching the shadows. The knife glints at my feet. I bend to grab it when a hand suddenly mps over my mouth from behind. Another twists my arm up between my shoulder des. Pain shoots through my joints. ¡°Dead,¡± Riot whispers against my ear, his stubble scraping my skin. ¡°And I wasn¡¯t even trying hard.¡± He shoves me forward. I stumble, catching myself before I face¨Cnt into the dirt. When I turn, he¡¯s on me again swinging the knife. ¡°First lesson,¡± he says without looking up. ¡°Never bend down for a weapon when there¡¯s a threat nearby. Makes you vulnerable.¡± ¡°You could have just told me that,¡± I spit out, rubbing my shoulder. It fucking hurts. ¡± That¡¯s cheating!¡± He lunges suddenly¨CI yelp and dive sideways. Too slow. His boot catches my ankle and I crash down hard, dirt smearing my palms. ¡°Moon goddess!¡± I roll to my back just as he drops his knee onto my chest, knife pressed against my throat. ¡°Dead again,¡± he whispers, face inches from mine./¡¯It¡¯s not cheating if you¡¯re this weak, Jess!¡± His weight crushes my lungs, but rage burns hotter than pain. I twist my hips violently, catching him off¨Cguard and bucking upward. ¡°Get. OFF!¡± I snarl, mming my forehead into his nose. Blood stters. Riot jerks back just enough¨CI wedge my knee between us and kick hard into his stomach. He stumbles backward, knife still clutched in his hand, a surprisedugh escaping his bloody lips. Chapter 70 ¡°There she is,¡± he says, wiping crimson from his face with the back of his hand. ¡°Was wondering when you¡¯d app ying victime I scramble to my feet, dirt clinging to my sweat slicked skin, ¡°You¡¯re an asshole ¡°And you¡¯re still alive. Congrattions.¡± He circles me like a predator, flipping the knife casually while keeping those cold eyes locked on mire Ha don¡¯t , knee in my back, yanking my head up by my hair. ¡°Pathetic,¡± he growls, cold metal pressing against my throat. I squirm beneath him, trying to throw his weight off, but he digs the knife deeper. A sharp sting makes me freeze as warm liquid trickles down my neck. ¡°Blood looks good on you,¡± Riot murmurs, his voice a dangerous purr. ¡°Keep still or there¡¯ll be more.¡± My chest heaves against the dirt, panic making everything sharper. ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m realistic.¡± Suddenly, he flips me over, straddling my waist, knife how pressed under my jaw. His face hovers inches from mine, eyes fixed on the blood. ¡°You rely on others too much,¡± he says, eyes scanning my face. ¡± Pierce. Grayson. Do you think they will protect you?¡± I thrash beneath him, trying to buck him off. ¡°Get off me!¡± I force myself to stop struggling, to think through the panic clouding my brain. However, this is always my problem. I always think fight. I had so much sympathy and while that is good when ites to fight, that is a death sentence. You cannot afford to hesitate. Kindness gets you killed. nanic during the Basically, in order to be a good warfler, you have to be an animal first and I think I¡¯ve been refutine that it so long now that aby b bottom. However, gone is the Jess who showers kindness to anyone. She¡¯s fucking dead. I already killed her. Comment Send gift ¤¤ Alpha Luna 71 Chapter 71 JESSICA ¡°They won¡¯t always be there,¡± he continues, somehow managing to grab a second knife from his boot while keeping me pinned. ¡°What happens when you¡¯re alone, and someone wants you dead?¡± I dig my nails into his wrist, trying to pry the de away. ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this.¡± ¡°I enjoy survival,¡± he corrects, twisting away from my grip and pressing the second knife against my ribs. ¡°Something you know nothing about.¡± His weight shifts slightly. I seize the opportunity, twisting my hips and throwing my weight to the side. We roll, momentarily tangled, but he¡¯s faster- stronger. Within seconds I¡¯m pinned again, this time bi with both wrists trapped above my head in his iron grip. ¡°Nice try,¡± he pants, blood from his nose dripping onto my cheek. ¡°But not good enough.¡± The knife traces down my throat, between my corbones, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. Not deep enough to seriously injure, but enough to mark me. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I gasp, trying to squirm away from the de. He leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°Teaching you that pain is temporary. Death is permanent.¡± My heart pounds in my ears. I can smell his sweat, his blood, something wild and dangerous that clings to him like a second skin. ¡°Lesson two,¡± he murmurs, knife still trailing down. ¡°Use what you have. All of it.¡± I stop fighting for a second, breathing hard, mind racing. Use what I have¡­ what do I have? And then it hits me. I gopletely limp beneath him, eyes fluttering. ¡°Wh-¡± His grip loosens slightly, confused by my sudden surrender. That¡¯s when I strike¨Chead butting him again, harder this time, while simultaneously bringing my knee up sharply between his legs. ¡°Bitch!¡± he howls, rolling off me, hands instinctively dropping the knives to clutch himself. I scramble to my feet,ughing through the sting of my cuts. He said use everything. Fine. Then he should¡¯ve known better¨Cevery man¡¯s an animal, and ! know how to wound them. ¡°You said use everything I¡¯ve got, Riot.¡± I circle him, flicking my hair back, enjoying the power shift. ¡°Not my fault your balls got in the way.¡± He¡¯s still curled on his side, face twisted in agony. I can¡¯t help but strut a little, hips swaying as I kick one of his fallen knives away. ¡°Too slow, baby,¡± I taunt, licking blood from my own split lip. The metallic taste makes me feel wild, dangerous. ¡°Thought you were supposed to be teaching me something?¡± Riot¡¯s eyes narrow through the blood, something feral awakening there. He wipes his nose with the back of his hand, leaving a smear across his cheek, ¡°Having fun?¡± he asks, voice deadly quiet. I twirl, knife shing in the fluorescent lights. ¡°The most fun. You should see your face right now.¡± He¡¯s up faster than I thought possible,unching himself at me. I twist away, shing blindly, feeling the de catch on fabric. He hisses¨CI¡¯ve nicked his arm. ¡°Now we¡¯re ying,¡± I taunt, backing away ¡°Is this what gets you off, Riot? A little blood?¡± His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist, bending it back until my fingers go numb and the knife falls. In the same motion, he sweeps my legs from under 1/3 wed, zu Aug Chapter 71
  1. me. I hit the mat hard, air punched from my lungs.
Before I can recover, he¡¯s straddling me again, pinning both wrists above my head with one hand. Blood from his nose drips onto my cheek, my lips. ¡°Lesson¡¯s over,¡± he growls, face inches from mine. ¡°You lose.¡± I¡¯m so pissed. I cannot believe I lose to some sicko. Riot is busy bathing himself in the or that we found near this ce when I heard him shout my riame. ¡°Jess,e on!¡± Riot shouted. He looked too proud, water sliding off him like he was some goddamn wolf¨Cking as he stood waist deep in the river. I rolled my eyes, arms crossed over my chest. ¡°You really think I¡¯m dumb enough to fall for that?¡± ¡°Scared?¡± he taunted, sshing water in my direction. ¡°Thought you were tough after that knife fight. Or was that just for show?¡± My jaw clenched. This man was impossible. One minute he¡¯s pinning me to the ground, the next he¡¯s acting like we¡¯re on some twisted camping trip. ¡°The water¡¯s perfect,¡± he continued, dunking his head under and emerging with a shake that sent droplets flying in all directions. ¡°But suit yourself. Stand there all night if you want.¡± I kicked at the rocky shore, weighing my options. The night air was sticky with humidity, and my skin still burned from our training session. The cool water did look tempting¡­ ¡°If you try anything,¡± I warned, already ucing my boots, ¡°I¡¯ll drown you.¡± Hisugh echoed across the water. ¡°I¡¯d like to see you try.¡± I stripped down to my underwear¨Cno way was I going full nude like him¨Cand waded in, gasping as the cold water hit my bruised ribs. ¡°It¡¯s freaking cold!¡± I hissed, arms wrapped around myself. ¡°Baby,¡± he mocked, swimming closer. I noticed fresh scratches across through me. ¡°Keep your distance,¡± I warned as he circled me like a shark. his chest where I¡¯d gotten him good with the knife. Something like pride flickered He disappeared underwater suddenly. I spun around, heart racing, then yelped as hands grabbed my ankles, yanking me under. I thrashed, disoriented in the dark water, before breaking the surface, sputtering and furious. ¡°You absolute-¡°I lunged at him, catching his shoulders and pushing down with all my weight. We both went under, twisting and grappling in slow motion beneath the surface. When we came up for air, we were too close. His hands steadied me, rough palms against my waist. Moonlight caught in the water droplets on his eyshes. ¡°Not bad,¡± he murmured, eyes dropping into my lips. Dear moon goddess, he looks so feral. I hate how my breath catches on a gasp I never meant to make. I never felt so filthy and alive. I know this is wrong¨Cevery warning bell in my head screams run¨Cbut my skin remembers what his hands feel like. I crave it. I ache for it. His gaze pins me, dark and hungry, and I feel it in the hollow of my throat: a shuddering pulse of want I can¡¯t swallow. So achingly slow, Riot tips his head, lowering his face toward mine. I shut my eyes, surrendering and allowing his hot breath ghosts over my parted lips. Our noses brush, a whisper of touch, and I forget how to breathe. Myshes dip, expecting him. Wanting him. Dreading what I¡¯ll do if he doesn¡¯t. 1:33 Wed 20 Aug Chapter 71 Then nothing. He pulled back just enough, just enough for him to see how much I¡¯ve been aching for him. 3/3 AD Alpha Luna 72 Chapter 72 JESSICA ¡°Have you ever seen a she¨Cwolf in heat before?¡± Pierce dropped his fork and almost choked on his food, his eyes widening as he stared at me across our kitchen table. ¡°Fucking hell, Jess,¡± he sputtered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°What the hell kind of question is that during breakfast?¡± I leaned forward, not giving a damn about his difort. My skin felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending raw and screaming. My birthday is in a week and there¡¯s no exnation why I almost¡­let Riot kissed me. ¡°Answer me.¡± My voice growls out low and rough, like it¡¯s scraping up from somece feral. My fingers bite into the table¨Cwood creaks under the pressure, just like my patience. Pierce¡¯s nostrils red, and I knew he could smell it on me¨Cthat raw, animal scent that had been driving me insane. Pierce cursed under his breath. ¡°I love you Jess, but¨C¡± he muttered, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Is that what¡¯s happening to you? Right now?¡± ¡°No.¡± That¡¯s a lie. Both of us know that. However, just talking about it makes me already ufortable. Mom is not around to ask this kind of question and I have no girl friend. Pierce is what I got. Pierce who is now looking at me with those feral gaze. ¡°You know I can smell you right?¡± He growl, getting out of his chair and turning his back on me. ¡°Look, it happens. It¡¯s natural. But timing couldn¡¯t be worse with-¡± ¡°With what? Training? Like I don¡¯t fucking know that?¡± I stand up, knocking my chair backward. My skin feels too tight, and if I ended up touching myself again, I¡¯m going to bury myself alive. Pierce looks at me with a mixture of pity and concern that makes me want to scream. ¡°I¡¯ll get Grayson.¡± ¡°What?¡± The name hits me like a bucket of ice water. ¡°Are you out of your fucking mind?¡± ¡± ¡®He¡¯ll know¡­what to do. He knows how to handle you.¡± ¡°Handle me?¡± Iugh, but it sounds hysterical even to my own ears. ¡°I don¡¯t need to be handled. And especially not by him.¡± The memory of almost kissing Riot shes through my mind, making my cheeks burn. ¡°Then what do you want?¡± Pierce throws his hands up. ¡°Because right now, you¡¯re a walking target for every unmated male in a fifty¨Cmile radius. This isn¡¯t just about you being ufortable, Jess. It¡¯s about your safety.¡± He¡¯s right. But still, I don¡¯t want Grayson. I feel so sick just thinking of him touching me. However, the alternative is much worse. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± It falls out broken, more breath than voice. He watches me back away, and I see it¨Cthe shift in his eyes. That sharp, hunting kind of dark I¡¯ve learned to flinch from. 1/4 ¡°You need this,¡± he says, reaching for me. ¡°You know what happens if you don¡¯t¡± I p his hand away. ¡°I¡¯d rather burn.¡± And burn I do. It¡¯s almost lunch when I felt it. It was too much. My body is shivering mess. ¡°The heat crawls under my skin like a thousand ants, burrowing deeper with each passing second. Sweat drips down my back, between my Breasts. pooling at ces I don¡¯t want to think about. My shirt clings to me like a second skin, damp and restricting.¡± ¡°I need-¡°My words cut off as another wave hits, more intense than before. My back arches involuntarily, thighs pressing together as if that could stop the throbbing ache building between them. ¡°God¡­ fuck¡­¡± I pant, saliva pooling in my mouth as another wave crashes over me. The worst part is knowing Grayson could end this. One touch from him and this hellish fire would subside. But the thought of his hands on me makes bile rise in my throat, even as my treacherous body screams for relief. A knock at the door freezes me mid¨Cwrithe. ¡°Hey? You in there?¡± Pierce¡¯s voice. Shit. I try to answer but all thates out is a choked groan. The doorknob turns¨CI forgot to lock it¨Cand Pierce steps in, stopping dead when he sees me. ¡°Holy shit,¡± he whispers, eyes widening as they take in my disheveled state. He quickly steps back, pulling the door almost closed. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll get help. Just¡­ hang on.¡± My cheeks burn with humiliation on top of everything else. ¡°No!¡± I manage to choke out. ¡°Not him. Not Grayson.¡± But Pierce is already gone. Another wave hits, stronger than before. I can¡¯t think, can¡¯t breathe. ck spots dance in my vision as my lungs struggle for air. The ceiling blurs, then darkenspletely. When consciousness returns, something cool touches my forehead. A hand. I lean into it, desperate for relief, before my eyes flutter open. The roomes into focus slowly¨Cdim shadows, then shapes, then finally, a face hovering above mine. ¡°G¨CGrayson?¡± ¡°Guess again, baby.¡± That voice¨Csmoky and yful, dripping with trouble. Riot. Of all people. His dark eyes gleam in the half¨Clight, amusement dancing in them as he takes in my state. His fingers trace my jawline, sending shivers that somehow both soothe and intensify the heat. ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s having a rough night,¡± he says, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip. ¡°Fuck,¡± I pant, twisting the sheets between my fingers. ¡°It hurts¡­¡± Riot¡¯s eyes darken as he watches me squirm. ¡°No¡­¡± I manage to gasp, trying to roll away from him. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He licks his lips slowly, the wet sound almost obscene in the quiet room. His weight shifts on the bed, the mattress dipping closer to me. ¡°Rx,¡± he whispers, his breath hot against my ear, sending another violent shudder through me. ¡°I won¡¯t do anything.¡± His is low, wicked, ¡°Though watching you fall apart is quite the show.¡± 11:33 Wed, 20 Aug Chapter 72 This is so humiliating. What is he even doing here? ¡°Shhh,¡± Riot murmurs, and I feel his weight leave the bed. The sudden absence of his touch is both relief and torture. ¡°Let me help you up. Strong hands slide under my shoulders, lifting me to sitting. My head lolls against his chest, my body boneless with need ¡°Here,¡± he says, and I feel something cool against my lips. Water. I gulp greedily, droplets spilling down my chin, my neck. His eyes follow their path hungrily. ¡°You sneak in here?¡± I manage to ask between desperate sips, noticing the open window, curtains dancing in the night breeze. Riot¡¯sugh rumbles through his chest. ¡°Yeah. I smell something.¡± I try to re at him, but another wave hits and I¡¯m clutching at his shirt, face buried against his neck as I moan through clenched teeth. ¡°Easy, baby,¡± he whispers, and I hate how much I love the sound of his voice. ¡°Grayson won¡¯t be back for hours. You¡¯re stuck with me.¡± ¡°Get out,¡± I manage to rasp, even as my body betrays me, seeking his touch. ¡°You¡­need to get out. I don¡¯t¡­need your help!¡± really want me to get out Jess?¡± His fingers slide down my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. ¡°Do you Ma I twist away from him, nearly falling off the bed in the process. My legs tangle in the damp sheets, and I can feel every fiber of the cotton against my oversensitive skin. ¡°I know what¡¯s happening to you,¡± he says, his voice suddenly serious. ¡°I know how to help you.¡± My eyes snap to his face. ¡°I won¡¯t let you touch me! Never!¡± 34 Riot¡¯s eyes¨Cthose dangerous, beautiful eyes¨Csoften slightly. ¡°You¡¯re in heat, Jess. First time, from the looks of it.¡°, He walks over me and whimper just by his simple touch. ¡°Grayson should¡¯ve warned you this might happen.¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t know,¡± I say before I can stop myself. Riot¡¯s expression darkens. ¡± And you believe that?¡± I want to kill him. Right here. I want to sh his throat but I¡¯m so fucked up and the pain is beyond me. ¡°It hurts,¡± I gasp, pride forgotten. ¡°Why does it hurt so much?¡± ¡°First heat¡¯s always the worst,¡± he says, and there¡¯s something like sympathy in his voice. ¡°Especially if you fight it.¡± His palm presses against my forehead, and I¡¯m ashamed by how desperately I lean into his touch. Cool. He feels so cool against my burning skin. ¡°Grayson¡¯s been keeping secrets,¡± Riot says, thumb stroking my temple. ¡°If he marked you without exining what would happen¡­¡± ¡°Nobody marked me,¡± I snap, but my voice breaks on thest word. Riot¡¯s smile is sharp, dangerous. ¡°Yet, That¡¯s why you are feeling all of this.¡± My breathes in short, desperate pants as look up at him. ¡± Then what should I do?¡± ¡°Let me help, Jess.¡± His fingers ghost down my throat¨Cbarely there¨Cbut my whole body convulses like he lit a match to my spine. This is so wrong. I don¡¯t want his touch but my body felt so good with what he¡¯s doing. 1134- Wed, 20 Aug ¡°Fuck,¡± I moan, rolling my hips against nothing. The emptiness inside me is unbearable. ¡°I can¡¯t¨CI can¡¯t¡± are almost ck. ¡°You smell so fucking good, Jess.¡± His hand slides down to my stomach, just resting Riot¡¯s nostrils re, his pupils dting until his there, but it¡¯s so helpful. ¡°See?¡± Sev ¡°Please,¡± I whimper, not even knowing what I¡¯m think.¡± egging for. My fingers clutch at his wrist,! , not pushing him away but holding him there. ¡°Riot, I can¡¯t ¡°That¡¯s the point,¡± he says, voice rougher now. His thumb traces slow circles on my hip bone. ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to think. Just feel. I shake my head weakly, fighting through the fog. ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°1 ¡°Isn¡¯t here,¡± Riot cuts in, his face suddenly closer to mine. His breath fans across my lips. ¡°But I am. I can touch you Jess. Just like this for the whole night.¡± His hand slides tower, and my back arches involuntarily. The heat blooms between my legs, sharp and needy, making me gasp. ¡°God, you¡¯re burning up,¡± he whispers, his lips brushing my ¡°Let me help you, Jess.¡± My body betrays me, hips rolling against his touch. ¡°This is so wrong,¡± I breathe, but my fingers dig into his shoulders, pulling him closer. ¡°No one will know,¡± Riot promises, as his fingers continue to explore my body. I think I¡¯m going to be mad. My hands fist in his shirt, torn between pushing him away and ripping it off. The room spins as he works his skilled fingers exactly where I need them. ¡°Riot,¡± I gasp, my voice barely recognizable. ¡°If anyone finds out-¡± ¡°Shh,¡± he soothes, but there¡¯s nothing gentle about his touch. ¡°This is our secret. Let me take care of you.¡± ** AD Comment Send gift No Ads 11:34 Wed, 20 Aug DOO Alpha Luna 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 trantes to ¡®fuck you.¡¯ My fists clench so hard my knuckles sh 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 nder 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 unbnced without a pretty bitch at my side to dress up the throne. He¡¯s wrong. I push my chair back with a slow scrape ¨C not loud, not rushed ¨C 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. My ws itch beneath my fingers. I don¡¯t shift. Even if I want to. Instead, I nt both hands on the table- firm, wide stance, elbows locked. 1 look him in the eye. ¡°You think I need a Luna to prove I¡¯m fit to lead?¡± My voice is low. Not quiet. Low. That kind of voice that hunts in silence and still gets blood. ¡°I¡¯ve led this pack without a mate, without your approval, and without kissing any elder¡¯s ring. You want someone who fucks tradition and grovels for scraps¨Cgo find a tame dog.¡± A muscle ticks in his jaw and I hope he knows it¡¯s me saying he cannot and will never be control me. ¡°But if you want a wolf¨Cone who knows every inch of these mountains, one who buried half your enemies without asking for permission¨Cthen you know damn well I¡¯m the only name that matters.¡± Elder Vass shifts, opens his mouth like he¡¯s got something to say. He doesn¡¯t get the chance. I m my hand down¨Cnot to scare, just to interrupt ¨C just to remind the room that I let them talk, not the other way around. ¡°Keep pushing. Keep throwing her name in my face. But don¡¯t act surprised when I stop ying civil and start tearing out throats.¡± And then I walk out of the room to ease Jessica¡¯s pain. Shit. I almost forgot it¡¯s just a 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 res, the way her moods sharpen, the way I wake up at night already hard, already starving for her like my instincts are weeks ahead of reality. And what are they doing? Trying to break her spine before it even begins. I round thest corner just a few blocks away from her house when suddenly, a small hand stop me from moving. ¡°Move.¡± I don¡¯t shout. I don¡¯t bare teeth. But my body vibrates with the restraint it takes not to shove her out of the way. Aria¡¯s lips press together. ¡°Grayson, you¡¯re spiraling.¡± No. I¡¯m focused. For once in this fucked¨Cup mess, I know exactly what I¡¯m doing. What I¡¯m running to. Who I¡¯m choosing. She tilts her head, the picture of concern. Or maybe performance. I can¡¯t tell anymore. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking clearly. She¡¯s not your mate, no matter how hard you pretend.¡± ¡°Get your hand off me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to help you. I¡¯ve always tried to-¡± ¡°No. You tried to win.¡± meet her eyes and she flinches. ¡°You don¡¯t understand-¡± She says something else¡ªI think. But I¡¯m already moving. Already past her. Because every second wasted here is another second Jessica is in pain. I¡¯m halfway down the block when I hear it- ¡°Grayson!¡± Crack. I felt a hard p across my face. Slowly, I turn my head, jaw tight as I control myself to not kill Aria right here, right now. ¡°I¡¯m not done,¡± she snaps, voice trembling, ¡°You don¡¯t get to walk away from me. Not again. Not for her.¡± I stare at her. 210 ¨C ?? (fe!+ ¡°You don¡¯t decide where I go,¡± I say, voice low, sharp enough to bleed. ¡°And you sure as hell don¡¯t get to a hand on me. She steps forward. ¡°She¡¯s manipting you¨C¡± ¡°She¡¯s hurting,¡± I snarl, stepping into her space now, towering over her, letting the full weight of alpha bleed into every word. ¡°And you think this ¡ú gesture between us, to the p, to her eyes, to every lie that ever passed her lips ¡°-is more important than that?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not your mate,¡± she hisses, desperate now. ¡°She never was. I am. You think some brokeri girl with scars and an attitude can carry this pack? You¡¯re not thinking clearly-¡± ¡°I¡¯m thinking clearer than I ever have,¡± I bite back. ¡°You want this title? This crown? Fine. Fight for it. But don¡¯t touch what¡¯s mine again.¡± Her face twists¨Churt, fury, panic. ¡°Then tell me why my wolf said she¡¯s your mate too!¡± That. Stops. Me. No. That¡¯s fucking impossible. Aria takes a hesitant step closer, her breath hitching, eyes glistening with tears¨Cfragile, raw, almost breaking. ¡°Can¡¯t you feel it, Grayson? Can¡¯t you feel us?¡± I swallow hard. My muscles tense, and for a good fucking second, I swear, my wolf stirs inside me as if it fucking longs for Aria¡¯s touch. And that¡¯s when something snaps inside me. The wolf¨Cmy wolf¨Cws its way forward, not fully breaking skin but close enough that I feel fur rippling beneath the surface. A growl rips from my throat, primal and uncontrolled. ¡°Liar.¡± The wordes out mangled, half¨Chuman, half¨Cbeast. My canines lengthen, pressing against my bottom lip. ¡°You¡¯re fucking lying.¡± Aria steps back, eyes widening. ¡°Grayson, your eyes-¡± I don¡¯t care. I can feel my irises burning gold, the way they do when the wolf takes control. Good. Let it. Let her see what she¡¯s provoking. ¡°You think! don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing?¡± I snarl, advancing on her. ¡°You think I can¡¯t smell the desperation on you? The fucking deceit?¡± She backs up against a tree, trapped. ¡°It¡¯s true! I swear it! Ask your wolf-¡± My hand ms into the bark beside her head, splintering wood. ¡°My wolf knows Jessica. Only Jessica.¡± I lean in close enough to see the pulse hammering in her throat. ¡°My wolf would tear through anyone who tried toe between us.¡± ¡°Then why can I feel you?¡± she whispers, trembling but defiant. ¡°Why do I dream about you? Why does my wolf howl for yours at night?¡± Something cold slides down my spine. For a split second¨Cjust a fraction of a moment¨Cmy wolf hesitates. Listens. Sniffs. And I hate it. I hate that my animal side even paused to consider her words. ¡°Pack magic,¡± I growl, leaning closer, letting her see the monster beneath my skin. ¡°Witch spells. I don¡¯t give a fuck what tricks you¡¯re pl won¡¯t work.¡± but they Her hand reaches up, bold and desperate, to touch my face where she pped me. ¡°Listen to me.¡± A whine builds in my chest, unbidden and unwanted. ¡°Stop that,¡± I growl, grabbing her throat with a wed hand, careful not to pierce skin even in my rage. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try to speak to my wolf¡± ¡°He already hears me,¡± Aria whispers, tears in her eyes but voice steady. ¡°Ask him why he recognizes me. Ask him why he calms when I¡¯m near?! 3/4 wed My wolf paces beneath my skin, confused and agitated. For the first time in my life, we¡¯re not in sync, and it terrifies me. ¡°Jessica is my mate,¡± I insist, but my voice cracks on thest word. ¡°My wolf close her.¡± Aria¡¯s hand reaches up slowly, touching the spot on my jaw still stinging from her p. ¡°Did he? Or did you?¡± My wolf surges forward, pressing against my consciousness, trying to r reach ho I jerk back like I¡¯ve been burned, horror washing through me, ¡°What the fuck are you doing to me?¡± I demand, voice breaking as I back away, fighting my own instincts. ¡°I¡¯m not doing anything,¡± she says softly. ¡°It¡¯s already done. We¡¯re already bound.¡± AD Alpha Luna 74 Chapter 74 JESSICA I have no idea what to say. Hook up to find Riot but he¡¯s already gone. What the fuck did I do? I wanted to cry my eyes out because I just let a stranger touch me. My body is still in fire. I¡¯ve held on for so long to not want Riot¡¯s touches, but the pain is beyond me. No matter how much I try to stop him from touching me, my body still betrays me. Goddess¡­ what did I just do? I push off the bed like it¡¯s on fire, moving before I can think too hard. Thinking is dangerous. Thinking means feeling, and I can¡¯t afford that right now. Clothes hit the floor. I grab the first clean leggings I see, a sports bra, my boots. My hair goes up in a knot, fast and messy, and I ssh cold water on my face like it¡¯ll snap me back to reality. I don¡¯t look in the mirror¨CI already know what I¡¯ll see. I m the door behind me and head straight for the field. The sun¡¯s already high, burning the world gold. Warriors are stretching, sparring, joking like their lives aren¡¯t all disasters. Mine is. ¡°Jess!¡± Logan¡¯s voice cuts through the morning haze. He jogs toward me, face flushed from training or concern¨CI don¡¯t care which. I keep walking. ¡°Hey!¡± He catches up, falling into step beside me. ¡°You good?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He gives me a look like he doesn¡¯t believe a word. ¡°You weren¡¯t at breakfast. Pierce told me not to wake you up.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t hungry.¡± ¡°Are you avoiding me?¡± ¡°I had things to do.¡± Logan sighs, brushing a hand through his damp hair. ¡°Grayson¡¯s been asking about you.¡± I freeze. Just for a second. Just long enough for him to notice. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about Grayson,¡± I snap, pushing forward faster, eyes locked on the man wiping sweat from his brow, oblivious to the stares that follow him. Riot catches my gaze and pauses, halfway through pulling his shirt off. I duck my head and plow forward, my shoulder ramming into Riot¡¯s chest. Hard. ¡°Watch it,¡± he grunts, stumbling back. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble, mortified. Goddess, I¡¯m such a disaster. ¡°Uhm¡­I just want to thank¡­youst night.¡± 1/4 Chapter 74 My words tangle in my throat as Riot yanks his shirtpletely off. Holy shit. My eyes widen seeing it in broad daylight. There¡¯s amazing talcool p looks like a wolf spans across his left pectoral, its jaws open in a silent snart. ¡°What aboutst night?¡± He smirks, catching me staring. ¡°See something you like, Jess?¡± My face burns. ¡°N¨Cno. I mean¨Cthe you know¡­.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t know.¡± His voice is yful but his eyes are intense. This asshole. ¡°For helping me with the¡­¡± I nce around, lowering my voice, ¡°¡­the heat situation,¡± He tosses his shirt aside,pletely unbothered by his half¨Cnaked state or the hungry stares from others in the training area. ¡°Oh, that?¡± He cocks his head, dark hair falling across one eye. ¡°I¡¯ve been told I¡¯m good with my hands in¡­ situations.¡± My mouth goes dry. The memory of those hands on my skin, cool against my fever, shes hot through my mind. ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± I mutter. He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°You weren¡¯tiningst night. In fact-¡± he leans in, lips brushing my ear¡°-you were making very different sounds. I jerk back, smacking his hand away, ¡°It was just biology. Any wolf would have-¡± ¡°Any wolf?¡± His eyebrow arches, amusement dancing in those dangerous eyes. ¡°What the hell is she doing here?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I quickly follow his gaze and found a blonde girl standing at the entrance of the training grounds. Riot¡¯s entire demeanor shifts in an instant. He¡¯s moving before I can even process what¡¯s happening. He quickly grab the girl¡¯s wrist and yanking her toward him. Even from here, I can see the fury etched into every line of his body. Logan appears at my side. ¡°That¡¯s Theo¡¯s cousin.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°No one told you?¡± Logan¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡°Theo was exiled three days ago.¡± My jaw drops. ¡°Exiled? Why?¡± Shit. Shit. Of course, I fucking knew why. ¡°Jess?¡± Logan¡¯s hand on my shoulder startles me. ¡°You¡¯re shaking.¡± ¡°I¨CI need to go,¡± I choke out, backing away. If Theo was exiled, that means someone knows about his n and I have to get to that phone before anyone else does. I turn and run, praying no one can smell the fear pouring off me in waves. Back in my room, I pace frantically, biting my nails down to the quick. ¡°Fuck, fuck, fuck,¡± I mutter, grabbing my phone. I dial Grayson¡¯s number for the fifth time, but it just rings endlessly. ¡°Pick up, damn it!¡± I throw the phone on my bed and run my hands through my hair. I need to see him. Now. If Theo was exiled, Grayson must know something. He has to. Before I can talk myself out of it, I¡¯m rushing across thepound toward his office. The corridors are eerily quiet¨Ceveryone¡¯s probably still gossiping about the training ground incident. uy I¡¯m breathless by the time I reach his building. The light¡¯s on in his office. Thank goddess. I round theer, about to knock when I freeze. Through the half¨Copen blinds, I can see them. Grayson and Aria. They¡¯re standing close¨Ctoo close. His hand is on her arm, his face inches from her. They look¡­ intense. Serious. Intimate. My stomach drops to my feet as I watch Aria reach up and touch his face. I step back, a small gasp escaping my lips. All this time. All this fucking time. I back away slowly, then turn and run, only to freeze when I saw the alpha walking towards my direction. ¡°Alpha,¡± I whisper, my body freezing in ce. The world seems to tilt sideways as my mind struggles between the shock of seeing Grayson with Aria and the terror of facing the alpha right now. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t our little troublemaker,¡± he says, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be with Riot, dear?¡± ¡°Sir, I was just-¡± ¡°Just what? Skulking around where you don¡¯t belong? Again?¡± He steps closer, and I instinctively back up until my spine hits the wall. ¡°Why is it so hard to get rid of you, Wilkinson?¡± ¡°Grayson and I were¡ª¡± ¡°Grayson this, Grayson that,¡± he mocks, his face twisting into something ugly. ¡°You think I don¡¯t see you trailing after him like a lovesick puppy? It¡¯s pathetic.¡± My cheeks burn with humiliation and anger. ¡°That¡¯s not-¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± He ms his palm against the wall beside my head, making me jump. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a distraction. A liability. Do you know what we do with liabilities in this pack?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whisper, hating how weak I sound. Heughs, a cruel sound that echoes in the empty hallway. ¡°You¡¯re always sorry, aren¡¯t you? Yet nothing changes.¡± ¡°Let me make this crystal clear,¡± he hisses, his breath hot against my face. ¡°One more incident like today, and you¡¯ll wish exile was your punishment. I don¡¯t care what Grayson thinks¨Cyou¡¯re poison to this pack.¡± I try to pull away, but his grip tightens. My vision blurs with unshed tears. ¡°The only reason you¡¯re still here is because you got my son wrap around your fingers,¡± he continues, each word a knife twisting in my gut. ¡°But I don¡¯t mind killing you if that will make him reach his prime.¡± He finally releases me with a shove that sends me stumbling sideways. I catch myself against the wall, my legs trembling so badly I nearly copse. ¡°Stay away from Grayson,¡± he warns, already turning to leave. ¡°He has real responsibilities¡ªa future that doesn¡¯t include dragging around dead weight like you.¡± As his footsteps fade down the corridor, I slide to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. The walls feel like they¡¯re closing in. Between Grayson¡¯s betrayal with Aria and the Alpha¡¯s threats, I can barely breathe. What the hell am I going to do now? Alpha Luna 75 Chapter 75 JESSICA I¡¯m gonna lose it. My body¡¯s going rogue, my head¡¯s on fire, and I can¡¯t stop thinking about that damn phone. One stupid move and everything blows up. One missed second and someone finds Theo¡¯s backup n before I do. ¡°Hey, Jess-¡± Shit. I almost punch Pierce¡¯s annoying face when he appeared beside me. He looks like he just went from a morning run. ¡°You okay?¡± he asks, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. ¡°Dol look okay to you?¡± I snap. He nces at me. His eyes narrow. ¡°You¡¯re sweating.¡± My spine straightens. I wipe my palms down my leggings like that¡¯ll erase the sheen clinging to my skin, the way my breath¡¯sing too fast, too shallow. ¡°It¡¯s hot.¡± ¡°You¡¯re pale too,¡± he adds. Come on, why does this asshole have time for this? He steps toward me like he¡¯s about to say something else¨Cmaybe ask something, maybe push¨Cand! stop breathing. If he sees too much, he¡¯ll tell Grayson. He always tells Grayson. ¡°Pierce, seriously¡ªjust back off.¡± I need to get out of here. Now. Before he sees too much. Before I give myself away. Before everything falls apart. My brother might love me, but Pierce¡¯s loyalty is to the pack first. It¡¯s what makes him Grayson¡¯s right hand. It¡¯s what makes him dangerous to me right now. ¡°Pierce, back the fuck off before I tear your throat out.¡± ¡°Jess-¡± The front door ms open so hard it bounces against the wall. ¡°Fucking fantastic,¡± Pierce mutters, rolling his eyes. Riot strides in like a king of his own delusion. Seriously? ¡°Well, well. The princess and her guard dog.¡± His voice is ice cold, amused at his own joke. Pierce takes a step forward. ¡°Learn to knock asshole.¡± ¡°Why? Afraid I¡¯ll catch you two doing something you shouldn¡¯t?¡± Riot¡¯s gaze slides to me, lingering too long, too ufortable. ¡°You locked your window?¡® 1/4 11:34 Wed 20 Aug ¡°What the fuck does that mean?¡± Pierce growls quickly snatching Riot¡¯s cor. Riotughs, actuallyughs while Pierce has him by the throat. ¡°God, you¡¯re predictable. So easy to push your buttons.¡± ¡°Let him go Pierce, he¡¯s just fucking with you,¡± I snap, trying to save myself from whatever this is. But there¡¯s something in Riot¡¯s eyes that makes my blood run cold. Something knowing. I¡¯m just so d Pierce actually listens. The moment he let Riot go, I grabbed his arm and pull him outside of the house. I know he¡¯s here to annoy me for the training session. Once were alone, I shove him on the tree hoping it re¨Carranged his guts. ¡°What the fuck do you want?¡± ¡°Whoa! So early for this,¡± Riotughs, not even flinching when my hands m him against the rough bark. He¡¯s acting like this is a game¨Clike I¡¯m amusing him. ¡°Answer the question,¡± Thiss, inches from his face. His eyes drop to my mouth, then crawl back up, that smirk never leaving. ¡°Maybe I just wanted to see you, princess.¡± ¡°Bullshit.¡± ¡°No bullshit. Training doesn¡¯t start for an hour, and I was bored.¡± His hands suddenly grab my waist, fingers digging in just enough to make my breath catch. ¡°Thought we could have some fun.¡± I try to pull back but he holds me there, thumbs pressing into my hipbones. ¡°Get your hands off me.¡± ¡°You put your hands on me first,¡± he whispers, leaning closer until I can smell mint on his breath. ¡°Mixed signals much?¡± ¡°Let. Go.¡± ¡°Fine. So feisty.¡± Riot steps back, his hand brushing down my arm as he retreats. I watch him dig in his pocket before pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. My eyebrows lift¡ªI didn¡¯t know he smoked. He catches me staring and taps one out, offering it to me with dirt¨Cstained fingers. ¡°Want to try it?¡± His voice drops lower, almost intimate. ¡°Bet you¡¯ve never been bad before, have you?¡± ¡°Can I?¡± I¡¯m so stress I need something. Riot looks surprised, those dark eyes widening just a fraction before that cocky smirk returns. ¡°Well, well. Princess wants to y after all.¡± He lights the cigarette with a flick of his lighter, taking a deep drag before holding it out to me. I reach for it, but he pulls back at thest second, eyes dancing. ¡°Ah¨Cah. Come get it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re such an asshole,¡± I mutter, stepping closer. As I reach again, his free hand catches my wrist, thumb pressing against my pulse point. ¡°Your heart¡¯s racing,¡± he says, voice dropping to a grave whisper. ¡°Nervous?¡± I snatch the cigarette from his fingers. ¡°You wish.¡± I take a drag way too deep for a first¨Ctimer, immediately feeling the burn hit my lungs. I double over coughing, smokeing out in pitiful bursts between gasps.. 11:34 Wed, 20 Aug Riotughs, a low, rumbling sound that somehow pisses me off and sends a shiver down my spine at the same time.¡± Damn, girl. Slow down I try to re at him through watering eyes, but coughing fit takes over. ¡°Here,¡± he says, suddenly closer, one hand sliding around to press against the small of my back. ¡°Stand straight. You¡¯re asking it worse hunched over like that.¡± His other hand takes the cigarette, fingers brushing mine in a way that sends an entirely different kind of heat through my body. ¡°Breathe,¡± he instructs, voice suddenly low and serious. ¡°Shallow breaths.¡± I follow his direction, acutely aware of how his thumb is now making small circles against my spine. When my breathing steadies, he brings the cigarette back to my lips. ¡°Open,¡± hemands. This time, when I inhale, his fingers guide my wrist, controlling how much I take in. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he murmurs, watching my lips with an intensity that makes my stomach flip. ¡°Nice and easy.¡± The smoke fills my mouth, less harsh this time, and when I exhale, his eyes follow the cloud that escapes between us. ¡°Better?¡± he asks, still not removing his hand from my back. ¡°Yes,¡± I admit, hating how breathless I sound¨Cand how it has nothing to do with the cigarette anymore. We share the cigarette for several minutes, him shotgunning the smoke into my mouth, his hands alternating between firm grips on my neck and softer, almost possessive touches along my jaw. ¡°Training starts now,¡± he finally says, dropping the cigarette and grinding it under his heel. ¡°And trust me, Princess, cigarettes are the easiest thing you¡¯ll be putting between those pretty lips today.¡± My face burns at his implication. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡± He justughs, the sound harsh and mocking. ¡°And you¡¯re too easy to rile up. Gotta toughens that skin if you want to survive around here.¡± I follow him in the field, which is now I call Riot¡¯s training ground because I notice he really don¡¯t meddle with the other wolves. My lungs are burning after three brutal rounds of whatever the hell he calls ¡°basic training.¡± More like torture with an audience. Sweat drips down my back as I copse onto the grass, trying not to look as pathetic as feel. He drops down beside me, too close, always too damn close. ¡°Giving up already?¡± Riot¡¯s voice drips with mockery as he stretches out beside me, not a single drop of sweat on him. Meanwhile, I¡¯m here practically drowning in my own. ¡°Fuck off,¡± I manage between gasps. ¡°Three rounds of your sadistic bullshit is enough.¡± Heughs, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. ¡°That was just the warm¨Cup. The real wolves would eat you alive.¡± I turn my head to re at him, finding his face inches from mine. ¡°What if¡­I don¡¯t have a wolf?¡± ¡°It¡¯s always been my fear, you know?¡± I continue, staring at the clouds. ¡°What if I¡¯m just¡­meant for nothing? What if I¡¯m just meant to be alone?¡± He goes quiet¨Cso quiet I wonder if he¡¯s even breathing. When I chance a nce at him, his jaw is tight, eyes looking directly at me. ¡°It¡¯s okay Jess.¡± Then he does thest thing I expect. He reaches over, brushes a sweaty strand of hair from my forehead. His fingers linger, just for a second. ¡°There is nothing wrong being alone.¡± He says, eyes still on mine. ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s the only way to realize that, in this world, the only person you really need¡­ is you.¡± AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 76 Chapter 76 JESSICA ¡°So,¡± I mutter, kicking a rock just to have something to look at that isn¡¯t his face. ¡°That was¡­ wildly productive.¡± Riot doesn¡¯t answer. He stood a few feet off, arms tight across his chest, eyes t and cold. Always pissed too. ¡°You mad I didn¡¯t take training seriously?¡± He said nothing. That was yes. ¡°I did push¨Cups.¡± ¡°Three,¡± he muttered, finally. ¡°Then you flopped down like you were sunbathing.¡± ¡°It was hot.¡± I shrugged,zy, teasing. ¡°You flopped down with me too remember? That made him snort. I swear Riot probably have multiple personalities. I just can¡¯t figure him out. Earlier, when he offered me advice, I literally gawked at him. He¡¯s so unpredictable. No wonder he¡¯s¡­I blink not wanting to really remember Grayson. I got a lot of problem right now and him being with Aria should not bothered me. Hell, I broke up with him. So it should be okay with me, right? If he wants another woman to satisfy his needs or¡­ but I wouldn¡¯t do that to him. I remember how I was literally in heat but all I cared about is just pleading Riot to just touch my arms. How is that not pathetic? Goddess, I hate myself. And still¨Cstill¨CI love him. Stupid, wreck¨Cme, ruin¨Cmy¨Clife love. I can¡¯t think of better scenarios in my head if what happened between them that night. ¡°Did you hear what I said?¡± I catch myself mid¨Cthought and Riot being so close to me. ¡°What the hell?¡± I quickly shove him away because I can literally feel his hot breath on my face. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± There¡¯s a slight frown on his face before he darkly chuckles and mutter a great fuck under his breath. See? Multiple personalities. 66 ¡®You¡¯re so stupid, Jessica,¡± Well, fuck. I¡¯d thought I already heard the worst insult there is but that shiting out of Riot¡¯s mouth is simply¡­ 38% insulting. My nose res ready to attack him I notice that Grayson¡¯s truck is outside of our house. Riot must¡¯ve seen it too when he smirks and took a step closer.¡± So, your boyfriend is here?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend.¡± ¡°No?¡± I scowl at him. He¡¯s intentionally closing the gap between us until I¡¯m literally cornered by him. Riot is always looking for trouble. And the trouble¡¯s here. ¡°Whatever you are nning don¡¯t do it.¡± I startle when Riot leans down just enough to make me squeal. He licks his lips, meeting my eyes directly, but even without looking I know he¡¯s damn enjoying this. ¡°What¡­am I nning, Jessica?¡± He asks, gently grabbing my chin and making me look at him. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to have some fun?¡± ¡°You¡¯re such an asshole.¡± Somehow, even amidst the stupidity of these, I, too, want to see Grayson¡¯s reaction. We¡¯re near the entrance and our windows big enough to see what¡¯s going on outside. I have no idea what Grayson is doing here. I am very much aware though that I want to get my revenge to whatever happened with him and Aria that night. So, I look up to Riot, swallowing hard. I had stare at his gaze for so long! didn¡¯t know I¡¯m already drowning on it. A hysterical gasp escapes me when I realized we¡¯re almost kissing. Almost. Just a few inch closer and I¡¯dmit whatever Grayson did. ¡°Easy there, vixen,¡± Riot said, tracing azy path down my arm, before gripping my chin and making me look at our window. My breath hitches as he leans in, bypassing my mouth entirely to drag his lips along my jawline. The sensation is intoxicating¨Cwarm, wet, and just the right amount of rough. ¡°He¡¯s watching us,¡± Riot murmurs against my skin, gently tilting my face toward the window. ¡°Your boy doesn¡¯t look happy.¡± Grayson stands outside, perfectly still, face carved from stone. There¡¯s nothing there¨Cno anger, no jealousy, nothing to indicate he cares at all what I¡¯m doing or who I¡¯m with. The emptiness in his eyes cuts deeper than rage ever could. ¡°He doesn¡¯t care,¡± I whisper, hating how my voice breaks.. Never mind that Riot is here witnessing my downfall. ¡°Ah, somebody moved on,¡± Riot says and my heart hurts more. ¡°Do you want to know a secret I¡¯ve learnedst night Jessica?¡± ¡°No,¡± I grit out. Iyelp when Riot pulls me up by the hair. ¡± There were moansing outside of Grayson¡¯s room and I am sure it¡¯s not yours. Do you know why?¡± W¨CWhat? My eyes widened and I cannot help but to look up to see Riot staring down at me. He¡¯s enjoying my every reaction when our door harshly opens and Grayson is storming outside. ¡°Because I know your moans.¡± Riot quickly said before Grayson is there grabbing his cors and shoving him away from me. I was too stunned to speak I cannot process it. Fucking hell. So, I was right. Something really happened between Grayson and Aria- ¡°You piece of shit!¡± Grayson roars, swinging hard andnding a punch straight into Riot¡¯s jaw. Riot¡¯s head snaps to the side¨Cbut heughs. Laughs. Wipes the blood from his lips and continue to stare at me. I¡ª I can¡¯t breathe. Grayson¡¯s breathing is ragged, primal. I¡¯ve never seen him like this¨Cknuckles split open, eyes wild like some caged animal. When he pulls back for another punch, I finally find my voice. ¡°Grayson-¡± Ites out ripped and raw, barely audible above the ringing in my ears. ¡°Grayson, stop!¡± 1 lunge forward, grabbing his sweat¨Cslicked arm. His skin is scorching under my fingers, muscles rigid like steel cables. ¡°Stop this!¡± Without even looking, he shoves me off. His elbow catches me in the chest, and I stumble backward, tripping over my own feet. ¡°Stay out of this, Jess.¡± His voice doesn¡¯t even sound like him¨Cit¡¯s guttural, savage. I sit there, stunned stupid, watching him get mad. ¡°Fight back, you asshole,¡± Grayson shouted again, beating Riot, I thought he¡¯ll just take it when he suddenly push Grayson away making him roll down the ground. Riot casually wipe his shirt and gives me a wink. ¡± You know where to find me.¡± My mouth hangs open as Riot turns to leave, his confident stride never faltering even with a trickle of blood at the 38% corner of his mouth. ¡°What the fuck?¡± Grayson¡¯s voice cracks through my stunned silence. His hand is suddenly gripping mine, fingers digging in so tight I wince. ¡°What the actual fuck are you doing with him?¡± Before I can answer, he¡¯s pulling me inside the house. ¡°Let go of me!¡± I hiss, but he doesn¡¯t stop until we¡¯re back at my room. He practically shoves me inside, the door mming behind us. ¡°Grayson, you¡¯re being ridiculous!¡± The words burst out of me as I rub my wrist. ¡°I¡¯m being ridiculous?¡± Hisugh is sharp, humorless. ¡°You¡¯re hanging out with Riot now? That¡¯s your brilliant move?¡± I back up as he advances, my spine hitting the edge of my desk. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business who I-¡± ¡°It is my business!¡± He ms his palm against the wall beside my head, making me jump. The heat from his body radiates through my thin shirt. ¡°You know what he¡¯s after me. He wants to be the alpha-¡± ¡°I know what he fucking wants,¡± I counter, shoving at his chest. He barely moves. ¡°Get out of my face, Grayson.¡± ¡°Turn around.¡± ¡°What?¡± I breathe, heart racing. Grayson harshly grips my hips and turns me around, pressing me against the desk. I think he¡¯s going to continue yelling, but instead, he sweeps my hair aside and I feel his lips at the back of my neck. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± ¡°iming you.¡± AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 77 Chapter 77 GRAYSON ¡°Grayson, what-¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± I snarl, smashing my face into the crook of her, missing her scent. I¡¯ve been thinking too much. Watching too much. And then Riot touched her. I could¡¯ve killed him right there. But I didn¡¯t. Not yet. I still don¡¯t fucking know why that bastard is messing with me. Jessica moves, like she thinks she can slip away. ÃÀÆø38%®” I don¡¯t even think. I grab her, twist us hard, and throw her down onto the bed. The mattress groans under the weight. She bounces once, then stills. I¡¯m over her in a second, staring down. ¡°You don¡¯t get to run,¡± I growl. ¡°Not tonight.¡± Her eyes are wide. Scared. Maybe furious. I can¡¯t tell anymore. I want to rip the whole fucking world in half and make her watch. Fuck. Seeing Jessica like this makes my cock twitch. I strip off my shirt with one hand, yanking it over my head like it¡¯s choking me. My skin¡¯s slick with sweat, heat rolling off me in waves. I¡¯m running too hot. ¡°You smell like him,¡± I mutter, voice low and shaking with restraint. ¡°Do you have any idea what that does to me?¡± She opens her mouth to speak, but I¡¯m already moving. My body slots between her thighs, not fully touching¨Cbut close enough that she feels the threat of it. ¡°Grayson, stop-¡± ¡°No.¡± I curl a hand into the sheets near her ribs, the other gripping her thigh too tight. ¡°You let him get too close. You let him see what¡¯s mine.¡± Her nails rake down my chest in a desperate push. ¡°You asshole-¡± My wolf is so close to the surface can barely think straight, I told myself I¡¯d wait. That I¡¯d be good. Let her choose. But Riot touched her. And now I want to ruin something just to feel her shake. Maybe that makes me a monster. I don¡¯t care anymore. 13:31 Thu, 21 Aug A¡¤ Chapter 77 38% I only told her I will let her go because I know she needed the time to think before her birthday. But hell, if letting her go means seeing her with that bastard then I¡¯m done being a saint. Jessica tries to kick. I snatch her ankle mid¨Cair, jerking it back so fast her hips twist with it. ¡°My little brat,¡± i smirk, watching her snarl. ¡± Really Jess? Do you think training with him will suddenly make you strong?¡± ¡°Damn you Grayson!¡± She¡¯s panting now. Hair a mess across the pillow. Lips parted, eyes sharp and hating. ¡°This is stupid!¡± What stupid is you, Jessica. Goddess, I¡¯m so d she can¡¯t read what¡¯s crawling behind my eyes. Because if she did, she¡¯d know the only reason I¡¯m here¨Cgrinding my teeth, holding on¨Cis to remind her. Once she knew I was hers¨Cher mate¨Cshe had no choice but to take me back. But look at where that¡¯s gotten me. ¡°Stop fighting,¡± I murmur, voice low, every word amand. ¡°This is who you are. My brat, my mate. You belong to me.¡± She growls¨Chalf rage, half panic¨Cstruggling until her cheek smashes into the mattress. I think Jessica knew what would happen when I said I¡¯m going to im her tonight but it¡¯s still a surprise hearing her¡­whimper? Fuck. She¡¯s in heat. Since fucking when? My wolf snaps alert inside me, ws dragging, muscles tightening. It¡¯s like she¡¯s screaming to be taken, to be marked, to be imed. I shift, sliding a palm low, fingers brushing the slick warmth gathering there. Jessica¡¯s breath stutters, ragged and uneven, caught between surprise and need. Why the hell hasn¡¯t she called for me? Her body trembles under my touch, hips jerking with a wild, desperate pulse that screams she¡¯s drowning in this heat alone. She¡¯s been burning¨Chungry, raw¨Cand I wasn¡¯t here. ¡°You should¡¯vee to me,¡± I growl against her skin, voice thick with usation and need. ¡°Why the fuck didn¡¯t you?¡± Her eyes sh, wild and ashamed, and I¡¯ll be damned seeing fear in those loving eyes. 13 31 Thu, 21 Aug DA .38% & ¡°What did you do, Jessica?¡± She blinks tears out of her eyes, and I already fucking know it. Quickly, I jerk her leg tighter, forcing her calf against my ribs, chest pressing hers t into the mattress. ¡°No lies,¡± I rasp, jaw locked. ¡°Tell me.¡± Her shoulders shake. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­I¡¯m sorry..¡± ¡°You what?¡± I spit, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her head back just enough so our eyes lock. Her face is bruised with shame and wet with tears¨Chalf of me wants to crush her, the other half wants to cradle her until her sobs stop. But I keep breathing shallow, forcing myself to hold onto the fury so I don¡¯t rip her apart for admitting it. ¡°You weren¡¯t there,¡± she chokes out, tears slipping down her cheeks. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t know what else to do. I saw you with Aria too so I thought-¡± She fucking saw me. So, that¡¯s fucking why. I still cannot believe I let Aria fool me. That night she got my wolf confused. But that¡¯s it. I will never fucking touch her again. After that encounter, I tracked down a healer, talked it through, made damn sure I wasn¡¯t losing my mind. Aria¡¯s just familiar. That¡¯s what she said. My wolf knows her scent because I used to sleep with her. Nothing more. ¡°I¡¯ve never touched her, Jess.¡± ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± I lean in, mouth hovering just over her lips. ¡°Whatever you saw that night, nothing happened to us.¡± ¡°But-¡± ¡°But you¡¯re right, baby.¡± Anger crashes in waves¨Crage at Riot for touching her, fury at her for letting him, and an aching, twisted heartbreak because none of that would happen if I was just there. ¡°I¡¯m not there for you.¡± I am here now though. And I will not let that happen again. It¡¯s been a long year¨Ctwelve brutal months¨Cwaiting for Jess to shift into her wolf, waiting for her to finally cross that threshold so we could be together as we were meant to be. A long, painful year of imagining our life side by side, of wanting nothing more than to knot inside her, to meld my heat with hers, but knowing I had to hold back until she was ready She¡¯s close. So fucking close. D 13:31 Thu, 21 Aug A 38% 11 My fingers dig into her waist, guiding her to me, and I brush a thumb along her swollen lower lip. ¡°Did you¡­do it?¡± I had to pause and gulp because if Jessica says yes, I will probably not forgive myself. Her eyes fluttered. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You¡­and Riot. Did you fucking do it?¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Thank the fucking Moon goddess! I close my eyes. My body rxes. Atlest, that didn¡¯t happen. Jessica looks like she¡¯s offended by my question and I let her get away from me. She¡¯s not going anywhere. I know that now. ¡°You¡¯re really an asshole!¡± She shouted, pulling the nket to cover her body. I want tough at her. I don¡¯t think the cover will do good to everything that I have in my mind for her. That can wait. I crawl to the edge of bed, yanking her feet so I can still touch her. ¡°Don¡¯t think that nket can shield you from me,¡± I tease, curling my fingers around her ankle again and dragging her foot down so her leg stretches over my thigh. ¡°Stop it.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fucking you tonight.¡± Fucking. When will she ever learn? I don¡¯t think it¡¯s fucking though. I think it¡¯s called mate loving. I won¡¯t fucking her tonight too. Because after the night of full moon, I will be fucking her every damn night. AD Comment Alpha Luna 78 Chapter 78 Jessica ¡°Grayson, did you juste out of my sister¡¯s bedroom?¡± I roll my eyes and snatch the sandwich out of Pierce¡¯s hand. The stupid motherfucker locked me in his armsst night and spent it with me. I try very very hard because if I did fall asleep, if I let myself drift off even for a second¨Cl don¡¯t know what he¡¯d do. Touch me? Question me? Kill me? I don¡¯t know. And I don¡¯t want to find out. And apparently, confessing to touching Riot wasn¡¯t enough. Wasn¡¯t enough for him to drop it, to back off, to stop looking at me like I¡¯m his problem to fix. Or own. Or punish. ¡°Jess,¡± Pierce tries again, brow furrowed. ¡°Seriously. What¡¯s going on with you two?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± He gives me a t look. ¡°Nothing?¡± Grayson gets up, hovering beside me before I feel him leans down and kisses me in front of my brother. Grayson gets up, hovering beside me before I feel him lean down, his stubble grazing my cheek before his lips capture mine. When he pulls back, there¡¯s an amusement in his gaze.¡± ¡°I think your definition of ¡®nothing¡® needs some work, baby.¡± I don¡¯t think my face can get any redder and I wish I did not just wait for him to wake. Pierce is muttering a series of curses while I blink trying to process why Grayson is acting this way? Is it because my birthday is near? He told mest night, he¡¯ll im me. He always tells me he¡¯ll im me and make me his Luna. I won¡¯t lie but hearing his version of what happened that night with Aria didn¡¯t really convince me. He¡¯s hiding something. And while he¡¯s standing here acting like the devoted mate¨Cto¨Cbe, I can smell the anxiety rolling off him in waves 13 31 Thu, 21 Aug beneath his confident exterior. Two can y this game of pretend, Alpha. ¡°Can I go to your room today?¡± I ask, squirming under his gaze. ¡°Please? I want to spend it with you.¡± 38% ¡°Well.¡± Grayson pretended to think at first but I know what he¡¯s doing. I try not to think of anything but his hands on mine, his kisses and his groans. I need to get inside the alpha¡¯s house. I did this trick before so there should be no¨C ¡°No.¡± I freeze when Grayson shakes his head. ¡°What do you mean no?!¡± He doesn¡¯t say anything but he moves his hands on my waist, putting me in ce. Grayson then stares at my brother who¡¯s still frowning like me. ¡°Go and prepare for the event.¡± Pierce looks between his alpha and me. ¡± Don¡¯t knock her up yet.¡± ¡°Pierce!¡± My brother ignores me and turns his full attention to Grayson. ¡°I¡¯m serious. You have to im her first. Make it official. She needs to be Luna before anything else happens.¡± Damn it. Why the fuck are they talking about this infront of me?! Grayson squeezed my waist and I felt his hot breath on my neck. It feels like he doesn¡¯t have a n to answer Pierce and I prefer it that way. Knock me up? Is he fucking serious? I wiggle out of Grayson¡¯s hold but he¡¯s still holding me so tight. Hello? I¡¯m literally right here,¡± I snap, waving my hand between them. ¡°Andst I checked, we broke up.¡± Surprisingly, Grayson did not make ament. They just exchange some suspicious nces before Pierce packs another sandwich and walks away. ¡°You can let go of me now.¡± Grayson snorts in amusement. ¡°Says who?¡± ¡°I mean,¡± I say, trying to draw away from him. ¡°I have to go train and you have to go do your meetings or something.¡± That¡¯s stupid. Considering it was just ten seconds ago when I¡¯m begging him to take me to his room. I¡¯m desperate. There¡¯s something that I must do. 13:31 Thu, 21 Aug A 38% 13 Grayson¡¯s expression softens and before I knew it, he¡¯s already moving to sit in the chair and pull me into hisp. He¡¯s very clingy. Extra clingy. And I don¡¯t like it. ¡°What about your offer earlier, hmm?¡± I startle when Grayson grabs my chin and makes me look in his feral eyes. It¡¯s still morning and I¡¯m still angry but forgive me moon goddess if I¡¯m starting to feel horny just by looking at his gaze. ¡°You¡­told me no.¡± Grayson scowls. ¡°So?¡± His other hand slides inside my shirt, just staying on my stomach as if he knows the effect of his touch on me. I can¡¯t help but to groan, burying my face on the crook of his neck. That little action made him chuckle. It¡¯s so hot and for a moment, I don¡¯t want to fucking think of anything but his hands on me. I¡¯m panting hard now when Grayson pulls his hands away making me grunt in pain. ¡°We can do it here.¡± I p his chest. ¡°Stop teasing me.¡± When his fingers trail higher up to my pussy, I go stock still. We¡¯re in that position when Riot appears, making me quickly get off Grayson¡¯sp. His movements stop, and give Riot a single re. ¡°She won¡¯t be attending your training anymore.¡± ¡°Says who?¡± I hate how both of them are just invading our house now. Riot seems to not be bothered by Grayson¡¯s presence. I, on the other hand, am very bothered by both of them. ¡°Look-¡± Grayson put me back on hisp, not caring if Riot is watching. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Grayson.¡± ¡°Stay still,¡± Graysonmands. I¡¯m so angry I can barely feel his touch on my inner thigh. Riot must¡¯ve thought I¡¯m such a slut after this. Oh goddess! This is so fucked up. Grayson is touching me while his brother is standing just a few feet away from us. A silent moan escapes my lips when his fingers draw higher, almost touching the side of my cunt, ¡°You know I can smell her, right?¡± I close my eyes. I am not going to be a tool for these idiots to stroke their egos. I have to suppress a moan by all the 13 31 Thu, 21 Aug Chapter TR sensations Grayson is giving me. ¡°You can even watch Riot. So you¡¯ll know she¡¯s my girl.¡± I whine, feeling shocked by his offer. He¡­wants Riot to watch? Is he insane? I¡¯m getting close to the edge when Grayson pinch my skin making me gasp. ¡°Do you want that, Jess?¡± I feel like that¡¯s a trick question.¡± Open your eyes and answer me, Jessica.¡± ¡°Please,¡± I whimper, not willing to do this. There¡¯s only a certain amount of sanity that I can take from Grayson. Getting off while someone watches is not one of them. Grayson huffs augh against my ear, then withdraws his hand away from me. The sudden emptiness made me sad but it also made me sigh in relief. ¡°I¡¯m just kidding,¡± he threatens, then kisses my lips. ¡± Considering it a warning to never fool with Riot again.¡± Then, Grayson stood up and went to Riot so they could have their little chat while I remained there, feeling horrible about everything. Just two freaking days, Jessica. Two freaking days. Alpha Luna 79 JESSICA They say the first shift changes everything. That the moment your skin rips, and your spine cracks, and your scream folds into a howl¨Cyou stop being who you were. That your wolf doesn¡¯t just emerge. She judges. She crawls up from the dark corners of your blood and decides if you¡¯re worthy. If you¡¯re pack. If you¡¯re prey. If you belong to anyone at all. It¡¯s tradition, of course. That¡¯s why every year, young wolves like me gather in front of the vige square, barefoot and bare¨Cskinned beneath the sacred tree, waiting for the moon to rise and rip us open. ¡°Are you nervous?¡± Grayson whispered beside me. I didn¡¯t look at him. I couldn¡¯t. I was still pissed. Astared ahead instead, jaw clenched, spine straight, eyes locked on the flickering bonfire in the middle of the circle. The mes were white¨Chot, sacred. They said the goddess breathed through that fire¨Cthat she watched every shift from the smoke and the stars. I hated her for it. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be scared,¡± Grayson said again, voice lower this time. ¡°I¡¯ll be right here.¡± Easy for him to say. He already had his wolf. He already had his power. And he is the alpha¡¯s son. I watched him shift when I was young. I can still remember how bloody the color of his eyes was. Grayson Westwood shifting in his wolf form is a memory I cannot forget. That¡¯s the day I told myself I¡¯ll be like him too. I clenched my fists. I wasn¡¯t just scared of the pain. I was scared of what came after. Because if I shifted and my wolf reached for him¨Cif the mate bond snapped into ce like he imed it would- What then? What if he lied? What if he was wrong? What if the bond didn¡¯t go to him? What if it went to¨C ¡°Jessica Wilkinson.¡± The Elder¡¯s voice rang out across the field. My heart dropped. 38% Shit. It was time. My feet didn¡¯t move at first. The bonfire crackled louder. Around me, the pack is silent. ¡°You can do this Jess,¡± Grayson said before he pushed me forward. The branches reached out like ribs, bones of something ancient and half¨Calive. Something that still remembered every name, every scream, every broken body offered here. I stopped five feet from the tree. I didn¡¯t remember walking that far. My body wasn¡¯t mine anymore. All I felt was the heat. It licked at my skin, even from this distance. But it wasn¡¯t just fire¨Cit was alive. It shimmered with pale blue veins, flickering between white and silver, pulsing like breath. Above us, the moon crested the treeline. The mes noticed. They surged upward in a sudden bloom of light, shooting toward the sky like they were trying to kiss her. Thin orbs of glowing vapor peeled off the fire and floated into the air, spinning slowly around the ring. They shimmered- silver,vender, frost¨Cblue. Like spirit fragments. Like memory. The stone markers hummed. Faintly at first, then louder, vibrating through the soles of my feet. Runes glowed faint gold across their surface, old magic crackling to life like the air had turned electric. The Elder stepped forward, voice like flint. ¡°Kneel,¡± I didn¡¯t move. Something inside me curled. A pressure behind my ribs, building slow and dangerous. ¡°Kneel, Jessica,¡± he said again, louder now. ¡°Offer yourself to the Moon.¡± My legs buckled. I dropped hard. The ground was colder than I expected¡ªdamp andced with power. I could feel it buzz beneath my knees, humming up my spine, tightening the back of my throat like a warning. 13:32 Thu, 21 AugA. Then I looked up¨Cand saw what the fire had be. It was no longer a bonfire. It was a vortex. ÁÖ¼Ò38%º¬½ð +13 A column of white¨Cblue me twisting upward in spirals, pulling silver threads from the moonlight above. They streamed downward like strands of liquid starlight, feeding into the fire and warping the air around it. In the center, where the mes danced fastest, the shape of a wolf flickered in and out¨Cmassive, translucent, ethereal. The Moon Goddess. Or some echo of her. Watching. Waiting. Judging. I wasn¡¯t sure if I could breathe. My chest ached. My hands trembled. The orbs circled faster now, trailing lines of light behind them like they were drawing runes in the air. Then the Elder unsheathed the ceremonial de. Long. Silver. Moonforged. It caught the light and glowed blue as he dipped it into the me. The metal didn¡¯t melt¨Cit pulsed brighter. He stepped in front of me. ¡°Blood before bone,¡± he murmured. ¡°This is thew.¡± I didn¡¯t move. I didn¡¯t flinch. Even when the de pressed against the skin just beneath my corbone. Even when it slid down in a single, clean stroke. It didn¡¯t burn. It sang. My blood rose to meet it, glowing faintly as it spilled down my chest¨Cshimmering like ink under moonlight. The fire weed it, twisting higher, faster. The runes on the stones zed gold now, as if the ring itself was waking
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Then everything stilled. The wind stopped. The air went heavy. 13:32 Thu, 21 Aug J And I felt it. 38% A shift in the pulse of the earth. A pressure at the base of my spine. A voice¨Cnot words, but instinct¨Cwhispered through my bones. Now. +13 ¡°AaaAH-!¡± My hands mmed into the dirt. Fingers wed at the ground, nails cracking¨Cno, changing¨Csplitting open as ws erupted from my fingertips. Blood streaked across the mud. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was mine or the earth¡¯s anymore. I gasped, but the breath caught halfway. No¨Cno, no, no- My spine arched violently, lifting me off my knees. Every vertebra popped like a firecracker, snapping backward in rapid session. It wasn¡¯t just breaking¨Cit was rebuilding. Making space for something bigger. Wilder. More real than my human skin had ever been. ¡°MAKE IT STOP-!¡± But it wouldn¡¯t. The shift doesn¡¯t stop. It takes. My legs convulsed, thighs shaking as muscle tore and reformed. My knees bent at the wrong angle¨Cbackwards- and then righted themselves. My feet lengthened, Bones cracked. My toes split, ws piercing through. I screamed again¨Clouder, rawer. ¡°AAAAAHHH-!¡± The fire answered. It twisted upward in a howling column, and the orbs dove into it, vanishing in streaks of silver light. The sacred tree¡¯s roots glowed like veins, pulsing in time with my heartbeat. My eyes snapped open- And the world burned gold. Everything was sharper. Brighter. Too much. I could see every flicker of the mes. Every rune, every thread of moonlight, even the panic carved into the Elder¡¯s 1332 Thu, 21 Aug A face as he stepped back. The ground beneath my ws trembled. The ring was shaking. My skin was tearing down the middle of my back now. Wet. Burning. I could feel something pushing out¨Cmy second spine, my tail, fur blooming like fire along my shoulders and thighs. I wasn¡¯t kneeling anymore. I was crouched. Low. Wide. Ready to lunge. And then- 38% +137 I felt her. My wolf. She mmed into my chest like a heartbeat. I didn¡¯t know I¡¯d lost and a howl ripped out of me before I could stop
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Damp earth pressed against my belly. My hands¨Cno, not hands¨Cwere curled into the dirt, ws sunk deep into roots 1 didn¡¯t recognize. My chest rose and fell in ragged, shallow pants. I couldn¡¯t breathe right. And then I felt something like a string snapping taut between two bodies. No. No, no, no- The mate bond. It found me. My wolf twisted sharply, body jerking forward as if yanked by the throat. She turned her head. And locked eyes with- Riot. AD Comment Send gift No Ads 13:32 Thu, 21 Aug hay Alpha Luna 80- Chapter 80 JESSICA ¡°Jess no!¡± My wolf jumped inside me but I pushed her deeper, rejecting that it was Riot all along. She wanted him. She wanted him to mark her right there but before she could do that, I quickly turned around and left for the woods. I whimpered because of the immense heat that was circting in my veins but I kept going. There¡¯s no fucking way this is happening. I slid down the tree, trembling. Slick heat pooled between my legs, I choke on a gasp. ¡°I¡ªplease, no, I can¡¯t-¡± My hands dig into the dirt, wing at anything to ground me as another wave hits. It¡¯s not supposed to be like this -not with him. My wolf howls, scratching beneath my skin, demanding I return to him. ¡°Shut up,¡± I whisper, tears streaming down my face. ¡°Shut up, shut up!¡± But the heat doesn¡¯t listen. It crawls up my spine, making me arch against the rough bark. My shirt sticks to my sweat¨Cslicked skin, and I hate how my nipples harden against the fabric. 1 hear footsteps approaching and panic surges through me. ¡°Jess!¡± ¡°Jessica!¡± It¡¯s Grayson. I press my thighs together, mortified by how wet I am, how my body betrays me while my mind screams to run. When I look up, Grayson is there staring down at me. ¡°Please leave,¡± I beg, not wanting to recognize the hurt on his face, Grayson kneels before me, and I can¡¯t stop the whimper that escapes. His scent is all wrong and fuck me for being sick with his touch. ¡°It¡¯s him, isn¡¯t it?¡± Grayson whispers, voice rough with emotion. ¡°Your wolf chose Riot.¡± I shake my head frantically, even as another wave of heat crashes through me, ¡°No¨CI don¡¯t want this. I don¡¯t want him.¡± ¡°Jess¡­¡± Grayson reaches for me, then stops himself. ¡°Let me help you fight this.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± I sob, my body shuddering as Riot¡¯s pull grows stronger. ¡°Nobody can.¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw tightens. ¡°I won¡¯t let him have you. Not like this.¡± ¡°It hurts,¡± I whimper, digging my nails into my palms until they bleed. ¡°It hurts so much to fight it.¡± ¡°I know.¡± His voice breaks, and I see tears in his eyes. ¡°But you¡¯re stronger than your wolf. You¡¯ve always been.¡± Another wave hits and I cry out, arching my back. Grayson catches me before I copse, and just his touch sends electricity through my skin. ¡°Wrong,¡± I gasp, even as my body leans into him. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. It¡¯s wrong.¡± ¡°Tell me what you need,¡± he whispers, holding me like I might shatter. ¡°Make it stop,¡± I beg, hating how my hips rock involuntarily. ¡°Please make it stop.¡± My wolf ws at my insides, demanding I break free from Grayson¡¯s arms. She wants Riot. Only Riot. A sob tears from my throat as Riot¡¯s presence pulses inside my mind. ¡°It hurts,¡± I whimper, tears streaming down my face. ¡°Grayson, it hurts so bad.¡± His jaw tightens. ¡°I¡¯m taking you somewhere safe.¡± ¡°Where?¡± I ask, barely recognizing my own voice as he lifts me into his arms. ¡°Away from him,¡± Grayson snarls, carrying me through the darkness while I writhe against him, my body betraying me with every step. ¡°Please,¡± I whisper, not even sure what I¡¯m begging for anymore. Relief? Riot? Death? ¡°Please¡­¡± Somewhere along the dark, Grayson kicks open a door and sets me on a bed. I curled into myself, humiliation burning almost as hot as the fever. My wolf was howling, desperate and needy in a way that made me want to crawl out of my own skin. He brought me into the cabin where we had to spend the night after a rogue attacked me. I wasn¡¯t about to have Riot mark me as his. I squeeze my eyes and try to think of better ways to cool off but the heat is beyond me. Another sob escaped from my throat and it¡¯s not just me who is affected by it now. Grayson stands at the foot of the bed, his knuckles white as he grips the wooden frame. I can see the war raging behind his eyes¡ªthe human part of him fighting for control while his wolf snaps and snarls, responding to my heat. Grayson stands by the door, his knuckles white as he grips the frame. I can see the battle raging in his eyes¨Chis wolf pushing against his control. He inhales sharply, nostrils ring. ¡°Your scent is everywhere,¡± he growls, taking a step back. ¡°Jessica, I-¡± ¡°Riot,¡± I whisper, and Grayson¡¯s face twists with something dark. ¡°You told me you¡¯re my mate!¡± 38% The look of betrayal on his face makes me sick with guilt, but my body throbs with need at just saying Riot¡¯s name. I hate myself for it. ¡°Your wolf is confused,¡± Grayson says slowly as if he¡¯s trying to convince himself too. ¡°I¡¯ll prove it to you.¡± I should stop him, but part of me desperately wants him as he moves closer and moves on the side of the bed. Oh, Moon Goddess. What game are you trying to y on us? ¡°No,¡± I whimpered. ¡°No?¡± Grayson grip my thigh, forcing them apart making me whimper in protest. Whatever he¡¯s doing is making the heat go harder but it¡¯s my wolf angrier. Tears spring to my eyes as I feel myself responding. ¡°Please, Grayson. I can¡¯t-¡± ¡°You can,¡± he insists, one hand moving to grip my jaw, forcing me to look at him. ¡°You¡¯re confused. Tell me you got it wrong.¡± My wolf is wing inside me, fighting against this wrongness, but the heat coursing through my veins makes everything cloudy. I¡¯m drowning in sensation. ¡°G¨CGrayson,¡± I stutter, the name feeling foreign on my tongue. He smiles, but it doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Again.¡± His hand slips between my legs, and I gasp, hating how wet I am, hating how my hips buck upward seeking more. ¡°This isn¡¯t right,¡± I sob, even as my body trembles under his touch. ¡°Everything about this is right,¡± he whispers against my ear, his breath hot and demanding. ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡± Every cell screams for relief, but my wolf is restless, agitated. ¡°I can feel it. Grayson,¡± I whisper, voice breaking. ¡°My wolf knows. You¡¯re not my mate. This is so fucking wrong.¡± His hands freeze on my skin. I feel him go rigid against me, his breathing shallow and strained. It hurts me as much as he did but this isn¡¯t right. I push against him with all my remaining strength and Grayson is too weak to fight for
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¡°I can¡¯t do this. She¡¯s rejecting you.¡± Tears burn my eyes as I back away. ¡°My wolf is literally tearing me apart from the inside.¡± Grayson¡¯s face transforms¨Cshock, disbelief, then a primal kind of agony that makes my stomach turn. I¡¯ve never seen someone break in real time before. Because whatever this is, it¡¯s not going to fix what¡¯s happening to us. It¡¯s just going to make it worse. Alpha Luna 81 JESSICA ¡°Where is she?¡± I wake up with my skin crawling. 38 I¡¯m soaked through. My shirt¡¯s stuck to me, my thighs tacky, the heat still burning under my skin like I never left it. I can¡¯t tell where my wolf ends and I begin, and that¡¯s a whole new level of fucked. Why? Why is this still happening to me? I sit up too fast, and the world tilts sideways. My legs tremble, slick, sticky, and my whole body throbs like I¡¯m a fucking wound. My throat¡¯s dry, my cheeks still wet. I must¡¯ve cried in my sleep. God. I rake shaking hands through my hair, hating the smell of me¨Cbitter, slick, desperate. This can¡¯t be real. This isn¡¯t my life. I didn¡¯t ask for this. With all my strength left, I gather myself to walk near the entrance only to find Riot and Grayson barking each other at the entrance. Riot is trying to get in while Grayson hold him off. ¡°You don¡¯t want her!¡± Grayson snaps. His voice is raw, frantic, like he¡¯s running out of air. ¡°She chose me.¡± My wolf writhes in my gut, pawing at me, whimpering Riot¡¯s name. He¡¯s so close and she¡¯s still begging me to go to him. She doesn¡¯t care what this costs me. She doesn¡¯t even care what Grayson would feel. I can¡¯t I can¡¯t be in here¨CI can¡¯t be in this skin¨CI can¡¯t¨CI can¡¯t¨CI can¡¯t¨Ccontrol my wolf with Riot being this close. My body tells me to move when both of them whip toward me. Quickly, Grayson locks the door like that¡¯s going to stop what¡¯sing. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Grayson says, reaching for me. I shake my head before he can touch me. It hurts him¨CI see it. I feel it. And it hurts me too, even if I pretend it doesn¡¯t. But it¡¯s probably for the best/1 barely hold myself togetherst night. I let things happen I shouldn¡¯t have. Let him hold me. Let myself want it, Want him, 13 33 Thu, 21 Aug 38% And that¡¯s not something you¡¯re supposed to want¨Cnot when he isn¡¯t your mate. It¡¯s not just wrong. It¡¯s betrayal. Of everything. And knowing Grayson¡­ he¡¯d do it again. ¡°Jess.¡± I shake my head again, harder. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± He moves toward me like he¡¯s about to try again¨Ctouch me, fix this¨Cand I back up so fast I hit the wall behind me. ¡°We have to talk,¡± he says. ¡°No, we don¡¯t.¡± My voice is barely a whisper. ¡°We really don¡¯t.¡± ¡°You think ignoring it makes it go away?¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to forget it happened.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m not,¡± he snaps. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna pretend this is a fucking nightmare.¡± ¡°But it is, Grayson.¡± My voice cracks. ¡°It is.¡± His mouth opens like he¡¯s going to argue, but nothinges out. And then- BANG. The door shudders on its hinges. Again. BANG. Grayson flinches. I jump. My stomach drops to the floor. ¡°What the hell-¡± he starts, but we both know. We both know who that is. A third, vicious m and the door bursts inward, the frame cracking like it¡¯s been wed open by something feral. Riot storms in and his eyes find me instantly making me freeze. ¡°Get away from her,¡± Riot growls. Grayson throws his arm out, ms me back. My spine hits the wall. Hard. I suck in air, already choking on it. He nts himself in front of me¨Cbroad, braced, a fucking shield. I barely blink before Riot¡¯s in his face. ¡°You touched her,¡± Riot spits, and then his hand¡¯s in Grayson¡¯s shirt¨Cfist curled tight¨Cand drives him back into the doorframe. Aug 38%2 The crack it makes¨CI flinch. A squeak rips out of my mouth before I can stop it. Embarrassing. Too human, Riot hears it. His head snaps toward me like a whip. And that¡¯s when I feel it¨Cmy wolf thrashing. She wants him. Still. Even with his voice snarling through her ribs like teeth. ¡°She was breaking,¡± Grayson grits out, pushing off the door, shoulder ramming Riot back. ¡°She¡¯s not yours to fucking break for,¡± Riot growls. ¡°She never was.¡± They crash. Riot tackles him. Shoulders m. The coffee table cracks in half. Grayson throws a punch. Riot doesn¡¯t even wobble. He grabs Grayson¡¯s arm mid¨Cswing and wrenches it down so hard something pops. Grayson grunts. Still doesn¡¯t fall. I press against the wall, breathing too fast, too loud. My legs won¡¯t move, but everything else inside me wants to run. My nails w at the ster. I can still feel Grayson¡¯s mouth on me. I can still smell Riot on my skin. ¡°I can still smell her on you,¡± Riot snarls, then ms his fist into Grayson¡¯s jaw. Bone cracks. Grayson stumbles but doesn¡¯t fall. ¡°You think I don¡¯t fucking know what you did?¡± Riot keepsing, stalking, teeth bared like he¡¯ll tear the truth out of Grayson¡¯s throat. ¡°You know what needs to be done!¡± Grayson wipes blood from his mouth and spits. ¡°I saved her.¡± ¡°You touched her.¡± ¡°She¡¯s my fucking mate!¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s mine!¡± Grayson lunges first this time¨Crage shoving past reason¨Cand ms Riot back against the wall, Riot barely flinches. He grins, blood painting his teeth, weing the pain. ¡°She chose me,¡± Grayson hisses, grabbing Riot by the cor. ¡°She let me hold her. She came to me.¡± Riotughs, low and cruel. ¡°She was in heat. She would¡¯ve let anyone touch her. Doesn¡¯t mean she wanted you.¡± Grayson¡¯s fist flies again, cracking against Riot¡¯s ribs. Riot snarls and retaliates, mming his forehead into Grayson¡¯s face¨Cblood sprays, a grunt of pain¨Cand they both go down hard. I scream but neither of them stop. They¡¯re animals now¨Crolling, tearing, fists and ws and teeth. The floor shudders beneath them. Furniture cracks. Riot¡¯s knuckles split open on Grayson¡¯s cheek. Grayson¡¯s boot kicks into Riot¡¯s gut, sends him skidding¨Cbut he¡¯s back up, faster, hungrier. 13:33 Thu, 21 Aug CA ¡°STOP!¡± I scream, throat raw. ¡°Stop it!¡± They don¡¯t hear me. Or maybe they don¡¯t care. This is a fucking mess. My mess. And I can¡¯t fix it. 38% I stagger back, bile rising in my throat. My palms hit the wall. I can¡¯t breathe. I can¡¯t think. My wolf¡¯s screaming inside me but not for them¨Crun, she says. Run. And then¨Ceverything stops. The air shifts¨Cno, curdles. Goes dead still like the moment before lightning hits. A presence slides into the room like smoke under the door. Cold. Ancient. Wrong. Not Riot. Not Grayson. Something colder. Older. Hungrier. His boots are wet with blood from the hallway. His smile doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. His eyes don¡¯t have anything in them. ¡°Jessica,¡± he says. ¡°You¡¯re making a mess.¡± I don¡¯t move. I don¡¯t breathe. My wolf ttens in my chest, spine bowed, ears back. Every instinct I have screams submission. Riot stiffens, blood smeared down his neck, his chest heaving like he¡¯s just remembered how to be afraid. Grayson steps back. Just one step but it¡¯s enough to say he¡¯s afraid too because he¡¯s here. The Alpha. And no one fucking breathes without his permission. He tilts his head. Just a fraction. The gesture makes my stomach twist. ¡°She¡¯s still in heat,¡± he says. Cold. Bored. ¡°And this is what you¡¯ve done with her?¡± Riot flinches like he¡¯s been hit. Grayson doesn¡¯t breathe. The Alpha turns to his sons. ¡°Two alphas. Raised to rule. Reduced to rutting animals over a girl who doesn¡¯t even belong to either of you.¡± 13 34 Thu, 21 Aug He doesn¡¯t shout. He doesn¡¯t need to. ¡°I should kill her for this,¡± he says simply. ¡°But I¡¯m a reasonable man.¡± My pulse ms in my ears. Riot shifts, barely¨Cbut I see it. His jaw, tight. His feet, bracing. Like he might lunge again. Like he might lose it. Grayson¡¯s handes up. Subtle. Warning. The Alpha¡¯s eyes don¡¯t move. ¡°I¡¯m going to fix this,¡± he says, looking straight at me now. ¡°You will not disgrace this pack again. And if you do-¡± He smiles. But it never touches his eyes. ¡°-you¡¯ll wish you had gone feral and died.¡± AD Comment S Alpha Luna 82 Chapter 82 JESSICA ¡°NO.¡± ¡°I said no,¡± I snapped, lower now¨Cshaking, wild¨Ceyed, barely holding my skin on. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking dare, Grayson.¡± He¡¯s fucking insane. They both are. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting this happen. No fucking way. The Alpha wants them to fight¨CRiot and Grayson¨Cand the winner takes me. Takes me.As a mate. As a Luna. That¡¯s the condition before anyone leaves this cabin. My hands grip the edge of the desk so tight my knuckles burn white. I won¡¯t look at either of them. Won¡¯t give this madness oxygen. Grayson¡¯s lounging against the steel rack, arms crossed, eyes sharp. ¡°This was your fucking n,¡± he says, snapping his head toward Riot. ¡°You set this up.¡± Riot doesn¡¯t move. He¡¯s halfway to me¨Cstill, tense¨Cbut I feel him like heat. Pressure. A pull that cuts deeper than blood. His wolf wants me. Mine wants him back. But I won¡¯t let him do this. ¡°She¡¯s my fucking mate,¡± Riot growls. ¡°Not yours, asshole,¡± I don¡¯t look at either of them. If I look, I¡¯ll lunge. If I lunge, I shift¡ªand if I shift, someone¡¯s not walking out of here. My breath¡¯s ragged. Chest heaving, ws prickling beneath my fingertips like they¡¯re begging to tear skin. I¡¯m overheating. Spiking. My wolf is pacing, snarling, throwing herself at the walls of me¨Cfight, take, bite, own. My breath¡¯s ragged. I¡¯m trying to calm it. I¡¯m trying. Trying to think. 13 34 Thu, 21 Aug 39% The Alpha said what he said. Either they fight, or none of us leave this fucking cabin. I don¡¯t even know if that was a threat or a joke or- ¡°She¡¯s my mate,¡± Riot says suddenly, rough. ¡°She¡¯s mine.¡± Across the room, Graysonughs¨Cshort, mean. ¡°You gonna fuck her right here then? Drag her to the floor and mark her like an animal?¡± A tear¨Ca rip¨Clike my ribs have been kicked out from the inside. My breath punches out of me, and I scream. ¡°SHUT UP!¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± They blink. Just for a second. ¡°Let me make this real fucking clear,¡± I snap, pointing now¨Cat Riot, then at Grayson. ¡°If either of you touches the other, I swear to god I¡¯ll lose my shit so hard the Alpha will wish he never got involved. You hear me?¡± Neither of them speaks. I can still feel the shift crawling under my skin. My muscles are twitching. My wolf is pacing like she wants to break every rib in my chest to w her way out. ¡°There¡¯s gotta be another way,¡± I say¨Clower now, breathless. ¡°There has to be.¡± My father used to say there¡¯s always a solution. Every problem has a door¨Cyou just have to look at it from the right angle, try harder, twist the lock till it snaps open. But I¡¯m twisting and twisting and I still feel trapped. My knees almost give. I catch myself on the edge of the desk and I¡¯ve realized I¡¯m bing so weak. If a she¨Cwolf won¡¯t be mated, it consumes her energy to the point of making her useless and that¡¯s what terrifies me the most. The moon goddess must beughing at me. I¡¯ve work so hard to be a warrior and she fucking reduced me into this. ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± 1 hissed. His hand brushes my shoulder. And I shove him. Hard. Grayson stumbles back into the steel rack, metal nging. I round on both of them now, wild¨Ceyed, barely containing the shiftshing under my skin. ¡°No one is touching me!¡± I snap, voice cracked and feral. ¡°Not you. Not him. No one.¡± Grayson pushes off the rack, teeth bared. ¡°Then what the hell do you want us to do?¡± he growls. ¡°Watch you die here?¡± 13:34 Thu, 21 Aug 39% +13) ¡°Yes!¡± I scream it. A raw, jagged howl ripped from somewhere deep and aching. Grayson¡¯s eyes are glowing now. Riot¡¯s are pitch¨Cck. They both look like they¡¯re about to tear something apart. Grayson takes a step forward, and this time Riot stops him¨Carm across his chest, voice a low, vibrating snarl. ¡°Back off.¡± ¡°You back off,¡± Grayson spits. ¡°You caused this.¡± This is so fucking pathetic. After a few minutes, it was Riot who broke the ice. ¡°The next full moon is in a week.¡± In a week? That¡¯s too soon to find a solution damn it. If I¡¯m not mated by then, it¡¯ll ruin me. The shift will eat me alive. The heat, the burn¨Cit¡¯ll hollow me out until there¡¯s nothing left but instinct and bones. And the Alpha knew that. I stagger upright again, palms slick on the desk, breathing like I¡¯ve run a marathon through fire. My vision blurs. My wolf is scraping her ws down my spine. ¡°We don¡¯t have a week,¡± I manage. ¡°We have days¨Cif that. And I¡¯m not sitting in this fucking cabin waiting for one of you toe to your senses and volunteer to y monster for the Alpha¡¯s little show.¡± They both go still. ¡°What are you saying?¡± Riot asks. ¡°I¡¯m saying we cheat,¡± I snap. ¡°We don¡¯t follow the Alpha¡¯s rules. We find a third way.¡± Grayson¡¯s brow furrows. ¡°There is no third option. You either reject the bond¨Cor give in to it.¡± ¡°No,¡± I say. ¡°That¡¯s his binary. Not mine.¡± My pulse is buzzing now. I¡¯m burning up, but it¡¯s the kind of heat I need¨Crityced with panic. My mind whirs. Options. Risks. Costs. ¡°What if we fake the bond?¡± That shuts them both up. ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± I pant. ¡°If the Alpha wants proof of a mating bond¡ªthen we give him one. Not the real thing. Not yet. Just enough to satisfy whatever inspection or ritual or twisted tradition he ns to drag us through.¡± Grayson frowns. Riot looks at me like I¡¯ve sprouted fangs. ¡°You want to fake a mating bond?¡± Riot says slowly. ¡°Temporarily,¡± I grit. ¡°Until we find a real way out. Something that doesn¡¯t end in a death match or me bleeding out on the full moon.¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes flick between us. Calcting. ¡°And which one of us are you nning to fake it with?¡± My throat tightens. Fuck. I hadn¡¯t gotten that far. I stare at both of them¨CGrayson, jaw locked like he¡¯s already bracing for war. Riot, too still, too quiet, but there¡¯s a darkness in his eyes I know too well. Hunger. ¡°This isn¡¯t a fucking game,¡± Grayson says, low. ¡°You can¡¯t just toss a coin and fake a bond. It¡¯s blood. It¡¯s teeth. It¡¯s the goddess.¡± ¡°I know that,¡± I snap, louder than I mean to. ¡°But if we don¡¯t do something, I¡¯m going to lose control. I can feel it- I¡¯m unraveling, Grayson. My wolf¡¯s pushing closer every hour. I won¡¯t survive a week.¡± Riot shifts closer. ¡°Then let me do it.¡± I turn toward him slowly. ¡°You¨Cwhat?¡± ¡°You said fake it. Fine. I¡¯ll do it. We go through the motions¨Cjust enough to convince the Alpha. Enough to buy us time.¡± ¡°Are you out of your fucking mind?¡± Grayson roars, putting himself between us. ¡°She¡¯s mine. You don¡¯t get to touch her. You don¡¯t get to say her name.¡± Riot¡¯s jaw ticks. ¡°I don¡¯t want to touch her, I have to.¡± ¡°Bullshit-¡± Grayson shoves him back a step, chest heaving. ¡°You want this. You¡¯ve always wanted her.¡± ¡°Because she¡¯s my mate,¡± Riot bites. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for it, I didn¡¯t chase it, but it¡¯s there and it¡¯s killing her.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± 1 croak. My voice breaks. ¡°Just¨Cstop.¡± They freeze, Just long enough for me to breathe ¡°I can¡¯t-¡°My voice cracks. ¡°I can¡¯t wait a week. I won¡¯t make it.¡± The room tilts. 13:34 Thu, 21 Aug J Grayson moves first. ¡°Jess, don¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯t say that. Don¡¯t even think it.¡± But I do. It¡¯s the only thing left to think. I lift my head. Lock eyes with Riot. And I hate the word that leaves my mouth more than anything in the world. ¡°You.¡± Grayson stiffens. ¡°You¡¯ll do it,¡± I tell Riot. t. Feral. ¡°You¡¯ll bond me. Just enough to stop this.¡± Grayson¡¯s voice is raw. ¡°Jess, no-¡± 39%
  1. 13.
I choke on the words but say them anyway. ¡°It¡¯s him or the heat, Grayson. You can¡¯t stop what¡¯s happening. You can¡¯t fix it.¡± His eyes go bloodshot. His voice snaps. ¡°Because it¡¯s not mine to fix!¡± I flinch. His hands are balled into fists, like if he doesn¡¯t clench them he¡¯ll rip Riot¡¯s throat out. ¡°You said you wanted me. You chose me. And now you¡¯re giving up because your body¡¯s¨Cwhat? Inconvenient?¡± 1 step back like I¡¯ve been pped. Riot shifts beside him, silent but bristling. A single twitch of muscle and the whole room tilts. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to her like that,¡± Riot says, voice low and dangerous. ¡°She¡¯s trying to survive.¡± Grayson snarls. ¡°You don¡¯t know her-¡± ¡°I know her wolf is dying,¡± Riot growls. ¡°And I know you¡¯re watching it happen.¡± ¡°Stop it-¡°My voice is shaking. ¡°Both of you, stop-¡± My legs give out. Riot catches me before I hit the floor, arms around my shoulders, breath hot at my neck¨Cand it¡¯s a bolt of heat straight through my spine. Grayson however sees something else. He looks at me¨Creally looks at me¡ªand the fury crumbles. What¡¯s left is worse. ¡°I won¡¯t have it,¡± he says, quietly. 13:34 Thu, 21 Aug I jerk toward him, half¨Creeling from the words. ¡°Grayson-¡± 39% & But his face is unreadable now. He¡¯s retreating behind it, sealing himself in. I can see him shutting down¨Cclick, click, click¨Cone wall after another mming into ce. ¡°I won¡¯t stay here and watch you give yourself to him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¨CGrayson, it¡¯s not like that-¡± ¡°You think I give a fuck what it¡¯s like?¡± he snaps, eyes bloodshot. ¡°You think it matters if it¡¯s heat or fate or hormones or some twisted curse from the moon? It¡¯s still him.¡± W¨CWhat? I lurch forward¨Cmy knees are jelly, my fingers scrabbling against the desk for bnce. ¡°Grayson, don¡¯t¨Cplease, don¡¯t go like this-¡± He freezes in the doorway but he never turns around. ¡°You could¡¯ve let me fight for you.¡± And then he¡¯s gone. Riot exhales behind me, but my gaze is glued to where Grayson has left. ¡°He¡¯lle back.¡± I don¡¯t answer. Because I don¡¯t believe it. Because I¡¯m terrified he won¡¯t. Because for one cracked second, I¡¯m not sure which one of them I want toe back. AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 83 Chapter 83 JESSICA ? 39% . He¡¯lle back. He alwayses back. He- He has to. He always¨Che always¨CGrayson, please¨Cplease,e back¨Cplease- Come back. Come back. Come back. Please- I can¡¯t- I can¡¯t breathe. I press my back to the wood, panting, swallowing hard, my body shaking and slick and treacherous. My wolf¡¯s wing at me, pawing at my ribs, whining go to him, go to him, go to him. I press my palms over my ears. No. No. Shut up. Shut up shut up shut up. ¡°You¡¯re not okay.¡± Riot¡¯s voice strains like he¡¯s choking on the need to pull me into him. His breathing¡¯s sharp now, ragged. He¡¯s holding the leash on himself, but it¡¯s fraying. ¡°Sit down Jessica.¡± I shove off the door¨Ctoo hard¨Cmy body lurches like it¡¯s trying to go back to him. My legs buckle. I stumble. My wolf howls mine mine mine mine. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do.¡± I stumble. My legs fold. Riot¡¯s hands are on me before I hit the ground. I jerk away like he burns. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡± ¡°You said you wanted me to do this.¡± His jaw ticks, eyes dark. ¡°You picked me.¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t-¡± My knees crashed to the floor. I brace on my hands, shaking, sweat dripping from my jaw onto the wood. ¡°I didn¡¯t pick you¨CI didn¡¯t¨CI picked not dying.¡± ¡°That¡¯s still picking me.¡± I w at my thighs like I can tear the heat off. My nails bite into my skin. It doesn¡¯t help. Nothing helps. The ache gets worse. ¡°Grayson.¡± His name falls out of me. I didn¡¯t mean to say it. Riot stiffens. I can feel it. His wolf snarls through him. Mine purrs back, proud and eager. ¡°Grayson¨CGrayson,e back¨Cplease¨CI didn¡¯t mean it¨CI didn¡¯t¨CI didn¡¯t-¡± My shoulders heave. My ribs rattle. I can¡¯t stop saying his name. I can¡¯t stop tasting his scent even though it¡¯s already fading. Riot¡¯s scent is flooding the room now¨Cheavy, sweet, drowning me¡ªand I hate that it feels good. 1/5 13:34 Thu, 21 Aug J 39% ¡°You think I don¡¯t feel it?¡± Riot says. His jaw ticks. His voice cracks, just a little. ¡°You think I don¡¯t feel you burn for me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± My head shakes. I press my forehead to the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t want you¨CI don¡¯t¨CI don¡¯t¨CI want Grayson¨CI want-¡± ¡°You want to live.¡± The truth guts me. My wolf hums, smug and greedy. ¡°Thate this.¡± My voice is raw. I w harder at my skin. ¡°I hate that he¡¯s gone. I hate that you¡¯re still here.¡± Riot doesn¡¯t move. He doesn¡¯t touch me. But his scent drapes over me like a I can¡¯t crawl out of. I scrape my nails over my arms, dragging skin, needing pain, needing something real. ¡°Since when?¡± His head tilts. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Since when did you know?¡± The words rip out of me, sharp, desperate. I choke on them, rage and grief crashing together in my throat, choking me. ¡°Since when did you know I was yours?¡± I had a conclusion. Of course Riot was always close. Of course he wanted to train me, wanted his hands on me, wanted me sharp and strong¨Che was grooming me for this. And I didn¡¯t see it. I didn¡¯t want to see it. Because if I did, it would mean Grayson¨CGrayson¨Che knew. He had to know. Goddess¨Cplease¨Cplease tell me I¡¯m wrong. Riot¡¯s jaw ticks. He breathes hard, like it physically hurts to admit it. ¡°Since the first time I touched you.¡± I flinch. ¡°Liar.¡± He doesn¡¯t blink. ¡°I felt it.¡± ¡°When?¡± My voice splinters. ¡°When?¡± ¡°During your first heat.¡± ¡°You could¡¯ve told me.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have listened.¡± Riot¡¯s voice stays tight, but the edges are starting to fray. +13 ¡°You could¡¯ve tried!¡± I shove off the floor, staggering to my feet. My legs tremble, but I keep going, bracing against the wall like I can stay upright through sheer rage. ¡°You could¡¯ve told me before I built my whole life around Grayson. Before I¨C¡± Before I loved him. Before I picked him. 13.34 Thu, 21 Aug p ¡°You wanted it to be him,¡± Riot snaps, his voice slicing through me. ¡°You needed it to be him.¡± ¡°Because I loved him!¡± I scream. ¡°Because he was supposed to be mine!¡± ¡°You loved the idea of him.¡± His jaw flexes. His breathing sharpens. I can see his restraint snapping, his wolf pressing too close to the surface now. ¡°You think you love? You think you¡¯d let me touch you if you really loved him, huh? What is it, Jessica? You that kind of slut now?¡± Crack. My hand flies before I can think. Before I can breathe. The pnds sharp across his face, the sound snapping through the room like a gunshot. His head jerks to the side. My palm burns, my whole body trembling, heat and shame crashing through me all at once. Riot doesn¡¯t move. He stays there, breathing hard, his cheek blooming red where I hit him. ¡°I hate you,¡± I whisper, my throat raw, my ribs squeezing so tight I can barely get the words out. ¡°I hate you.¡± He drags his eyes back to mine, slow, dark, steady. Riot has always been an asshole. ¡°You don¡¯t hate me, Jessica. You hate what I do to you.¡± ¡°You hate what I make you feel.¡± Riot stalks toward me, slow, lethal. ¡°You hate that your body¡¯s starving for me.¡± ¡°You hate that your wolf¡¯s wing toward me while your mouth still sobs for Grayson.¡± That¡¯s not true. He¡¯s bluffing. ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± I shove him hard, but he absorbs it like stone, like he¡¯s not moving until I make him. ¡°You hate that you leaned into me when I caught you.¡± ¡°Stop talking¨Cshut up-¡® ¡°You hate that I can smell how fucking, wet you are for me right now.¡± 413 I swing again¨Canother p, savage,/desperate¨Cbut his hand snaps around my wrist, tight, bruising, unshakable. ¡°You think you¡¯re going to hit me again?¡± His voice drops, slow, dark, dangerous. ¡°Go ahead. Hit me. Tear into me. w me bloody. I¡¯ll take every scratch. I¡¯ll take every fucking p. And you¡¯ll still crawl to me in the end.¡± I thrash in his grip, shaking, burning, my wolf yipping mine mine mine in my ribs. ¡°Let me the fuck go, Riot!¡± 13:34 Thu, 21 Aug A¡¤ DA ? ???,39%. But Riot doesn¡¯t loosen his grip. He doesn¡¯t even blink. I yelp as he ms me against the wall, caging me in with his body, his grip bruising. His heat smothers me. His scent floods my mouth, thick and sweet and suffocating, sticking in my throat like I¡¯ll choke on it. I can¡¯t think. My legs tremble. My wolf is wing closer, panting, whining, dragging me toward him. ¡°Riot, let go-¡°I shove at his chest, desperate, but my arms are shaking, my hips already tipping into him, my body glitching even as my mouth says no. His lips ghost over my jaw, my pulse. ¡°You feel that?¡± he growls, his breath scraping hot against my skin. ¡°Your wolf¡¯s wing for me. She¡¯s done pretending.¡± ¡°No-¡°I gasp, shoving harder, but he pins me tighter. His hand fists in my hair, jerking my head to the side, exposing my neck. My heart spikes, terror crackling sharp and electric. He¡¯s aiming for it¨Cthe mark¨Cthe soft hollow where his teeth would im me. Where he¡¯d own me. Forever. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I choke, voice splintering. ¡°Riot¨Cdon¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯t you fucking dare-¡± His nose drags along my throat, slow, deliberate, inhaling deep like he¡¯s already biting into me. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know where to sink my teeth?¡± His voice scrapes low, deadly. ¡°You think I can¡¯t feel it pulling me in?¡± I freeze, breath shuddering, skin slick with panic and heat. My wolf is howling yes, yes, yes¨Cpressing against the inside of my skull¨Cmark me, im me, take me. But I¡¯m wing to hold control. I shove at him again, but it¡¯s weak. My hands tremble. My whole body¡¯s already leaning into his grip. ¡°Riot, please¨Cplease don¡¯t-¡± I¡¯m begging now, desperate, terrified. His mouth brushes the shell of my ear, his voice a rough rasp. ¡°I could do it right now.¡± His lips press to my pulse point, slow, brutal. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t stop me. You¡¯d fall apart in my arms the second my teeth sank in.¡± ¡°No-¡°I sob, but my body glitches, slick, aching, dragging toward him like I don¡¯t own it anymore. ¡°You¡¯d hate me for it,¡± he whispers. ¡°But you¡¯d love me for it too.¡± My knees give out. Riot catches me like he was waiting for this, his arm locked around my waist, his mouth still buried against my throat. ¡°Say it,¡± he breathes, voice vibrating against my skin. ¡°Tell me to stop.¡± I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t speak. I can¡¯t get the words out when my body¡¯s already screaming yes, yes, yes inside me. ¡°Tell me to stop, Jessica.¡± I shake in his arms, teeth grinding, ribs crushing in like they¡¯re trying to fold me in half. But I don¡¯t tell him to stop. I 13:34 Thu, 21 Aug hay don¡¯t say anything. And Riot¡¯s teeth drag just enough over my skin to make me burn. Alpha Luna 84 GRAYSON Fuck. She was mine. She chose me. She was supposed to be mine. ??39% I m my fist into the desk. The wood splinters under me, but I don¡¯t stop. I grab the edge and tear at it like I can rip this feeling out of my skin, like I can pull the bond back with my bare hands if I just break something hard enough. But it doesn¡¯t work. It doesn¡¯t go away. I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. I don¡¯t know where to put all of this¨Cthis heat, this weight, this fucking ache that won¡¯t burn out of me. +13 I went home because I thought there had to be another way. I thought maybe I could fight my father. Maybe I could twist his conditions, force him to call this off, give me something¨Canything¨Cto fix this. There had to be a way. But when I got there¨Cwhen I walked into his office¨Che was already moving on. Calm. Cold. Smiling like this was all part of the n. He wasn¡¯t waiting for me. He was arranging my marriage. With Aria. Like Jessica never happened. Like none of this fucking mattered. 1 freeze in the middle of the room, my hands shaking, and for a second, I don¡¯t even know what to feel first. Rage or grief. Probably both. Aria. Not Jessica.Never Jessica. I shove themp off the table. It crashes against the wall, shards spinning across the floor, but the sound¡¯s not enough. I throw the chair next. I break the desk. I tear through the room like I can wreck his ns if I just keep moving, but the bond¡¯s still there, thin and fraying and pulling toward him. And the sickest thing¨Cthe thing I can¡¯t get out of my head¨Cthe thought that just keepsing back no matter how hard I try to crush it¨Cis that I want to kill him. I¡¯ve never been this twisted. I¡¯ve never been this violent. But when ites to her¨Cwhen it¡¯s about Jessica¨CI would burn the whole fucking world just to have her. All of her. I¡¯ve never wanted anything like this. Not until her. And now I can¡¯t let it go. I can¡¯t pull back. I can¡¯t stand here and let Riot have her. I can¡¯t stand here and feel the bond slipping out of my hands and just let it happen. I can¡¯t. I fucking can¡¯t. But I can¡¯t go back, either. Because if I walk back into that room¨Cif I see her in his arms¨Cif I see her let him touch her, let him own her¨CI don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do. ¡°Grayson..¡± I hear the door creak. I don¡¯t have to turn to know it¡¯s Aria. I can smell her before I see her. Clean. Soft. Harmless. She doesn¡¯t belong here. I swing my head toward her anyway. She freezes like she¡¯s just realized I¡¯m not someone she knows. Her name crawls up my throat. I don¡¯t say it. I watch her take in the broken desk, the blood on my knuckles, the walls I dented. Her mouth opens. Closes. My father sent her. Of course he did. She¡¯s part of the arrangement. Perfect Aria. Sweet Aria. The one who never makes a scene. The one who¡¯s safe. Jessica was never safe. Jessica was ws and heat and breathless fights. Jessica made me want to burn. Aria steps in like she¡¯s still hoping she can pull me out of this. ¡°Grayson, I¡ª¡± I step forward. She stops talking. I keep walking until she¡¯s pressed back against the doorframe, my hand braced next to her head. I can hear her pulse spike. ¡°You think you can rece her?¡± I ask, my voice calm, almost bored. Aria doesn¡¯t answer. She¡¯s trying to keep her breathing steady. ¡°Tell my father it¡¯s not happening,¡± I say, my mouth dragging close to her ear, low, t, certain. ¡°Tell him it was never going to happen.¡± Her throat works. She smells likevender soap. Jessica always smelled like sweat and heat and the woods. Aria¡¯s voice cracks. ¡°Does it have to be her?¡± It always has to be her, You think I¡¯d want you? Fucking slut. But I don¡¯t say that. I just smile, sharp and cruel, because Aria¡¯s still standing here like she thinks she can fix me. 1335 Thu, 21 Aug Like she wants to try. ¡°You¡¯re still here.¡± I step closer. I drag my palm down my face, blood smearing across my chin. ¡°Why?¡± She starts to speak, but I don¡¯t let her. 39% +13 ¡°You want me that bad?¡± My voice drops, slow and dark as I circle behind her, crowding her, pressing my chest against her back. She stiffens, but I don¡¯t stop. I drag my hand around her throat, slow, my palm hot and firm over her pulse. Her breath stutters. ¡°What are you getting out of this, huh?¡± I tighten my grip just a little, enough to make her swallow hard. ¡°Do you want me that much? Or do you just want the name? The title? The Luna crown?¡± I squeeze harder. ¡°Come on,¡± I murmur against her ear, my nose dragging over the shell of it. ¡°Tell me. Tell me how bad you want it. Tell me what you¡¯ll let me do to you.¡± I bet you¡¯d let anyone touch you like this if they promised to call you Luna. I squeeze tighter. ¡°You want this, huh?¡± My voice dips low, dark, sharp. ¡°You want me to ruin you? You want me to bend you over this desk and make you mine, is that it?¡± Her breath hitches. Her hands grab my wrist, weak, trembling, not really trying to pull me off. Fucking knew it. You¡¯d let me do anything to you just so you could wear my name. You¡¯d spread your legs for the power, not for me. ¡°You¡¯re not her,¡± I snarl, my nose dragging along her jaw, my grip tightening on her throat. ¡°You¡¯ll never be her.¡± 1 I push my hips into her, hard enough to make her feel it. I bet you¡¯d take it. I bet you¡¯d let me fuck you just to say you did. And you¡¯d still never feel like her. You¡¯d still never be her. Her breathing stutters, fast and sharp, her whole body trembling now. She¡¯s frozen. She¡¯s waiting for me to stop. She¡¯s praying I¡¯ll stop. I shove her into the doorframe, hard, making her stumble, making her choke on her breath. I release her chin with a sharp flick of my wrist like I can¡¯t stand to touch her anymore. ¡°Wrong girl,¡± I spit, stepping back, grabbing the edge of the desk I broke earlier like I need something to hold me together. ¡°Get out.¡± 13:35 Thu, 21 Aug A She stumbles toward the door, her throat pink where my hand was, her shoulders stiff like she¡¯s trying not to fall apart until she¡¯s gone. ¡°Tell my father,¡± I snarl after her, ¡°I¡¯m not his pawn.¡± She leaves. She doesn¡¯t look back. Good. I¡¯d probably break her if she did. I drag my hand down my face, wiping sweat and blood from my jaw, my breathing sharp, my chest rattling. Jessica. It¡¯s always Jessica. Even now. Even if she¡¯s gone. Even if she¡¯s in his arms. I can still taste her name like blood in my mouth. I can still feel the pull of her, the heat, the bond slipping toward Riot. I should have taken her when I had the chance. I should have marked her first. I should have fucked her into my name before he ever touched her. Mine. Mine. Mine. My wolf¡¯s snarling, pacing, grinding his teeth against my ribs. It was always going to be her. Even if it kills me. Even if it kills him. Even if I burn everything trying to get her back. AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 85 Chapter 85 JESSICA A sigh slips from my lips¨Csoft, unguarded. My hips shift on instinct, chasing something solid, something to press the ache away. My thighs slide together, slick and restless, and the sheets cling to my skin like heat has melted me into the mattress. Then¨CA lick. Slow. Warm. Trailing right over my nipple. My breath catches. Teeth graze me. A soft bite. Like he¡¯s iming what he already knows is his. My back arches, traitorous. My legs spread, begging. A moan¨Cbroken and bitten down¨Cescapes before I can lock it behind my teeth. And then it hits me. This isn¡¯t a dream. Dreams don¡¯te with breath this hot. With hands this big, this rough, this familiar. Dreams don¡¯t make your whole body throb with memory. I freeze. My eyes fly open,shes clumped with sweat. Darkness. The scent of him¨Cferal, earthy, unmistakable¨Cfloods me before sight. does. That sc¨¦nt. That goddamn scent. Grayson. His name ms into my chest like a fucking curse. I suck in a breath, sharp enough to cut my lungs. My brain screams at my limbs to move, to push, to scream¨Cbut I¡¯m melting. Failing. His mouth is still on me. Licking. Sucking. Drawing circles around my nipple like it¡¯s his favorite thing he almost forgot he owned. I whimper again. Louder this time. He groans against me like he heard it and liked it. ¡°Grayson,¡± I rasp. Ites out cracked. Weak. Like I don¡¯t mean it. He kisses up my chest, past my corbone, tonguezy, cruel. ¡°Morning, baby.¡± I grab his wrist, but it¡¯s like trying to stop a flood with my fingers. His body is everywhere. On top of me. Inside me. In my fucking head. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± I whisper, reaching for his face. Grayson¡¯s mouth drags up my throat. ¡°Miss me?¡± he mutters against my jaw before he continues showering kisses there. I¡¯m not really dreaming am I? My nails bite into his shoulders¨CI don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m pushing him off or dragging him closer. Maybe both. ¡°You left me.¡± I gasp. ¡°Like I was nothing.¡± He pauses¨Cjust for a breath. His hand flexes against my thigh. Then his mouth is on me again, rougher this time. Possessive. Like he¡¯s answering me with his teeth. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so fucking sorry,¡± he growls, mouth dragging over my chest like a man starved. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to fix it. I just¨C1 can¡¯t stay away from you.¡± He kisses me¨Cfinally, fully¨Clike he¡¯s trying to erase every second we spent apart with his tongue. It¡¯s rough. Desperate. Too much. His hands are under my thighs, gripping my ass, dragging me closer like he¡¯s starving for it. Like I¡¯m hisst f*cking meal. I feel him¨Chard, hot, pulsing through his boxers¨Cand it hits me like a p. ¡°I missed you,¡± he breathes into my mouth, voice cracked and wrecked. ¡°Goddess, I missed this. Missed you.¡± That¡¯s when I snap. I shove at his chest. Hard. My breath¡¯s ragged, my lips swollen, thighs still shaking from the way he held me. ¡°You don¡¯t get to say that,¡± I hiss, heart mming like a fist in my ribs. His eyes sh¨Churt, hungry, desperate. He doesn¡¯t back off. ¡°If*cked up.¡± His voice is low, strained. ¡°But I still think this is stupid.¡± ¡°You think this is stupid?¡± I snap, pushing him again¨Chard, this time. ¡°Then what the fuck are you doing here? To rub it in?¡± My voice breaks, but my hands won¡¯t stop shaking. Grayson catches my wrists. ¡°I¡¯m having a hard time processing your not my mate Jess. What do you want me to do?¡± ¡°Then what are you doing here? Huh? To remind me I¡¯m not yours? Rub it in?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how to breathe without you, Jess,¡± he spits, forehead crashes against mine. ¡°I hate that you¡¯re not mine. I fucking hate it. So tell me¨Chow the fuck am I supposed to stay away?¡± I¡¯m shaking¨Cbecause his thigh¡¯s between mine and I can feel everything. The heat. The pressure. My panties sticking to me. I can¡¯t breathe. Fuck. He¡¯s hard¨Cpressed right against me. I feel the twitch of it through his jeans. And I¡¯m soaked. I¡¯m so fucking soaked I could cry. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, voice breaking. ¡°Stop moving. We¡¯re talking!¡± His mouth ms into rnine¨Cwild, angry, too much tongue. I moan. Loud. Shameless. My thighs mp around his. I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t care about anything. Grayson has me¨Che fucking has me¨Cand I think I want him to break me. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. His hand drags up my thigh, knuckles rough. He palms between my legs, cups me through the soaked cotton, and lets out this shuddering breath against my skin. ¡°You feel that?¡± he rasps. ¡°That¡¯s mine, Jess. That¡¯s fucking mine.¡± I¡¯m choking. Panting. I can¡¯t even push him away because my hips are rolling up to meet him, desperate and pathetic. ¡°Grayson¨Cplease-¡± He snarls¨Cliterally snarls¨Cand yanks my shirt up like it pissed him off. The fabric bunches under my arms. I¡¯m half¨Cnaked, panting, and his mouth is everywhere¨Cwet, open, devouring. My sternum. My ribs. The space right beneath my breast. His hips m down and I feel it¨Chim, thick and hard and grinding right against me.. 10:06 Fri ¡°Oh my¨Cfuck¨CGrayson-¡± I can¡¯t. 43% ? I can¡¯t even think. My panties are soaked, sticking to me like they¡¯re part of my skin. And every time he moves¨Cthat pressure. Right on my clit. Over and over like he¡¯s trying to ruin me. My legs twitch. My body jerks. I¡¯m not doing it. He¡¯s doing it. He¡¯s making me. ¡°You¡¯re gonnae just like this?¡± he growls against my neck. ¡°Huh? Just from me humping you like a fucking animal?¡± I moan¨Cloud. I can¡¯t lie. Because yes. Yes, I am. I¡¯m gonna- ¡°Fuck¨CGrayson-¡± My mouth falls open. My spine bows. My fingers curl into his shirt and I scream¨Cchoked, sharp, ruined¨Cright against his shoulder. It hits me like a wave of fire. I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s happening anymore. Just heat. Just slick. Just him. I¡¯m shaking. Hard. Like¨Cfuck. I can¡¯t feel my fingers. My whole body¡¯s twitching in these little aftershocks, like my nerves don¡¯t know it¡¯s over yet. My chest keeps rising too fast, like! forgot how to breathe. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, but it¡¯s just air. I don¡¯t even know why I said his name. His weight is still over me. Still between my legs. His forehead drops to my shoulder. We¡¯re both drenched. Sweat. Spit. Me. God. I came from that. From grinding. From him barely touching me. I blink hard, trying toe back to my body. My thighs are still trembling. My panties are stuck to me like glue. My whole lower half¡¯s pulsing with leftover heat. And my brain- My brain is static. No thoughts. Just¨Cfuck. 10:06 Fri, 22 Aug Grayson doesn¡¯t say anything. Just breathes heavy against my neck, chest still heaving like he¡¯s barely holding on. I lift one arm, stupid and slow, and shove weakly at his shoulder. ¡°Move,¡± I mutter. ¡°You¡¯re crushing me.¡± He doesn¡¯t move. 43% 38 I let my head fall back against the mattress. My throat¡¯s dry. My face is hot. I can feel the sweat cooling on my skin. And the shame- fuck, it¡¯s creeping in. Crawling up my spine now that I¡¯m not blinded by want. I just- Net him- Right there. I didn¡¯t even take off my clothes. I came like an animal. A breath shudders out of me. ¡°I hope Riot is not outside.¡± Grayson growls.¡± He¡¯s fucking not.¡± shift under him, trying to look at his face. ¡°What? Why?¡± Wrong fucking question. His expression twists¨Cjaw locked, eyes zing. ¡°You think I forgot?¡± he grits out. ¡°That he¡¯s your mate?¡± freeze. Grayson¡¯s eyes raked over me¨Cmy shirt still pushed up, my thighs still open around him, panties soaked, ruined. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know what this looks like?¡± he spits. ¡°Youing on my thigh with his fucking name still in your mouth- goddess, Jess.¡± My breath catches. His voice drops, low and shaking. ¡°Is this a game to you? You want him to walk in? You want him to see what you let me do to you?¡± ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± His hand ms the mattress beside my head. ¡°You think this is just sex? You think I¡¯m okay being your dirty fucking secret while you go y bonded lovers with him?¡± i flinch. My whole body jerks. ¡°You¡¯re mine, Jess.¡± His voice breaks¨Craw and guttural. ¡°And he¡¯s just a bastard who wants my father¡¯s approval.¡± I stare, numb. Then the words slip out before I can stop them, barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief: ¡°What did you do¡­ Grayson?¡± Alpha Luna 86 Chapter 86 JESSICA 43% ¡°You¡¯re out of your fucking mind,¡± I whisper, but it doesn¡¯t sound like me. It sounds like someone else a girl I don¡¯t recognize, one who thought she knew the limits of what he¡¯d sacrifice. But clearly, I didn¡¯t. A dry, bitterugh ws its way out of my throat. I pace. No¨CI spiral. Across the room, back again. I run a hand through my hair, tug too hard at the roots, because the pressure keeps me from screaming. ¡°You didn¡¯t. You didn¡¯t do that. Tell me you didn¡¯t just¨Ctell me you didn¡¯t give it to Riot. Riot, Grayson? Are you even hearing yourself?¡± He looks at me then. Really looks. And it¡¯s worse than if he¡¯d ignored me. Because he¡¯s calm. He¡¯s heartbreakingly calm. Like this isn¡¯t the end of everything. Like he hasn¡¯t just stripped himself of the only thing that¡¯s ever anchored him. My stomach turns. The bile builds slow, bitter, hot. I press a fist to it. ¡°No. No, you don¡¯t get to do this. You don¡¯t get to give up being Alpha and call that love. That¡¯s not how this works.¡± Grayson says nothing. He¡¯s just standing there watching me with his bored expression. Damn him. I cannot believe¨CI cannot believe he¡¯s looking at me like this is fine. ¡°Say something,¡± I spit, voice rising. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare just stand there like you haven¡¯t set fire to the only thing that ever made sense in your life. Say something, Grayson.¡± He finally stands. And god, he¡¯s still every inch the Alpha, even without the title. Broad shoulders. Steady stare. Voice low and clear as he says, ¡°I¡¯m not erasing it. I¡¯m choosing you.¡± I shake my head too fast. It rattles something loose in me. ¡°No,¡± I say, barely above a whisper. ¡°You don¡¯t get to choose me like that. You don¡¯t get to throw yourself into a freefail and expect me to catch you. I never asked for this. I never asked you to give up who you are.¡± The tearse fast, hot, and I wipe at them angrily. Like if I smear them across my cheeks fast enough, they won¡¯t count. ¡°You don¡¯t love me,¡± I say, and I hate how broken it sounds. ¡°We had a n.¡± Grayson takes a step forward. I step back. And it keeps going like that¨Chim advancing, me retreating until my shoulder des kiss the cold wall and he¡¯s close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off him, simmering beneath the calm he wears like armor He doesn¡¯t touch me. That might¡¯ve hurt less. ¡°We did have a n,¡± he says, voice quieter now, more human than I can stand ¡°But ns change.¡± Myugh cracks. ¡°No. Cowards change. Cowards fold and pretend it¡¯s fate. You didn¡¯t choose me, Grayson¨Cyou abandoned everything and pped my name on it.¡± I shove at his chest, and he lets me. I took another step toward him and shoved him, both palms to his chest, sharp and fast and hopelessly human. He barely moved. And the way he just absorbed it, like he¡¯d already epted every version of pain I could throw at him, made me want to scream. ¡°You gave Riot the title,¡± I said, voice trembling now. ¡°You handed it to him like it wasn¡¯t your entire life. Like it wasn¡¯t thest thing your father gave you. Like I didn¡¯t fall in love with the man who fought for it.¡± Still, he said nothing. And I couldn¡¯t take it. I turned away, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes as if that might stop the room from spinning. I gripped the edge of the table just to feel something solid beneath my fingers, but even then, it felt like the ground was shifting, like everything I¡¯d built in my head was crumbling in slow motion and there was nothing left to hold on to. ¡°You don¡¯t get to do this,¡± I whispered. ¡°You don¡¯t get to torch the future we nned and then stand there and ask me to pretend it¡¯s romantic.¡± I felt him move behind me before I heard him breathe my name. Just once. Barely louder than the wind rattling the windows. I didn¡¯t turn. I couldn¡¯t. But the sound of it¨Cthe way he said it like a prayer, like it was the only word he still believed in¨Cbroke something I didn¡¯t know was still whole. ¡°Say something,¡± I said, louder now, my back still to him. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare just stand there like this isn¡¯t the end of everything. Say something, Grayson.¡± He stepped closer, and I felt the heat of him behind me before I even heard the words. ¡°I¡¯m not erasing it,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I¡¯m choosing you.¡± The wordsnded with the kind of weight you can¡¯t measure. Not in pounds or distance or time. Theynded in my lungs and knocked the air right out of me. 1 turned around slowly, heart in my throat, and looked at him¨Creally looked¨Cand for a moment I wished I hadn¡¯t. Because he looked destroyed. Not visibly. Not in a way that most people would see. But I saw it. I knew him too well not to. It was in the way his shoulders didn¡¯t square up the way they used to, in the way his eyes didn¡¯t hold that same fire. He looked like a man who had carved out the best parts of himself and left them on an altar, hoping it would be enough. Grayson exhaled, and for the first time, it didn¡¯t sound controlled. It sounded tired. ¡°I know,¡± he said. And then he dropped his gaze. It was such a small gesture¨Cbarely a tilt of his head¨Cbut it shattered everything Know what? 38) ¡°I know you didn¡¯t ask for this,¡± he said again, slower this time, like each word cost him something. ¡°And I know what it looks like. I know it doesn¡¯t make sense to anyone else¡­ maybe not even to you. But it makes sense to me.¡± He paused. His jaw clenched once, hard, like he was biting down on something sharp. ¡°I didn¡¯t give up the title because I stopped caring,¡± he went on, voice fraying at the edges. ¡°I gave it up because¨Cbecause l couldn¡¯t keep pretending that it mattered more than you. Because every time I walked into that war room, every time I stood in front of them and made decisions like they were pieces on a board-¡± His voice broke, and he shook his head, once, hard, like he hated himself for even admitting it. ¡°I kept thinking about you. And how I was slowly bing someone you wouldn¡¯t recognize. Someone who could win every fight except the one that mattered.¡± My breath caught, and I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to run or reach for him.. ¡°You were never my weakness,¡± he said, finally lifting his eyes. And God, the way he looked at me¨Clike he was standing on the edge of something vast and unforgiving, like this was thest thing he had left to give. ¡°You were the reason I held it together for as long as I did.¡± He took a step toward me, then another, slower now, like he was afraid if he moved too fast, I¡¯d disappear. ¡°I know it was thest thing my father gave me,¡± he said, softer now, almost reverent. ¡°But it was never really mine, Jess. It was an obligation dressed as a legacy. A throne built on rules I didn¡¯t write. And the longer I held it, the more it started to feel like I was trying to be someone just to earn the right to stay beside you.¡± I blinked. Hard. Because I hadn¡¯t realized how badly I needed him to say that¨Cnot just that he loved me, but that I had always been the thing he wanted most, not the title, not the power, not the myth of the Alpha. His voice trembled then, and it made everything inside me go still. ¡°I didn¡¯t step down because I was brave,¡± he said. ¡°I stepped down because I was scared. Scared that I¡¯d wake up one day and realize I lost you while trying to be someone I never wanted to be in the first ce.¡± And then he did the one thing I never thought I¡¯d see him/do. He dropped to his knees. Grayson fucking Westwood, on his knees in front of me. My hands hung useless at my sides, every nerve ending in my body screaming like it didn¡¯t know whether to run or reach for him. This wasn¡¯t happening And yet. There he was. On the floor. Head tilted back just enough to look up at me, jaw tense like it took everything he had not to look away There was nothing proud lett in him, nothing polished, nothing of the Alpha who used to walk like he owned the sky. Just the man beneath the legacy, wrecked and shaking and trying to keep his voice steady when it cracked all over the ce anyway. ¡°I don¡¯t care what they call me,¡± he whispered, voice so low I had to lean in just to catch the words, and god help me, my body did it without asking my permission ¡°I don¡¯t care what Hose if I lose you, none of it means anything¡± My lips parted, but no sound came out. Just breath¨Cregged, uneven, almost embarrassed at how fragile it felt in a room this heavy. 0:07 Fri, 22 Aug 0 apter 86 43% was still looking at me like I was the sun after a hundred years of night. And I hated it. I hated the way it made my throat close. ted the way my chest hurt like it was trying to crack open, like every rib had just remembered the shape of his hands. bottom lip trembled. I bit down on it hard enough to taste blood, but it didn¡¯t stop the shake. Didn¡¯t stop the burn behind my es or the heat crawling up my spine or the part of me that wanted¨Cdesperately¨Cto fall with him. -I don¡¯t know what to say to you,¡± I choked out, arms wrapping around myself like they could keep me from splintering. ¡°You n¡¯t juste here and fall apart at my feet like this. It¡¯s not fair.¡± m not asking for fair,¡± he said, still grounded, still staring straight into me like he could see past every wall I¡¯d built just to survive m. ¡°I¡¯m asking for you.¡± nd it was so unfair. ecause I had been angry. Righteously angry. I¡¯d had it all lined up in my head¨Chow I would tell him off, how I would walk away nd mean it this time. But there he was, on the ground like a vow, like a confession, and I didn¡¯t know how to keep my hands to yself. didn¡¯t know how to stay angry at a man who looked like he¡¯d set the world on fire just to keep me warm. Alpha Luna 87 Chapter 87 GRAYSON ¡°Hold the damn hands!¡± I shiver. Not because I¡¯m cold. But because for a second I swear, I¡¯m on the cold floor of the trainingpound, knuckles split open, blood on my tongue, a man twice my size choking me out while my father¡¯s shadow watches¨Carms crossed, silent judgment heavier than any blow. Fuck. It¡¯s just another nightmare, Grayson. I nced to the side and I found her. Jessica¡¯s asleep. Out cold. Probably exhausted because I couldn¡¯t stop touching her, couldn¡¯t stop needing her like I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll disappear if I blink too long. My hand¡¯s still resting against her hip, and I don¡¯t even remember keeping it there. I ease away slowly, not because I¡¯m afraid of waking her¨Cbut because I¡¯m¨Cafraid of what I¡¯ll do if I stay. The mirror catches me on the way to the sink. I stop. I look like him. Jaw tight. Eyes dead. Shoulders like walls. I smash the faucet on, ice cold, and scrub my face with dry hands like it¡¯ll peel off the part of me that still obeys him. Alpha Grayson Westwood. He¡¯s going to lose his fucking mind when he finds out. That I threw it all away¨Cfor a girl he warned me about. The second word gets out that I¡¯m walking away¨Cthat I put Jessica above the title¨CI be the threat. The disgrace. The disappointment that needs correcting. And he¡¯ll try. He¡¯ll try to pull me back in. Chain me to the throne he built out of fear and obedience. Make an example out of me. Out of her. And I swear to god, if he touches her¨CI don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll fucking do. Jessica will probably sleep for more hours but I couldn¡¯t. So I ran. Shifted the second I was outside. Didn¡¯t wait for the pain. Weed it. Invited it like an old friend who never asks questions. I ran until the trees blurred, until the wind peeled my skin back, until the beast in me stopped gnawing at my ribs. I ran like something was chasing me. Maybe it was. Maybe it always is. I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m more afraid of losing her or what I¡¯ll do if someone tries to take her from me. I¡¯ve already given up the title. I¡¯d burn the whole damn pack before I surrender her. Which, of course, makes me just like him. And I¡¯d rather fucking die than be that man. I don¡¯t want to be Alpha if it turns me into him. But I don¡¯t know who I am without it either. 10:07 Fri, 22 Aug I run deeper into the woods like if I go far enough, fast enough, I can outpace the voice in my head. Fuck that. 42% I leap over the creek bed andnd heavy, muddy water sshing up my chest. Keep going. Keep tearing through bark and stone and memory until something snaps¨Csomething real. Something I can kill. Because I can¡¯t kill what¡¯s rotting me from the inside. +38) I shift back mid¨Cstride, pain ripping down my spine like a serrated knife. Copse into a stumble, bare skin scraping dirt and stone as I hit the ground on all fours, heaving. Naked. Animal. Shaking. I drag myself to a tree and lean there, pressing my head against the rough bark like I can anchor myself to it. However, I¡¯m still regaining my strength when I feel a strong presence. My body moves before my brain does. I twist, low and sharp, just as a heavy boot swings toward my ribs. It grazes, not enough to drop me¨Cbut enough to piss me off. ¡°Wrong fucking move,¡± I growl. I surge up, still half¨Cferal, and m my shoulder into him. He grunts as we hit the ground hard. I see his face for a split second- recognition res. Traitor. ¡°You!¡± Theo growls, eyes shing gold, voice low and venomous. I snarl back, grabbing the front of his shirt and dragging him closer until our foreheads nearly crash. ¡°You¡¯ve got some fucking nerve showing your face.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± he spits, teeth bared. ¡°I heard you lost the girl, Grayson.¡± I swing¨Che sidesteps. Fucking smirking. I try to grab him again, ws half¨Cout, but he ducks under, ms his shoulder into my gut, and we both go down hard, crashing into the forest floor. ¡°You¡¯re sloppy,¡± he mutters near my ear. ¡°You used to hit harder. Guess heartbreak makes you soft.¡± I shove him off, breathing fire, blood pounding in my ears. ¡°You want to die that bad, Theo? I can make it hurt.¡± ¡°See, I thought you¡¯d be pissed,¡± he says casually. ¡°But this?¡± His head tilts. ¡°This is tragic. You¡¯re not Alpha. You¡¯re just some lovesick mutt howling at the wrong moon.¡± I lunge. He dodges again. ms his elbow into the back of my skull and I go sprawling forward, bark and dirt grinding into my cheek. ¡°Still fast, huh?¡± 1 grunt, getting to my knees. ¡°Faster now that I¡¯m not dragging around a fucking leash.¡± His boot connects with my ribs, Crack. I grunt, clutching my side. ¡°But don¡¯t worry,¡± he drawls, circling me again. ¡°I¡¯ll take good care of your pack. And your girl.¡± He leans in. ¡°I¡¯m going to feast on her.¡± I snap. My body shifts halfway, ws out, bones snapping, eyes glowing. I tear into him,nding a clean strike across his chest- 7 deep enough to draw blood. He stumbles back, finally snarling, dropping the act. But then¨Cheughs. ¡°There it is,¡± he pants. ¡°There¡¯s the Grayson I came to bury.¡± He shifts fully. Silver¨Cgrey fur. Massive. Brutal. But something¡¯s off. It¡¯s not just size. It¡¯s not just the speed. His wolf¨CIt doesn¡¯t look right. And fuck me, it¡¯s stronger. He prowls closer, paws sinking into the soil like he¡¯s poisoning the ground he walks on. ¡°What the hell did you do?¡± I rasp. His wolf grins. It fucking grins. I lunge again, desperate, reckless. I don¡¯t care if I tear his throat out or die trying. But Theo¡¯s not alone anymore. Two more wolves appear from the trees, then three. Rogues. Wild, unmarked, eyes shining with sick pleasure. Fuck. I try to shift back, outmaneuver, but teeth mp down on my hind leg and rip me to the ground. I crash hard, air punched from my lungs. Before I can even lift my head¨CTheo¡¯s on me again. His jaw ms into my shoulder. A searing pain explodes down my spine as he drives me into the dirt. I snap at him, but another wolf mps onto my side. Another ws at my nk. Too many. They came to take me. I thrash, snarl, kick, but the weight of them is too much. One digs ws into my ribs. Another bites down on the back of my neck, pinning me like prey. And Theo? Theo shifts back. Stands over me like he¡¯s already wearing the crown. Chest heaving, mouth bloodied, hair stered to his face. He spits on the ground next to me. ¡°Look at you,¡± he mutters, voice sharp with satisfaction. ¡°Alpha? You¡¯re not even a fucking fight anymore.¡± I snarl through the blood, vision flickering. I try to rise- 10:07 Fri, 22 Aug O He kicks me in the ribs, hard. I choke on air. ¡°Should¡¯ve stayed down.¡± My muscles seize. My limbs give out. My body quits on me. I hear metal. Chains. No¨Csilver. 42% 438) The scent hits first, then the burn. Agonizing. They wrap it around my wrists, my throat. It hisses against my skin, drawing smoke. I can¡¯t even scream. Someoneughs. Then a voice behind me snaps: ¡°Tie him up! Let¡¯s bring him to the Alpha.¡± Hands grab me. Drag me. My head lolls, blood in my mouth, my bond to Jessica screaming through my chest. I try to reach her¨Cthrough the link, through anything¨Cbut everything fades. Thest thing I see is Theo¡¯s smirk as he watches me disappear into the dark. Alpha Luna 88 Chapter 88 JESSICA ¡°Grayson?¡± ¡°Grayson?¡± Where is he? I check the front door Unlocked. Slightly open. A gust of early morning air rushes in and my grip on the nket tightens. Did he¡­ go back to the pack vige? I drag the nket around me tighter, clumsily stepping back inside. My body still hurts fromst night. A blush creeps up my cheeks, stupid and stubborn. We really¡­ outdid it. He was feralst night. Brutal. Gentle. All of it. I didn¡¯t know you could be worshipped and devoured in the same breath. I didn¡¯t know someone could touch you like they¡¯re starving and still somehow make you feel safe. I press my fingers to my throat and feel the faintest trace of a bite. Not a full mark. But close. So close it makes me dizzy. I wander toward the kitchen, dragging the nket along the floor behind me. It catches on the corner of a chair and nearly yanks me off my feet. ¡°Grayson?¡± I call again, quieter this time. Still no answer. The silence is starting to get¡­ heavy. And that¡¯s when the front door ms open. I jolt. A cold burst of wind blows in¨Cand then Riot steps inside with some bruises on his face. I quickly went and tried to touch it but he rejected me. ¡°W¨CWhat happened?¡± Riot drags a breath in through his nose, jaw clenched so tight I hear it crack. ¡°Don¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Do what?¡± ¡°Look at me like I¡¯m the one who needs help.¡± He spits the words like venom, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°You slept with Grayson?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± My throat camps shut. I clutch the nket tighter around my body. It¡¯s still warm where Grayson¡¯s skin touched minest night. ¡°You what?¡± Riot steps closer, limping slightly. His boots drag over the floor like it hurts to walk but he doesn¡¯t care. ¡°Didn¡¯t mean to? Didn¡¯t n it? Or did you forget we were mates while he was fucking you into the goddamn walls?¡± I reel back like he punched me. My heel knocks against the edge of the sofa. The nket slips, baring one shoulder, and I yank it back up like that¡¯ll somehow erase everything. ¡°I didn¡¯t forget,¡± I whisper. ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡± He scoffs. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s exactly like that.¡± 10:27 Sat, 23 Aug I shake my head. ¡°You don¡¯t understand-¡± ¡°No, Jess. You don¡¯t understand.¡± Riot¡¯s voice cracks. His hands tremble, fingers curling into fists at his sides. ¡°You think I didn¡¯t feel it? Every time he touched you¨CI felt it. It¡¯s like someone dragging ws through my ribcage while I just stand there and take it.¡± My stomach knots. My skin burns. I nce at his mouth¨Csplit, swollen, red¨Cand wonder if it was Grayson who did that. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for the bond,¡± I say, voice low. ¡°You know I didn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± His voice turns sharp. Cold. You just asked for him, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Stop it,¡± I choke out. But he¡¯s not done. He¡¯s barely started. Riot was a dangerous man but he was never rough with me. My breath catches. His fingers are cold¨Ccalloused, angry¨Cas they grip my chin and force my gaze up. ¡°Look at me, Jess.¡± I don¡¯t want to. I can¡¯t. Because if I look at him, really look, I¡¯ll see everything I ruined. His jaw is tight. One side of his mouth is cracked and crusted with dried blood. I don¡¯t know if it was Grayson¡¯s fist or his own damn pride that did it, but it hurts to look at him like this. ¡°You didn¡¯t even fucking hesitate,¡± he snarls, voice low but trembling. ¡°Did you?¡± ¡°Riot-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± His grip tightens. ¡°I trusted you,¡± he mutters. ¡°You were mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I whisper. He shoves me back. Not hard. But fast. I hit the edge of the counter with a gasp, nket slipping, clutching it tighter around me. His body is already there -close, too close¨Cand I see it in his eyes. He¡¯s breaking. And this is how he does it. With pain. With possession. ¡°You smell like him,¡± Riot snarls. ¡°Fucking stinks in here.¡± ¡°Get out,¡± I snap, but my voice wavers. ¡°Just¨Cgo. You don¡¯t get to do this.¡± ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t?¡± His hands m down on either side of me. I flinch. His nose brushes the shell of my ear. ¡°You let him ruin you, Jess. And now you think you¡¯re safe from me?¡± I shove him, arms braced, panic flooding my limbs. But Riot trained me. He knows me. He taught me how to break an enemy¡¯s stance, how to twist out of a chokehold¨Cbut he also taught me how to submit. And my body remembers that too. He catches my wrists like it¡¯s nothing. Spins me, back pressed hard against the counter. One hand pins both arms above my head, the other grips my thigh through the nket, forcing it aside, lifting. ¡°No¨CRiot¨Cstop-¡± I kick at him, desperate. My heelnds hard against his shin and he snarls¡ªnot in pain, but in warning. ?. 60. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he growls. ¡°Don¡¯t make me hurt you.¡± His thigh wedges between mine, forcing them open. My nket slips. I¡¯m so terrified of what he¡¯ll do to me. ¡°W¨CWhat are you going to do?¡± I whispered, fear spreading through my nerves. Even if my heart¡¯s pounding. Even if my body¡¯s frozen and all I want to do is run. ¡°Whatever this is¨Cyou don¡¯t want it,¡± I force out. ¡°And I sure as hell don¡¯t.¡± But Riot is not listening I whimper as I feel his breath hot against my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair, yanking my head back. ¡°I¡¯ll fuck you hard too, Jess,¡± he hisses, lips brushing against my ear. ¡°First slow, then so hard you¡¯ll forget everyone who came before me.¡± His hand snakes under my shirt, cold fingers tracing circles on my stomach. ¡°Right here,¡± he says, pressing down. ¡°This is where I¡¯ll leave my mark. Where I¡¯ll nt my seed so deep you¡¯ll never be rid of me.¡± I try to pull away, but his grip tightens painfully. ¡°Do you know what happens to she wolves who run from their alphas?¡± His teeth graze my earlobe, sharp enough to remind me what he is. What he bes under the full moon. ¡°They get caught. They get imed.¡± Ìï AD Comment Send gift No Ads 10:27 Sat, 23 Aug Alpha Luna 89 JESSICA This is not happening. No. +33) They¡¯ve got it all wrong. ¡°Pierce!¡± I shouted, grabbing the metal prison until my knuckles turned white. The cold iron bit into my palms, but I barely felt it. All I could focus on was the retreating figure down the dimly lit corridor. ¡°What is happening? What am I here?!¡± | ¡°Pierce!¡± My voice cracks. ¡°Please-¡± He disappears around the corner. Fuck. Riot tricked me. I look around the cell and I¡¯ve realized they put me inside the dungeon where¡­traitors are being held. Our vige got a special ce for enemies or those who helped our enemies. I shove my hands through my hair, dragging hard at the roots. My nails scrape my scalp, sharp enough to sting. Think. Think. There has to be a way out of this. Why would they put me here? Where is Grayson? I brace against the stone wall, gulping air like I can force the panic down. After a few minutes, I hear boots. Heavy. Fast. Getting closer. Pierce ising back. I shove myself to the bars again, breath tearing in and out of me, heartbeat mming against my ribs like it¡¯s trying to break free. My hands ache, rave from gripping the iron, but I don¡¯t care. I grab the bars again, clinging like they¡¯re the only thing holding me up. When he turns the corner, I see the way his face is carved tight, his jaw clenched so hard I can see the muscles shaking. He¡¯s angry. Or scared. Or both. I can¡¯t breathe. ¡°Pierce,¡± I gasp. ¡°What is going on? Why¨Cwhy am I in here? What did they tell you?¡± My voice breaks, but I can¡¯t stop. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± Say something. Look at me. Just look at me. But his eyes are locked somewhere near the floor. He won¡¯t meet mine. His boots stop in front of my cell. His throat works, his chest rising and falling like he¡¯s trying to force the words out. ¡°Pierce, please,¡± I beg, my fingers tightening or the bars until they burn ¡°Please tell me what¡¯s happening¡± He lets out a long breath. ¡°They found Grayson¡¯s clothes.¡± Sat, 23 Aug My stomach lurches. ¡°What?¡± ¡°In the woods.¡± His voice is hoarse, breaking apart. ¡°Shredded. Covered in blood.¡± I shake my head, stepping back like I can physically shove the words away from me. ? ? 60% +33) ¡°No.¡± My throat closes. 1 can barely get air in. Iugh, but it¡¯s empty, frantic, cracked right down the middle. ¡°Seriously. What the hell is this? You can¡¯t say shit like that, you-¡± My heart is beating so fast I think it might rupture. I grab the bars again and pull myself closer, desperate to see something in his face that tells me this is all some sick mistake. ¡°Pierce. Look at me.¡± My voice shudders. ¡°You¡¯re lying. Tell me you¡¯re lying.¡± His breathing rattles. His hands curl into fists at his sides. ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± he cuts in, voice sharp, voice wrecked. ¡°I¡¯m not lying.¡± I shake my head, choking on the panic building like wildfire in my chest. ¡°You have to be. You have to be lying because Grayson doesn¡¯t¨CGrayson doesn¡¯t lose. He doesn¡¯t die. That¡¯s not¨Che¡¯s not-¡± My hands tear through my hair, gripping at the roots like I can rip this nightmare out of my skull. ¡°You¡¯re my brother,¡± I gasp, my words copsing. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t lie to me about this. Right? Pierce? You wouldn¡¯t do that to me.¡± His face twists, his throat working like he¡¯s trying to swallow words too heavy to say. Finally, his voice rips out, rough and furious. ¡°What the fuck did you do, Jess? Do you even understand what they¡¯re using you of?¡± ¡°Grayson¡¯s fine-¡°I blurt, clinging to it like it¡¯s the only thing keeping me upright. *Jessica!¡± His voice cracks like a whip, snapping me straight. I flinch, blinking at the fury zing across his face. ¡°You¡¯re sitting in a prison cell, and you¡¯re still worried about him? Are you even hearing me?¡± I grip the bars tighter, my palms slick with sweat. ¡°Of course I¡¯m worried about him! He¡¯s not¨Che¡¯s not dead! He can¡¯t be. They¡¯re wrong.¡± Pierce drags both hands through his hair, pacing like he mighte apart right in front of me. ¡°You¡¯re not listening! Everyone¡¯s looking for him, Jess. They¡¯re hunting for you.¡± That shuts me up. Cold settles in my gut. ¡°Do you know what they¡¯re saying?¡± His hands fly out, his voice rising. ¡°They found your messages. To Theo. You think I can exin that? You think I can stand up there and tell them you¡¯ve been sneaking around talking to a traitor?¡± I shake my head hard, my breath catching. ¡°That¡¯s not¨Cno, that¡¯s not what that was. I wasn¡¯t¨CI didn¡¯t-¡± But the words tangle in my throat because I did send those messages. I did meet Theo. And now it¡¯s all unraveling. ¡°You think they care why?¡± His jaw clenches, his nostrils re. ¡°They don¡¯t give a shit what you were trying to do. You broke thew. You made contact with him. You disappeared right before Grayson did. And now His throat works like he¡¯s choking on the next part. ¡°Now they think you tore Grayson apart.¡± ¡°No!¡± My voice shatters. ¡°I would never I would never hurt him!¡± But it¡¯s not just me who needs to believe that. It¡¯s the whole pack. Pierce ms his palm against the bars, rattling them so hard the vibration punches straight through me. ¡°The Elders called for your execution, Jess. You¡¯re not getting a trial. You¡¯re not getting a second chance. They want you dead for this.¡± Execution. They¡¯re going to kill me. 10:28 Sat, 23 Aug 60% 33) ¡°They¡¯re wrong,¡± I whisper, barely able to hear my own voice over the rush in my ears. ¡°They¡¯re wrong, they¡¯re wrong, Pierce, you know me. You know me.¡± His face crumples, and it guts me. ¡°Jess-¡°His voice breaks. ¡°They found the blood. They found your scent. They found the messages. What the hell am I supposed to do?¡± My breathes in short, sharp bursts. ¡°Fight for me. You¡¯re my brother.¡± I m my palm against my chest. ¡°Fight for me.¡± That he¡¯s going to fight for me, pull me out of this, do what big brothers are supposed to do. But when he looks at me again¨Cthere¡¯s nothing but devastation. Nothing but the cracks I can¡¯t fix. ¡°Where¡¯s Grayson, Jess?¡± His voice is barely holding together. A question, a plea, like maybe¨Cmaybe¨CI¡¯ve been hiding the answer all along. ¡°I don¡¯t fucking know!¡± I scream, the words ripping out of me so fast it burns. ¡°I don¡¯t know where he is!¡± ¡°Do you know what it looks like?¡± His voice sharpens, slicing me in half. ¡°It looks like you nned this. It looks like you lured him out there.¡± My throat caves in. ¡°Pierce-¡± ¡°It looks like you wanted him dead.¡± His face twists like the words taste like acid in his mouth. Like saying them is killing him, but he says them anyway. I stumble back from the bars, shaking my head so hard it rattles my teeth. ¡°No. No. You know me. You fucking know me.¡± His breathing is ragged now. His whole body trembling like he¡¯s breaking apart just as fast as I am. ¡°You think I don¡¯t want to believe you?¡± His voice cracks. ¡°But I can¡¯t make the evidence disappear, Jess. You didn¡¯t just betray Grayson. You betrayed the whole pack.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± I choke out. ¡°I didn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t-¡± ¡°They found your scent on the trail. They found your w marks. They found your messages with Theo. Do you know what that looks like to everyone else?¡± His voice drops to a whisper. ¡°It looks like you seduce Grayson so you can offer him to the rogues.¡± Pierce just stares at me, his throat bobbing, his hands curling into fists at his sides. ¡°They already decided, Jess.¡± His voice is hollow now. ¡°The pack voted. The Elders approved it.¡± I clutch the bars, my throat closing. ¡°Approved what?¡± His jaw lightens, his eyes dull. ¡°Your fate. They¡¯re holding the execution trial at the next full moon. Five nights from now.¡± ¡°But what about.¡± ¡°Even if Grayson walks back into the vige tomorrow¨Calive, breathing, whole-¡± His voice cracks like he¡¯s trying to save us both. ¡°I¡¯ll save you, Jews fucking save you from this? But when he says it, we both know it¡¯s a lie. The pack doesn¡¯t care of Grayson¡¯s alive. They care that I broke thew. They care that I betrayed them. Even if he¡¯s breathing, I¡¯m still going to die. Alpha Luna 90 Chapter 90 JESSICA ¡°Get up.¡± I blink hard, trying to shove the sleep from my head. Rrot stands just outside the bars, leaningzily against the doorframe like he¡¯s got all the time in the world. He tips his chin toward me. ¡°Come on, princess. Don¡¯t make me hand¨Cfeed you.¡± ¡°You,¡± I spit, rage surging so fast I don¡¯t know what to do with it. I m the bars so hard the metal rattles, but I want more¨CI want to rip them open, w through them, get to him. I want to tear his fucking throat out. ¡°I brought you food.¡± ¡°Fuck your food!¡± I scream, my hands white¨Cknuckling the bars, my body trembling with the force of it. ¡°You set me up! You nned this! This is your fault!¡± He stays perfectly still,zy, leaning his shoulder against the stone like he¡¯s bored. ¡°You did this,¡± I choke, mming my fists against the bars again. ¡°You put me here. You made them think I-¡± My voice breaks. I can¡¯t even say it. Can¡¯t even get the words out. ¡°You made them think I killed him.¡± His eyes flick, darkening. ¡°I didn¡¯t make them believe anything. I just showed them what they wanted to see.¡± ¡°You lying, scheming piece of shit.¡± My throat burns, my vision swimming. I grab the bars and shake them so hard my arms ache. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you, Riot. You hear me? I¡¯ll rip your goddamn throat out-¡± ¡°Settle down.¡± His voice is calm, almost amused, like my rage is a joke to him. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere. You¡¯re caged. You¡¯re done.¡± ¡°Fuck you!¡± ¡°Eat, Jess. Stay alive.¡± His voice drops, heavy with something wicked. ¡°You¡¯re no good to me dead.¡± I lunge at the bars, mming both palms against the cold iron. The metal vibrates under the force, but it holds. ¡°I am not yours.¡± His hand shoots through the space between the bars¨Cfast, brutal¨Cfisting a handful of my shirt and yanking me forward so hard my ribs m against the cage. ¡°You are now.¡± His breath ghosts over my face, low and lethal. ¡°Grayson¡¯s gone. The pack¡¯s abandoned you. And I¡¯m the only one left.¡± I w at his wrist, shoving, scraping, but he doesn¡¯t let go. His grip is solid, bruising, like he¡¯s daring me to try harder. ¡°You nned this,¡± I spit, twisting, shoving against him. ¡°You set me up. You led me to Theo. You wanted me caged,¡± ¡°I gave you options.¡± His gaze drags over me, slow/dark, possessive. ¡°You just walked into the right one for me.¡± ¡°You wanted me to burn for this. You wanted to destroy me.¡± He finally shoves me back, like he¡¯s tossing something useless. I stagger, catching myself on the stone wall, breathing hard. ¡°I don¡¯t want you destroyed,¡± he says, voice smooth as poisoned honey. ¡°I want you broken. I want you to see what¡¯s left when they¡¯ve all turned their backs on you.¡± 10:28 Sat, 23 Aug I hurl myself at the bars again, my hands raw, desperate to reach him. ¡°Grayson¡¯s alive. He¡¯lle for me.¡± 60% Riot¡¯s smile flickers, his jaw ticking like the crack in his mask almost split. He steps closer, pressing his palm t against the bars, leaning into it until his body heat sinks into the cold metal. ¡°Maybe he will.¡± His voice drops to a taunt, deliciously cruel. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s already dead. Maybe his wolf¡¯s in pieces. Maybe they¡¯ll only find scraps of him like they did his clothes.¡± My stomach heaves. My vision blurs. I m my fist against the bar, the pain slicing up my arm. ¡°Fuck you.¡± Riot¡¯s hand shes through the bars again, this time cupping my chin, forcing my head up, his grip rough enough to bruise. His thumb drags along my jaw like he¡¯s tasting ownership. ¡°Tick¨Ctock, little wolf,¡± he whispers, his breath hot on my skin. ¡°You¡¯re mine now. And whether you like it or not, I¡¯m the one who¡¯s going to keep you breathing.¡± He shoves me back again, grinning as I stumble, panting, seething. I lunge, but he¡¯s already stepping away, already walking, already turning his back on me like I¡¯m nothing but a trapped thing waiting for the de. ¡°Riot!¡± I m the bars, my throat raw, panic tearing through me. ¡°You sick fucking bastard! Riot!¡± ¡°Run,¡± he murmurs, a cruel glint in his eyes as he swings the door shut behind him. ¡°Come on, little wolf. Run.¡± I backpedal, mming into the stone wall. My lungs are caged. My pulse thrashes like it¡¯s already trying to w its way out. ¡°You called me back,¡± Riot purrs, dragging his knuckles across the bars as he pockets the key. ¡°Didn¡¯t you miss me?¡± ¡°Stay the fuck away from me.¡± His grin cuts wider. ¡°Make me.¡± I lunge. My nails find his skin this time¨Cgouging, tearing¨Cbut he¡¯s faster. His hand shoots out, fisting the back of my neck, mming me against the wall so hard the breath is punched out of me. ¡°You think this is still a fight?¡± he snarls, his breath hot and vicious on my ear. ¡°You think you get to say no to me now?¡± I w at his arm, kicking, shoving, but he¡¯s locked in¨Chis body a cage, his hand an iron cor around my throat. ¡°Five nights, Jess,¡± Riot growls, pressing me harder against the stone until I can feel the shape of his rage bleeding through his skin. ¡°Five nights until they gut you like a rabbit. Unless¡­¡± His grip loosens just enough for me to drag in a shaking breath. ¡°Unless you decide you want to live.¡± His mouth brushes the edge of my jaw, a soft, brutal graze, ¡°Beg me to mark you.¡± 4 go still. ¡°That¡¯s what you want, isn¡¯t it?¡± His voice drops, dark and dangerous, every word wrapped in heat and poison. ¡°You want to be free? You want to survive?¡± His fingers thread into my hair, yanking until my neck arches, forcing me to meet his eyes. ¡°Then beg me to im you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re sick.¡± ¡°Am 17¡± He drags his thumb across my lower lip, slow, taunting, watching the tremble in my jaw like he¡¯s feeding off it. ¡°Because right now, Jess, I¡¯m the only one who can pull you out of this grave they ve dug for you.¡± I twist, trying to break free, but he¡¯s already spun me, shoving me down to my knees, his palm heavy on the back of my neck. ¡°Beg me,¡± he growls, low and lethal. ¡°Say you want my mark. Say you want to be mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill you,¡± I spit, hatred burning so hot my throat scorches. 10:28 Sat, 23 Aug & Hisugh cracks through the silence, rough and vicious. ¡°I¡¯m counting on it.¡± 60%2 33 His grip tightens. ¡°Beg me, Jess. Say it, and I¡¯ll take you out of here. I¡¯ll keep you breathing. No one will touch you¨Cnot Grayson, not Killian, not anyone.¡± His breath is fire against my ear. ¡°But I won¡¯t save you for free. I¡¯ll save you because you¡¯ll wear me. On your skin. In your blood.¡± He pulls back just enough to look down at me, all wicked grin and dark, consuming hunger. ¡°You can be mine, or you can rot.¡± Riot nudges my chin up with two fingers, tilting my face to his like I¡¯m prey he¡¯s about to devour. ¡°You¡¯ve got five nights, little wolf.¡± His thumb taps my lips, slow, firm. ¡°Five. And when Ie back tomorrow¡­¡± His grin sharpens. ¡°You better be ready to beg.¡± He shoves me off, turns, and stalks out of the cell, mming the door shut with a ng that rattles through my bones. Alpha Luna 91 JESSICA ¡°Mmm¡­mmm¡­mmm¡­¡± ? ???60% +33) ¡°Hmm¡­hmm¡­hmmmm¡­¡± My arms ached first. A pulling tension in my shoulders, wrong angles and strain, wrists held above me. Shackled. The metal bit every time I moved, grinding into open skin. I tried to shift, to nt my feet, but they barely touched the ground. Just enough for bnce, not enough for control. My knees gave. The chains caught me before the fall. Pain bloomed across my corbones, tendons pulled too tight. I sucked in air¨Csharp, damp, sour¨Cand choked on it. ¡°There she is,¡± came the voice. ¡°Get the fuck away from me.¡± My voice cracked halfway through it¨Cdry, hoarse. He didn¡¯t respond. Just kept humming. Closer now. ¡°I swear to god, Riot, I will rip your heart out with my teeth-¡± ¡°You should hear yourself,¡± he interrupted softly, like I was some wild thing he was coaxing closer. ¡°Still so much fight. Even like this.¡± A fingertip¨Cjust one¨Cslid along the inside of my arm. From elbow to armpit. I jerked. The chains rattled. The cuff bit deeper. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡± He sighed. ¡°But you¡¯re so pretty when you squirm.¡± His breath hit my jaw next. Warm and steady. I could almost see the way he tilted his head, watching the way I trembled. ¡°What do you want?¡± I spat. ¡°To watch me rot? Or just jack off to the sound of me crying?¡± He didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t stop. If anything, he stepped closer. ¡°I want to keep you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± Probably He sounded amused. Goddess! I¡¯m so terrified. I wanted to cry and beg him but I knew the bastard had been keeping his mask for so long. I should¡¯ve known he had a bigger agenda when he asked me to be assigned under him. ¡°You know what the problem is with you, Jessica?¡± he murmured. ¡°You keep pretending you¡¯re not exactly where you belong.¡± Tjerked back as far as the chains would let me, wrists screaming. He followed. His chest pressed against mine¨Cnot hard, not fast. Just there Impossibly steady. Unmovable. ¡°I belong away from you,¡± I hissed. ¡°But you look so beautiful in chains,¡± Riot said, like it was fact. Like he¡¯d always known. ¡°I think you were made for this.¡± Sat, 23 Aug $ ???60% +33) His hand dropped¨Cdragging down my throat, across my sternum, calloused and dry and intentional. Not grabbing. Not groping. Just knowing. His knuckles brushed between my breasts. I flinched. He smiled. ¡°Stop¨Cstop it-¡± ¡°Why?¡± he whispered. ¡°Because you¡¯re scared?¡± His lips grazed my cheek, voice a velvet noose tightening. ¡°Or because this feels better than being ignored by your precious Alpha?¡± I went still. His chuckle was soft and mean. Like he felt the moment he got under my skin. ¡°There it is,¡± he said, voice molten. ¡°That little twitch. That little drop in your breath. The moment you think of him.¡± Grayson. God. Don¡¯t say his name. 1 bit my lip until I tasted blood. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Riot continued. ¡°I¡¯ll carve him out of you. Eventually.¡± He nosed along the edge of my throat, inhaling like a dog scenting something sweet. ¡°You¡¯ll scream my name instead.¡± ¡°Fuck you,¡± I breathed. ¡°You will,¡± he said, simply. Like it was already a memory. ¡°Your alpha¡¯s corpse is barely cold. His father¡¯s blessing is warm. Five days, little wolf. Five days and you¡¯ll belong to me. And when I wear the crown¡­¡± he paused, breathing in against my jaw, ¡°you¡¯ll wear my mark. My cor. My knot.¡± I spat on him. Itnded. Right cheek. ¡°Filthy little thing,¡± he purred. ¡°You¡¯re already inside me.¡± I tried to turn my face, but his fingers hooked under my chin, dragging me back. ¡°I want you to remember this, pretty girl,¡± he whispered. ¡°This is thest time your body disobeys mine.¡± I thrashed. The chains nged hard. My wrists screamed, blood slick around the cuffs. I barely had footing. My toes scraped against the stone, trying to find purchase, power, dignity¨Canything. He watched it all. Patient. Fascinated. could fuck you right now,¡± he said. ¡°String you up and split you open on my cock until your legs forget how to close.¡± I shuddered. Bile crept up my throat. I wanted to die. ¡°But i won¡¯t. Not yet.¡± He moved behind me. I heard leather. Buckles. The sound of metal dragged against stone. His hand ghosted down my back, over my abs, not quite touching just tracing ¡°But I will make you ask for it? ¡°I¡¯ll bite your fucking tongue off before I ever ¡°Oh no,¡± he cut in, amused. ¡°You¡¯ll use your tongue On your knees, pretty Eventually. But not yet. No¡­¡± He sighed, mack regretful. ¡°First, I need to peel you first¡± 10:28 Sat, 23 Augu He came back to the front. And this time he held something. A knife? No. A mirror. Small. Cracked. Framed in tarnished silver. He held it up to my face. ¡°Look.¡± I didn¡¯t. 60% 33 ¡°Look.¡± He grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked. I saw myself. Sweat¨Cslick. Blood on my mouth. Dried tears. Pupils blown wide. A corbone turned purple¨Cblue. My lips swollen, cracked. The beginnings of what I knew would be a bruise around my throat. ¡°Do you see her?¡± he asked softly. ¡°The one who thought she was a fighter?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. He tapped the mirror. ¡°This is thest version of you who thought you had choices. Say goodbye to her.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill you,¡± I whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll wait years if I have to. I¡¯ll tear you apart piece by¡ª¡± He leaned close. Pressed the mirror to my chest, just over my heart. His other hand palmed my throat. Not choking. Just iming. ¡°I hope you try,¡± he whispered. ¡°That¡¯ll make it sweeter when youe apart begging for the hands you swore you¡¯d cut off.¡± I will try. I will keep trying. Until I know what really happened to Grayson. Until I drag the truth out from their mouths- with teeth if I have to. I swear to the goddess, I will ruin everyone who ruined us. One by one. ¡°Still can¡¯t understand why both of you are so obsessed with her.¡± That bitch! I growled, the sound raw and feral in my throat as Aria stepped into the cell No 10:28 Sat, 23 Aug ? ??, 60% No¨Cno, that wasn¡¯t confusion on her face. That wasn¡¯t concern. That wasn¡¯t shock. She already knew. My pulse spiked so fast I felt sick. The mirror in Riot¡¯s hand caught the light and fractured it across the stone walls like a warning. ¡°You¡­¡± I whispered, more to myself than to them. My knees buckled slightly. ¡°How long?¡± Aria just smirked. Tilted her head like I was a dog yapping at her heels. ¡°You really thought you were special, didn¡¯t you?¡± she said. ¡°Poor little stray. So full of bark. So easy to break.¡± I couldn¡¯t breathe. How long? How long had she been part of this? They¡¯d been in this together. All along. She crouched beside me now, eyes gleaming. ¡°What does it feel like, Jess?¡± she murmured, almost gently. Then she yanked the chain. White¨Chot pain ripped through my shoulder, tore a scream straight from my throat. My head dropped forward, teeth bared, breath heaving. Ariaughed. ¡°Grayson is gone. And now your fate?¡± She leaned in, voice sugar¨Cslick and poisonous. ¡°Sealed with Riot.¡± I didn¡¯t know what snapped first¨Cmy pride, my sanity, or thest thread of hope I¡¯d been clinging to. ¡°WHAT IS IT WITH YOU?!¡± I screamed. It echoed off the stone, cracked and raw. ¡°Do you want to wear his ring or his blood?¡± I spat, chest heaving. ¡°Is that it? You want to be the queen of whatever the hell this is, as long as he keeps looking at you?¡± Aria¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. She just stood up slowly. Smoothed the folds of her silk blouse like I hadn¡¯t just tried to rip her apart with words. ¡°No, sweetheart,¡± she said, eyes glinting. ¡°I want you to live just long enough to understand that ¡°H¨CHe¡¯s alive¡­¡± Aria tilted her head at my broken whisper, mock pity dripping from every line of her perfect face. ¡°Oh. You didn¡¯t know?¡± she said softly. ¡°Oops.¡± My stomach dropped My heart stopped. Alive Grayson was alive. I surged forward, the chain snapping taut around my throat, dragging me back down with a cruel tter. The cor choked off the scream in my lungs. I wed at the floor, shaking 10:28 Sat, 23 Aug He¡¯s alive. And they¡¯d let me believe he wasn¡¯t. ¡°You lied,¡± I rasped. ¡°You-¡± 3 60% Aria crouched again, not a single hair out of ce. She dragged a sharp, manicured nail down my cheek. ¡°But you know what, Jess? I¡¯m working on him.¡± I lunged. The chain snapped again, slicing against my skin. Useless. Brutal. ¡°You bitch!¡± ¡°I got him tied up like this somewhere too. Just a bit of convincing and he¡¯ll eventually mark me.¡± ¡°You think you were the only one he whispered promises to?¡± she said, tilting her head. ¡°The only one he looked at like that?¡± She clicked her tongue, mock sympathy rippling through her voice. ¡°You poor, stupid girl. He was always going to be mine.¡± I shook my head, barely able to speak through the rage choking me. ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± Her eyes glittered. ¡°Am I?¡± She pulled something from her coat pocket¨Ca thin silver ring, dented, scratched. Familiar. Grayson¡¯s. ¡°He dropped this when he stopped fighting.¡± Aria held it just out of my reach, like a trophy. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen the look on his face when I told him where you were. What Riot¡¯s done to you.¡± I stared at the ring. My breath turned ragged. ¡°He begged, Jess.¡± She crouched again, her voice now a vicious whisper. ¡°Begged me to stop it. To trade ces. Cried like a dog.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying-¡± She grabbed my jaw, forcing my gaze up. Her nails dug into my skin. ¡°He broke for you,¡± she hissed. ¡°And soon, I¡¯ll break what¡¯s left of him for me.¡± And then she smiled. ¡°You should thank me, really. I¡¯m the only one making sure you two end the same way¨Con your knees.¡± Alpha Luna 92 Chapter 92 GRAYSON The wolfsbane gums up my veins, thick and slow. Keeps my wolf sedated. Keeps me pinned. But not gone. Never gone. I push against the weight dragging me under. I¡¯ve taken worse. I¡¯ve survived worse. Jessica. 13 I grit my teeth. Pull harder. Taste blood. Where is she? ¡°Hey there, handsome.¡± The wolfsbane spikes again. But I know that voice. ¡°Aria.¡± ¡°Miss me?¡± I don¡¯t look away. I don¡¯t flinch. I keep my gaze locked on her, steady and sharp, like I¡¯m measuring exactly how long it would take to tear her apart. And for a full sixty seconds, I do nothing but think about it. All the ways I should¡¯ve killed her before. All the times I hesitated. All the exits I let her walk through. All the moments I let her slip past me, convincing myself I had bigger enemies to chase. I didn¡¯t. It was always her. Always the snake waiting in the grass, waiting for me to getfortable, to get soft. I curl my fingers into fists, chains biting deeper, heat ring where the silver cuts clean to bone. But I keep pulling. Just enough for her to hear the metal strain. Just enough to let her know I¡¯m still fucking here. ¡°I always knew you were a snake, Aria.¡± I drag the words slowly, let them scrape out of me like a promise, like I¡¯ve already decided how this ends. Her smile twitches, sharp and sweet like poisoned honey. ¡°Oh, Grayson,¡± she hums, pacing closer. ¡°That¡¯s the problem with you. You knew. And you still kept me around.¡± I roll my jaw, tasting blood. ¡°That¡¯s on me,¡± I admit, voice low, steady. ¡°I should¡¯ve crushed you the second you slithered too close.¡± Her boots tap against the stone floor,zy, circling me like I¡¯m some caged animal. She leans down, close enough for me to smell the sickly sweet perfume she always wears. Close enough I can feel the heat of her breath on my neck. ¡°You think you would¡¯ve won?¡± she purrs. ¡°You think you could¡¯ve stopped me?¡± I twist my wrists again. Let the chains rattle. Feel skin tear, silver blistering through flesh. ¡°I think¡­¡± I drag my gaze back to her, cold and hard, ¡°you¡¯ve got no idea how dangerous I am when I¡¯ve got nothing left to lose.¡± Her throat bobs in a silent swallow, but she ys it off with a softugh. It was then another traitor entered the room. Theo. Aria. Riot. 39) A fucking council of traitors. ¡°How¡¯d you get him?¡± Riot smirks. ¡°Bet you thought you could outrun this, huh?¡± Riot circles me like he¡¯s choosing where to carve me open first. ¡°Bet you thought she was worth it.¡± The silver hisses as Llunge¨Cchains snapping taut, wrists yed raw, bone grinding under the pressure. ¡°I will fucking kill you!¡± I roar. The words rip out of me like I¡¯m already inside his throat, tearing out his windpipe with my teeth. The chains rattle so violently the sound bounces off the stone, loud, metallic, desperate¨Cbut it¡¯s not enough. I m against them again. And again. I want to bury my hands in his chest and snap every rib one by one. I want to carve his heart out while he¡¯s still alive and force it down his fucking throat. Riot¡¯sughing now. ¡°Keep pulling, Grayson. Go on.¡± Riot tilts his head as if he¡¯s savoring my fury.¡± I suddenly remember how Jess fights like this too.¡± This fucking asshole!¡± ¡°She thrashes,¡± Riot keeps going, circling me slow. ¡°Just like you. Same little growls. Same way she fights when my hands are on her throat.¡± I jerk violently. ¡°She fights so pretty when she¡¯s losing,¡± Riot hums. ¡°You should see the way she trembles when she-¡± 1 lunge. The chain ms me down again, blood slick beneath me, ribs grinding on stone. I won¡¯t stop. I yank. I twist. I want the chain to slice. I want to tear through myself to get to him. ¡°She still cries for you, though,¡± Riot breathes near my ear. ¡°Even when she chokes on my name.¡± I m my head toward him. Miss by an inch. My teeth snap in the air where his throat should¡¯ve been. He justughs. ¡°Oh? Gonna bite me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to rip your throat out,¡± I growl, breath shuddering, spit mixing with blood as I jerk the chain again, again, again. ¡°And I¡¯ll make you watch while I feed it to the dogs.¡± ¡°Keep pulling, Grayson,¡± Riot purrs. ¡°Rip yourself apart. Because after we¡¯re done with you, you¡¯ll be nothing.¡± His gaze flicks to Aria. A silentmand. She smirks. Fucking loves this. Her hands slide to her hips. She drags her panties down in one slow, filthy pull and tosses them at my feet like she¡¯s dropping meat for a starving dog My body snaps forward, Chains scream. Blood pours hot down my arms, silver biting to the bone, My knees skid through it, ribs cracking against the stone. ¡°Shhh¡­¡± Aria lowers down, nails dragging slow, slicing over raw skin. ¡°I¡¯m going to have your puppies, Grayson.¡± Fucking die. ¡°You¡¯ll make beautiful pups,¡± she whispers, thumb brushing under my jaw, tilting my face up like I¡¯m some chained mutt she¡¯s 10:03 Sun, 24 Aug broken. ¡°Maybe we can have ten?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you.¡± 68% ¡°Oh?¡± She swings her leg over, straddling myp like I¡¯m not covered in my own blood, like I¡¯m not dragging these chains hard enough to shatter bone. ¡°You¡¯ll kill me, Grayson? From here?¡± She sinks her weight onto me. Full contact. Slow grind. Her hips pressing into mine like she fucking owns me. 38 ¡°Shhh¡­¡± she hums, brushing my blood¨Cmatted hair back from my forehead. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Grayson. You don¡¯t have to fight so hard. You¡¯ll still get to feel me¨Cjust not the way you want.¡± I m forward so hard the metal shrieks. My shoulders split. My wrists crunch. Her nails dig into my throat, her breath skating over my cheek, her cunt grinding against myp like she¡¯s iming me. ¡°You can fight, you can bleed, but you¡¯ll still be mine when you break.¡± I snap my teeth at her, spit flying, chains rattling like they¡¯re one pull away from giving. ¡°Oh?¡± she giggles, rolling her hips harder. ¡°You still think you¡¯re not enjoying this?¡± I drag the chains, slow and brutal, feeling the skin peel away, feeling the heat of her press against me like filth I¡¯ll scrape off with her own bones. ¡°You¡¯re going to feel me for days,¡± she purrs, hand sliding down my chest, across my shredded ribs, until her palm settles right over my belt, pressing, grinding. + grow!, low and murderous. ¡°When I break this chain, I¡¯ll fuck your corpse.¡± Her breath hitches¨Cjust for a second. I fucking see it. I fucking feel it. ¡°Go on,¡± I snarl, pulling harder, skin tearing, metal bending. ¡°Ride me now, Aria. See if you can still breathe when I wrap this silver around your neck.¡± She pulls back slightly, the first crack in her pretty little game. But Riot¡¯sughing behind her. ¡°Keep going,¡± he purrs. ¡°Let¡¯s see who breaks first.¡± Im forward. Again. Again. Blood streaking the stone, my ribs grinding, my vision going dark around the edges. Let me break. I¡¯ll kill them all. I¡¯ll choke her with the chain she thought would hold me. I will rip her apart. Piece. By. Fucking. Alpha Luna 93 Chapter 93 JESSICA It¡¯s been three days. Or four. Of the worst. I don¡¯t keep count anymore. Riot made sure of that. All I know is I need to get out of here. I need to get to him. I don¡¯t know where they¡¯re keeping Grayson. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s alive. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d be able to feel it if he wasn¡¯t. ? . 68% He¡¯s not my mate. But there¡¯s a reason he could always hear me. And I think it¡¯s the same reason I can still feel him now- barely, barely there- like a thread stretched so thin it could snap. I press my palm to my chest. I squeeze until it hurts. Until I feel that tiny pulse of something. Of him. Grayson¡¯s still fighting. Which means I have to, too. I don¡¯t care if I die. But I care if I die before I see him one more time. Before I tear Riot¡¯s throat out with my bare hands. My wolf is losing its patience too. It¡¯s the heat. It¡¯s starting. I bite my fist to keep from sobbing. I can¡¯t¨CI can¡¯t let Riot see me like this. I can¡¯t let him smell it. But it¡¯s toote. The door creaks. I jerk upright, heart mming, breath ragged. My nails dig into the cold stone at my sides, scrambling for the brick I¡¯ve been hiding. ¡°Well, well, well¡­¡± he purrs, dragging his knuckles along the wall as he strolls in like he owns me. ¡°Someone¡¯s finally warming up.¡± My stomach flips. My wolf yelps, desperate, frantic. ¡°Get out,¡± I rasp, shoving the words out between clenched teeth. But my scent betrays me. I can smell it. Fuck¨CI know he can smell it. Riot tilts his head, eyes glittering. ¡°You¡¯re sweet today.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill you,¡± I snap, curling tighter, trying to pull the stench of me back into my skin. Hees closer. Drops to a crouch, eyes sliding over me like he¡¯s already won. ¡°You can kill meter, pretty. Right now¡­¡± His nostrils re, his smile twisting. ¡°Your body¡¯s saying something else.¡± I shove my fist against my mouth, biting harder until I taste copper. ¡°You¡¯re calling for him, aren¡¯t you?¡± lot whispers. ¡°Your precious Alpha. He¡¯s wing at his chains just to get to you. I bet you¡¯re burning up for him.¡± 10:03 Sun, 24 Aug 0 His voice drops, velvet and venom. ¡°Poor little thing. Does it hurt? Does it ache? Do you miss the way he touches you?¡± I whimper. ¡°Please¡­¡± I choke. I don¡¯t even know who I¡¯m begging. ¡°Please, 1¨CI need-¡± 68% ¡°Oh, I know what you need.¡± Riot¡¯s hand grips my throat, tilting my head back until I¡¯m forced to meet his eyes. ¡°But see, I¡¯m not in the business of giving bitches what they beg for.¡± I w at his wrist, but I¡¯m weak, the heat softening me from the inside, turning me into something pliable, something breakable. I¡¯m drowning in the pull, in the ache, in the fucking bond that shouldn¡¯t exist. Grayson. Where are you? My wolf screams his name. And maybe I think¨C1 feel something, scream back. Riot leans in, brushing his nose along my jaw, inhaling like I¡¯m dessert. ¡°Maybe I should drag him here,¡± he murmurs. ¡°Make you watch while I break him. Or maybe-¡± his tongue flicks over his teeth ¨C¡°maybe you¡¯ll beg me to help you through your heat instead.¡± I m my forehead into his nose with everything I have left. Bone cracks. He stumbles back with a growl, blood spilling from his nostrils. I scramble. Grab the brick. Launch myself at him. He catches my wrist, twists it back hard enough to make me yelp. The brick tters to the ground. But I don¡¯t stop thrashing. I can¡¯t. Grayson¡¯s out there. Grayson¡¯s still fighting. I will burn this whole fucking pack to the ground before I let Rioty another hand on me. ¡°You think you can take me?¡± Riot snarls, dragging me to my knees by my hair. ¡°In your condition?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± I pant, yanking against him, dragging my nails down his forearm until I feel skin split. ¡°You can kill me. But I¡¯ll fucking maul you first.¡± His hand tightens in my hair, his other hand catching my jaw, squeezing until my teeth grind together. I tried to pull away but he shoved me into the ground before I could do anything to hurt him. ¡°Stop squirming,¡± Riot growls, pressing his palm against the back of my skull, grinding my face harder into the stone. ¡°You¡¯ll only make it worse.¡± Fuck you. I twist, I shove, I bite at the air like I can snap his fingers off if hees close enough. But he just leans in, low and brutal against my ear. ¡°You¡¯re not going to him,¡± he whispers. ¡°Not tonight.¡± His fingers tangle deeper into my hair. ¡°Tonight, you¡¯re mine.¡± I freeze. The door creaks open. I hear the footsteps¨Clight, quick, deliberate. Omegas. I try to lift my head but Riot¡¯s weight keeps me crushed. ¡°Dress her well,¡± hemands, cold, sharp, decisive. ¡°It¡¯s the full moon tonight.¡± His thumb brushes the side of my throat¨Ca mockery of something gentle. ¡°I want to finally im her.¡± My stomach flips. My wolf snarls, writhes, thrashes¨Cbut I know the sound that tears out of me is a whimper. No. No. No. No. I can¡¯t¨CI won¡¯t¨CI won¡¯t let him- Riot¡¯s weight vanishes, his boots scraping backward. I twist to look up, panting, heart cracking my ribs. He grins down at me like I¡¯m already wearing his mark. ¡°Clean her up,¡± he tosses to the Omegas over his shoulder. ¡°I want her glowing for me tonight.¡± His gaze drags over me, lingering on the tremble I can¡¯t stop. ¡°And make sure she¡¯s soft enough to beg¡® The door ms shut. Silence. Then¨CI feel hands on me. I jolt, thrashing instinctively, but there¡¯s too many. One grabs my arm. Another fists the back of my shirt. Another pins my ankle. Small hands, quick and efficient, but still strong enough to drag me. ¡°No¨Cno¨Cdon¡¯t fucking touch me-¡°I twist, snarl, m my elbow backward¨Cone lets out a pained grunt but they don¡¯t stop. They haul me to my feet, my legs buckling, muscles too fried from Riot¡¯s grip, from days without shifting, from the gnawing heat that won¡¯t let up. The Omegas shove me forward, marching me out of the stone room, my bare feet scraping against the rough floor. I nt my heels, I drag, but they pull harder. ¡°Let me go,¡± I rasp. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you I¡¯ll rip your fucking throats out¨C¡± One of them cuffs me across the face. Sharp. Quick Enough to make my ears ring 10:03 Sun, 24 Aug ¡°Alpha¡¯s orders,¡± the Omega snaps, grabbing a fistful of my hair, yanking me along. ¡°You¡¯ll walk or we¡¯ll carry you.¡± I spit blood onto the floor and keep struggling. I will never walk for him. Never. But my wolf¨Cit¡¯s betraying me. 68% The heat¡¯s getting worse. Sharp and brutal, crawling under my skin, making me ache for something I hate. I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste metal. No. Don¡¯t give in. Don¡¯t you dare. +38 They drag me through narrow halls, down crumbling stairs, into a room that smells likevender and polished stone¨Ca room that shouldn¡¯t belong here, not in this pit. They shove me into a tub of hot water. I thrash. They hold me down. I kick. I w. I curse until my throat burns. But they scrub me anyway. They clean the blood, the dirt, the sweat. They brush my hair until it gleams. They dress me like I¡¯m some fucking prize¨Csoft, sheer fabric, white,ced with gold. Like a fucking bride. I choke on the growl tearing through my throat. My wolf is pacing, whimpering. Begging. But not for Riot. For him. Grayson, please¨Cplease¨Cfind me. ¡°Stop,¡± I rasp, shoving weakly at the hands that won¡¯t stop touching me, won¡¯t stop fixing me, ¡°Don¡¯t¨CI¡¯m not¨Cstop-¡± The Omegas yank the dress into ce, tug the golden ties tight around my waist, press soft slippers onto my feet. They smear something sweet on my wrists and throat. Something floral. Something sticky. My stomach twists violently. They¡¯re making me smell ready. The Omega yanks my chin up, forcing me to look at her. Her lips curl in a smirk. ¡°You¡¯ll be perfect for him now¡± She pats my cheek like I¡¯m some house pet. ¡°Soft enough to beg, just like he wants.¡± I jerk my chin out of her hand, heart hammering, voice cracking out raw and desperate. ¡°Please¡­¡± My chest heaves. ¡°What are you doing this for? Why are you helping him? Please.¡± 4/6 10:03 Sun, 24 Aug. Her lips press tight, her throat bobbing. ?? ???? 68% ¡°Please,¡± I push, the word breaking on a gasp. ¡°Why? Why would you help him do this to me? You know what he is. You know what he¡¯s going to do.¡± Her grip falters just a little, her eyes darting to the others like she¡¯s begging them to keep moving¨Cto keep this cold. ¡°Shut up,¡± she snaps, but her voice cracks on the edge. ¡°He¡¯ll kill all of us,¡± another Omega whispers, his voice a broken thing. ¡°Just like the Alpha.¡± My eyes widened in fear and I thought my heart just stopped. ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean just like the alpha?¡± The other Omega¡¯s gaze darts to the door, to the hall, panic starting to fray his features. ¡°The alpha is ¡± her voice trembles. ¡°The alpha is dead.¡± ¡°Which Alpha?¡± I demand, spitting blood, my heart mming into my ribs. ¡°Which fucking Alpha?¡± The boy flinches. His eyes dart to the girl. She won¡¯t look at me. Her jaw clenches so tight I hear her teeth grind. Finally, she mutters¨Ccold. t. ¡°Grayson¡¯s father.¡± I stagger. The weight crashes down so fast my knees almost buckle. Grayson¡¯s father. Not Grayson. Not Grayson. My wolf ws at my ribs, gasping, crying, desperate to reach him¨CGrayson, Grayson, please, please answer me, please¡ª I squeeze my chest until my knuckles go white. I can still feel him. Faint. But there. There. He¡¯s still fighting. He¡¯s still mine. He¡¯s not gone. The Omegas yank me forward, dragging me down the hall again. If the alpha is dead that means Riot is already moving with his n. He got everything now. He got the power of the alpha. That¡¯s why he¡¯s iming me. W¨CWhat about Pierce? My brother?¡± I rasp, stumbling, my feet scraping against the floor as I fight for answers. ¡°What happened to him?¡± The Omegas freeze, They don¡¯t look at me. The girl¡¯s hand tightens around my wrist until it stings. ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± the boy mutters. His voice is t, too t. ¡°He escaped.¡± I jerk toward him, heart hammering ¡°He what?¡± 10:04 Sun, 24 Aug O The girl yanks me harder. ¡°He fought them off. Took down three guards. Ran. He¡¯s gone. No one¡¯s seen him since.¡± My pulse spikes. Hope ws up my throat¨Cbut it¡¯s fragile. It¡¯s wrong. The boy¡¯s voice drops lower. ¡°They called him a traitor.¡± ¡°He¡¯s been marked,¡± the girl whispers, dragging me faster now. ¡°On sight. Kill order.¡± No. No, no, no- They branded him as a traitor. They¡¯ll hunt him. They¡¯ll hang his body from the gates if they catch him. My brother. ¡°He¡¯lle back for you,¡± the boy says quietly, like he¡¯s trying to soothe something already broken. But the girl cuts in, sharp. ¡°If he¡¯s smart, he won¡¯t.¡± I choke on a sound. Half a sob. Half a snarl. Why do feel like Riot has already won? Alpha Luna 94 Chapter 94 JESSICA ¡°Mom, does it hurt?¡± ¡°What, honey?¡± ¡°When the big wolf bites you¡­ before he ims you?¡± I was six. Maybe seven. I had a chipped front tooth and a ragged stuffed fox I took everywhere. I remember Mom¡¯s hands in theundry, her arms damp, face glowing in the sunset as sheughed. Not a mockingugh. One of those quiet, knowing ones. Soft, with a kind of sadness underneath. ¡°It only hurts if you don¡¯t love him,¡± she said. And back then I didn¡¯t know what that meant. I thought love was supposed to make you safe. But here I am. In white silk that feels like a noose. Walking toward the firelight. And I can¡¯t stop thinking about her voice. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, smudging the ash they painted beneath my eyes. Stared up at the silver slit of the moon hanging heavy above me. The light of the goddess. Striking even though it felt like punishment. I wanted to scream at her. Ask her if she was proud of this.If this was what fate was supposed to look like¨Cme walking into the arms of a wolf I didn¡¯t want, while the only one I did was either dead or choosing not toe back for me. I can hear the drums start from the treeline, low and steady, the rhythm of the hunt. My feet move even though I don¡¯t want them to. Even though I¡¯d give anything¨Cliterally anything¨Cto turn around, to w my way back into the cell, back into chains, back into silence. But I don¡¯t. Because this isn¡¯t a choice. It never was. It¡¯s a ritual. It¡¯sw. It¡¯s blood¨Cdeep and spirit¨Cbound and there¡¯s no room for mercy when the moon is watching. I step barefoot into the circle. The ground is wet from earlier rain, and the earth gives a little beneath my soles, like it¡¯s trying to pull me under. There¡¯s salt scattered along the ritual path, and something metallic inthe air¨Ciron or blood, I can¡¯t tell which. My heartbeat is too loud. My chest feels like it¡¯s caving in, but I keep walking. Past the stone markers, past the elders in their feathered cloaks and bone jewelry, past the warriors and witnesses and whisperers who¡¯vee to see if I¡¯ll break. They want a show. They always do. And 1-1 just want to survive it. I step into the center of the ring, where four runes have been drawn in ash and blood and something older. One for the mate. One for the pack. One for the moon. And one for the girl who¡¯s about to lose everything. No one says thatst one out loud. But we all feel it. The wind picks up as I kneel thate how obedient the motion feels Like my body¡¯s been trained for this moment even though my heart is screaming I keep my chin lugh, but my hands won¡¯t stop trembling press them to my thighs and close my eyes for half a second, just to breathe, just to remember who I am outside of this nightmare. 10:04 Sun, 24 Aug 0 But I don¡¯t know anymore. I¡¯ve lost too much. Grayson. Myself. The truth. Whatever future I thought I had. 68% +38 The howl rips through the clearing so suddenly it slices the breath out of me. My eyes snap open. The crowd stills. The elders turn their heads as one, toward the woods. I don¡¯t want to look. I don¡¯t want to know. Because if it¡¯s him¨Cif it¡¯s Riot¨Cthen everything changes. If it¡¯s him, then I¡¯m not just grieving anymore. I¡¯m hunted. I¡¯m prey. I¡¯m his. The trees part. Branches rustle. The torches flicker. Something massive steps through the shadows, slow and heavy¨Cfooted and quiet in the way only wolves can be when they¡¯re about to devour something. And I¨CI don¡¯t breathe. I don¡¯t move. I wait. Because deep down I know¨Cthe one I prayed for won¡¯t be the one who ims me.The shape in the trees doesn¡¯t move like Grayson. It¡¯s slower. Heavier. Possessive. Each pawstepnds like thunder in my ears. The crowd leans in like one body, exhaling all at once as if their lungs were tethered to the same story I was never allowed to rewrite. A murmur ripples through the witnesses, but no one dares speak¨Cnot yet. This is sacred. Or at least, they keep calling it that. But sacred things shouldn¡¯t feel like death walking. The wolf steps into the light. And it¡¯s him. Riot. Huge. te gray. Eyes like frostbite. I forget how to breathe. He doesn¡¯t charge. He doesn¡¯t lunge. He stares¨Cwith the kind of gaze that feels like it¡¯s scraping skin off bone. Every inch of my body wants to flee, but I can¡¯t move. Not with the circle drawn. Not with every elder watching. Not when he¡¯s my so¨Ccalled fated match. I hate fate. ¡°Jessica Wilkinson,¡± a voice booms behind me¨CElder Sarra, her staff tapping once into the dirt. ¡°You have been brought forth by moonlight and bondmark. The iming shall begin.¡± I don¡¯t answer. I can¡¯t My throat has locked around every syble I thought I¡¯d say All the brave, defiant things I¡¯d practiced in that cell¡­ gone. 10:04 Sun, 24 Aug 0 ¡°Do youe willingly?¡± she asks. The entire circle holds its breath. Riot growls softly as if he¡¯s warning me. I could lie. I could say yes. But something in me refuses to surrender thatst inch of truth. Not to him. ¡°No.¡± I whisper. Gasps ripple. A few of the younger wolves recoil. Someone hisses a curse. Elder Sarra¡¯s expression barely flinches. 68% ¡°The alpha is dead!¡± I shouted instead, doing more chaos for the crowd. More guards tried to stop me but I ducked the first one, my shoulder crashing into his ribs. ¡°He didn¡¯t run!¡± I screamed, louder now. ¡°Grayson didn¡¯t abandon us! He was taken!¡± Elder Sarra stepped forward, staff striking the ground hard enough to silence a heartbeat. ¡°You are defiling the sacred rite,¡± she said, voice cutting. ¡°This is not the time for delusions.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the only time,¡± I snapped back, chest heaving. ¡°Because once this bond is done, no one will care what I remember. What I know. I¡¯ll just be his. And your little cover¨Cup will be sealed with blood and tradition.¡± More guards surrounded me now. I counted six, maybe eight, all in formal leathers, half¨Cshifted, fangs bared. They moved like a, closing in. But no one touched me yet. They were waiting¨Cfor him. Riot¡¯s voice, when it came, was low. Controlled. But barely. ¡°Jessica.¡± I turned to him. He hadn¡¯t shifted back. He stood naked in the moonlight, the weight of his birthright ink glowing faintly along his ribs. ¡°There are things you don¡¯t understand,¡± he said carefully. ¡°Then exin them,¡± I fired. ¡°Say it now. Before you mark me. Before you decide you want to own what your silence destroyed.¡± The wind turned colder. I didn¡¯t flinch. The crowd had quieted to the point of rupture. The moon above us zed white, like even the goddess was waiting to see what he would do Riot took a step forward. The guards stilled. I stepped into the center of the circle, alone now, marked by no one, imed by no one. But seen. Finally seen. Sun, 24 Aug 68% And I stared up at that pale, cruel moon and whispered, ¡°If you¡¯re real¨Cif you ever were¨Cthen let this be witnessed. I do not give myself freely. I do not offer my soul, my neck, or my bond.¡± A sharp, cold wind ripped through the trees. The mes on the ritual torches flickered violently, bending low like the forest itself was bowing. Something ancient stirred. Riot looked like he¡¯d been punched. Elder Sarra raised her staff again, voice trembling. ¡°That is a refusal under oath.¡± I nodded. ¡°You know the punishment.¡± ¡°I was already punished,¡± I said, eyes burning. ¡°You just want to make it official.¡± And then¨Cchaos. One of the guards lunged. I turned to run, but he caught my arm. Riot moved faster, intercepting him mid¨Cair, mming the wolf into the dirt with enough force to leave a crater. Snarls broke out. A shriek. Then the metallic ring of bone cracking. Half the circle exploded into movement, torn between tradition and truth, blood¨Cloyalty and instinct. Someone screamed my name. Torches fell. Wolves collided mid¨Cshift. A sh of silver¨Csomeone unsheathed a ceremonial de. I stumbled backward, breath ragged, choking on ash and fur and fear. And then- A growl. Every creature froze. Mid¨Cshift. Mid¨Cblow. Even Riot¨Calpha of the Blood pack, bare¨Cchested and blood¨Cwild¨Cwent still. Another growl followed, deeper,yered¨Clike two throats at once. I turned. My lungs locked. The tree line split. Branches tore back like they¡¯d been pushed apart. Like the forest had bent at the waist for something that didn¡¯t belong to this world anymore. And out of the dark- Grayson stepped through. Not limping. Not broken. His eyes glowed likenterns lit from the inside. His chest bare, body dusted in ash, skin scarred and glowing faintly gold like he¡¯d been reforged in me. His mouth was bloodied. His knuckles torn. And behind him, the shadows moved like they listened to him. ¡°Jessica,¡± he said. Not loud. But I heard it over the wind, the war, the heartbeat of the wild. ¡°Step back.¡± Riot snarled, stepping in front of me. ¡°You¡¯re dead.¡± 10:0 Sun, 24 Aug 68% ¡°Try again,¡± Grayson answered, his voice like a fault line cracking open. Three wolves charged him at once. He didn¡¯t shift. Didn¡¯t blink. He caught the first mid¨Cair by the throat and threw him sideways into a stone pir. The second he dodged¨Cbarely¨Cand mmed his elbow into the third¡¯s ribcage so hard I heard a scream. Then he turned to Riot. ¡°You have something of mine.¡± The crowd wasn¡¯t breathing. The ritual fire roared back to life behind us, mes taller than men now, as if the moon itself had red in answer. ¡°She¡¯s not yours,¡± Riot snapped. ¡°You never marked her.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t have to,¡± Grayson growled. ¡°I bled for her.¡± The moon red again. The bond pulsed in my chest like a living thing. And for the first time¨CRiot stepped back. His wolf flickered at the edges, uncertain. Not afraid, but¡­ calcting. ¡°Jessica,¡± Grayson said again, lower this time, e here.¡± ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re alive¡­¡± I choked, stumbling back a step like the weight of it was too much. ¡°I¨COh my god-¡± Tears blurred my vision instantly, hot and fast. He didn¡¯t look real. Didn¡¯t look possible. His hair was longer. Wilder. His eyes darker than I remembered. But it was him. It was him. ¡°I tried toe back,¡± he said hoarsely. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t let me.¡± A scream caught in my throat. I ran forward¨Cinstinct, gravity, fate¨Cand almost reached him when- Riot moved. Fast. Too fast. Faster than thought. He shifted mid¨Cair. Limbs cracked. Fur ripped through skin. His ws extended before his body evennded¨Cand he was aiming straight for Grayson¡¯s unguarded back. Grayson didn¡¯t see. He was still looking at me. Still trying to reach me. Still saying my name. And everything slowed. 10:04 Sun, 24 Aug O My heart flipped inside my chest. ¡°No,¡± I gasped. ¡°No-¡± ws rose. Snarls shattered the air. Torches went flying as the crowd screamed. ¡°GRAYSON, NO!¡± 1 Alpha Luna 95 Chapter 95 JESSICA I don¡¯t remember what happened. n One second, I¡¯m screaming Grayson¡¯s name because Riot is going to kill him. The next is pain. Blinding, full¨Cbody, all¨Cconsuming pain. Like something sacred is trying to crawl its way out of me and it¡¯s using fire to do it. My legs buckle. My spine jerks backward so violently it knocks the air out of me. My ribs grind against themselves. Bone shifts under skin, and I can¡¯t tell where I end or begin. The grass digs into my knees. I can¡¯t breathe. Can¡¯t see. There¡¯s too much light¨Cpale, silver, wrong light, like the moon is bleeding through my skin. It fucking hurts. A scream tears from my throat, but it splits halfway, cracking into something lower. A growl? A howl? A sound I¡¯ve never made before, never should be able to make. My fingers w into the earth, scraping until I hit rock. I need something to hold onto. Something to keep me from splitting open entirely. But the shift keepsing. Hot and sharp and unrelenting. Every nerve is on fire. Every bone feels like it¡¯s breaking. Over and over and over. My shoulder dislocates. Snaps forward. Reforms. I feel it. All of it. 1 lurch forward and vomit onto the ground, bile and blood and saliva dripping from my mouth. My vision blurs. My hands- They¡¯re not hands anymore. They¡¯re elongating. Fingers ttening. Nails tearing through skin like ws desperate to be free. 1 watch it happen. Scream through it. 1feel my jaw wrench sideways and push forward, bones sliding into a snout, teeth stabbing through gum. My whole face is splitting. I hear it. Hear the tendons tearing. The cartge cracking. It¡¯s disgusting Beautiful Sacred Mine. I cough and spit and choke on my own breath, and still feel the moon digging deeper. Like it¡¯s in my blood now, branding me from the inside out. Grayson, His name screams through my head like a siren, and suddenly there¡¯s rity through the fog I drop to all fours, bones still tearing, flesh still splitting, but I move through it now. I need to save him. 10:05 Sun, 24 Aug I need to get to him. * 68% Riot is still standing there, towering over Grayson, hand raised like he owns this, like he has the right to touch what¡¯s mine. His boot lifts¨Che¡¯s going to crush him. No. No. My vision sharpens in a blink. His form goes from blur to target. I lunge. Fast. Violent. Not human anymore. The ground shatters beneath me as I spring forward, grass ripping under my ws. My jaw splits wider, fangs bared, ears ttened back. The wind howls past me as I cut through it¨Cpure momentum, rage and instinct fused into a single, merciless thing. He turns toote. I m into him with everything I¡¯ve got¨Cshoulder to ribs, teeth to skin. He flies back, crashing into the dirt with a wet crack. I hear him choke, hear the wind leave him. Good. He deserves worse. I stand over him, panting, snarling, froth and blood dripping from my mouth. He looks up at me¨Ceyes wide, hand trembling. Not so sure of himself now, is he? I bare my teeth. And this time, I don¡¯t hold back the growl. This time, I let it shake the ground. He touched my mate. He won¡¯t get a second chance. He rolls at thest second, my ws raking the ground where his face was. The earth splits under the weight of my strike. Dirt sprays in all directions. He scrambles to his feet, swaying, coughing¨Cbleeding. Good. His shoulder¡¯s hanging low. Dislocated. I can smell it¨Ccopper, bone, rot. He still tries to square up like that matters. ¡°You think you scare me?¡± he spits, staggering backward. I snarl in response, jaws snapping loud enough to make his hand flinch. My body¡¯s still pulsing, every limb surging with that white- hot moonfire tearing through my nerves like it¡¯s trying to finish what it started. But I¡¯m not waiting for the pain to pass. I¡¯m using it. Riot charges. Heavy steps. Human rage. One arm dragging, the other swinging wide with a de he must¡¯ve pulled from somewhere. I duck low. Let the swing pass overhead/The air slices around me with a metallic whistle. I twist, dig my ws into his thigh¨Cdeep -ripping through fabric and flesh. He screams. 10:05 Sun, 24 Aug 0 Not loud enough. 68% +38) I m my full weight into his ribs again. He copses sideways, wheezing. My bodynds on him, forelegs pinning his chest, ws grinding into the earth beside his throat. My breath fogs in the space between us. Close. Close enough to smell the fear now coating his skin. I lean in. And I growl. Deep. Guttural. Shaking every inch of him. I want him to feel it in his spine. He spits in my face. Mistake. I snap my head down¨Cmy fangs graze his cheek, slicing clean along the bone. Not deep enough to kill. Not yet. But he¡¯ll remember
  1. it. If I let him live.
He bucks under me, wild and desperate, elbowing upward with everything he¡¯s got left. The de catches my shoulder. White¨Chot sting. I jerk back instinctively, off bnce, and he shoves¨Chard¨Cthrowing his weight into it. I hit the ground on my side, dazed for half a second, air knocked out of my lungs. I see stars. I taste blood. But I don¡¯t stop. 1 roll, get a paw under me, then another, thenunch. He¡¯s trying to run now. Limping, favoring that bleeding leg, shoulder dangling, de dragging through the dirt behind him. Pathetic. I sprint¨Cferal, silent, deadly. I¡¯m on him in seconds. My jaws mp down on his calf, crushing tendon. He drops. Screams again. I don¡¯t let go. I pull Hard. He spins onto his back, wing at the ground, dragging himself backward like that¡¯ll help. ¡°Jessica!¡± ¡°Jessica¨Cstop!¡± No. He hurt Grayson. He threatened what¡¯s pine. He doesn¡¯t get to walk away. He doesn¡¯t get to breathe. I bare my teeth, hot breath steaming again Riot¡¯s skin, my ws tocking down over his chest like iron. One second more. One swipe and it¡¯s over. My muscles coil, ready to end this. 10:05 Sun, 24 Aug 68% ¡°Look at me!¡± Grayson¡¯s voice is closer now¨Choarse, panicked, breaking. My ear twitches. No. Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t turn. Don¡¯t stop. Finish it. ¡°Jess, please.¡± His voice drops. Softer now. Like an open wound. And it slices through me harder than any de. I blink. And suddenly I see my ws sunk into flesh, his blood soaking into the dirt, pooling under my paws. Riot¡¯s body trembling, too weak to even scream now. His face isn¡¯t even a face anymore¨Cit¡¯s pulp and blood and fear. His chest rises in ragged jerks, shallow, erratic. I did that. I recoil¨Cstumbling back on all fours, fur bristling, chest heaving. Riot doesn¡¯t move. Grayson¡¯s hand appears in my periphery. No. No. No. I snap my head toward him, eyes wild. ¡°Jess¡­ it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here.¡± I pant. My whole body trembles¨Clike the rage is still running its ws down my spine, unwilling to let go. My gums are wet with someone else¡¯s blood. My throat¡¯s raw from snarling. I don¡¯t know if I can stop. I don¡¯t know if I want to. He takes a step closer. ¡°Come back to me.¡± And that¨Cthat is what breaks it. I copse onto my side, every muscle going loose at once. My ribs feel like they¡¯re caving in. My skin is melting, folding, tearing, reshaping. The bones crack back into ce with sickening pops. My screamse out twisted, choked, barely human. The silver light finally fades. And I¡¯m just Jessica again. Naked. Bleeding, Shaking Curled into the dirt, staring at the body I almost left cold. Grayson drops beside me, hands shaking as he reaches for my face. 10:05 Sun, 24 Aug ¡°I got you,¡± he breathes, voice wrecked. ¡°I got you.¡± But he¡¯s wrong. Because I¡¯m not sure I have me anymore. Alpha Luna 96 Chapter 96 Grayson POV * 63% 6 Her breathing is wrong. She¡¯s shivering, hurting¨Cand I can¡¯t do a damn thing. Fuck. What kind of mate does that make me? I scrub my hands down my face for the fiftieth time. Try to blink the image of her out of my head¨CBut she¡¯s still there. Broken. Bleeding. Looking at me like I wasn¡¯t enough to stop it. Because I wasn¡¯t. Because I left her. If I hadn¡¯t been stupid enough to walk away from that damn cabin, if I¡¯d just stayed¨Cif I¡¯d listened to my instincts instead of trying to give her space like some civilized fuckin¡® coward- None of this would¡¯ve happened. She wouldn¡¯t have been taken. Wouldn¡¯t have had to shift to survive. Wouldn¡¯t be lying there now, half¨Chuman, half- wolf, half something else I can¡¯t name. ¡°You okay?¡± Theo asks from the corner, voice low. I don¡¯t look at him. I haven¡¯t looked at him since we got her out. Since I saw the bruises on her hips and smelled the rot of magic and wolf¨Cscent clinging to her skin. I¡¯m not done being angry with him. I¡¯m not sure I ever will be. But he¡¯s the one who got me out. He¡¯s the one who pulled me from Aria¡¯s grip before they could shatter something I couldn¡¯t rebuild. So I don¡¯t answer. ¡°You want a smoke?¡± I grit my teeth. ¡°Fuck you.¡± He shrugs. ¡°Sorry, man. I don¡¯t do guys.¡± Prick. What is he doing here anyway? After Jessica¡¯s unexpected shiftst night, we were forced to run for our lives. She wounded Riot¡¯s but I know what he did. He killed the alpha and our father. While I am the rightful heir by name, him, killing the alpha, the power is already transferred to him. I also knew the councils are snakes. I just didn¡¯t know all of them would turn their back on us. Those fucking assholes. When I am done with my revenge, I will gut all of them and dance in their graves. ¡°She¡¯s strong,¡± Theo says eventually, like that changes anything. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°She shifted. That¡¯s rare for¨C¡°¨C ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I cut him off before he could make it sound like a good thing. ¡°We¡¯re not friends. I will still exile you for plotting a coup behind my back.¡± 09:40 Tue, 26 Aug 63 Theo exhales and tosses the cigarette back in his pack. He doesn¡¯t light it. Just move to the window, keeping watch. There are still some things we haven¡¯t discussed. A lot of things. Like the fact that he knew. That he always fucking knew Riot was rising. And he didn¡¯t stop him. Didn¡¯t warn me. Didn¡¯t say a goddamn word while the pack rotted from the inside. Maybe he thought I¡¯d be too blind to listen. Maybe he was right. But he still chose silence. He still chose Riot. I nce at Jessica again. ¡°I should¡¯ve killed him,¡± I say quietly, more to myself than to Theo. ¡°Theo,¡± I repeat when he doesn¡¯t answer. ¡°I should¡¯ve torn his throat out that night in the ring. When he challenged me in front of the council.¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t ready,¡± he mutters. ¡°I was ready. I just didn¡¯t know he¡¯d already bought them.¡± Silence again. He shifts his weight. Coward. ¡°We¡¯re rogues now,¡± I say. ¡°You realize that? You, me¡­ her. Ouws. Exiled. Marked.¡± Theo finally looks over his shoulder. ¡°You think I give a shit about the pack brand? That name means nothing if it bends to Riot.¡± ¡°It was ours.¡± ¡°Was.¡± I stand up and roll my shoulders. The fire in my chest hasn¡¯t cooled¨Cit¡¯s just waiting. ¡°Don¡¯t mistake this for forgiveness,¡± I say. ¡°I¡¯ll gut you myself the second I¡¯m done gutting them.¡± Theo doesn¡¯t argue. ¡°Fair.¡± We were in that argument when the door creaked open.¡°Ah, group hug?¡± Pierce. 39 He¡¯s covered in mud, blood, and gods know what else¨Chis shirt torn, knuckles scabbed over, a fresh w mark across his neck that doesn¡¯t look treated. Theo straightens. I rise, but slowly. thought you were dead,¡± I muttered. Pierce grins. ¡°Disappointed?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not celebrating either.¡± ¡°Typical. Ie bearing gifts, and nobody ps.¡± ¡°What the hell do you want?¡± I snap. He walks in fully now, boots tracking dirt across the floor, and nces over at Jessica. Something flickers in his expression¡ªsomething uncharacteristically careful¨Cbut it vanishes before I can name it. ¡°I heard about the shift,¡± he says. ¡°Half the woods are whispering about the girl who burned Riot¡¯s enforcers down to the bone.¡± 09:40 Tue, 26 Aug ¡°She didn¡¯t burn anyone,¡± I growled. He lifts a brow. ¡°No? Then you should see what¡¯s left of them.¡± That stops me cold Pierce shrugs off his jacket and tosses it over a broken chair. ¡°Riot¡¯s sending scouts. Two, maybe three. They¡¯re sniffing close to the eastern ravine. That buys us time. Not much, but enough.¡± ¡°Enough for what?¡± Theo asks. Pierce smirks, eyes glinting. ¡°To start a war.¡± I feel it then¨Clike a heartbeat in my spine. Riot is no longer a shadow on the hill. 63% He¡¯s a god in the making, and the only thing between him and the pack is a fractured heir, a half¨Cshifted girl, a traitor, and a psychopath with a death wish. Perfect. I nce at Jessica again. Her breath is uneven. Her body was twitching. ¡°She¡¯s not ready,¡± I say. ¡°None of us are.¡± Pierce shrugs, teeth shing. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. War¡¯s not asking.¡± ¡°She won¡¯t survive another break,¡± I mutter, almost to myself. ¡°She might not,¡± Pierce says. ¡°But she also might burn the whole fucking forest down. Either way, Riot loses something.¡± Theo crosses his arms, posture rigid. ¡°What are we saying? We use her like bait?¡± ¡°No.¡± I growl. ¡°She¡¯s not a weapon. She¡¯s a person.¡± Pierceughs, low and dry. ¡°She was. Before Riot. Before all this. But you saw herst night. You heard her.¡± I did. The growl that wasn¡¯t just pain. The way the shift cracked through her like bone lightning¨Cunnatural, too fast, too much. ¡°She¡¯s changing¡± Pierce adds, watching me too close. ¡°And not just wolf. There¡¯s something else in her now. Something Riot couldn¡¯t fully break. That¡¯s what he¡¯s afraid of Or pissed about,¡± Theo mutters. Inod, slow. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want her dead. Not yet. Which means she matters. Which means she¡¯s leverage.¡± ¡°Exactly, Pierce says. ¡°So let¡¯s stop pretending this is a rescue mission. This is survival. And survival¡¯s bloody.¡± A beat passes. My jaw clenches. I don¡¯t like the way he says that. She was never supposed to carry this war on her back. But here we are. ¡°We wait,¡± I say, ¡°Until she wakes. Until she decides.¡± Pierce¡¯s expression shifts, but he doesn¡¯t argue. Just nods once, then turns away, cracking his neck like the tension¡¯s something he can snap loose. ¡°Take care of my sister, Grayson,¡± he mutters as he leaves the room. I will always take care of her. He doesn¡¯t need to say that. However, this is bigger than both of us. And I don¡¯t know what kind of monster is going to wake up in her. 09:40 Tue, 26 Aug M. ? ??? 63%¨C +38 If she wakes up at all. I reach for her hand. It¡¯s cold, fingers twitching with phantom memory. I hold it anyway.¡°You don¡¯t owe us anything,¡± I murmur. ¡°But if youe back, I swear¨CI¡¯ll burn the whole world to keep you safe.¡± Tue, 26 Aug Alpha Luna 97 Chapter 97 JESSICA I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve been asleep. Or how long I¡¯m going to pretend I still am. I shift my weight a little and my body screams. Something in my thigh burns under the bandage¨Cripped open, re¨Cstitched. I don¡¯t even remember how it happened. I remember teeth. Snapping. Blood. My own voice, feral and not mine. I close my eyes again, just for a second, just to stop the room from spinning. It doesn¡¯t help. The cabin is warm but unfamiliar. Too quiet. Wooden walls, patchy light from the firece, no windows big enough to see the sky. It smells like ash, antiseptic, and something vaguely sweet¨Clike apples that are trying too hard. I catalog everything automatically. Where are the exits? How many seconds would it take me to crawl if he- No. No, stop. He¡¯s not going to hurt you. Not this time. The tter of the spoon jolts me. I flinch. Subtle, but not enough to go unnoticed. Grayson¡¯s head snaps up. He looks at me, and the second our eyes meet I regret it. ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re awake.¡± I blink once. That¡¯s the only answer I give him. He moves like he¡¯s going toe closer. I tense, and he stops. I try to sit up and immediately regret it. Painnces through my leg. The bandage pulls. My breath hitches and I hear it, the scrape of the chair legs behind him as he turns around again, fast. ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to move too fast,¡± he says, soft. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Ites out more like a cough. ¡°You¡¯re not. His eyes flick to my thigh, to the soaked through edge of the bandage. ¡°You tore the stitches again.¡± Of course I did. Do you want help sitting up?¡± I don¡¯t answer. But he wants. He always waits. So I nod, barely, and his hand slips behind my back flex kam help me up, and hate how good it feels just to lean on something solid How easy it would be to fall back into him, to forget. To prefund is okay between the two of us He adjusts the pillow befund me and steps away ¡°Are you hungry? I¡¯ve cooked something he says more then asks I want to be. Say no Say I don¡¯t need anything from him. But my stomach answers before I can, bwisting hard with that hollow, asidic burn that says it¡¯s been too long Normally, seeing the great Alpha of the Westwood pack prepare a meal for me turns out to be a great chaotic joke it throw but nothing is normal now. 09:40 Tue, 26 Aug Nothing is going to be normal after everything that happened. I watch him pour soup into a chipped ceramic bowl. It was gentle and a view that made my stomach churns. My dear Grayson, how can we go back from this? When he finally turns around, I give him a small smile as if I¡¯m not mourning in my head. He looks at me like he¡¯s still trying to figure out how I¡¯m breathing. I don¡¯t have the answer. 63% +38) We spent hours here. Quiet. Wordless. Me pretending my bones aren¡¯t still vibrating from what I did. Him pretending this cabin is enough to hold us together. Someone else was here. The hell is he doing here?¡± I snapped¨Cno, snarled¨Cmy voice already feral before I even saw his face. Tra I moved without thinking, blood thundering in my ears, my limbs dragging pain behind them. I didn¡¯t care. I could already feel the shift bubbling under my skin. ws itching beneath the surface. I was going to rip his smug face open. He has the nerve to smirk. ¡°Well, well,¡± Th¨¦o drawls, stepping in like he owns the air. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to see you on your feet so soon, sweetheart.¡± Sweetheart. My fist connects with his jaw so hard I feel it reverberate through my bones. He stumbles, but that damned grin never leaves his face. He tastes blood andughs like I gave him a gift. ¡°Still got that charming right hook,¡± he mutters, spitting copper onto the floor. ¡°I will gut you, Theo.¡± My voice is low. Shaking ¡°Jess Grayson¡¯s voice behind me, but it¡¯s distant. Doesn¡¯t matter. I grab Theo by the cor and m him against the wall so hard the cabin shudders. His head thuds against the wood. Dust rains from the rafters. You think I forgot?¡± I snart into his face, breathing in short, fractured gasps. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know what you did? What you left me with?¡± Heughs again, this time quieter. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to be more specific, love. I¡¯ve done a lot of things.¡± fram my forearm into his throat. ¡°Say one more word¡± I¡¯m shaking Grayson¡¯s handnds on my arm¨Clight, but grounding ¡°Jessica¡± I snap. ¡°Don¡¯t-¡± I whirl on him, shoving him back hard enough he stumbles into the corner of the table. ¡°Don¡¯t you touch me!¡± ¡°Jessica, stop it!¡± 09:40 Tue, 26 Aug 63% Irake my hand across Theo¡¯s chest, tearing fabric, trying to get closer to skin, to pain. Grayson grabs me. Arms wrapped around my waist, hauling me back. I kick. Elbow. Thrash like a damn animal. ¡°Let go of me!¡± I scream. ¡°Let me finish it! Let me finish what he started!¡± Theo¡¯s blood is on my hand and it¡¯s not enough. My body¡¯s lit with rage, fire in my veins, and the only thing keeping me from burying my ws in his chest is Grayson¡¯s grip.¡± ¡°I said stop!¡± Grayson growls, deeper now, Alpha¨Cdeep. ¡°No!¡± He forces me back another step, one arm across my chest, one locking down my wrists. His breath is hot against my ear. ¡± I said stop it!¡± Theo¡¯sughter is somewhere behind Grayson, but I can¡¯t see him anymore. I see blood. I see betrayal. I see everything we lost because of that smiling, smug little monster. ¡°You fucking coward!¡± I hurl it at Grayson like a weapon. ¡°You think you¡¯re strong because you can hold me back? That¡¯s not strength. That¡¯splicity.¡± I twist hard, teeth bared, m my head back into Grayson¡¯s shoulder, trying to bite. ¡°Let go of me or I swear to the Goddess I¡¯ll tear through you next!¡± He doesn¡¯t let go. So I p him. Once.Twice. The crack echoes like bone breaking. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic,¡± I hiss. ¡°You call yourself Alpha but you¡¯re a fucking coward.¡± Grayson¡¯s expression is stone¨Ccold, but his eyes¨Chis eyes are on fire. They¡¯re locked onto mine, unflinching, like he¡¯s daring me to keep pushing. His jaw clenches, the muscle ticking like a bomb about to explode. I shove him again, my hands hitting his chest with all the force I can muster. He stumbles back half a step, but his grip on my wrists stays firm. ¡°Let. Me. Go.¡± I snarl, my voice trembling with rage. ¡°No.¡± His voice is calm, too calm, and it pisses me off even more. ¡°Not until you calm down.¡± ¡°Calm down?¡± Iugh, the sound sharp and bitter. ¡°You think I¡¯m going to calm down after what just happened?¡± His jaw tightens again, and I see it¨Cthe flicker of pain in his eyes. But it¡¯s gone as fast as it came, reced by that same damn calm. ¡°You¡¯re reckless,¡± he says, his voice low and steady. ¡°And I¡¯m not going to let you burn everything down just because you¡¯re angry.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide that!¡± I scream, twisting in his grip. But he doesn¡¯t budge. He just stands there, holding me, his face a mask of restraint. And it¡¯s that restraint that infuriates me the most. ¡°What the hell is happening, Grayson? Tell me everything now!¡± Alpha Luna 98 Chapter 98 GRAYSON She doesn¡¯t mean it. That¡¯s what I tell myself while her voice rips through me like ws through flesh. But that doesn¡¯t make the words hurt any less. You¡¯re a coward. She spit it at me like it was a truth she¡¯d been sharpening for months, and maybe it was. Maybe she meant every syble. Maybe I earned it. I am a fucking coward when ites to her. Maybe being Alpha isn¡¯t enough if I can¡¯t even keep her safe. Maybe I¡¯m so stubborn¨Cso godsdamn obsessed with wanting her in this lifetime¨Cthat I¡¯ve ruined everything. But what can I do? +38) What the fuck can I do when I am so in love with her? ¡°Let me go!¡± she screamed it again, rage curdled into something half¨Cbroken, half¨Cferal. I shoved the door open with my shoulder and kicked it closed behind us, one arm locked around her ribs, the other fending off the hits she didn¡¯t even realize she wasnding. ¡°You¡¯re not going out there,¡± I growled, breath ragged, forehead pressed to hers for a second too long. ¡°Not like this.¡± Her hands shoved at my chest. ¡°You don¡¯t get to tell me what to do.¡± ¡°I do when you¡¯re bleeding and ready to kill someone and you can¡¯t fucking stand.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll crawl.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll fucking die.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± That did it. I grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her backward, her legs buckling as she hit the floor. I was on her in seconds, my hands pinning her arms down, my weight trapping her. ¡°You don¡¯t fucking care?¡± ! spat, voice guttural, my breath harsh against her cheek. ¡°You don¡¯t fucking care if you die?¡± She thrashed against me¨Chips jerking, teeth bared, trying to tear free¨Cand I pressed harder, shoved my thigh between hers to trap her legs from kicking again. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯d rather fucking die than stay here locked up like your broken little pet!¡± She bucked again¨Chard¨Cand I caught her with my body, my hand fisting in her hair, yanking her head back so I could see her, bare her throat, force her to face what she was saying. ¡°You don¡¯t get to say that.¡± My voice broke low, sayage, ragged at the edges like I was choking on all the things I couldn¡¯t fix. ¡°You don¡¯t get to look me in the eye and tell me death¡¯s better than me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve almost killed Riot! We could¡¯ve won and- ¡°And you could¡¯ve died!¡± I roared, the sound/ripping out of me like it had ws. ¡°You would¡¯ve! You were seconds from bleeding out and you didn¡¯t even know it!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t care!¡± she screamed back, kicking at my thigh. ¡°Do you know what he¡¯s done to me?¡± 09:41 Tue, 26 Aug M I froze. 63% +38 ¡°Jessica-¡± She shoved me back with both hands, but I didn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t. Not with the way she was shaking now. ¡°You weren¡¯t there!¡± Her voice tore into a sob, wild and strangled. ¡°He locked the door. Heughed when I screamed.¡± My heart stopped. She was trembling, fists curled, eyes rimmed in red like she¡¯d scratched her own soul trying to get it out. ¡°I begged him to stop,¡± she whispered, voice shredding. ¡°And you weren¡¯t there.¡± And fuck, I¡¯d been angry. I¡¯d been so godsdamn furious she ran out and risked everything. But that? That wasn¡¯t fury anymore. That was shame. That was horror. That was my spine turning to ice as her words wrapped around my throat and choked me. I stepped toward her and she backed up, chest heaving. ¡°Jess,¡± I said¨Csofter, broken, scared for the first time in my life. ¡°Baby¡­¡± ¡°No.¡± She shook her head violently, like if she didn¡¯t, she¡¯d fall apartpletely. ¡°You don¡¯t get to call me that. Not when I screamed for you.¡± I wasn¡¯t¨Cbut I wasn¡¯t there either. ¡°I screamed,¡± she whispered again, like she needed me to understand it wasn¡¯t just once. ¡°I screamed for you.¡± And then she dropped. Just copsed right there on the floor like her knees gave out under the weight of it all¨Carms shaking, breathing like she couldn¡¯t find air, hair falling in her face. She wed at it, yanked it back, pulled at the roots like she wanted to rip herself out of her own body. ¡°Jess¨Cfuck.¡± I dropped to my knees in front of her, palms out, chest cracking open. ¡°Look at me. Please. Just look at me.¡± She didn¡¯t. She curled into herself like she was folding in on something rotting inside her, hands over her ears, rocking. ¡°I should¡¯ve killed him. I should¡¯ve torn his fucking throat out. I should¡¯ve¨CI should¡¯ve¡ª¡± ¡°Stop,¡± I choked, reaching, grabbing her wrists too hard but I didn¡¯t/care¨Cshe was unraveling and I couldn¡¯t let her, ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. He did.¡± She jerked back, sobbing now, shaking like an earthquake had started in her bones. ¡°I let him! I froze! I didn¡¯t fight-¡± I grabbed her face. Firm. Fingers spread across her jaw, holding her there, anchoring her. ¡°You survived.¡± Her eyes finally met mine¨Cand they were so red, so wet, like they¡¯d been bleeding instead of crying. ¡°You don¡¯t get to hate yourself for staying alive,¡± I whispered, forehead falling to hers. ¡°Don¡¯t do that. Don¡¯t fucking do that.¡± I buried my hand in her hair, kissed the top of her head, my throat burning with every apology I didn¡¯t know how to say. My chest fucking ached. Jessica continues to sob and I hate myself for it. I should¡¯ve been there. I should¡¯ve ripped the door off its hinges. I should¡¯ve gutted him before he everid a finger on her. I should¡¯ve smelled the fear on her skin, and heard her screaming through the stone. I should¡¯ve known. But I didn¡¯t. Watching her suffer¨Cwatching her me herself¨Cwatching her sob like she hated herself for surviving¨Cwas the cruelest punishment the gods could¡¯ve ever given me. 09:41 Tue, 26 Aug M And I would¡¯ve taken her pain a thousand times over just to stop the sound she made when she whispered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t stronger.¡± I broke. 63% +38) Silently, Violently. From the inside out. Because she was never supposed to be strong enough to survive that alone. She was supposed to have me. And I fucking failed her. I¡¯ve watched her cry in her sleep for hours before I finally let go and tucked her in the bed. It¡¯s more painful to see her hating herself than hating everyone else including me. I muttered a silent apology before I walked outside and found Theo. He¡¯s reading some shit, while smoking at the back of this small house we¡¯ve found hear theke. He was leaning against the wall, hood up, cigarette glowing at the edge of his fingers. Reading something. ¡°Done with the drama?¡± he muttered without looking up. ¡°Shut up,¡± I snapped, jaw grinding. ¡°You got another stick?¡± He nced over, took one look at me and tossed the cigarette pack without a word. I lit one with shaking fingers but never really put it to my mouth. Just held it like a crutch, like if I let go I¡¯d fucking copse. Thest time I smoked was with Pierce, under the bleachers, both of us coughing our lungs out before deciding we hated it. We were dumb and seventeen and free. Theo leaned back against the wall again, arms crossed, watching me through the smoke. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know how to smoke?¡± he muttered, one brow raised. I didn¡¯t answer. Just stared at the glowing tip in my hand¨Cburning for no one. ¡°Do you know what happened to her in the cell?¡± I asked instead. The shift was instant. He fucking knew. ¡°Not exactly,¡± he said carefully. ¡°Enough to want the bastard dead. But not the details.¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°You saved me first.¡± Theo didn¡¯t answer right away. Just looked at me¨Creally looked at me like he knew exactly what I meant. What I was asking. He exhaled and pushed off the wall, dragging a hand through his hair. ¡°Pierce wanted to save her. But he got caught.¡± My stomach turned He went back for her. And got himself locked up because of it. ¡°And me?¡± I asked, bitter, broken, like the answer might kill me. ¡°Why did you help me? Why are you helping us now?¡± Theo didn¡¯t answer right away. I exiled him out of the pack and branded him as a traitor for everything that he¡¯d done with Jessica. 09:41 Tue, 26 Aug M Finally, he scoffed. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I want a coup.¡± My eyes narrowed. ¡°But this time¡­ with another Westwood. And that¡¯s not you.¡± I stared at him, every instinct screaming not to trust him. But fuck if he wasn¡¯t right. Riot had to fall. ¡°You have to im her properly, Grayson.¡± I turned my head slowly, the weight of those words sinking in like a brand on my spine. ¡°What the fuck do you mean¨C¡®im her¡®?¡± 63% ¡°I mean,¡± he said tly, ¡°you need to finish the fucking bond. Rip her wide open, mark her deep enough she can¡¯t forget you, even when she¡¯s lost inside that goddamn monster you left her to rot with.¡± My breath stopped. ¡°She¡¯s not a fucking toy¨C¡± ¡°No. She¡¯s a beast,¡± Theo snapped. ¡°I think you know now why her wolf is like that.¡± I have my suspicions but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m going to ruin Jessica¡¯s life. ¡°Her father is a rogue, Grayson.¡± I blinked. Once. Twice. And then the ground wasn¡¯t steady anymore. ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± Theo nodded.¡± And I think you¡¯ve known it too for a little while.¡± When she was first attacked by the rogues and it tries to mate with her, I formed a crazy conclusion. But I didn¡¯t have time to confirm it because I was busy falling in love with her. But hell. There¡¯s rogue blood. In her. My mate. My god damn mate. The one thing every Elder, every Alpha, every textbook on packw had warned us about. Rogue bloodlines corrupted bonds. They didn¡¯t strengthen them. They frayed them. Broke them. They birthed beasts who couldn¡¯t be leashed. And Jessica¨Cmy beautiful, wrecked, furious girl¨Chad been shifting into something darker every single week. Her wolf hadn¡¯t just awakened. It had reared back and bitten. Feral. Confused. Starving. AD Comment Send gift No Ads Alpha Luna 99 Chapter 99 38 JESSICA There¡¯s a part of me that thinks this is just a nightmare. That if I dig my nails deep enough into my palm, I¡¯ll wake up in my bed. Back home. Whole. Before the cell. Before Riot. Before any of this. I keep thinking if I stand still long enough, maybe I¡¯ll feel like myself again. Maybe the wind will scrape off whatever Riot did. Maybe I¡¯ll stop flinching at nothing. Maybe Grayson will stop looking at me like I¡¯m breakable. Or worse¨Clike I¡¯m not. I crossed a line. Or someone did. Or maybe we all did and now no one wants to say it first. My heat broke. The fever¡¯s gone. But everything else¨Cmy instincts, my body, the part of me that still wants to crawl out of my skin¨Cit¡¯s still here. Riot touched me like I belonged to him. And some part of me let him. That¡¯s what I can¡¯t say out loud. It wasn¡¯t choice. Not really. But it wasn¡¯t exactly resistance either. It was survival. It was instinct. It was need warped into something feral and ugly. ¡°Grayson¡­¡°I said, turning around so I could face him. We decided to watch the sunrise earlier after our fightst night. It was something we should¡¯ve done and I am so pathetic for saying all of those words to him. When I look up, he looks so tired. His eyes are red and puffy and he looks like he really hasn¡¯t gotten any sleep ever since he rescued me. There¡¯s also a fine line on his forehead now and I wonder how much thinking he does to keep us alive. ¡°You look like shit,¡± I murmur, softer than I mean to. He huffs out a breath through his nose¨Chalfugh, half¨Cexhale. ¡°Thanks.¡± I step closer, even though my chest tightens when I do. There¡¯s still this horrible thing inside me that wants to run the second he gets too close. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it,¡± I say. My voice cracks a little. ¡°What I saidst night.¡± Grayson frowns as if the fight still bothers him. ¡°Which part?¡± ¡°All of it,¡± I admit. ¡°Some of it. I don¡¯t know.¡± I rub my arms. ¡°I¡¯m still not¡­ okay.¡± He nods like he already knew that. And I guess he did. My fingers twitch at my sides, and I hate how I am hesitating now, touching his face. ¡°I keep trying to shake it off. Wash it out. But it¡¯s still there,¡± L whisper. ¡°I still feel him sometimes. On my skin. In my head. Like I forgot how to be clean.¡± That¡¯s the part that makes me bite down on the inside of my cheek. I shouldn¡¯t be saying this to Grayson. I shouldn¡¯t be dumping my broken pieces in his hands when he¡¯s already holding so much. But I want him to know. I need him to know. Because if anyone¡¯s going to look at me like I¡¯m not ruined, it¡¯s him His hand lifts slowly. Carefully. Like he¡¯s afraid ¡® flinch. And maybe i do a little. But I don¡¯t pull away when his fingers brush the back of my head, his palm cradling me against his shoulder ¡°Which part of you did he touch, Jess?¡± My breath catches. 1/3 Tue, 26 Aug $ ???63% His hand curls around my jaw, not rough, not demanding¨Cjust¡­ there. Anchoring. Thumb brushing my cheek like I might disappear if he lets go. Then- His lips graze the bridge of my nose, warm and featherlight. A barely¨Cthere kiss, like he¡¯s afraid to startle me. ¡°Here?¡± he murmurs. His breath is warm. His voice cracked. He kisses lower, slow, careful, reverent. The slope of my cheek. My temple. My jaw. ¡°Here?¡± I can¡¯t move. I don¡¯t want to. My lungs feel too full and too empty at the same time. Every ce he touches burns¨Cin the best way. His fingers slide up to my hairline, brushing a few loose strands back, and he kisses just above my eyebrow like it matters. Like I matter. My senses go sharp. I feel the wind shift against my back, cooler now, slipping between the trees. I hear waterpping quietly behind us, theke soft and dark and watching. His hands slide down to my hips. ¡°What about here?¡± he whispers, kissing the side of my neck. ¡°Or here?¡± Tears sting the back of my eyes before I can stop them. My throat tightens, and I shake my head. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry..¡± Grayson pulls back just enough to look at me. ¡°No,¡± he says. ¡°I don¡¯t care where he touched you, baby. I will still love you the same.¡± I blink, and the tears fall, silent and hot down my cheeks. He just kisses one. Then another. Then my jaw, just under my ear. His breath fans over my neck. His hand moves to the small of my back. His touch never strays, never shifts into something else. ¡°You¡¯re not dirty,¡± he whispers. His lips graze the corner of my mouth, not quite a kiss. ¡°You¡¯re not ruined.¡± The words break me open. I lean in. Just a little. Just enough that my forehead brushes his. My fingers curl into his shirt. ¡°You¡¯re still mine,¡± he says, and this time he kisses me for real. His lips move over mine like he¡¯s relearning every ridge and curve¨Csoft at first, then rougher as his intention sharpens. I taste myself¨Csalt and fear and something foreign under his tongue¨Cthen I taste him: woodsmoke, pine, and a raw need that lifts me off my feet. My hands press into his chest, nails digging through his shirt, sinking in when the movement pulls me closer. I grind my hip against his, and he answers with a bruising press of thigh against thigh, his board¨Chard length seeking me beneath my jeans. He lifts me¨Carms under my knees, back, pulling me flush against him¨Cand carries me toward the cabin door without breaking the kiss. I wrap my legs around his waist absentmindedly, driven by instinct, by the ache that¡¯s been gnawing at me since the night he saved me. ¡°Mine,¡± he murmured against my ear. His fingers moved down my thing and I felt him opening me up for him. ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡± He thrust two fingers inside me and I gasped, my body arching against my will. His pace was slow, almost teasing, like he was savoring every second. He curled his fingers, hitting a spot that made me cry out. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he said, his voice dark and possessive. ¡°Let me hear you.¡± Grayson¡¯s free hand tangled in my hair, tilting/my head to the side as his lips found my neck. I moaned, my body pressing closer to his as he continued to thrust his fingers inside me. ¡°You¡¯re so perfect Jess,¡± he whispered, his voice rough as he added a third finger, stretching me just enough to make me whimper. His lips moved lower, sucking a mark into the curve of my shoulder as his tongue soothed the sting. ¡°You don¡¯t need to think of anything that would make me love you less.¡± 09:41 Tue, 26 Aug 0 ? M His thumb pressed harder, circling in tight, quick motions, and I could feel the heat building, spreading through me like wildfire. ¡°Come on, Jess,¡± he urged, his voice husky, and I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore, my body shuddering as pleasure crashed over me. My breaths came in shaky gasps, and I could feel my skin tingling everywhere he¡¯d touched. 63%2 He leaned back just enough to look at me, his eyes searching mine like he was trying to figure out if I was okay. I wasn¡¯t sure what to say¨Cwhat even could you say after that? So I just buried my face in his chest, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. He didn¡¯t push me to talk. Instead, his arms wrapped tighter around me, holding me together as I fell apart. +38 09:41 Tue, 26 Aug M Alpha Luna 100 Chapter 100 * ? ???, 63% ¨C JESSICA Grayson is sleeping beside me. He looks so peaceful. I rested my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat as quickly as my own. Maybe we¡¯re both pretending to be okay. Maybe that¡¯s enough for tonight. His fingers twitch where they rest at my hip¨Cinstinctive, possessive even in sleep. He stirred, like he felt me watching him. Hisshes fluttered, but his eyes didn¡¯t open. Instead, he exhaled quietly and kept his hand firm on my waist. ¡°What are you thinking?¡± he murmured, voice rough from sleep. ¡°Hm?¡± I let my head rest on his chest, hoping he couldn¡¯t hear how my pulse was going wild. ¡°Nothing.¡± A lie because I¡¯m thinking about everything. His thumb moves, slow drag along my waist, drawing small circles over the fabric of my shirt. It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s everything. I close my eyes and try to memorize the weight of his hand¨Cbecause part of me still thinks this won¡¯tst, and I want to keep something when it ends. ¡°Jessica,¡± he says again, softer this time, and I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a question or a reassurance. I shift slightly, angling my body toward him. ¡°I missed this,¡± I say, barely a whisper. His eyes open at that. Dark, heavy with sleep and something else¨Csomething older, aching. ¡°I know,¡± he says, voice raw. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too, baby.¡± Grayson rolls halfway on top of me, pinning my body between the mattress and the full weight of him. ¡°I¡¯ve missed us.¡± I tilt my head just enough for my mouth to graze his jaw. ¡°Do you think¡­¡± I start, then pause, wetting my bottom lip with a flick of my tongue. ¡°Do you think after this¡­ everything will go back to normal?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as normal after you,¡± he says, voice low and rough, like it¡¯s dragging truth straight from his chest. That makes me bite down on a pout. I turn my face slightly, cheek brushing the pillow. ¡°That sounds like a no.¡± ¡°It sounds like I don¡¯t want normal if it means pretending we didn¡¯t happen.¡± 1 close my eyes for half a second¨Cjust to breathe, just to not let everything show on my face. The part of me that wants to believe him, to trust this, to let go of every reason I built for keeping him at arm¡¯s length. But it¡¯s also the part that¡¯s terrified. ¡°Since¡­¡± My voice is soft, my words catching like thorns in my throat. ¡°Since when did you know I¡¯m your mate, Grayson?¡± I¡¯ve been thinking about it for a long time now. Turning it over in my head, over and over again like a stone in my palm. Wishing I could forget the question¨Cand even more than that, desperate to believe the answer if it¡¯s real. He goes still above me. ¡°Jess! ¡°I want to know¡± No. I need to know. I have to know about it or I lose my goddamn mind. ¡°It was always you,¡± he says after a beat. ¡°From the start.¡± 1/4 My chest tightens look up at him. His eyes are open now, fully. Awake, Guarded ¡°Then why?¡± The words fall out of me, cracked and raw. ¡°Why were you such an asshole to me back then, Grayson? You were cruel. You bullied me.¡± My voice trembles but I don¡¯t stop Fean¡¯t stop So keep going. Pecause ill stop now, the silence will eat me alive. ¡°You bullied me, Grayson. You made me feel stupid. Small. Like I didn¡¯t belong near you. Like I was just some annoying little girl you couldn¡¯t be bothered His jaw ticks Mix nostrils re once. ¡°You think I wanted to treat you like that?¡± he says finally. ¡°You think I wanted to look at you every day and act like you weren¡¯t already under my goddamn skin?¡± I forgot if we ever had this conversation between us but then Grayson always lies to me before. He kisses me and tells me lies and then kisses me some more as if he¡¯s trying to shut me up. ¡°You were seventeen, Jess. You were fearless and bright and wild and¡­ good. Too good. You walked into a room and I couldn¡¯t breathe.¡± He stops, swallows. His voice drops lower, almost hoarse. ¡°And I was already ruined.¡± My pulse trips 1 let myself even look at you the way I wanted to¡­¡± He shakes his head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have stopped.¡± I stare at him. My hands curt slightly against his chest. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you just walk away?¡± I ask, ¡°You didn¡¯t have to torture me, Grayson. You didn¡¯t have to make me feel like¨Clike I was in the way.¡± ¡°I wanted to walk away,¡± he growls. ¡°God, I wanted to walk away.¡± ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Because I couldn¡¯t he says, eyes zing. ¡°Even then. I couldn¡¯t stay away from you, Jess.¡± it was always me- If he knew¨CIf the bond was there all along Then how the hell is Riot my mate too? I press my lips together and stare up at the ceiling like it might spell out the answer for me in the cracks. ¡°I still don¡¯t understand it,¡± I whisper before i can stop myself. ¡°The bond.¡± i feel hun trying to read me, even with his eyes closed ¡°What part?¡± ¡°All of it,¡± admit, because if i don¡¯t say it now, it¡¯s going to fester. ¡°How can it be you and Riot? How can I feel both?¡± Grayson sits up sleetys he¡¯s moving through myd His hand drags down his face. I should stop. I should shut up. But the words keep pouring, sharp and desperate and wrong ¡°I feel Riot,¡± I say ¡°Like an echo in my bones Like something alive that¡¯s not mine but still part of me.¡± I look at him ¡°But with you?¡± I¡¯m sorry Grays. ¡°With you 8¡¯s just¡­ silence. Nothing. I keep waiting to feel something when you touch me. A spark. A tug Anything¡± My voice shatters ¡°But it¡¯s not there, Grayson He looks like i stabbed him But I can¡¯t stop. This conversation needs to happen. 09:41 Tue, 26 Aug M ¡°I want it to be you¡± The confession rips out of me like a sob. ¡°God, I want it to be you. Do you know how many nights I begged for it to be you?¡± His eyes flicker. Pain. Fury. Something close to ruin. ¡°But I can¡¯t force itel can¡¯t lie to my own fucking skin.¡± I¡¯m trembling. I don¡¯t even know what I want from him anymore¨Canswers, apologies, time rewound until this all makes sense. 63% ¡°You say it¡¯s me. That I was always yours. That you knew¡± My hands curl in the sheets. ¡°Then where the hell is it, Grayson? Where¡¯s the bond? Where¡¯s the part of me that should be wing its way toward you if this is real?¡± He breathes in, slow Dangerous. ¡°You think I don¡¯t ask myself the same thing every time I look at you?¡± His voice is low, rough. ¡°You think I haven¡¯t ripped myself apart trying to figure out why the hell I can feel you like fire in my blood and you don¡¯t feel shit?¡± flinch. He doesn¡¯t apologize. ¡°You were mine before Riot even fucking touched you,¡± he spits, jaw tight enough to crack. His voice scrapes raw, all rage and something worse¨Churt. ¡°) felt it. You didn¡¯t. And maybe that means I¡¯m broken. Or maybe someone broke it. I don¡¯t know. But don¡¯t stand there and act like I haven¡¯t been wing through hell to make sense of this.¡± My chest squeezes tight, ribs straining like they might splinter. My mouth tastes like copper. I drag in a breath that feels like it scrapes raw down my throat. My fingers twitch, nails catching on the edge of the sheet, picking at a loose thread until it snaps. I can¡¯t look at him, not right away. Then I do. Really look. Eyes ssy, red at the rims like he hasn¡¯t slept in days. Shoulders bunched so hard they look carved from stone. Breath ragged, nostrils ring with every inhale like it physically fucking hurts him to stand this close. He¡¯s shaking¨Cbarely, but enough to see. But he won¡¯t beg. Grayson never fucking begs. ¡°wanted you to feel it,¡± he rasps. His words scrape out, like he¡¯s bleeding them. ¡°I waited for you to fucking catch up. Thought if I loved you hard enough, long enough, you¡¯d finally feel it wing at your bones the way I do.¡± His throat works, bobbing His mouth pulls tight at the edges, a crack of something breaking through. ¡°But you didn¡¯t. And now you look at me like I led¡± My breath jerks, ribs ring wide like my chest can¡¯t hold it all in. My palm slides to my sternum, pressing down like I can hold my heart still, like I can keep it from beating itself bloody against my ribs. He least closer, the mattress dipping under his weight, the heat of him rolling over my skin. I smell sweat, salt, the sour tang of old hurt. His hair fails across his forehead, shadowing eyes that don¡¯t fucking blink. Voice splintered her broken ss, low and raw enough to cut: ¡°I didn¡¯t he, Jess I¡¯m your mate Even if you never feel it. Even if you pick him.¡± My gaze drops to his band, curled tight at his side phed he lets go he¡¯ll reach for me by fingers itch, traitorous, wanting to touch him, to hurt him, to feel something sharp enough to drown out the ache I swallow, tongue dry and heavy behind my teeth haven¡¯t picked anything It¡¯s just that i don¡¯t think I ever really had an iption at all. Alpha Luna 101 Chapter 101 JESSICA The table¡¯s too fucking small for four of us. Pierce¡¯s elbow keeps brushing mine, and every time it does my wolf twitches, half wanting to snap at him, half wanting to lean in. The stew¡¯s hot enough to burn my tongue but I keep eating anyway. Better to feel something than sit here counting the ways we¡¯re all fucked. Theo¡¯s across from me, spoon clinking slow,zy, eyes on me like he¡¯s picturing shit he used to threaten me with Pierce clears his throat. ¡°Eat,¡± he mutters, low, almost a growl. He was the one who suggested we all try to breathe the same air. ¡°I cooked for everyone. Now, I want all of you to give me atleast a little amount of peace.¡± ¡°Miss the good old days, Jess?¡± he murmurs, voice soft enough the other two almost don¡¯t catch it. My spoon tters against the bowl. Grayson¡¯s head snaps up. His jaw flexes like he wants to put Theo through the fucking wall. ¡°Shut your mouth,¡± Pierce grates, voice so cold it makes the hair on my neck lift. I breathe out slow. This is really not a good idea. Theo leans back, wood creaking under him, still smiling that ugly little smile. ¡°We¡¯re all rogues now, sweetheart,¡± he says softly, like it¡¯s a love song. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter who fucked who over, does it?¡± My wolf snarls so loud in my head it makes my ears ring. One second I¡¯m across the table¨Cnext, I¡¯m on him. My hand fists his cor, ms him into the wall so hard the beams shudder. ¡°You think I forgot what you fucking did?¡± I spit the words, voice shaking, breathing ragged, chest heaving so hard it hurts. ¡°Let¡¯s kill him,¡± I said, looking at Grayson who had that same forlorn look on his face. Theo¡¯s grin twitches. Then it dies. His nostrils re, eyes flicker down my neck, then snap to Grayson, sharp and vicious. ¡°You fucking idiot,¡± Theo breathes, voice gone hoarse. His gaze cuts between us, wild, something ugly crawling across his face. ¡°You imprinted her?¡± Grayson¡¯s snarl rips the air. ¡°What the fuck did you just say?¡± His chest heaves, shoulders bunch, veins tight at his neck like he¡¯s two seconds from breaking Theo¡¯s jaw. ¡°I can smell it, Grayson,¡± he spits, words sharp as ws. ¡°Your fucking im¨Chalf¨Cformed, crawling all over her skin. Don¡¯t fucking lie to me.¡± My wolf lunges against my ribs, snarl ripping my throat raw¨CBut it curdles halfway up, ws snagging on something cold and ugly in my chest. ¡°I¡¯m what?¡± I rasp, voice cracking on the edges. Grayson¡¯s eyes cut to me¨Cwide, dark, wrong kind of fear twisting there. ¡°I didn¡¯t fucking do it,¡± he snarls, voice shaking, rough, like it hurts to even say it.. ¡°Jess, I swear to fucking god¨CI didn¡¯t imprint you!! ¡°Then who the fuck did, Alpha?¡± he rasps, eyes flicking between us, hungry for the ruin. ¡°Because from where I am standing she¡¯s imprinted.¡± ¡°I¡¯m imprinted?¡± I snarl again, but ites out broken, shock rotting the fury at the edges. ¡°Jess let¡¯s not jump into conclusion=¡± But it¡¯s too fuckingte. Half¨Cbonded? To who? My vision blurs at the edges, sweat rolling down my back, breath catching so sharp my ribs ache, ¡°Grayson?¡± My voice shreds on his name, barely more than a rasp. My hand fists at my side, nails biting skin. ¡°What the fuck is he talking about?¡± 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug Grayson¡¯s chest heaves, veins standing out at his neck, jaw so tight I hear his teeth grind. ¡°Jess-¡± No. 63% +38 No. This is fucking insane. My thoughts snarl over each other, messy, ugly, tripping in panic. I¡¯ve never felt it. Never felt the mark crawl under my skin, never felt that bone¨Cdeep snap they all fucking talk about. It couldn¡¯t be- Realization hits like a fist in the gut¨Chot, sour, twisting. It couldn¡¯t be him. It couldn¡¯t be Riot. My wolf lunges at the thought, ws raking my insides, a vicious, terrified snarl tearing at my chest. Grayson moves, boots scuffing the boards. His hand catches my arm¨Chot, rough, grounding. ¡°Jess,¡± he says, voice low, shaking, like he¡¯s trying to pull me back from the edge. I jerk at the contact, breath snagging, chest squeezing so tight I can¡¯t pull in air. His thumb drags over my skin, slow, desperate, like he¡¯s trying to tether
  1. me.
¡°Look at me,¡± Grayson growls, closer now, heat of his body pressing into my side. ¡°Fucking look at me, Fuck. Fuck, I can¡¯t breathe. Jess.¡± Grayson¡¯s heat crowds my side, bigger, heavier, wolf coiled just under his skin but I don¡¯t his touch. I can feel my bones cracking and I¡¯m too second away from losing it when I hear a loud growl. ¡°Jessica!¡± I force my head up¨Cvision shaking, sweat stinging myshes- And there he is. Grayson¡¯s eyes, blown wide, rimmed in red¨CAlpha burn glowing molten under his skin. Rage and fear snarling together, wolf so close it¡¯s leaking through every ragged breath he takes. Fuck, fuck, what is happening to me? My nails bite so deep into my palm I feel skin break, wet warmth spreading across my lifeline. Grayson¡¯s hand slides up my arm, rough heat burning through cloth and skin and bone. ¡°Breathe with me, Jess,¡± he rasps, voice frayed, eyes locked on mine like he¡¯s drowning too. ¡°In¨Cout¨Cfuck, look at me.¡± My wolf ws at my insides, half¨Ccrazed, half¨Cterrified. She wants to snap at him. Wants to curl up in his heat. Wants to tear out her own goddamn heart to see what¡¯s missing. ¡°Eyes on me, baby,¡± Grayson bites out, words so low and ruined it scrapes across my skin. His forehead almost touches mine, breath hot, chest heaving. I see sweat drip down the cut of his throat, pulse hammering so hard it makes his voice catch. 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug M ? ???? 63% Around us, the room feels too fucking small, walls breathing with us, floorboards creaking under the weight of too many wolves trying not to lose it. I suck in air that tastes of sweat, fear, and the copper tang of my own blood¨Cand for a heartbeat, it almost feels like enough. Almost. ¡°Why?¡± The word snaps out, raw, ugly, half¨Cchoked on spit and panic. ¡°Why can¡¯t I feel it, Grayson? Why the fuck can¡¯t I feel you?¡± My vision swims, sweat slicking myshes, heartbeat punching at my throat. His thumb scrapes my jaw, rough and shaking. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he snarls, voice cracking like he hates it. ¡°Fuck, Jess, I¡¯d give anything to know.¡± +38 Pierce shifts behind me¨Cboots dragging, a low rumble in his chest, wolf restless, scent sharp like burned pine. ¡°Easy, Jess,¡± he mutters, low and rough, but he doesn¡¯t touch me. ¡°During¡­ my first heat,¡± I rasp, words tearing up my throat like ss. My gaze drags up, catches on Grayson¡¯s mouth, the sharp cut of his cheekbone, the vein jumping in his neck¨Cferal, burning, barely fucking holding on. ¡°I let¡­¡± My chest stutters on the words, lungs refusing to work, sweat trickling down my spine, soaking the back of my shirt. ¡°I let Riot touch me.¡± His pupils blow, ck swallowing out the red, chest jerking like I¡¯d mmed a fist into it. ¡°When?¡± he bites out, voice gone to gravel, breath hitting my lips in short, savage bursts. ¡°During the heat?¡± My throat locks, tongue thick, heart stumbling. ¡°I didn¡¯t know,¡± I gasp, the words tumbling raw and ugly. ¡°I just¡­ wanted it to stop. I thought it was just¡­ fuck, Grayson, I didn¡¯t know it meant anything.¡± Pierce curses under his breath, a sharp, ugly sound¨Che drags a hand over his mouth, knuckles white, nostrils ring, wolf scent spiking sharp and acid. ¡°I let him touch me,¡± I whisper again, voice shredding smaller, body trembling so bad my knees knock, sweat stinging myshes. My wolf paces in my chest, ws scraping bone, ears pinned, tail low¨Cashamed, furious, fucking confused. ¡°Jess,¡± Grayson snarls, voice cracking on my name like it hurts. His forehead crashes against mine, breath punching out of both of us. ¡°Fuck¨Cfuck¨Cbaby, look at me,¡± his thumb jerks up to my jaw, rough, desperate, almost bruising. ¡°Tell me what he did.¡± My lips part, lungs wheezing air that tastes of salt and blood and him. ¡°I let him touch me,¡± I say again, voice gone ragged, heat crawling up my neck. ¡°Is that why I can¡¯t feel you?¡± AD Comment Send gift No Ads 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug Alpha Luna 102 Chapter 102 JESSICA 62% After Theo and Pierce left this morning to search for information about the pack, Grayson was just quiet beside me. I think he¡¯s thinking a lot of things as much as I do. The silence between us wasn¡¯t ufortable. Not exactly. He kept ncing at me like he wanted to say something¨Cbut didn¡¯t. His eyes were a little too alert, like he was trying to study me instead of look at me. I hated that I could tell the difference now. I pulled my knees up to my chest and rested my chin there. He was sitting in the chair across from me, hands sped like he needed to ground himself. Maybe I should¡¯ve said something. I don¡¯t know. What do you say to your lover after admitting you¡¯ve been imprinted by someone else? I must have cheated on him as well. ¡°What is our n now?¡± I asked, making my voice not crumble. I still feel so awful about a lot of things. But Grayson is Grayson. He will not tell me ns not because he doesn¡¯t trust me but because he doesn¡¯t want to burden me with it. But I wasn¡¯t part of what he was supposed to carry anymore. He didn¡¯t answer right away. Just shifted in the chair until he was leaning forward, elbows on his knees, gaze heavy on me. Then¨Cquietly, gently¨Che reached out and touched my cheek. Just the backs of his fingers, brushing like I might vanish if he pressed too hard. ¡°The n,¡± he whispered, voice rough but low, ¡°is for you to rest, baby.¡± I almost closed my eyes at the sound of that word. Baby. ¡°I¡¯m well rested enough,¡± I murmured, even though I wasn¡¯t. Grayson frowned, thumb still resting at the edge of my jaw. ¡°Then rest some more.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t keep me wrapped in a nket forever.¡± His hand dropped to my shoulder, warm and grounding. He leaned in, just close enough for his forehead to almost brush mine.¡°If I could, I would,¡± he said, barely above a whisper. ¡°I¡¯d keep you somewhere safe. Somewhere quiet. Far away from all of this.¡± ¡°You mean far away from me,¡± I said before I could stop myself. And immediately wished I had. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± he said, and I hated how quiet it came out. ¡°Grayson. You don¡¯t have to protect me from my own guilt. You don¡¯t have to keep pretending I didn¡¯t just¡­¡± I trailed off, voice cracking, eyes suddenly burning. ¡°It chose me. That bond. It picked him. And I let it happen.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t let it happen,¡± he said, firm now. ¡°I didn¡¯t stop it,¡± I said, and something inside me finally trembled hard enough to reach the surface. ¡°I felt it click into ce and I didn¡¯t fight it. Not fast enough, Not hard enough. And maybe I didn¡¯t even want to.¡± His fingers curled at my shoulder, tightening just enough to make me feel the shape of his hand. Just enough to ground me in the present, when my brain wanted to pull me backward, deeper into the moment everything went wrong. I wasn¡¯t crying yet. But I felt like I was about to. Grayson leaned back a fraction, just enough to see my face. His expression was unreadable in that way that made it worse¨Clike he was swallowing his 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug own grief just to keep mine from growing. 62% +38) ¡°If I could take it from you,¡± he said, slow and raw, ¡°the weight of it, the bond, the guilt¨Cyou know I would. I¡¯d burn every rule the gods made for us if it meant keeping you.¡± I closed my eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be kept,¡± I murmured. ¡°Not like this. Not if it means you hate yourself for staying.¡± There was a pause. A long, aching beat where I could feel him choosing what not to say. Then: ¡°I don¡¯t hate myself for staying.¡± I opened my eyes. He looked wrecked. Pale. Hollowed out in the spaces where hope used to live. ¡°I hate that you think I should go.¡± I blinked. My mouth opened, but nothing came out. Because I didn¡¯t know what to do with that truth. I didn¡¯t know how to hold it without making it worse. And maybe he knew that, because he let out a shaky breath, thumb brushing once across my shoulder before falling away. Then he stood. Slowly. Like something hurt. And maybe it did. ¡°I¡¯ll be downstairs,¡± he said. ¡°Just¡­ if you want me.¡± If. I¡¯ve ruined us, haven¡¯t I? I stare at the door he just walked through, and a sob slips from my lips before I can stop it. I want to run to him. But I¡¯m scared he¡¯ll look at me the same way he did this morning¨Clike he¡¯s memorizing me in case he doesn¡¯t get to keep me. The whole afternoon, I justy in my bed, curled up small like that might make the shame easier to hold. Sometimes I think about going downstairs. Just to see him. Just to sit near him, even if we don¡¯t talk. Even if he won¡¯t look at me. Sometimes I stand up. I take a few steps toward the door. I reach for the handle. But I never make it past the threshold. It was almost lunchtime when I heard the floor creak. Instead of calling my name, like he always does, my eyes widened when he grasped my jaw in one hand and undid the button of his jeans. ¡°Grayson-¡± He leaned in, forehead nearly touching mine, breathing, like he¡¯d juste back from war. ¡°You wanted space,¡± he said. ¡°So I gave it to you. But don¡¯t think for a second I forgot what¡¯s mine.¡± Grayson pulled me closer again and slipped his hand from my chin to my throat, his mouth against my ear. ¡°You want to know why Riot can¡¯t have you Jess?¡± I swallowed hard, desperate to breathe but unable to. Grayson asked a question and I want to answer but I don¡¯t think even my brain is functioning because of whatever I am feeling. Suddenly, it feels like everything inside me is on fire. ¡°Drop to your knees and ask me why.¡± And so I dropped to my knees and looked up to see Grayson watching me. There¡¯s something different about him. Something feral or hurt. Like he tried 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug M to tame it down but failed to do so. ¡°Ask me,¡± he said again, softer now. Which made it worse. Which made it meaner. I swallowed hard, throat dry and voice shaky. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Why what?¡± His tone was cold. Taut. Dangerous. ?. 62%? My knees pressed harder into the bed. ¡°Why are you doing this? Why do you still want me? Why do you look at me like I haven¡¯t destroyed us?¡± While I hated myself for asking so many questions, Grayson seems to like it. He smirks and picks me off the ground and gently pushes me into the floor. 38) I blinked up at him, heart hammering against my ribs, legs still folded awkwardly beneath me as I tried to understand what the hell was happening. But he didn¡¯t wait for me to catch up. He just watched me¨Clike he was deciding where to start first. What part of me to ruin in his name. ¡°You think you destroyed us,¡± he murmured, crouching over me now, his knees bracketing my hips, hands pressing into the floor on either side of my head. ¡°But baby, do you even know who you are?¡± What? ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes flicked over my face. And for a moment, he looked like he might kiss me. Or burn the whole world down instead. ¡°Later, baby. You¡¯ll find outter.¡± 3/3 Alpha Luna 103 Chapter 103 JESSICA ¡°Grayson! I don¡¯t like this!¡± My legs shook gently and I whimpered as I felt him tie my hands behind my back. I don¡¯t know what Grayson is doing but I am sure as hell this is so far from the conversation that we had earlier. It was like he¡¯s a different person now. He¡¯s standing there watching me squirm while I curse his name, I don¡¯t like where this is going and I am sure as hell he doesn¡¯t have any fetish of ropes or whatsoever. Did I push him that much? Is that it? Is he doing this to get revenge? To punish me? To my surprise, Grayson went to get a chair and pull it in front of me. I feel so humiliated being face to face to his bulge and very humiliated too because he¡¯s not saying anything except his serious re. ¡°If you want to fuck me, you can ask for it, damn it!¡± I shouted, moving away except he just pulled me back as if I am where I belong. ¡°This is not really funny!¡± He leans forward slowly, forearms braced on his knees. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking?¡± His voice is low. ¡°Because the way I see it¡­¡± He lets the silence stretch, lets my breathing catch.¡°¡­you¡¯ve been begging for me to shut that smart little mouth of yours all night.¡± I try to look away. He grips my chin between two fingers and tilts it back. ¡°Eyes on me.¡± God, I hate how good that soundsing from him. ¡°I¡¯m not some toy,¡± I whisper. ¡°No,¡± he agrees. ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡± A sound escapes me. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a gasp or a moan. ¡°And you like when I take control, don¡¯t you?¡± He tilts his head. ¡°Even when you pretend to hate it.¡± My knees buckle slightly. ¡°I should leave you like this for a while,¡± he murmurs. ¡°Let you cool off. Let you rethink why Riot can¡¯t have you¡­¡± His fingers trail down my throat, featherlight. *¡­because you¡¯re mine.¡± I make a strangled sound, part protest, part desperate plea. ¡°I know that! Do you think I don¡¯t know that, you idiot?!¡± Grayson watched me with an amused expression For half a second, I think maybe I¡¯ve won something. Said the magic words. Maybe now he¡¯ll touch me softer, say my name the way he does when he¡¯s trying not to break me open. But then¨Che yanks my hair. I gasp¨Csharp, involuntary¨Cas my head jerks back, spine bowing, bnce shot to hell. 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug Chapter 103 ¡°Then why the fuck do you keep pissing me off, Jessica?¡± His voice is right at my ear, low and lethal. Every syble skates over my skin like a match about to catch. ¡°Why do you always tell those stupid things as if you¡¯re relinquishing them?¡± ¡°Grayson,¡± I whined. Spit rolled down my neck to my chest, making my nipples glisten. ¡°I feel so awful,¡± I whispered, but he wasn¡¯t listening. His lips were on my skin, rough and demanding, leaving a trail of fire. He growled against my ear, ¡°You should feel worse for making me this damn angry.¡± His fingers pinched my nipple hard, and I gasped, a mix of pain and pleasure coursing through me. ¡°Stop!¡± I tried to push him away, but he was stronger, his body pressing me against the wall. ¡°You¡¯re such a fucking-¡± ¡°Say it,¡± he interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Say it, and I¡¯ll make you regret it even more.¡± His fingers tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make me gasp. His other hand slid under my shirt, calloused fingers tracing the curve of my spine. ¡°You¡¯re always so fucking stubborn,¡± he muttered, his lips grazing my neck. ¡°But I know what you really want.¡± I shook my head, my protest weak as his hand moved to my thigh, lifting my leg to wrap around his waist. ¡°Grayson,¡± I breathed, my voice barely audible. Grayson pulled his shirt out of his body, showing me his ripped chest. Oh my goddess. I suddenly feel so hot. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening to me or what is his n on doing this but I am salivating. ¡°Like what you see?¡± he asked, his tone dripping with arrogance. He took a step closer, his eyes darkening as they scanned me from head to toe. My wolf was practically howling inside me, begging for more. ¡°Stop teasing me,¡± I whispered, but my voice came out breathy, needy. Grayson¡¯s lips curved into a wicked grin. ¡°Who¡¯s teasing?¡± he said, his hand reaching out, turning me around so I am on my knees. In just instant, he ripped my clothes leaving me with my underwear. His fingers traced the edge of the fabric, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°You¡¯re so sensitive,¡± he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°I can feel you trembling.¡± I bit my lip, trying to hold back a moan, but it escaped anyway, soft and desperate. ¡°Good girl,¡± he purred, his fingers slipping under the waistband, teasing me further. ¡°Please,¡± I gasped, my hips bucking involuntarily. ¡°Please what?¡± he taunted, his grip tightening just enough to make me whimper. Before I could answer, his hand came down hard on my ass, the sharp p echoing in the room. ¡°Behave,¡± he growled, his voice low andmanding. I shuddered, my body responding despite the sting. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whispered. ¡°Why are you sorry?¡± Grayson rubbed my clit through my panties and yanked my hair further making me look at his feral gaze. I¡¯m sobbing now because it¡¯s so much. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s ever been so rough at me. ¡°Why are you sorry Jessica?¡± 09:42 Tue, 26 Aug I sob, throat tightening. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­I didn¡¯t mean to piss you..¡± ¡°Wrong.¡± 62% +38) He yanked my panties down in one swift motion, his fingers roughly parting me as I gasped. ¡°You¡¯re sorry because you ¡®disobeyed me.¡± His hand came down hard on my ass again making me scream. I cried out, tears streaming down my face. ¡°Again,¡± he demanded, and I flinched as his palm struck me again. ¡°Again.¡± I choked back a sob, my voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯ll behave, I swear.¡± ¡°Really?¡± He didn¡¯t wait, didn¡¯t let me adjust, just shoved two fingers in and started moving. ¡°This is what you wanted, isn¡¯t it?¡± he hissed, his free hand gripping my hip hard enough to bruise. I shook my head, tears streaming down my face, but he didn¡¯t care. He twisted his fingers, hitting a spot that made me cry out. ¡°You thought you could get away with it,¡± he said, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°Thought you could just do whatever you wanted.¡± I sobbed, my body betraying me as heat pooled low in my stomach. Grayson is making me weak. He¡¯s trying to tame me and hurt me so I won¡¯t think of Riot¡¯s vition. I know what he¡¯s doing. ¡°Is this what Riot did huh?¡± His fingers twisted inside me, deeper, harder, like he was trying to carve out the memory of Riot from my body. I bit down on my lip to stifle a cry, but it was no use. My body shuddered, betraying me. He spat into his palm, the sound sharp and crude, before sliding his fingers back inside me, slick and brutal. ¡°You think he cares about you? You think he felt anything for you?¡± His free hand grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. Tears blurred my vision, but I could still see the fire in his eyes¨Canger, jealousy, something darker. Grayson¡¯s tongue darted out, catching one of my tears as it slid down my cheek. The taste made him smirk, cruel and satisfied. ¡°I¡¯m not him,¡± he snarled, fingers working faster, rougher. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you never forget that.¡± His breath was hot against my ear, his words a low growl. ¡°You¡¯re mine. Every part of you. You¡¯ll beg for me before I¡¯m done.¡± Alpha Luna 104 GRAYSON After rearranging Jessica¡¯s recollection of her past events, I stare at her peaceful face and sigh. Rough sex is always better when I am not trying to erase another man¡¯s scent on her. I gave her shoulder a light kiss before I patrol the area to make sure no one followed us. It¡¯s too difficult knowing Riot can smell her. He¡¯lle for her again. I know it. He¡¯ll track her and I can¡¯t have that. Riot can¡¯t have the girl just simply because she¡¯s mine. And that¡¯s not some metaphor. It¡¯s not sweet. It¡¯s a fact. Bone¨Cdeep. Territorial. Etched into the marrow of what I am. She doesn¡¯t even realize what she¡¯s carrying¨Chow easily her scent changes, how it tells stories. She still smells like me. But faintly¨Cjust faintly¨Cbeneath it all, is the shadow of him. It makes my fucking blood boil. Thead toward the back exit, scanning for any trace of Riot¡¯s trail. The trees are too still. Pierce and Theo shoulde back now. I send them to gather information and alliance with the other pack so we can bring Riot down. I stalk the treeline for another few minutes, ws itching beneath my skin. If I shift now, I¡¯ll track him easily. But I won¡¯t leave her alone, not again. Not after what just happened. I¡¯ve seen the way she crumbles and I cannot have that. Jessica is too vulnerable right now. And that¡¯s on me. It was stupid¨Creckless¨Cnot to im her during her first heat. Something is wrong. ¡°Show yourself,¡± I growl, low and dangerous. My voice carries through the darkness. For a moment, there¡¯s nothing but silence. Then, a figure steps out from behind a tree¨Ctall, lean, and unmistakably rogue. His eyes gleam in the moonlight, wild and untamed. He¡¯s in human form now, but I can smell the beast on him, the stench of someone who¡¯s been running too long, too far. ¡°Rx, Grayson,¡± he says with a smirk. ¡°I¡¯m not here for a fight.¡± Too bad. I am. My body tenses, my wolf prowling just beneath the surface, pacing behind my ribs, waiting for the smallest excuse to rip out his throat. ¡°Then why are you here?¡± I snap. He smirks, stepping closer, getting toofortable that I won¡¯t ughter him. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve got an offer for you,¡± he says, his tone dropping. ¡°We want the girl with rogue blood.¡± My stomach twists. ¡°You¡¯re not getting anywhere near her.¡± lunge before I can think. A blur of red and white hot fury Im him into the nearest tree, ws bursting from my fingers, one hand around his throat. ¡°You so much as think about her again,¡± I snarl into his face, voice guttural and raw, ¡°I will rip your jaw clean off and feed it to the river.¡± He gurgles beneath my grip, choking on the weight of my fury. ¡°You made a mistake, Alpha,¡± the rogue says. ¡°If you won¡¯t mark her, someone else will.¡± I mmed him into the ground so hard the earth split beneath him. His spine cracked on impact, a sickening sound that satisfied something primal in me. He choked, coughed, wed at the dirt like he could crawl away. I could¡¯ve crushed his throat then and there ripped it open with my bare hands, let his blood flood the moss, and walked away with my boots soaked in
  1. it.
09:42 Tue, 26 Aug 6 M. But Jessica¡¯s scent hit me like a goddamn freight train And it wasn¡¯t clean 62% It was hers, yes¨Csweet, head) thick with heat¨Cbut there was a shadow threaded through it now. Something that didn¡¯t belong Something else. Cold Male. Recent ROL My vision went red. I turned, teeth already bared, and ran Branches tore at my skin as I moved through the forest like a de I didn¡¯t feel them Couldn¡¯t. My body was fire and vengeance and every step was too slow. The cleaning came into view, the treeline splitting open like a wound¨Cand then saw it. The cabin. The door sagged off its hinges like a broken limb. Wide open Exposed Wherable. Just like her My pulse mmed against bone¨Conce, hard- n dropped into a twisted rhythm, too fast, too loud. Something was wrong. I knew it before I crossed the clearing. The air had that thickness to it. That taste. Uke blood and regret. I moved fast. Four strides, maybe less. Boots grinding through the dirt, ws itching for flesh I didn¡¯t call her name. Didn¡¯t knock Didn¡¯t hesitate. I ??? ?? kicked the door in, the wood splintering like ribs under pressure¨Cloud, sharp, satisfying. He¡¯d been here. I could feel it in my teet The scent hit me instantly, Her¨Cwarm cotton, soap, something floral and so that silung to her hair when she slept. But beneath it¨Chim, Diet. Arrogance. Cheap cologne and testosterone. Like piss marking territory If he touched her¨Che graced her wrist, her throat, anything¨CIt soft him coen ¡°Jessica barked. My voice cracked ¡°Jessica ¡°Please. ¡°I didn¡¯t even realize I¡¯d said it¨Cdidn¡¯t mean to. It crawled out of my throat before I could stop it. ¡°Please, not her. Not her dn¡¯t known how deep she¡¯d gotten in until that moment¨Cuntil the i hatever would listen, just to find her safe. Me. Praying. Like some broken thing. And maybe I was. You hear that. Jess? You wrecked me, baby. something inside me splinter. Uneght myself praying I turned toward of the cabin, something cold and primal snapping my head like a predator scoring blood testR Barefoot. Shaking Shoulders curved in Oke she¡¯d been folded under the weight of something unspeakable. De she tried to do own skin and failed. Her clothes hung off her, smeared with dirt and blood¨Chers or his, I didn¡¯t know, didn¡¯t care, do tower eyes- her way out o To was solt s Fuck Her eyes She stood on the edge of the porch like she¡¯d meant to run, like her body remembered themand but forgot how to follow it Like survival was ghost of an instinct, not a promise. ¡°Jessica,¡± I breathed Her eyes snapped to mine¨Cand for one horrifying second, I was terrified. ¡°G¨CGrayson Baby ¡°What¡¯s happening to me?¡± I don¡¯t know I don¡¯t fucking know 09:43 Tue, 26 Aug M But hell, I don¡¯t fucking care. 62% She dropped to her knees and I was quickly there, taking her into my arms. I think I have an idea what¡¯s happening to her, but I don¡¯t know what to do with it. The rogue blood inside of her is consuming her. ¡°Make it stop,¡± she whimpered, low and wet, right against my throat, and it was the voice that killed me. ¡°It hurts! Please¡­make it stop.¡± Fuck this. I can¡¯t do this anymore. I take Jessica in my arms and haul her up even as she twitches and ws at me, even as she snarls under her breath like something in her throat is cracking open, even as she cries and begs and digs her nails into my neck like she doesn¡¯t know whether to hold on or tear me apart, and I don¡¯t care I carry her inside the house anyway. ¡°Don¡¯t let me change¨CGrayson¨Cdon¡¯t let me be it¨Cdon¡¯t let me-¡± I won¡¯t, baby. I won¡¯t. I drop to my knees beside her and take her face in my hands and everything about her is wrong. Her spine arches again and I hear the pop, the crack of something dislocating, and she screams, and it¡¯s like ss shattering in my ears. I grab her waist and pull her back t, muttering her name over and over like it¡¯s a spell, like if I say it enough the thing crawling up her throat won¡¯t take over ¡°Please,¡± she gasps, voice shredded. ¡°Kill me before I hurt you-¡± ¡°No,¡± I snap, grabbing her face again, dragging her close so our foreheads touch. ¡°No.¡± She jerks in my grip, back arched like something¡¯s lifting her by the spine. ¡°I¡¯m going to rip you apart-¡± ¡°Then do it,¡± I growl, voice breaking. ¡°Fucking do it. Rip me apart, Jess. Rip me apart. It¡¯ll fucking hurt. Tear me open and I¡¯ll thank you for it. Sink your teeth into my throat and I¡¯ll call it mercy. Break my fucking ribs and I¡¯ll whisper your name through the cracks. You think I¡¯m scared of you? Baby, I¡¯m not scared. Alpha Luna 105 Chapter 105 GRAYSON I need to tie her up. I need to fucking tie her up because I won¡¯t be able to hold her down for much longer now. Jessica is still trying to ripim Me or Kill Me me apart when I tore some of my shirt to tie down her wrist. I feel so guilty doing this to her but I can¡¯t think of anything else. ¡°Stay. Fucking. Down.¡± ¡°Make it stop,¡± she chokes, voice high and raw and wet with whatever¡¯s left of her humanity, ¡°please, Grayson¨Cit hurts¨Che¡¯s inside me-¡± Im my hand over her mouth, not to shut her up, but because if she says his name again I¡¯m going to lose thest thread of restraint I¡¯ve got left and fuck her so hard this whole cabines down around us. Her arms are stretched above her head, wrists bound tight to the post with the belt I yanked off in a panic, legs pinned under mine as she thrashes and sobs and curses me with my name. I keep going anyway. ¡°Kill me,¡± she gasps when I let her speak, ¡°before I hurt you¨Cbefore I be-¡± When I am done, Nook at her and I can barely forgive myself. She¡¯s tied like an animal in the post, breathing my name and begging me to kill her. Jessica¡¯s ws are out and that means she can barely control herself too. I kneet in front of her and look at what¡¯s left. Her pupils are wrong. Too wide, too bright. Her mouth is still trembling. ¡°You don¡¯t get to ask me to kill you,¡± I whisper, voice thick, low, shaking. ¡°Fight it Jess. Fight it for me, baby. Please.¡± She¡¯s sobbing now, teeth gritted, arms shaking above her head like she wants to tear the restraints apart and gut me. ¡°Then im me,¡± she says, voice split open with pain. ¡°Please, Grayson¨Cplease¨Cjust im me, mark me, do something before he¨Cbefore it-¡± She¡¯s not crying anymore. She¡¯s panting. Open¨Cmouthed, eyes wild, wrists bound and bloodied against the post. It hurts me seeing her like this. Jessica is begging me for the one thing I can¡¯t fucking give her, begging me with her whole body, soaked and shaking and perfect in her ruin. She doesn¡¯t even realize what she¡¯s saying. She doesn¡¯t understand that if I mark her now, it might destroy her. ¡°Why can¡¯t you mark me?!¡± she screams. ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°No!¡± she thrashes, hips jerking under mine, wrists bloodied in the restraints. ¡°You don¡¯t really love me, Grayson. You never fucking did.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± ¡°You love her.¡± The word slices me in half. 09:43 Tue, 26 Aug ¡°You love Aria.¡± No. No, no, fuck- She doesn¡¯t believe that. She can¡¯t. It¡¯s just the poison, Grayson. I kept telling myself that to myself. But my body reacts anyway. My hands m into the mattress on either side of her, knuckles white, jaw grinding so hard I think I taste bone. Her chest heaves. Her eyes glint, spiteful through tears. Her thighs twitch open wider and I hate her for a second, I fucking hate her for knowing exactly how to kill me. ¡°You really believe that?¡± I growl. ¡°You think I loved her?¡± She nods. Smiling now. Sick, shattered. Beautiful like wreckage. ¡°You¡¯re still hard for her,¡± she spits. ¡°Still dreaming of her mouth. I bet you fuck me with your eyes closed just to pretend- I grab her by the throat, not giving her a chance to talk. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking doubt my love for you Jess.¡± She writhes under me, face twisted, throat working under my grip. ¡°You don¡¯t love me,¡± she gasps. ¡°You never loved me¡ªyou just want to own me- I kiss her to shut her up. ¡± She gasps into me and I take it, take everything¨Cher breath, her whimper, the venom in her voice¨Ceat it down and shove my tongue into her mouth like I¡¯m fucking her with it. Her lip splits against my teeth and she jerks, snarling, hands fighting the restraints like she¡¯d w my face off if she could. I kiss her harder. Deeper. Until there¡¯s no space between us but the heat and the blood and the lie she just spat in my face. She doesn¡¯t believe it. She wants to. Wants to push me until I break her in half just to prove it. So I will. I grind my hips down, losing all the control not to fully im her. My hips press into hers, cock thick and aching, barely held back. My hands are shaking where I¡¯ve got her pinned, one at her throat, the other bracing her hip like I¡¯m about to snap her in two. She¡¯s writhing under me, furious and desperate, soaked, her body begging me even while her mouth throws knives. She¡¯s mine. But I can¡¯t take her. I feel it in every fucking cell¨Cthat line I¡¯m about to cross. That point where it won¡¯t be dominance, it¡¯ll be destruction. And I want it. God, I want it. Want to tear the belt off and shove inside her, bite her, brand her, fuck her until she forgets how to say his name. I want to make here so hard she sobs my name and bleeds. But I stop. I tear my mouth off hers and shove myself off the bed like I¡¯ve been burned, stumbling back with her taste on my tongue and her blood in my mouth. I¡¯m shaking. I¡¯m hard. I¡¯m wrecked, She¡¯s panting on the mattress, wrists stretched, chest heaving, sweat and spit and defiance pouring off her skin like a war¨Cdrum. She looks ruined. And all I¡¯ve done is kiss her. ¡°Fuck,¡± I snarl, dragging both hands through my hair, turning away, breathing like I¡¯m going to shift if I don¡¯t calm down. My ws are pressing against my skin, threatening to break. I want to punch a hole through the wall. I want to rip Riot¡¯s scent out of her molecule by molecule. Behind me, her voice cracks. ¡°Why won¡¯t you touch me?¡± 09:43 Tue, 26 Aug M I can¡¯t answer. Because the answer is I would kill you with how much I want you. I left Jessica like that. Tied to the fucking bed, wrists raw, legs shaking, mouth still wet with mine. I don¡¯t untie her. I don¡¯t look back. If I do, I won¡¯t leave. I¡¯ll finish it. I¡¯ll fuck her so deep she forgets her own name and then I¡¯ll mark her without caring what it does to her. So I walk out instead half wild, hard as hell, every muscle in my body wired to explode. I m the door behind me and lean against the outside of the cabin like the wood can hold the goddamn monster
  1. in.
It can¡¯t. My ws are already out. My pulse is a riot. I dig my hands into the dirt like I could bury it all¨Cthe need, the fury, the sound of her begging me to love her like I haven¡¯t been trying to not destroy her since the moment she looked at me with those ss¨Ccutting eyes. She doesn¡¯t get it. She thinks this is rejection. It¡¯s mercy. And I fucking hate her for needing it. I pace the tree line like an animal. Theo and Pierce better get back soon, because I swear to god if I¡¯m left out here with the memory of her writhing under me, I¡¯ll burn the whole forest down just to have something to kill. Theoes out of the trees first. Limping. Face streaked with something dark. His shirt¡¯s torn at the cor, and there¡¯s a cut across his cheekbone that¡¯s already clotting. Pierce is behind him¨Carms scratched to hell, jaw locked, breathing like he¡¯s still mid¨Cshift. They look like they¡¯ve been through a war. So do I. ¡°Grayson,¡± Theo says, slow, watching me like I¡¯m a lit fuse. ¡°Where is she?¡± I don¡¯t answer right away. Just rub the heel of my hand over my mouth, trying to erase the blood from my lips. Hers. Mine. Doesn¡¯t matter. ¡°She¡¯s inside,¡± I say. ¡°Tied up.¡± Pierce stiffens. ¡°What?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not what you think.¡± It is, but not how they¡¯d say it. Not how they¡¯d see it. ¡°She was shifting Losing it. I had to stop her.¡± Theo¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡°Did you touch her?¡± I stare at him. ¡°I didn¡¯t mark her¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t im her, Theo.¡± ¡°But you wanted to.¡± Pierce¡¯s voice is dead t. He looks like he hasn¡¯t slept in days. ¡°You reek of her. You walked out here like you were about to tear a hole in the fucking sky.¡± 09:43 Tue, 26 Aug M I step closer. My shadow cuts across both of them like a de. ¡°I didn¡¯t fucking touch her.¡± Silence. No one bekeves that. Not even me. Theo sighs and wipes a hand down his face. ¡°We found tracks. Rogues in the trees. He¡¯s close.¡± My jaw locks. ¡°How close.¡± ¡°Half a mile, maybe less.¡± Of course he is. We have to get out of here,¡± I say, already moving, blood running cold. ¡°Find another hideout.¡± Pierceughs. It¡¯s dry, bitter. ¡°You mean run?¡± I stop. Turn. Meet his eyes. ¡°I mean survive.¡± He holds my gaze too long. ¡°You should¡¯ve marked her.¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t.¡± ? ? 62%¨C ¡°You could¡¯ve,¡± Theo says. Voice sharp now. ¡°You just didn¡¯t.¡± I snap. ¡°She would¡¯ve died.¡± ¡°She¡¯s dying anyway.¡± I push past them both. Back toward the cabin. ¡°She can¡¯t walk like this,¡± I mutter. ¡°She¡¯s not stable. If we move her and she shifts in the middle of it-¡± ¡°Then we put her down before she turns full rogue.¡± I stop in my tracks. My wse out before I even register the thought. ¡°Say that again, Theo. I fucking dare you.¡± ¡°She¡¯s my ex. Not my responsibility.¡± Pierce grabs his cor before I can do it. ¡°She¡¯s my sister.¡± ¡°And so?¡± One of these days, I will really kill Theo. But not today. Someday. I promise, someday. Alpha Luna 106 Chapter 106 GRAYSON The n is to get out of here as soon as possible. Watching her tied down, still groaning through gritted teeth, slick with sweat and blood and breathless agony¨Cmade Pierce almost fucking kill me. I looked at Jessica. She was writhing, arms stretched above her head where I¡¯d tied her¨CGod, her eyes. The ck was leaking back in again. Her throat arched as she whispered things that weren¡¯t hers. Riot¡¯s words, curling like smoke from her lips. ¡°Untie her,¡± Theo said. ¡°We need to move.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll break someone¡¯s spine,¡± I snapped. ¡°You didn¡¯t see what she did before.¡± ¡°Then sedate her.¡± ¡°She begged me not to. She said-¡± I stopped. I couldn¡¯t repeat it. The way she whispered ¡°kill me¡± like it was a favor. The way she told me to im her or let her go to Riot. The way her wrists bled just to get to me. I moved to her. Knees in the dirt. Pressed a hand to her face. She flinched like I burned her. Her eyes rolled back. ¡°Jess,¡± I said softly. ¡°I¡¯m here. We¡¯re getting out. Just hold on.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t want to,¡± she slurred. ¡°Just want you inside me¡­ please¡­ please¡­¡± Pierce turned away. Theo cursed. ¡°Sedate her,¡± Theo said, quieter now. ¡°You said it yourself. You can¡¯t im her. You can¡¯t fix it. She¡¯s too far gone-¡± ¡°I fucking said no.¡± Pierce moved again and I nearly tore his throat out. ¡°She¡¯s my sister,¡± he snapped. ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± I growled. ¡°You don¡¯t fucking understand what that means.¡± Her skin burned under my hands. Her pylse fluttered too fast to track. I pressed a hand to her face. She shuddered. Gasped. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± she whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t let them knock me out. Please. Please don¡¯t take me away from you.¡± I swallowed. Pierce threw the sedative at me. ¡°Do it, or I will.¡± 10.31 Fri, 29 Aug I caught the vial, Held it in my palm like it weighed fifty fucking pounds. I could barely breathe. Her lips cracked. ¡°Grayson?¡± ¡°Yeah, baby. I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t let me sleep. Don¡¯t let me go.¡± My hands shook. Behind me, Theo muttered, ¡°We don¡¯t have time.¡± I lifted the vial, really nning to use it on her but one looked in her eyes and I couldn¡¯t. So, I stood. Dropped the vial. Shattered it against the floor. ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± Theo hissed. ¡°I said I¡¯m not sedating her.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll kill us all.¡± 60% ¡°Then let her start with me.¡± I tore through the belt with my ws and caught her before she crumpled, her body soft and twitching in my arms. Her breath stuttered against my corbone. The heat of her¨CGod, she was burning up. Like something inside her was cooking her alive. Her skin stuck to mine. She whimpered once, low and broken, and curled into me like instinct. Pierce mmed the back door open. ¡°We¡¯re not going to make it if we stand here arguing.¡± We moved. I carried her through the trees, heart a war drum in my throat, each step louder than thest. The truck was parked behind the slope. Mud¨Ccaked, engine already ticking. Theo opened the back door. Pierce threw a nket down over the seat like it would fix anything. I ignored them. I ducked in with her in my arms andid her across the seat as gently as I could. She moaned. Tried to speak. Her eyes rolled. The ck was back. I brushed hair off her face. ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± I lied. She twitched. Her mouth moved. ¡°I can feel him,¡± she breathed. ¡°Inside me.¡± I looked away. I couldn¡¯t hear that right now. I mmed the door shut. Pierce jumped in front. Theo started the engine. I climbed into the back beside her. Pulled her into my . Held her too tightly. I didn¡¯t care. She was shaking so violently it ?? 10:32 Fri, 29 Aug rattled through my bones. ¡°Go.¡± I barked. The truck lurched forward. Tires kicking up avel and dirt, engine roaring through the silence like a warning. Riot was behind us, I knew it. I felt it. Like ws dragging down my spine. Jessica shifted in my arms. Her fingers dug into my chest. And then she looked up at me¨Ceyes ck, mouth cracked, voice not hers. ¡°You should¡¯ve marked me when you had the chance.¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening to her?¡± Pierce screams. She lunges across the seat like an animal, feral, ws out, jaws open, knocking my shoulder out of ce with the force of her. She hits the back window, fists mming into the ss hard enough to spider it, blood smearing across the pane. Theo yells, ¡°What the fuck is happening?!¡± ¡°She¡¯s shifting¨Cbut it¡¯s not right!¡± I grab her waist, try to haul her back, but she kicks me in the ribs and I see stars¨Cmy lungs stutter, and then she turns, face twisted into something halfway between herself and something I don¡¯t fucking recognize. ¡°Jessica-!¡± She¡¯s sobbing. Laughing. Growling. Her face splits open in a scream that rattles the goddamn frame of the truck. ¡°STOP THE FUCKING CAR!¡± I shout. Theo ms on the brakes, the tires shrieking across gravel and mud. The truck skids sideways, door flinging open from the force of her body hitting it again. Pierce yells. Jessica grabs the seatbelt like a tether and tries to climb out. ¡°Jess!¡± I lunge, grabbing her around the waist, dragging her back, but she bites me¨Cbites into my arm, straight through the muscle, and it¡¯s not her. Her eyes are ck. Her voice is Riot¡¯s. Her mouth spits his words through her teeth¨C ¡°She¡¯s not yours.¡± Im her against the seat. ¡°Yes the fuck she is!¡± She ws at my chest, hands scrabbling, nails slicing through skin. My shirt rips open. Blood floods between us. She growls into my mouth as I grab her jaw to stop her from tearing my throat out. ¡°It¡¯s not you,¡± I pant, breath shaking. ¡°You¡¯re not him¨CJess¨Cfight it¨Cfight it!¡± ¡°Grayson!¡± Pierce¡¯s voice is distant, panicked, like he¡¯s watching a horror movie through ss. Jessica rears back and vomits blood. Dark, thick,ced with ck smoke, Her whole body shudders. Her limbs crack, reform. She convulses. Sobs. Then stops. Still. 10:32 Fr, 29 Aug Silent. And for one fucking second I think she¡¯s dead. ¡°No¨Cno no no-¡°I shake her, grip her face, p her cheek. ¡°Jess¨Cbaby¨Cbreathe¨Cbreathe- Then her eyes open again. Not ck. Not brown. Silver. And she smiles. Dripping blood. Lips cracked. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill everyst one of you.¡± Theo opens the door, aiming the gun. ¡°Get out of the way¨CGrayson¨Cget out!¡± ¡°No!¡± I spread my arms over her body, shaking, panting, barely upright. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking touch her!¡± ¡°She¡¯s gone!¡± Theo¡¯s voice cracked as he raised the syringe, arm cocked, needle glinting in the dark. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking straight, Grayson. She¡¯ll kill us¨Cshe¡¯ll kill you!¡± ¡°She¡¯s not!¡± I roared, but I saw his finger twitch. The second his muscles shifted, I moved. I lunged across her body¨Cover the heat, the blood, the snarling girl who used to be mine¡ªand caught his wrist mid¨Cair. I didn¡¯t think. I didn¡¯t blink. I ripped the sedative from his grip, turned, and mmed it into her throat. Jessica choked, back arching like a live wire had been shoved down her spine. Her eyes red white, then ck, then wide. Her lips peeled back in a snarl, but I held her down, gutted, while the plunger sunk into her skin and her pulse fluttered under my hand. ¡°No¨Cno¨CGrayson!¡± Theo grabbed my shoulder like he couldn¡¯t believe what I¡¯d done. ¡°You think I wanted to?!¡± I snapped. ¡°You think I fucking wanted to sedate the only girl I¡¯ve ever- Jessica twitched once. Twice. Then went still. The truck was dead quiet, except for the breath shaking out of me. Theo¡¯s voice was ragged. ¡°You said she wasn¡¯t gone.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not.¡± I looked down at her, bloodied, ruined, unconscious in myp, and my hands wouldn¡¯t stop trembling. ¡°She¡¯s still in there. But if she shifted with that thing in her, she¡¯d nevere back.¡± Alpha Luna 107 Chapter 107 Jessica Grayson has always loved me. I think he forgot to mention how he also can¡¯t keep his stare to himself. The truth is, the reason why I¡¯m always disobedient with him is not really because I hate him. Sometimes, he sneaks behind my brother¡¯s back just to spit an insult into my ear. Most of the time, I catch him watching me from across the room like he¡¯s imagining how I¡¯d taste if he stopped pretending he was good. And I think I took that stare as proof¨Cproof that he hated what I am. So I humiliate myself more just so I can tease him more. Being hated by him is fun when I was younger. I liked the way his jaw clenched. The way he snapped when I smiled at someone else. The way he always said no but never walked away. He¡¯d corner me and growl like an animal and say the most disgusting things and I¡¯d drip for him like I was born to be ruined by his voice. I never admitted it. I used to think I was taunting him. But maybe I just wanted to be ruined. By him. Only him. -And now it¡¯s different. Now everything¡¯s splitting apart and I don¡¯t recognize my voice when I scream. I can¡¯t even trust the words in my mouth because half of them aren¡¯t mine. They taste like rot. Like him. Like Riot. I think something¡¯s in me, crawling up through my blood, trying to unmake me. I think Grayson knows. I think that¡¯s why he looks at me like I¡¯m already gone. But then his hands shake when he touches me. His voice breaks when he says my name. And when he ties me down and stares like he hates himself for what he has to do¨Cit makes me happy. Because if I die in his hands, at least I¡¯ll die his. I know what I must look like right now. Half¨Cferal. Hair matted. Wrists bruised from the belts he wrapped around them to stop me from shing someone open. Mouth cracked from screaming. Eyes wrong. My brother won¡¯t look at me. Pierce 1/4 flinches every time I breathe. ¡°Jess¡­¡± *Jess¡­open your eyes!¡± He looks so worried. My feral alpha looks so worried right now. With all my strength, I force them open. It takes everything. Every ragged thread of who I used to be just to lift my lids. The light knifes into me. My breath catches. My body jerks like it doesn¡¯t belong to me anymore. But I find him. I always do. Grayson. Hovering above me like he¡¯s the one dying. Like this is killing him worse than it¡¯s killing me. ¡°Hey,¡± he whispers. His voice breaks. I want to tell him to stop looking at me like that. That it¡¯s okay and it¡¯s going to be okay. That he better not shed tears for me. My lips tremble as I struggle to reach for his face. Why do I feel like it¡¯s thest time I¡¯ll ever see his face? I think I fell in love with Grayson before I even knew what it meant. Before I knew that love could feel like this¨Clike a fever, like drowning, like chains I never wanted to break out of. He¡¯s the reason I keeping back, even when I don¡¯t know who I am anymore. He¡¯s the reason I fight the voice in my head that says let go. Because if I let go, I let go of him. And I¡¯m not ready. I¡¯ll never be ready. I want to scream it at him¨CI love you. I love you. I fucking love you and you don¡¯t get to look at me like I¡¯m slipping through your hands and you were never enough to stop it. You were always enough. You¡¯re the only one who ever was. But my voice is gone. All I can do is breathe. All I can do is bleed in his arms and pray he hears me in the way I look at him now. Please, Grayson. Please know I loved you. ¡°Are we far yet?!¡± It¡¯s almost funny to hear fear in my brother¡¯s voice. ¡°Jess-¡°Pierce again, rawer now, pleading. ¡°Jess, please-¡± I want to tell him it¡¯s okay. I want to tell him I forgive him for not loving me the right way. For never seeing the parts of me that needed it most. For calling me selfish when all I wanted was to be held. 10:32: Fri, 29 Aug ? @ ? But I can¡¯t move my mouth. Can¡¯t even turn my head. Can¡¯t blink without feeling like I¡¯m tearing the skin off my face. I hope when I don¡¯t make it, he¡¯ll apany Grayson to their drinking session. I hope they won¡¯t cry that much. I close my eyes and feel the power of the wolf inside me now. But it¡¯s not mine. Not really. It¡¯s bigger. Wrong. Its heartbeat doesn¡¯t sync with mine. It snarls every time Grayson touches me and then purrs when I think of Riot, and that¡¯s how I know it¡¯s not mine. 1 feel invaded. Infected. Piece by piece, muscle by muscle, memory by memory¨Cuntil I can¡¯t tell which thoughts are mine and which ones are the thing inside me. I blink, barely. Just enough to see a shadow moving above me¨CGrayson¡¯s face, but smeared and flickering, like I¡¯m seeing him through water. I think he¡¯s speaking. I can¡¯t make out the words. My ears are ringing again. Too much blood in my mouth. Then something warmnds on my cheek. Again. And again. Wet. Falling. Grayson. Is he crying? Oh, my poor baby Grayson. I didn¡¯t know he could cry. I didn¡¯t know I could still make him cry. And I hate that I love it. Hate that I¡¯m this wrecked and still greedy for him. Still wanting him to crawl closer and kiss the blood off my face. Still aching for his hands even though I know I¡¯m going to die with his name in my mouth. If he begged me to live right now, I¡¯d do it. Not for me. For him. Just to see hime undone a little slower. Just to feel what it¡¯s like to be his. Really his. Not teased, not threatened. Just marked. Ruined. imed. ¡°Stay with me, Jess¨Cstay with me, baby, don¡¯t fucking leave me, don¡¯t-¡± I cough. Once. Hard. ck seeps out of my mouth. It drips down my chin. I feel it pool at the hollow of my throat. I can¡¯t lift my arm to wipe it off. Grayson does. He wipes it gently with the edge of his sleeve, but his hand is shaking so bad it makes me feel cold just looking at him. He¡¯s trembling. My alpha is trembling. ; I try to say his name. Try to form the sound. But nothinges out. So I just stare. And hope he sees it in my eyes I never got to say it. Not when it mattered. Never whispered it between clenched teeth in the dark. Never wrote it down. Never begged him to say it back. But maybe he knew. Maybe it¡¯s always been there. In the way I disobeyed him just to see his jaw clench. In the way! smiled at other men just to feel his stare scorch my skin. In the way I let him hate me because I knew it meant he felt me. 1 was never looking for love. I was looking for his. I think I found it toote. I¡¯m dying. But that¡¯s okay.He¡¯s still holding me like I¡¯m worth saving. That¡¯s enough. That¡¯s enough for me. Atleast, I¡¯ll be his trouble maker Luna. Atleast, I became his. AD Alpha Luna 108 Chapter 108 GRAYSON She must¡¯ve been in so much pain. I nce over her still coughing in myp and wipe my fucking tears. I shouldn¡¯t be crying. I keep telling myself that. Over and over. Crying is for fucking funerals and she¡¯s not dead yet. I don¡¯t want to see her suffer like this. But the tears keeping anyway because I don¡¯t want to see her like this. I don¡¯t want to see her suffer like this. I don¡¯t want to admit what I already know¨Cthat this is my fucking fault. Every second I hesitated. Every time I said not yet. Every moment I didn¡¯t mark her. Didn¡¯t im her. Didn¡¯t put my teeth in her throat and carve Riot out of her with force and blood and fire. I thought I was protecting her. Thought I was sparing her from being mine when she wasn¡¯t ready, when I wasn¡¯t ready, when we didn¡¯t know how deep the damage went. But now I can see it in her face¨Cthe damage¡¯s done. The poison¡¯s taken root. And my hands are just holding the aftermath. She looks like she¡¯s being eaten alive from the inside out. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I keep saying. ¡°You¡¯re okay, baby. I¡¯ve got you.¡± Her eyes flutter open, silver now¨Csilver and shining like the end of something¨Cand she looks at me like she wants to say something, but she can¡¯t. Her mouth opens. Nothinges out. Her hand lifts an inch, then drops like the weight of her own body is too much to carry. I want to rip my fucking throat out. I want to trade ces with her. I want to burn every tree between us and Riot and drag his cursed imprint out of her by the roots with my bare hands. I want to go back to the second she looked at me and begged¨Cim me, please, before it¡¯s toote¨Cand do it. Mark her. Scar her. Make her mine and mine only, even if it meant blood. Even if it meant pain. Even if it meant breaking the rules we were never meant to follow. ¡°Don¡¯t go,¡± I whisper into her hair, even though I know she can¡¯t hear me. ¡°Jess, please don¡¯t fucking go. I¡¯ll do anything. I¡¯ll kill for you. I¡¯ll rip my own heart out and give it to you if that¡¯s what you need. Just¨Cjust stay. Please, baby. Stay.¡± Her breath rattles again, shorter this time. Shallow. Her body jerks once, then twice, like something inside her is trying to climb out. Theo¡¯s shouting something in the front. Pierce is yelling over him. I don¡¯t care. That¡¯s on me. All of it. On me. After driving for minutes that felt like hours, the truck finally jerks to a stop. I¡¯m already throwing the door open before Theo finishes yanking the keys ¡°Help me,¡± I bark, not looking back. I hear Pierce stumble out behind me, cursing. Theo¡¯s already halfway around the truck, eyes scanning the trees like Riot¡¯s about to leap out of the brush and rip our throats open. 10:32 FN, Zy Aug He might. Fine. Let him. I don¡¯t wait for a consensus. I haul her out of the backseat, her weight limp but jerking like something¡¯s crawling under her skin. ¡°Where?¡± I bark. Theo jerks his chin toward the treeline. ¡°There¡¯s a crawlspace¨Ccer hatch. Buried.¡± ¡°Move.¡± I don¡¯t wait. I shove past the ferns, boots sinking into wet ground, her limp body twitching in my arms. Theo said he¡¯ll check the parameters first while Pierce is following me inside. ¡°Grayson-¡± Theo¡¯s voice from the stairs, ¡°we need to lock it down. This whole ce-¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t stay long.¡± ¡°I said I fucking know.¡± There¡¯s a b of concrete at the bottom, a broken cot shoved against the wall. Rusted, stained. Good enough. Iy her on it. She jerks again. Gasps. Her fingers twitch like they¡¯re trying to reach for something that¡¯s not there. Pierce stumbles in behind me, dragging two duffel bags and a nket he yanked from the truck. He freezes when he sees her. ¡°Jesus,¡± he mutters. ¡°She looks-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say it.¡± He shuts up. I kneel beside her, press a hand to her ribs. Above us, Theo¡¯s footsteps drag back toward the hatch. I hear the door m shut, then the scrape of something heavy being pushed on top. Lockdown. The light¡¯s dim. The only bulb overhead flickers once, then holds. She moans. ¡°Grayson.¡± Pierce again. I turn. ¡°She needs rest.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know that.¡± Lignore him. I wring out another towel and wipe the sweat off her neck. But he won¡¯t shut the fuck up. ¡°W¨CWhat if she needs Riot to live? Grayson!¡± ¡°No.¡± He steps forward. ¡°You saw what happened in the truck. You saw what she said. She was talking like¨Clike she wanted him.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just saying, maybe that thing in her, maybe it¡¯s what¡¯s keeping her alive¨C¡± ¡°I said shut your fucking mouth.¡± He squares up. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking straight. You marked her without finishing the im. You let her bleed into his hands. You didn¡¯t stop any of it.¡± My hands curl into fists. ¡°She¡¯s my sister.¡± ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± I snarl. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking forget that.¡± ¡°She was mine first.¡± I lunge. Grab him by the cor and m him against the concrete wall hard enough to make his teeth rattle. The cot jerks behind me from the force. Jessica stirs. My blood spikes. ¡°You want to say that again?¡± I hiss, low. ¡°You want to talk about who she belongs to? You want to throw history at me like it means something now?¡± Pierce¡¯s eyes re gold for a second. ¡°You don¡¯t own her, Grayson.¡± ¡°No,¡± I say. ¡°But I¡¯m the one who¡¯s bled for her. I¡¯m the one who didn¡¯t walk away when she started losing herself. And I¡¯m the one still fucking here.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t need you. She needs healing. ¡°She needs me.¡± ¡°She needs to live.¡± ??? ¡°She is fucking living!¡± I shout, and let him go. He stumbles, coughs, wipes his mouth, but I¡¯m already turning my back. I kneel beside her again, slow. Hands still trembling from the fight I didn¡¯t finish. Jessica¡¯s jaw tics. Her breath is ragged again. Pierce wipes blood off his chin, like for the first time in his life he disagrees with me.¡± We¡¯re going to lose her, Grayson and we do, I¡¯m going to kill you for it.¡± Comment Alpha Luna 109 Chapter 109 GRAYSON ¡°I¡¯m not watching you kill her!¡± ¡°Pierce-¡± ¡°No. Let him!¡± I throw a hand out, stopping Theo from going after him. ¡°Let him go.¡± I fucking get it. That shithead loves her. In his own twisted, useless way. I get it. But I¡¯m not him. I kneel by her again. Her lips are parted. Blood drying in the corners. Her pulse is thready as hell. Fuck. I swipe the sweat off her corbone. She flinches. Not even awake, but still trying to fight. That¡¯s my girl. Theo¡¯s pacing behind me, muttering under his breath like that¡¯s gonna fix shit. I don¡¯t look at him. ¡°Get me a knife,¡± I snap. ¡°What?¡± Theo freezes. ¡°What the hell for?¡± ¡°I need blood. Mine.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not making her drink again-¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m iming her.¡± Silence. Then Pierceughs. Bitter. Loud. From the top of the hatch. ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡± I don¡¯t look at him. ¡°Get me the damn knife.¡± ¡°You¡¯re gonna do the mating here?¡± Theo asks, voice low, like maybe he didn¡¯t hear me right. ¡°Right now?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not gonna make it to a fucking altar.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not thinking-¡± ¡°She¡¯s dying¡± If I don¡¯t do something, she¡¯s going to die. I¡¯m not stupid. I know what I¡¯m doing. My hands shake, but I keep them steady enough to unzip the ck kit bag on the floor. There¡¯s a drawer inste hidden under the first p of gauze and burn gef, behind the false wall I stitched in years ago I already know what¡¯s on there. I kept it the way she taught
  1. me.
Obsidian des wrapped in salt cloth. magic. Old magic. Blood magic. My mother¡¯s magic. Stuff that got buried when the new regime took over, when the Elders ouwed half the shit that used to save lives, Stuff no one talks about anymore unless they want to be exiled. 06:31 Sun, 31 But I remember. She taught me before she died. Taught me with her hands over mine and blood on the flory Theo won¡¯t understand. Pierce sure as fuck won¡¯t But I don¡¯t need them to. If I concentrate¨Cif I get it exactly right¨CI can sever the imprint. I can cut Riot¡¯s rot out of her spine and anchor her to me instead Hot mark im the usual way. This is older. Dirtier. It¡¯s the kind of magic thates with pain. ¡°This is not fucking possible!¡± Theo shouts, his voice cracking as he lunges forward and yanks the bag out of my hold. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I snap, louder than I mean to. He steps back like I burned him, but he doesn¡¯t drop it. I move. Quick. Cross the room in three strides and grab his wrist. ¡°Give it back.¡± ¡°Grayson¨Cthis isn¡¯t the way.¡± He¡¯s panting. Eyes wide. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°I know exactly what I¡¯m doing.¡± ¡°She needs rest¨Cshe needs time-¡± ¡°She¡¯s out of time.¡± Jessica jerks on the cot again, mouth open in a silent scream. Her spine bows. Her fingers curl like ws around the edge of the sheet. The bulb af flickers once. Her eyes shoot open¨Csilver, blind, wrong. I point at her, voice low and deadly. ¡°That is not rest. That is not healing. That is her dying slow while he watches from inside her¡± Theo looks away. ¡°I¡¯m not asking,¡± I say. ¡°I¡¯m not negotiating. I¡¯m not following orders. She¡¯s mine. I¡¯ll tear the rot out with my own fucking teeth if I have to.¡± He hesitates. Jessica gasps again, a low rasping sound like metal scraping concrete. I let go of Theo¡¯s wrist. He stares at the bag. Then at me. ¡°I swear to God,¡± I mutter, ¡°if you try to stop me again, I¡¯ll put you through that wall.¡± Then I yank the bag back, drop to my knees beside the cot, and start unwrapping the salt cloth. The de is obsidian ck. Dull on the edges. Sharp at the point. My fingers are steady now. My heartbeat isn¡¯t I look at her body¨Cruined and burning and still beautiful¨Cand I know there¡¯s only one shot. One cut. One spell. One anchor. Her to me. Or nothing. The salt cloth peels back slow. It sticks where the blood driedst time¨Cmy mother¡¯s blood, maybe mine too. I don¡¯t care. I ball the rag and toss it aside. The de glints once in the low light, dark as hell, dull until it wants to bite. My palm curls around the hilt and my breath holds. It¡¯s heavier than I remember. Good. ¡°Pierce,¡± I snap without looking. ¡°Boil water. Tear open anything with alcohol. Wipe your fucking hands.¡± I hear him scramble, curses tumbling. A jug ms. Metal tters. Theo paces the wall like a dog losing his goddamn mind. But I¡¯m already leaning over her, one knee wedged to the cot to steady her twitching body. I press the t of my hand to her corbone¨Cright a p¨²lse point where she used to bite me when she wanted attention. ¡°Jess,¡± I murmur, not soft. ¡°If you can hear me, don¡¯t fight.¡± She doesn¡¯t answer. Doesn¡¯t blink. Her eyes are open now but looking straight through me. Pupils blown. Irises wildsilver. Her lips move t something¡¯s whispering to her from the inside. I press harder. Anchor her down. She jolts. Her body bows again like someone¡¯s hooking wire through her spine and yanking. A low snarl slips from her throat. Not her voice. Not her. Good. That means I¡¯m close. 100% I hook her shirt up to her ribs, drag it up and over her head, toss it aside. She¡¯s burning. Skin flushed deep red, veins dark, coiled around each other like. barbed wire. Right there¨Cjust under the rib. Right under the scar I gave her when we were kids and she tried to jump that fence behind the butcher¡¯s yard. She bles all over me then too. Old blood. New blood. All the same now. I press two fingers to the spot. Find the pulse. Whisper the binding word. The one my mother made me memorize by beating it into my back with a switch every time I got it wrong. Root. Blood. Anchor. Jessica shrieks. Her whole body jerks. Her heels m into the cot. One arm flies up like it¡¯s about to strike and then folds in on itself. Her wrist dislocates with a pop ¡°Fuck¨Chold her down!¡± Pierce crashes back into the room, towel soaked and steaming in his hands. He dives in, pins her thighs. Theo hisses something sharp from the wall but doesn¡¯t move. dig my knees into the cot, lock her hips under mine. The de hovers over her skin now. Steady. I don¡¯t breathe. Root. Blood. Anchor. 06:31 Sun, 31 Aug Then I press the obsidian into her side. The edge hits her skin. Not deep yet. Just enough to bleed. Just enough to open the gate. I angle the de, drag it slow, deliberate, just beneath the surface. It¡¯s not about pain¨Cit¡¯s about ess. Blood has to answer willingly, even if body¡¯t breaking. That¡¯s the rule. The body lies. The blood never does. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking move,¡± I growl, mostly to myself. Pierce grips her tighter. His jaw¡¯s clenched. He doesn¡¯t get it. Not yet. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a cut,¡± I mutter, dragging the de another inch. A line opens beneath it, dark blood rising like sap from a poisoned root. ¡°This is the for seal. Old blood magic. It works in threes¨Ccut, bind, burn. You open the blood. Then you feed it a name. Then you seal it to someone else.¡± Theo¡¯s still pacing like a lunatic. ¡°That¡¯s suicide.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°I said shut the fuck up.¡± I press the de deeper. Jess twitches like I lit her spine on fire. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to believe in it,¡± I say, low, fast, working. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to help. But if you interrupt this now, you¡¯re going to rip her soul in half. And she won¡¯t just die. She¡¯ll burn from the inside out and take half this goddamn forest with her.¡± Theo stills. That¡¯s what I thought. I turn back to Jess. The cut is open now. Wide enough. Bleeding heavy. Her chest is heaving like she¡¯s drowning on drynd. Her eyes are wild¨Cstill not fully her. ¡°That thing inside her¨Cit¡¯s not just Riot¡¯s voice. It¡¯s a binding. A hook lodged in her spine, tied to him through blood and scent and dominance. He didn¡¯t just mark her. He fucking imprinted her.¡± Pierce mutters something like a prayer. Doesn¡¯t matter. ¡°She¡¯s still here,¡± I say. ¡°Buried, but she¡¯s here. I can pull her back.¡± The knife shakes in my hand, just once, before I steady it. ¡°I¡¯m going to give her a new tether. Mine.¡± I wipe my palm across my mouth, then slit it open with the same de. Blood wells fast. ¡°You said that¡¯s suicide,¡± Theo snaps. ¡°You bind her to you like that, there¡¯s noing back. You bleed into her now, you carry whatever¡¯s inside has, too ¡°I know,¡± I say, dead t. ¡°That¡¯s the point.¡± I press my bleeding palm to the cut in her side. Her blood mixes with mine, hot and slick, like the earth itself is answering I know the moon goddess won¡¯t forgive this. I know the punishment ising. But it Jess lives¨Cif she breathes¨CI¡¯ll take the fall, r¡¯ll bumi ka hor dly Alpha Luna 110 Chapter 110 GRAYSON ¡°You told me she¡¯s going to wake up!¡± ¡°You told me it¡¯s going to work!¡± Shut up. Shut up. My head is splitting in half. Right between the eyes. Like someone¡¯s driving a spike through my skull. I grip the edge of the cot. Hard go white. Theo¡¯s pacing again. Saying shit like it matters. Pierce is mming drawers like that¡¯s going to fix anything. They keep making n breathing. But she¡¯s still not fucking moving. Her body¡¯s burning through another fever. Skin wet and red like she¡¯s being boiled from the inside out. I lean over her. Close enough to hear her heartbeat stutter. Then stall. Then start again. I want to tear the fucking walls down. ¡°You said-¡± ¡°I said shut your mouth,¡± I snap. Three days. Three days since I carved that cut into her side and fed her my blood like it was enough to save her. Three days since I ripped Riot¡¯s fucking leash off her neck and chained her to me instead. Three days of her not opening her eyes. What the hell did I do wrong? Pierce grabs my cor and drags me outside like I¡¯m the fucking problem. ms me into the side of the cabin, breathing hard, like he¡¯s ready to throw hands. Like I won¡¯t split his spine for touching me. ¡°You said she¡¯d wake up,¡± he snaps, shaking. I don¡¯t say a word. ¡°You said your blood would work-¡± ¡°I said shut your fucking mouth.¡± He grips harder. I let him¨Cfor one second. Then I m my forehead into his nose. Crack. Blood everywhere. He stumbles back, yelling, hands flying to his face. I don¡¯t move. I don¡¯t breathe. I just watch him bleed like I want to rip open ha ubs and check it ha heart¡¯s still fucking beating. ¡°You think I won¡¯t kill for her?¡± I ask, Low. Too calm ¡°You think I haven¡¯t already?¡± He spits into the dirt. ¡°She¡¯s not breathing right ¡°She¡¯s breathing enough¡± ¡°She¡¯s dying-¡± 1/5 Chapter 110 ¡°No,¡± I snarl, stepping in. ¡°She¡¯s changing¡± 1 grab him by the throat this time. Drag him forward until we¡¯re nose to nose, his blood on my mouth now. ¡°Riot buried himself in her spine. He left anchors in her scent. Leashes behind her eyes. You don¡¯te back clean from that ¡°Do you even know what¡¯s happening to her?¡± he snarls. I don¡¯t answer. Because yes, I know. And no, I don¡¯t. Not fully But I¡¯ve seen the aftermath of what Riot leaves behind. I¡¯ve seen bod imprint sickness. I¡¯ve seen wolves cannibalize their own mates just to stop the pain. I step back, exhaling through my teeth. The cold air hits my lungs sharp. We¡¯re just outside the cabin now. A single floodlight dangles crooked from the gutter, swaying with every gust of wind. Its licken shadows over the forest clearing like a de sawing through bark. Dirt. Blood. The trees crowd in like they¡¯re watching I stalk away from Pierce, toward the edge of the clearing where we dumped the emergency water tanks and sterilization gear. My boots crust sticks under my soles. I grab a jug and a knife at the same time¨Cset them down hard on the makeshift bench we dragged out here two nights ago when her fever speed and Theo started praying. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Pierce asks, trailing after me like a kicked dog.¡°We need to fucking talk.¡± ¡°About what?¡± I don¡¯t turn around. Just keep walking¨Cthrough the trees, past the shed we dumped the spare cot in, toward the clearing where everything¡¯s been failing apart since the second we got here. Pierce follows. ¡°About the pack,¡± he snaps. ¡°About Riot. About how the line¡¯s gone dead.¡± I stop at the bench. Set the jug down. The knife harder. He steps up beside me. ¡°It¡¯s been five days,¡± he says. ¡°No calls. No messengers. No scouts. Nothing.¡± ¡°So?¡± ¡°So that¡¯s not normal.¡± I look at him. Finally, ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that?¡± ¡°I think you¡¯re too busy carving open your soulmate like a goddamn butcher to notice the forest went quiet I grab the knife. Pierce stiffens. But I don¡¯t swing. Not yet. 275 06:31 Sun, 31 Aug ¡°You wanna say that again?¡± I ask. He doesn¡¯t. I flip the de once in my hand, then jam it into the bench wood between us. The metal vibrates. ¡°I know it¡¯s quiet,¡± I mutter. ¡°I know the penat dead. You think I don¡¯t have ears?¡± ¡°No one¡¯sing, Gray. That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying. No backup. No intel. No signal. The border is closed.¡± Linhale slow. Hold it. Let it rot in my lungs. ¡°Riot¡¯s doing?¡± I ask. ¡°Has to be.¡± Of course it is. 9920 The motherfucker doesn¡¯t just poison people¨Che poisons systems. He spreads. Quiet. Fast. Like mold under the floorboards. You don¡¯t see it uns house is copsing under your feet. ¡°You said he was limping,¡± I mutter. Pierce nods. ¡°Last time we saw him. But that was before she ran.¡± Before she ran. Before she bled. Before he tasted her. Now he¡¯s not just limping. He¡¯s pissed. Hungry. Imprinted. He has her scent in his lungs and. blood on his tongue and that makes him powerful again. ¡°She¡¯s the tether,¡± I say under my breath. ¡°That¡¯s why he¡¯s quiet.¡± Pierce looks at me sideways. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t want to chase her. He wants her toe back.¡± ¡°Then why block the pack?¡± ¡°Because we¡¯re a variable. A threat. He can¡¯t pull her if I¡¯m still in the way.¡± Pierce looks back at the cabin. His jaw flexes. ¡°She¡¯s not waking up.¡± ¡°She will.¡± ¡°She¡¯s burning¡± ¡°I know.¡± I yank the de out of the bench and turn on him. ¡°She¡¯s mine. I carved it in blood. It Riot¡¯s rotting the pack from the inside, then wu stay outside. We hold the line. We don¡¯t move.¡± Pierce shakes his head. ¡°You don¡¯t understand, do you? The line¡¯s gone. There¡¯s no one left on the inside.¡± That gives me pause. He sees it. Steps closer ¡°I think the whole pack¡¯spromised,¡± he says, voice lower now, like maybe that¡¯ll soften the blow think Riot already took the capital poisons the pack, Grayson.¡± Then, just like that, his next question ruins me. ¡°Don¡¯t you care about your people anymore?¡± I move. Fast. My hand ms into his chest, shoving him back against the half¨Crotted trunk of a pine. The bark splits behind him. A thud echoes through the trees Moss rains down from the branches. H¨¦ gasps¨Cjust once¨Cbefore I press my forearm to his throat. ¡°I care,¡± I growl.¡± How dare you question my authority?¡± My forearm drives harder into his throat. His back scrapes bark, boots slipping in the dirt. ¡°I never question you!¡± Pierce coughs out, fingers wing at my grip. ¡°Damn it. But you have no n, Grayson! You have no n how to take over the damn pack after your father died!¡± My grip doesn¡¯t loosen. ¡°I know Jess is sick but damn it, aren¡¯t you thinking?¡± Wrong answer. I m him back again¨Chard enough that the bark splits behind his skull. His head snaps sideways. Blood beads where the skin splits above his He wheezes, teeth bared, but I don¡¯t care. I lean closer. Let him see it. Let him feel what¡¯s boiling under my skin. ¡°You want me to think? Fine. Here¡¯s my fucking thought: burn it all.¡± His mouth opens¨Cshocked, maybe. I don¡¯t wait. ¡°Burn the pack. Burn the council. Burn the fucking bloodline. We don¡¯t need a goddamn n when every piece on the board is already rotten.¡± I shove off him with enough force that he drops to his knees. Coughing, Spitting blood. I pace. Violent, wide steps. Heat crawling up my spine, setting my shoulders on fire. My hands shake. My vision pulses red at the edges. ¡°You think I don¡¯t hear the whispers in my sleep?¡± I hiss. ¡°You think I don¡¯t hear you nning with Theo?¡± Pierce staggers up onto one knee, but he¡¯s slower now. Weaker/ ¡°You¡¯re a goddamn traitor too, Pierce.¡± His eyes sh. ¡°I never betrayed you,¡± ¡°You doubted me,¡± I growl, stalking back toward him. ¡°That¡¯s the same thing.¡± ¡°I was trying to save you-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t fucking lie to me!¡± 1 My fist ms into his face. He goes down again. don¡¯t wait for him to get up. 1./0 I¡¯m on him. Pinning him to the dirt. My knees on his arms. My forearm crushing his throat again. ¡°You looked me in the eye and told me you¡¯d follow me anywhere,¡± I snarl. ¡°Now you¡¯re sniffing around Theo like he¡¯s got a spine. ¡°Grayson-¡± he chokes, trying to twist free. 06:32 Sun, 31 Aug I punch him again. His lip splits. Blood runs into his teeth. ¡°I should rip your throat out,¡± I mutter. ¡°I should end it now.¡± ¡°You already lost yourself,¡± he spits back, blood flying. ¡°You think this is power? You¡¯re just another fucking rogue in heat over a girl who doesn¡¯t know who you are anymore!¡± That¡¯s it. I snap. I drag him up by the front of his shirt and throw him into the side of the cabin. The wall cracks. His body leaves a dent. I¡¯m on him before heera away, m him back, pin his throat again. ¡°I made you,¡± I hiss. ¡°You owe me your life.¡± ¡°And I saved it more times than I can count,¡± he coughs. ¡°But this? This isn¡¯t saving her. This is dragging us all down with you.¡± Alpha Luna 111 Chapter 111 GRAYSON ¡°Another hour?¡± I murmur. ¡°Or are we doing the full twenty four again, sweetheart?¡± I don¡¯t think I can do this for another twenty hours again. Pierce is gone. Vanished without a sound, without a scent, without the decency to bleed first. If he¡¯s smart, he won¡¯te back. If he¡¯s back through that treeline and say something sideways about how this is my fault¨Cand I¡¯ll gut him like a pig in front of the grade and Awe the blink. I don¡¯t know what his fucking problem is. Is the pack more important than his sister? But who am I to judge, right? It¡¯s not like I made good I¡¯ve failed her more times than I can count. Let her burn alone. Let her bleed out. Let her beg. And I still had the fucking audacity to force ¡°I should follow Pierce,¡± Theo said, breathing too loud. I want to cut his throat just to shut him up. I turn my head slow. Real slow. My jaw clicks. ¡°The fuck did you just say?¡± Theo backs a step, but not far enough. ¡°I just¨CI meant maybe Pierce had a point. We should do something about the pack-¡°. ¡°Say that again,¡± I snarl, stepping toward him. ¡°Say it again. Say Pierce had a point and I swear to every god in this cursed bloodline, I will mount your fucking spine on the door.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not waking up, man-¡± My hand¡¯s around his throat before thest word even leaves his mouth. I m him into the wall so hard the frame rattles. ¡°She¡¯s not gone,¡± I grit out, fangs bared, ws digging into his skin. ¡°You don¡¯t get to say that. You don¡¯t get to fucking speak about her like she¡¯s already dead.¡± He chokes on air, eyes wide. ¡°Damn. How far did you go off¨Creservation, Alpha?¡± he rasps. ¡°I didn¡¯t say she¡¯s dying. You have to get your head-¡± I m him into the wall again. Harder. ¡°Say one more fucking word,¡± I snarl, voice low and shaking. ¡°Go ahead. Finish that sentence. See what happens.¡± ¡°You keep spiraling like this, you¡¯re gonna lose more than her.¡± My grip tightens, ws breaking skin, blood welling at his throat. He winces but keeps going. ¡°You think this is strength?¡± he spits. ¡°This isn¡¯t you protecting her. This is you giving up with your ws out.¡± I growl¨Cdeep, low, vibrating out of my chest. ¡°Look around,¡± he pants. ¡°Your wolves are scared shitless. Half of them think you¡¯ve snapped. The other half are waiting to see if they¡¯ll have to put you down.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill them first.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± I freeze. He leans forward, voice raw, eyes locked on mine. ¡°You¡¯ll kill your own, Destroy the pack she bled for. Burn the whole thing down, and for what? For grief? For guilt?¡± My hands shake ¡°She¡¯s not even dead,¡± I snarl ¡°No,¡± he says ¡°But if she wakes up and finds ash and bodies and no one left standing¨Cyou think that¡¯s what she¡¯d want?¡± My breath hitches. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t fucking want this,¡± Theo says, quieter now, blood in his teeth. ¡°Not you like this. Not the pack breaking from the Then get your head straight. Alpha the fuck up. Because if you don¡¯t-¡± He swallows hard. ¡°You¡¯ll lose her either way.¡± For the first time ever, Theo is fucking right. Jess wouldn¡¯t want this. She wouldn¡¯t want the pack scared of me. Wouldn¡¯t want my hands stained with our own. Wouldn¡¯t want to wake up to blood in the to fight beside. She¡¯d call me a brute. A bastard. An idiot. And she¡¯d be right. ¡°Come on, Grayson,¡± Theo mutters behind me, voice still hoarse, neck bruised. ¡°Do you really think Riot is just there being xona I don¡¯t look at him. Just keep watching her. One more twitch. That¡¯s all I need. One more sign she¡¯s still wing her way back ¡°I think,¡± I say slowly, ¡°Riot would rather rip out his own throat than wear a crown.¡± Theo scoffs. ¡°He¡¯s already got the crown. You just handed it to him on a bloodied tter and walked away.¡± I snap my head toward him. ¡°I didn¡¯t walk away.¡± ¡°No?¡± He raises his chin, still wincing from where I hit him. ¡°What do you call locking yourself in this room while the rest of the pack turns feral from the inside out?¡± ¡°I call it not giving a fuck about anything that isn¡¯t her.¡± He can say whatever he wants. Riot can y king. The Council can rot. If she doesn¡¯t wake up, none of it fucking matters. Theo moves to the corner of the room, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°Riot¡¯s not leading. He¡¯s controlling. There¡¯s a difference, he¡¯s keeping -the pack in line with fear, not loyalty.¡± I snort. ¡°Sounds like the same way I handled it.¡± ¡°No.¡± He looks up. ¡°You ruled like you had something to protect. Riot rules like he¡¯s got nothing left to lose.¡± ¡°Then what do you want me to do?¡± I snap, the words tearing out of my throat. ¡°Risk going there and challenge? Silence. He watches me. And for the longest time, I let him. My hands fall to my sides. Heavy. Shaking. 06:32 Sun, 31 Aug ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing left,¡± I say. Quiet. Bitter. ¡°You think I can walk in there and rip a crown off Riot¡¯s head when i can¡¯t even keep her thing Theo doesn¡¯t answer. ¡°I can¡¯t shift right. Can¡¯t think. Can¡¯t sleep. Every second I spend in this room I lose more of myself, and no one gives a fuck because the orfy ever looked at me like I was more than what I was born to be¨Cis dying.¡± All my life I¡¯ve been sheltered. I had warriors around me. My father¨Ceven when he was cruel, he still had my back. I¡¯m afraid. I¡¯m fucking afraid, is pushing me to lead but no one asks me if I was okay. Everyone wants me to be an Alpha¨Cbut no one asks if that¡¯s still what I want. I mourned my father while fighting my way out of Aria. She told me about him being killed. The old man is evil, yes, but he¡¯s the only famil stripped me of everything. Aria stripped me of my fucking dignity when she tried to make me knot inside her. For so long, I¡¯ve been so strong. I¡¯ve been so obedient. I¡¯ve been so loyal. I¡¯ve been everything my father and the pack wants me to be. Except this time, all I wanted is to be with her. Fuck everything. All I want is to be with Jess. ¡°G¨CGray¡­son.¡± My heart fucking stops. And there she is. The love of my life. The woman the Moon Goddess gave me. The only good thing I¡¯ve ever touched and didn¡¯t ruinpletely- Staring at me. Eyes cracked open, hazy, half¨Cfucked from the , but hers. Those eyes. The ones that made me sink harder every time they looked at me like I was worth something. I forget how to breathe. ¡°Jess,¡± I choke out, quickly reaching for her. ¡°Jess!¡± Her eyes flutter again and that¡¯s all it takes. Everything in me just¨Cbreaks. She¡¯s alive. I press my forehead against her temple and the tearse hard and fast¨Cviolent, ugly, uncontroble. I can¡¯t stop shaking. I can¡¯t stop the way my breath hitches like I¡¯ve been stabbed in the fucking chest. ¡°I thought I lost you,¡± I whisper, voice splintered. ¡°Fuck, Jess¨CI thought I lost you.¡± I don¡¯t even know if she can hear me. Doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m saying it anyway. Every word I didn¡¯t get to say. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed to do that to me. Do you hear me?¡± My voice cracks again. I¡¯m sobbing now. Fully. No shame. No holding back. ¡°You¡¯re not fucking allowed to leave me.¡± AD cament Alpha Luna 112 Chapter 112 K2 47%1 JESSICA ¡°I¡¯m okay baby, really.¡± Grayson sighs, burying his head further into my neck, making meugh. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen him cry like that earlier. My fingers brush his hair, admiring him like this. I don¡¯t know what happened or how many days I¡¯ve been sleeping, but I remember some fragments of what had happened before. Ishift a little, body fucking heavy, muscles stiff like they¡¯ve ¡°Jess¡­¡± voice low, rough, like it scrapes his throat raw to say it. I feel his chest hitch, ribs brushing mine. God. I really fucked him up, didn¡¯t I? This big, stubborn, half¨Cferal man looking at me like I¡¯m about to vanish if he blinks. Fuck. He looks so¡­ vulnerable. My hand slides down, knuckles bumping his jaw, thumb brushing the cut under his eye. When did he get that? And why is it not healing?¡± Slowly, he lifts his head¨Cfuck, it still knocks the air out of me.Hair stuck to his forehead, eyes shot red, jaw tight like it hurts him to breathe. ¡°Hey,¡± I rasp, tongue dry, voice scratchy like gravel. ¡°W¨CWhat happened?¡± Grayson looks wrecked. Worse than I remember. Like he hasn¡¯t slept in days. His gaze drags over my face, jaw, throat¨Chungry, haunted, desperate, all at once. I shift on the mattress, heel sliding against the sheet, knee bumping his hip. The bed creaks under the weight of us both, woodining loud enough to drown out my heartbeat for half a second. ¡°Did¡­ did I do this?¡± The words scrape out raw, softer than I meant, almost afraid of the answer. His jaw tightens harder, a muscle ticking. ¡°No, baby,¡± he mutters, voice rough, barely a breath. ¡°You didn¡¯t.¡± My nails graze lower, skimming the sharp line of his throat. I feel his pulse hammer under my fingertip ¨C quick, uneven, like he¡¯s barely holding it together. ¡°What happened?¡± I ask again, words spilling out shaky. ¡°How long¡­ how long was I out?¡± His eyes closeshes dark against the bruised skin under them. Shoulders lift, ribs straining the fabric of his shirt. ¡°Too long,¡± he rasps, voice gone hoarse, like it hurts him to admit it. His handes up, rough palm catching my wrist, holding it like it¡¯s the only thing keeping him standing. I shift closer, thigh brushing his leg, sheet bunching under my knee. The room smells like sweat, old blood, the ash and pine of Grayson¡¯s wolf pressed so close. ¡°Grayson,¡± I breathe, quieter. ¡°Talk to me.¡± His thumb drags over my pulse, hot and shaking. ¡°¡­ I fucking missed you,¡± he mutters, voice breaking on it. ¡°I miss you so much Jess.¡± ¡°Grayson¡­¡± ¡°Do you know how fucking scared I was?¡± His voice roughens, turns sharp at the edges, My mouth opens, but nothinges out¨Cwords choking on knot in my throat. ¡°You didn¡¯t wake up, Jess,¡± he grinds out, breath hot against my cheek, ¡°Days. Nights. Fuck¨CI thought¡­ I thought I lost you. U/4U Mon, Sept His forehead drops to mine, rough and desperate. The heat of him burns through my skin, seeps down to the bone. I feel my wolf stir, restless under my ribs¨Ccaught between wanting to nuzzle closer and bare her teeth at the weakness in his voice. ¡°Grayson¡­¡± My fingers lift, shaking, and I trace the cut at his cheek again. This close, I see it clearer¨Cthe split skin, dark bruising blooming under his eye. ¡°Did I¡­ do this?¡± His breath hitches, chest shuddering under my palm. ¡°No,¡± he rasps. ¡°Not you.¡± ¡°Then who?¡± The words scrape out, half¨Cbroken. ¡°Grayson, what the fuck happened?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°What about Riot?¡± His breath drags in rough, chest rising under my hand, shoulders bunching like he¡¯s holding back from putting his fist through the wall again. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he mutters, voice gone raw, almost a snarl. ¡°Don¡¯t say his fucking name right now.¡± ¡°Why?¡± His stare pins me¨Cwild, ruined, wolf burning behind his eyes. ¡°Because if I hear it again, Jess, I won¡¯t be able to fucking stop myself.¡± I swallow, tongue dry as bone. ¡°Stop yourself from what?¡± ¡°From going out there and dragging him back by the throat,¡± he breathes, voice so low it vibrates through my ribs. ¡°From finishing what I should¡¯ve fucking finished the first time.¡± He¡¯s trying to dodge the topic. I know Grayson and I know what he¡¯s doing¨Cthrowing blood and rage at me so I¡¯ll stop asking. ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked,¡± I rasp, voice rough, throat burning. ¡°Tell me what happened. The truth.¡± His eyes flicker¨Cwolf snarling just behind them, jaw ticking so hard it must hurt. His breath catches, chest straining under my palm. ¡°Jess¡­¡± he mutters, voice barely there, like gravel dragged over stone. ¡°Don¡¯t make me say it.¡± ¡°Say it,¡± I push, nails biting through the thin cotton stretched over his ribs. ¡°Say what he did to me.¡± His shoulders bunch, breath rips out of him like it¡¯s tearing something loose inside. His hand curls at the back of my neck, hot and shaking, thumb pressing hard under my jaw like he¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll slip away. ¡°He fucking poisoned you,¡± he bites out, voice ragged. ¡°His blood, Jess. He forced it into you so your wolf would bend.¡± My stomach drops, something cold crawling up my spine. His blood. Inside me. Fuck. I can¡¯t stop the thought that ms through my skull, vicious and ugly: And I didn¡¯t even fucking know. ¡°That¡¯s why you couldn¡¯t fight him off,¡± he says, voice raw, almost pleading like he needs me to understand it wasn¡¯t my fault. ¡°That¡¯s why you listened.¡± ¡°And what did you do?¡± I know he¡¯s done something. His hand tightens on my nape, thumb scraping rough under my jaw. His throat works around the words, sweat beading at his temple. ¡°I ripped it out,¡± he rasps. Words so raw they barely sound human. ¡°The bond¨Chis fucking bond¨CI tore it out of you.¡± My breath catches sharp, chest seizing so hard it hurts. ¡°You what?¡± It croaks out, small, broken, half a snarl. 07:40 Mon, 1 Sept El His gaze burns into me¨Cwild, haimted, woll crouched so close it shadows every flick of hisshes. It was killing you, Jess he grinds est, voice thakingi so bad it scrapes through my ribs. ¡°I could see it rotting you from the inside out. His blood. His im. I couldn¡¯t fucking wand it His hand drags rough down the column of my throat, palm shaking so hard it¡¯s barely a touch, more like a plex. ¡°So I ripped it out,¡± he breather, softer now, words frayed. ¡°My woll¨Cour wolf¡ªhe knew where it was coiled under your skin. And he tore it out.¡± My vision blurs, pulse hammering so loud it swallows the air between us. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, voice catching ¡°What did it do to you?¡± His chest heaves, breath shuddering, sweat slick at his temple. ¡°Almost killed me,¡± he admits, so fucking low I feel it more than hear it. ¡°But I¡¯d do n again, Jess. A thousand fucking times.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s gone,¡± I breathe, pulse fluttering like a trapped thing. ¡°Riot¡¯s bond¡­ it¡¯s gone?¡± His eyes drag up to mine, dark and ruined but sure. ¡°Gone,¡± he growls. ¡°He¡¯ll never touch you again.¡± Alpha Luna 113 Chapter 113 JESSICA Grayson is wrong. I shift on the mattress, sheets catching against my thigh, breath snagging in my throat. He¡¯s sleeping beside me like he always does. Possessive even in sleep. His hand curls heavy over my waist, rough palm pressing heat into my skin like he¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll vanish if he blinks. The thing is ¨C I can¡¯t fucking sleep. It¡¯s been three sunrises since I came back to him. Three dawns where my wolf paces restless under my ribs, ws scraping bone every time I close my eyes. Outside the walls, the world keeps moving. Riot¡¯s still breathing. And I don¡¯t know what the fuck they¡¯re nning because they won¡¯t tell me. They told me not to ask. Told me to rest. But how can I do that when everytime I close my eyes I see Riot¡¯s face? He¡¯s trying to convince me toe back. He¡¯s telling me it¡¯s not over. And while Grayson told me it¡¯s over I felt like it¡¯s not really over. He¡¯s still here, somewhere. Grayson¡¯s breath drags rough beside me, chest rising heavy,shes twitching like even asleep he¡¯s fighting something ugly. My heart twists, sharp and mean. I could stay. I could bury my face in his throat, let his scent drown it out for a while. But that wouldn¡¯t stop the nightmares. Careful ¨C slow, so I don¡¯t wake him ¨C 1 pry his arm from my waist. His fingers twitch in his sleep, wolf stubborn even unconscious. I slip free ¨C slow, breath caught in my chest ¨C and just my fucking luck, there he is. Theo. Propped against the porch rail, cigarette burning low between his fingers, smoke curling around his jaw. Eyes catch on me the second I step out ¨C dragging over bare legs, oversized shirt clinging to sweat¨Cdamp skin, hair a mess around my face. He snorts, mouth twisting like he¡¯s half amused, half starving. Like he can¡¯t decide if he wants tough or bite. Typical Theo. My wolf shifts under my ribs, ears back, not sure if it wants to snap or ignore him. But I know Theo. Know the rot in him. Know the jagged pieces he hides behind that grin. I also know what Pierce told me. That Theo stayed. That he helped. That when I was choking on Riot¡¯s fucking bond, Theo nearly tore his own throat out trying to get to me. Doesn¡¯t mean I forgive myself. Doesn¡¯t mean I forget what he¡¯s done. It just means I¡¯m willing to stand here, bare feet freezing on the boards, night air licking my skin raw, and not spit in his face. He flicks ash over the edge, smoke curling around his mouth when he talks. ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep, princess?¡± His voice is lower than usual. ¡°Want to smoke again?¡± Theo huffs out something between augh and a snarl. His eyes flick past me, then back, sharp, catching every twitch in my shoulders. ¡°Guess none of us sleep easy anymore,¡± he rasps. My gaze drops to his knuckles ¨C scabbed raw, like he¡¯s been punching something that didn¡¯t punch back. My wolf twitches at that. I want to ask. Instead, I move closer, boards creaking under my heel, smell of cigarette smoke and pine sap crawling up my throat. ¡°You gonna tell Grayson you¡¯re up?¡± Theo drawls, head tilting, smoke trailing from his lips. ¡°Or just let him wake up and tear the house apart looking? I snort¨Cdry, humorless- arms crossing under my chest. ¡°Let him sleep,¡± I mutter, Voicees out softer than I want. ¡°He fucking needs it.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he mutters back, smoke curling around the words. ¡°He does.¡± ¡°I heard you twost night.¡± ¡°Nosy princess.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t exactly help it,¡± I mutter, eyes dropping to the boards between us. ¡°You weren¡¯t exactly quiet.¡± Theo¡¯s gaze drags over me, slow, sharp, like he¡¯s measuring what I heard, what I think I know. His jaw ticks, cigarette burning low between his fingers, ember bright in the dark. ¡°So,¡± he drawls, words stretched, heavy. ¡°You gonna ask, or you gonna stand there pretending you don¡¯t give a fuck?¡± ¡°I heard Grayson,¡± I say, voiceing out tter than I feel. ¡°Saying he doesn¡¯t want to be Alpha anymore.¡± Theo snorts, smoke bursting past his lips. ¡°Course he fucking doesn¡¯t,¡± he mutters, like it¡¯s the simplest thing in the world. My chest twists sharp. ¡°Since when?¡± ¡°Since he nearly lost you,¡± Theo rasps, head tipping back, eyes half¨Clidded, smoke trailing from his mouth into the dark. ¡°Since Riot fucking happened. Since before that, probably. He never wanted this shit, Jess. Not really.¡± Something ugly scratches at my chest. ¡°That¡¯s not true-¡± Theo cuts me off, voice dropping to something harsher, closer to a growl. ¡°He¡¯d burn the whole fucking pack to keep you breathing, princess. You really think the crown matters more to him than you?¡± ¡°Grayson loves the pack-¡± His eyes lift, catching mine, dark and sharp and fucking tired. ¡°You¡¯re his pack It feels wrong. now,¡± he mutters. ¡°The rest of us? Doesn¡¯t matter half as much.¡± Wrong that everything shoulde down to me ¨C wrong that the others would burn for it, wrong that he¡¯d burn himself for me. ¡°And what about me?¡± His brow twitches, just a flicker. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°What if¡­¡± I swallow, mouth dry as ash, words crawling up slow. ¡°What if I could convince him to go back? To take over again?¡± Theo¡¯s gaze sharpens, smoke gone from the edges, something almost hungry there. ¡°You think you could do that?¡± I force my shoulders back, heart pounding so hard it almost drowns my thoughts. ¡°Maybe,¡± I rasp. ¡°He listens to me. Or¨Che used to¡± I know it¡¯s hypocritical to ask for that when all want is to truly get away and to start another life with him. But there¡¯s a pack and his people waiting for him and I am not like that. My love for Grayson is selfish but it¡¯s not merciless. It knows no bounds but it¡¯s not also unaware of how many lives we¡¯re ruining just for us to be together. 07:40 Mon, 1 Sept The wind cuts through the trees, stirring dead leaves across the yard. My hair whips across my cheek, cold biting the sweat cooling on my lift my chin, throat dry as bone, guilt scraping raw under my ribs. ¡°What if I really could convince him, Theo?¡± His gaze drags over me, sharp and dark, smoke trailingzy from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Then you better fucking mean it, he rasps ¡°Because wishe losing ¨C and we¡¯re losing big time. Packs watching. Rogues moving. Riot ain¡¯t done.¡± My nails press half¨Cmoons into the rail, heartbeat pounding so hard it rattles my ribs. Fuck. ¡°And if I ask¡­¡°¡ªwords taste like rust on my tongu ¡°and he says yes¡­ what then?¡±
  1. e. ¡°Then we pay you standing, prices. one of thou thin
Theo¡¯s mouth twists, cigarette ember ring red. My wolf stirs, restless under my skin. I swallow, throat burning. What if it ruins him? What if it ruins us? But maybe it¡¯s already ruined. And maybe I¡¯m the only one who can drag him back. Alpha Luna 114 Chapter 114 JESSICA ¡°You feel so good, Jess. You taste so fucking good, baby.¡± 1 let ou a whimper and rolled into the bed, reaching beside me only to find it empty. Goddess. What time is it? My head pounds as I blink up at the ceiling. I think I hurt my head. Or maybe I¡¯m still dreaming. Or maybe I¡¯ve just been having those nightmares all over again. I sit up slowly, washing my face with dry hands. It¡¯s so fucked up to even think about that. What happened in that cell haunts me till now, I told Grayson about it, but telling him didn¡¯t do anything to erase the pain. Sure, it lessened my guilt, but it never erased anything. Nothing. And just like that, I find myself staring at myself again. This is not me anymore. I¡¯m so far from the Jessica Wilkinson that I have known and I don¡¯t know how to make here back. I don¡¯t know if I can even do that. Nothing will erase those painful memories¡­.and yet, we¡¯re still doing nothing. Nothing! We¡¯re just here. Sitting. Sleeping. Cooking fucking breakfast like the world didn¡¯t fall apart three days ago. What the fuck are we doing? I¡¯m tired too. Tired of pretending I¡¯m okay just because I¡¯m back. Tired of Grayson acting like sleep will fix me. Sleep won¡¯t even fix a broken heart. How can it fix a broken Luna? I took more minutes preparing myself before I found Grayson cooking breakfast for us. I stood there for a second. Just watching him. Do you know what¡¯s crazy about all of this? This used to be my dream. I used to dream of waking up in Grayson¡¯s white big shirt, then finding him cooking breakfast for me. I dreamt of sleepy kisses, his arms sliding around my waist, him putting me up on the countertop just to kiss me again. I dreamt of him whispering that I¡¯m his girl, his Luna, the love of his life, forever. I used to want this so bad it hurt. But now? Now I stand here, wearing that shirt, watching him flip eggs in that pan, and it doesn¡¯t feel like a dream. It feels like a nightmare. ¡°Loving the view, baby?¡± I smirk, letting myself lean in the doorframe and tilt my head like I¡¯m fine. Like I¡¯m just some flirty girlfriend watching her mate cook half¨Cnaked in the kitchen. ¡°Depends,¡± I say, voice light. ¡°You nning to feed me or fuck me?¡± Graysonughs. ¡°Still not satisfied fromst night?¡± Tss. Arrogant bastard. 45%0 I swallow hard and push off the doorframe, walking to the counter slow. When I got there, I didn¡¯t stop myself. I just moved. Just let my arms slide around. his waist and pressed my cheek into his back. I feel him smile. His hand finds mine, fingers curling slow, thumb brushing my knuckles like he¡¯s trying to ground me. ¡°Morning, baby,¡± he murmurs. I nod against his spine. Don¡¯t talk. Don¡¯t breathe too loud. Just stay here. Just hold on. Pretend a little longer. Because for a second, this almost feels real. But then I blink, and I see that cell again. That cor. His eyes. His voice. ¡°You taste so fucking good, baby.¡± My throat tightens. I pull away before he notices. Turn fast, like I¡¯m grabbing something from the fridge. ¡°You okay?¡± he asks, not turning yet. ¡°Fine,¡± Ilie. Because if I say one more word, I think I¡¯ll shatter. It took me a few seconds topose myself before I divert the topic. It¡¯s not like he can read my mind anymore. We just lost..everything. ¡°So,¡± I say, voice too light, too casual. ¡°Where¡¯s the others?¡± Grayson pauses for a beat. I know he hears the shift. He¡¯s not dumb. But he ys along anyway. Because that¡¯s what we do now. ¡°Theo went out back. I think he¡¯s patrolling the ridge line again,¡± he says, scraping eggs onto two tes. ¡°Said something about the rogues getting braver.¡± Of course. Because even while everything inside me is breaking, the world outside is still bleeding too. ¡°And my brother?¡± I ask, sliding into a chair. ¡°Did you talk to him?¡± It¡¯s a sour topic for him, I know that. But he is his Beta. And right now, Grayson can¡¯t afford to lose anyone¨Cnot with the rogues watching, not with Riot out there breathing down our necks. Even Theo is useful now. Grayson exhales slowly. ¡°He¡¯s still angry.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not surprised.¡± ¡°He¡¯s also scared.¡± I look up. That makes me pause. ¡°Scared?¡± techo, voice tter than I intend. ¡°Of losing you again.¡± ¡°Well,¡± I say after a beat, pushing my food around the te. ¡°What can I say? I¡¯m so loved.¡± Grayson tilts his head, one brow arching like he¡¯s trying not to smite but fails anyway. ¡°Yeah,¡± he mutters. ¡°Loved. Stubborn. Dangerous.¡± ¡°Mmm. You say that like it¡¯s not your type.¡± ¡°It is,¡± he says, leaning on the counter now, arms crossed, eyes dragging over me. ¡°You are.¡± His voice dips on thatst part¨Csoft, low, like it slips out before he can stop it. I roll my eyes, but I can¡¯t fight the way my lips tug up. ¡°Stop flirting with your Luna while she¡¯s still so sore.¡± ¡°Stop being so hot then.¡± ¡°Tss. Pervert.¡± Grayson just grins and does whatever he¡¯s doing. And I know I¡¯m pushing my luck here but we have to have this conversation, ¡°Did you and Pierce talk?¡± i ask, letting my voice drop again. Softer this time. ¡°Like, really talk?¡± His back stiffens almost immediately. ¡°We¡¯re fine,¡± he says tly. That¡¯s it. ¡°Fine?¡± I echo, brows pulling together. ¡°That¡¯s all you¡¯re giving me?¡± He grabs a te. Sets it down a little too hard. ¡°What do you want me to say, Jess?¡± he mutters. ¡°That we cried and hugged it out? That everything¡¯s fixed?¡± ¡°No,¡± I say slowly. ¡°But maybe something more than ¡®we¡¯re fine. You¡¯re his Alpha. He¡¯s your Beta. He¡¯s your best friend.¡± He finally looks at me, and it¡¯s sharp this time¨Cdefensive, tired, like I touched something raw. ¡°Stop talking.¡± I blink. Hard. ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Jess,¡± he mutters, voice already darker, jaw ticking. ¡°Don¡¯t push this right now.¡± ¡°Do you know what your problem is, Grayson?¡± His eyes flick to mine. ¡°Careful.¡± ¡°No. You don¡¯t get to ¡®careful¡® me right now,¡± I snap, standing from the chair so fast it scrapes the floor. ¡°Your problem is you keep pretending you¡¯re the only one who got hurt and suffered.¡± He turns fully now. Hands braced on the counter, muscles tense like he¡¯s barely holding himself back. ¡°Don¡¯t do this.¡± ¡°I was the one in that cell.¡± My voice cracks, loud now, chest heaving. ¡°I was the one screaming for help and getting silence. I was the one who came back with nightmares stitched into my skin.¡± ¡°And you think that doesn¡¯t fucking kill me?¡± he snaps, stepping forward. ¡°You think I sleep? You think I breathe easy knowing what he did to you¡ª knowing I didn¡¯t stop it?¡± ¡°Then why are you acting like everything¡¯s fine? Like breakfast and pancakes can fix it all?¡± ¡°Because if I stop pretending, Jess-¡± His voice breaks, hard and sharp, ¡°-I will fucking lose it.¡± We¡¯re standing so close now. Too close. Breath colliding. Eyes locked like neither of us knows if we¡¯re about to fight or fall apart or both. ¡°Then lose it!¡± I shout. ¡°For once, fucking lose it!¡± ¡°You want me to lose it?¡± he growls, voice low, shaking. ¡°You want me to show you what that looks like?¡± His chest rises and falls like he¡¯s two seconds from exploding. My fists are clenched. My whole body vibrating. 3/4 ¡°I want you to feel something, Grayson! Anything real. Anything that isn¡¯t this fake, perfect Alpha maste you keep wasting like we didn¡¯t post bruns than whole world down?¡± His eyes darken. ¡°You want real?¡± I don¡¯t move. I don¡¯t blink. ¡°Give it to me.¡± 1 Alpha Luna 115 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¨Csharp, 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¨Cin 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¨Cstill¨CI can¡¯t look away. She stands there, storm¨Ceyed and half¨Cwild, 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¨CGod help me¡ªI 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 n, I¡¯ll tell her the truth. That I dream every night of knotting inside her¨Cdeep, final, brutal¨Cmarking 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. 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 ns. Not mine, not hers. Not anymore. She¡¯s here to bleed. We¡¯re all in the woods now¨Ccleared space surrounded by ck 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?¡± I lunge before she can blink. Pin her. Hard. She bucks like a wild thing, elbow aimed for my jaw, and it connects. My head snaps sideways, and I taste copper. Theoughs behind me¨Csharp, mocking. ¡°You getting soft, Gray?¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up,¡± I bark without looking. Jessica uses the distraction to twist free. Her body ms into mine again, faster this time, teeth gritted, every inch of her vibrating with anger. Not at me. Not really. But I¡¯m the closest thing she can hit. And I let her. She deserves to feel something that¡¯ll fight back. Pierce steps forward, chin high, already cocky. ¡°This your n? Let her beat you to shit and hope she thanks youter?¡± 1 stand. Blood down my chin, shirt ripped. Still staring at her. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need thanks,¡± I say. ¡°She needs someone who won¡¯t fucking leave her when the bond turns her inside out.¡± ¡°She needs control,¡± Theo snaps. ¡°Not another wolf obsessed with her scent.¡± That¡¯s when I lose it, I shove him. ¡°Say that again.¡± He does. ¡°Obsessed. You reek of it. It¡¯s pathetic.¡± I hit him once. Just once. And it¡¯s enough to send him staggering. Jessica steps between us, panting. ¡°You two done measuring your dicks or do I need to castrate you both?¡± Theo wipes blood from his lip. ¡°He started it.¡± I stare at her. ¡°You want to train? Fine. But don¡¯t look at me like I¡¯m the enemy when all I¡¯m trying to do is keep you breathing.¡± Her eyes flick. ¡°Then don¡¯t get in my fucking way.¡± She hits. Hard. Knuckles crash into my jaw, heel of her palm jamming into my chest. I barely block the next one. My ribs absorb the blow. She moves fast¨Cwild, reckless -throwing every ounce of fury into the swing like I¡¯m the one who abandoned her. Like I¡¯m the brother who ruined her life. I grab her wrist. She twists free. We¡¯re back to circling, breath short, eyes locked. And then- She charges. I brace toote. We hit the ground together¨Chard. My spine knocks against packed earth, her weight mming into me. She¡¯s straddling my hips, fists raised, hair sticking to her cheeks, mouth parted like she wants to scream but won¡¯t. ¡°Say it,¡± she snarls. I grip her thighs, dig my fingers in. ¡°Say what?¡± ¡°That you think I¡¯m weak.¡± I shove up. We roll¨Ctwist¨Cgrass grinding into our skin. I¡¯ve got her under me now, forearm to her throat, legs pinning hers. She bucks like she wants to kill me. God, I¡¯d let her. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re weak,¡± I grit out, jaw throbbing. ¡°I think you¡¯re/stupid.¡± Her eyes re. ¡°And I think you want to die before he gets the chance to kill you himself.¡± She spits in my face. I blink. Then smile. ¡°I should kiss you for that,¡± I mutter, voice low, shaking. She goes still. Just for a second. Then she ms her forehead into mine. Stars burst behind my eyes. Blood on my tongue. Chapter 115**N ¡°You¡¯re such a fucking asshole,¡± she hisses, breath ragged. ¡°And you¡¯re in love with me,¡± I fire back, not caring how much it costs. Her fistnds on my chest before I can finish breathing it. Hard. Bone to muscle, no hesitation. ¡°Fuck you, Grayson.¡± ¡°I¡¯m right.¡± ¡°You¡¯re always fucking right, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her voice cracks on it, but she doesn¡¯t let up. ¡°Even when you¡¯re bleeding, even when you¡¯re wrong, even when you¡¯ve got no goddamn idea what I¡¯m surviving.¡± My grip tightens on her arms¨Cenough to still her, not enough to hurt. ¡°You don¡¯t get to lecture me on surviving.¡± She goes still under me. ¡°Let me up.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Let me-¡± A sharp whistle cuts the air. Theo. Leaning against a tree, one brow raised, lips twitching around a smug grin. ¡°You two done dry¨Chumping each other into a therapy bill, or should we clear the whole forest?¡± Jessica whips her head toward him like she could rip it off his shoulders. ¡°I swear to god, Theo-¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Pierce cuts in, stepping forward, dragging a hand through his hair like he¡¯s about to lose it. ¡°That¡¯s enough, kids.¡± Jessica shoves at me. Hard. ¡°Get off.¡± I do. Only because she¡¯s vibrating with rage and I¡¯m two seconds from either snapping or snapping her back into ce, and neither¡¯s a good call. She storms to her feet, spinning on Pierce with a look that could curdle blood. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± He blinks. ¡°Call you what?¡± ¡°Kid,¡± Her voice is low now, Cold, ¡°You don¡¯t get to talk down to me like I¡¯m not the reason your sorry ass is still breathing.¡± Theo snorts. ¡°Well, that escted.¡± ¡°Shut up, Theo,¡± she and I say at the same time. Pierce raises his hands. ¡°Jesse on.¡± ¡°No,¡± she snaps. ¡°Don¡¯te on me. Don¡¯t act like this is normal, like I¡¯m not standing here covered in bruises while the pack debates whether I¡¯m useful or expendable.¡± No one speaks. 09:01 Tue, 2 Sept? ? Wind rustles the trees. My heart drums like it¡¯s trying to break out of my chest. Jess breathes hard, jaw clenched, fists tighter. ¡°I¡¯m not a fucking kid,¡± she says again, quieter now. ¡°And the next one who calls me that gets their throat ripped out. Got it?¡± She turns, locks eyes with me like it¡¯s not over. Because it¡¯s not. And walks. Leaves us all behind like she¡¯s the only one still moving forward Because maybe she is. And maybe that¡¯s what scares me most. JESSICA I freaking hate Grayson Westwood! Fuck. Iscoff, throwing some pebbles into the damnke. The way he¡¯s acting is making me feel sorry for the pack. He made me feel sorry I ever believed he¡¯d be better than his father. That he¡¯d protect me¡ªnot just when it¡¯s convenient or when it makes him look like the hero, but when it¡¯s me on the edge of something I can¡¯t name. I crouch at the water¡¯s edge and let my fingers sink into the mud. Cool. Grounding. Dirty. Better than the way my thoughts won¡¯t shut up. He says he trusts me. He says he sees me. But the second I stop pretending to be soft, he flinches. What the hell does he think this is? This rage? This instinct? The part of me that wants to tear throats and rip lies out of people¡¯s mouths with my teeth? That¡¯s not a phase. That¡¯s not a side effect. That¡¯s me. It¡¯s what kept me alive when the rest of them turned their backs. So yeah, maybe I¡¯m not easy to lead. Maybe I make them nervous. I didn¡¯t survive all that shit just to be told I¡¯m too much. The pack wants obedience? Let them train dogs. I was born a fucking wolf. And Grayson¨Che should¡¯ve known better. ¡°Well, well, well.¡± The. I don¡¯t need to look back to know it¡¯s him. I crouch lower, digging my fingers deeper into the mud. ¡°Careful, mutter. ¡°Might sound like you care,¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he replies, boots squelching closer. ¡°But you¡¯re making it really hard to tell.¡± Thear Pierce and Grayson from the background. I think they are arguing about something. They always are and it makes no sense because they used to be good at each other, ¡°What do you want Theo?¡± Theo lets out a low whistle. ¡°Can¡¯t I just talk to you alone?¡± We both know that¡¯s not really going to happen, No one in this little band of exiles ever talks without a reason. Not anymore. Not since we left the pack. Not since we stopped pretending we were anything more than wolves in a temporary truce, sharing warmth just long enough not to freeze. ¡°You want to talk?¡± I say, finally standing up. My hands are still coated in mud, but I don¡¯t bother wiping them off. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s hear what little Theo wants to say.¡± Chapter Alpha Luna 116 116 ¡°I was going to say you¡¯re spiraling, but clearly, we¡¯re past that.¡± ¡°Careful,¡± I snarl. ¡°Keep pushing, and I¡¯ll spiral with your spine between my teeth.¡± ¡°I miss this,¡± he says, stepping closer, unbothered by the threat. ¡°You. Unhinged. Honest. All teeth and hate. No leash, no mask. Just the pretty little beast beneath.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t miss shit,¡± I snap. ¡°You miss having something to provoke. You miss throwing fire and pretending you¡¯re not just as mmable.¡± ??? ????? ? He¡¯s too close again. Always circling like he owns the perimeter of my fury. ¡°You want honesty?¡± I ask, voice rising. ¡°Here¡¯s the truth, Theo. I don¡¯t know what the fuck you want helping us¨Cbut it sure as hell isn¡¯t redemption.¡± He raises a brow, says nothing, and that pisses me off more. ¡°You don¡¯t care about the pack. You never did. You sure as shit don¡¯t care about me. So why are you still here? What, you bored of ying rogue on your own? Needed someone else to stalk in circles? Someone to remind you you¡¯re not the only fucked¨Cup wolf in the woods?¡± His expression doesn¡¯t shift, not even a little, and that nkness hits harder than if he¡¯d thrown a punch. When he finally speaks, his voice is lower, stripped of the usual taunting edge. ¡°You think I¡¯m sticking around to see you fall apart? You really believe that¡¯s what this is?¡± 1 cross my arms and narrow my eyes. ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± He exhales slowly, but it¡¯s not frustration. It¡¯s something heavier. Something restrained. ¡°I¡¯m here because I want to help Jess-¡± ¡°You want to help? You?¡± Theo nods. He flicks his tongue over his bottom lip and locks eyes with me like he¡¯s peeling something raw open just by looking. His gaze is too steady, too still¡ªit feels like staring down a ck hole, the kind that doesn¡¯t just swallow light, but pulls the truth out of you whether you want it or not. ¡°Then tell me why we haven¡¯t done anything yet?¡± 1 blink. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°You know what I¡¯m talking about,¡± he says, tone low and even. ¡°We¡¯ve been out here¨Ccircling, waiting, snapping at each other like rabid dogs while Grayson sulks and Pierce plots and you¡­ you seethe. But no one¡¯s made a move. Not one.¡± I fold my arms tighter across my chest, though the cold isn¡¯t the problem. It¡¯s the heat crawling up my spine. ¡°Because we¡¯re not ready.¡± ¡°Bullshit,¡± he replies, calm as a de pressed to skin. ¡°We¡¯re not doing anything because you¡¯re not ready.¡± My jaw clenches. ¡°And what? You think I¡¯m holding us back?¡± ¡°Yeah. I do.¡± Iugh, but there¡¯s no humor in it. Just a bitter exhale through gritted teeth. ¡°You think this is hesitation? You think I¡¯m sitting on my ass because I¡¯m scared?¡± ¡°You¡¯re waiting for something,¡± he says. ¡°Grayson fo apologize. Pierce to fall in line. The universe to give you permission to stop ying the victim and start being the one they should¡¯ve feared all along¡± I snap my head toward him, eyes shing. ¡°I¡¯m not waiting, Theo. I¡¯m watching. I¡¯m learning. I¡¯m giving them the space to see who they really are when they think I¡¯m broken. Because when I move, it won¡¯t be subtle. It won¡¯t be clean. And it won¡¯t be fucking reversible.¡± I stand, all the way up, and the shadows stretch long behind me, the woods catching their breath like they know what¡¯sing. ¡°They¡¯re so busy trying to protect me,¡± ! spit, ¡°like I¡¯m some fragile, feral girl that needs managing. Like I¡¯m a fucking bomb they can¡¯t defuse. But they 09:01 Tue, 2 Sept don¡¯t realize-¡°I throw a matchstick into the fire, letting it snap and pop as it catches, ¡°-that I¡¯m not the one who needs protecting.¡± Theo¡¯s watching me now. Really watching. ? ? ? 92%E +25) ¡°I¡¯ve been holding back,¡± I continue, pacing now, voice low but building like a stormfront. ¡°Not for me. For them. Because I know what I¡¯m capable of. I know what happens when I stop holding the leash. When I stop muting my instincts. You¡¯ve seen glimpses, but none of you have seen what I be when I stop caring about who gets caught in the wreckage.¡± ¡°So you knew all along?¡± I nod, slowly. ¡°I¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°You knew Riot infected you,¡± he says, the words almost a whisper now. ¡°You knew it made your shifting worse.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°How long?¡± Theo¡¯s gaze flicks back to mine, and there¡¯s a different kind of heat in his stare now¨Cfear, maybe, but not for himself. ¡°And you¡¯ve been keeping it the whole time?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this moment.¡± Theo¡¯s eyes narrow and before he can realize what I¡¯m nning to do, I quickly control my mind to shift, before lunging and sinking Theo¡¯s eyes narrow and before he can realize what I¡¯m nning to do, I quickly control my mind to shift, before lunging and sinking my teeth into his shoulder. Alpha Luna 117 JESSICA His skin gives. The blood hits my tongue hot, faster than I expect, and I push him off me before it settles¨Cbefore instinct drags me deeper. He stumbles, hard, crashing sideways into a tree, breath knocked out, hands scrambling for something solid, something that isn¡¯t me. Fuck. What did I do? My eyes widen and my breath catches while watching him stumble like his body¡¯s been pulled loose from itself, knees folding hard and fast as his spine convulses once, then locks. ¡°Look at me,¡± I hiss, but i don¡¯t even know if he can hear me, pupils blown wide, sweat slick across his cheekbones, lips pulled back in a half¨Csnarl that he¡¯s not even aware of. His heartbeat is wrong. I can feel it. Fast, yes¨Cbut uneven. Staggering. I¡¯ve been thinking of doing this for so long and now, it¡¯s satisfying. Theo won¡¯t die for it but he¡¯ll be something else. I¡¯m not sure what but it¡¯s for us to figure out. If we want to win against Riot, we need to be something. We need to have leverage for us to fight and this is it. His chest jerks again, ribs straining like they¡¯re about to split. It fascinates me how fast his body is changing and how fast I need him. to survive this before the two dumbassese here and discover what I did. ¡°You¡¯re going to survive this,¡± I tell him¡ªnot soft, not asfort, but asmand¨Cbecause I didn¡¯t bite him to break him, I bit him to build something, to drag him into the same sharp ce I¡¯ve been living in since Riot sank his fangs into me and rewrote my instincts like they were his to own. His eyes roll for a second, lids fluttering, pulse surging beneath the thin skin of his neck, and I press harder, fingers syed, breathing with him now, one beat off, syncing as his blood tries to sort what it is¨Chuman, wolf, infection, me. Because it¡¯s mine now. Theo¡¯s breathes in shorter bursts, throat tight, muscles clenching, and the sound of it scratches down the inside of my skull like static, something between pain and fury and change, and it doesn¡¯t scare me, not anymore¨Cit calls to me, feeds that part of me I¡¯ve been pretending to choke out for the sake of keeping the others calm. Grayson¡¯s voice calls out in the distance. Shit. For a second, I don¡¯t move. For a second, we just breathe. I nce over my shoulder, sharp, automatic, tracking distance, sound, threat¨Che¡¯s near, maybe thirty feet, less¨Cand if he gets close enough to see Theo like this, twitching in the dirt, eyes gone ck and body caught mid¨Cshift, he¡¯ll know. He¡¯ll know I did something. 92% He¡¯ll know Theo isn¡¯t theirs anymore. I turn back fast, hand pressing harder into Theo¡¯s chest like I can force the change to wait. It will take a few more seconds now. The sound of boots is getting nearer and the wind shifts, carrying Grayson¡¯s scent toward us. Suddenly, Theo¡¯s breath punches out of him in short bursts, every exhaleced with a rumble like he¡¯s trying not to growl and failing, and then- He snaps. Head jerks. Shoulders heave. The growl tears loose from deep in his chest, raw and grinding and not human anymore, and I barely flinch before he¡¯s lunging¨Chalf up, half falling into me, teeth bared, mouth open wide enough to catch my throat. I move. Hard to the side, hand mming up under his jaw, forcing it closed with a crack, my knee sliding into the dirt as his full weight crashes against me. He snarls again¨Clouder this time, breath breaking over my cheek¨Cand I grab the back of his neck, fingers digging into soaked hair, yanking his head down, wrestling him lower, spine bending under my grip like he¡¯s seconds from snapping in either direction. Bootsteps crash through the underbrush¨Ccloser, louder, too fast to lie¨Cand without thinking, without giving it time to look deliberate, I throw my voice hard through the trees, sharp and ripped with edge- ¡°GRAYSON! HELP!¡± Theo freezes. One breath. Two. Then he snarls again¨Cdifferent this time, louder, broken open¨Cand before I can brace, he ms his palm into my chest and shoves. Hard. My body hits the dirt, spine cracking against rock, lungs emptying on impact, and I see nothing but branches and sky for half a second before I twist up, coughing, ready to chase- -but he¡¯s already gone. Fuck. That was close. I took a deep breath watching him get lost in the woods. I hear him tearing through the woods, fast, wild, the snap of branches and the burn of brush underfoot. He¡¯s going toe back to me. When the change finishes, when the poison settles into his bones and he realizes what he is now, who did this to him¨Che¡¯ll follow it straight back to me. Obedience always does. I push to my feet, slow, knees stiff, back aching from the fall, and swipe a hand across my face to clear the sweat clinging to my brow, smear a little dirt over my cheek while I¡¯m at it. My hair sticks to the side of my neck, tangled and damp, heartbeat thumping low and hard in my throat like it doesn¡¯t know whether to calm down or keep racing. 09:02 Tue, 2 Sept 0 I¡¯ve turned Theo into mine and soon after hepleted his transformation, he¡¯lle look for me for obedience. Somehow, I feel bad for all of this but it¡¯s their fault doing this to me. They¡¯ve kept it a secret enough for me to discover everything about this. Theo is the experimental shift. And soon, I¡¯ll have to turn them one by one so I¡¯ll have a pack of wolves that are willing to die for me. ¡°Jess!¡± I quickly mask my ns and stagger back another step, dragging in a sharp breath through my teeth, twisting my face into something that looks more like shock than satisfaction. ¡°Jess, what the fuck happened?¡± he demands, voice snapping like a whip, but I don¡¯t answer right away. I flinch. ¡°¨C¡°I choke it, soft, almost soundless. ¡°I didn¡¯t see iting.¡± Let him fill the rest in himself. I let my breathing stay rough, shallow, broken in the middle like I¡¯ve been crying when really I haven¡¯t blinked in minutes. My shirt¡¯s ripped at the shoulder where Theo threw me off, and I tug it tighter, curl an arm around my ribs like I¡¯m trying to hold something in. ¡°I tried to help,¡± I say, voice catching like it hurts to speak, and I don¡¯t look him in the eye. ¡°He shifted too fast.¡± Grayson moves closer, eyes darting past me, scanning the treeline.¡°What do you mean he shifted fast?¡± ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know!¡± ¡°His eyes were red, Grayson. Red. Not gold, not even close. He didn¡¯t look like Theo.¡± I back up a step and grab a tree trunk for bnce, fingers digging into bark like the memory¡¯s rattling through me again. ¡°He grabbed me,¡± I whisper, barely getting the words out. ¡°I thought he was going to rip my face off. He wasn¡¯t¡­ he wasn¡¯t shifting like us.¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw tightens and I know he has his doubts. I need him to let go of those doubts. ¡°I think he¡¯s turning feral,¡± I add, quieter, eyes wide like I¡¯m trying to convince myself it¡¯s true, ¡°I tried to stop him. I tried to hold him down, but he was too strong.¡± I reach up slowly and touch the corner of my mouth, trace the dried smear of blood that¡¯s still there like I just noticed it, then look at Grayson with wide eyes, lips parted, barely breathing. ¡°He bit me,¡± I say, and the lie tastes good. Grayson quickly went closer, touching my face as if he¡¯s too afraid he¡¯ll lose me again.. ¡°Where? Jess¨Cwhere did he bite you?¡± I lift my sleeve, show him the bruised scrape on my arm from when Theo shoved me. ¡°I think it was the infection,¡± I murmur, barely audible. ¡°Riot¡¯s blood¡­ what if it¡¯s still in rhe? What if I passed it to him somehow?¡± His face hardens. And I know he¡¯s already trying to me someone. Anyone but me. Alpha Luna 118 Perfect. Chapter 118 JESSICA ¡°Hold still,¡± Grayson mutters, twisting the cap off and dumping disinfectant straight into the gash. I bite the inside of my cheek, slow and deep. It hurts, sure, but that¡¯s not why¨CI need control. Need the pain to look real. Controlled. Like I¡¯m flinching for him, not for me. He crouches close, cloth moving over my skin like he¡¯s scared of breaking me. His fingers press steadier than they should, but his eyes won¡¯t meet mine. My stomach flips. I swallow it. Nothing to feel bad about¨Cexcept that I do. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have gone after him.¡± I let it out slow, quiet. The lie scrapes my throat raw. ¡°I thought I could-¡°I stop before the rest can crawl out. ¡°You were trying to protect us,¡± he says, cutting in. But the way he says it¨Cit¡¯s not for me. It¡¯s for him. Like saying it out loud makes it real. ¡°Could¡¯ve been worse.¡± I keep my eyes low. Watch the cloth darken with my blood. Could¡¯ve gotten worse. I wonder if Grayson will still forgive me after all of these lies. ¡°There, it¡¯s good.¡± Grayson leans back a little, his knees cracking as he shifts weight, and I can tell¨Che¡¯s scanning me. ¡°Can you tell me again what happened?¡± I met his eyes this time. ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean? I already told you everything.¡± The stammer hits hard out of my mouth, like it doesn¡¯t belong to me, and that¡¯s good¨Cmakes the fear feel real, even if it¡¯s fake. I duck my head slightly, like the eye contact hurts, let my fingers dig into my thigh through the torn fabric of my pants, steadying pressure, something to focus on that isn¡¯t the way Grayson¡¯s staring at me like he¡¯s trying to pull skin back from bone. ¡°You said he lunged. That he wasn¡¯t shifting right.¡± I nod, too fast again, let the motion seem frantic, like I¡¯m spiraling when I¡¯m counting seconds in the back of my head. ¡°I thought! imagined it. At first. But they were-¡°I suck in air like the memory knocks it loose. ¡°They were glowing. Not gold. Not silver. Red. Like¡­ wrong.¡± He moves slightly, weight shifting, and I flinch before I can stop it, drawing my arm tighter around my middle like I¡¯m keeping something from spilling out. ¡°He bit you?¡± he asks. I hesitate¨Cjust for a breath¨Cand look away as I nod, like I¡¯m ashamed. ¡°Not deep. Just¡­ grazed.¡± Grayson nodded. I don¡¯t know if he believes me or not. He just told me to get some rest before I saw him talking to Pierce. When he saw me eavesdropping on them, they quickly vanished outside making me a little bit annoyed. I already know it¡¯s about Theo. About me. 123 They are probably plotting some n to get Theo back here and I need to stop them. He¡¯s not ready yet. His body¡¯s still changing, still rebuilding itself around what I gave him, still figuring out how to shift without tearing open too fast or forgetting what shape he¡¯s supposed tond in. If they find him now, they¡¯ll ruin it. They¡¯ll interfere. They¡¯ll sedate him or chain him or talk at him until the part of him I gave voice to gets buried under whatever loyalty he still thinks he owes them. And I won¡¯t let that happen. I need to bleed. Shit. This is worse than I thought. I grit my teeth and press my back to the wall, hand curling tight at my side. My skin¡¯s already bruised where Theo hit me but it¡¯s not enough¨Cnot the right kind. I can¡¯t go back out there with nothing real. I drag in a sharp breath, steady my hand, and push my ws out¨Cnot fully, just enough for the edges to split skin when I drive them across the meat of my own thigh. The burn hits instantly. Warm. Raw. Blood wells up thick and dark and I press into it harder, until it starts dripping down past my knee. My jaw locks. I don¡¯t cry out. This is so freaking insane and I¡¯m going to hell for it but I do it anyway. My pulse is racing too hard now and I can feel it in the tips of my fingers, but I shove it down. The knob¡¯s cold in my hand. My grip almost slips, but I tighten it and push the door open. They¡¯re both there¨CGrayson and Pierce- eyes locked on me like they weren¡¯t just whispering about what to do next. Grayson¡¯s the first to move. ¡°Jess?¡± I let my breath catch. Drag my bloody hand against the frame for bnce. He¡¯s alreadying closer. ¡°What the hell happened?¡± I winced, trying to bnce myself. ¡°I think I need more of those disinfectants.¡± ¡°Where else are you bleeding?¡± he asks, eyes already dropping to the streaks down my thigh, the way they trail to the floor, messier than anything I¡¯ve let him see on me before. ¡°Here,¡± I murmur, dragging my sleeve up, showing the edge of the fresh gash. ¡°I¡­ I must¡¯ve scraped it when he threw it at me. Didn¡¯t notice till now.¡± Pierce was the one who stepped forward and inspected the wound. ¡°This wasn¡¯t from a fall,¡± he says, voice lower now. ¡°Did you hurt yourself?¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen what it looks like when you fall. This isn¡¯t that.¡± ¡°I was bleeding,¡± I snap, sharper now. ¡°Alone. I panicked.¡± I yank my arm out of his grip and stumble one step back, hand tight over the cut. ¡°What, you think I carved into my own leg for fun?¡± ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± I cut him off, turning before he could find a way to look sorry again. ¡°Let me know when you figure out what to do with Theo. Assuming hees back.¡± 09:02 Tue, 2 Sept Damn it. g43 92%I 25 I heard Grayson cursing before I¡¯m being yanked into a hug. My eyes are swarming in tears. I don¡¯t want to cry. I don¡¯t even know what part of me is hurting. I feel everything too much¨Cmy shoulder, my thigh, my chest where he pressed his hand too deep when he tried to help. Where I lied to him. I could rip out of this hold in a blink. I could shove him off and disappear into the woods before they even process it. ¨C ¡°Jess,¡± Grayson murmurs, breath hitting the side of my neck. ¡°You didn¡¯t deserve any of that. I don¡¯t care what Pierce says.¡± I blink, hard. One tear falls. ¡°Don¡¯t make this worse,¡± I mutter, swiping at my face with the heel of my hand, eyes sharp again, jaw locked. ¡°I need to lie down. That¡¯s all.¡± He watched me for a second before he nodded and let me get away. However, I can still feel my brother¡¯s gaze on me. Damn it. Now, I have Pierce to deal with too. Chapter 119 Alpha Luna 119 Chapter 119 JESSICA I don¡¯t fucking know their ns. It¡¯s been a day since I¡¯ve bitten Theo and Grayson is still not doing anything except stare out the cabin window like he¡¯s expecting them toe crashing through the trees any minute. My gums ache with the memory of breaking skin, of tasting Theo¡¯s blood. ¡°Are we not going to find him?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve really fucked us this time,¡± Pierce says, tossing another log onto the fire. The cabin smells like pine and blood and fear. ¡°Rogues don¡¯tst long out here. Not when you¡¯ve pissed off an entire pack.¡± I curl deeper into myself, feeling my omega instincts screaming to submit, to apologize, to fix this somehow. But there¡¯s another part¨Cnewer, wilder¨Cthat wants to snarl back. ¡°I told you I did not do anything!¡± Grayson crosses the room in three strides, grabbing my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. I can feel my pupils dting. ¡°I fucking told you. Why are you choosing to believe in him rather than me?¡± My wolf rises to the surface, hackles raised. I shove him away with strength I didn¡¯t know I had, my nails extending into ws that leave thin red lines across his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me like that,¡± I growl, the sound rumbling from deep in my throat. ¡°Theo cornered me. What was I supposed to do? Roll over?¡± Pierce¡¯s eyes widen as he watches us. ¡°You¡¯re not telling me something Jess,¡± Grayson snarls, his eyes shing gold. ¡°I know something is wrong with you¨C¡± ¡°So you chained me here? Stupid.¡± Those little remarks made my brother very proud of me./ 1 lunge forward, the chains around my wrists nking as they stretch to their limit. The metal cuts into my skin, but I barely feel it. My wolf is too close to the surface now. ¡°Tell me what happened in those woods,¡± Grayson demands, circling me like I¡¯m prey. ¡°Your scent changed. You reek of something¡­ different.¡± I bare my teeth, feeling them sharpen. ¡°Theo and I had sex. He fucked me so good that you ever did, happy?¡± Grayson¡¯s growl echoes through the room, deep and primal. His shoulders hunch forward as his bones begin to shift. ¡°You let that omega touch you?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not just an omega, and you know it,¡± I snap back, pulling against my restraints until blood trickles down my arms. The coppery scent fills the air, making both our wolves more agitated. Pierce steps forward. ¡°Guys, maybe we should-¡± ¡°STAY OUT OF THIS!¡± Grayson and i roar in unison, our voices no longer fully human. you, but I never will.¡± He lunges at me then, ws extended, but I¡¯m ready. Even chained, I manage to duck and m my head into his sternum. The impact sends him staggering back. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him,¡± Grayson pants, eyes nowpletely gold. ¡°I¡¯ll rip his throat out for touching what¡¯s mine.¡± I startughing, the sound unhinged and wild. ¡°You should see your face right now. So predictable! Did you really think you could keep me on a leash forever?¡± Myughter grows louder as Grayson¡¯s control slips further. ¡°God, you¡¯re so easy to fool!¡± Pierce backs toward the door. ¡°Jess, stop provoking him-¡± But it¡¯s toote. Grayson¡¯s fully shifting now, clothes tearing as fur ripples across his skin. My own wolf responds, bones cracking as I fight the chains with newfound strength. This is exactly what I wanted. The beast inside me howls with delight as I feel my own shifting on. Grayson fooled me, making me think that he believed Theo suddenly shifted and attacked. He made me sleep on the bed thinking everything was fine until I woke up and saw myself being chained by him. ¡°You think you¡¯re so smart, don¡¯t you, Grayson?¡± I snarl, my voice already distorting as my vocal cords transform. ¡°Chaining me up like some pet?¡± Myughteres out as a growl, wild and unhinged. The metal links strain against my wrists as my bones elongate, muscles bulging. God, this feeling is intoxicating. ¡°You have no idea what I¡¯m capable of,¡± I growl. The chains snap. Just like that. Grayson¡¯s eyes widen¨Che wasn¡¯t expecting this. ¡°Surprise,¡± I whisper, right beforeunching myself at him, ws extended. Our bodies collide in a tangle of fur and rage. His teeth snap at my throat, but I¡¯m quick¨¨r, shing across his muzzle. Blood spatters the wall. Mine? His? Who cares? This is so much fun. Pierce is screaming something, but his voice is just background noise now. There¡¯s only the fight, only the primal joy of finally showing everyone what I¡¯ve been hiding all along, ¡°I let you chain me,¡± I snarl between attacks. ¡°I wanted to see your face when you realized what a mistake that was.¡± Grayson ms me against the wall, but I justugh, tasting blood in my mouth. My wolf is singing with joy. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s Riot¡¯s blood in me. And think Grayson knew that much. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Gray?¡± I taunt, eyes locked on his. ¡°Afraid I¡¯ll bite back?¡± *We should. We should tear into him. My wolf is restless, scratching beneath my skin, wanting out. Wanting to show him exactly what we¡¯re made of. He growls¨Can actual, throaty growl that makes the hair on my arms stand up. His fingers dig into my shoulders, keeping me pinned. ¡°You¡¯re reckless,¡± he says, voice barely human. ¡°You could¡¯ve gotten yourself killed.¡± I bare my teeth in what¡¯s more snarl than smile. ¡°Yet here I am.¡± In a sh, I duck under his arm and shove him hard. He wasn¡¯t expecting it¨Cstupid of him, really¡ªand stumbles forward. I¡¯m on him in an instant, my forearm across his throat as I m him against the opposite wall. ¡®Yes. Show dominance. He needs to know we¡¯re not to be controlled.¡± ¡°You forget,¡± I whisper, close enough to feel his ragged breath on my face, ¡°I¡¯m not some helpless human. I¡¯ve got teeth too.¡± The fight that follows is brutal¨Cbeautiful in its savagery. We crash through the room, knocking furniture aside, neither willing to submit. When he catches my arm and twists, I kick his legs out from under him. When I go for his throat, he flips me over his shoulder. ¡°Did you honestly think I wouldn¡¯t figure it out?¡± I spit, wiping blood from my lip as I circle him. ¡°I knew you¡¯re hiding something from me too.¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes sh golden. ¡°Then you¡¯re even more foolish than I thought.¡± I lunge, catching him off guard. My nails¨Cno, ws now¨Crake down his chest, tearing his shirt. He howls in pain and fury. ¡°I yed your game,¡± I hiss against his ear as we grapple. ¡°Made you all think I was clueless, vulnerable. But I¡¯ve been three steps ahead since day one.¡± He throws me off and Ind in a crouch, wolf¨Clike, ready to spring again. The animal in me is so close to the surface now, I can practically feel fur rippling beneath my skin. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯ve gotten yourself into,¡± Grayson warns. I bare my teeth, feeling them sharpen to points. ¡°Show me what you really are.¡± He charges, faster than human eyes could track. I meet him halfway, our bodies colliding with a primal force that shakes the walls. We tumble across the floor, snapping and snarling, more beast than human now. His teeth graze my shoulder, and I retaliate by sinking my ws into his back. Grayson catches my eye mid¨Cfight, and something passes between us¨Ca silentmunication. He gives a barely perceptible nod toward Pierce, who¡¯s been watching from the shadows. Before I can react, Pierce is behind me, shoving something against my face¨Ca cloth soaked in a pungent herb. Wolfsbane. The effect is immediate¨Cmy limbs go heavy, strength draining like water. ¡°That¡¯s cheating,¡± I slur, struggling to stay upright as my vision blurs. ¡°Two against one.¡± Grayson¡¯s face swims before me, his expression almost regretful. ¡°There¡¯s never been fair y in this world, little wolf. The sooner you learn that, the longer you¡¯ll survive.¡± Alpha Luna 120- Chapter 120 GRAYSON I don¡¯t fucking know what I¡¯ll do anymore. Fuck it. have run through the woods for almost ten times now but I still get my head intact as to what i should do next to recover from this mess. Pierce is right. Whatever is happening is partly my fault. I trusted her too much when I knew she had rogue blood in her. It¡¯s a ticking bomb for everything that happened ¡®till this day. Somehow, it¡¯s been weeks of trouble and I have no fucking clue what kind of god I¡¯ll pray on to surpass this. Should I just let Riot have the pack? I should just leave the vige under his regime and run away with Jess. I can make her safe and mine. I¡¯ll seek for whatever healer there is to find a cure to whatever is in her. But even that sounds like a fucking fantasy. Jess doesn¡¯t want to be kept. She doesn¡¯t want soft hands and safe houses. She wants blood on her tongue and chains she can break through. She wants war in her belly. She wants to burn, and I keep trying to build her a cage made of calm. I¡¯m a fucking idiot. My boots hit the dirt again, and I push harder, faster, like if I run fast enough the past week will rewind and I¡¯ll catch her before Riot touches her. Personally, I don¡¯t care about Theo either. I¡¯m d Jess got her revenge but him shifting into something means I¡¯ve lost another man and now it¡¯s just me and Pierce. I slow, finally, panting, fingers flexing open and shut. My ws want toe out again. My wolf is restless¨Cpacing inside my ribs, snapping at the walls of my chest. Find her. im her. Drag her back. But, I can¡¯t. I chained her for a reason. For the very reason Pierce is now walking toward me, boots crunching through leaves, jaw locked, those storm¨Cheavy frowns carved deep into his face. ¡°I¡¯ve got news.¡± ¡°About Theo?¡± I ask, standing slowly. My body¡¯s half¨Ctensed already. Hope and rage fighting in my throat like twin wolves tearing each other apart. 09:03 Tue, 2 Sept But he just shakes his head and sighs. ¡°About the pack.¡± My stomach drops. Not because I didn¡¯t see thising¨Cbut because I did. And still did nothing. ¡°What about it?¡± My voicees out low, frayed at the edges. Pierce pauses like he doesn¡¯t want to say it. Like he¡¯s hoping I¡¯ll put it together myself, save him the burden. But I¡¯m already guessing. I can smell it. ¡°They¡¯re splintering,¡± he says finally. ¡°Some of the younger betas¨CLiam, Hart, the twins¨Cthey¡¯re talking about following Riot. He¡¯s promising them power. Freedom. A future without you.¡± Iugh. A sharp, ugly sound that doesn¡¯t reach my eyes. ¡°Freedom? From what¨Cdiscipline?¡± Pierce doesn¡¯t answer. ¡°Let me guess,¡± I continue. ¡°They¡¯re sick of being led by a wolf who won¡¯t kill his own mate. Who chained her but couldn¡¯t go through with the execution. Who lost control of a rogue hybrid in his own goddamn den.¡± Pierce flinches at that. My words bite because they¡¯re true. ¡°They¡¯re saying your time¡¯s up, Gray,¡± he says. ¡°They don¡¯t know where we are, and some of them are epting the fact that you¡¯re gone.¡± Gone. I wonder if that¡¯ll ever be an option for me. ¡°How do you get this kind of information anyway?¡± Pierce¡¯s eyes sh, something primal lurking behind them. He takes a step forward, nostrils ring slightly as if catching my scent. My muscles tense instinctively. ¡°Unlike you, I didn¡¯t totally cut off the pack,¡± he growls, voice dropping to that gravelly tone that reminds me what we really are beneath our human skin. I bare my teeth before I can stop myself. ¡°I had my reasons.¡± ¡°We all have reasons, Gray.¡± He circles me now, shoulders hunched forward, movements fluid and predatory. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean we abandon what we are.¡± My hand shoots out, grabbing his wrist as he passes. ¡°You forget your ce, beta,¡± I snarl, feeling my canines elongate slightly against my will. My grip tightens, bones shifting beneath my skin. Pierce doesn¡¯t lower his eyes like he should. Instead, he leans closer, breath hot against my face. ¡°And you forget what happens when an alpha abandons his pack.¡± I shove him back, harder than necessary. He stumbles but recovers with inhuman grace, crouching slightly, fingers syed on the ground. The sight triggers something ancient in me¨Cthe urge to dominate, to put him in his ce. ¡°I didn¡¯t abandon them,¡± I growl, circling him now. My muscles coil and release with each step, body remembering the hunt, the chase. ¡°I¡¯m protecting them.¡± 09:03 Tue, 2 Sept O ¡°From what?¡± Pierce snaps, body swaying with mine, mirroring my movements. ¡°From Riot? From yourself? My control slips¨Cjust for a second¨Cand a low, feral rumble vibrates through my chest. Pierce¡¯s eyes widen, pupils dting until they¡¯re almost ck. He drops his gaze finally, throat exposed in subtle submission. ¡°I¡¯ve called a meeting,¡± he said, looking away. ¡°I¡¯m not betraying you but I¡¯m not tolerating you either. Some of the warriors areing to discuss our next move.¡± ¡°What move?¡± He stares at me long enough to know my beta is gone. ¡°You either with us or you¡¯re out. I lunge forward, grabbing his throat, feeling his pulse hammer against my palm. ¡°You will still need an alpha,¡± I hiss, feeling my ws extend, pricking the skin at his throat. A thin line of blood wells up, the copper scent making my nostrils re. His shocksts only seconds before his lips curl into a smile that¡¯s all teeth¨Cteeth that sharpen as I watch, his partial shit a clear warning. ¡°I can be one,¡± he rasps against my grip. His kneees up fast, catching me in the stomach. I double over but don¡¯t release him. Instead, I drag him down with me, both of us hitting the floor hard. We roll, a tangle of limbs and growls. ¡°You think you¡¯re ready?¡± I snarl, pinning him down, my fangs elongating. ¡°An alpha takes more than strength¡± He bucks beneath me, nearly throwing me off. ¡°Then show me what it takes!¡± This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen today¨Ca challenge, right here, right now. ¡°Stand down,¡± I growl, applying more pressure. ¡°Make me,¡± he spits back, his ws raking down my arm. It¡¯s been so long since Pierce and I had an argument but fuck it if I¡¯m letting him disrespect me like this. ¡°You¡¯ve lost everything, Grayson!¡± He pushes me hard, throwing his body weight forward. I stumble back but recover quid ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I snarl, feeling my canines extend, the shit rippling under my skin. The alpha in me wants to tear him apart. Pierceughs, a hollow sound. ¡°Look at you. Still being a cocky bastard. You lost the pack, your father, and the gill but you be so arrogant as fuck-¡± ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± I m him harder against the tree, bark cracking beneath the impact, My vision is with red, the feal part of me wing to break free. ¡°Hit a nerve, did !?¡± Pierce grins, blood staining his teeth. ¡°Everyone knows you can¡¯t control your woll That¡¯s why Chloe le- I don¡¯t remember moving. One second I¡¯m holding him against the tree, the next my fists are connecting with his tvce, over and over. But the bastard is justughing like a crazy lunatic. Pierce is on the ground now, and I¡¯m standing over him, chest heaving Challenge me property or shut the Na ¡°Why bother?¡± Pierce rolls to his side, coughing. ¡°You¡¯ll lose control.¡± 314 09:03 Tue, 2 Septe ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you.¡± Pierce shook his head. ¡°You won¡¯t Grayson. I¡¯m the only person you have left.¡± 34790%! +25 He¡¯s fucking right. I grab his cor and help him get up before I inspect his face. I made sure I did not hit the vital parts of his annoying face. ¡°The meeting tonight, is it final?¡± Pierce nodded. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s final. It¡¯s been so long. Let¡¯s start the war, shall we?¡± Alpha Luna 121 Chapter 121 JESSICA They think I¡¯m asleep. Sedated maybe. Like the wolfsbane¡¯s enough to make me blind, or stupid, or soft. Fuck. I never thought my own brother would do this to me. He poisoned me. Can you believe that? The chains dig in when I shift¨Cjust slightly¨Ctesting the cuffs again like I haven¡¯t done it every ten minutes for the past however- many hours they¡¯ve left me here. Cold stone under my back. Metal against my skin. Sickness rolling in waves through my stomach like I swallowed fire and it¡¯s melting me from the inside out. I need to get out of here as soon as possible. I twist my wrist and it stings. ¡°Fuck,¡± I hiss, closing my eyes and trying not to make so much noise. The cuffs bite deeper when I flinch. My shoulder¡¯s out of ce again. ¡°I swear to god,¡± I mutter, low under my breath, ¡°if Pierce walks in here again acting like I¡¯m the unstable one, I¡¯m gonna rip his throat out with my fucking teeth.¡± I breathe through my nose. Try to focus. One second at a time. One breath, then the next. Then I count. Not for calm. Just to keep track of time. I¡¯m up to five hundred thirty¨Cnine heartbeats since thest time Grayson stood at the door and didn¡¯te in. ¡°You coward,¡± I whisper, just loud enough in case he¡¯s on the other side again. ¡°You can string me up, but you can¡¯t even look at me?¡± The chain rattles when I shift my weight. My ankle¡¯s raw. I keep flexing it anyway. Gotta keep blood moving. If I lose cirction, I lose options. And I¡¯m not nning to bleed out in this room like some feral kept on a leash. 1 twist again, slower this time, eyes locked on the door like I¡¯m waiting for it to flinch first. Metal scrapes against skin and it hurts like a bitch, but I keep going. Can¡¯t stop. Won¡¯t. If I¡¯m bleeding, I¡¯m breathing. ¡°Fuck,¡± I mutter again, voice sharper now, throat raw from the wolfsbane but still mine. ¡°Come on. Come the fuck on.¡± My fingers are numb. My ankle¡¯s fucked. There¡¯s a ringing in my head like a warning bell that never shuts up. But none of it matters. Pain¡¯s information. That¡¯s all. And I can work with that. Use it. Twist it into something useful. 1 shove myself upright, chain rattling but Grayson is there, showing up just on the right time. I blink, once. Just enough. Just slow enough to make it look like I¡¯m dazed, Head tipping back to the wall like the weight¡¯s too much. ¡°It hurts¡­¡± As expected, Grayson quickly crouched beside me, touching the side of my face. ¡°It hurts¡­¡± His thumb brushes under my eye. ¡°I know,¡± he murmurs, eyes searching mine for the kind of hurt he can fix. ¡°I know, baby. I didn¡¯t want to¨CPierce said-¡± 09:03 Tue, 2 Sept My wrists tremble, my chin lowers. ¡°You did it anyway.¡± 90% Silence. He can¡¯t answer that. He just breathes, slow and shallow. Still crouched in front of me like he¡¯s waiting for forgiveness that¡¯s nevering. I shift just enough to make the chain rattle, then wince like it takes too much. ¡°I¡¯ve brought you something.¡± I did not answer. Grayson looks so fucking lost navigating how to take care of a person. Well, at least he still cares. Not that I¡¯m doubting his love for me. It¡¯s just so fucked up. Really really fucked up. ¡°You poisoned me. You fucking chained me. Now you¡¯re here wanting to spoon¨Cfeed me?¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw tightens. ¡°You have to eat, Jess.¡± ¡°Grayson,¡± I breathe, voice hoarse and cracked. My eyes find his. ¡°Just tell me the truth. Are you going to kill me or not?¡± I breathe through clenched teeth. ¡°What¡¯s your n, Grayson? Keep me up here until I stop fighting? Let me rot until I beg?¡± He doesn¡¯t blink. I lean forward just enough to make the chain drag across bone. I want him to hear it. I want him to see what he did and still fucking lie to me. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°Jess¡­¡± H¨¦ moves like he¡¯s going to reach for me again. That pathetic little motion¨Chesitation before he pretends this is still salvageable. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking touch me.¡± Grayson pauses, his hand suspended halfway and that look that he gives me feels like I¡¯m breaking his heart. ¡°What are you doing now, huh? What¡¯s your brilliant next move, Alpha? Gonna pout outside the door? Keep me here till I rot?¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± I say, louder now. ¡°Tell me. What¡¯s the n, Grayson? And where the hell are you going?¡± He doesn¡¯t answer fast enough, and that¡¯s how I know I¡¯m right. ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°You sedated me,¡± i cut in, voice sharp now, body shaking hard enough to rattle the chain. ¡°You stripped me down, put me in fucking shackles, and now you¡¯re dressed like it¡¯s judgment day and I¡¯m not even allowed to stand beside you?¡± He shifts, just half a step, like he¡¯s going to say something gentle. I snarl. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare,¡± I snap. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try to feed me again like that makes up for anything. Don¡¯t you dare pretend like this is some favor you¡¯re doing me. If you¡¯re going to war, you don¡¯t leave your alpha in a basement. You don¡¯t lock your mate to a fucking wall and disappear.¡± Grayson¡¯s fists clench. His shoulders shake. He opens his mouth, shuts it, looks like he wants to scream and cry and beg all at once. But I don¡¯t want any of it. Not the pain, not the apology. I want answers. I want blood. I lean forward, wrists screaming, chain dragged taut across raw skin until the bones grind together and my shoulders seize. I 09:03 Tue, 2 Sept breathe through it. I don¡¯t break eye contact. 2? 3 90%D ¡°You still haven¡¯t answered me,¡± I say, voice low and sharp like it could cut through steel if I had to. ¡°What was your n? Huh? Drug me until I¡¯mpliant? Keep me down here until you clean it all up and bring back a peace treaty like a dog with a fucking bone?¡± ¡°My alpha?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You think you¡¯re the alpha now?¡± I see it hit him¨Crealization, shame, rage, all at once. He¡¯s still facing the door, fists clenched so tight I hear his knuckles pop. His back is heaving like he¡¯s trying to swallow it down, bury it, force the heat back into the furnace. ¡°Is that what you¡¯ve been aiming for all these days Jessica? Is that why you¡¯ve bitten Theo?¡± Fuck. I¡¯m busted. ¡°Grayson- His snarl cuts through the word before I can finish it. Low. Guttural. Alpha. It doesn¡¯te from his throat¨Cites from somewhere deeper, older. It shakes the walls. It rattles in my ribs. The whole room seems to still for it, like even the stone knows what¡¯sing. ¡°I¡¯m the Alpha, Jess.¡± Ìï Alpha Luna 122 Chapter 122 JESSICA 9 90% +25 He didn¡¯t tell me where they were going. He didn¡¯t even look at me when he left. I said it. I called myself the alpha. I said it with my whole chest like I had the right, like I had the rank, like I didn¡¯t care what it did to him. But i did. I knew what I was doing. I knew what it would sound like. I knew exactly what I wanted it to feel like when I said it out loud in front of him, and I still did it. Because I wanted it. I wanted him to see me for what I am. I wanted him to stop protecting me like I¡¯m something that can¡¯t tear. But now he knows. Now he knows I¡¯ve been holding it, biting it back, waiting for the second he¡¯d push me far enough to say it out loud. Grayson can do whatever he wants with that. He can run for a day or a month or the rest of his fucking life. That¡¯s his right. But one thing is already written. If he can¡¯t stand beside me as I am, then I¡¯ve already lost him. I nt my foot against the floor and pull with everything I have. ¡°Fuck.¡± A low sound tore out of my throat as I yanked again, wrists burning raw against the metal, arms trembling from the strain. I didn¡¯t know if the warmth dripping down my forearm was sweat or blood anymore, but I didn¡¯t stop. I braced my heel against the floor and pulled harder, until my shoulder screamed and my breath hitched sharp through clenched teeth. ¡°Come on,¡± I whispered. My voice sounded like it came from someone else. ¡°Fucking move.¡± I let out a sound halfway between a breath and a growl before my whole body freezes sniffing that familiar scent. No¡­that can¡¯t be. So faint at first I almost didn¡¯t notice. But it slipped through the rot of wolfsbane like it had always known the way. It found me. Burrowed straight down into my lungs and curled itself tight around something I couldn¡¯t name. My wolf stirred before I could stop her, before I could push it down, and I hated how fast she woke for him. I hated that my body remembered. My throat locked up. Please don¡¯t let it be real. I blinked hard, trying to shake the scent from my nose, but it only got stronger¨Cthicker, fuller, coiling through the rot like smoke curling under the door of a burning house No one had opened the door. I didn¡¯t hear footsteps. I didn¡¯t hear anything at all. But I felt it. My stomach twisted violently, like it knew before I did. A soft breath escaped me. Then another. I felt dizzy and dry all at once, as if my blood had forgotten how to move. Don¡¯t. Please. Not now. Not here. The scent came closer. My limbs started to shake¨Cnot from effort this time, but something colder. Deeper. The kind of fear that makes your muscles go soft and your mind go white. I shut my eyes tight, but I couldn¡¯t shut him out. I felt him before I heard him, the way prey feels the breath of the predator before the teethe down. And then- ¡°Hello, Jess.¡± My eyes flew open. That voice. ¡°Miss me?¡± My wolf mmed against my ribs and then shrank just as fast, ears t, belly low, spine curled under the weight of him. And me¨CI just stood there, cold sweat slicking my back, heart thudding so loud I couldn¡¯t hear anything else. I didn¡¯t have to look. I knew that voice. I knew that smell. I knew what came next. ¡°Riot.¡± One second the room was empty, and the next¨Che was there. Fast. Horrifyingly fast. I didn¡¯t even finish inhaling because Riot¡¯s hands are already on my throat. ¡°I missed you too, Jess.¡± Riot smirk, and I felt so dirty when I felt his tongue dragging along my cheeks. ¡°Your boyfriend prepared you for me, huh?¡± He cruelly said, enjoying the sight of me in chains. ¡°Come on, baby. Don¡¯t act too terrified.¡± But I am. Every inch of me¡¯s locked up, trembling under the weight of him, breath stuttering in my chest like it¡¯s trying to hide. My wolf¡¯s silent. My rage¡¯s useless. And I can¡¯t stop the way my mouth opens just enough to pull in air, just enough to keep from passing out. ¡°Get off me.¡± He just grins wider. ¡°And why would I do that?¡± Riot¡¯s hand tightens around my throat¨Cnot choking me, not yet¨Cbut squeezing just enough to make my blood thrum louder in my ears. ¡°Fuck,¡± he breathes, and it¡¯s filthy. Starved. ¡°You¡¯re shaking.¡± I am. I can¡¯t stop it. ¡°Are you that scared of me, Jess?¡± I don¡¯t answer. I keep my teeth clenched so tight my jaw aches. He leans in closer anyway, cheek brushing mine like we¡¯re something intimate. ¡°You should be,¡± Riot says, mouth dragging slow along my jaw, like he¡¯s memorizing the shape of it again. ¡°I¡¯d be terrified if I were you.¡± The scent of him gets worse. Dense. Possessive. All teeth and heat and damp leather soaked in blood. It wraps around me like a hand, sliding between my legs, slipping down my throat, making it impossible to breathe clean. +251 ¡°Thought you could run,¡± he murmurs, brushing my skin with the back of his knuckles like it¡¯s affection. ¡°Thought you could lie to¨C your little pack and pretend that bond doesn¡¯t crawl under your skin every time I breathe near you.¡± I jerk my head away. His fingers curl into my jaw, tight enough I hear the click in it. ¡°But it does, doesn¡¯t it?¡± he says softly. ¡°Still there. Still inside you. Like me.¡± I shut my eyes, but it doesn¡¯t help. His scent is in my mouth now, in my nose, under my skin. I can feel it in my chest, thick and hot and rising like bile. ¡°Did he touch you?¡± Riot murmurs, voice like he already knows. ¡°Did he spread you open and tell you it was love?¡± My stomach knots. I say nothing. ¡°That sweet little Alpha boy,¡± he says, dragging his nose down my neck, slow and savoring. ¡°He think he marked you? Think he imed you?¡± He doesn¡¯t wait for an answer. His mouth grazes my throat, lips parting, breath humid and vile as he speaks right against my skin. ¡°He didn¡¯t fuck you right, did he?¡± I twist violently, but his weight bears down harder, chain grinding against bone, wrists burning raw. The pain snaps white behind my eyes but it doesn¡¯t stop him. ????????E????? ??? Tcan smell it,¡± Riot growls, his voice cracking into something lower, less human. ¡°He didn¡¯t break you open. He hasn¡¯t marked you yet.¡± ¡°You¡¯re delusional.¡± Riot grins. I scream when his mouth drops to my neck before he¡¯s biting. The pain is instant. Searing. I jerk, trying to save myself but it¡¯s toote¨Che¡¯s already there, sinking deep into my skin like he wants to hollow me out from the inside. ¡°Fuck,¡± he groans into my neck. ¡°You still taste like mine.¡± My body goes limp for a second, heart choking in my throat. ¡°Stop! Stop!¡± But he doesn¡¯t. He moans¨Cslow and filthy, tongue dragging over the bite like he¡¯s savoring it¨Cand I thrash again, nails raking down his arms, but he just grips harder, grinding me back against the wall like it¡¯ll make the tastest longer. And then- He freezes. Just for a second. His body goes stiff, like someone pulled a wire tight through his spine, Then he rips his mouth off me. 09:04 Tue, 2 Sept Staggers back two full steps, one hand flying to his lips. The other ws at his stomach, chest heaving like he¡¯s going to vomit. His breath stutters, ragged and wet. His eyes¨Cthose bright, feral, golden eyes¨Cgo wide. And scared. ¡°What the fuck-¡± Riot chokes, spitting blood. My blood. ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you?¡± He stumbles, chest buckling. It¡¯s like my blood is crawling up his throat from the inside. My knees give out and I slide down the wall, one hand pressed over the bite, my whole body shaking. Across from me, Riot drops to his knees. One hand on the floor. The other fisted in his hair, tugging hard. ¡°What did they do to you?¡± His voice is guttural. Not Riot anymore. All wolf. All rage. ¡°Who did this?!¡± His head snaps up and his gaze finds me. His pupils are slits now. Gold bleeding into white. He looks rabid. Feral. And still¡­ hungry. Why is he not being affected by my blood? Why is he..not turning into a monster like Theo? I scramble back on my palms, shoulder screaming as I drag myself further into the corner. ¡°Don¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯te near me-¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± he snarls. You think I¡¯m scared of this?¡± He wipes his mouth again, smears red down his jaw and neck like he doesn¡¯t care it¡¯s still sizzling against his skin. ¡°You¡¯re still mine. Even if you¡¯re rotting from the inside.¡± I gag. Turn my head and spit bile onto the floor. He moves. Fast. One second he¡¯s slouched, broken¨Cthe next he¡¯s in front of me, crouched low, face too close. His hand ms into the wall beside my head. His other one fists in my hair, yanking it back so I have to look at him. ¡°Let¡¯s go home, baby.¡± Alpha Luna 123 JESSICA My heart cracks, sharp and ugly in my chest. Getting caught by Riot again was never part of the fucking n. 1 twist, elbow jerking back, shoulder screaming from the angle¨Cbut he¡¯s not there. He¡¯s already shifted, already moved, already shoving me down with one hand like it¡¯s effortless. I buck, legs kicking wild, but his grip cinches tighter until my hips grind against dirt and root. He¡¯s faster. Stronger. Always was. His ws dig into my waist as he yanks me up like I weigh nothing, breath hot against my ear, body all brute force and maddened heat. My legs thrash¨Cuseless. He growls, low and guttural, and fuck, it rattles my ribs from the inside. ¡°Did you think you could run from me?¡± he snarls, voice split in two¨Chalf man, half beast. I w at his forearm, nails breaking. ¡°Let go of me-¡± He doesn¡¯t. He hauls me tighter, spine bent over me like he¡¯s shielding something that already belongs to him. His chest vibrates with another growl, and his mouth is right there at my neck, breath dragging heavy as he inhales me like a drug he¡¯s been starved
  1. of.
¡°Mine,¡± Riot snaps, more animal than Alpha now. ¡°You smell like him. You reek of wrong.¡± I try to shift¨Cgoddess, I try¨Cbut the wolfsbane still sticks to my blood like tar. My limbs won¡¯t respond. My skin burns with the weight of his grip as he drags me deeper into the woods, away from the lights, from the pack, from anything that could save me. Twigs snap under his boots. My feet scrape the ground. ¡°You should¡¯ve stayed hidden, baby,¡± he breathes, cruel and sweet against my throat. ¡°Now I don¡¯t get to be gentle.¡± My shoulder hits a branch. Then another. My legs are raw from the bark, the bramble, from not being able to keep up. Every time I struggle, he tightens his grip¨Con my wrist, my waist, the back of my neck. His ws don¡¯t break skin, but they could. That¡¯s the point. It¡¯s always the fucking point with him. He¡¯s dragging me somewhere¨CI don¡¯t know where. The forest¡¯s deeper here. Colder. ¡°Let me go,¡± I whisper, weaker now. ¡°Please, you already have the pack. What else do you want from me?¡± ¡°Oh, baby,¡± he breathes, lips brushing my ear. You still don¡¯t get it.¡± He shifts his grip¨Cfaster than breath¨Cspins me and ms my back against the nearest tree making me whimper in pain. ¡°I don¡¯t give a fuck about the pack,¡± Riot snarls, face inches from mine. His eyes burn¨Cck ringed with gold, pupils dted, wild. ¡°I want you. I¡¯ve always wanted you.¡± I shake my head, throat closing. ¡°You¡¯re sick-¡® ¡°Aren¡¯t we all, Jess?¡± What? What does he mean by that? 25 Riot seems to notice my confusion when he fists in my hair, yanking my head back hard enough that something cracks in my neck. My gasp turns into a whimper, jaw clenching as pain lights down my spine. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about your little escapade with your past lover Jess. Did you know what you¡¯ve done?¡± ¡°What are you talking about-¡± ¡°You sank your teeth into him, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No-¡°I thrash. His palm crushes my jaw so hard my teeth knock together. My head snaps back, spine bowed, ribs stretching too far around his forearm. My vision blurs from the pressure behind my eyes¨Cbut he doesn¡¯t stop. He angles me up, forces my throat bare to the stars like I¡¯m a fucking offering. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking lie to me.¡± ¡°You tried to turn him rogue,¡± Riot snarls, shaking me. ¡°You dragged him out into the woods like a dog and bit him.¡± I gasp. He ms me back into him, hand digging into my stomach, holding me tight as my legs kick weakly against the air. I buck hard, heels scraping bark, a snarl ripping from my throat. ¡°He was mine¡ª¡± ¡°Not anymore.¡± He ms me forward. My face smashes bark. ¡°You thought you could do what I haven¡¯t?¡± he snarls, voice split at the edges, inhuman. ¡°You thought you could drag that soft little fuck into the dark and he¡¯d stay loyal to you? That you¡¯d be the one to keep a mate?¡± I choke. ¡°You don¡¯t know what happened.¡± ¡°I know enough.¡± I try to shift. Nothing happens. Wolfsbane still burns through my veins, thick and slow. My hands are shaking. ¡°You want to build your own little pack, Jessica.¡± Riot murmurs as if it amuses him. ¡°You want to lead your own pack.¡± I try again¨Cforce it, blood screaming for the shift¨Cbut nothing moves. My limbs stay dead, fingers wed into the dirt, heart beating so loud it cracks in my ears. The wolfsbane¡¯s still there, crawling under my skin like poison, eating everything that makes me strong ¡°And now look at you.¡± His voice slips into something colder. ¡°Sniffed out. Caught. Bleeding wolfsbane and smelling like him.¡± I go still. ¡°You don¡¯t get to have that future, baby,¡± Riot breathes against my skin, all teeth and heat and wrong. ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡± 1 freeze. Every inch of me pulled tight. ¡°You don¡¯t get to run off and make new rules. You don¡¯t get to im what¡¯s not yours. You bit him-¡± his tongue swipes the side of my jaw¡°-and you thought that made you strong?¡± My stomach twists. ¡°You¡¯re not strong, Jess. You¡¯re fucking delusional.¡± 09:04 Tue, 2 Sept His ws rip the hem of my shirt. ¡°I¡¯ve lied. You were never strong. I never trained you.¡± 383 90%_ 25 ¡°I never trained you. Not really. I made you think you were getting better. Like you earned something.¡± He leans in, tongue dragging slow up the side of my neck. ¡°You didn¡¯t. You were always a little girl pretending to be a wolf.¡± ¡°SHUT UP!¡± ¡°You think Theo would¡¯ve made it?¡± His mouth curls against my ear. ¡°You think he could¡¯ve survived you? No one survives you, Jess. Except me.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be Alpha,¡± he says, low and slow and cruel. ¡°You can¡¯t be anything without me.¡± His hand fists in my hair again and yanks me back, arching me against him, my spine grinding against his chest. I gasp, legs kicking at nothing, lungs catching on the sheer size of him. ¡°You want to lead?¡± he breathes, mouth at my nape, fangs grazing. ¡°Then lead with a leash around your fucking throat.¡± Chapter 124 Alpha Luna 124 Chapter 124 JESSICA ¡°Keep still,¡± Riot whispers as I jerk one more time trying to stop him from tying me up. ¡°Or I¡¯ll fuck you right here. Choose.¡± My eyes widened and despite wanting to just kill him right there, I stop, too fucking scared he¡¯ll do what he says. His palm lingers a second longer than necessary, pressing into me like he¡¯s mapping the shape of my breath, then he steps back. Rope burns down the edge of my forearms. My boots can¡¯t quite brace on the uneven ground, and the stretch has me off bnce, spine bowed, ribs pulled wide. Every part of me is exposed. Riot crouches, ripping something from his belt. Tarp. Clothes. Another rope. I grind my teeth so hard my jaw clicks. My hands twist in the bindings, but the knot holds¨Chigh, harsh, locked against a knot in the trunk behind me. I count five deep breaths before he speaks again. ¡°You¡¯re smart enough not to scream,¡± he says absently, threading something through the loop of his belt like he¡¯s bored. ¡°But just in case¡­¡± He moves closer. One step, then another. The tarp gets tossed aside. He brings out a strip of cloth. ck. Smells like leather and blood and something that might¡¯ve once been mine. ¡°Open your mouth.¡± ¡°No.¡± His eyes flick up. No smile this time. Just that stillness. That quiet, hungry, patient Alpha stillness that coils in his shoulders right before he snaps someone¡¯s neck. He grabs my jaw. Shoves fingers into my mouth, hard. I choke, gag, bite down¨Cand he lets me. Just waits with his thumb hooked under my tongue like he¡¯s taming me. ¡°I said¨Copen.¡± I hold his stare. My lip curls. But I open. Just enough. Just to breathe. The gag shoves past my teeth rough. He ties it hard at the base of my skull. It¡¯s not tight enough to choke¨Cbut it¡¯s not for that. It¡¯s to silence me. It¡¯s to humiliate, He steps back, eyes dragging over me, ¡°Better,¡± Riot murmurs, voice gravel¨Csoft. ¡°Now I can focus.¡± He starts dragging branches. A few long ones first, snapped underfoot, shoved into the dirt to create some kind of structure. Then fabric. He stretches the tarp low over two points, pins the corners down with rocks, kicks away anything sharp or noisy beneath it. I don¡¯t fucking let him win. He circles again like he¡¯s not done ying, like this is just a warm¨Cup round. I watch his boots crush sticks, push dirt, mark up the ground like a wolf pissing borders. He¡¯s iming shit that doesn¡¯t belong to him. Building himself a kingdom with bark and blood and my fucking silence. My teeth grind. I want to tear out the rope. Want to rip through it with my wrists, my teeth, my rage, I don¡¯t fucking care. If I had ws, I¡¯d gut him. If I had my wolf, I¡¯d rip open his throat and leave him twitching in his own nest. But I don¡¯t. So I breathe. And taste leather and dirt and spit and the sour rot of whatever he used this gag forst. It¡¯s not clean. I don¡¯t think he gives a shit. Probably likes it that way. Probably wants me to marinate in it. Wants it soaked with my breath so when he rips it out, he can fucking smell that I obeyed. Riot doesn¡¯t speak again until he¡¯s finished. Until there¡¯s a ce for him to sleep. For him to rest. For him to drag me into if he wants. When he does walk over, it¡¯s slow. His fingers skim my waist. My thigh. Then trace the rope again, right where it bruises me. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it,¡± Riot murmurs, almost sweet. He leans in, mouth right at my jaw, breath sticky against my skin, and I turn my face away just to deny him that satisfaction. I lunge. Hard. My shoulder rips against the bark. Skin goes raw. I don¡¯t care. He turns. Calm. Too calm. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your energy,¡± he says. ¡°No one¡¯sing.¡± I snarl. Muffled. Animals. ¡°Yeah. There she is.¡± His voice gets low. ¡°I¡¯ll gut you,¡± I try to say, but it¡¯s fucked through the gag. Ites out wet and ugly and swallowed. ¡°You gonna say Grayson again?¡± Riot says, stepping in, too close. ¡°Think that¡¯ll save you this time?¡± I freeze. Just one second. Just enough for him to see it. ¡°Thought so.¡± He tilts his head, eyes glittering. ¡°Funny thing about mates¨Cwhen you don¡¯t mark ¡®em, they die just like anyone else.¡± My chest heaves. My spine bows tight again, breath stuttering like it¡¯s too fucking cold now. He leans in. Touches the side of my neck like he¡¯s checking for the mark that¡¯s not there. Just skin. Just skin and blood and the memory of a bite that never happened. ¡°Too bad,¡± he whispers. ¡°Could¡¯ve kept you.¡°/ I spit through the gag. Hits his cheek. He smiles wider. Then¨Chand in my hair. Fast. Rips my head back till my throat¡¯s bared and every muscle in my body lights up trying not to scream. ¡°I want you to remember this, bitch,¡± Riot breathes against my face, ¡°when you¡¯re praying for him and no one fuckinges.¡± +25 ¡°You think he¡¯d save you now?¡± His voice is low, yful, coaxing. ¡°Where do you think they are now Jessica?¡± I don¡¯t want to think about it, but I do. I do. I suddenly get scared. Grayson. No¡­no. That can¡¯t be. Grayson and Pierce would never be fooled with Riot¡¯s ns. Heughed cruelly and bit the side of my ear before I felt him move away, letting me suffer from his words. ¡°Bet they walked right into it,¡± Riot whispers. ¡°Your pack¡¯s not special. Your brother thinks he¡¯s clever, but he¡¯s just another little soldier ying Alpha. And Grayson-¡± He clicks his tongue. ¡°Poor, dumb, meat¨Cbrained Grayson. I bet he thought he was marching into war. Whole chest puffed out like he could actually win.¡± I shut my eyes. Just for a second. Just to stop the burn. Just to stop the image of him¨CGrayson, cocky and snarling, getting dragged under because I wasn¡¯t there. Because I was here. Because Riot knew how to y us both. ¡°You don¡¯t feel him, do you?¡± Riot breathes. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± Something inside me seizes. He steps back a half¨Cinch, just to watch it hit. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s already dead,¡± Riot murmurs. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s lying somewhere in the dirt, ribs split open, eyes gone nk, and you¡¯ll never know because he was too stupid to mark you.¡± I can¡¯t breathe. I can¡¯t fucking breathe. Riot crouches again. Smiling. Watching me shatter. ¡°Aw. That¡¯s cute,¡± he says. ¡°You still thought he¡¯de. You really believed that, didn¡¯t you?¡± My hands twist in the ropes so hard I feel skin split. My wrists are slick. Blood or sweat¨CI don¡¯t know. I just know I¡¯m shaking and I can¡¯t make it stop. ¡°Look at you.¡± He tilts his head. ¡°You¡¯re already grieving.¡± ¡°F¨Cfuck you,¡± I try. The gag makes it a mess. A sob. A sound I can¡¯t stand. He leans forward and licks the sweat off my neck. ¡°Fuck me?¡± he repeats, amused. ¡°No, Jess. That¡¯s not how this works.¡± He taps the center of my chest with two fingers. Right where my heart tries to punch its way out of my body. ¡°You gave yourself to a wolf who couldn¡¯t even im you. You picked the one dumb mutt in the whole pack too scared to mark what was his.¡± My vision¡¯s a mess, blurred with hot tears I didn¡¯t mean to spill, and I blink fast, fast, like that¡¯ll stop it, like that¡¯ll make me strong again. ¡°You¡¯re crying?¡± he says, voice dropping low, almost gentle. Mocking. ¡°Now? Oh, sweetheart¡­¡± He grabs the gag, ripping it off me. The strap snaps back behind my head and I suck in air so fast it chokes me. I¡¯m crying harder. 09:04 Tue, 2 Sept now. ?? 89%1 25 I¡¯m still chasing my breath when Riot¡¯s lips suddenly crash into mine. My head jerks from the force and I try to pull back, but there¡¯s nowhere to go when his hands are fisting on my hair. I make a sound¡ªshaky, raw, too close to a sob¨Cand it only fuels him. His fingers mp down on my jaw, rough and bruising, forcing it wider like he¡¯s prying me open for him. Like my mouth¡¯s just another hole to own. My cry warps into a gasp, sharp and helpless, right as his tongue ms into mine¨Cdeeper, sloppier, brutal. When he finally tears away, I¡¯m shaking. Gasping. Lip bleeding. He just watches. Thumb tracing the corner of my mouth. Possessive. Filthy. ¡°Now that,¡± Riot breathes, low and wrecked, ¡°might even get me through the night. Behave Jess or I¡¯ll bury you next to Grayson.¡± Alpha Luna 125 GRAYSON I smell rot. Moss, old blood, mildew crawling through bark. No wolves. And that tells me exactly what I need to know, there¡¯s nothing here so it¡¯s either Pierce is fucking with me or he¡¯s¡­.betraying me. Thatst thought made a fucking snap inside me. He¡¯s ahead of me again, saying something. I don¡¯t hear it. I¡¯m already inside the spiral. Already halfway gone. I¡¯ve known him since I was young. Since blood meant brothers and secrets meant loyalty. Since we took our first shifts and swore on bone that no matter what happened, we¡¯d never turn on each other. We used to bury our kills together. We used to run the ridge and mark the trees. He stood beside me when I bled for this pack. And now we¡¯re walking into corpse territory and he expects me not to notice the silence? I pick up speed. I shove past a low branch and let it snap behind me. Pierce will never betray me. What the fuck was I thinking? ¡°You okay?¡± Pierce asks without turning. I shouldugh. I don¡¯t. I just say, ¡°You better be right about this pack.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll help.¡± ¡°You ever think maybe Riot¡¯s not the only one who knows how to set a trap?¡± I say it slow. Heavy. Pierce turns. That¡¯s the first time he¡¯s looked me in the face in ten minutes. His brows lift. Calm. But I see the flicker. Just a second too long before he speaks. ¡°You think I¡¯d lead you into one?¡± 1 stare at him. I don¡¯t blink. ¡°You¡¯ve done worse.¡± I watch his throat shift as he swallows, as he forces his expression back into that neutral, too¨Cfucking¨Csmooth nk he thinks I can¡¯t see through, But I do. I always fucking do. He used to tell me no one could read him. Not even his mother. Not the alphas he served before me. Not the girls he fucked and dumped and forgot. But I could. I always fucking could. That¡¯s how I know, he doesn¡¯t approve of me for Jess. Never did. And now he brings me here, into this silent, rotting forest, chasing some half¨Cburied rumor about a pack that¡¯ll help us reim control from Riot¨Cas if any wolf with a spine would willingly stand behind me after what I let happen to her. I¡¯ve been betrayed, by my father, by Riot who is my half¨Cbrother, soldiers and everyone who wants to steal the power from me. I¡¯m used to it now. I don¡¯t even breathe differently when ites. I just count the pieces I have left and decide which ones I can afford to lose. But Pierce¡­ Pierce was never supposed to be on the list. He was the one holding the knife when I carved the first symbol into my skin, the one who bled with me when I swore I¡¯d never be owned again. My beta. My fucking brother. He was the one thing I never doubted. When Riot stood in my ce and took my pack. When the others turned. I had one constant. One fucking anchor. And now he won¡¯t even look me in the eye. I want to be wrong. I want this to be some fucking test. Some dumb, reckless gamble that ends with usughing and bloody and alive. But I know that weight in my gut. I¡¯ve felt it before. The second before betrayal breaks skin. ¡°Answer me,¡± I say low, and I step forward just enough to watch his weight shift. ¡°Who are they?¡± I don¡¯t blink. ¡°Names. Structure. Rank. What did you promise them?¡± Riot didn¡¯t just fuck with my territory¨Che fucked with my trust. With the concept of allegiance itself. And now I¡¯m standing in the middle of rot and moss and no wolves in earshot, and my best friend won¡¯t give me a straight goddamn answer. He clears his throat. And that¡¯s it. That¡¯s all it takes. 1 grab him by the cor and m him into the nearest tree. Hard.Bark gives under his spine with a crack. I feel ribs shift. His breath punches out in a grunt I don¡¯t even register as human. My forearm jams up under his chin until I see the whites of his eyes. His heel scrapes against the dirt like he¡¯s deciding whether to fight me or faint. I dare him to try. Pierce¡¯s breath punches out. I press my forearm across his throat and lean in close, until I¡¯m breathing down on him. ¡°You lied to me,¡± I spit. ¡°Or you¡¯re about to. And if you don¡¯t give me a name in the next three seconds, I swear to every god that ever made me, 1 will gut you and hang your insides on that fucking branch.¡± His jaw locks. His fists clench. His wolf shes behind his eyes. I want him to shift. I want him to snap. I want him to give me an excuse to tear him open and find the truth in his bones. ¡°You think I haven¡¯t watched you?¡± I grind my arm tighter against his windpipe. ¡°You¡¯re fidgeting for thest¡­.fuck.¡± A realization dawned on me and I growled, throwing him to the ground., Shit. SHit. I fucking knew what he did. Jessica! ¡°You sold her,¡± My ws split out of my knuckles before even think. I grab him by the cor, haul him upright with one hand, and m him back against the tree so hard it shudders. ¡°Say it,¡± I snarl into his face, ¡°so I know which part of you I¡¯m going to rip out first.¡± His mouth opens. Closes. I watch his lips shape cowardice before his tongue finds the words. ¡°I had no choice.¡± 217 09:05 Tue, 2 Sept Iugh. It¡¯s not a sound anyone¡¯s ever survived. I lean closer, letting him feel the heat off my body. Let him see what it costs to lie to me. 9¡Á89% 1 ¡°Wrong answer,¡± I say. Then I drive my ws into his gut¨Cslow, angled up under the ribs, just enough to nick something soft. Just enough to remind him his life belongs to me. ¡°No choice?¡± I whisper. ¡°You had me. You had us. You had a pack. And you gave her to Riot like a fucking offering.¡± ¡°She would¡¯ve died!¡± he spits, head snapping forward. ¡°He had her name, Grayson¨Che wasing for her whether I helped or not. I made a deal so he wouldn¡¯t kill her-¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get to make deals about her.¡± My voice breaks. ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide what happens to what¡¯s mine.¡± And that¡¯s when I lose it. I see her in chains. I see her gagged. I see Riot¡¯s fucking hands on her. And all I see is his face. I throw him to the ground and shift halfway. My skin rips. My gums tear open. I feel my jaw dislocate with the force of my shift and I don¡¯t stop it¨CI ride it. I want the monster. I want him to see exactly what he unleashed. I¡¯ll rip his lungs out and feed them to the crows. I¡¯ll bite through his femur and leave him crawling. I¡¯ll carve Riot¡¯s name into his back and send him to deliver the message: Grayson is not dead. Grayson does not forgive. Because he didn¡¯t just betray me. He fed my fucking mate to the monster who¡¯s spent his life trying to be me. And now I¡¯m going to show him the difference. Commant Alpha Luna 126 Chapter 126 JESSICA 9.83% My wolf still reacts at Riot being nearby. Although it¡¯s my wolf, I think I¡¯m getting confused by her reactions. Tendencies are, she reacts for him and that makes it worse because that only means whatever Grayson has done is¡ª No. No, that¡¯s not it. My wrists burn raw against the rope again. I pull once, sharp, testing if the sweat from my back slicked the knot enough to shift it, but it only bites deeper. I taste the bark on my tongue. I smell the fucking rot of the meat he¡¯s eating. Rabbit, maybe. Something small and still steaming, bones snapping in his mouth like he¡¯s doing it for show. My wolf licks her teeth. She doesn¡¯t flinch from the sound. She doesn¡¯t flinch from him. I do. And that¡¯s the problem, isn¡¯t it? She still wants to roll belly¨Cup every time hees close. She still presses into the scent of him like it¡¯s some kind of anchor. She still wants to believe the monster chewing tendon in front of me is a pack. She doesn¡¯t understand what Grayson did. She doesn¡¯t understand what he gave me. He doesn¡¯t look at me. He hasn¡¯t looked at me all morning. Just sits there at the fire, crunching through tendon like he¡¯s camping, like I¡¯m not tied to a fucking tree with piss¨Cstained moss under my knees and bruises on the inside of my thighs from where he carried me like a corpse. him with My stomach clenches and it¡¯s not just hunger. It¡¯s shame. It¡¯s the way I feel every time I smell him. Like I¡¯ve already lost. Like my wolf has already made her fucking choice. She twitches. Perks. She wants to get closer. Idiot. Monster. I hate her. She hears his chewing and leans into it. She thinks it means safety. She thinks it means mate. Across the clearing, Riot lifts his head. Doesn¡¯t even look at me. Just says,zy, like it¡¯s a joke, like he hasn¡¯t shattered my whole fucking life already- ¡°What? Do you want some, pretty?¡± My mouth opens. Nothinges out. I¡¯m starving. I¡¯m not hungry. I¡¯m shaking. I¡¯m not crying. I think I¡¯m dehydrated. I think I¡¯m gonna pass out. I think I¡¯d still bite him if he got close enough. I think I¡¯d let him. ¡°Cat got your tongue?¡± he calls again, louder. Still not fucking looking. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Jess? You hungry?¡± Fuck you. It¡¯s in my throat. On my tongue. It wants out. My wolf wants to whimper. My human wants to scream. Neither of us do. 1/3 08: Wed, 3 Sept 83% +13 He throws the bone. I flinch before I even see it. Itnds near my foot with a wet p. Still steaming. Ripped meat still clinging to the end. My jaw mps shut and I breathe through my nose, and that¡¯s worse. It smells like blood and char and marrow. Riot stands. I don¡¯t move. I don¡¯t breathe. I know better. He stretches like he just woke up from a nap. Rolls his shoulders, cracks his neck. My wolf hums. Stupid bitch. She likes this. She wants him near. I can¡¯t stop shaking. My wrists burn. Rope. Rope. Rope. Rope. If I pull hard enough I¡¯ll bleed. If I scream he¡¯llugh. If I beg¡ª No. No begging. I¡¯ve seen what that does to girls. I¡¯m not her. ¡°Fuck you,¡± I say. He stops walking. Silence. Then the smirk. It spreads like a crack across his face. His eyes stay wrong. Riot crouches and tilts his head like he¡¯s sizing me before moves like he¡¯s gonna kiss me. I jerk my face away. ¡°Ah.¡± Heughs, low in his throat. ¡°Still got a bite in you, huh?¡± I realize something when he¡¯s out there snoring like a mad man. We¡¯re not going anywhere. I blink. Look past him. Past the fire. There are no others. It¡¯s just him and me. ¡°What are we waiting for?¡± I say. ¡°What am I waiting for?¡± he repeats, slow, quiet. His mouth curls at the edges. ¡°That¡¯s a funny fucking question.¡± ¡°Waiting,¡± he says, low, almost to himself. ¡°That¡¯s good. You¡¯re starting to think ahead. Starting to wonder if this ends. If we go back to the pack. If I drag you through the vige and put you in the square and show them what happens to a bitch who disrespects bloodlines.¡± I don¡¯t answer. His steps slow when he¡¯s close enough for the heat of the fire to hit my skin through the cold sweat. My arms shake, I¡¯m biting the inside of my cheek so hard I taste blood. He crouches again. That crouch. Always the same angle¨Clow, calm, right at eye level so I remember what he is. So I remember what he¡¯s not. Not a man. Not a wolf. Just something built for this. For girls like me. Tied like this. ¡°You think I¡¯m waiting for them?¡± he murmurs. ¡°You think I need an audience for whates next?¡± He reaches forward. Just enough to brush my cheek with his knuckle. ¡°Every second you¡¯re tied here, you¡¯re learning. You¡¯re being emptied out. Grayson left pieces in you, didn¡¯t he? I can smell them. His scent. His mark. His fucking grief.¡± He spits on the ground. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll rot that out of you too.¡± I breathe hard. I bite back a sound. 08:13 Wed, 3 Sept ti 2 N . 82% +13. ¡°You¡¯re not ready yet,¡± he says, more to himself than me. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m waiting for. I want to take you back when you¡¯re hollow. When there¡¯s nothing left of you to fight.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not taking me anywhere.¡± He leans in, close enough I can feel the smile stretch across his face. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve lost the pack too, haven¡¯t you?¡± It¡¯s just an assumption. Riot makes a growl that makes me think he¡¯ll strike me. When he raised his hands, I thought he would hit me but instead, his fingers grasped my jaw, so tight it hurt. ¡°And why would you think of that?¡± I¡¯m right. Riot lost it too. But to whom? He¡¯s keeping me out here because he has no pack left to take me to. Because something bigger chewed him out. ¡°Do you know what you¡¯ve done?¡± What I¡¯ve done. What I¡¯ve¡­.could it be. ¡°Theo.¡± Alpha Luna 127 Chapter 127 JESSICA ¡°We¡¯re getting out of here before dawn.¡± Riot instinctively untie my ropes as if the name I¡¯ve said said made me scared as fuck. Theo is my wolf. I¡¯ve turned him and made him into a monster for me. He¡¯s my monster but why is Riot reacting like this? There¡¯s no exnation. I¡¯ve seeded. I created the first hybrid and he¡¯s going to be loyal to me. Faithful. He¡¯s going to crouch down to the ground and kiss the floor just so he can obey me. I let Riot yank me by the arm, drag me through wet moss and root¨Cknotted earth like I¡¯m weightless, like he¡¯s in a rush now and I¡¯m the bag he forgot to pack. His breath is short. His eyes won¡¯t meet mine. He¡¯s scared and trying not to look it, and that¡¯s the part that makes me grin. I did that. I made something worse than him. And now he thinks it¡¯sing. ¡°You think Theo¡¯s going to hurt you?¡± He¡¯s not taking me back to the pack. He can¡¯t. He¡¯s just trying to hide now. Iugh. Loud enough to echo. He whips around and grabs me by the throat. Hard. Shoves me against a tree. ¡°What the fuck did you do to him?¡± I choke on the pressure but I don¡¯t stop smiling. I let the heat rising in my gut. fear slip out from my eyes just enough to bait him, just enough to mask the ¡°You turned him into a thing,¡± Riot says. ¡°He¡¯s not yours. He¡¯s not even a wolf anymore.¡± ¡°He¡¯s mine,¡± I rasp. ¡°You saw it. You felt it.¡± Riot¡¯s hand tightens. My feet lift half an inch off the ground. ¡°You created a monster you cannot tame.¡± He¡¯s either so scared or something else happens. ¡°What did he do?¡± I have no choice to ask because if he¡¯s dong something worse then I don¡¯t know what I will feel. I did what I had to do to save the pack from Riot. The pack and everyone in it. And also, because I had something to give. It¡¯s a blessing to be the most powerful in this violent world. So what? What did my first hybrid do that made Riot this scared as hell? What is going on? And also, where is Grayson and my brother? Riot stepped back and denied me all of the answers I needed. For long minutes, I watch as he ties me back to the tree before he burns everything. It¡¯s like he¡¯s erasing everything including our scent. I struggle to sit and watch him do it with feral growls. ¡°What happened? Answer me!¡± ¡°Now, now,¡± Riot res at me and smirk. ¡°Why would I ease your fucking mind Jessica?¡± ¡°Fuck you¨Cfuck you¨Cfuck you tell me what happened!¡± My wrists tear raw against the rope. I jerk forward so hard the bark cracks behind me. ¡°What did he do? What did Theo do? Tell me!¡± I¡¯m screaming it now, full¨Cbody rage, spit flying, throat shredding. ¡°Where¡¯s Grayson?! Where¡¯s Pierce?! Why aren¡¯t we moving¨Cwhy are you scared?! Tell me, you piece of shit!¡± I can¡¯t stop shaking. My legs kick at nothing. My body is fire and my brain is worse. I can¡¯t think. I don¡¯t want to. I just want him to break¨Cjust say it¨Cjust say the words¨Csay what the fuck went wrong. The truth is I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve done. I don¡¯t know what I made. I don¡¯t know what Theo is anymore. I¡¯m not even sure if it will kill him or not. Maybe I broke him. Maybe I built him. Maybe I fucked up so bad there¡¯s no , not for any of us. I¡¯m a desperate, stupid wolf who wants to rule this world with her teeth.I want to own it. I want every single fucking one of them to kneel. I want Riot dead. I want him wrecked and choking and dragged by the same rope that¡¯s cutting into my skin. I want him to feel what I felt. Helpless. Hollowed. Tied down. I want my revenge for every time he touches me and makes me his whore. ¡°What did he do to you?¡± I whisper. ¡°Did he tear through the pack? Did he fuck up your ns?¡± Free. That gets him. The fist hits fast¨Cmy head cracks back against the tree. I spit blood and keep smiling. ¡°You can¡¯t stop him,¡± I say. And you know it.¡± Because Riot never ties me up unless he¡¯s scared. ¡°Do you know what he¡¯s done, Jessica?¡± He smirks and I don¡¯t know why cold drops into my stomach, stirring it deeply into my guts.¡± Do you know what you did?¡± He crouches in front of me slowly, like a wolf circling something wounded. His handes up and he drags the back of his knuckles across my cheek, gentle. Mocking. I try to jerk away but he grabs my chin hard and forces me still. ¡°I want you to hear this right,¡± he breathes. ¡°He didn¡¯t just kill them.¡± His breath hits my neck. ¡°He ate them.¡± My blood runs ice cold. I stare straight ahead like if I don¡¯t look at him, it won¡¯t be true. He¡¯s lying. He has to be fucking lying. Theo wouldn¡¯t. Not unless¨CUnless I told him to. Unless I made it that way. Unless I built him to tear first and thinkter. Unless this is what he thinks I want 1 blink, and I see it. Blood on his chin. Teeth shing red. I see his face tilted to the sky and howling with bone between his jaws. I see himpping brains from the dirt like it¡¯s soup I made for him. He¡¯s not even fucking there and I can still see it. I did that. My stomach twists sideways. For a second I think I¡¯m going to throw up, but it catches in my throat and curdles there. I breathe 213 08:13 Wed, 3 Sept? ti through it, hard. I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste iron, and then I bite harder. I won. ? . 82% +13 I built a fucking monster, and now Riot¡¯s looking at me like I¡¯m the thing worth fearing. That¡¯s what I wanted. That¡¯s what I asked for. Then why am I shaking? My wrists are raw. Rope sliced in. I pull again anyway, hard enough to split the skin. I want him to look scared again. Not smug. Not pitying. Not like he knows something I don¡¯t. ¡°I watched him rip their jaws off and grin. I watched himp brains from the ground like soup. I watched him drag your brother¡¯s Beta across the floor with his tongue.¡± He leans in. Nose to mine. I feel his breath on my lips. ¡°You¡¯re proud of that, baby? You proud of the monster you fucked into existence?¡± I don¡¯t blink. He shifts closer and then¨Che bites me. Sharp and brutal¨Chis teeth mp down on my earlobe, sudden and deep enough I feel cartge crunch. I scream and m my head forward, but he already has my throat again. My back hits bark and he presses, hand locked tight enough to choke the sound. ¡°There¡¯s no pack vige anymore Jess,¡± he growls, mouth smeared blood from me. ¡°There¡¯s no pack to rule. There¡¯s no ours to lead. It all leads to the decay of bodies leading to your lover¡¯s death.¡± What? ¡°What did he do?! WHAT DID HE DO?!¡± ¡°You¡¯l see,¡± Riot whispers. ¡°If Grayson¡¯s still breathing when he walks through that vige¨Che¡¯ll know.¡± My whole body jerks. ¡°What the fuck does that mean?!¡± ¡°It means your sweet boy¡¯s gonna walk into the home he used to lead and see every one of them dead. Gutted. Strewn in bits across the floors like fucking confetti. He¡¯s gonna smell you on it. Your bond. Your orders. Your fucking legacy.¡± I stop breathing ¡°And he¡¯s gonna know,¡± Riot murmurs, leaning closer. ¡°That his mate did it. His girl turned his people into a graveyard.¡± Alpha Luna 128 Chapter 128 GRAYSON He pants and probably cursing me on his head but what the fuck? He¡¯s on the ground again, curled halfway up with a hand bracing the worst of it. I know which rib cracked. I can feel it in my own chest, phantom ache. We used to train like that¨Cmirror¨Cbreak each other till we were both on the groundughing, groaning, fucked¨Cup and proud. Shit. We¡¯re too fucked¨Cup trying to kill each other. But hell, I¡¯ve missed this. I think this is one of the mightiest memories I had ever since things happened in our pack. My jaw¡¯s off¨Ccenter. I spit blood and watch it run down my chin. ¡°You fucking idiot,¡± I curse Pierce, steadying myself on the fucking ground. I still want to gut him for selling her off¨Cbut fuck it¨Che loves Jessica. He just doubted his trust in me. He thought I¡¯d lose it. Like I haven¡¯t already. ¡°What if he killed her, huh?¡± My voice shakes at the end. I hate it. I bite the sound back, try to smother it with dirt and blood and the weight of my own goddamn fists. I want to hit him again. I want to drag him through the forest by what¡¯s left of his spine and scream into his skull until the answer makes sense. Until something fucking makes sense. I turn, spit again, and my hands won¡¯t stop curling. I can feel the ws trying to push through my skin¨Cmuscles twitching, bones humming, jaw locked too tight. ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± I mutter. ¡°You know that. You fucking know that.¡± I¡¯ve known it since she was fifteen and punched a Beta in the teeth for talking over her. Since she pinned me with that look like she already knew I¡¯d kneel. Since I smelled her blood and it rewired every part of me that used to make sense. She was never supposed to be mine. And now I¡¯d kill anyone who tries to say otherwise. ¡°Jessica is a big girl, Grayson,¡± Pierce says, panting between the words, chest lifting slow, ¡°Riot won¡¯t kill her. Apparently¡­ you¡¯re not the only one obsessed with my sister.¡± I let that sit for a second. Then Iugh. Low, bitter, too¨Cclose¨Cto¨Cbreaking. It hurts my ribs pull wrong, something shifts under the skin¨Cbut I can¡¯t stop. Iugh because it¡¯s fucked. Because he¡¯s right, Jess always have this trouble surrounding her. Her choices of lover makes me question her too. I mean, look at me, worshipping the ground she fucking walks on. ¡°Yeah,¡± I breathe, dragging a palm across my jaw, trying to steady it all. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want to share.¡± ¡°Clearly.¡± Pierce coughs, groans, tips his head back against the tree. ¡°Jesus. You cracked something.¡± ¡°You did first.¡± ¡°Only because you fucking snarled like a beast and lunged.¡± ¡°You gave her to Riot.¡± For a minute we just breathe, both of us wrecked. Wolvesing down from it. Bones knitting slow. I nce at him again. ¡°You okay?¡± He shrugs. Winces. ¡°You broke my rib.¡± ¡°You bruised my fucking spine.¡± ¡°So we¡¯re even.¡± ¡°No,¡± I mutter. ¡°But seriously, how sure are you Riot¡¯s not going to kill her?¡± I stand up. Everything fucking aches. My left leg¡¯s numb and my spine feels like it¡¯s been chewed by wolves and spit out sideways. Still¨CI reach down, grab the asshole by the arm, and drag him up like it¡¯s my job to keep us moving. Because it is. Pierce groans, slightly shoving me off. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± he finally admits. ¡°just¡­ he¡¯s sick, not stupid, He wants her alive.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Pierce look at me and I¡¯m fucking confused when he took a step back as if I¡¯m going to unleash war. Istare at him. Frown. Tilt my head just enough to see the way his pulse ticks in his neck, the way his stance shifts¨Ctight, bracing. Ready. ¡°What?¡± I bark. He lifts his hands, cating. ¡°Don¡¯t get worked up.¡± ¡°Say it.¡± ¡°Do you know the rogue who attacked her?¡± That stops me. The rogue. I blink, hard. Try to summon the details, the scent, the blood, the blur of movement in the woods. I remember something. It¡¯s the note that I¡¯ve found with her, Do you want to share? -R. I remember the note. I remember the way her scent was wrong¨Cfaded, sharp, like fear under ash. I remember how her shirt was torn too clean to be random. The way the ground was disturbed but not destroyed¨Cwhoever it was, they stalked her. Watched. Got close enough to write his fucking name and walk away like he was owed something.
270 +13 Riot. ¡°Fuck,¡± I choke, and my ws are halfway through already, skin ripping, bones realigning. I can¡¯t stop it. I don¡¯t want to stop it. I want to tear down the fucking trees and gut every shadow that could¡¯ve watched and done nothing. My heart¡¯s a weapon and it¡¯s swinging wild inside my ribs, screaming one word again and again and again- Mine ¡°Grayson, you need to calm the fuck down-¡± ¡°He touched her,¡± I snarl. ¡°He fucking touched her.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not dead.¡± ¡°He shouldn¡¯t have gotten close enough to breathe near her!¡± Pierce stumbles back again, and I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t care if he bleeds or passes out or begs me to be rational because I¡¯m not rational anymore. I haven¡¯t been since the day she touched me and I decided I¡¯d kill the world to keep her hand from shaking. I¡¯m going to find Riot. I¡¯m going to tear every damn skin in his body and feed it to the wolves. And if he touched her like he owns her- If he thought for one second she was his- I¡¯ll break his goddamn ribs in reverse. I¡¯ll make him share the way I never will. He thought he marked her? He thought I¡¯ll fucking share what is rightfully mine? I¡¯m going to carve my name into your spine, Riot. I¡¯m going to make sure thest thing you ever see is her choosing me with blood on my hands. And I¡¯llugh when your bones break trying to understand why she never screamed for you. Alpha Luna 129 Chapter 129 JESSICA 413 I can¡¯t keep track of what¡¯s real. I don¡¯t remember moving. My chest is tight, breath sharp, rain drilling down my back like it¡¯s trying to get under the skin. Theo. Did. It. I don¡¯t believe him. Except I do. Except I always knew. Except something in me went quiet the second the words left Riot¡¯s mouth. Now I¡¯m trying to count my breath but it¡¯s off. I keep hitting the same number twice. I keep skipping three and five. The cold¡¯s finally sinking in¨Cdeep, sharp, mean¡ªand I try to pull my arm back but his grip doesn¡¯t slip. I dig my heel in. I stumble. I twist. His fingers just dig harder. I blink and everything¡¯s too sharp. Leaves dripping ck. Sky cracked open with veins of light. The wind keeps changing direction. Like it¡¯s trying to find me. Like it¡¯s smelling for something already dying. It¡¯s not rain. It¡¯s not cold. It¡¯s something worse. It¡¯s the feeling right before something sinks its teeth into the back of your neck. Am I fucking guilty? Absolutely. It¡¯s a trial I chose, thinking I could change the course of our lives. I just¡­didn¡¯t expect it would turn out like this one. He said Theo ate the whole vige. No. No. Fuck that. Fuck that- 1 jerk against the rope again. My wrists scream. Good. I yank until it feels like something¡¯s tearing under the skin. I need this part to hurt. I need to know where my body ends. I need to hold on to something that doesn¡¯t shift and rot and grin with meat in its teeth. He ate them. He turned the pack into red streaks and fucking confetti. I curl forward, forehead to my knees. Sweat and dirt sting where the bark¡¯s bitten me. Grayson. Oh fuck. Grayson¡¯s going to walk into that. His pack. His home. Bits of it in Theo¡¯s mouth. Bones scattered. He¡¯s going to look at the worst thing I¡¯ve ever done and know¡ªshe did this. Not Theo. Not Riot. Me. I breathe hard, Fists shaking. I count it. One breath. Two, Three. Try to fold it into order. Try to wrap the panic in numbers like I can control it. Four. Five. Six. Stop shaking. STOP. But it won¡¯t. My whole body¡¯s gone to war with itself. I¡¯m hot and cold and bile and rage. My wrists are raw. My eyes won¡¯t close without shing red. ¡°Walk faster, Jessica!¡± 08:14 Wed, 3 Septti 82% +13 I flinch. My knee buckles and I swallow it before he hears. He¡¯s not looking anyway¨Che¡¯s already yanking the chain again like I¡¯m something to haul, not someone. My feet slip on the slope. Leaves slick under my boots. Cold needles stab through the gaps in my clothes. Rain like knives now, straight into the back of my neck. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you?¡± I snap. I don¡¯t mean to. My body does it without asking. twist, spit, throw my elbow into his ribs. Not enough to hurt him. But enough to say fuck you. He grabs me before I can breathe and ms me into a tree. Bark cracks. My shoulder burns. Rain hits my back like whips now. My nose smashes against the trunk. I feel wetness that might be blood. Might be water. Might be both. ¡°Really?¡± Riot barks,ughing at me. ¡°I¡¯ve trained you, Jessica. And now you¡¯re trying to bite me?¡± ¡°I should¡¯ve bit you harder,¡± I hissed. Voice half¨Cgone. Tongue thick. ¡°I should¡¯ve fucking ripped your throat out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you,¡± Riot mutters finally. ¡°If I wanted to, I would¡¯ve.¡± Then quieter. ¡°I¡¯m getting you out of here.¡± ¡°Why?¡± I snap. My voice is rough, cracked. ¡°Why should I believe you¡­after everything you¡¯ve done!?¡± The woods creak. Water drips through branches like bones popping in the dark. My hands are shaking again and Riot keeps looking behind us like someone¨Cno, something¨Cis going to chase us. ¡°Shit,¡± he mutters. His voice has changed and I¡¯ll be damned if I¡¯m hearing fear in it. Riot¡¯s not looking at me. He¡¯s looking through the trees. ¡°What is it?¡± I ask. ¡°Run.¡± He jerks the chain, hard. My whole body lurches forward. Mud, bark, undergrowth¨Ceverything slick, everything biting back. I don¡¯t move fast enough. His hand yanks again. The cor cuts into my neck. My boots catch. I stumble hard. My teeth m together. My wrists snap tight behind me. ¡°RIOT¨C¡± No answer. Just the pull of the leash. Just the sound of him crashing through the woods like nothing¡¯s sacred anymore. Not the rain, not the trees, not the skin I¡¯m inside. He¡¯s moving too fast, too hard. I¡¯m dragged, half¨Cwalking, half¨Cdying. Rain¡¯sing down in stabs now, straight, knives on my scalp. Cold and sharp and full of pressure. It¡¯s not water. It¡¯s punishment. ¡°What the fuck is it?¡± I shout, spitting mud, leaves, blood. He doesn¡¯t answer. He just looks back¨Cand I see it. 2/4 08:14 Wed, 3 Sept 82% +13 One breath, no more. Between the trees. It moves so fast I can¡¯t make what is it but it¡¯s so fucking huge and it¡¯s making the ground shakes. The forest tilts. The roots rise. I¡¯m going to fall. ¡°MOVE!¡± Riot barks. I don¡¯t. ¡°I¨Ccan¡¯t-¡°I choke on spit and fear. My mouth tastes like iron. ¡°Riot-¡± He grabs me. By the cor. Fist knotted in it like he¡¯s done this before, like this isn¡¯t the first girl he¡¯s had to drag out of hell. He hauls me up and throws me forward. My knees hit the dirt so hard I see stars. ¡°Don¡¯t stop,¡± he grits. ¡°It doesn¡¯t like when they stop moving.¡± They. Not it. Plural. Pack. Fuck¨Chow many are there? What if it¡¯s already behind me? What if one of them is wearing Theo¡¯s face? The word breaks something in me. I w at the ground. Leaves and thorns and ss¨Ccold mud under my nails. I try to crawl but nothing¡¯s working. I can¡¯t feel my fucking knees. Everything¡¯s water and nerves and fire now. The trees look wrong. Closer. Their shadows stretch too far. The bark¡¯s peeling like flesh. They¡¯re watching. Something breathes behind us. Slow. Deep. Wet. My body goes stiff. ¡°What the fuck is that?¡± I scream. Riot doesn¡¯t answer. He just keeps running. Grabs the chain and pulls again. My shoulder jerks. My vision blurs. I¡¯m gagging on the cor, choking on my own panic. I fall, I get up, I fall again. He doesn¡¯t slow down. He doesn¡¯t look back. Just drags me like I¡¯m already half¨Cdead. And I realize he¡¯s afraid, Riot is afraid. And that¡¯s when I know. We¡¯re going to die out here and even in death, I¡¯m here worrying for Grayson. It hurts me knowing thest time we¡¯ve seen each other is us, trying to kill each other. Fuck it, baby. I wanted more time. I wanted one more fucking minute with him. One second to look him in the eyes and say it. All of it. Every inch of it. The way I¡¯d rip my own fucking heart out if he asked. The way it¡¯s always been him, even when I hated him. Even when I wanted to put a krafe through his ribs and walk away. Especially then. I would¡¯ve told him everything That I lied. That I broke every rule I made for myself. That I still dreamy about the sound he makes when he¡¯s half¨Casleep and angry and safe. That he ruined me for anything soft, and I never want to be soft again I would¡¯ve told him I love him. That even here¡ªchained, hunted, fucking dying I¡¯d still scream his name if I had the breath. 3/4 08:14 Wed, 3 Septie¡¤ I didn¡¯t know I¡¯d end up face¨Cfirst in the dirt, rain drowning me, ribs cracked, and the only name in my head is his. Grayson. I¡¯m so fucking sorry. 82% My fingers slip in the mud. My legs won¡¯t move anymore. I try to crawl. I try to scream. I try to fight. But everything¡¯s going quiet and I think this is how I¡¯m going to die. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, baby,¡± I said with myst breath before I felt ws tearing my skin.
  1. 13.
08:14 Wed, 3 Sept Alpha Luna 130 Chapter 130 GRAYSON 82% +13 ¡°You¡¯re too calm, Grayson. Tell me what¡¯s going on in your head,¡± Pierce barks behind me, but I keep walking. My fists are clenched so tight my knuckles are white, and my jaw feels like it¡¯s about to crack. Honestly, all I wanted was to run and kill Riot. My instincts were screaming at me to tear him apart, to make him pay. To show everyone what happens when you cross me. When you touch what¡¯s mine. Pierce was still talking, but I wasn¡¯t listening. I continue to just stride to the ground thinking of ways to cut Riot when I¡¯m back on my throne as being the Westwood pack. I stop dead in my tracks, the air around me practically crackling with tension. My chest rises and falls like I¡¯ve just run a marathon, and my vision sharpens, zeroing in on the trees ahead like they¡¯re prey. ¡°Grayson,¡± Pierce¡¯s voice is closer now, cautious. ¡°You need to breathe. Think.¡± ¡°Think?¡± I snap, whirling around to face him. My voice is low, dangerous. ¡°I am thinking. I¡¯m thinking about how Riot¡¯s still breathing after what he did. How he¡¯s out there,ughing, while my pack is-¡± I cut myself off, my throat tightening. The image of them shes in my mind¨Cmy pack, my wolves. I failed them once. I won¡¯t do it again. Pierce takes a step back, his hands up like he¡¯s trying to calm a wild animal. ¡°We¡¯ll get him. But not like this. Not when you¡¯re-¡± ¡°Not when I¡¯m what?¡± I growl, taking a step forward. ¡°Angry? Furious? I¡¯m the Alpha, Pierce. This isn¡¯t just anger. This is me protecting what¡¯s mine.¡± He doesn¡¯t say anything, just watches me with those knowing eyes of his. And for a second, I hate him for it. I turn away, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him,¡± I say softly, more to myself than to Pierce. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him, and then I¡¯ll make sure no one ever threatens my pack again.¡± Pierce doesn¡¯t respond immediately. He just watches me because he knows better than to argue when I¡¯m like this. Finally, he sighs. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking straight, Grayson. This isn¡¯t just about you.¡± 1 re at him, my chest heaving. ¡°It¡¯s ¡°always¡± about me. I¡¯m the Alpha. If I let this slide, they¡¯ll think I¡¯m weak.¡± We keep walking, the forest closing in around us. The air is thick, almost oppressive, like it¡¯s holding its breath. By the time we reach the pack vige, it¡¯s already night. I stop at the edge of the clearing, my wolf senses on high alert. Pierce does the same, his hand instinctively reaching for the knife at his belt. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± he mutters, his voice/low. Something is definitely wrong. The pack has never been this eerie quiet. I nod, my jaw tightening. ¡°Stay close.¡± We step into the vige, and that¡¯s when the smell hits me. Blood. So much blood. My stomach twists, but I force myself to keep moving. 1/4 7 82% +13 There¡¯s something hanging from the well post. A spine. Still dripping. Still warm. I don¡¯t say anything. I don¡¯t breathe. I just stare at it while my boots sink into the mud, except it¡¯s not just mud. It¡¯s soaked through. It squelches. There¡¯s something slick under my heel and I don¡¯t want to look at it because I know what it is. ¡°Holy fuck,¡± Pierce whispers behind me. He doesn¡¯t move. He¡¯s not even close enough to see the worst of it yet. Tam. There¡¯s a torso near the steps of the meeting house. No head. Ribs split clean down the middle like someone reached in and peeled it open. Heart gone. One lung hanging from the edge like it got left behind by mistake. Bite marks. Human¨Csized. Wolf¨Csized. Something else. ¡°What the fuck happened here,¡± Pierce chokes behind me, but I can¡¯t answer. I¡¯m not even in my body anymore. 1 step forward. I crouch. My hand shakes and I try to control it. I can¡¯t. I touch the chest, what¡¯s left of it. Still warm. Still twitching. The nerves haven¡¯t shut down yet. They¡¯re still trying to move. And then I see his face. Just the top half, lodged in the roots. Like it rolled. Like it bounced.. Jace. Youngest recruit. Eighteen. Never shifted clean. Couldn¡¯t even take down a deer without throwing up. I trained him. He always smiled when he lost. Always tried again. And now his jaw¡¯s missing. Just¨Cgone. Tongue ripped out. His eyes still open. Still round with it. Something ws up through my spine. I hear the crunch before I feel the pain¨Cmy teeth grinding down so hard I almost crack one. My hands shake. My ws are already out. I didn¡¯t even feel them shift. I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve been kneeling here. I¡¯m shaking. I¡¯m burning. I smell them everywhere. Pack blood. My blood. My home. There¡¯s flesh stuck to the walls. Drag marks across the threshold like someone tried to crawl out before their legs were taken. I follow it with my eyes. Bits of skin, bits of bone, w marks on the stone, nails ripped out on the steps. They didn¡¯t die fast. ¡°Fucking hell,¡± Pierce barks somewhere behind me.¡± Let¡¯s get out of here!¡± I stand up. I don¡¯t answer. Because if I open my mouth right now, I¡¯ll fucking scream. I¡¯ll shift and I¡¯ll tear down every tree between here and whatever did this and I won¡¯t stop until I have its teeth in my fist. Instead, I found myself walking forward to the darkness and finding out the dark is not what I really should be afraid of but what is 08:14 Wed, 3 Septtie. in it. (You¡¯re supposed to be in control, Alpha. You¡¯re supposed to protect them. Where the fuck were you?) I pass a child¡¯s arm. Still gripping a stuffed wolf. It¡¯s been ripped clean at the shoulder. (Where were you, Grayson?) I pass a body with its throat chewed open, spine split, eyes gouged out. There¡¯s still blood under her fingernails. She fought. They all fought. The wind shifts and I get another scent. Piss. Fear. They were alive when it started. They didn¡¯t die clean. They died screaming, begging, crawling for the trees like it mattered. 82% My heart¡¯s not beating right. It¡¯s too fast. Too loud. I feel it hammering in my throat, feel it kick behind my ribs like it¡¯s trying to escape. It fucking hurts. And then- +13 Something splits. Inside my skull. A crack like lightning behind my eyes. I stagger, catch myself on a blood¨Cslick beam. My ws punch out. No time to shift. Just my body reacting¨Cferal, involuntary, involuntary¨Clike something is trying toe through my bones. ¡°Grayson?¡± Pierce. Distant. I don¡¯t answer. I can¡¯t. My teeth are clenched so tight I think I hear them crack. Behind my eyes. Threading into my spine. My wolf snarling so loud it drowns out the wind. My knees hit the ground and I grab my head like I can stop it from splitting open, like I can w it out. I scream. I don¡¯t even know I¡¯m doing it. It just tears out of my chest¨Craw, brutal, a noise I¡¯ve never made before. Jess. My eyes widened in fear suddenly seeing some visions of her. She¡¯s on her knees in the trees. Blood down her face. Her hands are shaking. Her throat is open. Something¡¯s torn through it. She¡¯s trying to crawl. Her chain is broken. She¡¯s gasping for air that¡¯s noting. Her eyes are open. She¡¯s looking for me. I lurch forward. My body doesn¡¯t care that it¡¯s not real. My wolf doesn¡¯t care. I try to run, try to get to her, but there¡¯s only dirt and limbs and the crack of bones under my knees. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, baby.¡± 08:14 Wed, 3 Sept ¡°No¨Cno¨CJESS-¡± 3 82% +13 And just like that, the vision¡¯s ripped away. I¡¯m left staring at nothing, my throat tight like I¡¯m still choking on her scream. My chest feels hollow, like someone just scooped out my insides. ¡°Grayson.¡± Pierce¡¯s voice cuts through the fog. I don¡¯t even realize I¡¯m shaking until he steps closer. ¡°You okay?¡± I blink, my eyes wide, like I¡¯m staring right through him. My mouth opens, but the words stick. Instead, I turn to him, slow, like my body¡¯s not mine anymore. ¡°Jess,¡± I stammer, my voice barely there. ¡°She¡¯s¨Cshe¡¯s-¡± Pierce¡¯s face drops. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Dead.¡± 08:14 Wed, 3 Sept Alpha Luna 131 Chapter 131 GRAYSON 82% +13 ¡°Grayson, stop! Where the hell do you think you¡¯re doing!?¡± My boots pounded the dirt as I stormed toward the pack storage, fists clenched, blood roaring in my ears. Fuel. That¡¯s all I needed. ¡°Fuck this,¡± I muttered under my breath, shoving the rusty door open. ¡°Grayson!¡± Pierce¡¯s voice echoed behind me, shaky but sharp. ¡°You can¡¯t just¨Cdamn it, what are you¡­.tell me what you saw!¡± ¡°She¡¯s gone, Pierce! Gone!¡± I shoved a crate out of the way, wood splintering under my palms. ¡°Her body¨Cit¡¯s just¡­ gone now. Blood. Everywhere.¡± Pierce grabbed my arm, his grip shaky. ¡°Who¡¯s gone? What the hell are you talking about?¡± ¡°Jessica¡± I roared, yanking free. ¡°I saw her and she¡¯s dead!¡± His face went pale. ¡°What? How-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± I snarled, mming another crate to the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking ask me how. I saw her. Blood soaked the ground. Her body -ripped apart. Gone.¡± Cold the I grabbed a can of fuel, the metal cold against my hand. ¡°And now? I¡¯m burning this whole damn ce to the ground.¡± ¡°Grayson, you¡¯re out of your mind!¡± Pierce stepped in front of me, arms wide. ¡°This doesn¡¯t solve anything!¡± ¡°Move, Pierce.¡± My voice was low, a growl from deep in my chest. ¡°Look around you!¡± His eyes darted to the bodies sprawled in the dirt¨Cour people, broken and lifeless.¡± The pack is all dead and now what? You¡¯re just going to burn them? Is that it huh?!¡± I shoved past him, my ws half¨Cextended, my wolf barely under the surface. ¡°You think I care about ns? They¡¯re dead. She¡¯s dead. And this ce-¡°I kicked the crate, sending it flying. ¡°-this hellhole deserves to burn.¡± Pierce grabbed my arm, his grip tight. ¡°You¡¯re not thinking straight!¡± I spun on him, teeth bared, my breath hot and ragged. ¡°Let. Go.¡± My voice was a snarl, feral, like the predator I was. He fraze, something flickering in his eyes¨Cfear, maybe. Good. He finally dropped his hand. Tunscrewed the fuel cap, the smell sharp and acrid. ¡°If you¡¯re not gonna help, then get out of my way.¡± Pierce stood there, jaw clenched, but he didn¡¯t move. ¡°You really think this is what she¡¯d want?¡± I paused, the can in my hand trembling ¡°She¡¯s not here to tell me, is she?¡± I poured the fuel, the liquid sshing over the ground, the crates, the bodies. Everything I paused, the can in my hand trembling ¡°She¡¯s not here to tell me, is she?¡± I poured the fuel, the liquid sshing over the ground, the crates, the bodies. Everything. My wolf howled inside me, furious, broken. This pack¨Cthis damn pack¨Cruined everything. They took her. They took ¡®everything¡°. 08:14 Wed, 3 Sept My ws dug into the can, the metal crumpling like paper. Blood. Smoke. Death. That¡¯s all this ce deserved. 3 82% +13) I kept pouring, the liquid pooling around the bodies, soaking into the dirt. ¡°You think I care about the mess I¡¯m making?¡± I snarled, more to myself than to Pierce. ¡°They¡¯re dead. She¡¯s dead. Let it all burn.¡± The liquid keeps sshing, and I can¡¯t stop my hand. My arm¡¯s moving on instinct now, shaking, my breath hitching every few seconds like I¡¯m forgetting how to fucking breathe. My eyes sting. Not from the fumes. From something worse. Something I can¡¯t w out of my chest. I drag the can across the floor, letting the trail coat everything¨Cwood, limbs, dirt, the shattered ribcage half¨Cburied in ash. A pup. I don¡¯t even look away. Don¡¯t blink. I already saw her like that. ¡°Grayson.¡± Pierce¡¯s voice cracks. ¡°Please. Don¡¯t do this.¡± I throw the empty can to the ground. It tters uselessly. My hand shakes when I reach for the next one. I miss the handle twice. My ws are out now. I can¡¯t retract them. My wolf¡¯s too close to the surface¨Chowling, scratching, snarling inside me like if I just dig deep enough, I¡¯ll find her in there. I twist the cap open and the smell hits me full force¨Csharp, nauseating, familiar. It¡¯s the same shit we used when we burned the rogue dens. The smell of war. The smell of punishment. I douse the rest of it. Let it soak through every inch of this goddamn cursed ce. Then I stop. Just stand there, m chest heaving, my fingers twitching like they don¡¯t know what to do without violence. ¡°You saw a vision,¡± Pierce tries again. ¡°It could¡¯ve been a trick. Wolfsbane, trauma, stress¨CGrayson, you don¡¯t know if she¡¯s-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± My voice is hoarse, barely sound anymore. ¡°Don¡¯t say it. Don¡¯t give me hope.¡± He¡¯s quiet. Good. I don¡¯t want hope. Hope is what got her taken. Hope is what got me weak. Hope is for people who still have something left to lose. 1 reach into my jacket, grab the lighter from the inside pocket. It¡¯s old. ck. My father¡¯s. I flick it once, twice. My hand won¡¯t stop shaking It clicks uselessly. Then it catches. A small me. I crouch low, stare at it. Watch it dance over the metal. It reflects in the blood pooled beneath my boots. And for one second¨Cjust one¨C1 see her face in the slick red mess. Jess. Baby,please. I closed my eyes and for the first time, I found myself uttering a prayer. ¡°Baby,¡± I whisper, voice rasping, breaking, ¡°please be alive for me.¡± A soundes out of me I don¡¯t recognize. Like something inside me finally split the rest of the way open. I try to swallow it, try to 08:14 Wed, 3 Sept stay upright, but I can¡¯t. I fucking can¡¯t. 82% 0 +13 My shoulders shake. I press my forehead to the ground. My chest convulses and I¡¯m there, spilling tears for her¨Cugly, silent, endless tears¨Cbecause of how much pain I¡¯ve put her through. Because I wasn¡¯t there. Because I fucking failed her. I squeeze my eyes shut, fists digging into the dirt until my ws break skin, but it doesn¡¯t ground me. Nothing does. My wolf ws at my insides, pacing, growling, howling, because she¡¯s his too, and we lost her. We fucking lost her. ¡°Moon goddess,¡± I choke, not even knowing why I say it¨Clike she listens, like she gives a shit about wolves like me. ¡°I know I¡¯m not your chosen, I know I¡¯m not¡­ I¡¯m not the most benevolent man on earth but why¨Cwhy the fuck is this happening to us?¡± My voice snaps apart again, raw and shaking. My ribs hurt from how hard I¡¯m breathing, like I¡¯m trying to pull oxygen from a world that doesn¡¯t want me in it anymore. My whole body feels too heavy for the ground to hold. And then the light shifts. It¡¯s barely anything at first. Just the edge of something pale brushing the ground. I blink through the sting in my eyes, my body too spent to move. But when I tilt my head up, I see it. The moon. A crescent slice of silver in the sky, caught between clouds and smoke. It spills light across the ruin¨Cacross the crates, the dead, the fuel¨Csoaked dirt¨Cand it hits me. Jess always said the crescent felt like a promise. Something sharp but growing. Something not done yet. And it cuts me now, that light. Cuts through the blood on my face and the dirt in my lungs and the hopelessness chewing through my spine. I stare at it. I stare and stare, and I swear for a second I feel her in it. I rise. Slowly. Shaking. But I rise. Because if there¡¯s even a chance that crescent means what she used to say it meant, then she¡¯s out there. Somewhere. Still breathing And if she is¡ªif she¡¯s still fighting¨Cthen I swear to every god and moon and grave that I¡¯ll find her. Even if I have to burn the entire fucking world to do it. I reach for the lighter. My fingers are stiff. Raw. I scraped them open dragging bodies. Shoving crates. Pouring the fuel. They stick to the metal like it belongs to me now. Like it wants this. I flick it once. No spark. Twice. The me hisses up. Steady. Yellow orange. Small. 3 82% +13 But it dances. Like it knows it¡¯s about to be fed. It lights up my face, and I know I must look wrong in it. My reflection in the blood. My eyes. Too wide. Too ssy. The kind of broken you can¡¯t stitch up. I kneel first. Press the lighter close to the soaked edge of the nearest crate. I can smell the fuel in the wood. Can smell the rot under it. The blood. The scorched fur. Someone¡¯s body under the tarp still twitching like it doesn¡¯t realize it¡¯s already dead. ¨C Good. Let it burn with the rest of them. I press the me forward. It catches. Fast. The fire crawls greedy across the ground, licking up the liquid trail, slithering between crates and corpses like a living thing. It jumps to the walls. Climbs high. res hot. Bright. Furious.. 1 stagger back. The heat hits me like a punch to the chest. My lungs seize. My eyes water. My skin goes tight. But I watch. Mucking watch. The fire eats everything. Crate by crate. Nail by nail. Board by board. It chews through the roof and screams out the windows, swallowing the ce like it was never solid to begin with. Like it was always meant to end in smoke and ash. The bodies don¡¯t scream. Not anymore. They just blister. Curl. cken. Bones snap. Fat sizzles. The smell is thick enough to gag on. But I keep breathing. I make myself. Because this is the grave they dug for her. This is the price of letting them live too long. And I want to remember it. I want the image seared into me. Every inch of this ruin. Every shadow twisting in the mes. Every limb curling into charred ruin. Every splintered rib. Every melted face. They¡¯ll never hurt her again. They¡¯ll never touch her again. Behind me, I hear shouting¨CPierce again maybe. His voice is hoarse. Frantic. Screaming my name like he still thinks I can be 08:14 Wed, 3 Sept O dragged back. But he doesn¡¯t understand. 14 I¡¯m not walking away from this. I¡¯m bing it. ? 82% The fire climbs higher, orange giving way to blue at the heart of it. Pure heat. Pure wrath. Like the gods themselves are burning it down for me. And above it all¨Cstill- The moon. The crescent. Watching. Bearing witness. I close my eyes and whisper it again, barely a breath-¡°Baby, I love you. I really do.¡± Then I open them and I walk toward the fire. Alpha Luna 133 Chapter 132 Jessica ?? . 82%E +13 ¡°What? You want five pups?¡± Iugh, trying to push Grayson because he¡¯s breathing on my damn neck. Ugh. When is he going to be satisfied with me? Well, I hope not because the man has skills. I heard him chuckle beside me, making me frown. Sometimes, I think he¡¯s, you know¡­stupid or crazy because I always caught himughing at nothing! Trolled my eyes, but my heart skipped a beat. Damn him. ¡°You¡¯reughing at me? Again? You know, one day I¡¯m gonna figure out what¡¯s going on in that messed¨Cup head of yours.¡± ¡°Good luck with that,¡± he shot back, leaning on the headboard and shutting his eyes. My alpha¨Ctired after two rounds. The thought made me bite back augh. Slowly, I crawled on top of him, my knees sinking into the mattress on either side of his hips. His eyes snapped open instantly, dark and zing, like a wolf catching scent of prey. His growl was low, guttural, and it made my stomach flip. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± he rumbled, his voice rough. I tilted my head, feigning innocence. ¡°Just checking if you¡¯re really as spent as you¡¯re acting.¡± His hands shot up, gripping my hips like he was afraid I¡¯d slip away. ¡°You¡¯re ying with fire, little wolf.¡± ¡°Really?¡± I gasped, grinding against his thighs. I don¡¯t know why but having sex with Grayson is literally a dreame true. Shit. My legs were trembling, my fingers digging into his shoulders like I might fall if I let go. Grayson¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re shaking,¡± he growled, his voice low. ¡°You like it that much?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. I couldn¡¯t. My throat was dry, my heart hammering so loud I was sure he could hear it. His fingers trailed up on my arms before it circles around my neck. I bit my lip, holding back the moan threatening to escape. His grip tightened just a fraction, and I swear I saw a flicker of satisfaction in his gaze. ¡°Tell me,¡± he demanded, his voice rough, almost feral. I shook my head, a tiny defiance that only made him more into this. ¡°So stubborn,¡± he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°My stubborn whore.¡± The words sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. A whimper escaped my lips, and he smirked, clearly pleased with himself. ¡°So stubborn,¡± he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°My stubborn whore.¡± The words sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. A whimper escaped my lips, and he smirked, clearly pleased with himself. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he said, choking me more, ¡°Grind that greedy pussy in my thigh.¡± I hesitated for a second, but his free hand pped my ass hard, making me yelp. ¡°Do it.¡± ¡°No.¡± 08:15 Wed, 3 Sept ¡°What?¡± I stop, breathing heavily just to piss him off. ¡°I said no.¡± His eyes darkened and as if he¡¯s reading my mind, he ask me, ¡°What game are you ying at, baby?¡± I licked my lips, my heart pounding in my chest. ¡°I want to tie you up.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°You heard me. I want you tied up. Helpless.¡± His smirk faded, reced by something sharper. ¡± Jessica. This is not funny, baby. Fuck.¡± ¡°Please?¡± 82% +13) Grayson is watching me as I stand on the side of the bed, waiting for his answer. It¡¯s stupid but I really want to do it. Imagine the all mighty alpha Grayson tied up and helpless in my bed? I¡¯ll literally die out of happiness. ¡°Fine, he growled, finally. ¡°But don¡¯t make me regret this.¡± ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t,¡± I said, grinning like an idiot as I grabbed the rope from the drawer. His eyes tracked every move I made, intense and unblinking. I tied his wrists to the bedposts, making sure the knots were tight. ¡°Happy now?¡± he asked, voice rough. ¡°Almost,¡± I said, climbing over him. His breath hitched as I straddled him, hands roaming. ¡± Don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡± I smirked, running my hands down his chest. ¡°Who, me?¡± He let out a low growl, and I couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°Rx, alpha. I¡¯ll be gentle.¡± ¡°Like hell you will,¡± he muttered, but I could see the flicker in his eyes, the one that told me he was just as into this as I was. leaned down, my lips brushing his ear. ¡°Don¡¯t fight it.¡± His breath hitched, and I could feel him struggling against the ropes, testing them. But they held firm. ¡°Good boy,¡± I whispered, biting down on his earlobe. He let out a sharp breath, his hips bucking up against me. ¡°Damn it!¡± ¡°Fuck you,¡± he snapped, but his voice was strained, like he was barely holding it together. I pped his chest, the sound sharp in the quiet room. ¡°Watch your mouth, alpha.¡± His eyes darkened, and I could feet him struggling against the ropes again. ¡°You¡¯re pushing it.¡± ¡°Am 17¡± I said, moving my hand tower, my fingers brushing against him. He cursed under his breath, his body trembling ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered, his voice breaking. Iughed, leaning down to kiss him. ¡°Rx, Grayson. Always remember I love you 08:15 Wed, 3 Septe I love you. I¡¯m in love with you. I will always love you. My eyes snapped open, and I growled, feeling the stinging sensation in my side. Felt like someone had taken a bite out of me. I rolled onto my back, my breath ragged, and winced as my fingers brushed against the raw wound. Blood. Riot. I don¡¯t know why I quickly search for him. My head throbbed, and my body felt weak, like I¡¯d been dragged through hell and back. I tried to sit up, but my muscles screamed in protest. ¡°Damn it,¡± I muttered under my breath. My voice sounded rough, shaky. Footsteps. Soft, but there. I froze, my ears straining. Someone was nearby. My heart started pounding, loud enough to drown out the silence. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± The voice was familiar. I turned my head, and there he was. Theo. Shit. ¡°Where¡¯s Riot?¡± I red at him, forcing myself to sit up, even though it felt like my body was tearing itself apart. ¡°What did you do to him, Theo?¡± It¡¯s as if I triggered something inside him that he quickly crouches down and gripped my jaw. Theo crouched down, his hand gripping my jaw. His eyes were dark, almost wild. ¡°Why are you looking for him, Jessica?¡± 1 red, nails digging into my palms. ¡°If you touched him-¡± Heughed, cutting me off. ¡°Rx. He¡¯s alive. For now.¡± My stomach dropped. ¡°Theo, I swear-¡± ¡°You¡¯re in no position to make threats,¡± he said, stepping closer. His breath was hot, too close. ¡°Worry about yourself.¡± I didn¡¯t back down. ¡°Where is he?¡± Theo tilted his head, studying me like I was some kind of puzzle. He looked¡­ off. Like something inside him had cracked. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°No kidding.¡± I shot back, my words biting. He smirked, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°You always fight me. Why?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. My eyes darted around the room, looking for an out, a weapon, anything. ¡°Always the hard way,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°Yeah, well, that¡¯s me,¡± I muttered, my voice tight. He moved, suddenly, grabbing my wrist. His grip was rough, almost painful. ¡± Did you enjoy my bite?¡± I froze. My skin screamed where he held me. The memory of his teeth sinking in shed¨Csharp, brutal. I could still feel the ache in my side, raw and throbbing. Weak. ¡°Let go,¡± I said, low, dangerous. He didn¡¯t. Instead, he leaned in, his free hand brushing the wound on my side. ¡°Hurts, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°What do you want, Theo?¡± His eyes darkened, something animalistic flickering in them. ¡°You.¡± My chest tightened. I yanked my arm, but he held firm. ¡°Always trying to run,¡± he said, pulling me closer. His voice was a growl now, low and harsh. ¡°But you¡¯re not going anywhere.¡± My body reacts before my brain does¨Cmuscles coiling, weight shifting, ready to break his knee if I get one inch of space. But he reads it. His other hand catches my hip, pins it. Fuck. I keep my jaw locked. My heart¡¯s stuttering, not from fear¡ªrage. ¡°You think you¡¯ve got some fucking im on me?¡± I snap, twisting again. ¡°You burned it into me,¡± he says, pushing me back against the wall, slow and brutal, like he¡¯s trying to remind me what I did. ¡°You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to wake up every fucking day with your scent in my mouth?¡± His palm braces beside my head. My wrists caught, tight between us. His thigh jams between mine again, and this time, he pushes up. ¡°You made me yours. Now I¡¯ming to collect.¡± My head ms back. ¡°You¡¯re fucking insane.¡¯ He leans in until his lips barely touch mine. ¡°That makes two of us.¡± Ìï AD Comment Send gift Chapter 133 JESSICA Riot is not dead. : 64 55 vouchers I am sure of that after I overheard some of Theo¡¯s men talking about it. The walls are not thick enough to conceal their ns for me. Damn it. I need to get out of here. I lick my lips¨Cdry, cracked, bloody¨Cand stare at the only window in this shithole. Too high, too narrow, but if I could just get my hands free, if I could stand without my knees giving out, I could maybe¨Cfuck. I jerk myself higher, half¨Cdragging a useless leg, hoping I¡¯ll fucking reach the only window in this ce. Theo must¡¯ve shoved me in some hole no one can smell me in¨Csmart bastard. If I can just¨Cfuck¨Creach that goddamn window¡­.my eyes snapped open and I quickly went back to the corner side when I heard some footsteps outside. He¡¯s here. Theo¡¯s here. No. No, no, fuck no. ¡°Stay the fuck away,¡± I hiss, low and hoarse, barely sound. My fingers tighten around the rusted pipe I dragged from the corner¨Cmy only weapon. My only goddamn chance. It¡¯s shaking in my grip. Or maybe that¡¯s me. Doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll split his fucking skull open before he have me. ¡°Let go of the pipe, baby,¡± Theo purrs, throwing a stack of tes against the far wall. The sound makes me jump in an instant, and I¡¯ll be damned because everything in me has been sensitive ever since he bit me¨Cskin too raw, ears too sharp, blood too hot and crawling. He¡¯s doing this on purpose. That sick, grinning bastard. I don¡¯t let go of the pipe. Theo steps forward, and I keep on stepping back so the bastard won¡¯t reach me. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, baby?¡± he croons, cocking his head like a predator pretending to be curious. ¡°Scared I¡¯ll bite again?¡± I tighten my hold. My back hits the far wall. No more space left. 9:33 Thu, Sep 4 Fuck. 64 55 vouchers His eyes drop to my chest¨Cwatching it rise too fast, watching me breathe wrong, shake wrong, exist wrong. ¡°Careful, Jess. You¡¯re leaking fear.¡± He says it like it¡¯s delicious. I shift the pipe in my grip, angle it toward his face. ¡°Come closer,¡± I croak. ¡°See what else I¡¯ll leak.¡± ¡°God, I missed your mouth.¡± One step closer and I¡¯ll swing. I swear to fucking moon goddess. I¡¯ll rip his skull and feed it to his men. outside. ¡°You smell like heat,¡± he says, voice soft, almost admiring. ¡°It¡¯s driving me insane.¡± I bare my teeth. ¡°Good. Rot in it.¡± But my thighs are slick. Betrayal, right there between my legs. Theo tips his head, tongue grazing the inside of his cheek like he can taste it from here. His boots drag slow across the concrete, calcted,zy¨Che¡¯s hunting me without moving fast ¡°You want to kill me so bad, don¡¯t you?¡± he growls, eyes zing with that fucked¨Cup hunger. ¡°All that rage, all that heat¡­ I can smell it dripping off you. It¡¯s making me hard.¡± I spit in his face. He grins¨Csharp, feral, bloodthirsty¨Cand wipes it off with the back of his hand. I swing the pipe hard. Miss his skull by an inch and hear it crack into the wall¨Cdust rains down. Theo lunges. I twist to dodge, but he¡¯s faster. Grabs the pipe mid¨Cswing, wrenches it out of my grip like it¡¯s a toy, and throws it across the room with a ng. I m back against the wall, breath knocked out of me, my useless leg folding. Still, I snarl. Still, I w. He pins me anyway¨Cchest to mine, mouth at my throat, hands braced hard against the wall like he¡¯s caging a rabid thing. Which I am. ¡°I love ying with you, Jessica,¡± Theo snarls, and before I can spit another curse, he ms me down¨Chard. My back hits cold concrete, skull bouncing once, and his weight pins me like a kill. His palm grips my throat -not tight, just enough to remind me he could crush it. ¡°But fucking cat,¡± he growls against my jaw, breath hot and rank with blood. ¡°We¡¯ve got somewhere to be.¡± He drags the tray across the floor with his boot and kicks it closer¨Cmeat still steaming, still bleeding. My stomach twists. My mouth waters. The scent¨Ciron and marrow and kill¨Chits me so hard I almost moan. 9:33 Thu, Sep 4 I shove the tray away. ¡°I¡¯m not your bitch.¡± : 64 55 vouchers Theoughs. He leans down, tongue dragging up the shell of my ear, slow and taunting. ¡°But your body is starving like one.¡± I twist, dig my nails into his ribs, try to bite his cheek but he jerks backughing, fucking howling, and the sound tears through me¨Cwrong, right, I can¡¯t tell anymore. ¡°I¡¯ll be back by five. Eat or you¡¯ll die starving in the fucking road. I don¡¯t fucking care.¡± Theo¡¯s right. I don¡¯t want to fucking die. I stare at the meat. Bloody. Raw. Still steaming. The fucking nerve¨Che knows what this does to me. He wants me to break. Wants me to crawl. My fingers twitch. No. No. Fuck him. But my gut twists like it¡¯s trying to fist itself, and saliva floods my mouth so fast I choke on it. My nails dig into my thighs¨Chard, deep, enough to tear. I bite my tongue to keep from whimpering. I feel like I¡¯m vibrating, my skin too tight, breathing in sharp and wrong. Meat. Animal. Mine. ¡°Fuck,¡± I whisper, and crawl. On all fours like a fucking starved animal, I snatch the meat and sink my teeth in¨Cripping, biting, chewing like it insulted me. Like I¡¯m punishing it for being what he gave me. Warm grease drips down my chin, soaks into my shirt. I¡¯m chewing so fast I can¡¯t breathe. I gag once. I keep going anyway. I¡¯m not crying. I¡¯m not crying. But my whole body¡¯s shaking like it¡¯s been wrung out, and my lungs are working double just to get air through the fucking stench of shame. 9:33 Thu, Sep 4 He¡¯s not even here and I can feel him smiling. That sick, cocky bastard. Probably stroking his cock thinking about this. A (64) 55 vouchers I swallow a chunk too big and nearly choke. m a fist into the floor to ride it out. My stomach snarls like it¡¯s alive, my spine sparks like it¡¯s trying to shift under my skin. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and taste blood. Mine, maybe. I don¡¯t care. I fucking hate him. And I¡¯m going to kill him. After I eat everyst bite. True to his word, he¡¯s back five minutester. Maybe less. His eyes sh hunger when he sees me crawling back on the corner of the ce. ¡°Good girl,¡± he sneers. ¡°Told you, we¡¯re going to have so much fun if you¡¯re just obedient, Jess.¡± I don¡¯t answer. He¡¯s already stalking the window, checking the bars like he¡¯s locking up a fucking stray. I stay crouched, blood in my mouth, meat still rotting on my tongue. After some time, he grabs me by the arm and yanks me up. I did not question where he¡¯s taking me. I¡¯m busy trying to make sense of the whole ce so I can n my escape. I lurch forward and he shoves me again, harder, until my shoulder clips the edge of a broken sink and I snarl. ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill you.¡± ¡°Strip,¡± he says. My eyes snap to him. ¡°Do it,¡± he growls. ¡°Or I¡¯ll do it for you.¡± ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± He tilts his head like he wants to savor the words crawling up my throat. Then heughs¨Clow, ugly, hungry. ¡°I¡¯m taking you to Grayson.¡± H¨CHe¡¯s¡­taking me to? ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± He yanks me forward, close enough that his breath hits my mouth. ¡°Thought you¡¯d like a little reunion,¡± he says, ¡°Plus, I have a surprise for him.¡± Surprise? What surprise? I don¡¯t know why but I¡¯m starting to get scared for Grayson. 9:33 Thu, Sep 4 JESSICA Alpha Luna 134 JESSICA : Stupid fucking me for thinking Theo ever meant a word he bled. 64 55 vouchers I fucking bark when he touches me¨Clow, wet, rabid. It tears straight out of me before I can cage it. I want to bite my tongue off for letting it loose. I want to tear my own fucking throat out before he hears me beg. But my knees are jelly, my arms are jelly, my mouth his. How can I get out of this ce? Fuck it. ¡°You still think I¡¯d fucking share you?¡± he growls into my jaw, tongue catching my pulse. ¡°After all I¡¯ve bled, torn, broken¨Cto make you mine?¡± What? I barely breathe before he jerks me sideways again, shoulder mming concrete. The hallway is rotted metal and piss stink and I¡¯m barefoot and moving too fast, knees skidding every time he yanks. My arm¡¯s half- dislocated in his grip, but I won¡¯t give him the scream. I won¡¯t. He¡¯s been dragging me for a minute now. Not saying where. Not slowing. Just breathing harder, like every step closer to wherever he¡¯s taking me is getting him off. My heels slip on rust. My hair catches on a jag of wire hanging from a pipe. There¡¯s blood in my mouth again and I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s new or old. Where are we? What is this ce? My knees knock metal. A scream tries to crawl up my throat but it dies the second I see what¡¯s waiting¨Crows. Bars. And then my eyes widened when I saw what¡¯s happening in front of me. ¡°What is this?¡± I choke out, but he doesn¡¯t answer. His breathing¡¯s ragged, like he¡¯s feeding off the chaos. He yanks me closer, and I stumble. My wrist burns where he holds it. ¡°Theo,¡± I hissed, but he didn¡¯t stop. His free hand fists my hair, pulling my head back. ¡°Look,¡± he growls. I try to fight, but my body betrays me. My heart hammers, and my skin prickles. It¡¯s wrong. It¡¯s so wrong. But I can¡¯t look away. He shoves me forward. My palms hit the bars. The cold bites into my skin. ¡°You wanted to see,¡± he says, voice low. ¡°Now see.¡± I don¡¯t. I don¡¯t want to. But my eyes shift anyway. There¡¯s movement. A shape. Then another. My breath catches. My fucking moon goddess! 9:33 Thu, Sep 4 : 64 55 vouchers He steps closer, his chest pressing into my back. His breath¡¯s hot on my neck. There¡¯s a lot of monstrous things I¡¯m scared of¨Cdark ces, deep growls, the sound of jaws popping out of joint just before the scream. But this¨Cthis isn¡¯t fear. This is desecration. Theo drags me deeper into it like a fucking priest. One hand around my throat now, just firm enough to remind me I breathe when he allows it. The other cranked in my hair like he¡¯s leading livestock to ughter. The hall stinks like a kennel soaked in blood, shift¨Csweat, and feral heat. It¡¯s wet. Loud. Breathing. The floor vibrates with groans¨Ctoo human to be animal, too wrong to be pack. And then I see them. Cages. Rows. Cells carved from steel and stink. Figures inside writhing, caught mid¨Cshift, bones bulging under skin, ws half¨Cforged, jaws distended. One throws herself against the bars, shrieking. Veins ck, face cracked with dried blood, eyes glowing blind. Her scream curls down my spine and I almost puke in fear. Theo moans. ¡°That one begged me to stop. Until she begged me to keep going.¡± The next is worse. He¡¯s spiked through the throat with silver, twitching but still breathing. His legs are gone. Torn off? Or never formed right? His belly pulses like something¡¯s still inside trying to w out. I know his scent. Calden. The one who carried the pups out first during the fire. I gag. Theoughs. ¡°Don¡¯t cry now. You¡¯re the one who made me like this.¡± Something drags chains in the corner. The sound rips the air. Scraping metal. Then a snap. Then a howl so low it vibrates my mrs. I whip toward it, but Theo grabs my jaw, forces me back. ¡°Eyes forward, pretty girl. I want you to see your miracles.¡± The next cage is the worst. A shifting body caught mid¨Cbreak. Spinal cord twisted, legs bending the wrong way, arms long, fingers wed and wet. His mouth can¡¯t close. His face peeled into a permanent snarl. ¡°Mate,¡± it croaks. One ck¨Cveined hand ms the bars. ¡°Maaate.¡± It¡¯s Logan. No! No! No! My knees hit concrete. I try to crawl, but Theo jerks me up, presses my face to the bars. ¡°You feel that?¡± he growls against my neck, grinding his cock against my spine. ¡°They all still know you. Even like this. Especially like this.¡± His fingers slide down my stomach, hard and slow. My body convulses with memory and hate. 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers ¡°They shift when they smell you. It gets them halfway there. But then I tear them open and the restes out.¡± Someone sobs. Someoneughs. Someone chews. The air is thick with heat, piss, fur, bile, burnt nerves, and Theo¡¯s breath as he slides his tongue into the sweat pooling behind my ear. ¡°You¡¯re not scared of monsters,¡± he hisses, biting down. ¡°Because you and me? We¡¯re actually making a pack of them.¡± My mouth¡¯s open but there¡¯s no breath left. Just rot. Wet fur. Chains grinding. Groans wing up from the concrete like something¡¯s giving birth in the dark. ¡°You turned them.¡± ¡°This,¡± he growls against my throat, dragging his teeth over my pulse like he¡¯s debating if I even need it, ¡°this is how I worship you.¡± I didn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t ask for any of this. This is fucking insane. These are my people. These are Grayson¡¯s pack and yet, there is nothing left to save. ¡°You did this,¡± he murmurs, his lips brushing my neck. His fingers grip my arm tight enough to bruise. ¡°You turned them.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± My voice cracks. I¡¯m choking on the words, the guilt, the fear. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. Theo¡¯sugh is low, dark, and it crawls under my skin. ¡°You think you¡¯re innocent? You think you don¡¯t belong here, in the dirt, with us?¡± His breath is hot, sickly sweet like decay. ¡°You¡¯re already part of this, Jessica. You¡¯ve been part of it since the beginning.¡± I shake my head, but he grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are wild, unhinged. ¡°You don¡¯t get to run from this. You don¡¯t get to pretend you¡¯re not as filthy as the rest of us.¡± His fingers tighten, and I can¡¯t breathe. ¡°I¡¯ve chased you for this right moment, Jess. Because you, my dear, are going to give me more.¡± I can feel his teeth graze my neck, sharp and dirty. ¡°We¡¯re gonna build a pack, Jess. A family. And you¡¯re gonna be the center of it. You¡¯re gonna give me what I need¨Cwhat we need.¡± His voice drops to a whisper, but it¡¯s deafening. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be so perfect for me, Jess. So fucking perfect.¡± I can¡¯t breathe. I can¡¯t think. All I can feel is him¨Chis hands, his breath, his words burrowing into me like poison. ¡°You¡¯re not innocent, Jess. You¡¯re just like me. And you¡¯re gonna prove it.¡± Hisugh is short, harsh, and it vibrates through me like a threat. ¡°You¡¯re gonna show me just how filthy you can be.¡± 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 136 JESSICA ¡°Ah!¡± 64 55 vouchers I hit the concrete hard, knees first, cheek after¨Chis fingers still clutching the root of my hair like he¡¯s not ready to let go, like the floor isn¡¯t enough, like I belong beneath it. I can still smell the cages on me¨Chot metal, heat¨Crutted fur, shit and bile and birth, and something underneath all that, something that smells like
  1. me.
I don¡¯t scream. I don¡¯t whimper. I just dry¨Cheave against the floor until something pink threads out of my throat and the taste of silver makes my gums throb. Theo finally lets go, fingers slow, like he¡¯s peeling a prize off the meat. ¡°Be good,¡± he hums against the shell of my ear, voice low like prayer, like fucking. ¡°You¡¯re not alone anymore, Jess.¡± My breath stalls. My stomach folds in on itself. I twist, gagging, bracing on one elbow, and my eyes drag toward the far corner- He¡¯s here. Riot. Slumped. Chained. His face is swollen on one side, ck on the other. One arm¡¯s bent wrong, the other limp in hisp. His eyes- God, his eyes are open. He¡¯s watching me. Riot coughs, low, wet, like something inside him¡¯s dying slower than it should. I crawl to the farthest corner, away from the stench of his ruined breath, the sound of my own heartbeat fucking me raw. ¡°W¨CWhat..happened to him?¡± Trembling, I ask, not showing him any fear. Theo squats low, gloved fingers curling under my jaw, lifting my face until I can¡¯t pretend I¡¯m not staring at Riot¡¯s ruined chest rising in thin, rattling swells, every breath a confession of failure. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t kneel,¡± Theo murmurs, thumb pressing hard into the hinge of my jaw until it pops. ¡°He thought he could keep you clean. Like you were ever anything but a feral little slit begging to be filled.¡± My throat spasms around a sob I won¡¯t let out. Riot shifts¨Conly an inch, but it¡¯s enough for his chains to creak, for one hand to drag itself along his thigh. trying to move, trying to crawl to me, even when half his bones are broken. ¡°You should thank him,¡± Theo whispers, and his breath is sour with wolfsbane and something fouler, something that smells like the back of a throat swallowing screams. ¡°He kept you alive. He kept you sacred. But there¡¯s nothing sacred left in you now, Jessica. Just this.¡± He drags two fingers over the seam of my lips, smearing the taste of his skin of the caves of all the male 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers bodies that have pinned me down and called it devotion. I don¡¯t look away. I don¡¯t close my mouth when he pushes them in, pressing over my tongue until I gag and the floor swims and Riot¡¯s eyes re wide, as if he¡¯s the one choking on my filth. After he was satisfied, Theo shoved me into the floor and locked the cell before leaving us all alone. ¡°Jessica,¡± he rasped, a sound like meat tearing, like holy ruin, and it cracked something behind my ribs. This is the man that ruined me and yet, looking at him right now makes me want to call the moon goddess to perish all the evil in this world. I reached for him, even though every cell screamed no, because his chains were still rattling, because his pulse was still crawling under the meat of his throat, because he was dying. ¡°Theo,¡± I tried to say, my tongue thick with sickness, ¡°he¨Che did this?¡± Riot didn¡¯t answer with words¨Che didn¡¯t have to. His look was a wound. It poured. Pityless, soaked in rot, slick with all the things we¡¯d be to each other in the dark: heat¨Cbonded, death¨Cbound, two beasts suckling on the same desecrated myth. I should have turned away. I should have backed off, swallowed it, scrubbed it out with silver if I had to, but- He moved. Barely. A twitch, a jolt. His chain scraped the wall with a hungry little kiss and my whole spine convulsed like I was still in heat. ¡°Don¡¯te closer¨CJessica¨Cdon¡¯t-¡± he rasped, the words torn through something copsing in his chest. ¡°Jess¨Cno. Don¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯t let me smell you.¡± I stopped. Mid¨Ccrawl. Elbow buckled, hand t on the piss¨Cstained concrete, breath seizing because I knew what he meant. ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡± I tried, but my body betrayed me, a pulse low in my belly giving me away, heat like a bruise swelling up behind my navel. ¡°I just wanted to see¨Cif you were-¡± I moved anyway, dragging myself on forearms, on elbows, my cheek splitting open again against the piss- slick floor, knees too raw to hold weight,. ¡°Riot, please,¡± Theo had taken everything else and left me full of things I couldn¡¯t name. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he tried again, but his chains rattled when I got close, like his body was trying to lunge even if his voice was trying to save me and when my fingers touched his ankle, bare, filthy, hot with fever, I felt something howl behind my teeth¨Cnot a scream, not a sob, but heat, raw and holy, like Riot¡¯s dying body was a god and I was itsst worshipper. ¡°You look terrified,¡± he said. ¡°I am,¡± I breathed, my fingers curling in the meat of his jaw. ¡°What the fuck is this¡­ Riot?¡± ¡°Stop,¡± he said, softer now, a ruin cracking in the wind. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re asking for.¡± 55 vouchers But I did¡ªI did, or I thought I did, or I needed to pretend I did, because the only thing worse than knowing was not knowing. ¡°Tell me,¡± I whispered, curling my fingers harder into the wreck of his jaw.¡± I need to know everything.¡± Riotughed. ¡°You want to know?¡± he wheezed, voice all bone and rot, his good eye gleaming fever¨Cyellow. ¡°You want the n, princess?¡± He sucked in air, slow, like it hurt him to give me this. I¡¯ve never really looked into Riot¡¯s eyes because I¡¯m terrified of what I see from it but now, all I can see is eptance of fate. ¡°He¡¯s not building soldiers,¡± Riot hissed. ¡°He¡¯s building altars. You. Me. All of us¨Cgutted, blessed, fed to the heat until it sings through our marrow. He¡¯s not making a pack. He¡¯s making himself the alpha.¡± I blinked, once, slow, like maybe I could shut the words out if I sealed my eyes hard enough, like I could unhear them, but Riot¡¯s voice had already crawled down the wet pipe of my throat and lodged somewhere deep. ¡°That¡¯s-¡± My lip split on the word, bottom jaw trembling as if my bones wanted to cry even when my face stayed nk, a mask of dumb animalprehension. ¡°That¡¯s¨Cimpossible.¡± ¡°Is it, Jess?¡± Chain snapped taut as he shifted¨Cjust one shoulder wrenching forward. ¡°Is it impossible?¡± I wanted to deny it, to spit, to snarl, to make myself blind or dumb from everything that had happened but there¡¯s no denying or running from all of this. ¡°You have to help me get out of this ce.¡± Riotughed¨Cshort, sharp, cruel. ¡°Out?¡± I crawled closer, knees bleeding from the stone, hips grazing the floor with every breath, and that¡¯s when he shifted again, spine bowing sharp as a broken bowstring. ¡°Undo the chain,¡± he growled, raw¨Cvoice wet, voice feral, voice godless. My fingers froze above the lock, heat from his skin soaking mine, the stink of him¨Csalt, fever, rot, blood- blessing me down to the wrist. I¡¯m almost getting the chains out of him when I hear a voice. His voice. ¡°Yes, Jessica,¡± I gasped¨Csucked spit down the wrong pipe and choked on it. ¡°Undo the chain. Let the monster out.¡± 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 135 JESSICA ¡°Ah!¡± 64 55 vouchers I hit the concrete hard, knees first, cheek after¨Chis fingers still clutching the root of my hair like he¡¯s not ready to let go, like the floor isn¡¯t enough, like I belong beneath it. I can still smell the cages on me¨Chot metal, heat¨Crutted fur, shit and bile and birth, and something underneath all that, something that smells like
  1. me.
I don¡¯t scream. I don¡¯t whimper. I just dry¨Cheave against the floor until something pink threads out of my throat and the taste of silver makes my gums throb. Theo finally lets go, fingers slow, like he¡¯s peeling a prize off the meat. ¡°Be good,¡± he hums against the shell of my ear, voice low like prayer, like fucking. ¡°You¡¯re not alone anymore, Jess.¡± My breath stalls. My stomach folds in on itself. I twist, gagging, bracing on one elbow, and my eyes drag toward the far corner- He¡¯s here. Riot. Slumped. Chained. His face is swollen on one side, ck on the other. One arm¡¯s bent wrong, the other limp in hisp. His eyes- God, his eyes are open. He¡¯s watching me. Riot coughs, low, wet, like something inside him¡¯s dying slower than it should. I crawl to the farthest corner, away from the stench of his ruined breath, the sound of my own heartbeat fucking me raw. ¡°W¨CWhat..happened to him?¡± Trembling, I ask, not showing him any fear. Theo squats low, gloved fingers curling under my jaw, lifting my face until I can¡¯t pretend I¡¯m not staring at Riot¡¯s ruined chest rising in thin, rattling swells, every breath a confession of failure. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t kneel,¡± Theo murmurs, thumb pressing hard into the hinge of my jaw until it pops. ¡°He thought he could keep you clean. Like you were ever anything but a feral little slit begging to be filled.¡± My throat spasms around a sob I won¡¯t let out. Riot shifts¨Conly an inch, but it¡¯s enough for his chains to creak, for one hand to drag itself along his thigh. trying to move, trying to crawl to me, even when half his bones are broken. ¡°You should thank him,¡± Theo whispers, and his breath is sour with wolfsbane and something fouler, something that smells like the back of a throat swallowing screams. ¡°He kept you alive. He kept you sacred. But there¡¯s nothing sacred left in you now, Jessica. Just this.¡± He drags two fingers over the seam of my lips, smearing the taste of his skin of the caves of all the male 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers bodies that have pinned me down and called it devotion. I don¡¯t look away. I don¡¯t close my mouth when he pushes them in, pressing over my tongue until I gag and the floor swims and Riot¡¯s eyes re wide, as if he¡¯s the one choking on my filth. After he was satisfied, Theo shoved me into the floor and locked the cell before leaving us all alone. ¡°Jessica,¡± he rasped, a sound like meat tearing, like holy ruin, and it cracked something behind my ribs. This is the man that ruined me and yet, looking at him right now makes me want to call the moon goddess to perish all the evil in this world. I reached for him, even though every cell screamed no, because his chains were still rattling, because his pulse was still crawling under the meat of his throat, because he was dying. ¡°Theo,¡± I tried to say, my tongue thick with sickness, ¡°he¨Che did this?¡± Riot didn¡¯t answer with words¨Che didn¡¯t have to. His look was a wound. It poured. Pityless, soaked in rot, slick with all the things we¡¯d be to each other in the dark: heat¨Cbonded, death¨Cbound, two beasts suckling on the same desecrated myth. I should have turned away. I should have backed off, swallowed it, scrubbed it out with silver if I had to, but- He moved. Barely. A twitch, a jolt. His chain scraped the wall with a hungry little kiss and my whole spine convulsed like I was still in heat. ¡°Don¡¯te closer¨CJessica¨Cdon¡¯t-¡± he rasped, the words torn through something copsing in his chest. ¡°Jess¨Cno. Don¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯t let me smell you.¡± I stopped. Mid¨Ccrawl. Elbow buckled, hand t on the piss¨Cstained concrete, breath seizing because I knew what he meant. ¡°I¡¯m not¡ª¡± I tried, but my body betrayed me, a pulse low in my belly giving me away, heat like a bruise swelling up behind my navel. ¡°I just wanted to see¨Cif you were-¡± I moved anyway, dragging myself on forearms, on elbows, my cheek splitting open again against the piss- slick floor, knees too raw to hold weight,. ¡°Riot, please,¡± Theo had taken everything else and left me full of things I couldn¡¯t name. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he tried again, but his chains rattled when I got close, like his body was trying to lunge even if his voice was trying to save me and when my fingers touched his ankle, bare, filthy, hot with fever, I felt something howl behind my teeth¨Cnot a scream, not a sob, but heat, raw and holy, like Riot¡¯s dying body was a god and I was itsst worshipper. ¡°You look terrified,¡± he said. ¡°I am,¡± I breathed, my fingers curling in the meat of his jaw. ¡°What the fuck is this¡­ Riot?¡± ¡°Stop,¡± he said, softer now, a ruin cracking in the wind. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re asking for.¡± 55 vouchers But I did¡ªI did, or I thought I did, or I needed to pretend I did, because the only thing worse than knowing was not knowing. ¡°Tell me,¡± I whispered, curling my fingers harder into the wreck of his jaw.¡± I need to know everything.¡± Riotughed. ¡°You want to know?¡± he wheezed, voice all bone and rot, his good eye gleaming fever¨Cyellow. ¡°You want the n, princess?¡± He sucked in air, slow, like it hurt him to give me this. I¡¯ve never really looked into Riot¡¯s eyes because I¡¯m terrified of what I see from it but now, all I can see is eptance of fate. ¡°He¡¯s not building soldiers,¡± Riot hissed. ¡°He¡¯s building altars. You. Me. All of us¨Cgutted, blessed, fed to the heat until it sings through our marrow. He¡¯s not making a pack. He¡¯s making himself the alpha.¡± I blinked, once, slow, like maybe I could shut the words out if I sealed my eyes hard enough, like I could unhear them, but Riot¡¯s voice had already crawled down the wet pipe of my throat and lodged somewhere deep. ¡°That¡¯s-¡± My lip split on the word, bottom jaw trembling as if my bones wanted to cry even when my face stayed nk, a mask of dumb animalprehension. ¡°That¡¯s¨Cimpossible.¡± ¡°Is it, Jess?¡± Chain snapped taut as he shifted¨Cjust one shoulder wrenching forward. ¡°Is it impossible?¡± I wanted to deny it, to spit, to snarl, to make myself blind or dumb from everything that had happened but there¡¯s no denying or running from all of this. ¡°You have to help me get out of this ce.¡± Riotughed¨Cshort, sharp, cruel. ¡°Out?¡± I crawled closer, knees bleeding from the stone, hips grazing the floor with every breath, and that¡¯s when he shifted again, spine bowing sharp as a broken bowstring. ¡°Undo the chain,¡± he growled, raw¨Cvoice wet, voice feral, voice godless. My fingers froze above the lock, heat from his skin soaking mine, the stink of him¨Csalt, fever, rot, blood- blessing me down to the wrist. I¡¯m almost getting the chains out of him when I hear a voice. His voice. ¡°Yes, Jessica,¡± I gasped¨Csucked spit down the wrong pipe and choked on it. ¡°Undo the chain. Let the monster out.¡± 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 JESSICA Alpha Luna 137 Chapter 137 JESSICA I want to die. : I can die right here and can only think of Grayson and Pierce. My whole body aches and I sob a little harder not caring if Riot will hear me. After he¡­ After what Theo did to me, he throws me back into the cell like he did not vite me. 64 55 vouchers I sob and shake my head and sob again because I can¡¯t stop him. Suddenly I¡¯m that omega, young, stupid and weak who cannot stop anyone who tries to hurt her. I don¡¯t care if Riot hears me. I don¡¯t care if heughs. I don¡¯t care if he howls. I just need this to stop. But it doesn¡¯t. It keeps happening in my head, in my skin, in the stretch that won¡¯t close. It keeps happening like a looped prayer I can¡¯t un¨Cpray. I blink and he¡¯s still inside me. I breathe and it still smells like him¨Cwine, spit, copper, god. Why is this happening to us. I don¡¯t mean the pack. I don¡¯t mean wolves. I mean me and Grayson and Pierce. I mean the way we look at each other like maybe we¡¯ll get out, like maybe we can survive it if we stay stitched together, but I¡¯ming apart, I¡¯m leaking through the seams and no one is stopping it, no one is even looking. Why is this happening to me. I was good. I was obedient. I wore the cor, I bowed my head. I didn¡¯t fight. I never fought. I took what they gave me, even when it burned, even when it made me shake so bad I couldn¡¯t stand. And still it wasn¡¯t enough. I try to curl up, try to make myself smaller, I fucking try to unlove Grayson so why¡­why?! I sob again, harder this time, choking on it. I press my palm t over my mouth like that¡¯ll stop the sounds but they keeping, keep pushing out around my fingers, wrecked little whimpers like a pup left out in the cold, forgotten, wrong. I want someone to touch me and I want no one to ever touch me again. I want Riot to break the door down and I want him to stay the fuck away. I want Grayson to tell me I¡¯m still his and I want Pierce to bite me until I forget what Theo made me into. But none of them areing. 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 And I think maybe they can¡¯t. Or maybe I don¡¯t deserve them anymore. Not after this. I don¡¯t know how many hours or days have passed. : 64 55 vouchers. I gag on nothing and swallow it again, throat too raw to scream, too used to the choke. I think I tried once, hours ago¡ªmaybe longer¨Ctried to scream for Grayson, for Pierce, for Riot, for anyone, but all that came out was a wet rasp, a sob curling wrong in my windpipe like punishment for thinking I was worth saving. ¡°Riot?¡± Nothing. I drag myself toward it, elbows slipping, hair stuck in my mouth, eyes stinging from salt and shame and the smoke¨Ctheo left behind inside my skull.But I crawl anyway. I need to know. ¡°Riot.¡± ¡°Riot, are¨Care you-?¡± I press my hand against the bars, slick with blood not mine, something crusted and old. ¡°Please. Please be alive,¡± I say, mouth against the cold metal, tongue stupid from dehydration. ¡°I¡ªI need you to be¨CI need¨CI need..¡± Someone. A groan. Barely. A drag of chain across floor like a throat pulled against cor. ¡°You¡¯re not real,¡± he says. I slide my cheek against the iron until it bruises. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I whisper, ¡°Kill¡­.me.¡± I want to crawl closer, but I don¡¯t know if the chain is real. I don¡¯t know if Riot¡¯s body is still attached or if he bled himself out hours ago and left only heat and failure. ¡°No¡­¡± I choke hard. ¡°Riot-¡± again, and this time it¡¯s closer to a sob, closer to a curse, closer to what I mean, which is don¡¯t die, don¡¯t leave me alone. I reach for him. My chain stretches. My knees scrape through a puddle that smells like me and him and Theo and a thousand hours of not¨Cclean¨Cenough suffering ¡°You¡¯re fucking here, Riot. I need- I need you to get up.¡± ¡°I have a n,¡± I say, even though my voice cracks in half trying to hold the lie. ¡°But I need your fucking eyes open. I need your body breathing. I need¨CI need you alive enough to get us out of here.¡± 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 (64) EX 55 vouchers I push forward until my chain yanks me hard. Fuck it. I let my body fall t, cheek down against stone like it¡¯ll listen better if I lower myself enough. ¡°You need to get here. We need to be touching, I can¡¯t¨Ccan¡¯t do this if we¡¯re not the same rot.¡± Another breath. This one a little closer. ¡°Come on, Riot, Reach for my hand okay,¡± He drags again, and I feel it¨Cheat before touch, like his death is radiating ahead of him, like I¡¯m pulling him back from the edge just by leaking louder, sobbing harder, bruising myself deeper. The link jerks again, but I twist my ankle, let it cut me deeper, just to make space to inch closer, to meet his fever with my filth. His breath is right there now. I smell it. I smell him and then his fingers squeeze mine and I know then this n is going to work. It has to work. I whimper without sound, just a mouth¨Cstretched shape of pain that never leaves my throat, because I know Riot¡¯s too quiet, too still, too breathless for anything to be okay. He¡¯s heat. He¡¯s fever. He¡¯s not moving, and my palm finds his thigh by ident, and his whole body doesn¡¯t even flinch. I lie there, cheek against the same floor, eyes trying not to cry because I already leaked everything I had between my legs, and this isn¡¯t the moment I wanted¨Cit¡¯s not rescue, it¡¯s not touch, it¡¯s not holy¨Cit¡¯s just death on dy, like Theo didn¡¯t even need to finish him, just let him fester slow beside me so I know exactly what kind of god I belong to now. ¡°He¡¯s poisoning you,¡± I whisper against Riot¡¯s ribs. ¡°I know it. I can feel it in you, like fever bred into the bone. You¡¯re not even fighting anymore.¡± My voice cracks again, not from weeping but from the fucking truth of it. I can smell him dying. The others- Grayson, Pierce, the pack¨Cif they see Riot like this, broken and choking on spit he can¡¯t even swallow, they¡¯ll know. They¡¯ll know Theo doesn¡¯t need an army. He just needs to rot us one by one, and make the rest of us watch. ¡°¡­what¡¯s¡­¡± he coughs, chokes, swallows blood or rot or both, ¡°¡­your n?¡± Iy my forehead against his hipbone, shaking, licking blood off my own lip just to feel something. ¡°We have to let the others go.¡± ¡°You¡¯re insane¡­¡± he rasps, voice thick with fever or disbelief, ¡°No¡­have you seen them?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I hiss, mouth dragging down his thigh now. ¡°I¡¯ve seen them. I saw what Theo did. I saw what they became. I saw what I became.¡± ¡°You want to die,¡± he says, and it¡¯s not a question. ¡°No,¡± I breathe, ¡°I want us to live enough to make them his problem.¡± ¡°They¡¯re monsters,¡± Riot croaks. ¡°They won¡¯t follow us.¡± 9:34 Thu, Sep 4 He tries to lift his head. Fails. I push closer until my chain ps wet against his ribs. ¡°But they will follow me.¡± 64 55 vouchers 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 138 GRAYSON ¡°What about a garden wedding in honor of your mom?¡± 64 55 vouchers If the moon goddess ever asks me for my favorite moment in this lifetime, I think I¡¯m going to tell her about this one. Right here. Jessica¡¯sying on top of me, all bone and warmth and habit, barefoot and too serious, making suggestions about our wedding like it isn¡¯t the most holy thing I¡¯ve ever hearde out of her mouth. Well, not exactly suggestions. More likemands, whispered against my corbone like they¡¯re secrets she¡¯s still afraid to speak loud. ¡°Not too many people,¡± she murmurs, her lips moving against my throat as she talks. ¡°No stupid speeches. No throne chairs. And no omega¨Cbinding rituals. I want it soft. Just us.¡± Just us. Just us. I hold her tighter like that¡¯ll keep it real. The bed of the truck is lined with one of my jackets after she took it off. Crickets are singing somewhere near the trees. Above us, the sky cracked wide with stars. Moonlight spills down her back like a second skin. She shifts, rests her chin on my chest so we¡¯re face to face, moonlight pooling in hershes. She¡¯s studying me like she¡¯s memorizing the shape of my face. Or the sound of my heart. Or the color of what we¡¯ll lose. ¡°Would you really do it?¡± she asks. ¡°A garden wedding?¡± ¡°I¡¯d marry you in andfill if you asked,¡± I say, smiling like it doesn¡¯t ache. ¡°But yeah. Garden sounds nice. You¡¯d look like spring.¡± ¡°Gross.¡± ¡°I mean it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re gross.¡± She hides her smile against my ribs, arms winding tight around me like she wants to burrow inside and stay. I let my hand wander through her hair. ¡°Promise me something,¡± she says, voice so soft I almost miss it. ¡°Anything¡± ¡°If something happens¨Cif things go bad¨CI want you to remember this. I love you.¡± I don¡¯t say anything right away. I just look at her. Her eyes, her mouth, the starlight strung across her 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 cheekbones like freckles. Every piece of her is already a memory and we¡¯re not even gone yet. ¡°Jess,¡± I whisper, and my throat goes tight around it. ¡°You don¡¯t have to-¡± ¡°I want to.¡± 64 55 vouchers She brushes her fingers down my chest like she¡¯s writing her name into me. Like she¡¯s marking the ce she¡¯ll haunt when she¡¯s gone. ¡°I love you,¡± she says again, firmer this time. ¡°And I need you to survive it.¡± Gods. I feel like I should be stronger than this, but my eyes are burning and my heart¡¯s a fist. Like if the world burns, if the gods fall, if monsters take her, they¡¯ll have to go through me to keep her love. The moment that Jess allowed me to kiss her lips is the moment I decided I¡¯m going to keep her forever. We just did it, and I¡¯m so sure she¡¯s still tired and aching but I don¡¯t think I can get over this girl. My girl. My Jessica. My omega and luna. My everything. I vow to always love her, choose her and protect her. ¡°Grayson!¡± ¡°Grayson!¡± My name ws through the trees like it¡¯s bleeding, like it¡¯s scared of what it finds, and my chest seizes before I even inhale, lungs clenching around memory and fire and the aftertaste of her name in my mouth. I¡¯m on my knees. I don¡¯t remember falling. Something¡¯s burning. No, everything¡¯s burning! ¡°Grayson,e on!¡± Pierce again louder now, more real, all human panic and no divinity, and I want to scream at him to shut the fuck up, because he¡¯s pulling me out of her, pulling me out of our moment, and I was still holding her in that bed of my chest, I was still hearing her whisper, ¡°Just us,¡± But she¡¯s not here. And I am. 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 : And the world smells like me and silver and monster blood. I gag on it. 64 55 vouchers Cough hard enough my whole spine punches back up through my shoulders, and I lurch forward like something¡¯s trying to crawl out of me. ¡°Get up, man,¡± Pierce growls, rough hands on my arms now, yanking, bruising, real, ¡°We need to move, the fire is catching and¨C¡± I coughed and my eyes snapped through the woods and saw what I¡¯d done. The whole pack vige is turning into ashes and the sky is all red. Every roof we ever kissed under, every den where cubs were born, every wooden promise passed from mouth to mouth like hope gone, ck, curling, copsing inward, and the mes climb taller than any god we ever prayed to. ¡°Grayson¨CGrayson, fuck, look at me-¡± But I can¡¯t. Pierce¡¯s hands are back¨Cclutching now, desperate, his voice hitting that pitch that means survival, but I¡¯m still kneeling watching them burn. ¡°She¡¯s still out there,¡± he barks, dragging me by the cor of my shirt, yanking me up onto feet that don¡¯t feel like mine, ¡°you burn now, you burn alone¨Cshe¡¯s not in this fire.¡± ¡°Move,¡± Pierce grits, already hauling me toward the treeline, boots crunching scorched ss, shoulders hunched against emberfall like he¡¯s dragging me through hell and won¡¯t let me stop, ¡°there¡¯s a break by the southern stream-¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Theo?¡± I rasp, spitting soot. ¡°I don¡¯t know. He¡¯s not here. He left this for you.¡± Me. This fire. This fucking ruin. His gift. We push through a burning thicket, thorns scorched ck, deer bones blistering underfoot, and smoke ws up my throat again but I shove it back down¨Cthere¡¯s no time, no time, not if I want to find her before he finishes her. ¡°I need my truck,¡± I growl, low, feral, eyes stinging but sharp now. ¡°We cut southeast, we¡¯ll find the bend and hit the field-¡± Pierce nods, grunts, already adjusting course, and we break left, shoulder to shoulder, bodies low, lungs hot, and the forest screams behind us like it knows we¡¯re running from what we deserved¨Cbut fuck it. 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 I don¡¯t care about saving the pack now. I care about her. ¡°Grayson,¡± Pierce pants, voice hoarse, ¡°if she¡¯s already¡ª¡± ¡°She¡¯s not.¡± ¡°But if¡ª¡± 64 55 vouchers ¡°She¡¯s not.¡± I stopped him with one look. Teeth grit. Eyes zing. ¡°I was wrong. Jessica is not dead. I can still feel her.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Pierce pants beside me, voice rough with ash and disbelief and whatever kind of stupid grief he¡¯s trying to swallow down like it doesn¡¯t matter that she¡¯s mine, not his, mine to mourn, mine to chase. ¡°I mean she¡¯s fucking alive,¡± I spit, spinning on my heel as the bond coils tight inside me like it knows it¡¯s been seen. ¡°I mean I can feel her fucking crawling.¡± He blinks, just once, stunned, but I¡¯m already moving¨Calready running, already throwing myself through the burning trees like they¡¯re nothing but paper gods in my way. Bark rips against my arms, ash bleeds into my lungs, but none of it matters because she¡¯s moving too. I can feel it. She¡¯s hurting. She¡¯s alive. She¡¯s calling for me and I¡¯ming. ¡°Grayson¨CGrayson, wait-¡± Pierce curses, mming after me, boots crunching, catching up. ¡°You felt her? Just now?¡± ¡°Not just now. The whole time.¡± I hiss, ducking under a branch. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what it was. I thought¨CI thought it was ghost¨Cpain. Grief. But it¡¯s not. It¡¯s her. It¡¯s her.¡± ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± ¡°I am mated to her,¡± I growl. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me if I¡¯m fucking sure.¡± We break through a clearing, half of it eaten by fire already, the air thick with blistering heat and something else¨Cher scent. Weak. Wrong. Warped. But hers. I drop to my knees, palm t to the scorched ground, and it¡¯s like my spine locks onto it. The bond hums so loud I think my teeth might shatter. I close my eyes and I see her, not clearly, not with vision, but with bone, with need, with the kind of direction only wolves know when their mate is bleeding somewhere beneath the skin of the world. ¡°She¡¯s in the tunnels,¡± I whisper. ¡°Under us. Stone, cold, old. She¡¯s locked in.¡± Pierce sucks in a breath, backing a step like I¡¯ve gone full feral, but I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m past grief. I¡¯m already halfway into the earth trying to dig her out with my own fucking hands. 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°You think Theo-?¡± ¡°I know he did.¡± Pierce curses. 64 55 vouchers, I¡¯m already climbing back up, turning for the truck, voice a growl as I spit, ¡°I need shovels. des. Chains. Salt. I¡¯m not just breaking her out. I¡¯m ending this.¡± ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°I told you,¡± I snap, grabbing his shirt, dragging him close enough he can see the bond boiling behind my eyes, ¡°she¡¯s alive. And if we don¡¯t get to her now, she won¡¯t be for long.¡± His nod is slow. Final. We run. We run like it matters. Because it fucking does. AD Alpha Luna 139 Chapter 139 JESSICA 64 55 vouchers ¡°I¡¯m fucking sure¡­we¡¯re in some dungeon,¡± Riot spits, or maybe swallows¨Cit¡¯s hard to tell with how wet his throat sounds, how it catches around every word like he¡¯s choking on the ghost of his own packmates, on blood he hasn¡¯t tasted yet but is already dreaming of. I crawl closer, jaw aching from grinding boiled tendon between my teeth, thest scrap of cooked meat I¡¯d hoarded from the tray Theo¡¯s thing shoved under the bars. I don¡¯t bother chewing anymore, I just press the half¨Csoft lump between his lips with two fingers and say, ¡°Eat,¡± like amand but quieter, guiltier, because I know I¡¯m feeding him to keep him alive. His lips tear the meat, but they graze my knuckles first, and it¡¯s not reverent¡ªit¡¯s desperate, wolf¨Cstarved. We¡¯ve been kept locked in here for many days now. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking waste that,¡± I mutter, and his eyes slit open, as if he¡¯s still not over himself from being the one inmand. ¡°You got a n, omega?¡± he croaks, sarcastic, the O like a leash tightening around my throat. ¡°Yeah.¡± I lie. ¡°Liar.¡± ¡°Still better than dying in a cell like an unfucked bitch.¡± ¡°Who says I haven¡¯t been?¡± he grins, blood between his teeth. I grin back. It feels wrong talking to him with these things when weekster I would¡¯ve shed his throat with my own ws. We sit like that for a second¨Cme kneeling, him crumpled, the meat gone, the air thick with mold and skin, and even the torches flicker like they¡¯re too tired to burn properly. His chains drag when he shifts. I catch the sound and store it, memorize it. ¡°He watches us,¡± I say, Riot doesn¡¯t respond. Just chews the meat again in his cheek, long since cold. ¡°He wants me obedient. Wants me small.¡± ¡°You are.¡± ¡°I could be smaller.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not funny.¡± ¡°I¡¯m notughing.¡± I crawl back toward the bars. The tray¡¯s still there. Scraps of gristle. I look at my reflection in the dull metal 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 and don¡¯t recognize the bitch staring back. Hollow eyes. Pupil blown. Mouth wet with rot. ¡°We give him what he wants,¡± I whisper, so quiet it doesn¡¯t even echo. Riot stares, one brow twitching like a spasm. ¡°We give him a show. Omega and her ruined alpha. Submissive. Broken. Breedable.¡± He chokes¨Cnot a cough, augh, or a gasp. Something in between. ¡°He¡¯ll never buy that.¡± ¡°He already has.¡± I reach back, smear the meat¨Cgrease and my own spit down my neck, corbone, breasts. Riot stops whatever he¡¯s doing and stares at me. ¡°What are you doing?¡± 64 55 vouchers I crawl, then. To him. Over to where the rot is strongest, where the stone reeks of old piss and blood and the ce his knees have worn raw patches in the floor. I touch his chest. The skin there is hot. Boiling. Wrong. He hisses but doesn¡¯t pull away. ¡°Kiss me¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± he croaks. I tilt my head like a wolf scenting something worth the kill. Let my thumb drag down his sternum, through sweat and blood and the sick¨Csweet shine of healing too slow to matter. I find the ruined dark ring around his nipple and circle it¨Cslow¨Cuntil he jerks. ¡°You want to break him, Riot?¡± He blinks. I feel his cock twitch against the inside of his thigh, feel the rot¨Ccoiled tension in his gut. I slide my knee between his legs and lean in, chest to chest, lips brushing his ear like a sin. ¡°You want him to watch me fall in love with your rot?¡± I grind against him¡ªonce, hard, slow¨Cmy breath stuttering with real need. ¡°You want him to smell your knot on me when hees to drag my body out of this ce?¡± ¡°Jessica-¡± I swallow the name from his mouth with mine. Tongue first. Deep. Filthy, I kiss him like it¡¯s a vow. Like it¡¯s betrayal. Like I¡¯m spitting in Theo¡¯s open palm with every slow drag of my hips. ¡°Let¡¯s y his game,¡± I whisper against Riot¡¯s jaw, before I feel the cell cracking open and then hands, fists, steel¨Cwrapped grip around my hair, my throat, my spine. I¡¯m yanked backward so violently I think my knees leave the floor. Riot growls like something animal but too broken to stand, his chain screaming against stone as I¡¯m ripped from hisp like I¡¯m meat. ¡°Get your filthy little tongue off him.¡± 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 Theo. Got you. 64 55 vouchers I wink to Riot before a palm cracks across my mouth. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting,¡± he snarls, yanking me upright by the jaw now, making me stand for him, making a spectacle of the wet clinging between my thighs. ¡°Do you know what you¡¯re doing?¡± Riot is going to interrupt but I made him cower with my gaze. I don¡¯t need saving because this is the n all along. I need Theo to get mad, very mad, so we can get out of this ce. ¡°Do you think this wins?¡± Theo hisses, his mouth so close I can smell the clean rot of his coat, his holiness, that sanctified reek that clings to him like he¡¯s never sinned. ¡°That touching him would punish me?¡± I blink slow. Drunk on it. ¡°It did.¡± His other handshes out¨Cdown, across my breast, a p open¨Cfingered and fast enough to sting through cloth. My head jerks again. My body lurches with it. My thighs twitch. Yes. ¡°You want punishment?¡± he growls. I breathe in his breath. His closeness. His authority. ¡°No,¡± I whisper, barely parting my lips, sweet as an omega who¡¯s never been bred like a beast in chains. ¡°Please no.¡± But I spread my knees just a little wider when I say it. I tuck my chin and look up. I keep my shoulders soft. Obedient. I¡¯m holding a goddamn knife behind my smile, but he only sees the throat I leave exposed, the blood licking down like wine. He steps closer. That¡¯s it. That¡¯s right. Come closer, Theo. Come see what Alpha looks like when it¡¯s rotted out of your reach. 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 140 Chapter 140 You¡¯ll never be Alpha, Theo. Because you can¡¯t take. You only beg. 64 55 vouchers You only perform dominance like a boy jerking off in his brother¡¯s stolen crown, flinching every time the omega moans too loud. You break your own gaze when Riot looks at you. You leash the beasts, but they don¡¯t follow. They just wait. Wait for someone who smells like death and heat and flesh earned the hard way. I smirk at those thoughts, deep inside where he can¡¯t reach, where Riot still burns¨Cand let my expression flicker like I¡¯m afraid. Let it stutter like prey. Let my bottom lip tremble prettily, right there under the spit he smeared across my face, as I gently fold my hands on my thighs like I don¡¯t want to use them to climb him and snap his ribs with my cunt. Let myshes flutter, slow, thick, delicate. Let my shoulders hunch, vulnerable. ¡°Get up.¡± I blink once, deliberately slow, and whimper. ¡°W¨CWhat¡­ Why?¡± My voice is milk¨Csoft, lips parted in breathy confusion, like he¡¯s asking me to kneel on thorns. Like I¡¯m too stupid, too small, too bred¨Cfor¨Cfucking to understand. I tuck my knees tighter under me like I want to disappear, like I¡¯m ashamed of being on the floor, like I haven¡¯t spent thest hour fisting Riot¡¯s blood into my mouth just to feel closer to god. He steps toward me. I gasp. Just a little. Sharp enough to sh fang¨Cthen hide it. ¡°Up,¡± he snarls again, grabbing my arm. I squeal. Goddess, I squeal. High¨Cpitched. Raw. Nails digging into my own skin like I¡¯m afraid, like I want to run, like this is real. He yanks. My body folds up slow, ragdoll¨Csoft, head bowed, chest heaving. I whisper, ¡°Please don¡¯t make me¡­¡± He¡¯s breathing heavily. I smell it. ¡°You¡¯re going to walk,¡± he says, voice cracking over dominance he doesn¡¯t know how to hold. ¡°You¡¯re going to apologize for what you did and submit to me.¡± 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 Oh, what a predictable jerk! : 64 55 vouchers Inside I¡¯m smiling. Inside I¡¯m climbing him already. With submission he doesn¡¯t know is sharp, with obedience that slits throats. With every step he makes me take, I let my thighs press tighter, tighter, tighter, as if I¡¯m quivering in fear¨Cbut really I¡¯m just holding the heat in, choking it between my legs like I might drown the fucking room with it. ¡°Say it,¡± he growls. Myshes flutter. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Theo steps closer. I step back. I shake. He eats it up. He wants me to bow. To drop. To whimper like I did when I first got chained up, legs bruised and cunt dripping with Riot¡¯s rot, begging for water through cracked lips. ¡°You¡¯re not doing it right,¡± Theo hisses, grabbing my chin. ¡°On your knees.¡± I flinch. On purpose. Let my lips tremble around a silent sob. Let a string of spit wet my bottom lip. Let my eyes go ssy like I¡¯m scared to disobey. And I drop. One knee. The other. Thighs parted just enough. Chin tilted just high enough. He watches me like he thinks he¡¯s won something. ¡°Say it like you mean it,¡± he grunts. I look up at him through myshes, mouth slightly open, spit blooming slow over my tongue. ¡°I submit¡­¡± His pupils dte. His breath catches. I see it¨Csee it¨Cthe way his hand twitches, like he wants to touch, wants to im, wants to rub his fear against the slick he thinks is mine. So I lean forward. Just a little. Let my tongue touch my lip. ¡°Want me to say your name?¡± ¡°Jessica-¡± Ites out broken. Raw. ¡°I¡¯ll be good,¡± I whisper, breath fogging the front of his pants. ¡°I¡¯ll do everything you want.¡± I let my fingers drift up my thighs, soft. Innocent. I look like a girl preparing herself for her master. But my 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers nails dig into my skin, anchoring me to my rage, to my n, to the blood¨Csong Riot left inside me. ¡°Is that what you want to hear, Theo?¡± I blink up at him. Innocent. Mewling. Contagious. He stiffens. His breath shortens. ¡°You want me to crawl?¡± I murmur. ¡°Tell you I miss your hand in my hair? That I regretGrayson¡¯s knot, his im, his scent still wrecking my cunt?¡± He says nothing. So I spread my thighs wider, just a breath. Just enough. And smile. A slow, butcher¡¯s smile. ¡°I can pretend,¡± I purr, voice syruped with rot. ¡°I can say you¡¯re the Alpha. I can choke on it. Cry, even. Want that?¡± His mouth parts. He wants it. He thinks this is the moment he reims me¨Chis voice in my mouth, his order on my knees, his p making me holy again. But he¡¯s already losing. ¡°You can¡¯t fuck me into forgetting him,¡± I whisper against his cor. ¡°But you can try. And cry while you do it.¡± He snarls like it¡¯s real rage¨Cbut it¡¯s not¨Cit¡¯s the tremor of a boy choking on a role too big for his throat. His hand fists my hair but I¡¯m still smiling. Even when he jerks me up. Even when my knees split open on the stone again. Even when his grip closes on my cor like he made it. He¡¯s not taking me. He¡¯s delivering me. Because he can¡¯t keep me. I don¡¯t scream when he hauls me across the corridor, when the rusted metal door shrieks open, when I feel the breath of them inside¨Cthe hybrids, the things he couldn¡¯t control, the things Riot warned me about. ¡°JESSICA-¡± Riot screams, and I realize I forgot to tell him about this part of the n¨Cforgot to warn him that I¡¯d be fed to Theo¡¯s failed children just long enough to smell them, learn their mouths, crawl through their cages so I¡¯d know how to break themter. But his voice makes the hybrids twitch, makes them sniff, makes them sway forward in the dark like they know his name means bleed. ¡°Ah!¡± I flinch¨Cnot for him, but because it¡¯s better if Theo thinks it matters¨Cwhen he shoves me into the cell. My shoulder smacks damp stone. My knees slide through old milk and worse. 9:35 Thu, Sep 4 His hybrids are quiet now. 64 55 vouchers ¡°You¡¯ll stay here,¡± he says, jaw clenched like he¡¯s trying not to look at my mouth, ¡°until you¡¯re ready to submit.¡± I blink up at him, slow. Innocent. Slut. Hunter. ¡°Submit?¡± My voice cracks sugar¨Csweet. ¡°Is that the word you like when you touch yourself to my screams?¡± His eyes sh. His hands don¡¯t move. He¡¯s too afraid to open the door again. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready,¡± I promise, dragging my fingers through the filth and pressing them to my lips likemunion, like obedience, like he hasn¡¯t already lost the altar. ¡°Soon. Real soon.¡± One of the hybrids¨Ctall, broken¨Cnecked, twitching like it¡¯s half¨Cflesh, half¨Cmaggot¨Ccrawls forward behind me, sniffing. Its breath is warm and wet and wrong against my spine. Theo swallows. And walks away. He shuts the outer gate. Locks it. Like that¡¯ll save him when I rise. AD Comment Alpha Luna 141 JESSICA I need them to submit to me. 64 55 vouchers The metal bars hold the worst of them¨Cno, the best¨Cthe farthest gone, the already half¨Cborn again, their skulls too wide, teeth all wrong, milk¨Csour drool and wrists rubbed raw from how long they¡¯ve tried to fuck the air. One¡¯s moaning. Another¡¯s biting the floor. But some are loose. Some are crawling. I feel it before I see it: Logan. He¡¯s just sitting, knees up, elbows slung over them, blood drying on his temple. When his gaze hits mine, I stop crawling. ¡°Logan,¡± I whisper. My knees burn. My wrists are shaking. Logan¡¯s eyes never leave mine. I¡¯m breathing through my mouth. Can¡¯t close it. There¡¯s heat in the pit of my back like something¡¯s been summoned and it¡¯s crawling toward the womb. ¡°Logan,¡± I whisper again, this time not soft. He twitches. Yes. Yes. That¡¯s it. I feel one of them sniff the back of my ankle. Another hisses, fists balled like a pup denied milk. But Logan- Logan is watching. ¡°Get up,¡± I say. ¡°You¡¯re not real,¡± he whispers, but his body doesn¡¯t back away. His shoulder leans like it¡¯s nosing a den. I lurch upright on my knees and he fucking groans. ¡°I¡¯m real, Logan. This is me. We have to-¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°No!¡± He¡¯s panting now. Fingers wing at the cement. Shit. ¡°I¡¯m real, Logan. I¡¯m the only thing real down here. Look at me.¡± He can¡¯t stop. His mouth¡¯s open. Drool¨Cor spit¨Cor something worse¨Cck at the hinge, shoulders buckling 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 like they want to break into paws. His jaw snaps once, twice, like he¡¯s testing it for fangs. ¡°Jess¡­?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to be here,¡± he gasps, and that second I realized he¡¯s entirely back. ¡°Crawl to me,¡± I tell him, and I don¡¯t care that my voice cracks like old wood. His groan is low. Almost canine. He¡¯s close but still it¡¯s so hard to fucking reach him. ¡°Jess,¡± Logan whimpers. ¡°I can¡¯t¨CI can¡¯t stop-¡± ¡°Shh¡­it¡¯s okay, we can figure this out.¡± Shit. Theo will notice if I wait too long. If I don¡¯t move. If I don¡¯t submit the right way. 64 55 vouchers Logan¡¯s still trembling, breath hot on the skin above my knee, one hand twitching against the floor like it wants to dig, w, nest, breed. He¡¯s half¨Cchanged, half¨Cruined¨Cripe. His hips keep twitching forward like they want to mount something, anything, but his eyes are locked on me and I know he¡¯s waiting. I need to let the others go. ¡°I¡¯ll unlock them,¡± I say, looking at the others. I crawl past him. He follows, dragging low like a beta on leash, one hand still sliding up my calf, keeping contact like it¡¯s the only thing anchoring him to this ne. Behind us, the crawlers groan, scenting movement. One snarls and pisses against the bar. Another starts chewing its own fingers. I stop at the first cage. ¡°Do you want to go out?¡± I ask. She bares her teeth. Logan pants behind me, hand between his own legs now, stroking without looking down. ¡°Open them,¡± Logan growls. ¡°I am.¡± ¡°No. Unlock them.¡± And I know what he means. I slide back to the girl¨Ccage. Thetch is simple. Rusted. Wants a handprint and a promise. I press my bloodied hand against it. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 Click. The girl doesn¡¯t bolt. She kneels, : She crawls out like a good fucking thing, head bowed, teeth showing, nostrils red. She smells Logan. He growls. ¡°Not yet,¡± I whisper. 64 55 vouchers ¡°We need to move,¡± Logan says, voice half¨Cgone. ¡°They¡¯ll smell it. Outside. The way¡¯s open, Jess, I saw it, it¡¯s down the hall where the stone bleeds.¡± ¡°How many do we take?¡± ¡°As many as we can leash.¡± The moment the first door drops, they start to shift. The feral ones don¡¯t wait¨Cbone cracking, tendon snapping, legs bowing like they¡¯ve remembered how to hunt. I unlock three more cages and already the air¡¯s full of fur, of musk, of screams that end in howls. Their bodies swell past the limits of skin and scream and scar. One boy¡¯s jaw splits sideways before it reforms, teeth triple- rowed. Another girl climbs the wall, shredding her fingers to ribbons before they grow back¨Cwed. ¡°Go,¡± I say, ¡°go, go¨Crun¡ª¡± Some obey. Some snarl. Some sniff my thighs like they think I¡¯m the door itself. Logan kicks the bars open before I do. He¡¯s not shifting. Not yet. Not with me here. His chest is heaving, veins high in his throat, his hands still wless but itching like his skin doesn¡¯t want to hold his shape. ¡°Jess,¡± he says, ¡°we gotta move-¡± He¡¯s looking back at the hallway like he can already see it. The exit. Where the air changes. Where it stops smelling like meat and starts smelling like outside. The way is real. It¡¯s here. But I don¡¯t move. Because I remember Riot. ¡°Jess,¡± Logan barks. Actual bark this time. His voice is going¨Che¡¯s going. ¡°Go,¡± I say, too fast. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving without you-¡± ¡°Take them. Run. You have to run now.¡± 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers I shove him. He snarls but doesn¡¯t fight. Behind him, the hallway floods with them¨Cthe half¨Cshifted, the full- shifted, the ruined. One stumbles past with legs bowed like a deer, still bleeding from the mouth. Another crawls on four limbs, eyes rolling white. But they¡¯re going. They¡¯re heading toward the air. The blood¨Cwarm stone that pulses at the end like a heartbeat. ¡°I¡¯ll find you,¡± Logan growls, fingers tight on my arm. ¡°I¡¯lle back for you.¡± ¡°No,¡± I whisper. ¡°I¡¯m not done.¡± His gaze shatters¨Chalf¨Cman, half¨Cbeast¨Cbut he obeys. Onest look, one deep inhale against my neck like he¡¯s memorizing the scent. Then he runs. They all run. I turn back. The cages are empty. Except one. Riot. And the corridor behind me drips ck with silence. I crawl toward it. Alone again. I¡¯ll bring him out. I¡¯ll bring him through. I promised that to him when I dragged him into this n of mine. He might be the evil who unleashes hell on me but I am not a person who goes back in her words. I press my palm to the rust¨Cbitten gate and it swings inward like it knew I¡¯de. The stink is worse here- old blood and older breath, like something holy¡¯s been rotting in the corners too long and it wants out the way a body wants to birth itself inside out. No. I freeze. My palm hovers just above the threshold, and my throat closes, dry¨Cclick, like prey scenting the impossible. He¡¯s here. He¡¯s already here. Theo My head jerks up¨CI don¡¯t mean to¨Cbut the moment I do, my stomach drops. He¡¯s already inside the cage. Sitting. Calm. Cross¨Clegged like he¡¯s been there for hours. And in front of him¨CRiot. On his side. Still, Breathing in stutters. And Theo¡¯s ws are resting¨Cnot tight, not cruel, just resting¨Cright at the pulse of Riot¡¯s neck. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 I don¡¯t even breathe. My eyes widen, flick back and forth: ws, Riot¡¯s chest, Theo¡¯s gaze. ¡°Hello, Jessica.¡± 64 55 vouchers 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 JESSICA Alpha Luna 142 JESSICA ¡°Let him go!¡± 64 55 vouchers I scream, spit flying, heart ramming my ribs as Theo¡¯s ws dig deeper¨Cwet, squelching, bone¨Cclose. Riot gurgles. Blood spills down his neck in sick pulses. ¡°Uh¨Cuh.¡± Theo doesn¡¯t look at me. Just bares more fang, talons grinding into Riot¡¯s jugr. ¡°Stay there if you want him to live.¡± I freeze. Every nerve is screaming for me to move but he has him. One twitch, one breath, one wrong word, and Riot¡¯s gone. ¡°Theo-¡± My voice breaks. ¡°Please. Don¡¯t.¡± He turns his head, slow as death. That molten stare sinks into mine¨Cferal, starving, already dragging me under. ¡°Why did youe back,¡± Riot croaks, blood coating his teeth. ¡°You were supposed to run.¡± I can¡¯t answer. I can¡¯t move. Theo growls low, dark, as if he¡¯s savoring the way Riot spits that pain, like it¡¯s proof I¡¯m his. ¡°Because she wanted to watch,¡± Theo says, ws dragging up Riot¡¯s neck. ¡°Didn¡¯t you, omega?¡± Riot snarls. It¡¯s broken, a wet sound in his throat. Blood drips. His boots scrape against the stone as he tries to rise- ¡°What the fuck are you doing, Jess?! I told you to run!¡± ¡°And what?¡± My voice cracks out sharp, shaking, feral. ¡°Let him kill you?¡± ¡°Let me die like a wolf!¡± Riot snaps. ¡°You¡¯re not dying for me,¡± I spit. My voice is shaking but full. Fire under it. Shame too. But I hold it. Theo chuckles low. ¡°Listen to her.¡± He jerks Riot back by the neck, ws pressed into the tendon. Riot hisses. ¡°She¡¯s not running anymore.¡± I step forward. I feel the heat crawl down my spine, the shift licking at my bones like it wants out. My wolf¡¯s pacing. Growling, Watching both of them bleed for me. ¡°Get your fucking hands off him,¡± I growl. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers Theo tilts his head at me, amused. Eyes glowing. He¡¯s tasting my heat now. My scent. My stupid, wolfish, fucked¨Cup bond that keeps pulling me toward him like I was made to kneel here and submit. But I don¡¯t drop. ¡°You¡¯re fucking insane¡­¡± I breathe, but my feet are already backing up, slow, my spine brushing cold stone. Theo stalks me like he¡¯s got all the time in the world. ¡°Am I?¡± His ws flex, twitching like he wants to touch. Or rip. Maybe both. ¡°You¡¯re the one who came crawling back, Jess. You brought your scent into my territory. You stood there and watched while I had him by the throat.¡± He grins. ¡°Was it fun?¡± His voice drops, soft, cruel. ¡°Letting our pack off leash? Letting them taste what you gave up?¡± My jaw clenches. ¡°You don¡¯t know what I gave up.¡± ¡°No?¡± Theo ms a hand beside my head, pinning me against the wall without touching me. His other hand still grips Riot, ws buried in the boy¡¯s throat like a leash. Blood drips between his fingers. ¡°Do you know how much I¡¯ve worked hard for it Jess?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve built a pack for you-¡± ¡°You built a pack for me?¡± I spit it like venom, stepping forward now, heat snapping in my gut. ¡°You¡¯re sick, Theo. This is a fucking cult. You turned them into monsters and¡ª¡± ¡°And you turned me into one!¡± he roars, voice mming through the room like a war cry. His ws jerk Riot up¨Ctoo hard. Blood sprays from his neck, hot, wet, metallic. Riot gags, boots slipping, fingers wing at Theo¡¯s wrist. I freeze. My wolf lunges. Theo¡¯s eyes burn when they catch mine. There¡¯s no point saving Theo now. After everything that he¡¯s done¡­ I failed to realize this is always his main goal. He wanted to own the pack before when he offered to join his coup against Grayson¡¯s father. Riot might have done it for him but we all yed in his game. In his twisted, maniptive game. ¡°Jess¨Crun-¡± Riot chokes it out, barely audible, face ck with pain. And then he moves. Fast. Raw. Stupid. Heunches at Theo from the floor, a half¨Cshifted mess of ribs and fury, arms still trembling from blood loss, eyes wild. He ms into Theo¡¯s side like a wolf with nothing left to lose. ¡°Fuck it. I can¡¯t hold him longer. Run!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± I bark at him, but it¡¯s not hate¨Cit¡¯s panic. I¡¯m moving now. ws tearing through my fingers. Skin breaking. My wolf howling to shift. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°I told you to leave me!¡± 64 55 vouchers ¡°You think I would?¡± I shouted, feeling my bones cracking. ¡°He¡¯s mine,¡± I growl, voice slipping deeper, broken with shift. My bones scream. My body¡¯s cracking open, the heat peeling me inside out. My knees hit the stone. Palms split open. Fingers stretch long and snap back, ws punching through skin like knives through wet paper. My spine jerks¨Cpop¨Cpop¨Cpop¨Cas the wolf rips its way forward. Theo¡¯s already turning. He lunges. Fast. Too fast. His hand wraps around Riot¡¯s hair, dragging him up by the roots like a shield, like bait. ¡°Try it, Jessica,¡± he pants, chest heaving, eyes glowing white. ¡°Try me and watch him die for it.¡± I don¡¯t stop. Iunch. My feet dig in and I¡¯m airborne¨Chalf¨Cshifted, snapping, seething. My ws catch Theo¡¯s side and rip. Flesh parts. Blood sprays. Theo roars, spinning, tossing Riot away like a ragdoll into the wall. Sickening thud. ¡°RIOT!¡± I hit Theo head¨Con. We m to the ground¨Cteeth, elbows, fur. He¡¯s shifting too now, faster than me, bulkier, bones bulging under skin. He rolls, pins me. My back cracks against the floor. His ws dig into my shoulder, holding me down, grinning like a goddamn demon. ¡°Still weak for him?¡± he hisses. ¡°You could¡¯ve ruled with me-¡± I snap my jaw at his throat. He jerks back. Too slow. My teeth catch his arm. I bite down. Hard. Theo howls. His fist collides with my ribs, once¨Ctwice¨Cenough to see stars. I snarl, twist, and rake my ws across his gut, deep enough to spill something slick and red. Suddenly- Riot¡¯s on him. Bleeding. Staggering. One eye swollen shut. But he¡¯s got a chunk of broken wall stone in his hand and he brings it down on Theo¡¯s back with a snarl that¡¯s more wolf than human. Crack. Theo roars, spins, backhands Riot across the face¨Cbut it¡¯s toote. I¡¯m up again. My shift finally takes ce. I dropped to all fours, bones finished breaking. ¡°Mine,¡± I spit. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 Theo turns too slow. Cocky. ws still dug into Riot¡¯s chest like he thinks he gets to keep him. He grins when my knees hit the floor. He thinks I¡¯m begging. 64 55 vouchers I leap before I¡¯m finished shifting. Half¨Cgirl. Half¨Cwolf. All teeth. I hit him full force and something in him cracks loud under my weight. He stumbles, loses Riot. Good. Let the bastard bleed. He shes across my ribs¨Cdeep¨Cbut I don¡¯t feel it, not really. I¡¯m already on his shoulder, tearing the tendon from the socket. I bite until I taste the iron warmth of his blood slicking my teeth and let it flood me. Teeth, tendon, tear. My mouth is full of him. Heat spilling. Scream buried in fur. He ws my nk but it¡¯s weak. Useless. I take the second bite slower. I dig in, deeper, past the tendon¨Csnap¨Che screams but I don¡¯t stop, I can¡¯t, my mouth is too full of him, my ws too deep, his blood too hot and fuck I want more. I don¡¯t know where the biting stops. One minute I¡¯m tearing Theo¡¯s neck, the next, I¡¯m shing his throat with my ws. He gurgles something¨Cmight¡¯ve been my name. Might¡¯ve been a curse. Doesn¡¯t matter. My paw catches his windpipe. I rip through. Wet. Hot. Final. I blink. And I realize what I¡¯ve done. I just killed Theo. Ìï AD Comment Alpha Luna 143 JESSICA ¡°We have to run-¡® No. No. No¡­.I didn¡¯t mean to. Theo is dead and I killed him! ¡°Jessica¨CJess, we have to move-¡± 64 55 vouchers I flinch when Riot grabs my arm. My wse up before I think. I almost sh him. I almost made it worse. He jerks back like I burned him, and I don¡¯t me him¨CI would too. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean-¡± My voice breaks. ¡°I didn¡¯t¨Che came at me¨CI just-¡± My wolf¡¯s screaming now asking me to shift, to let her out once more so we can finish everyone. Riot¡¯s eyes are wild, staring at me like I¡¯m some kind of monster. Maybe I am. ¡°Jess, you¡¯re losing it,¡± he says, backing up another step. His voice is calm, but his hands are shaking. ¡°We need to go. Now.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t¡ª¡± My wolf¡¯s snarling in my head, demanding control. My ws dig into my palms, sharp and unforgiving. ¡°She wants out, Riot. I can¡¯t hold her back much longer.¡± ¡°Then try harder,¡± he snaps, his tone harsher than he probably means it to be. ¡°You¡¯re not an animal, Jess. Don¡¯t let her win.¡± ¡°She¡¯s already winning,¡± I hiss, and ites out more guttural than human. My teeth feel too sharp, my skin too tight. I can feel the shift wing at me, tearing me apart from the inside. Riot¡¯s jaw tightens, and he moves closer, slow and cautious. ¡°Jess,¡± he says, softer this time. ¡°Listen to me. You¡¯re stronger than this. You¡¯ve got to breathe.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± I snarl, but it¡¯s half a growl. My vision blurs, colors bleeding together. Theo¡¯s dead. Dead because of me. Because I couldn¡¯t control it. ¡°Keep trying. Focus on me. Just me.¡± ¡°No.Riot¡­you have to go!¡± ¡°Look at me,¡± Riot snarls, stepping in like he¡¯s not afraid to lose a hand, eyes locking on mine so hard I feel the muscles in my neck tighten against it, dark and hot and dragging me into him. ¡°You¡¯re not her. You¡¯re Jess. You¡¯re in control.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± I¡¯m backing up, heat pounding down my spine, my wolf hammering inside my ribs like she¡¯s ready to split
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55 vouchers ¡°Theo¡¯s dead because of me. You get it now? I¡¯m not-¡± my voice drops to a growl, ¡°-anything but a fucking monster.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not,¡± he snarls right back, voice gone feral, all edge. His hands m to my shoulders, grip iron and heat, holding me like he¡¯d hold a thrashing dog¨Cthumbs digging down, not letting me twist away. ¡°Stop letting her drag you under. Fight me instead.¡± ¡°Let. Go.¡± My ws scythe up, catching the fabric over his ribs, almost taking flesh, and he rolls with it, leaning in, close enough that my breath fogs the hollow of his throat. ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°I said LET GO!¡± It rips out of me like a death¨Ccry, snapping my head back, the shift splitting my muscles, skin crawling over bone, vision shing gold. And then his mouth crushed mine and i couldn¡¯t breathe couldn¡¯t move couldn¡¯t fucking stop him, heat mming up under my ribs so fast it felt like a hit, like a break, like my body cracked open and the wolf poured straight through my throat wing for him like she knew him like she wanted this like she didn¡¯t care i was choking on it. I shove at him, ws curling in his shirt, his hair, meaning to tear him off¨Cand he bites my lower lip just enough to steal the fight from my chest. The wolf jerks inside me, startled, furious, hungry. My head tilts despite myself, opening to him, breath spilling hot between us, and he takes it like he owns it. Don¡¯t stop don¡¯t stop don¡¯t you fucking stop. ¡°Stay-¡± he breaks the kiss only long enough to growl it against my lips, still close enough to bite, ¡°¡ªwith me.¡± My breathing¡¯s ragged, the wolf pacing but quieter now, chained by his hands, his mouth, his body. My knees give just a little, and he catches me before I drop, holding me against the wall like I belong there. 66 ¡°We have to get out before they find us,¡± he says, low and sharp, but my breath¡¯s still gone. ¡± Before the others find us.¡± Others? I¡¯m breathing like I¡¯ve run to ground, chest mming against his, every exhale caught in his mouth until I¡¯m shaking too hard to fight it. ¡°What others?¡± I push against him, but he¡¯s already moving, ripping his shirt over his head in one violent snap of motion, the scent of him breaking over me ¨C hot, blood¨Cslick, wolf¨Cdeep. He tears the fabric down the middle, jaw tight, doesn¡¯t even nce at me when the sound rips sharp through the air. ¡°What the fuck are you-¡± I start, but he shoves one strip between my teeth so I bite that instead of him, shoving the other high around my arm where the wound¡¯s still leaking heat. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°Hold still,¡± he growls, jerking the knot tight until my pulse bucks hard under his fingers. I spit the cloth, breath hot with the taste of him. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± 64 55 vouchers ¡°No, you¡¯re bleeding like a stuck deer and your wolf¡¯s too close.¡± His palm presses over the wound, pinning me in ce, eyes ring gold like he¡¯s daring me to lunge. ¡°Shift now and you bleed out before I drag you ten steps.¡± ¡°Let me go.¡± My ws twitch, the wolf inside already shoving for the surface. ¡°You want to die here?¡± He leans in, his mouth brushing the edge of mine, heat spilling into me. ¡°Or you want to walk out breathing?¡± I bare my teeth. ¡°You don¡¯t get to-¡± ¡°I do,¡± he snaps, and the sound rakes my spine like ws. ¡°Until you¡¯re clear, you¡¯re mine.¡± His grip yanks me forward, forcing me into his stride, my shoulder mming into his ribs, his scent filling my lungs so deep the wolf shivers under it. ¡°Move, baby.¡± ¡°Stop calling me that,¡± I growl, but I¡¯m already matching his pace because he¡¯s hauling me whether I want it or not. ¡°Then stop acting like her.¡± His hand tightens on the tied arm, pulling me close enough I can feel the rumble in his chest when he says, ¡°Or I¡¯ll remind you which one of us has teeth on the other¡¯s throat.¡± Ìï Alpha Luna 144 GRAYSON She¡¯s here. She¡¯s down here. And she¡¯s shifted. : 64 55 vouchers I drop to the floor hard, wed fingers biting the dirt, knees cracking stone, chest heaving with every inhale like the wolf¡¯s already tearing through my sternum. The tunnel¡¯s too tight for two, but I crawl anyway, hunched and snarling, bent wrong around the walls, scraping bone against cement because I can¡¯t slow down, not now, not when the air¡¯s this thick with her- burnt fur and blood and the kind of heat that shouldn¡¯t be this fucking strong if she wasn¡¯t in pain. She¡¯s bleeding. She¡¯s running. She¡¯s not okay. My elbow ms the edge of the tunnel wall, tears straight through the fabric. Doesn¡¯t register. The wolf howls under my skin and I bite my own tongue to keep from losing form. Every inch I crawl forward feels like the wrong direction, the wrong shape. I need to run. I need to shift. I need to take the fucking tunnel apart with my teeth. ¡°Grayson!¡± Pierce shouts behind me, voice catching. I don¡¯t look back. Don¡¯t answer. I growl low in my throat and keep going, faster now, faster than my body was built for, back bowed, jaw clenched so tight I feel the pressure behind my eyes. The tunnel dips. The scent hits harder. Her. All of her. Wild, raw, broken open. My vision whites out. I nearly eat shit on the drop but catch myself with my knuckles. m the weight into my wrists and shove off the wall hard enough to bounce. The tunnel¡¯s not real anymore. Just noise. Just heat. Just the ghost of her pawprints dragging me under. She¡¯s not in control. I can smell it. She¡¯s caught between bodies. Bones half¨Csplit. Still in heat. Still fighting it. The shame in her scent is thick as blood, coating my tongue, choking my lungs. Every inhale slides through my ribs like knives, makes my whole body curl in on itself. The wolf wants it. Wants her. Wants the wreck of her, the humiliated twist of her limbs as she runs from herself. And I want to find her before anyone else does. I m shoulder¨Cfirst into the trapdoor. Wood cracks. I hit it again. It doesn¡¯t give, so I dig my fingers under the lip and rip. Metal tears loose. I won¡¯t stop. I drag the whole thing off the hinges, fling it behind me like I¡¯ll skin the next obstacle alive. I drop down into ckness andnd on all fours. Heat. Right here. 9:36 Thu, Sep 4 Right fucking here. Pierce¡¯s boots hit the ground behind me. ¡°She was here,¡± he pants. ¡°She still is.¡± Because her scent¡¯s fresh. (64) 55 vouchers ¡°She was fighting,¡± I say, teeth bared, chest heaving, breath shaking with how close the wolf is now. ¡°wed someone. Hard.¡± ¡°She got away?¡± Pierce breathes, hopeful. ¡°No.¡± I crouch low. Run my fingers across the smear of fur on the wall. It¡¯s thick. Tangled with someone else¡¯s scent. Alpha. Male. Twice her size. I don¡¯t just see red¨CI taste it. A howl ws its way up my spine but I lock my jaw and force it down, swallow the snarl before it rips open my throat. My head¡¯s too hot. My hands are shaking. ¡°She¡¯s with someone,¡± I say low. ¡± Riot?¡± ¡°I think so¡­¡± His voice cuts, breath sharp. ¡°Grayson¡­ you should see this¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± I snap my head. I stalk up behind him, shoulders hunched, breath short, fingers curling as my wolf drags ws through the lining of my throat. Pierce steps aside. And there he is. What¡¯s left of him. Theo Split open at the ribcage, spine twisted so far back I can see the inside of his throat. One arm gone. One leg barely hanging by a tendon. His jaw is broken¨Csnapped sideways like something got tired of his voice halfway through a scream. His eyes are wide. 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 Frozen. Terrified. Fresh. Not more than ten minutes dead. : 64 55 vouchers The wolf takes a step forward before I do. My foot ms the ground harder than I mean to. My ws are out. They weren¡¯t a second ago. My teeth ache. My whole back cracks with how fast the bones want to go full shift. I shake, once, hard, like the tremor could break this room open and pull her out of it. I crouch. Touch the edge of Theo¡¯s torn shoulder and fuck it, what am I going to do to you, Jess? ¡°She did this,¡± I say low. ¡°Grayson¡ª¡± ¡°Grayson, she could be hurt-¡± ¡°She¡¯s alive.¡± My voice cuts through stone. ¡°Or I¡¯d feel it.¡± ¡°She shifted and killed him?¡± Pierce¡¯s shaking his head. ¡°No omega should¡¯ve been able¡ª¡± ¡°She¡¯s not just omega.¡± I rise slowly, dragging ws against my palm until I bleed, until the wolf backs off just enough to let me breathe again. ¡°She did this,¡± I say again, lower. ¡°And she¡¯s still running.¡± I start forward. Step over Theo¡¯s body. There¡¯s another tunnel behind the blood. Narrower, wed wide. Fresh fur on the edge of the stone¨Chers. I brace a hand on the wall and lower my head, sucking a full breath of her trail. I¡¯m going to find her. And if anything else touches her before I do, I¡¯ll rip their spine out through their throat. ¡°I can smell another scent¡­¡± Pierce¡¯s voice is behind me again, unsteady. ¡°I think she¡¯s with someone. I think she¡¯s with Riot.¡± I start walking. One shoulder brushing the cave wall, fingers trailing the rock for bnce, left hand out to catch scent again. The dirt¡¯s loose here. Packed wrong. Someone tunneled this fast¨Cbarely stable. A rat hole. A trap. I don¡¯t care. 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°Yeah?¡± My voice is t. ¡°Whose fault is that?¡± : 64 55 vouchers Pierce stumbles a little behind me, the wet crunch of rock shifting under his boots.¡± Come on. Are we still not okay with that?¡± ¡°You sold your sister to a monster.¡± Damn it. I move, fast, past the ridge, past the trees, bleeding heat and moonlight, breath burning. I can¡¯t get her scent anymore. Jessica¡¯s smart. She¡¯ll block it. She¡¯ll block me. She doesn¡¯t want to be found. I don¡¯t care. ¨C I drop to all fours, ws digging through mulch, shoulder scraping stone, head down, mouth open ¨C nothing. No blood. No heat. No trail. I snarl low, deep, guttural, half¨Chuman, half¨Cwolf, half¨Cmale who can¡¯t fucking take it. I smell him. Riot. She¡¯s covering herself in him. I want to howl but it¡¯ll give me away. I want to shift but I¡¯ll lose ground. I want to kill Pierce for making me stop, for slowing me down, for breathing while she¡¯s out here taking another male into her body like I never fucking mattered. ¡°You gonna bleed all over the forest?¡± Pierce mutters, trailing again. ¡°I¡¯ll bleed on you if you speak again.¡± He shuts up. I don¡¯t have time for pack. I don¡¯t have time for logic. I don¡¯t have time for shame. I want her back and I want her back filthy, slick, trembling, wrecked with guilt so deep she can¡¯t look me in the eye without falling on her knees. Damn it, Jess! Where are you? My eyes scanned the area but all I can see is nothing! I can¡¯t smell her, can¡¯t taste her, and I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s because she¡¯s gone or because I¡¯m slipping¨Ctoo far, too fucking rabid, too alpha¨Cstruck to think past the heat hammering between my ears. I crawl forward. One arm. Then the next. Every inch, I rake the earth open like she might still be underneath
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And then, clink. I freeze. Neck twisted, chest heaving. There. Buried half in the mud. A glint, soft and pale, like¡ª 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 No. 64 55 vouchers I lunge. Fist ms into the dirt, ws ripping around it, and when I drag it up, I already know what it is. That thin silver chain. That cracked moonstone center. The one I gave her. She dropped it? 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 145 JESSICA ¡°Are you fucking insane?¡± : 64 55 vouchers My voice tore up my throat, raw and soaked as I surfaced, coughingkewater and blood into the dark. He- Riot- He fucking threw us in. He threw us in. My fingers scraped his chest before I could see him, before I could even breathe right. My legs kicked under me, too heavy, too cold, water pping up my spine, and still I shoved at him, pped at his shoulder like that could undo it, like I wasn¡¯t already screaming inside. ¡°You think this is funny?¡± I snarled, coughing. ¡°We¡¯re soaked, we¡¯re stinking, we¡¯re fucking reeking like heat- rut prey¨Cevery pack from here to the ridge is gonna catch this stink off the air-¡± The water was freezing. The sky was bleeding into light. Day¡¯sing and if we don¡¯t move, if he doesn¡¯t let go, if I don¡¯t get this fucking heat off me, they¡¯ll see. They¡¯ll know. They¡¯ll find us here in the open, wrecked and wrecking, stinking of heat and rut and shame. ¡°Fuck-¡± I slipped again. My elbow cracked off something sharp, and theke tried to take me a second time. Riot lunged, grabbed my wrist¨Ctoo fast, too hard¨Cand dragged me up before I could sink. ¡°Don¡¯t¨Cfucking touch me-¡± He didn¡¯t let go. He gripped under my arms, hauled me sideways, hands tight in ces they shouldn¡¯t be, his breath hot in my ear as he dragged me toward the edge, over stone, over mud, my legs useless, my hips grinding into sharp rock and broken roots. ¡°Riot!¡± ¡°Stay still,¡± he muttered, voice low and hot right in my car. ¡°You¡¯ll thank me in a second.¡± He settled me down¨Ctoo carefully for someone who¡¯d just ruined me¨Chis hands firm on my thighs, his knee between mine as he lowered me back against the t of a rock slick with moss andkewater. ¡°There,¡± Riot breathed, his hand still on my leg, still too close. ¡°Still cold?¡± 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers I braced myself, palms pressing back against the stone, breath shaking. He was watching me too close. Too amused. Too fucking proud of himself. ¡°What now?¡± I whispered. His gaze flicked up. Not at me. At the sky. Pale and ugly, cracking open with dawn. Still pink around the edges like a wound refusing to heal. ¡°We wait.¡± His voice was quiet now. Different. Not the rough, rutting snarl from before. Lower. Bruised. ¡°Watch the light change. Hope no one catches the scent.¡± Iughed, sharp and hoarse. ¡°That¡¯s your n?¡± Riot leaned in, hand skimming up, dragging mud andkeweed with it until his palm rested against my side, just under the curve of my breast. ¡°It¡¯s not a good one,¡± he said. ¡°But you¡¯re alive. We¡¯re both alive. That¡¯s worth something.¡± I looked at him, lips trembling, shoulders shaking. The cold was biting now. ¡°When are you going to thank me for saving you?¡± His brows lifted, slow, like he wasn¡¯t sure if I was joking or delirious. ¡°I dragged your sorry ass out of that pit,¡± I added, my voice breaking on thest word. ¡°Don¡¯t think I forgot how you screamed.¡± He huffed a ¡± I muttered. ¡°Could say the same for you,¡± he shot back, stillughing. ¡°You jumped in after me like you were fucking immortal.¡± ¡°You were drowning.¡± ¡°You were bleeding.¡± We stared at each other. The wind shifted, colder now, draggingke stink and smoke across the shore. I shivered harder, biting down against the rattle in my teeth. ¡°I¡¯m gonna lose a toe,¡± I said, ncing at my feet¨Craw, scratched, purple under the dirt. ¡°Maybe three.¡± 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°I¡¯ll give you one of mine.¡± ¡°Gross.¡± Riot smiled again, quieter this time. ¡°Thank you for saving me, Ash.¡± 64 55 vouchers My lips parted, stupid, my chest caving in around the thud of my heart like it thought I could pull more air past him if I opened wider. ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he ground into the space between my teeth and my ear, the sound all snarled and spit, no human softness, and my hips betrayed me for it, twitching toward his heart. His stare locked on mine like a bite that wouldn¡¯t let go, holding me under, and then thing that raked over the wet inside of my ear ¨C ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything.¡± voice a low, hooked ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being the bastard who cut you open just to watch you leak for me. For shoving you down when you tried to stand. For the names I called you because I liked the way they made you smaller.¡± His breath rolled over my jaw, wet and heavy, his lips grazing, teeth marking, until the apology turned almost obscene in how close it sat to my pulse. ¡°I¡¯m not sorry for wrecking you.¡± His mouth dragged along my neck¨Chot, wet, hunting¨Cuntil his teeth found the ce he used to bite when I whimpered. ¡°I wanted the taste of your fury. I wanted to make your legs tremble just from the memory of me. I wanted to be the thing your heat kept calling back, even when I wasn¡¯t near. I¡¯ve marked you, filled you, ruined you, because I needed you crawling through every fucking step like you still had me inside.¡± My neck bent before I could stop it¨Cchin up, throat bare. Stupid. Weak. Pack¨Ctrained. My spine wanted the bite before I did. ¡°I should rip your tongue out,¡± I breathed. ¡°Riot¡­I love Grayson. I really do.¡± His eyes lifted slow, ck¨Cgold and wolfshot, and I felt it before I saw it¨Chis weight shifting, the room shrinking, breath thick with the scent of my betrayal. ¡°I know baby,¡± His hand found the edge of my jaw, rough, warm, too fucking familiar. ¡°You love him,¡± he said again, like tasting the words might make them rot. Our lips were a breath apart now. My breath hitched. Chest stuttering. ¡°Your wolf wants him¡­ and I should ept that, right?¡± His thumb dragged over my mouth, slow like he wanted to feel it stutter. ¡°You ruined me,¡± I whispered. Riot¡¯s eyes dropped to my lips, ck¨Cgold, fucked, starving. ¡°I would¡¯ve loved you harder than him, Jess.¡± My breath caught. I didn¡¯t pull away. I should¡¯ve. My spine bent, chest tipped, heat pulsing low where it shouldn¡¯t. I was marked. Promised. Grayson¡¯s. But my body didn¡¯t care. My wolf didn¡¯t care. She was tipping forward like she wanted Riot¡¯s mouth more than the mate who bled for her. 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°Riot¡­ we shouldn¡¯t.¡± He gulped. ¡°Yeah¡­ we shouldn¡¯t.¡± 64 55 vouchers I looked up, and gods¨Che looked feral, yes. But also wrecked. Yearning. Twisted up in every inch of me like it hurt just to breathe. ¡°Say the word,¡± he whispered. His hand slid down my arm, slow, dragging heat and promise. ¡°Say the word, and I¡¯ll walk out of here and nevere back.¡± He was trembling. So was I. There¡¯s no doubt I love Grayson. I do. I¡¯m his. I chose him. But Riot¡¯s scent hit and it was over- My lungs locked. My knees almost buckled. Every inch of me leaned in even as my jaw locked around the word no, even when shame clung to my ribs like something dying. I could smell him. Feel him. Hear that ragged breath like he¡¯d been holding it all day just to survive this moment. ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing to me,¡± I whispered, and the words came cracked, not warning, not plea- just wreckage. ¡°I do.¡± Riot¡¯s voice was all ruin. Hoarse. Frayed. That savage hold¨Cyour¨Cbreath restraint where the shift is crawling under the skin, where the only thing keeping him human is the way I¡¯m trembling. ¡°You think you¡¯re the only one dying here?¡± He stepped back. Just a little. But not enough. Not enough to stop the heat from wing back up my spine. Not enough to stop my body from reaching ¨C without permission, without shame, like it forgot who I belonged to. He flinched. Or maybe I did. I could smell him didn¡¯t heal. ¨C fuck, I could taste him, still, dayster, weeks, pressed behind my teeth like a bruise that ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± I whispered. He did. ¡°Don¡¯t-¡± 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 64 55 vouchers His fingers twitched at his side. Like he¡¯d moved before he meant to. Like his body had already made the decision. ¡°Say the word,¡± he growled. ¡°Say it now. Because I swear¡ª¡± His jaw cracked. He was shifting under the skin and I felt it ¨C bones creaking, heat building. ¡°If you don¡¯t, I¡¯m going to fuck this up so bad they¡¯re going to feel it in hell.¡± 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 146 GRAYSON I could feel her from here. She¡¯s close. Jessica is close to where we are. : 63 55 vouchers Pierce was wind¨Cbreaking beside me, lungs steaming, but neither of us had spoken since we caught her heat- stink at the stream. I was barely holding shift. My gums were bleeding from clenching it back. We hadn¡¯t spoken since she veered off the main trail, and we didn¡¯t need to. Her scent was everywhere¨Csmeared in the undergrowth, high in the bark, raw and streaking across stone. The sun cracked above the ridge, slow and ugly, and I wanted to rip it down. Daylight meant time was up. She¡¯d know. She¡¯d see us. She¡¯d bolt again. Who is she running from? That keeps on circling in my mind. Now that Theo is gone, what more is making her run away from all of these? I stopped moving, shoulders jerking like the shift wanted to snap back but my body didn¡¯t know what it needed¨Cman, beast, both¨CI couldn¡¯t hold either. My chest heaved. My lungs weren¡¯t taking the air right. It stank of dirt, rot, pine sap, old blood, her. Her. Her. Her. My vision blurred at the edges, not from crying, not from grief¨Cmy wolf doesn¡¯t cry¨Cbut from something worse. Jess. Jess. Fuck. My jaw unhinged on her name, my throat too raw for words, too broken for anything but sound, and I threw it into the dark like it could reach her. One long, blistered howl that tore from the pit of my chest and kept going. Through the trees. Through the dirt. Through the ache that wouldn¡¯t shut up under my ribs. I missed her. Where are you. Where the fuck are you. I tipped my head back and howled again, this one sharper, uglier, blistered with rage. My paws skidded on the 9:37 Thu, Sep 4 wet rock as I lunged forward. ¡°Grayson!¡± : ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Pierce shouted, pushing me to stop me from howling. ¡°I can smell her¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± 63 55 vouchers I shifted closer, dragging my boots over moss, fingers splitting into ws before I even knew I was shifting, before I realized I was growling low through my teeth like her scent was punching straight into my spine and gutting me from the inside. ¡°Grayson wait-¡± Trees broke open as I lunged past Pierce, shoulder scraping bark, ws shredding roots, the wet dirt swallowing sound as I crashed low, then lower, then froze because I saw her. Moonlight made her glow, shoulders slick and turned, thighs sunk inkewater, lips parted, breath shivering, and Riot behind her, hands on her hips, mouth on her throat, growling low like she was already his. ¡°Grayson.¡± A hand snapped against my chest and I almost tore it off. I could feel Pierce breathing hard behind me, trying to grab my arm, trying to yank me back like he didn¡¯t smell it too, like he wasn¡¯t about to drop to his knees from how fucking strong she was hitting. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I said, voice wrecked and too far gone to be human, because thest thing I needed was him speaking her heat out loud, making it real, dragging it into the air like we weren¡¯t already both sinking into it. ¡°We need to go,¡± Pierce was whispering, tugging again, voice breaking, ¡°Grayson, she¡¯s not¨Cshe doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s-¡± Pierce tried again, fingers on my wrist this time, pulling like I was something leashed. I turned on him. He flinched. ¡°Touch me again, and I¡¯ll feed you your fucking hand.¡± Pierce was talking again. Begging, Saying something about how she would hate me, how Riot would kill me, how the pack would- I didn¡¯t hear the rest. I was rising. Stalking forward. Breathing her in. If she wanted to be fucked like an omega in heat, if she wanted to beg for a mutt¡¯s teeth, then let her see what it looked like when her alpha burned.
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63 ¡°Having fun?¡± Her eyes snapped to mine. Wide. White¨Crimmed. ¡°Grayson!¡± 55 vouchers Fuck. I¡¯m so angry at her right now but as soon as I felt her warmth everything melted in me. Here I am, Grayson Westwood crying at her for being alive. She threw her arms around me and I let her. My fists were still curled, still shaking, but I didn¡¯t shove her off. Couldn¡¯t. Her chest hit mine and my breath shattered. My ribs gave out before my pride did. My head dropped into her neck like I hadn¡¯t been breathing since she left. ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± I choked. Didn¡¯t mean to say it. It spilled out of me anyway, soaked and shaking and wrecked. ¡°You¡¯re fucking okay.¡± Her hands fisted my shirt, pulling me down, burying her face into my chest like she knew I needed it more than she did. ¡°I thought¨CI thought I lost you,¡± I muttered, and my voice broke halfway through, catching on teeth, shame, the way her scent still had another male¡¯s heat curled around it. ¡°I thought I lost you¡­¡± She didn¡¯t answer right away. Jessica doesn¡¯t have to. I pressed my mouth to her hair and squeezed my eyes shut and let myself copse the rest of the way, my knees giving out slow, dragging us both down to the ground. She followed without a word, straddling myp, arms locking around my neck like a noose I didn¡¯t want to escape from. ¡°I couldn¡¯t feel you,¡± I whispered, the words scraping my throat raw. ¡°Not through the bond. Not even a flicker. You were gone, Jess, you were just¨Cgone, and I couldn¡¯t¨CI didn¡¯t know what the fuck to do.¡± Her palm slid up, trembling, cupping my jaw like she was scared I¡¯d disappear too. She tipped my face toward hers, eyes searching mine. Wide. Dark, Open. Her thumbs brushed beneath my eyes and I realized I was crying again, slow and silent, tears tracking down the corners of my mouth as my lips trembled. I didn¡¯t even try to stop them. I didn¡¯t care. Knowing she¡¯s alive and here with me right now makes me so fucking happy I¡¯ll cry every damn tears that I have. 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 : 63 55 vouchers ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± she whispered against my mouth. And fuck, that almost undid me all over again. My breath shook with the need to bite down, to im her again, to mark over every ce that wasn¡¯t mine, to bury myself in the scent of her until there was nothing left but us. But instead, I feel content. I just held her and cried and let her be alive in my arms. Because it¡¯s her. It¡¯s always been her. Jess, with her wolf that never flinched from mine, with her mouth that always met my name like it meant something holy, with her hands that knew how to anchor me even when I wanted to fall apart. Jess, who pulled me from the pack¡¯s bullshit, from the bloodline weight, from every part of myself I didn¡¯t think anyone could want, and called it hers. Jess, who fucking chose me¨Cover every stronger wolf, every easier path. Who saw all my broken parts and curled her fingers around them like they were worth something. And I almost lost her. My chest still felt cracked open, like some part of me hadn¡¯t stopped bleeding since I found her again. She was alive. Right here. Wrapped around me. I brushed her hair back with shaking fingers, touched her face like it might break under my palm, and watched her eyes flutter open like she was waking up just for me. My girl. My mate. My reason. 1 would¡¯ve killed a thousand wolves to get her back. I would¡¯ve torn the world in half if she hadn¡¯t opened her eyes. And even now, with her safe and breathing and real in myp. I still didn¡¯t know how to let her be okay. ¡°I love you,¡± I said, before I could stop it. My voice cracked in the middle, raw and ugly, but I didn¡¯t care. ¡°You hear me, Jess? I love you. I always fucking have. I don¡¯t care what they did. I don¡¯t care what you had to do to survive. I just¨C1 need you. I need you more than I know how to say! She blinked up at me, silent, her hand still pressed to my cheek. And for a second, I swore I saw it¨Cthe shift in her eyes, the way her lips parted, the way her whole body leaned in like it heard something in me it¡¯d been 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 waiting for. I kissed her again. 63 55 vouchers With Jessica, I always feel full. Full of every night I dreamed of her. Every howl I let loose for her. Every ache I buried in the dirt when I couldn¡¯t reach her. I kissed her like I was starving and she was the only thing that ever fed me right. And when she kissed me back, slow and soft and real, I didn¡¯t need to mark her. She was already mine. 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 147 JESSICA ¡°Seriously?¡± : 63 55 vouchers Riot barks augh somewhere to my left, but I barely hear him. Grayson¡¯s too close. When he broke down earlier, my heart shattered in a million pieces. Seeing him cry for me makes me question if I deserved him. I¡¯m too fucked up for Grayson Westwood but he didn¡¯t care about that. He¡¯s always there for me, saving my ass. I didn¡¯t believe him when he said to me that he loves me because I saw many versions of love but his version always makes me go back to questioning my love for him. My eyes flicked to him once¨Cstupid, stupid¨Cand he was already there, already looking at me like he¡¯s so afraid I¡¯ll just run away from him like I always do. What did I do to deserve him? Sometimes I wonder if I prayed so hard or that he just loves me. Whatever it is, I think I¡¯ll take it. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t really think you should tie Riot-¡± ¨C Tighten the rope!¡± Grayson shouted and I licked my lips, trying to stop myself from tearing this¡­beautiful reunion. He saw us. It will take a fool to know why he¡¯s acting like this. He saw me and Riot earlier. ¡°Grayson, he¡¯s fine-¡± He looked at me and when he did, all the reasons that I loved him were gone. Sometimes, it¡¯s like I¡¯m loving two versions of him. Grayson is too soft for me but cruel to others. ¡°Why, Jess?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I said it without thinking. I knew what he meant. Of course I did. But I couldn¡¯t say it. Couldn¡¯t answer while my throat burned like that. While he looked at me like he already knew and was still asking anyway. I swallowed hard. My hands went cold. My jaw clenched, like if I just held it tight enough I could stop my whole face from falling apart. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I whispered. ¡°I can understand everything,¡± he said, softer now. ¡°But I can never understand why you let Riot touch you.¡± That tore through me. ¡°Grayson, I didn¡¯t-¡°I stepped forward. His face broke a little, just a twitch, just enough to ruin me. ¡°I thought Host everything. I thought I lost you.¡± 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 63 55 vouchers His eyes glistened but he didn¡¯t blink. He was doing that thing he does, breathing through pain like it doesn¡¯t matter as long as I¡¯m okay. But I could see it. In the pinch at the corners of his mouth. The way his fists stayed clenched by his sides instead of reaching for me. Grayson always reaches for me. ¡°You touched him,¡± he said, and it wasn¡¯t usatory. It was wrecked. Like he was trying to understand something that didn¡¯t make sense. ¡°You let him.¡± I choked. My lips parted but nothing came out. Because I had let Riot hold me. I let myself lean into it for one second too long. I let myself feel safe in something that wasn¡¯t him. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to.¡± It was the only thing I could say. The only thing I could offer without falling apart. ¡°I was scared. I wasn¡¯t thinking. It just¡­ it happened.¡± ¡°You let it happen,¡± he said. ¡°Grayson,¡± I said. ¡°Please don¡¯t look at me like that. I didn¡¯t stop loving you.¡± He breathed out, sharp, like that cracked something deeper. ¡°Did you forget how to?¡± he asked, barely louder than a breath. ¡°Or was it just easier?¡± I blinked. My chest copsed inward. I stepped close enough to feel his body heat but didn¡¯t touch him. I was afraid he¡¯d pull away. He never pulled away before. ¡°I¡¯ll fix it,¡± I whispered. ¡°I¡¯ll fix this.¡± Grayson took a deep breath. It pains me when he pulls away just enough for me to realize I¡¯m starting to lose him. ¡°Do you know what I was thinking all this time, Jess?¡± Moon goddess, please. He stared at the ground for a second. Then at me. Then through me. ¡°I was thinking that you could be anything,¡± he said. ¡°You could be a storm. You could be my undoing. You could burn this pack to the ground and I¡¯d still fucking want you.¡± My breath caught. ¡°You could lie to me again, and I¡¯d stille back. You could break me in half, Jess. And I¡¯d still try to find a way to make it fit again.¡± His chest rose, shaky. Heughed. Bitter. Soft. Broken. ¡°God, you scare the shit out of me.¡± ¡°Grayson¡­¡± He stepped in then. ¡°You could ruin everything, Jess. This pack. My name. My future. And the worst part?¡± His voice dropped. ¡°I¡¯d forgive you. I¡¯d clean the blood off your hands and pull you behind me. I¡¯d take the hit for you and say it was 63 mine.¡± Tears pricked hot at the corner of my eyes. I tried to blink them back, but one slipped free. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to stop loving you,¡± he said. ¡°Even when I should.¡± 55 vouchers I reached for him again. This time I touched him. Just the edge of his shirt, two fingers curling in like I was asking permission to still be allowed here. He let me. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I broke. ¡°What are you saying, Grayson?¡± Grayson¡¯s hand lifted slowly. He cupped the side of my face, fingers slipping into my hair. ¡°I think you¡¯ve known this for a long time, Jess¡­¡± He took a breath. Hold it. Let it out like it hurts to even speak. ¡°I think I know it too.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡± He shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re confused, Jess. Between Riot and me, I think you¡¯re having doubts¡ª¡± ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°No,¡± he said, not loud, but sharp enough to stop me. His hand stayed on my cheek. His thumb brushed under my eye like he was memorizing me. Like he already knew this was thest time he¡¯d be this close. ¡°Don¡¯t do that,¡± he whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me just to keep me. I¡¯d rather you leave than stay out of guilt.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not staying out of guilt.¡± ¡°Then why does it feel like I¡¯m begging you just to look at me the same?¡± My breath hitched. I tried to pull away, but his hand held firm. ¡°Do you love him?¡± ¡°Riot?¡± I asked, even though I knew. He nodded once. Just once. I didn¡¯t answer, ¡°You hesitated,¡± he said quietly. ¡°That¡¯s all I needed.¡± Tears stung, hot and sudden. ¡°You think this is easy for me? You think I wanted any of this?¡± ¡°I think you want him.¡± His voice didn¡¯t rise. ¡°And I think I¡¯ll never be enough for you, no matter how hard I try.¡± ¡°Stop it,¡± I said, but it came out like a sob. ¡°You¡¯re my mate! You said it yourself, okay? You¡¯re my mate!¡± ¡°Am I?¡± 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 That stopped me. ¡°You let him touch you.¡± His voice went lower. Rougher. ¡°You didn¡¯t stop him.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t like that¡ª¡± 63 55 vouchers ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± He stepped forward. Just one step. His scent hit me full. Alpha. Grayson. Mine. ¡°You made your choice. And I saw it.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t choose anything-¡± ¡°Yes, you did.¡± His hand came up, not to touch me, but to stop me. ¡°Yes, you did Jess. You fucking did.¡± 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 Alpha Luna 148 JESSICA ¡°So, you broke up?¡± I shoved the poultice harder into the gash on his side, just to hear him hiss again. Good. Suffer. ¡°Fuck, Jess-¡± 63 55 vouchers ¡°Hold still.¡± My fingers dug into his ribs, heat prickling under my nails. If I press hard enough maybe he¡¯ll pass out. Maybe I can pretend he¡¯s not real for five fucking minutes. I¡¯m still so pissed about Grayson. Well, about everything. I mean, how can he be so stupid with his logic? Sure, I feel hot about Riot but that¡¯s just it. I can¡¯t possibly like him or love him like how I love Grayson. That man doesn¡¯t know the depth of my love. He thinks I¡¯m confused. Thinks I¡¯m wavering. Like I haven¡¯t wed myself open every damn night choosing him. ¡°Stop squirming,¡± I muttered, but my hand lingered too long against his skin, smearing the paste slower now, fingers stuttering over the edge of torn flesh. ¡°Riot! I barely talk to them so I can patch you up, okay?¡± ¡°You¡¯re so considerate.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so annoying,¡± I muttered. ¡°So seriously. You and Grayson?¡± He was baiting me. There are a lot of things to consider now that I¡¯ve created a lot of problems. I should¡¯ve not turned Theo into something that would¡¯ve caused this but it¡¯s over. I should¡¯ve left him to bleed out. I should¡¯ve never let us end up alone, out here, half the pack pretending not to watch us from the shadows, Pierce and Grayson sitting stiff near the torches, and Riot under me, all wounded wolf and teeth¨Cslick grin, dragging shit out of me. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question.¡± He lifted his head, just enough to nce over at the firelight and then back up at me, eyes dark. ¡°So. You broke up?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°You hesitated.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still with him.¡± ¡°But you hesitated.¡± 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 I hated him. ¡°Riot-¡± His hand brushed mine and I know he¡¯s doing it on purpose. ¡°I can take care of you, you know?¡± ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡± ¡°I mean it,¡± Riot rasped, fixing his clothes after I was done with him. 63 55 vouchers I sat on the log next to him because well, sitting here is sofortable than facing Grayson. ¡°Stop flirting with me, Riot,¡± I said, brushing hair off my face, voice low. ¡°You know it won¡¯t work.¡± He didn¡¯t say anything right away, just shifted beside me, shoulder brushing mine. ¡°You gonna go back?¡± he asked, quieter this time, still cocky, still alpha enough to bait me without growling, but there was heat behind it, slow and dangerous. ¡± I mean after this?¡± My throat tightened. ¡°I love him,¡± I said, eyes fixed on a spot in the dirt that looked like a pawprint. ¡°You know that?¡± I could feel him watching me now ¨C not looking, watching, the way Riot always does when he¡¯s trying not to say something cruel. ¡°So?¡± I blinked. ¡°He waited for me,¡± I said. ¡°Even after everything. That means something.¡± ¡°Sure it does,¡± Riot murmured. His hand came up, knuckles brushing a piece of hair off my cheek. Gentle, but not soft. Measured. Familiar. Possessive in the way only someone who¡¯s tasted your worst can be. ¡°He loves you.¡± ¡°Grayson said¡­¡± I close my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m confused.¡± ¡°Confused?¡± His eyes pinned me. ¡°About what?¡± You. You. You. I swallow. ¡°You.¡± ¡°Me?¡± His eyes pinched me in, ck¨Cgold, molten, hungry. ¡°You¡¯re confused about me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Riot tipped his head, slow, dangerous, a predator savoring prey. Moonlight spilled over him, slicing his sharp jaw, the curve of his throat, the rise and fall of his chest. Is Grayson right? Am I really confused about Riot and him? ¡°Little wolf, I think we¡¯re past confusion.¡± 9:38 Thu, Sep 4 65 vouchers I lifted my gaze, eyes flicking to his, sharp and feral, but my heart betrayed me¨Cthudding too fast, too loud. The wolf inside me whispered truths I didn¡¯t want to admit: he was dangerous, wrong, forbidden¡­ and I wanted him anyway. ¡°You can¡¯t have us both, Jess..¡± Riot whispered. ¡°That¡¯s just so wrong.¡± ¡°I-¡± ¡°He¡¯s right.¡± I froze, snapping my head behind us to see Grayson towering over us. I¡¯m so in the moment, I didn¡¯t feel his presence. ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°We have to talk,¡± he said without looking at me. ¡°Join us, will you?¡± Then ¡­he walked away. Just like that. Riot chuckled beside me, low and teasing, before his hands shot out and grabbed mine, dragging me around the fire. I froze mid¨Cstep, cheeks flushing as I felt the brush of our skin, the intentional press of his grip. Pierce¡¯s eyes flicked down, sharp, assessing, lingering on our intertwined hands longer than necessary. His throat cleared, a subtle, almost disapproving sound, and I could feel the heat crawling up my spine. ¡°Shy, little wolf?¡± I swallowed, forcing my wolf to settle, and sank to the log, ws dragging against the wood. ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± I spat the words, sharp and ragged. Grayson¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t leave us. I shivered violently, knowing exactly what simmered in his eyes now: anger. betrayal and hate. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re together?¡± Pierce is the one who broke the silence. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡ª Pierce shifted ufortably beside the fire. And Riot Riot just leaned back, legs spread, arms braced behind him like he owned the dirt we sat on. ¡°Rx,¡± Riot drawled, voice full of smoke and dare. ¡°She¡¯s just confused.¡± Grayson¡¯s gaze snapped to him. ¡°Is that what we¡¯re calling it?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Riot said, not flinching, not blinking. ¡°She said she loved you. But her hands were all over me, 9:38 Thu, Sep 4
  1. so. Mixed signals.¡±
63 55 vouchers ¡°Fuck you, Riot,¡± I breathed, standing too fast, blood racing, everything shaking. ¡°Don¡¯t do this.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not the one doing anything, little wolf,¡± he said, standing too, body brushing mine, full height and heat and dominance, on purpose, pressing the air out of my lungs. ¡°You are.¡± ¡°Look, can we just continue with the n?¡± Grayson¡¯s fury still burned across from me. ¡°Should we tell her?¡± ¡°Tell me what?¡± Pierce shook his head slowly, like the n was already damned, like I was already ruined. ¡°Go ahead,¡± Riot said. ¡°Tell her.¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± Grayson snapped. Pierce mutters something from the dark, but Riot¡¯sugh cuts over it ¨C low, filthy, almost a growl. ¡± You think she can¡¯t handle it? She¡¯s tougher than you give her credit for. Right, Jess?¡± Grayson steps closer, eyes hungry. ¡°Everyone is going for you now, Jess¡­ your hybrids.¡± Öæ Alpha Luna 149 JESSICA ¡°My hybrids?¡± :
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63 55 vouchers Grayson didn¡¯t blink. Just nodded. Jaw tight. And I knew what that meant. That jaw thing ¨C he only does it when he¡¯s close to snapping. When something doesn¡¯t go the way he wants and he¡¯s holding it in, holding me in. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I know about that!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Riot chuckles again, quiet and cruel, and I hiss, bratty, ¡°Stopughing, you¡¯re not helping! What is it, Grayson?¡± ¡°You have to make a choice, Jess.¡± ¡°A choice?¡± My heart is traitorous. Also my eyes. They weren¡¯t supposed to stare at Grayson¡¯s face but it did. I had the opening. A perfect opening to memorize his features. If he¡¯s going to ask me again if I¡¯m confused between him and Riot, I¡¯ll have my answer right away. Except, Grayson doesn¡¯t really ask twice. In fact, he will never ask at all. He¡¯ll just look at me and wait for me to make my decisions. That¡¯s what he always does. He takes care of me in his own ways but sometimes, I wish he would let me take care of him too. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block him out, but it¡¯s useless. His presence is everywhere, pressing in on me, demanding an answer I¡¯m not ready to give. ¡°Grayson,¡± I start, but he cuts me off. ¡°The other pack knows about your hybrids Jess and the other pack knows you¡¯re still¡­in heat.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± I manage to say, but ites out weak, like I don¡¯t even believe it myself. ¡°Who do you belong to, Jess?¡± His voice is calm, but there¡¯s a dangerous edge to it. You. Only you, Grayson. ¡°You¡¯re still in heat, Jess. Your instincts are screaming, and you¡¯re too damn stubborn to listen.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not doing this again with you or anyone.¡± 9:39 Thu, Sep 4 ¡°Jess-¡± 63 55 vouchers ¡°No!¡± I cut off Pierce and stared at the three of them. I know what they are going to tell me. I¡¯m reeking and the others smell it and if I remain to not have a mate, I¡¯m going to end up being imed. It¡¯s just a matter of who. ¡°No one is going to im me.¡± ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°Even you Grayson!¡± Tears welled up in my eyes. Moon goddess! These assholes only think about their knots! Grayson attempted to reach for me but I jerked my hand away, refusing to give him power over me. I¡¯m still not over it. Of everything. I¡¯d spend weeks in that dungeon fighting Theo out of my system and no one¡­no one will im me again. I was thest unimed bitch in heat in a ten¨Cmile radius and it wasn¡¯t a secret anymore. If I didn¡¯t submit, someone was going to take. ¡°You think she wants that cor?¡± Riot rasped,holding me when I tried to run away again. ¡°Let me go-!¡± I thrashed, but it was pathetic. Weak. My legs buckled the second he grabbed me. He chuckled, that low nasty sound that always meant trouble. ¡°I really think,¡± he said, dragging his mouth along the shell of my ear, ¡°we should tie her up.¡± ¡°No one is tying me-¡® But he had both wrists in one hand now. Pinning them behind me, arm arched up, body caged around mine like a rutting wolf ready to mount. Grayson was silent. Watching, I turned my head, shame blooming under my cheeks like bruises. Grayson¡¯s jaw was locked. His eyes weren¡¯t calm anymore. They were glowing. Starved. ¡°Let me go,¡± I snapped again, weaker this time. ¡°Let her go, Riot.¡± ¡°Tss.¡± 9:39 Thu, Sep 4 63 55 vouchers Riot let go like he was doing me a favor. But the second his hands peeled off my body, I gasped for breath, stumbling forward, chest heaving, thighs wet, shame mming into me like a fist as I felt every set of eyes still on me¨Cwatching, scenting, knowing. I caught myself, barely, heartbeat kicking, shame crawling up my back like teeth, the whole fucking pack still out there breathing me in like blood in the water, scenting how slick I was, how badly I needed, how close I¡¯de to folding. And then I turned. And I hit him. Fist to jaw, clean and hard, bone mming into his face with everything I had left, and it still wasn¡¯t enough because Riot just grinned when his lip split open, blood trailing down his chin like he liked the taste of it. ¡°Fuck,¡± he rasped, licking it slow, ¡°that slick little cunt¡¯s got ws.¡± ¡°Touch me again,¡± I snarled, voice shaking from breath I didn¡¯t have, ¡°I¡¯ll tear your fucking fingers off.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not yours,¡± I snapped, voice shaking. ¡°Not your bitch. Not your heat.¡± His eyes dragged down my body like a tongue, slow and smug, pausing at the dark smear between my legs, nostrils ring as his smirk curled wider. ¡°No,¡± he said, low, dangerous, cock thick against his thigh, ¡°but if no one ims you, you¡¯re fair game, sweetheart. And they¡¯ll chase you again. Fuck you raw in the dirt and fight over the taste of it.¡± My breath caught. His gaze didn¡¯t blink. ¡°You better pray someone puts a mark on that pretty little neck,¡± Riot growled, stepping closer, voice like heat down my spine, ¡°before I do.¡± He turned his back like he didn¡¯t care what I did¨Clike he knew I¡¯d watch him go¨Cand he was right, because I did, shaking, stomach clenched, thighs mped together, every nerve screaming for air I couldn¡¯t fucking catch. Then the heat behind me shifted. Grayson didn¡¯t touch me. Didn¡¯t have to. He stood close enough that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck, his presence dragging across my skin like a cor I didn¡¯t remember putting on. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Jess.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°For you to choose Riot.¡± 9:39 Thu, Sep 4 My breath caught. ¡°I didn¡¯t-¡± ¡°You looked like you wanted him.¡± :D 63 55 vouchers I turned, stupid, slow, and there he is, my cruel alpha using me of everything but choosing him. ¡°Is this fun for you, Grayson?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Making me feel like-¡± ¡°Like what?¡± My mouth shut too fast. ¡°Like..¡± I stare at the ground, not really having the courage to look at him. ¡± Like¡­you don¡¯t love me anymore.¡± His hand came up, knuckles grazing my jaw, not soft ¡ª just enough to make my mouth fall open, to make heat crawl down my throat. I hated that I didn¡¯t step back. Hated worse that I leaned. That my chest rose for him. ¡°Love?¡± he murmured, thumb brushing over the corner of my lip, watching it catch. ¡°That what you want?¡± My mouth opened, but nothing came out. ¡°You want love,¡± he said again, colder this time. ¡°Then why¡¯d you let him touch you?¡± My stomach dropped so fast I almost choked. He smiled. Just a little. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s what I thought.¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes stayed on mine for a second longer, like he was waiting for me to say something¨Canything. When I didn¡¯t, he just turned and walked away. ¡°Well, that was¡­ something,¡± Pierce¡¯s voice cut through the silence, followed by a lowugh. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, smirking like he¡¯d just watched the best show of his life. ¡°Shut up, Pierce,¡± I snapped, but my voice cracked. I hated how weak it sounded. ¡°What? I¡¯m just saying he shrugged, still grinning. ¡°You two are always drama. It¡¯s kind of entertaining,¡± I red at him, walking away too. This is so stupid. Just in stupid. 63 Alpha Luna 150 GRAYSON Fucking stupid brat. Her, and those shiny little ambitions she polished like knives. 55 vouchers It was her fault we¡¯re rotting here, her hybrids twitching in their cages, her secrets breeding in the dark, that mouth that wouldn¡¯t stay shut even when I split it. ¨C And yeah yeah ¨C I regret it, every filthy second, but regret¡¯s just another mess on the floor now, toote for clean lines, toote to scrub the stain out. I throw some pebbles into the damnke and sigh. Moon goddess, I¡¯m out of options on how to get ourselves in this mess. Jessica really did it this time. And when they catch her scent, there won¡¯t be anywhere left to run. Riot¡¯s already behind me. I heard him earlier, shadowing when I left Jessica. ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± I tell him, low enough that only he catches it. Riotughs, rough in his chest, like a cough turned cruel. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask, okay?¡± I want to break his jaw but there¡¯s only us left. Two wolves circling the same kill, ws sharp, teeth bare, and nothing left but blood and im. And I don¡¯t intend to lose. ¡°I didn¡¯t invite you to sit beside me.¡± ¡°We¡¯re brothers.¡± ¡°You forget whomands this pack.¡± He chuckles, dark and slow. ¡°There is no pack now, Grayson.¡± Damn right. All my life I¡¯ve bled for that pack. Trained for it. Woke up every single fucking day thinking about how to keep it breathing, how to keep the border safe, how to keep the weak from getting ripped apart by wolves like him. Funny thing, right? How fast it rots. How you can give decades to a cause and lose it in a single season because one wolf fucks the wrong thing, makes the wrong alliance, opens her mouth one too many times. 9:39 Thu, Sep 4 And now here we are. 63 55 vouchers I turn then, slowly, so he gets every second of my stare. His eyes are mine but meaner, feral where I¡¯m steel, cut for the kill instead of the keep. I know what he¡¯s thinking because I¡¯ve thought about it too. We have our same father. Difference is, I learned control. He learned how to enjoy the mess. Riot¡¯s smirk twitches, throwing his own pebbles like he¡¯s trying to mimic my rhythm. ¡°You¡¯re staring too much.¡± ¡°Just counting,¡± I say. ¡°Counting what?¡± ¡°How many bones I can break before you start begging.¡± He grins like he likes the sound of it. And maybe he does. That¡¯s the problem with Riot ¨C pain¡¯s just anothernguage to him. He¡¯ll take it, twist it, throw it back at you, and somehow make you feel like you gave him a gift. ¡°Do you really like Jessica?¡± Part of me wants to shove him into the water and watch him choke, but part of me wants to answer. Wants to confess that she¡¯s mine in ways he¡¯ll never understand. ¡°Do you really have to ask?¡± Desire, obsession, madness¡ªshe¡¯s mine. Every filthy, perfect inch of her. It hurts me knowing she¡¯s damn wavering for this asshole but hell, Jessica can waver all she wants but I¡¯ll¡­.. forgive her. I don¡¯t think she knows how much I love her. Thekeps at the shore, indifferent, like the world doesn¡¯t give a fuck about anything we are. But I care. She¡¯s mine, and nothing in this world, not him, not the rot creeping at the edges, not even her own doubts, will take her from me. ¡°You know, I don¡¯t understand Grayson,¡± Riot said, sighing. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just mark her?¡± Iugh, low, feral, and it¡¯s more a growl than anything else. ¡°You haven¡¯t marked anyone, haven¡¯t you?¡± Riot lives with rogues. Our father is ashamed of him. That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t live with us. A mess our father washed his hands of and tossed aside like rotting meat. Maybe, that¡¯s the reason why he¡¯s so fucked up. But then, I didn¡¯t really turn out to be okay either. I know. I fucking know. 9:39 Thu, Sep 4 63 55 vouchers But instead of answering him, I let my eyes drift to the moon, fat and indifferent, hanging over the ck water. It mocks me with its cold light, and I can almost hear the snap of bones under my own teeth. Months ago, all I could think about was beheading Riot. Ripping him apart, limb by limb, watching him choke on his own blood while the stars blinked like they were in on the joke. Now¡­ now I¡¯m here, and it¡¯s worse. I can¡¯t move. I can¡¯t act. All I can do is wait, for her, for Jessica to make up her mind. She might be the reason the pack is gone, but I am the reason her life is shredded, twisted into jagged little pieces that only I can recognize¨Cand maybe, perversely, only I can fix. I don¡¯t just want her. I want to mark her. im her. Tear away everything that isn¡¯t mine until she only exists as mine. The thought is filthy. Animalistic. Perfect. ¡°Can you tell me¡­what happened to her in that ce?¡± Riot grins, but it doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°You may not want to know.¡± ¡°I¡­ I need to know,¡± I admit. ¡°I wanted to know.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not ready for that, Grayson,¡± he says softly, almost¡­ almost pitying. I jerk back, anger sparking, but it¡¯s thin, a fragile shield over the raw ache that twists my chest. ¡°I don¡¯t care if I¡¯m ready. She¡­ she¡¯s mine, damn it. And every second I don¡¯t know what she suffered, I¡ª¡± My voice catches, ragged. ¡°I lose a piece of her. And I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t lose even one piece.¡± I look back at the moon, and it doesn¡¯t mock me now. It watches, silent witness to how badly I need her. How badly I need to fix everything that¡¯s been broken. And I know¨Cwhatever happened to her in that ce¨CI¡¯ll carry it, filthy, animalistic, obsessive, until the world bends to what I can¡¯t lose. Riot swallows hard, and for the first time, the bravado drops from his face. The edges of his grin crumble. ¡°They¡­ they broke her. Not just body, Grayson. Mind, too. Theo¡­ he forced her to obey. To do things¡­ things she shouldn¡¯t have had to. Made her crawl, made her beg, made her feel smaller than anything she is.¡± I feel my chest tighten, ws scraping against my ribs. Riot meets my eyes, and there¡¯s something there I¡¯ve never seen: shame. He looks like a boy who¡¯s seen too much and lived through it, wishing he could undo the damage but knowing he can¡¯t. ¡°I didn¡¯t see everything.¡± he admits quietly. ¡°But I saw enough. She survived Grayson. She fought. God, she fought, but¡­¡± He swallows again, jaw tight. ¡°Theo made her believe she had no choice. That it was all her fault. That no one woulde for her.¡± I clench my fists, nails ripping the skin on my palms, teeth grinding. ¡°I¡¯lle for her,¡± I growl, voice low and feral. ¡°I¡¯lle for her. I¡¯ll alwayse for her.¡± Riot looks at me, almost afraid, and finally nods. ¡°She knows that, Grayson¡­ I think that¡¯s why she fought.¡± Goddess, I¡¯m so fucking pathetic. I shove my hands into my face, trying to choke back the ache, the guilt, the rage, but it bubbles anyway. 9:39 Thu, Sep 4 63 55 vouchers Some tears slip past my fingers, carving tracks down my cheeks, and I hate them instantly. Hate the weakness. Hate that they exist for anyone but her. Riot doesn¡¯t say anything. He just watches, and I know he sees it¨Cthe raw, feral, broken mess I am when ites to her. Riot shifts closer, hesitantly, as if he wants to offer somethingfort, or anything but he doesn¡¯t. He just lets me sit there, drowning in my own shame. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll fix it,¡± I rasp, more to myself than him, and the words feel hollow, fragile against the feral obsession coiling in my gut. ¡°I¡¯ll fix her. I¡¯ll fix everything I broke. I¡¯ll make it right.¡± But the truth is, I don¡¯t know if I can. And that, more than anything, makes me feel small, pathetic¡­ human in a way I hate. Alpha Luna 151 Chapter 151 JESSICA : 99 55 vouchers I¡¯ve wed my way through hell in this lifetime. Fought, bled, and bitten down on the pain until it stopped screaming. But here¡¯s the thing¨Cnone of it was a mistake. Not one damn second. So, Grayson is wrong. Definitely wrong. And I¡¯ll be damned if I let anyone¨CGrayson, Riot, or that idiot Pierce¨Cdrag me down. There¡¯s a time when I¡¯m in Theo¡¯s bed that I don¡¯t want to sleep or want to just sleep forever. I woke like I¡¯d been dragged under, lungs ripping for air that wasn¡¯t there, and for a heartbeat I thought I was drowning again, until the dark folded back and the stink of canvas and damp moss told me I wasn¡¯t in water but in a tent, small, thin¨Cwalled, too thin, nothing between me and what I felt moving just outside. Who¡¯s that? My throat seized against it, but my wolf forced the inhale anyway, greedy, filthy, dragging the scent deeper until it scraped raw through my chest. Grayson. I hated how fast my heart beat just from his voice. I didn¡¯t need to invite him. He was already inside. My wolf recognized him faster than my head did, surging up, ears pricked, body hot, tail twitching in memory of his weight. ¡°No. What do you want Grayson?¡± He didn¡¯t answer with words. Instead, he moved, lying down beside me like it was the most natural thing in the world. His arm slipped around my waist, pulling me back against him. I wanted to resist, but my body betrayed me, sinking into his warmth. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I whispered, but it was weak. ¡°Can I?¡± he murmured, his lips brushing my shoulder. ¡°Please?¡± I tried to shift away, but his grip was iron. My wolf stirred, restless, torn between the urge to escape and the undeniable pull of his scent. ¡°Grayson, stop-¡± ¡°No,¡± he cut me off, his voice feral, animalistic. ¡°You¡¯re going to listen to me. You¡¯re going to feel me.¡± His lips brushed the curve of my neck, and I shivered, my body betraying me again. 8:39 Fri, Sep 5 B ::. ¡°I¡¯m begging you,¡± he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°Choose me.¡± My heart pounded, the sound deafening in my cars. Is he for real? ¡°Might as well beg.¡± ?? 65 vouchers His lips trailed up the side of my neck, heat and sharp teeth grazing my skin. My breath hitched, and my fingers dug into his arm. ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°Choose me,¡± he said again, his voice breaking this time. ¡°Please. I¡¯ll follow you anywhere. I¡¯ll fight anyone. But I can¡¯t-¡± He stopped, his chest heaving against my back. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you.¡± I turned in his arms, my hands finding his chest, feeling the wild rhythm of his heart. His eyes were dark, feral, locked on mine like I was the only thing that mattered. ¡°You¡¯re right, Grayson. I¡¯m confused.¡± The way his eyes went darker makes me want tough. ¡°You¡¯re confused?¡± I leaned closer, my lips almost touching his. ¡± Uh¨Cuh.¡± His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might pull away. ¡°Do you¡­like Riot?¡± ¡°I do.¡± He let out a frustrated growl, his hands pulling away. Oh, moon goddess. What did you do with my feral alpha? It looks like I¡¯m not just the only one who has changed. Grayson changed too. I realized it when I first saw him. He could¡¯ve killed Riot on the spot. My Grayson would burn the world for me. ¡°What happened to you?¡± His jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to my lips like he was fighting the urge to kiss me. ¡°I thought I¡¯ve lost you, do you know how that feels?¡± My chest ached. ¡°I like Riot.¡± His jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. ¡°You like him,¡± he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Do you like him enough to forget me? To forget us?¡± 8:39 Fri, Sep 5 B ¡­ 199 55 vouchers I swallowed hard, my chest aching. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I said honestly. ¡°You don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± I shook my head, my hands moving to his face, cupping his cheeks. ¡°I don¡¯t know why my wolf is reacting to him,¡± I said honestly. ¡°But I do know that no matter what happens, you¡¯ll always be a part of me.¡± My mom said mates could only be one person¨Cyour fated match, the one your wolf recognizes as its other half. But Grayson wasn¡¯t my mate. He was¡­ something else. Something real. Something that I¡¯ll remember in this lifetime and probably forever. If that exists. Grayson¡¯s eyes softened, but there was a flicker of pain in them. ¡°You don¡¯t have to exin it to me,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I get it, Jess. So you¡¯re¡­choosing Riot?¡± I didn¡¯t even know what I was choosing. All I knew was that the pull toward Riot was primal, feral, like my wolf recognized something in him that I couldn¡¯t¨Cor wouldn¡¯t¨Cunderstand. But Grayson¡­ Grayson was my lifeline. My reality. ¡°I¡¯m not choosing anyone,¡± I said, my voice desperate. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯m just trying to survive this. My wolf, it¡¯s like it¡¯s possessed. And I don¡¯t know how to make it stop.¡± Grayson¡¯s hands tightened on my arms, his grip almost painful. ¡°Then let me help you,¡± he growled. ¡°Let me fight for you. For us.¡± I wanted to. I wanted to so badly. But the wolf inside me was louder, stronger, and it was screaming for Riot. And I didn¡¯t know if I could ignore it. ¡°You¡¯ve done enough for me,¡± I whispered, my heart sinking as the words left my mouth. He stepped back, his face twisting with hurt. ¡°This feels like a breakup,¡± he snapped, his voice rising. ¡°It¡¯s not!¡± I cried, my voice shaking. ¡°Sorry¡­I¡¯m not breaking up with you, okay?¡± ¡°Jess¨C¡± ¡°I love you. I do. Fuck. I really do.¡± Grayson buries his head in my shoulder and it¡¯s everything. If I can undo everything, I¡¯ll choose and easy life with life like this. Spending my nights talking about how much I love him. 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B ¡­ But life has never been easy. Especially for me. ¡°Then why does it feel like it, Jess?¡± : 55 vouchers I bit my lip, my mind racing. How could I exin something I barely understood myself? ¡°I want you to know how much I love you and how much I¡¯m going to trust you on this.¡± He pulled back, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Trust me on what? What are you talking about?¡± ¡°There¡¯s something I need to do. Something¡­big. And I can¡¯t tell you yet, but I need you to trust me.¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. ¡°Jess, no. You know what happened when you did something like this. Fuck. I¡¯ll tie you up, baby. Don¡¯t you fucking dare.¡± I reached for him, my hand trembling. ¡°Grayson, please. This is different. I *have* to do this.¡± He caught my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath, like he was fighting to hold himself together. ¡°Different? You don¡¯t get it, do you? Every time you say that, it¡¯s *never* different. Youe back hurt, or worse, and I-¡± He broke off, his voice cracking. His eyes flickered with something raw, something I couldn¡¯t quite ce. Fear? Anger? Both? I swallowed hard, my throat tight. ¡°I¡¯m going to be careful. I promise.¡± He let out a bitterugh, his hand dropping from my wrist. ¡°Careful? You¡¯re not careful, Jess. You¡¯re reckless. And I can¡¯t-¡± He turned away, his shoulders rigid. ¡°I can¡¯t watch you destroy yourself again.¡± I won¡¯t destroy myself this time, Grayson. I wanted to tell him that but I didn¡¯t. Because promising that is way out of our league now. I don¡¯t want to promise him something. I want to savor every minute loving him. His eyes softened, and he leaned down, his lips brushing against mine. ¡°You¡¯re killing me, you know that?¡± I kissed him, my hands sliding up his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t die. Pierce will be alone.¡± He pulled me down onto the bed, our bodies pressed together. ¡°I trust you,¡± he murmured against my lips. ¡°But I¡¯m scared. I can¡¯t lose you, Jess.¡± I kissed him again, slow and deep. ¡°You won¡¯t lose me. I¡¯m right here.¡± His hand slid under my shirt, his touch warm against my skin. ¡°I want your pup inside me,¡± I whispered, my voice barely audible. 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B 1:. He froze, his eyes meeting mine. ¡°Jess,¡± he said, his voice rough. ¡°Are you serious?¡± I nodded, my heart pounding. ¡°I want everything with you. But I need to know that you¡¯re with me, no matter what.¡± He kissed me again, his hands trembling. ¡°I¡¯m with you, Jess. Always.¡± Çú Alpha Luna 152 : Chapter 152 GRAYSON 99 55 vouchers ¡°Do I have to ask about this one or keep my mouth shut about it?¡± Pierce raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the tree. His smirk was infuriating, like he already knew the answer but just wanted to hear me say it. Izily licked my lips and shrugged, my mind already racing. *Cruel woman,* I thought, ncing back at the closed door. She¡¯d messed with my head, my world, and now she was sleeping like nothing happened. ¡°Guess that¡¯s my answer,¡± Pierce said, pushing off the tree. His eyes flicked to the door for a second, then back to me. ¡± I¡¯m curious.¡± ¡°You¡¯re always curious,¡± I shot back, my tone sharp but yful. He shrugged, that damn smirk never wavering. ¡°With a lot of things.¡± I turned away, sauntering toward the shed like I didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Inside, my head was spinning. Sleep? Yeah, right. None of us were getting any of that tonight. Pierce followed and I knew he would. That piece of shit can¡¯t keep his mouth. ¡°You know,¡± he started, voice low and irritatingly calm, ¡°she¡¯s got you wrapped around her little finger. It¡¯s kind of pathetic.¡± I froze, my hand tightening on the shed door handle. My stomach churned, but I kept my back to him, my voice steady. ¡°Careful, Pierce. You¡¯re pushing your luck.¡± He chuckled, the sound grating. ¡°Am I? Come on, Grayson. We¡¯re in deep shit here. You¡¯ve lost everything.¡± I spun around, shoving him hard against the tree. His back hit the bark with a thud, but he didn¡¯t flinch, his smirk still in ce. My fingers curled into his cor, my voice a growl. ¡°You sold your sister to Riot¨C¡± ¡°He did what?¡± Fuck. My eyes widened and there she is, holding her breath while looking at us. Shit. Shit. It¡¯s not my intention but it¡¯s done. I push Pierce on the ground, looking at Jessica¡¯s pained expression. She¡¯ll know about it anyway. 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B.. : 99 55 vouchers ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± she hissed, her voice trembling but sharp enough to sting. I didn¡¯t answer. I couldn¡¯t. My chest heaved, the wolf inside me snarling, begging to finish what I¡¯d started. Pierce groaned, trying to push himself up, but I stepped closer, my shadow falling over him like a warning. ¡°Stay down,¡± I growled, the words low and feral, and he froze. Jessica stepped between us, her hands pressing against my chest. ¡°Grayson, stop! That¡¯s my brother!¡± ¡°Who sold you to me.¡± Great. Now, it¡¯s damn full force. Riot appears holding some kind of metal which I don¡¯t know where he got in this secluded ce. We had some talk earlier and we discovered something. One of us is lying. My hand shoots out, grabbing Pierce¡¯s wrist and twisting until the bone gives way. He howls, thrashing uselessly under my weight. Jessica¡¯s fists pound against my back, but I don¡¯t budge. ¡°Please, Grayson, please!¡± Riot¡¯s grin is sharp as he tosses the metal pipe from one hand to the other. ¡°Figured it out, didn¡¯t you?¡± His voice is a low drawl, but his eyes are wild. ¡°One of us is ying dirty.¡± Pierce¡¯s wrist snaps under my grip, the sound like a wet crack. He screams, but I don¡¯t let go. My knee digs into his chest, pinning him to the ground. ¡°What did you do this time, Pierce?¡± I growl, my voice raw. Jessica¡¯s punches falter as she sobs. ¡°Grayson, stop! You¡¯re going to kill him!¡± I don¡¯t care. Riot steps closer, dragging the pipe along the ground. The screech sets my teeth on edge. ¡°Want me to finish it?¡± he asks, tilting his head like he¡¯s offering me dessert. ¡°No!¡± Jessica lunges at Riot, but he shoves her back with augh. She hits the dirt, breathless. ¡°Your turn,¡± he says to me, tossing the pipe. I catch it mid¨Cair, the weight solid in my hand. Pierce¡¯s eye is already swelling shut, but he¡¯s still staring at me, pleading, I raise the pipe. ¡°Last chance. What did you do, beta?¡± Beta. As soon as those words left my mouth, Pierce did not hide his true face. 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B¡­ I¡¯ve never thought I¡¯ll be fucking betrayed by anyone but him. That¡¯s fucking right. Pierce betrayed me. Us. Again. Fuck. How can he be so stupid? 20 55 youchers His lips curl into a bloody smile. ¡°You really wanna know?¡± he whispers, his voice barely audible. ¡°I sold you out, Grayson. Every secret. Every weakness. They know everything.¡± My grip tightens, and the pipe digs deeper into his skin. Behind me, Jessica¡¯s voice cracks as she pleads, ¡°Grayson, please, don¡¯t do this! He¡¯s not worth it!¡± But she¡¯s wrong. He¡¯s worth every second of this. Riot steps forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± he asks, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°You gonna let him walk away after what he did?¡± I don¡¯t answer. Instead, I swing the pipe in a wide arc, aiming to hit except I couldn¡¯t. I fucking can¡¯t. The pipe hovers in the air, trembling in my grip. Pierce¡¯s smile widens, blood dripping from his split lip. ¡°You can¡¯t do it, can you?¡± he taunts, his voice hoarse butced with venom. ¡°You¡¯re weak, Grayson. Always have been.¡± Jessica¡¯s voice cuts through the tension, sharp and desperate. ¡°Grayson, stop! This isn¡¯t you!¡± But it *is* me. This rage, this betrayal¨Cit¡¯s all me. Riot steps closer, his shadow looming over Pierce. ¡°Let me finish him,¡± he growls, cracking his knuckles. I don¡¯t answer. Instead, I drop the pipe and grab Pierce by the cor, hauling him up. His body ms against the wall with a sickening thud. My fist connects with his ribs, once, twice, until I hear the crack. He coughs, blood sttering my face, but I don¡¯t stop. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I snarl, leaning in so close our foreheads almost touch. ¡°I can¡¯t kill you. Not yet.¡± I let go, and Pierce crumples to the ground, gasping for air. Jessica screams, but I don¡¯t look at her. Instead, I turn to Riot. ¡°Tie him up. We¡¯re not done here.¡± ¡°They areing, Grayson. A lot of them.¡± Jessica¡¯s tears fall fast now, her hands clutching at my shoulders as she tries to pull me back. ¡°Grayson, stop! This isn¡¯t you!¡± she begs, her voice cracking. I shove her off, harder than I mean to, and she stumbles back, hitting the wall. Her eyes widen, hurt and fear mixing in 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B. them, but I can¡¯t afford to feel anything right now. 99 55 vouchers Pierce is on the ground, coughing up blood. His face is a mess of bruises and cuts, but he¡¯s still smirking. That damn smirk. I grab his hair, yanking his head back. ¡°You think this is funny?¡± I snarl. Heughs, low and gurgling. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic, Gray. Always letting your anger take over. Always losing control.¡± I punch him again, and this time I hear the crack of his nose breaking. Blood sprays across the floor, and Jessica lets out a choked sob. ¡°Grayson, please!¡± she cries. Riot steps forward, his voice cold. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this. They¡¯reing.¡± I nce at him, then back at Pierce. ¡°Then we make this quick.¡± I reach for the rope Riot tossed me, tying Pierce¡¯s hands behind his back. His breathing is ragged, but he¡¯s still conscious. Good. ¡°You¡¯re gonna pay for what you did,¡± I whisper in his ear. ¡°Every. Single. Thing.¡± Öæ AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 153 JESSICA ¡°Jess¡­help me.¡± No. : Riot is tying Pierce and I don¡¯t know what to think. This is a nightmare. 99 55 vouchers Pierce¡¯s voice cracks, strained and desperate, as Riot tightens the ropes around his wrists. Blood drips from a gash above his eyebrow, staining his face. My hands shake. I can¡¯t move. ¡°Stop¨Cjust stop!¡± I scream, but Riot doesn¡¯t even flinch. He¡¯s calm, too calm, it¡¯s making me suspicious of him. There¡¯s no way Pierce will sold me off right? I mean, he¡¯s my brother and we¡¯ve been through everything together, Riot tilts his head, a cold smile ying on his lips. ¡°Your brother made a deal, Jess. And you¡¯re the price.¡± My heart stops. ¡°What?¡± Pierce¡¯s eyes drop to the floor. He won¡¯t look at me. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice,¡± he mumbles, voice trembling. ¡°A choice?¡± I snap, my voice breaking. ¡± So it¡¯s fucking true?¡± Goddess. I couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Pierce?¡± My voice is shaky. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± He looks at me, his eyes ssy. Then, as if possessed, he starts to scream. It¡¯s a sound I¡¯ve never heard before¨Craw, agonizing. Then heughs and I¡¯ve never been more terrified than seeing my own brother acting like this. Riotughs, tossing the pliers aside and grabbing my arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go, sweetheart. Your brother¡¯s got a long night ahead of him.¡± I fight, but it¡¯s no use. As I¡¯m dragged out, Pierce¡¯s voice follows me, weak and broken: ¡°Jess¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± That¡¯s thest words I¡¯ve heard from Pierce before he¡¯s gone. I mean, I just slept for a few hours when both him and Riot were gone. I¡¯m panicking, yelling and shoving Grayson but he¡¯s not doing or telling me anything. 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B ¡°Grayson!¡± ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± He kills the car and drags himself out of it, leaving me dumbfounded. 99 55 vouchers I step out, and the night is alive with howls. Wolves emerge from the shadows, their eyes locking onto me. I freeze as they close in, their growls vibrating through the ground. Grayson steps forward, his voice calm but firm. ¡°She¡¯s with me.¡± The wolves don¡¯t stop. One lunges, and I scream, scrambling back. Grayson moves faster than I can process, grabbing the wolf by the scruff and throwing it to the ground. It yelps, and the others back off, their tails tucked. ¡°I said, she¡¯s with me,¡± Grayson repeats, his tone low and dangerous. The wolves retreat, but their eyes never leave me. I¡¯m shaking, my heart racing. Grayson turns to me, his expression hard. ¡°I need you to behave,¡± he says bluntly. Before I can respond, a new figure emerges from the trees. Tall, imposing, with eyes that burn like embers. The Alpha. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± he asks, his voice cold. ¡°She¡¯s mine,¡± Grayson says, stepping between us. The Alpha¡¯s lip curls. ¡°Yours?¡± Before Grayson can respond, the Alpha lunges. His hand closes around my throat, lifting me off the ground. I choke, kicking wildly, but his grip is unrelenting. ¡°Put her down, Nigel!¡± Grayson snarls, his fists clenched. ¡°You brought a human into our territory,¡± Nigel sneers. ¡°What did you expect?¡± ¡°I said, put her down!¡± Grayson¡¯s voice is a growl, low and dangerous. Slowly, he releases me. I copse to my knees, gasping. Grayson¡¯s at my side in an instant, his hands on my shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± he murmurs, though his eyes are still locked on Nigel. ¡°Follow me,¡± Nigel growls before turning and disappearing into the shadows. I look up at Grayson, my voice shaky. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± His expression softens, just for a moment. ¡°A friend.¡± 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B. ¡­ : ES you w A fucking friend? He just choked me! Grayson doesn¡¯t say another word as he follows Nigel deeper into the pack¡¯s territory. The ce is a maze of dense forest and hidden trails, every step taking us further away from anything resembling safety. Finally, we reach a clearing where a massive fire pit burns, surrounded by pack members. They all turn to stare at us as we enter, their eyes narrowing on me. ¡°Grayson,¡± one of them says, his voice deep and using. ¡°What the hell is this?¡± ¡°This,¡± Grayson says, his tone steady but firm, ¡°is my guest. She¡¯s under my protection.¡± The man snorts, his eyes raking over me. ¡°She¡¯s an omega. What¡¯s an omega doing here? You know the rules.¡± My heart skips a beat as I nce around. There¡¯s something off about them. Their presence is overwhelming, suffocating. And then it hits me¨Cevery single one of them radiates the same raw, untamed energy as Grayson. All alphas. A pack of alphas. Grayson steps forward, shielding me slightly. ¡°The rules are mine to enforce, Kade. Not yours.¡± Kade¡¯s eyes narrow, and he takes a step closer. ¡°I heard you burned your whole pack.¡± What? My breath hitches. ¡°Careful, Kade,¡± Grayson growls, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°You¡¯re treading on thin ice.¡± Kade smirks, but there¡¯s no humor in it. ¡°And what are you gonna do about it? You¡¯re a lone wolf now. No pack, no allies. Just you and your your little omega.¡± His words sting, but worse¨Che¡¯s not wrong. It¡¯s just us and if the other pack knows, then we¡¯re good as dead. I don¡¯t know Grayson¡¯s part of this pack either. It¡¯s a pack of alphas and I swear, that¡¯s going to save our life. Grayson¡¯s hand twitches at his side, and I can feel the anger rolling off him in waves. I want to step back, to run, but my feet are rooted to the ground. ¡°Here¡¯s what¡¯s gonna happen,¡± Kade continues, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°We fight. You win, I¡¯ll answer you as the alpha. You lose, and she¡¯s mine.¡± ¡°You touch her, and I¡¯ll tear you apart.¡± Kade chuckles, a low, dark sound. ¡± Coward much, Graydog?¡± 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B.. Shit. : 199 55 vouchers ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, barely audible, but he hears me. His head snaps toward me, and for a second, the anger in his eyes softens. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he says, his voice low but firm. ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡± Kadeughs, but it¡¯s hollow. ¡°Running again, Gray? What¡¯s next? Hiding in the woods with your little omega?¡± I flinch, but Grayson doesn¡¯t move. His hand shoots out, mping around Kade¡¯s throat faster than I can blink. ¡°I¡¯m not fucking fight you, Kade.¡± I¡¯ve always known Grayson is possessive of me. Grayson¡¯s grip tightens around Kade¡¯s throat, and for a moment, I think he might actually kill him. My chest tightens, but I can¡¯t look away. I¡¯ve seen Grayson angry before, but this¡­this is something else. This is primal, raw, and it scares me in a way I can¡¯t exin. ¡°Grayson, stop,¡± I whisper, my voice trembling. ¡°Please?¡± Grayson finally lets go, shoving Kade back with a force that sends him stumbling. He doesn¡¯t say a word, just grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the exit. The pack of alphas parts for us, but their eyes burn into my back, and I can feel their judgment like a physical weight. ¡°Grayson,¡± I say again, my voice firmer this time. He doesn¡¯t stop, but his grip on my wrist loosens slightly. ¡°He¡¯s right, isn¡¯t he? We need their help. That¡¯s why we are here!¡± He stops abruptly, turning to face me. His eyes are dark, stormy, and I can see the conflict raging inside him. ¡± I¡¯m not going to bet you,¡± he growls, his voice low and rough. ¡°I¡¯m not going to do that, Wilkinson.¡± Wilkinson. My chest tightens, but I¡¯m not backing down. I step closer, my hand reaching out to touch his face. ¡°I have absolute faith in you.¡± ¡°Grayson, look at me.¡± He leans into my touch, his eyes searching mine for something¨Canswers, maybe. Or hope. ¡°I don¡¯t want to do this, Jess,¡± he says, his voice breaking. ¡°I¡¯m so tired of fighting, baby.¡± I know. I¡¯m tired too, but we have to fight. It¡¯s a long way for us to win, and I¡­ we can¡¯t lose. My heart aches as I stare at him, his eyes locked on mine. I can see the pain in them, the exhaustion, the 8:40 Fri, Sep 5 B fear. My thumb brushes over his cheek, and I feel the faintest tremor in his body. ¡°I have loved you and hated you but I never lost my trust in you, Grayson. So fight Kade. I want you to fight Kade and show everyone you¡¯re the alpha. My alpha.¡± AD Alpha Luna 154 JESSICA ¡°Shhh, it¡¯s okay.¡± : 48 55 vouchers ¡°Grayson it hurts!¡± I bit my lips looking down at him kneeling infront of me. I don¡¯t think I can do this. His hands are warm, too warm, as they trail up my thighs, pushing the fabric of my dress higher. ¡°Look at me,¡± hemands, and I do. His eyes are dark, almost ck, and they¡¯re locked on mine like he¡¯s trying to see straight through me. ¡°You can handle it,¡± he says, his voice rough, but there¡¯s a softness in the way his thumb strokes the edge of the wound. I want to argue, to pull away, but I can¡¯t. His touch is grounding, even as it sets me on fire. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have tried to copy them,¡± I whisper, my voice trembling. ¡°You never should¡¯ve,¡± he murmurs, dabbing the wound with a cloth. His jaw tightens, like he¡¯s holding back something more¡ªanger, frustration, maybe even guilt. ¡± Now, look at that. It¡¯s a big wound, huh?¡± he adds with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood. I re at him, but he just chuckles, leaning in closer. ¡°You¡¯re lucky it¡¯s just a scratch,¡± he teases, his breath warm against my skin. ¡°Next time, maybe think twice before jumping into something you¡¯re not ready for.¡± I look away, my eyes burning with unshed tears. ¡°You are so mean!¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m mean,¡± Grayson says with a grin, leaning back on his heels. ¡°But you¡¯re the one who¡¯s dumb enough to think you can pull off those moves. What were you even trying to do? Impress someone?¡± I flinch, my face heating up. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to impress anyone,¡± I mutter, fumbling with the hem of my dress. ¡°Sure, you weren¡¯t,¡± he drawls, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He tosses the bloodied cloth aside and reaches for the bandage. ¡°I mean, who doesn¡¯t want to look like a total badass, right? Too bad you ended up looking like a clumsy idiot instead.¡± ¡°Grayson!¡± I snap, my voice cracking. He smirks, wrapping the bandage around my thigh with a little too much force. ¡°Rx, princess. It could¡¯ve been worse. You could¡¯ve broken something. Or, you know, died.¡± ¡°Wow, thanks for thefort,¡± I huff, ring at him. He leans in, his face inches from mine. ¡°Anytime,¡± he says, his voice low and teasing. ¡°But next time, maybe stick to what you¡¯re good at. Like¡­ I don¡¯t know, staying out of trouble?¡± I shove him away, but he justughs, standing up and offering me a hand. 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 48 55 vouchers. I think that¡¯s the first time that Grayson has ever been so kind to me. That¡¯s also the exact moment I became sure of what I am feeling for him. And the moment I decided to hate him just so I cannot like him more. ¡°Baby, please,¡± I whisper, my voice cracking as I kneel beside Grayson. His face is a mess¨Cblood trickling from his lip, his cheek already swelling. Kade stands a few feet away, chest heaving, his fists still clenched. ¡°Grayson, wake up,¡± I beg, my hands trembling as I try to reach for him. The moon goddess, please, if you¡¯re listening, don¡¯t let him die. Not like this. I don¡¯t even realize I¡¯m saying it out loud until Kade snorts. ¡°Praying won¡¯t help him now.¡± But then Grayson groans, his eyes fluttering open. He¡¯s dazed for a moment, then his gaze locks onto Kade. And just like that, he¡¯s on his feet, lunging at him with a roar that sends chills down my spine. The shock on Kade¡¯s face is priceless¨Che didn¡¯t expect Grayson to get back up so fast. Grayson¡¯s fist ms into his gut, knocking the air out of him. Kade stumbles back, but Grayson doesn¡¯t let up. A vicious right hook to the jaw sends Kade sprawling, and he doesn¡¯t I get back up. Grayson stands over him, breathing hard, his fists still clenched. Then he turns to me, and for a moment, the anger in his eyes softens. But it¡¯s gone as quickly as it came. He stepped over Kade, his boots crunching against the dirt. Kade groaned, trying to push himself up, but Grayson was faster. He mmed his foot down on Kade¡¯s shoulder, pinning him. ¡°Stay down,¡± Grayson growled, his voice low and dangerous. Kade twisted, trying to wriggle free, but Grayson leaned in, pressing harder. The color drained from Kade¡¯s face as he hissed in pain. ¡°I said *stay down*,¡± Grayson repeated, his jaw tight. He looked like he was barely holding himself back from doing something worse. Kade¡¯s eyes flicked to me for a second, almost like he was asking for help. I didn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t. My heart was racing. Grayson straightened up, his shoulders back, and his eyes swept the crowd. Every alpha around seemed frozen, like they¡¯d just witnessed something they couldn¡¯t wrap their heads around. ¡°Anyone else?¡± he growled. He cracked his neck, still staring down the pack. ¡°Thought so.¡± A few of the alphas shifted ufortably. One muttered something under his breath, but Grayson¡¯s re shut him up fast. ¡°You got something to say?¡± Grayson took a step toward the guy, his tone daring him to speak up. ¡°Now¡¯s your chance.¡± The alpha shook his head, taking a step back, Grayson smirked, rolling his shoulders like he was just warming
  1. up.
¡°Good,¡± he said, turning back to the rest of the pack. ¡°Because let¡¯s get something straight. I don¡¯t need prayers, I don¡¯t need help, and I sure as hell don¡¯t need anyone thinking they can challenge me. You want a 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 0: piece of this?¡± He gestured to himself, his voice rising. ¡°Come and take it.¡± No one moved. 48 55.youchers Grayson¡¯s smirk widened, and he stepped closer to the crowd, his boots crunching against the dirt. ¡°I am your alpha,¡± he dered, his voice low but carrying. No one dared to breathe. One by one, the alphas knelt. Heads bowed. Eyes down. Grayson stood tall, his gaze sweeping over them, testing their loyalty. Then his eyesnded on me. I froze, my heart pounding. I could feel the weight of the pack¡¯s stares. ¡°She¡¯s my luna,¡± Grayson said, his voice softer now but still firm. He stepped closer, ignoring the whispers that rippled through the crowd. ¡°Your luna,¡± he added, his gaze locking onto mine. I hesitated, my legs trembling. But before I could kneel, Grayson was there. He cupped my face, his touch rough but gentle. ¡°You don¡¯t kneel to me,¡± he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. Then he kissed me¨Chard, possessive, but there was something else in it too. Something that made tighten. my chest When he pulled back, his eyes softened for just a second. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he said, like it was the simplest truth in the world. The pack stayed silent, but I could feel the shift in the air. Something had changed. Grayson turned back to the crowd, his voice firm again. ¡°Any objections?¡± No one spoke. ¡°Good,¡± he said, a hint of a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s make one thing clear. I lead. She¡¯s by my side. Got it?¡± The pack nodded, but I could see the tension in their eyes. Grayson didn¡¯t seem to care. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, his voice quiet but leaving no room for argument. Alpha Luna 155 JESSICA ¡°Does it hurt?¡± 48 55 vouchers I swallow hard so Grayson can¡¯t hear how much I break seeing him wounded like this. Shit. I wipe my eyes before the tears can fall. ¡°Hey, are you crying? Ugh,¡± Grayson tries to reach for my face but he just couldn¡¯t. The fight is so close and I thought I¡¯ll fucking lose him. He¡¯s sitting on the edge of the bed, his shirt ripped, blood trickling down his temple. I grab the first¨Caid kit from the dresser, my hands trembling as I rummage through it for antiseptic. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he mutters, but I know he¡¯s lying. I crouch in front of him, dabbing the cut with a cotton pad, and he hisses, his hand gripping the edge of the mattress. ¡°Sorry,¡± I murmur, my fingers brushing his skin. ¡°I was greedy, Grayson.¡± I wanted too much. To the point that I almost lost everything that I have. His eyes meet mine, intense, searching, and for a moment, the world narrows to just us. My hand moves from his thigh to his chest, feeling the beat of his heart beneath my palm. Alive. He¡¯s alive. I have to tell myself that. But for how long? I can¡¯t stop reying it¨Cthe fight, the way he lunged, the way he looked when he turned back to me, wild and furious. I can¡¯t stop wondering if I¡¯m going to wake up one day and he¡¯ll be gone. His hand slides up my arm, fingers tightening around my wrist. ¡°Stop thinking,¡± he says, his voice rough But I can¡¯t stop. My hands clutch at his shirt, trembling as I sob into his chest. ¡°I thought I was going to lose you,¡± I choke out. ¡°You can¡¯t do that to me, Grayson. You can¡¯t. I can¡¯t-¡± He cuts me off, tilting my chin up with a rough touch. His eyes are dark, intense, as he gives me a kiss. It¡¯s not soft¨Cit¡¯s desperate, messy, like he¡¯s trying to say everything he can¡¯t put into words. My fingers curl into his shoulders, pulling him closer as if he¡¯ll disappear if I let go. His hands slide down my back, gripping my waist like he¡¯s holding onto me just as tightly. I feel a shiver run through him, or maybe it¡¯s me¨CI can¡¯t tell §á§å§ß§Ú§ß§Ö ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± he murmurs against my lips, his voice rough, breaking. Tim not going anywhere.¡± But his words don¡¯t calm me. Instead, they pull another sob from my chest. He kisses me again, harder this time, like he¡¯s trying to swallow the pain, the fear, everything His hands move to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing away my tears, but they just keeping ¡°You scared me,¡± I whisper, my vone shaking ¡°You can¡¯t¨Cyou can¡¯t just durow yourself into danger like that Not without me¡± He doesn¡¯t answer Instead, he leans his forehead against mine, his breath warm and uneven. I love you so much 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 ??) 48 55 vouchers His lips leave mine, trailing down my jaw, my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. My breath hitches as his hands slide under my shirt, his fingers tracing the curve of my waist. I feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching the frantic rhythm of my own. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, my voice trembling. He pulls back just enough to look at me, his eyes wild and full of something I can¡¯t quite name. Without a word, he lifts me off the ground, carrying me to the bed like I weigh nothing. Heys me down gently, his hands never leaving my skin. ¡°You¡¯re hurt, please?¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t answer, just kisses me again, his lips soft but insistent. His hands move to the buttons of my shirt, fumbling with them until they¡¯re undone. His fingers brush against my bare skin, and I shiver. But then, he stops. His hands still, his breathing ragged as he looks at me. His eyes roam over my face, my body, like he¡¯s memorizing every inch of me. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful,¡± he murmurs, his voice so low it¡¯s almost a growl. My cheeks flush, and I can¡¯t help but look away. But he catches my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. ¡°Look at me,¡± he demands, his voice soft but firm. I do. And what I see in his eyes takes my breath away. There¡¯s something raw, something almost desperate in the way he¡¯s looking at me. ¡°I love you,¡± Grayson whispers again, trailing more kisses into my skin. Goddess, what is he doing to me? I can¡¯t hold back anymore. Grayson¡¯s lips slide lower, mouth painting heat across my stomach, and I hate how easily I give it to him- how my legs fall open the second he grunts my name like that. He grabs my thigh, forces it wider, tilts me back, and I let him. Goddess, I let him. I should fight¨C1 should scream, shove him off, remind him what he did¨Cbut my back arches instead. My breath catches. 1 look up and he¡¯s watching me like he¡¯s starving, like this is the only thing keeping him alive. My wounded alpha. Blood is still drying on his skin, his hands still shaking from war, and he¡¯s here¨Cpinning me open like it¡¯s the only way to prove he made it bark Tm spent. He growled in my car, canines grazing against my carlobe I need to feel something, Jess My core clenched, understanding what he needs from me Make it hurt,¡® I said 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 I don¡¯t care if he¡¯s bleeding, or if this is his way of bleeding out what¡¯s left of his rage. Right now, all I want is him. Even this angry version of him. Grayson chuckled lowly. ¡± Are you sure?¡± Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He¡¯s teasing my entrance with his cock, making me a desperate whimpering mess. 48 155 vouchers ¡°Grayson!¡± I howled, pushing my hips just so he could already push himself inside me. This is torture. ¡°Fuck me, please.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so impatient,¡± he murmured, his lips grazing my ear. ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± I bit my lip, trying to stifle the moan threatening to escape as he dipped his fingers lower, teasing me in ways that made my head spin. ¡°I need-¡± I started, but he cut me off with a lowugh. ¡°You need what?¡± he asked, his tone dripping with mock innocence. I red at him, but it only made him chuckle harder. He didn¡¯t make me wait any longer. With a groan, he pushed into me, slow and deep, until I felt him everywhere. My breath caught, and I moaned, the sound catching in my throat as he filled mepletely. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he said, his lips brushing against my ear. ¡°You take me so fucking well.¡± I couldn¡¯t speak, couldn¡¯t think¨Call I could do was feel. His movements were possessive, almost primal, as if he was iming every inch of me. And I wanted him to. I wanted him to erase everything else, to make me forget anything but this moment. ¡°Tell me he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°Tell me how it feels.¡± ¡°It¡¯s it¡¯s too much,¡± I managed to say, my voice breaking as he pushed deeper. ¡°Too much?¡± he asked, his voice teasing. ¡°Or not enough?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I gasped, my hands clutching at his shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know anymore.¡± Hisws dug into my hips, not enough to break skin, but enough to let me know he was holding back¨Cjust barely I whimpered, my nails raking down his back, scratching at the muscle there. He growled low in his Duroat, the sound vibrating through me ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he snarled, his voice rough, almost feral ¡°Say it¡± I gasped, my head falling back as he hit a spot that made my vision blur ¡°Yours.¡± I choked out, the word a desperate plea ¡°Always yours 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 48 R55 vouchers His lips crashed into mine, hungry and demanding, his tongue iming my mouth just as his body was iming the rest of me. I couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t breathe¨Call I could do was cling to him, willing him to take everything, to make me forget the world outside. 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 Chapter 156 Alpha Luna 156 Chapter 156 JESSICA Grayson looks peaceful. 48 55 vouchers I took a deep breath and stared at his sleeping face. My body hurts like hell and I¡¯m swollen. He was amazingst night. So amazing I am sure the whole forest heard my moans. But now, in the quiet of the morning, doubts creep in. What happens when he wakes up? What are we doing here? What am I going to do? I keep attracting dangerous situations and he keeps being in danger for me. I brush a strand of hair from his forehead, my fingers trembling. ¡°I love you,¡± I whisper, though he¡¯s too deep in sleep to hear. ¡± I love you so much baby.¡± The sound of birds chirping outside feels too cheerful for the storm in my chest. I slide out of bed, wincing as my muscles protest. Grayson stirs but doesn¡¯t wake. I can¡¯t stay here. I didn¡¯t know this ce existed either. A pack of alphas? I can only process that information now that I¡¯m outside seeing where we are. It¡¯s nothing special. Just a bunch of trees and wooden houses. My ears picked up on the faintest sounds¨Cpanting, growling, the crunch of leaves under paws. I froze. From the shadows, amber eyes glowed. One by one, they emerged. Wolves. No¨Cnot just wolves. Alphas. Their fur bristled, muscles rippling as they circled me. I should¡¯ve been terrified, but instead, something inside me stirred. Thergest one stepped forward, its head low, eyes locked on mine. Shit. I didn¡¯t know they were doing some routines in the early morning. Thergest alpha stepped closer, its amber eyes locked on mine. I clenched my fists, my body tense, but I didn¡¯t back down. ¡°What do you want?¡± I spat, my voice trembling despite my bravado. It tilted its head, almost like it was amused, then let out a low, rumbling growl that sent shivers down my spine. My breath quickened, my pulse racing as it circled me, its fur brushing against my leg. I could feel the heat radiating off its body, and my cheeks flushed. ¡°Stop messing with me,¡± I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. But the alpha just snorted, nosing at my side before yfully nipping at my hand before it transformed into his human form. 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 Kade. I jerked back, fully shocked at the sudden transformation. He stood there all naked making me terribly blush. 48 55 vouchers ¡°You¡¯re in our territory, little omega,¡± he purred, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Where¡¯s Grayson?¡± I crossed my arms, trying to hide how shaky I felt. ¡°He¡¯s¡­still sleeping.¡± He stepped closer, and I could feel the heat of him, even though he wasn¡¯t touching me. His scent¨Cpine and something wild¨Cfilled my lungs. My heart thudded so loud I was sure he could hear it. ¡°So, he left you here alone?¡± he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°You know it¡¯s not safe for little omegas like you.¡± Before I could react, his hand shot out, fingers brushing my arm like a predator testing its prey. My instincts red, and my ws unsheathed with a sharp snick. I swiped at him, the tips grazing his chest. He hissed, stepping back but grinning like he¡¯d been waiting for this. ¡°Feisty little thing, aren¡¯t you?¡± My breath came in short, sharp bursts, and the forest around us seemed to close in. I could feel his pack watching from the shadows, their eyes gleaming like amber in the moonlight. ¡°Stay back,¡± I growled, my voice deeper, more animal than human. Heughed, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down my spine. ¡°Oh, I like it when they fight back.¡± I didn¡¯t wait. I lunged, wed out, aiming for his throat. But he was faster, catching my wrist and spinning me around. His chest pressed against my back, his breath hot on my neck. ¡°Careful, little wolf,¡± he whispered, his teeth grazing my ear. ¡°You might just awaken something you can¡¯t handle. ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s that?¡± His lips curved into a smirk, and he leaned in closer, his tongue flicking against his bottom lip. ¡°Me,¡± he said, his voice dropping to a growl. His hand slid down my arm, his grip loosening, but his presence was still overwhelming. The forest around us felt alive, the scent of pine and earth sharp in my nose. He let go suddenly, stepping back with a dangerous glint in his eyes. ¡°You hungry?¡± he asked, his tone casual, like he hadn¡¯t just pinned me in a way that made my blood boil and my cheeks burn. I red at him, crossing my arms over my chest. ¡°What?¡± His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might lunge at me again. But instead, he smirked, his gaze 10:30 Sat, Sep 6 48 55 vouchers dropping to my lips. ¡°Breakfast,¡± he said, his voice low and teasing. ¡°Unless you¡¯d rather starve.¡± I rolled my eyes, but my stomach growled, betraying me. ¡°You just assaulted me then now you¡¯re offering me breakfast?¡± He chuckled, falling into step beside me. ¡°Don¡¯t be such a girl, Jessica.¡± ¡°You¡¯re such an ass,¡± I muttered, brushing past him. He chuckled, falling into step beside me. ¡°I know.¡± Five minutester, I¡¯m here sitting in front of the pack, well, the alpha¡¯s eating breakfast with them. Actually, I can¡¯t even swallow the damn meal because they are all staring at me. ¡°Don¡¯t make herfortable boys,¡± Kade said, enjoying his cup of coffee. ¡°You all heard how much she worked hardst night.¡± The othersughed, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down my spine. My cheeks burned, and I dropped my fork with a tter. ¡°You know, Omegas always have this¡­ scent.¡± One of them said, leaning closer, his nostrils ring. ¡°Yeah? And all alphas stink, right?¡± I shot back, my voice trembling but fierce. Kade¡¯s eyes darkened, and he set his cup down slowly, the sound echoing in the silent room. ¡°You¡¯ve got a mouth on you,¡± he said, his tone equal parts dangerous and yful. ¡°I like that.¡± ¡°Good. Because I¡¯m not afraid of any of you.¡± Kade¡¯s smirk widened, and he slowly rose from his seat, his movements deliberate, predatory. He circled the table like a wolf stalking its prey, his eyes never leaving mine. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. He stopped inches from me, his scent overwhelming, a mix of pine and something darker, more primal. ¡°You¡¯re fierce,¡± he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. ¡°But are you fierce enough?¡± Before I could reply, the door mmed open, and there he was¨CGrayson. His presence was like a thunderp, his eyes zing with fury as he took in the scene. ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± he growled, his voice low and dangerous. Kade straightened up, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°Just having a little breakfast chat. Nothing to worry about.¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw clenched, and in two strides, he was in front of me, his hands gripping the arms of my chair as he leaned down. His face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°Mine,¡± he said, his voice a low, possessive growl. Then his lips were on mine. It was sudden, unexpected, and way too intense. His lips were firm, demanding, and for a split second, I forgot how to breathe. Then the whistles started¨Csharp, teasing sounds from the others in the room. My cheeks red, and I could feel the heat spreading down my neck. ¡­ 48 55 vouchers Grayson pulled back just enough to search my face, his eyes dark and intense. ¡°Hi baby.¡± ¡°Damn, Grayson,¡± someone muttered from the back of the room. Laughter followed, but it was cut short when Grayson shot them a re that could¡¯ve melted steel. He straightened up, keeping one hand on the back of my chair like he was staking a im. I finally found my voice, though it came out as a shaky whisper. ¡°What¨Cwhat was that for?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he turned to Kade, who was still smirking like he¡¯d won some kind of game. ¡°Stay away from her,¡± Grayson warned, his voice low and dangerous. Kade raised his hands in mock surrender, but his smirk didn¡¯t fade. ¡°Whatever you say, boss.¡± Alpha Luna 157 apter 157 JESSICA ¡°So, let me get this straight, all of you are alpha¡¯s in your pack but then here, you¡¯re the alpha?¡± 55 vouchers Grayson chuckles as he settles me on hisp, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he says, his voice low and teasing. ¡°But don¡¯t let it go to your head. You¡¯re still mine.¡± His fingers tracezy circles on my hip, and I can feel the heat of his body even through my clothes. The others are doing some rounds while I¡¯m left with Grayson and Kade and some other alphas who look as feral and powerful as them too. What the hell? Howe I didn¡¯t know such kind of things existed? Kade leans against the wall, his arms crossed, watching us with a sharp gaze. ¡°What? You didn¡¯t tell her anything even if you¡¯re willing to risk all of us just to save her?¡± I nce at him, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Grayson¡¯s grip on me tightens, his chin resting on my shoulder. ¡°Ignore him,¡± he murmurs, his breath warm against my neck. ¡°Kade¡¯s just pissed because he doesn¡¯t like sharing.¡± The other alphas in the room exchange looks, their expressions unreadable but tense. One of them, a tall guy with piercing green eyes, steps forward. ¡°She¡¯s a hybrid, Grayson. You know what that means. She¡¯s a risk.¡± Grayson growls low in his throat, his fingers curling into my side. ¡°She¡¯s mine. End of discussion.¡± I know that. Everyone knows that. But a risks? What are they talking about?¡± I whisper, turning to Grayson. He presses a kiss to my temple, but his jaw is tight. ¡°Nothing you need to worry about,¡± he says, though his tone doesn¡¯t convince me. Kade pushes off the wall, his eyes narrowing. ¡°She¡¯s not just a risk to us, Grayson. She¡¯s a risk to herself. You think the other packs won¡¯te for her?¡± Grayson¡¯s grip on me turns almost painful, his protectiveness turning into something darker. ¡°Later, Kade.¡± No. No. I locked my gaze at him and shook my head. If there¡¯s something that ising after me, I don¡¯t need his protection. I can do that for myself. ¡°Tell me about it, Grayson!¡± He sighs, his fingers brushing my cheek. ¡°It¡¯splicated. But you¡¯re safe with me. Always.¡± The green¨Ceyed alpha steps closer, his voice cold. ¡°You¡¯re putting a target on all of us, Grayson. You think they¡¯ll just let a hybrid walk free? She¡¯s a threat to the bnce.¡± 14:25 Sun, Sep 7 ¡­ Grayson¡¯s growl deepens, and I feel his body tense beneath me. ¡°I said *enough*.¡± 55 55 vouchers Kade shakes his head, frustration clear on his face. ¡°You¡¯re blinded by her, Grayson. And it¡¯s going to get us all killed.¡± I feel like I¡¯m trapped into something here. When I told Grayson to trust me, I meant it. I meant it so I could run away but he never let me. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, my hand sliding up to his jaw. ¡°We need to talk. What¡¯s the n? Why did you bring me here?¡± He takes a deep breath, his fingers tracing circles on my back. ¡°I came here because I thought they¡¯d help us. Not question every damn decision I make.¡± Kade scoffs. ¡°Help us? Help *you*, you mean. You¡¯re the one dragging a hybrid into our territory.¡°. Grayson¡¯s grip on me tightens. ¡°She¡¯s not a threat. She¡¯s-¡± ¡°Different?¡± Kade interrupts, his voice sharp. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve heard that before. And every time, it ends the same way. Blood. Chaos. Are you really willing to risk that?¡± I feel Grayson¡¯s chest rise and fall with a heavy breath. His other hand brushes my hair back, fingers lingering against my neck like he¡¯s trying to calm himself. ¡°I didn¡¯te here for a lecture,¡± he snaps. ¡°I came here because we need allies. Not enemies.¡± ¡°This is pathetic,¡± Kade said before walking out. Others follow him instantly, leaving Grayson and I alone. I don¡¯t know what to feel for him. The pack seems to be falling and losing their trust on him and that is because of me. ¡°I should just..go, you know,¡± I said, trembling and trying to stop myself from crying. ¡± Maybe, if I run long enough, no one will get hurt again.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Grayson interrupts, his voice firm. He steps closer, his hands gripping my shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m not letting you run. Not from this. Not from me.¡± ¡°But they don¡¯t trust you anymore,¡± I whisper, my eyes welling up. ¡°And it¡¯s because of me.¡± Grayson¡¯s expression softens, his thumbs brushing against my arms. ¡°They don¡¯t get to decide what¡¯s best for us. We do.¡± He pulls me into his chest, his arms wrapping around me tightly. ¡°We¡¯ll make a n,¡± he murmurs into my hair. ¡°A real one. Not just fighting, not just running. We¡¯ll find a way to make this work. But you¡¯re not doing it alone.¡± ¡°And what if it doesn¡¯t?¡± I ask, my voice muffled against his shirt. ¡°What if the only solution is for me to get killed?¡± Grayson¡¯s grip tightens, his fingers digging into my back like he¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll vanish. ¡°Then I¡¯ll die with you,¡± he says, his voice low and steady. ¡°But I¡¯m not letting you go. Ever.¡± 55 55 vouchers I look up at him, searching his eyes for hesitation, but there¡¯s none. Just that stubborn, unwavering resolve that both infuriates and anchors me. ¡°We¡¯ll find another way,¡± he insists, his hand cupping my face. ¡°We always do. But we¡¯ll do it together. No more running. No more hiding.¡± I nod slowly, tears spilling over. His thumb wipes them away, his touch gentle but firm. ¡°Stay with me,¡± he whispers, his forehead pressing against mine. ¡°That¡¯s all I need. Just stay.¡± His other hand grips my wrist, his fingers warm and slightly trembling. He pulls me into him, his arms wrapping around me like a shield. His breath is uneven against my ear, and I can feel the tension coiled in his body. *He¡¯s scared. He¡¯s always so strong, but he¡¯s scared right now.* ¡°Grayson,¡± I say softly, my fingers trailing up his back. ¡°You don¡¯t have to hold on so tight. It¡¯s okay if you want to let me go.¡± It¡¯s okay as long it won¡¯t cost your life. ¡°Stop,¡± he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. ¡°Just fucking stop, Jess. What the fuck are you saying?¡± I bit my lips and tilt my head so the tears won¡¯t fall. This is damn pitiful but I already thought about it. I¡¯ve done everything to survive. In fact, it¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing for so long and now I¡¯m just fucking tired. My ambition costs me my pack and friends but hearing how Grayson wants to risk himself for me again, I don¡¯t think I can take that. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, Grayson,¡± I whisper, my voice breaking. ¡°I¡¯m not worth it. I¡¯ve already lost too much. I can¡¯t lose you too.¡± His hands slide to my face, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are dark, burning with something that makes my chest ache. ¡°You¡¯re not going to lose me,¡± he says, his voice low and fierce. ¡°But you don¡¯t get to decide what I¡¯m willing to risk. That¡¯s on me.¡± His thumb brushes away a tear I didn¡¯t realize had fallen, and for a second, it feels like he¡¯s the only thing keeping me from crumbling. 14:26 Sun, Sep Alpha Luna 158 JESSICA Grayson never learns. E55 vouchers As much as he¡¯s stubborn, I am more. And let¡¯s be honest, the guy¡¯s a walking disaster with a temper shorter than my patience. Seriously, does he ever *think* before he acts? Probably not. I kick at the dry branches on the ground, the crackling sound satisfying even if it¡¯s just me and the moon out here. Waiting. Always waiting for him to catch up. I pace, my boots crunching on the brittle leaves, and I can¡¯t help but roll my eyes. Does he really think I¡¯m going to let him sacrifice himself for me? I stop and stare up at the moon, its pale light spilling over the trees. Grayson, Kade and the others are having some close door meeting. So I have time to set this up. My pacing pauses when I hear footsteps. Not Grayson¡¯s heavy, confident stride. No, this is lighter, deliberate, like someone¡¯s toying with me. I whip around, and there he is. Dark hair, sharp jaw, and a smirk that could melt ice¨Cor start a fight. He leans against a tree, arms crossed, like he¡¯s been watching me the whole time. ¡°Lost?¡± he asks, his voice smooth as silk but with a bite. I narrow my eyes. ¡°Nope. Just wondering how long it¡¯d take you to stop creeping.¡± He chuckles, low and throaty, pushing off the tree with azy grace that screams predator. ¡°Creeping? Not really, hybrid.¡± This is one of the alphas, and damn, he knows it. My jaw tightens as he steps closer, his scent hitting me. He tilts his head, his golden eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. ¡°You know, for someone who¡¯s supposed to be rare and powerful, you look so¡­disturbed and, well, stupid.¡± my lips curl into a snarl before I can stop it. ¡°Wow,ing from the guy who probably spends hours in front of a mirror perfecting his ¡®I¡¯m dangerously hot¡® routine.¡± He smirks, the corner of his mouth quivering in a way that¡¯s annoyingly charming. ¡°So you think I¡¯m hot? Damn, Grayson will go berserk if he heard that, omega.¡± Seriously, how manybels this guy is going to give me? ¡°Rx, omega,¡± he says, his voice low, almost a growl. His eyes flick over me, lingering just a second too long. ¡°I¡¯m not here to bite. Not yet, anyway.¡± My lips twitch, but I don¡¯t smile. ¡°Helpful. Really helpful, Jack.¡± 14:26 Sun, Sep 7 Jack. Yes, that¡¯s his freaking name. 55 E55 vouchers He approached me earlier telling me that he can help me with our situation. Grayson had a n for us but he never included me. It¡¯s his n for us but it will never be our n. One thing that I¡¯ve learned through everything is that Grayson never trusts anyone¨Cnot even me. And Jack? He¡¯s the exact opposite. Cocky, smug, and annoyingly confident. But right now, I don¡¯t have many options. Jack tilts his head, a glint of mischief in his wolfish eyes. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking, omega. Just say the word, and I¡¯ll make sure Grayson¡¯s little n doesn¡¯t blow up in your face.¡± I cross my arms, feeling the tension in my shoulders. ¡°Why should I trust you?¡± He shrugs, taking a step closer. ¡°Because you don¡¯t have a choice. And deep down, you know Grayson¡¯s way isn¡¯t the only way.¡± My jaw tightens. ¡°Grayson¡¯s kept us alive this long.¡± Jack¡¯s grin falters for a second. ¡°Surviving isn¡¯t the same as living.¡± I blink, caught off guard. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± He doesn¡¯t answer. Instead, he starts walking, motioning for me to follow. I hesitate but step forward, my boots crunching on the dry leaves. The forest is quiet, too quiet. My senses prickle¨Csomething¡¯s off. Jack nces back, his smirk returning. ¡°Rx. I¡¯d know if anyone was watching. I¡¯ve got a sixth sense for trouble.¡± ¡°Great. So, you¡¯re basically a walking rm system,¡± I mutter. Heughs, low and rough. ¡°Something like that. Now, keep up. We¡¯ve got a lot to cover before Grayson throws another tantrum.¡± I roll my eyes but follow. One thing¡¯s for sure¨Cthis guy¡¯s trouble. But right now, trouble might be exactly what I need. After a few minutes of walking, Jack stops. It¡¯s foolish for me to follow him. I know that now. We reach the ridge, and I stop short. Below us, the pack¡¯s vige stretches out, nestled in the valley like it¡¯s been there forever. The faint glow of fires flickers between the trees, and the low hum of voices carries up, carried on the wind. It¡¯s alive. Primal. My throat tightens, and I swear I can feel the pulse of it in my veins. He nces at me, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Impressed?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ something,¡± I say, trying to keep my tone casual, but my chest feels heavy, like I¡¯m standing on the edge of something I can¡¯t quite name. : 55 55 vouchers ¡°Yeah, fascinating,¡± he mutters, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Then he steps closer, his presence like a storm rolling in. ¡°But don¡¯t get toofortable. This isn¡¯t some fairy tale. Out here, you either keep up or get left behind.¡± His eyes sh gold for a split second, and I feel my breath hitch. ¡°The alphas are not very happy with you, Jessica.¡± ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know that?¡± Jack¡¯s smirk doesn¡¯t reach his eyes this time. ¡°Grayson¡¯s keeping secrets from you. Important ones.¡± My stomach knots. ¡°Like what?¡± He leans in, breath hot against my ear. ¡°Tonight, you¡¯ll bleed for him. Bite and brand. That¡¯s the way of the pack. You¡¯ll be initiated.¡± Initiated? I frown, not really knowing what that means, but the way he says it sends a chill down my spine. ¡°Properly initiated?¡± I echo, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Yeah,¡± he says, leaning in. ¡°You¡¯ve been on the edges too long, Jess. Grayson¡¯s tired of waiting. Tonight, you¡¯ll be marked. Branded. One of us, for real.¡± ¡°Branded?¡± My heart kicks up a notch, and my palms start to sweat. ¡°You mean¡­ like, literally?¡± ¡°Literally,¡± he confirms, his grin widening. ¡°A bite. From Grayson himself. It¡¯ll burn like hell, but it¡¯ll seal your ce in the pack. No more second chances after that.¡± I swallow hard, my mind racing. A bite? From Grayson? The thought of his teeth sinking into my skin makes my stomach twist, but there¡¯s something else there too¨Ca prickling curiosity, a pull I can¡¯t ignore. ¡°What happens if I say no?¡± I ask, even though I already know the answer. Jack¡¯s eyes go cold, and his smile vanishes. ¡°You don¡¯t get to say no.¡± Why is Jack the one telling me this? Where¡¯s Grayson? The pack dynamics feel off, like I¡¯m missing something big. I nce around, half¨Cexpecting Grayson to appear, his presence looming like a storm. But it¡¯s just Jack, standing too close, his wolfish eyes locked on mine. ¡°Grayson doesn¡¯t exin things,¡± Jack says, as if reading my thoughts. ¡°He¡¯s not allowed to say these things too.¡± ¡°And you are?¡± Jack did not say anything after that. This is insane. We had so much time to talk about it. He got so much time for him to tell me about it but he chose not to! Alpha Luna 159 JESSICA : 55 55 vouchers There¡¯s a total of 12 alphas in this pack vige. Grayson¡¯s been their alpha since the start. That¡¯s also 12 packs that are being protected by them. Children, women and warriors. It¡¯s enough to offer protection for us and start to hunt the hybrids and bring them down. But, that also means a 12 vige pack that will be put at risk just to save some life. Am I selfish? No. All my life, I¡¯ve devoted it to being a warrior. That made me tough and cold but never heartless. I want to be a warrior to not just be strong but also to protect our vige. Grayson¡¯s always been the same way, but tonight, he went too far. Is he really willing to sacrifice that much just for me? The moon¡¯s rising, full and heavy, and the wolf in me stirs, restless. I can¡¯t show weakness, not now. After my talk with Jack, I have these thoughts. If I run away now, then I¡¯ll stop whatever Grayson n is but that also means I¡¯ll be forever severing our bond and he¡¯ll probably never forgive me. If I run away right now, I¡¯ll save his soul by sacrificing so many wolves for me. The moonlight cuts through the trees, casting long shadows that seem to w at the ground. My thoughts are a tangled mess, like the roots beneath my feet. Grayson¡¯s always been the alpha, the leader, the protector. But tonight, he crossed a line. His wolf was too close to the surface, too raw, too dangerous. I can still feel the heat of his anger radiating off him, like a bonfire about to consume everything in its path. My fingers twitch, itching to reach out, to calm him, but I know better. He¡¯s not just my alpha¨Che¡¯s my anchor, my other half. And right now, he¡¯s teetering on the edge of something I can¡¯t pull him back from. If I leave, I save him. But if I stay, I¡¯m asking him to burn down everything he¡¯s built for me. The pack, the viges, the lives¨Cthey¡¯re all in his hands. My wolf is restless, pacing inside me, torn between loyalty and survival. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s right anymore. All I know is, if I let him do this, there¡¯s no going back. And I¡¯m not sure I can live with that ¡°Hey, here you are,¡± Grayson¡¯s words pull me back into my reality. He¡¯s standing a few feet away, his hands stuffed in his pockets, like he¡¯s holding himself back. ¡°Yeah,¡± I say, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Just needed some air.¡± 14:26 Sun, Sep 7 : 55 55 vouchers He nods, his eyes searching mine. Then, without warning, he closes the distance between us, his arms wrapping around me in a tight, almost desperate hug. ¡°I couldn¡¯t find you,¡± he murmurs into my hair, his voice trembling. ¡°I thought you left.¡± I melt into his embrace, my fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt. ¡°I¡¯m right here, Gray. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± He pulls back just enough to look at me, his eyes dark with emotion. ¡°Promise?¡± ¡°Promise,¡± I say, rising on my toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. He doesn¡¯t let me go far, his hand cupping the back of my neck as he deepens the kiss, slow and achingly sweet. When we finally break apart, I¡¯m breathless, my cheeks flushed. ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Iugh, pushing him back yfully. ¡°Are you done with your meeting?¡± Grayson grins, that lopsided, irresistible smile that always unravels me. ¡°Done? Not even close. But you¡¯re way more important.¡± His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer again. I can feel the warmth of his body, the way his breath hitches just slightly when I press against him. ¡°You¡¯re clingy today,¡± I tease, tipping my head back to look at him. ¡°Can¡¯t help it,¡± he murmurs, his lips brushing my forehead. ¡°You¡¯re impossible to let go of.¡± I roll my eyes but melt a little anyway. His arms tighten around me, and he nuzzles into my neck, leaving soft kisses along my skin. Iugh, squirming, but he¡¯s relentless. ¡°Grayson,¡± I protest, but ites out breathless. ¡°What?¡± he mumbles, not stopping. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be working.¡± ¡°I am,¡± he says, lifting his head just enough to meet my eyes. His are dark, intense, and I feel that familiar pull in my chest. ¡°I¡¯ll work you up a little bit before I go back.¡± ¡°You¡¯re trying to distract me,¡± I say, but my voice is shaky. ¡°Is it working?¡± he asks, his lips grazing my car. I shiver, my hands gripping his shoulders for support. ¡°Maybe,¡± I admit. He chuckles, low and deep, and his hands move higher, exploring, teasing. I can¡¯t think straight, my mind foggy with the heat of him. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whisper, my voice barely audible. He pulls back, his eyes locking on mine. ¡°Look at me, Jessica.¡± §á§Ú§á§Ö. .. against the wall. My breath hitches as his body presses into He doesn¡¯t wait. His hands are everywhere, rough and demanding, tearing at my clothes. I feel the cool air hit my skin, and then his mouth is on my neck, biting just enough to make me gasp. ¡°Shit. I want you, Jess,¡± he growls, his voice dark and possessive. Grayson slipped two fingers inside of me and began to slowly work me up. My back arches, and I bite my lip to keep from crying out. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whimper, his name a plea on my lips. He doesn¡¯t answer. Instead, he spins me around, pinning my chest against the wall. His hands grip my wrists, holding them in ce above my head. ¡°Stay still,¡± he mutters, his breath hot against my neck. I feel him behind me, his hardness pressing against my backside. His other hand tugs at my hair, forcing my head back. ¡°I wanna hear you,¡± he demands, his voice rough. I moan, unable to hold it in any longer. His fingers curl inside me, hitting that spot that makes my legs shake. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he mutters, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°You¡¯re so fucking tight.¡± He pulls his hand away, and I whimper at the sudden emptiness. But before I can protest, he¡¯s on his knees, his tongue recing his fingers. I gasp, my hands tangled in his hair as he licks and teases me, his mouth working me into a frenzy. ¡°Grayson, please,¡± I beg, my voice broken. He stands, towering over me, his eyes wild. ¡°You want me?¡± he growls. I nod, unable to speak, my body trembling with need. ¡°Say it,¡± he demands, his hand gripping my throat just hard enough to make my pulse race. ¡°I¨CI want you,¡± I stammer, my voice shaking. ¡°Please¡­please!¡± My pussy clenched around his fingers, and I bit another whimper. ¡°You¡¯re so desperate, aren¡¯t you?¡± he taunts, his voice low and dripping with amusement. Before I can respond, he grabs my hips and force me into my knees. I gasp, heat spreading through me as he chuckles darkly. ¡°Such a good little toy,¡± he mutters, his fingers tracing the curve of my jaw. I know what he wants me to do. Grayson smirks, his eyes dark and predatory as he watches me fumble with his belt. My hands are shaking, clumsy with need, but he doesn¡¯t help. He just waits, his breath heavy, his jaw tight. Finally, I get it open, and ¡­ 55 55 vouchers his pants fall to his thighs. I don¡¯t even have time to think before he¡¯s grabbing my hair again, forcing my face to his cock. ¡°Lick it,¡± he growls. I obey, my tongue moving tentatively along his length. He groans, his grip tightening in my hair. ¡°Faster,¡± he snaps, and I do, my mouth working him until he¡¯s hard and throbbing in my hand. ¡°You can do better than that, girl.¡± I swallow hard, my lips parting as he pushes himself into my mouth. He¡¯s rough, unforgiving, and I can¡¯t keep up. He pulls me back by my hair, his cock shining with my spit, and chuckles darkly. ¡°You¡¯re such a mess,¡± he taunts, his fingers tracing my swollen lips. ¡°Such a pretty mess.¡± I nod, tears pooling in my eyes. Grayson¡¯s trying to hit the back of my throat. He¡¯s so fucking big and I don¡¯t think I can take him. I gag, tears welling in my eyes, but he doesn¡¯t stop. ¡°Take it,¡± he growls, his voice urgent, low, and dangerous. His hands dig into my hair, pulling me closer until I can¡¯t breathe. My hands clutch at his hips, trying to push him away, but he¡¯s too strong. He thrusts into my mouth, rough and punishing, each movement a demand for submission. I choke, my body trembling, but he doesn¡¯t care. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he whispers, his voice dripping with a twisted kind of sweetness. ¡°You¡¯re doing so good for me.¡± ¡°You like this, don¡¯t you?¡± he taunts, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. ¡°You love it when I make you suffer.¡± I shake my head, but he just smirks, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulls m¨¨ closer. ¡°Liar,¡± he says, his tone yful but cruel. ¡°You¡¯re dripping for me already.¡± He slows down, just enough to let me gasp for air, but it¡¯s not mercy¨Cit¡¯s torture. His thumb brushes over my bottom lip, and he leans in, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°Beg me to stop,¡± he says, his voice soft but demanding. ¡°Please, I choke out, my voice trembling. ¡°Please, Grayson, I can¡¯t¡ª¡± That¡¯s a lie. I¡¯m enjoying this. I need more of him so I can feel something. He cuts me off with another thrust, deeper this time, and I feel myself losing consciousness. Just as everything goes ck, he pulls away, leaving me coughing and gasping for air. Alpha Luna 160 Chapter 160 GRAYSON 89 55 vouchers After Jessica fell asleep, Iy beside her, thoroughly exhausted from ravishing her. I needed to sleep. I needed to calm my damn mind from everything but I just couldn¡¯t. How can I fucking do that when I¡¯m going to ruin her? Fuck it. The alphas wanted to make sure there¡¯s no way out for us here. They wanted me to mark her as soon as possible. Tonight. It¡¯s a good damn thing I was able to tell them to give me a week to think. Make peace with all of this. I am sure about marking her. Been sure since long ago. But Jessica is a trouble I cannot untangle. She¡¯s a trouble I always seek too. She¡¯s been through a lot already and when I¡¯m going to mark her, I want her to be sure of it. I don¡¯t want her half¨Chearted or doubting whatever we have and we can have in the future. I¡¯m all aware of everything now. Jess has some ambitions. Those ambitions cost lives and it costs me my whole pack. I¡¯m far beyond that. All I want is her. All I want is this. Jessica moved and I wondered if she knew how much I love watching her sleep. She can snore all she wants but I¡¯ll always be down on my knees for her. Jessica may have cost me my whole pack but she¡¯s my whole life now. And if she declines getting marked by me? I don¡¯t know what will happen to me by then. I¡¯ll probably join some cult or follow her everywhere just so I can have her again. Sometimes, when I look at her I¡¯m reminded of how much moon blessed I am. And how much trouble she caused us to be in these circumstances. Of course, I¡¯m not stupid. I¡¯m not blinded by my love for her. No matter how much I stay silent when other alphas criticize me for being with her after everything, I know they have a point. She¡¯s strong yet she¡¯s stupid. 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 It¡¯s funny because that¡¯s been my conclusion. : ? 89 155 vouchers I didn¡¯t want to think about anything else so I got up and decided to just blow off some steam outside. I pulled on a fresh shirt, the fabric stretching across my shoulders as I stepped outside. The night air bit into my skin, sharp and cold, but I weed it. Anything to clear my head. Kade was already there, leaning against the oak tree at the edge of the clearing, his arms crossed, his posture rxed but dangerous. You could always tell when Kade was thinking¨Chis jaw tightened, his eyes went distant, like he was staring straight through you. Although we fought, both of us know our best interest is maintaining the peace in this pack. ¡°You look like hell,¡± Kade said, his voice low. ¡°Feel like it,¡± I muttered, running a hand through my hair. I leaned against the tree beside him, the bark rough against my back. ¡°Alphas are breathing down my neck. They want her marked. Now.¡± Kade let out a low growl, his eyes shing in the moonlight. ¡°They¡¯re always in a fucking hurry. Like they¡¯ve never had to wait for anything in their lives.¡± ¡°Say you,¡± I shot back, making him chuckle. There¡¯s a lot of things that I don¡¯t agree with Kade but none of them is about his strength to lead this pack. He can easily overthrow me if he wants. Sometimes, I think he¡¯s stronger than me but like me, he¡¯s also a fool for someone to let this world consume him. ¡°At least you¡¯re getting some,¡± he muttered, his gaze sliding to the campfire where a few of the pack were gathered. I snorted. ¡°Not the point, Kade. You¡¯re too busy ying the lone wolf to see what¡¯s right in front of you.¡± He stopped pacing, his shoulders tense, and turned to face me. The moonlight caught the sharp angles of his face, making him look even more dangerous. ¡°And what¡¯s that, huh?¡± ¡°That this pack needs a leader who¡¯s not constantly looking for a fight,¡± I said, my voice low but firm. ¡°You think I don¡¯t see it? The way you¡¯re always on the edge, ready to snap?¡± His eyes narrowed, that alpha fire burning brighter. For a second, I thought he¡¯d lunge. Instead, he took a step back, his expression unreadable. ¡°Just don¡¯t forget who¡¯s got your back.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± I shot back, my tone cutting. The silence between us was heavy, broken only by the distant howl of a wolf. Kade¡¯s gaze drifted to the trees, his fingers flexing at his sides like he was ready to shift. The howl echoed again, closer this time, a low, guttural sound that set my teeth on edge. Kade¡¯s head snapped toward the trees, his nostrils ring as he inhaled the scent carried on the wind. ¡°Rogues,¡± he muttered. I let out a snarl, body tensing and ready to snap some neck. Right. Just some steam I need to blow off but before I can even shift, Kade stops me, shaking his head. 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 89 55 vouchers ¡°You let them see you now, and they¡¯ll know exactly what we¡¯re hiding inside this vige. We need to y this smart.¡± Damn it. He¡¯s fucking right. No one knows Jessica and I am here. If they did, then we¡¯d be dead. ¡°They¡¯re on our territory, Kade. I¡¯m not just gonna stand here and let them sniff around.¡± His grip tightened, his eyes locking onto mine with a ferocity that made even me hesitate. ¡°You think I don¡¯t want to tear them apart? But we¡¯re not just fighting rogues anymore. This is bigger than us. Jessica¡¯s life is on the line. You shift, you lose her. Are you ready to risk that?¡± I red at him, my jaw clenching so hard it hurt. He was right, damn him. I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing my wolf back down. The howl came again, closer still, and I could almost taste their stench on the wind. ¡°Fine,¡± I spat. ¡°But if they step one paw inside this vige, I¡¯m going full wolf, and you¡¯re not stopping me.¡± Kade gave me a slow nod, his hand dropping from my shoulder. ¡°Deal. But until then, I¡¯m the alpha. Go and get your girl, Grayson. It¡¯s time to hide.¡± Ìï 1 Alpha Luna 161 Chapter 161 GRAYSON Damn it. : 89 55 vouchers Every instinct in me is begging for blood. Rogues. Their stench is everywhere, crawling into my lungs. scratching at my wolf until he¡¯s wing against my skin. I should shift. I should tear through them, rip their throats wide, and let the forest drink what spills. That¡¯s who I am. That¡¯s who I¡¯ve always been. The beast that doesn¡¯t hesitate. But now¡­ now there¡¯s Jessica. She¡¯s in there, sleeping, breathing soft, the only sound in this rotten world that keeps me tethered. She has no idea how fragile it all is¨Chow one wrong move could end her. The Alphas don¡¯t want her here, the rogues would gut her for sport, and every choice I make is a damn coin toss between saving her and destroying her. My pack is gone. Burned. Buried. Every life I should¡¯ve protected, taken because I chose her. Because I couldn¡¯t let her go. And I¡¯d make the same choice again, even if it damns me. But if these rogues scent her? If they know what I¡¯m hiding? They¡¯ll rip her apart first. And I¡¯ll follow them straight into Hell just to drag them back out and make them beg for death. The howles again, closer, taunting, and I swear my control fractures. My wolf doesn¡¯t want patience. He doesn¡¯t want reason. He wants ughter. And Goddess help me¨Cso do I. ¡°What can I do for you, dear Roman?¡± Kade¡¯s voice cuts through the night, smooth, calm, the kind of tone that makes enemies second¨Cguess themselves. He¡¯s standing in the open, weing rogues like a snake charming prey. Meanwhile, I¡¯m crouched in the shadows, teeth bared, nails digging half¨Cmoons into my palms to keep from shifting, Hiding. Fucking hiding. Like some coward waiting for scraps. Not my proudest moment. Not when every instinct in me is screaming to leap, to shred, to show them who they¡¯re dealing with. But I can¡¯t. One look¨Cjust one¨Cand these rogues will know. They¡¯ll smell Jessica on me. They¡¯ll sniff out the heat on her 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 : skin, the secret I¡¯m breaking my back to protect. And then it¡¯s over. 55 vouchers My wolf thrashes against my ribs, furious at my restraint. He doesn¡¯t care about strategy, doesn¡¯t care about Kade¡¯s games. He only knows one truth: enemies bleed, or we do. I want to lunge. I want to bury my teeth in Roman¡¯s throat, feel the crunch of his spine snap between my jaws. I want to paint the dirt with his blood and make the others watch. But I stay. I crouch lower, chest heaving, vision rimmed red, every muscle trembling with the effort not to explode. ¡°She¨Cwolf,¡± Roman growled, lips curling back to show yellowed fangs. ¡°Moon¨Cblessed. Word is you¡¯re hiding her. Give her to us, and maybe we¡¯ll leave your carcass whole.¡± Theyughed, snapping jaws, ws tearing dirt, daring us to deny it. My vision went red. My wolf mmed against the cage of my body, ws bursting through my skin, jaw aching with the need to shift. Mine. The word roared through me, relentless, absolute. Mine to protect. Mine to bleed for. Mine to kill for. Kade didn¡¯t flinch. His voice was iron, cold and sharp enough to cut. ¡°Rumors. Nothing more. But keep sniffing at my borders, Roman, and I¡¯ll scatter your teeth in the dirt for the crows.¡± The rogues bristled, tails high, hackles raised, the promise of violence thick in the air. 1 crouched deeper in shadow, muscles trembling with the effort to hold back. My wolf howled in my blood, wing at me to lunge, to rip, to show them why I am Alpha. Roman¡¯s grin was all rot and arrogance, shing fangs under the moonlight. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me, Kade. I know what I smelled.¡± His wolves stirred behind him, yellow eyes glowing, their hunger bleeding into the night air. ¡°Not just any bitch. You¡¯re hiding her.¡± His nostrils red as he dragged in a breath, savoring it. ¡°Hybrid.¡± My vision tunneled. My wolf mmed against my skin so hard I almost tore out of hiding. Fuck you, asshole, You cannot have her. You¡¯ll never even say her name again if I get loose. ¡°Rumors, Nothing more. But keep sniffing my borders, Roman, and I¡¯ll scatter your teeth in the dirt for the crows.¡± The rogues bristled, tails high, their hunger spilling into the air. The ground itself felt tight, trembling under the weight of too many ws ready to strike. ¡°You can¡¯t hide her scent, Kade. She¡¯s bleeding into the wind. Every wolf within a hundred miles will smell her soon.¡± 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 C EZ 05 Vouchers He prowled closer, shoulders hunched, ws half¨Csprung, boots grinding dirt and stone. Behind him his rogues slithered forward, tails high, hackles raised, paws gouging trenches in the soil. ¡°Step one paw farther, Roman, and I¡¯ll scatter your carcass so wide even the crows won¡¯t find you,¡± Roman¡¯sugh was feral, all spit and fang. ¡°You don¡¯t scare me, pup. Not while you¡¯re guarding a bitch like that. Give her to me. Let my pack taste her.¡± Roman¡¯s wolves writhed, restless, hunger bleeding out of them in sharp yips and low snarls. They were ready to pounce. And me¨Cevery second was a war to stay in shadow. My wolf wanted carnage. Moonlight burned silver across Kade¡¯s back as his ws slid free. He prowled forward, chest rising with a sound more beast than man¨Ca rumble so deep it rattled in the marrow. He tilted his head, eyes glowing like coals. ¡°You think she¡¯s prey? That I¡¯d hand her to scavengers like you? Try me. Take her breath if you can. You¡¯ll choke on your own before her scent ever touches your tongue.¡± Roman¡¯s grin split wide, fangs catching moonlight. ¡°One warning, Kade. You can¡¯t hide her forever. Moon- blessed flesh sings to every wolf for miles. When the packs catch her scent, you¡¯ll drown in blood trying to keep her.¡± His rogues surged, ws raking dirt, yellow eyes zing. Kade stepped forward, silver burning across his back, ws unsheathed. His growl cracked like thunder. ¡°Then let theme. She¡¯s under my teeth now. Untouchable. Take one more step, Roman, and I¡¯ll scatter your hide so thin the worms won¡¯t find you.¡± The rogues faltered, ears twitching under the weight of his dominance. Roman spat in the dirt, eyes glittering. ¡°Enjoy her while you can, pup. The wind always changes.¡± He spun, his pack slinking after him, snarls fading into the treeline. After a few minutes, I decided toe out, ¡°You should¡¯ve let me gut him,¡± I rasped, my voice all gravel and fang. ¡°One strike. His pack would¡¯ve scattered like cowards. Instead, you let him walk.¡± Kade¡¯s head turned toward me, slow as a predator about to pounce. ¡°I let him live,¡± he growled, ¡°because 1 chose it. Not because I couldn¡¯t end him. Remember your ce, Grayson. Where¡¯s your girl?¡± ¡°She¡¯s sleeping.¡± Good,¡± he said, low, rumbling. ¡°Keep her safe. One mistake, and all of them wille here looking for her.¡± Alpha Luna 162 Jessica ¡°Ah, Grayson. Shit!¡± I screamed, legs up, hips trembling. He mmed into me harder, faster, each thrust raw, urgent, unstoppable. My ws dug into his shoulders, my teeth bared in a growl I didn¡¯t even know I had. His mouth found my neck, sucking, licking, sending sparks shooting down my spine. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he snarled, fangs grazing my skin. ¡°You¡¯re fucking mine, baby.¡± I was still half¨Casleep when he started, but now I was wide awake, cock¨Cdrunk and trembling. His hands roamed my body, squeezing my tits, pinching my nipples until they were hard and aching. He leaned down, licking and sucking on them, making me moan louder than ever. ¡°Fuck, Grayson,¡± I moaned, my head thrown back. He pulled out, flipping me onto my stomach, and I gasped as he entered me again, harder, faster. His hands were everywhere, squeezing my ass, pulling my hair, making me cry out. ¡°You like that, baby?¡± he whispered in my ear, his voice rough and needy. ¡°Yes!¡± I whimpered, biting the sheets to keep myself sane. Fuck. ¡°Yes! Please!¡± ¡°Move for me, baby.¡± Grayson, you devil bastard. I obeyed, rocking my hips, chasing the pleasure he was giving me, craving more. His hand came down on my ass, hard, and I cried out, the sharp sting only fueling my need. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he muttered, his voice dark and possessive. ¡°Take it, baby.¡± Before I could react, he grabbed my wrists, pinning them behind my back in one swift motion. I gasped, the sudden shift in control sending a thrill through me. He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°I love you.¡± Then he pushed¨Chard and fast¨Cfilling mepletely. I cried out, pleasure washing over me in waves. He didn¡¯t let up, his rhythm relentless, driving me closer and closer to the edge. I don¡¯t want to think anymore. It¡¯s like Grayson is possessed by something and I cannot outrun him. I could barely think, barely breathe, the sensations overwhelming me. ¡°Grayson, please,¡± I begged, my breaking, voice Grayson¡¯s finger traced slow, maddening circles over my clit, and I squirmed beneath him, trying to escape the overwhelming sensation. But he wasn¡¯t letting me go. He held me pinned, his body moving against mine in a rhythm that left me breathless. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whimpered, my voice trembling as he pressed harder, faster. ¡°Please, I can¡¯t¡ª¡± 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 89 55 vouchers ¡°You can,¡± he interrupted, his voice low andmanding. ¡°You¡¯re mine, baby. You¡¯ll take what I give you.¡± His rhythm never faltered, his hips driving into me with a force that left me gasping. His finger pressed harder, faster, and I cried out, oversensitive and desperate. ¡°Yes, yes, please!¡± I begged, my hands wing at the sheets as the pleasure built, wave after wave crashing over me. Grayson leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear. ¡°Come for me,¡± hemanded, and just like that, I shattered, my body convulsing as I cried his name. He didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t let me catch my breath, just kept pushing me higher and higher until I thought I might break. Grayson copsed on top of me, his chest heaving against mine, both of us still trembling from the intensity. I could feel his heartbeat, wild and erratic, matching my own. Hisughter was low, almost a growl, as he buried his face in the crook of my neck, his breath hot and ragged against my skin. ¡°Good morning baby,¡± he muttered. I turned my head to look at him, my own breathing still shaky. His face was flushed, his lips swollen, and there was a wild glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. ¡°That was your way of greeting me?¡± He smirked, his fingers tracingzy patterns on my hip. ¡°Yeah, did you like it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± I breathed, but I couldn¡¯t stop the smile tugging at my lips. ¡°Insane for you,¡± he shot back, propping himself up on one elbow to look down at me. His hair was a mess, his eyes still dark with that wild intensity. ¡°You enjoyed it.¡± I do. I do like my morning like this. It almost felt like everything was normal. I reached up, my fingers brushing Grayson¡¯s cheek. He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing for a brief moment before he caught my wrist, pressing a kiss to my palm. His lips were warm, tender, and it made my heart ache in a way I couldn¡¯t exin. I pulled him closer, our lips meeting in a kiss that was equal parts hunger and desperation. His hands were everywhere, like he was trying to hold onto me, to keep me from slipping away. I wanted to stay like this forever, lost in him. But then, the knock came. Three sharp raps on the door, insistent and unrelenting. Grayson pulled back, his eyes narrowing as he nced toward the door. ¡°Who the hell is that?¡± he muttered, his voice thick with irritation. ¡°Stop making pup, asshole. We have to go somewhere.¡± 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 Of course, it¡¯s Kade. ??)) 89 55 vouchers I had to roll my eyes for that. Grayson wants to go for another kiss but I push him away and tell him no. Whatever they are doing, I know it¡¯s important. ¡°Later alpha,¡± I teased, my voice low and yful. He grumbled something under his breath as he yanked on his boots. Kade was still banging on the door, his voice muffled but impatient. Grayson finally opened it, and Kade leaned against the frame, eyes darting past him to where I was still in bed. ¡°Nice timing,¡± I muttered, pulling the nket tighter. ¡°You¡¯re so loud, do you know that?¡± Kade smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. I shot him a re, pulling the nket tighter around me. ¡°Oh, shut up, Kade. At least I¡¯m not the one barging in at the worst possible moment.¡± Kade¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Worst moment? Or best? Depends on who you ask.¡± He winked, and I couldn¡¯t help butugh despite myself. Grayson growled again, shoving Kade out of the room. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± As the door closed behind them, I flopped back onto the pillows, my heart still racing. Whatever they were up to, it was serious. And for once, I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to know. I stretchedzily, finally feeling a moment of peace. Grayson and the others were already gone, their usual alpha chaos blessedly absent. I couldn¡¯t help but smile as I threw the nkets off. Today was my day. Jack was waiting, and for once, I didn¡¯t have to tiptoe around anyone¡¯s ego. I slipped into my favorite t¨Cshirt and grabbed my morning coffee. Except I am not alone. Jack was already there, sitting at the table with a book in his hands. Great. ¡°What are you doing here, trespasser?¡± He didn¡¯t look up right away, his focus fully on the page in front of him. I hesitated for a moment, watching him. There was something about the way he sat there, so calm, so in control, that made me feel¡­ unbnced. ¡°Hello?¡± I finally said, leaning against the counter. He nced up, a slow smile spreading across his face. ¡°Morning. You¡¯re up early.¡± I shrugged, taking a sip of my coffee. ¡± Grayson woke me up.¡± ¡°And so I¡¯ve heard,¡± he said, his voice teasing. He closed the book and leaned back in his chair, studying me with those annoyingly sharp eyes. ¡°You know, you¡¯re a terrible liar.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± I narrowed my eyes. 9:48 Mon, Sep 8 89 55 vouchers ¡°You¡¯re not mad about the noise. You¡¯re mad because you didn¡¯t get to be involved.¡± I crossed my arms, refusing to let him get the upper hand. ¡°Oh, please. Like I care what Grayson¡¯s little alpha club is up to.¡± Jack chuckled, standing up and walking over to me. He was way too close forfort, but I wasn¡¯t about to back down. ¡°Sure you don¡¯t. That¡¯s why you¡¯re ring at me like you¡¯re about to throw that coffee in my ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me,¡± I shot back, but I couldn¡¯t help the smile tugging at my lips. ¡°What do you n for me today, Jack?¡± face.¡± He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°How about a little game? You follow my lead today, and I¡¯ll make sure Grayson stays off your back. Deal?¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°And what¡¯s in it for you?¡± ¡°The pleasure of yourpany, of course,¡± he said, his grin turning wicked. ¡°You¡¯re insufferable,¡± I muttered, but I couldn¡¯t deny the curiosity flickering inside me. ¡°Fine. But if you try anything-¡± ¡°Rx, little wolf,¡± he interrupted, stepping back. ¡°I¡¯m not the enemy. At least, not today.¡± ¡°That¡¯sforting,¡± I said dryly, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes that made me pause. Something that hinted at a deeper game. ¡°Come on,¡± he said, gesturing toward the door. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can keep up.¡± AD Alpha Luna 163 Chapter 163 JESSICA 77 55 vouchers ¡°Where the hell are you dragging me, Jack? My wolf¡¯s already pacing, and if you don¡¯t quit yanking me around like I¡¯m some lost pup, I swear I¡¯ll bite you.¡± This was beyond stupid¨Cbeing hauled through the trees by an Alpha whose ego filled the forest louder than his footsteps. My wolf hated it. I hated it more. I hadn¡¯t had a say the second his hand closed around my wrist, iron¨Cstrong, dragging me out of Grayson¡¯s den like I was nothing but prey. The sting of it still burned, and my pride burned worse. All I wanted was one damn day¨Csilence, coffee, no Alphas wing at my nerves. Instead? I was stomping through mud and pine needles, half¨Clost in the thick woods with a wolf who thought dragging me was a sport. I jerked against his grip. ¡°Seriously, Jack. If you don¡¯t tell me where we¡¯re going, I¡¯m-¡± He stopped dead, and I almost mmed into him. He turned his head just enough for me to catch the gleam of his teeth, his smirk sharp as a de. ¡°Patience, little wolf.¡± His voice was low, almost a growl. ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough.¡± Patience. As if that word had ever been made for me. ¡°You know,¡± I muttered, yanking a branch out of my face as he shoved us deeper into the thicket, ¡°if this ends with me in some creepy pit where you guys dump bones, I¡¯m going to haunt the hell out of you.¡± ¡°If I wanted you dead, pup, you wouldn¡¯t have made it past Grayson¡¯s bed this morning.¡± That earned him a re sharp enough to cut flesh. My wolf pressed against my skin, hot and ready, whispering that one lunge could put my teeth in his throat. But his dominance wrapped around the clearing like smoke, suffocating, daring me to try. ¡°Then stop ying games,¡± I snapped. ¡°Where the fuck are we?¡± 9:53 Tue, Sep 9 Cocky bastard. : 77 55 vouchers He kept moving, a shadow shouldering through brush that tried to catch him and failed. The forest bent for him¨Cbranches swayed, fern fronds parted, even the fog thinned like it didn¡¯t dare touch his skin. My boots sucked at the mud; pine needles bit the soles; sap streaked my palms when I shoved aside a low bough. Everything smelled like wet earth and wolf¨Calpha¨Cwarmth, musk, the metallic edge of old blood sunk into roots. We dropped down a slope slick with leaf rot. Jack didn¡¯t slip; I slid half the way, catching myself with a curse. He reached back without looking, caught my wrist mid¨Cfall, and steadied me with a grip that said he was used to catching things before they broke. ¡°Hands off,¡± I snapped, yanking free. ¡°Try not to die before the field trip starts,¡± he said, not bothering to hide theugh under his breath. We crossed under a stand of ward¨Ctrees where talons had carved sigils into the bark. Bones¡ªwolf femurs, bird spines¨Chung on ck cord, cking in a low wind. Ash lines smudged the roots in a circle, and dried resin clung to the grooves like old scabs. The air fizzed faintly across my skin. Wards. Territory. Packw painted in blood and powder. Jack paused, head lifting, nostrils ring. The gold in his eyes shed and cut out again. ¡°What?¡± I said, scanning the trees. My wolf pressed against my ribs, restless, ready. ¡°Wind¡¯s wrong,¡± he said. ¡°Yours is bleeding through the pines.¡± He turned back to me, closer than I wanted, close enough that I felt the heat of him through my shirt. ¡°Hold still.¡± ¡°Try me.¡± He ignored the warning, thumb hooking my jaw, tilting my face. He worked one- handed into his pocket, pulled out a small skin¨Cwrapped bundle, and cracked it open with his teeth. A smoke¨Csour scent unfurled¨Cresin and crushed mint and the bite of cold iron. He smeared a thumbprint across my throat, then both wrists, 9:53 Tue, Sep 9 then behind my ears with swift, sure strokes. I grabbed his wrist. ¡°What the hell are you painting on me?¡± 77 55 vouchers ¡°Hush mix,¡± he said. ¡°Smokeleaf, hart¡¯s ash, a little moon¨Ciron dust. Mutes the bright edges of a hybrid. You¡¯re ringing like a bell today.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t ring.¡± ¡°You re,¡± he said, voice dropping. ¡°Like a storm¨Chorn.¡± My pulse jumped where his thumb pressed the hollow of my throat. He felt it. Of course he did. His mouth curved. ¡°Done,¡± he said, stepping back¨Cbut only far enough to make me want to breathe again. ¡°Try not to wash it off with attitude.¡± ¡°The only thing I¡¯m washing off is you.¡± ¡°Later,¡± he promised, like it was scheduled. We moved again. The forest thickened, trading straight pines for old oaks twisted into fists. Scratch marks scored the trunks, high and deep¨Cthe kind left when wolves reared up to remind the world how tall they were. Feathers and river stonesy in cairns along a game path. Not a tourist trail. A patrol run. My shoulders tucked, ears up in my head whether I wanted them to be or not. ¡°Where exactly are you taking me?¡± I asked¨Cfor the hundredth time, fine. I like answers. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°Give me a direction. North? Trouble? Another alpha dick¨Cmeasuring ring¡ª¡± ¡°Down,¡± he said. We broke through a veil of hanging moss and nearly walked into a cliff face- ck stone veined with silver. Jack rapped his knuckles twice against a seam I never would have noticed. The rock answered with a hollow thud. ¡°Wee to the hollow,¡± he said. 9:53 Tue, Sep 9 : 77 55 vouchers A slot in the stone slid open, exhaling air cold enough to raise bumps along my arms. My wolf surged so hard it hurt. Ours. ¡°Stop,¡± Jack said softly. ¡°I¡¯m not moving.¡± ¡°Inside,¡± he corrected, and angled his body between me and the opening. ¡°You don¡¯t rush to a ce like this.¡± ¡°Oh, now you want me to be careful.¡± ¡°Now,¡± he said, eyes gone full amber, ¡°I want you listening.¡± A low snarl rolled from the nearest pen, and my wolf answered before I could stop her, a warning hiss in the back of my throat. The creature slid into view¡ªbigger than any ordinary wolf, shoulders corded, eyes storm¨Cgray and bright. Hybrid. ¡°L¨CLogan?¡± Jack¡¯s hand mped the back of my neck, shoving me down so hard my teeth cracked together. Heat and dominance poured off him, pinning me like prey. I thrashed, snarling. I didn¡¯t care if he broke me¨CI wanted Logan. How long has he been here? ¡°Jessica!Open your damn eyes!¡± Jack¡¯s growl vibrated through my bones. ¡°That thing in the cage? Are you even sure you know him, Jess?¡± ¡°That¡¯s him. That¡¯s Logan¨Cplease-¡± The hybrid smashed forward again, saliva flying, eyes feral lightning. My wolf wed me raw, begging to break free, to touch, to tear. Jack¡¯s growl rolled over me, darker, deeper. ¡°That?¡± He forced my head toward the cage until my nose nearly touched the bars. ¡°That¡¯s not your Logan. That¡¯s a beast who¡¯d tear you open and choke on your blood.¡± ¡°Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!¡± 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 : 77 55 vouchers I need to get him out of here. He was conscious when I helped him get out of the dungeon! ¡°I have to get him out,¡± I sobbed, fighting Jack¡¯s hold, body jerking against him like a trapped animal. ¡°He¡¯s mine¨Che¡¯s still mine-¡± Jack snarled, spun me, and mmed my back into the bars so hard the impact rattled the cage. His body caged mine, heat and dominance everywhere. ¡°Look again.¡± His amber eyes burned into me, searing, merciless. ¡°Does he even know your name?¡± I thrashed, throat raw, tears and rage mixing until I couldn¡¯t breathe. Logan roared, a sound more beast than man, snapping for me through the bars. Jack¡¯s lips curled, a cruel almost¨Csmile. ¡°Call for him again, sweetheart. Let¡¯s see if hees for you¨Cor for the taste of your blood.¡± 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 Alpha Luna 164 JESSICA ¡°I need to talk to you.¡± 77 55 vouchers ¡°Now?¡± Grayson looked at the others before he shifted his re at me. He told me to never disturb him with others but I cannot wait. I feel everyone else looking. The rest of the alphas are lounging¨Cdrinking,ughing, sprawled across the torn¨Cup couches like they own the world. Which, maybe they do. This is their house. Their den. Their rules. I don¡¯t belong here, and I never will. I¡¯m a hybrid and for a second, Grayson tried to manipte me that I am not. ¡°I said it¡¯s urgent.¡± He stares. That slow, calcting blink he does when he¡¯s deciding whether to bite or bark. Then he downs the rest of his drink. ¡°Fine. I¡¯m drunk anyway. Let¡¯s go home, baby.¡± His voice was dripping with sarcasm, and it lit something inside me. I stepped closer, my breath sharp, my eyes locked on his. ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®baby¡® me. You think this is some joke? You think I¡¯m just some hybrid you can push around?¡± He froze, his smirk fading. The room went silent. Even the alphas stoppedughing, their eyes darting between us. I could feel their judgment, their curiosity. ¡°I know about the damn pit, Grayson.¡± Grayson¡¯s hand shot out, gripping my arm so hard I winced, ¡°Who the hell told you?¡± His eyes burned, and for a second, I thought he might actually hurt me. I yanked my arm free, stepping back. ¡°No one told me. I¡¯m not stupid, Grayson. You think I wouldn¡¯t figure it out? You think I wouldn¡¯t notice the way you¡¯ve been sneaking around, the way everyone looks at me like I¡¯m some kind of threat?¡± 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 His jaw clenched, and I yelped when he yanked me out of that ce. ¡°Damn it!¡± I shouted, trying to get my hands away from him. ¡°Let me go, Grayson!¡± 55 vouchers Grayson¡¯s grip tightened as he pushed me into the room, kicking the door shut behind him. I stumbled, catching myself on the edge of the bed, but I wasn¡¯t about to back down. My chest heaved, anger boiling over as I red at him casually losing his shirt. ¡°I saw Logan!¡± I shouted, my voice cracking. ¡°Stop treating me like I¡¯m some fragile thing that¡¯ll break. I saw Logan and he¡¯s okay! He¡¯s okay. He¡¯ll be okay. How can you do that to him? My best friend is in a damn cage and you didn¡¯t tell me!?¡± I lunged at him, my fingers wing at his chest, but he caught my wrists effortlessly. ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide what I know or don¡¯t know!¡± I spat, my voice shaking. ¡°Logan¡¯s my best friend! He¡¯s supposed to be dead, Grayson! Dead! And you¨Cyou¡¯ve been hiding him like some damn secret!¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes darkened, and he shoved me back onto the mattress, pinning me down with his weight. ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± he growled, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°You think this is about you? About Logan? This is bigger than you, bigger than him. One wrong move, and you¡¯re dead. You hear me? Dead.¡± I thrashed under him, my nails digging into his shoulders. ¡°Those are your damn people, Grayson!¡± Grayson¡¯s face twisted, a bitterugh escaping his lips. ¡°My people?¡± he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°My pack is all dead, thanks to you.¡± His eyes glowed faintly, that dangerous amber hue I¡¯d only seen once before I froze, my nails still dug into his shoulders, but my grip loosened. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to-¡® 99 ¡°Didn¡¯t mean to?¡± His voice rose, cutting me off. ¡°You didn¡¯t mean to what? Have a damn ambition? Because you¡¯re an omega everyone bullied about being weak?¡± Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. ¡°I didn¡¯t know, Grayson! I didn¡¯t know this will happen!¡± 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 77 55 vouchers He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my skin. ¡°You should¡¯ve known. You should¡¯ve been smarter.¡± His voice cracked, and for a moment, I saw the pain behind the rage. The loss. The guilt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯m sorry..¡± We¡¯re okay. He was okay. But sometimes I forget Grayson is just a man who lost his father and his pack. ¡°You were always so ambitious Jess.¡± He spat, his hand mming against the wall beside my head. I flinched, but I didn¡¯t back down. His face was inches from mine, the moonlight catching the faint glint of fangs peeking through his lips. ¡°I didn¡¯t want this,¡± I whispered, my voice breaking. ¡°I just wanted to protect you.¡± ¡°Protect me?¡± Heughed, a bitter, hollow sound that sent chills down my spine. ¡°You got them all killed, and you call that *protection*?¡± His hand dropped, and he stumbled back, running a shaky hand through his hair. For a moment, he looked lost, like the weight of the world was crushing him. Then his gaze snapped back to me, and I saw it¡ªthe flicker of guilt buried deep beneath the anger. ¡°Always so fucking ambitious baby and I fucking admire you for that. Heck, I love you for that.¡± It¡¯s just alcohol talking. 44 Always pushing, always fighting. I loved that about you. Admired it. But look where it got us.¡± His voice dropped, low and dangerous. ¡°Look where it got *me¡°,¡± He turned away, his shoulders hunched, and for a moment, I thought he¡¯d walk out. But then he stopped, his head tilting slightly. ¡°That¡¯s why Jack didn¡¯te around. He was feeding you information.¡± Grayson knew. I wiped my tears and sniffed but it won¡¯t stop. The tears just keep on pouring out. 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 : 77 E55 vouchers He was drunk, sure, but the alcohol only loosened the leash on what was already barely under control. I didn¡¯t ask him if he¡¯s okay. I neverforted him. All I knew is that he¡¯s strong enough for the both of us but I should¡¯ve known better. My love for him blooms not because he¡¯s the alpha or he¡¯s strong but because he¡¯s just my Grayson. He stepped closer, the scent of whiskey and wolf overwhelming. ¡°From now on, you let me handle this. No more stupid risks. No more secrets. You hear me?¡± I nodded, but he wasn¡¯t done. ¡°And if you can¡¯t,¡± he added, his voice softening, ¡°then maybe this is where it ends.¡± B Alpha Luna 165 JESSICA : 77 55 vouchers I wouldn¡¯t mind him getting mad at me. Or scowling at me. I wouldn¡¯t even mind if Grayson is going to tie me and punish me for being mad. He can do everything, anything, and I will understand because that only means that he feels something. I can take everything but not his silence. Not when he¡¯s like this, so close to me yet he feels so far away. My wolf purred. She didn¡¯t like how tense he was, how his body radiated anger even as hey beside me, refusing to speak. I could feel his wolf stirring beneath the surface, restless and simmering with frustration. I reached out and touched his arm, my fingers grazing the taut muscles. He didn¡¯t pull away, but he didn¡¯t respond either. His silence was maddening. ¡°Grayson,¡± I whispered, my voice barely audible. ¡°Are you sleeping? Can we talk more, please?¡± He turned his head slightly, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. My wolf growled low in my chest, urging me to push harder, to break through his wall. She didn¡¯t understand his silence either. To her, it was a challenge, a threat to our bond. To me, it¡¯s a knife in my chest. I shifted closer, my body pressing against his. ¡°If you¡¯re mad, then be mad. But don¡¯t shut me out. I can¡¯t take it.¡± For a moment, I thought he¡¯d finally speak. His jaw clenched, and his hand twitched like he wanted to reach for me. But then he turned away again, burying 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 ¡­ his face in the pillow. : My wolf howled softly in frustration, echoing the ache in my chest. 77 55 vouchers I couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. I needed him to feel me, to know how much this silence was tearing us apart. My hand shot out, grabbing his shoulder and forcing him to face me. ¡°You¡¯re mad at me? Fine. But I¡¯m not letting you go like this.¡± I leaned in, my lips brushing against his ear. ¡°I need you, Grayson. Right now.¡± I¡¯m crazy for this but I¡¯m going to get what I want. He used to call me a brat and guess what? I am exactly like that. His body stiffened under my touch, but I didn¡¯t care. I was done ying nice. My fingers trailed down his chest, nails lightly dragging across his skin, and I felt the sharp intake of his breath. ¡°You think ignoring me will fix this?¡± I whispered, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡± I climbed on top of him, pinning him down with my weight. His hands twitched at his sides, but he didn¡¯t push me away. Good. I leaned down, my lips grazing his neck, and he shuddered. ¡°You¡¯re mad at me? So what?¡± I murmured, my teeth grazing his earlobe. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere, Grayson. And neither are you.¡± I pulled back, staring into his stormy eyes. ¡°Now, tell me everything I did to hurt you.¡± He smirked, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°And why would I do that?¡± ¡°Because,¡± I said, my tone dripping with dark amusement, ¡°I¡¯m not letting you go until you¡¯re honest with me. And we both know you hate lying to yourself almost as much as you hate lying to me.¡± ¡°Remember the part where you said you know that I am mad?¡± Before he could react, I pushed him back onto the bed, straddling him with a wicked grin. My hands pinned his wrists above his head, my nails digging in just enough to make him gasp. ¡°Start talking.¡± He threw me a re, and I knew the exact moment his patience snaps on me. . ¡°You want the truth? Fine. You¡¯re a selfish little *bitch* who only cares about herself.¡± Ouch. 55 vouchers ¡°If I¡¯m so selfish, then why did I fucking let those hybrid go, Grayson?¡± My lips crashed onto his, brutal and iming, and I bit down hard on his bottom lip. He hissed, but I didn¡¯t stop. I let my hands fall into his clothes and rip it off. Shit. I think I¡¯m starting to like it here. Grayson looks pissed but atleast he¡¯s trying to cooperate here. That¡¯s all I need. I don¡¯t want a cold bed tonight. ¡°You¡¯re a *filthy little slut*,¡± Grayson growled, his hands moving to my hips, pulling me down harder onto him. ¡°You let them go because you¡¯re ambitious. You always want power. You always want to be something that you¡¯re not.¡± ¡°I do?¡± I leaned in, my tongue sliding across his lips, tasting the bitterness of his anger. He groaned, his hands gripping my hips like a vice. I bit down hard on his bottom lip, drawing blood. He hissed, but I didn¡¯t stop. My tongue plunged into his mouth, rough and demanding, our saliva mixing in a filthy, sloppy mess. ¡°Take off your shirt.¡± My dear alpha is getting a little bit into this game. Grayson¡¯s hand tangled in my hair, yanking my head back hard. His other hand pped my cheek, but I didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, I spit in his face, the saliva trailing down his cheek. He smirked, wiping it with the back of his hand before smearing it across my lips. ¡°Take it off.¡± ¡°No will do, alpha.¡± Grayson smirked, his fingers tracing the hem of my shirt before ?anking it up. My bare skin met the cool air, and he didn¡¯t waste a second. His mouthtched onto 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 : 77 55 vouchers my corbone, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. I gasped, arching into him as his hands roamed, pinching my nipples with just enough pain to make me whimper. ¡°When I told you to do something¡­¡± Grayson pinched my nipples harder and I whined. ¡°You¡¯re going to do it.¡± ¡°Mmmppph¡­Ah!¡± I moaned, my hands gripping his shoulders as he continued to toy with me, his mouth moving down to have attention on my chest, his tongue swirling around one nipple while his fingers pinched the other. ¡°Grayson¡­please¡­¡± ¡°Please what?¡± he growled, biting down on my nipple, making me cry out. ¡°Tell me what you want, slut.¡± ¡°You¡­I want you¡­¡± I gasped, my body writhing beneath him. ¡°Then beg for it,¡± he demanded, his hand moving down to grip my thigh, squeezing hard. ¡°Beg for me to fuck you.¡± ¡°Please¡­please fuck me, Grayson¡­I need you¡­¡± I whimpered, my hands wing at his back as he shifted, his body pressing against mine. ¡°I thought you were trying to y games with me,¡± he taunted, his reaching something into the cab. ¡°Not really thatmitted, huh?¡± Did I dig my own grave? Grayson moved to tie my wrists above my head and I¡¯m fucking done. I¡¯m so stupid. He took his time, making sure the knots were tight but not painful. ¡°Spread your legs,¡± hemanded. I hesitated for a moment, but the look in his eyes made me obey. He grabbed my ankles, pulling them up and tying them to the same knot as my wrists, leaving mepletely exposed and vulnerable. His hands trailed down my body, teasing me as he leaned in close. ¡°Now, let¡¯s see if you can handle me mad.¡± 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 .. 55 vouchers His fingers brushed against my inner thigh, sending a shiver up my spine. I bit my lip, trying to keep myposure, but it was impossible. He smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing. His fingers dipped lower, pushing inside me slowly, making me gasp. He watched every reaction, every twitch of my body. ¡°Taste yourself,¡± he said, pulling his fingers out and pressing them against my lips. I hesitated, but the intensity in his eyes made me open my mouth. He slid his fingers in, and I could taste the saltiness mixed with something uniquely me. He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. ¡°Good girl.¡± His hands moved back to where his fingers had just been, pushing in deeper this time. My back arched as pleasure shot through me. He didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t slow down. He was relentless, and I couldn¡¯t help but let out a moan. ¡°You want to know everything you did to hurt me?¡± he asked, his voice rough against my ear. ¡°Yes,¡± I gasped, my body trembling with need. He push another finger and I¡¯m a sobbing mess. ¡°It¡¯s you, Jess. You¡¯re everything that hurt me.¡± He didn¡¯t wait for me to catch my breath. His hand came down hard, the p echoing in the room as itnded on my cunt. I cried out, my body jerking against the restraints. ¡°I loved you so much it fucking destroy me.¡± His palm was rough, the sting of it making my thighs clench. He did it again, harder this time, and I whimpered, my eyes squeezing shut. ¡°Open your eyes,¡± he demanded, his fingers digging into my hips. I did as he said, meeting his dark gaze. ¡°Good girl,¡± he muttered, his hand sliding down to my entrance. He pushed two fingers in without warning, fucking me with a brutal rhythm that had me writhing. ¡°But I love you so much I¡¯m fucking okay with it too.¡± 1 Chapter 166 Alpha Luna 166 Chapter 166 JESSICA 55 vouchers If Grayson can only open his eyes, he would surely see how much I¡¯m inlove with him. It¡¯s dangerous how much this alpha can hurt and make love to me at the same time. He was infuriating. Yes. He knew it too. Other omegas would¡¯ve crawled away, head bowed, tail tucked. Not me. Maybe that¡¯s why he never holds back, why he can be rough with me and not lose sleep over it. Because I won¡¯t break. I¡¯ll break him first. I¡¯d die for this man. I¡¯d live for him. If he only let me. Grayson gasps between punches, sweat dripping down his chest as he finally stops. He must¡¯ve felt me staring, because his eyes snap open andnd straight on me. A small smirk curves his mouth¨Cone of those cruel ones that always make me want to scream or kiss him bloody. ¡°Want to join me, baby?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± I shake my head, curling my knees tighter to my chest. ¡°I¡¯m still sore.¡± Heughed, stalking towards me and dropping to get his towel. ¡°Then do you mind?¡± I stare at the towel he¡¯s giving me and frown. ¡°I¡¯m not here to serve you either. alpha.¡± His grin widens. He drops the towel right into myp like he¡¯s just imed me in front of the whole world. ¡°Funny,¡± he murmurs, leaning closer, sweat still glistening on his jaw. ¡°Becausest night, you didn¡¯t mind serving me at all.¡± 9:54 Tue, Sep 9 77 55 vouchers Heat spikes up my neck. My fingers curl around the stupid towel before I can stop myself. ¡°That was different,¡± I hissed. ¡°Was it? Come on, baby. Please?¡± Shit. Memories rush in before I can block them out. The nights when he wasn¡¯t like this. When there was no power y, no pack politics, no ws hidden behind every word. Just us. His hands tangled in my hair. Hisugh breaking into mine. For a second, I see him the way he was before the darkness swallowed everything. Before the bruises and the fights, before my ambition for power ruined us. Grayson was still crouching in front of me when I leaned forward and kissed him. Hard enough to steal his breath, soft enough to keep him guessing. We had all the time in the world if we wanted to. But right now, I wanted to ruin him the way he ruins me. ¡°I thought you¡¯re sore?¡± he murmured, gasping against my mouth like the taste of me was dragging something feral out of him. His eyes darkened, that battle he always fought to cage his wolf flickering across his face. I¡¯d seen that struggle before. I¡¯d even caused it. And I knew exactly what it meant¨Che was one breath away from losing control. ¡°How bold of you, omega, to kiss your alpha like this, hmm?¡± I smirked, dragging my nails down his sweaty chest like I was mapping out every muscle he tried so hard to keep under my rule. He thought I¡¯d shy away. That I¡¯d fold like every other girl who melted under his growl. But not me. Not afterst night anyway. ¡°Why¡­ is it wrong?¡± I whispered, my lips brushing his jaw as I pulled back just enough to stare him down. His nostrils red. ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me, baby.¡± ¡°Tempting.¡± 77 55 vouchers For a second, I swore he might actually break. His shoulders tightened, his breath came sharp, his lips parted¨Cthen he scoffed, low and dark, like he¡¯d caught himself at the edge of a cliff and chose not to fall. ¡°Goddess, you¡¯re trouble,¡± he muttered, dropping down beside me. He dragged the towel across his chest and I yanked it so I could do it myself. ¡°Good girl.¡± ¡°Tss. Why are you even training today, Grayson?¡± ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to rot in our bed and im you over and over again.¡± Grayson guided my hands on his body and leaned in for a kiss. I was tempted to submit to him but we really need to control ourselves. ¡°You don¡¯t have ns with the others?¡± Grayson was unknowingly trying to y it lowkey. Jack was sent to some mission and I wasn¡¯t informed either. I think I pissed Grayson too much but it¡¯s his fault anyway. ¡°I still want to talk about freeing Logan.¡± My fingers curled against the grass, grounding myself because I know how he feels about this topic. ¡°Don¡¯t push it, Jessica.¡± I wasn¡¯t the type to let things go especially when I really want it but this time, I wasn¡¯t confident enough to win over his conviction. Everything that he decides is already solid and absolute. There¡¯s no way of questioning it or appealing to it. Grayson dared to lift my chin, giving me a re. ¡°Let¡¯s have a fucking deal.¡± ¡°What deal?¡± He leaned closer, lips ghosting my cheek before sliding to the shell of my ear. His breath was hot, dangerous. ¡°You¡¯ll stop running your mouth. Stop testing me. You¡¯ll be my omega in more than name. imed. Mine.¡± 9:55 Tue, Sep 9 55 vouchers ¡°imed?¡± My voice betrayed me, breathy, uneven. ¡°You mean controlled.¡± His mouth curved against my skin, fangs just grazing the edge of my throat. Not deep. Not yet. Just enough to make my back arch and my knees weaken. ¡°Same thing, baby,¡± he whispered, dragging the points along my pulse. ¡°You give me loyalty. I give you protection. That¡¯s the fucking deal.¡± ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Grayson chuckled darkly. His hand slid from my chin to my throat, not squeezing, just holding¨Clike the mere weight of it branded me. His eyes burned, shifting gold, wolf bleeding through. ¡°Baby,¡± he murmured slowly, lips ghosting my skin, ¡°Is this life not enough for you?¡± My fingers twitched at his wrist, not pulling him off, not exactly. I should have been begging him to stop, but the only sound that left me was a broken little whimper. His mouth brushed my ear. ¡°I was serious about my wordsst night, Jessica. I¡¯m okay not having you then burying your dead body because of your stubborness.¡± Was he serious? Was he actually saying he¡¯d rather cage me than let me burn myself alive? Grayson took a deep breath before he let go. The sudden absence made me stumble, my own breath crashing back into me like I¡¯d been drowning. He didn¡¯t wait for me to speak. Didn¡¯t even give me a chance to argue. ¡°Meet meter for dinner.¡± That was it. That was all. He didn¡¯t even look back when he tossed his words over his shoulder. Just walked away like the ground would part for him, like I¡¯d trail after him no matter how many times I swore I wouldn¡¯t. 9:55 Tue, Sep 9 Did I really hurt him that bad? Did I really ruin us? I don¡¯t fucking know. I¡¯m so scared to know. Alpha Luna 167 Chapter 167 GRAYSON buchany I was punishing her but I might as well flog myself here because I¡¯m the one being tortured for hurting her. Pain makes her difficult but also behave. My trouble maker Luna should mind her business from now on. We cannot make any mistakes from now on. There are a lot of lives at stake here. I cannot have her ruin all the remaining packs these Triad have been protecting for years now. I can ruin the world for her but I don¡¯t think I can take any more life either. ¡°It¡¯s fucking done,¡± I said, looking at Kade¡¯s stupid smirk. He told me I need to push Jess harder to break her and hurt her so she would be upied while he plotted our n. His first option is to chain and cage her. ¡°What about Riot and Pierce?¡± I rubbed a rough hand down my face. ¡± It¡¯s done either.¡± ¡°You killed them both?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a monster, Kade. Those are still my family.¡± ¡°Even Riot?¡± Especially Riot. It took me enough time to realize we are just both an output of my father¡¯s cruel desires. Pierce however made his own decision based on love. That fucking idiot loves Jessica so much he destroyed himself for it. I will still not forgive them. I need fucking time to process everything. I don¡¯t think I have enough time to process it though. Just take one step at a time. I need to gather myself and not ruin it. If I think about every person I have to protect, I¡¯ll probably lose myself over it. I love Jessica. Sometimes I just wish I could cage her. ¡°Those are fresh scratches, Grayson.¡± Kade¡¯s gaze follows the scratches Jessica made night. I enjoyed 7:05 Wed, Sep 10 pushing her to the edge and I enjoyed the pain too. ¡°Do you know what happened to her in that dungeon?¡± ¡°Are you my fucking oracle or confider because you¡¯recking some wisdom here.¡± Damn it. I need some fresh air. Kade just chuckles when I walk out and find myself in the path of the pit where we held the damn hybrids, The night that Jessica and I went here, these hybrids were already caged. The alphas took their own time to hunt them down alive so some healers and learners from their own pack could have some tests on it and figured out how to reverse this shit. We long believe it¡¯s Jessica¡¯s bite that made the transition but Theo experimented. He did his research through these wolves and they are as dangerous as he can be. I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s trying to build or what he¡¯s trying to achieve and yet, just because of that ambition, it ruined everything. That¡¯s why I¡¯m afraid for Jessica. Not because she¡¯s as dangerous as these hybrids but because she has ambitions of her own. Just by looking at her wolf, I can already see how much trouble the future has for her. So I need to tame her. I¡¯ve been doing that for years actually. I¡¯ve been trying to tame her and yet I keep on failing anytime. My wolf wanted me to just let her be, because as much as I talked down on her I recognize her own strength but fuck a man who wants to just protect her love. Yes, fuck me. ¡°Grayson!¡± Logan shouted and I quickly recognized his voice. He¡¯s in the closest cell in this pit and he¡¯s the only lucid here too. Others killed themselves but Logan looks fine. Just like what Jessica said. 66 Get me out of here! I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m not these monsters!¡± I would love to. In fact, I¡¯ve been trying for the past weeks but I couldn¡¯t. Because Kade and the other alphas believe he still got her blood in his system. ¡°Soon, Logan. Just hang on, okay?¡± I didn¡¯t think about it before. 100 Logan is Jessica¡¯s best friend. I never regard how this will hurt her either. I know I¡¯m a fucking asshole in my own ways but I didn¡¯t know I was this asshole. He tried to shout my name again but I¡¯m already bailing out. 556 vouchers I¡¯m a coward to face these fucking monsters because they are the reasons I¡¯ve lost everything. Jessica is wrong. I¡¯m the greatest monster that she¡¯d ever create. I am her legacy. I can ughter these hybrids if I want to. I can offer her their hearts and we can finally live in peace. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware you¡¯re this weak to not try and break free.¡± Jack chuckles, his eyes ring at me as he continues to sleep in the room I¡¯ve put him in. He has no right to tell Jessica about this ce. ¡°She screams so loud, do you know that?¡± Jack is just provoking me. I just taught him a lesson to never mess with me again but the damn asshole is too crazy to even know that. ¡°I¡¯m well¨Caware.¡± He scoffs when I slide myself inside the cell and join him. ¡°What else did you tell her?¡± He put a hand on his face, trying to ignore my questions. ¡°Don¡¯t you trust your mate, Grayson?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t trust you.¡± ¡°Why? Because Pierce betrayed you?¡± Asshole. Jack shifts on his position, pacing me now. We¡¯ve known each other for so long I know he won¡¯t betray me and he has his own good intentions too. Sometimes, he does it in his most ridiculous ways. When I realized Jessica was my mate, I had no one to confide too, I cannot exactly tell it to my best friend because he¡¯s her little sister. So I confide everything to Jack. We were both young then and I even offered him my position here but he declined. He¡¯s just too focused on his own self to care about the others. Jack is not a typical alpha. He got his own shitty problems at home so he is always here. ¡°Do you think we can share her?¡± ¡°Stop talking.¡± 7:05 Wed, Sep 10 : 100 655 vouchers ¡°What do you want, Grayson?¡± He said with amusement. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you already fought? Ah right. You didn¡¯t. You probably fucked her enough to shut her up.¡± It¡¯s my fault. I told him enough to get curious with Jessica. ¡°She asked me to tell her everything she¡¯d done to hurt me in the past.¡± ¡°And your list probablysts ¡®till sunrise?¡± I barked augh. ¡°Close enough. But no. I¡¯ve made her feel all of those pains.¡± ¡°And you fucking regret it?¡± I nodded. Fucking her was addicting. It¡¯s making me sane and safe and satiable. But, it didn¡¯t do anything in my growing conscience after I learned everything that happened to her in that dungeon. ¡°I want to be soft for her.¡± Jack frowns. ¡°Soft? Not exactly your style.¡± ¡°Right. But still, I wanted to love her softly so she can heal whatever trauma she has from¡­Theo.¡± I finally recognize the pain crawling in my heart. I know how much she suffers from all of these and guess what? I¡¯m ambitious too. I¡¯m ambitious, dreaming of a life where we can just have a fresh start. When she¡¯s so far from me in training, throwing her little dagger stares, I¡¯m already imagining a future with her. However, now that she¡¯s so close to me, I cannot imagine any future. Because there are so many dangers around us. Sometimes, I wake up at night just staring at her face afraid she¡¯ll vanish again. I don¡¯t want to go through the same pain of losing her. ¡°Then why are you telling me this, Grayson? And not her?¡± It took me a while before I could answer Jack. It took me a while to know what my answer is. Because the truth is I don¡¯t know if I can tell these kinds of things to her. Jessica has been through enough. She¡¯s been through enough. I¡¯m so afraid these things will only hurt her. ¡°You¡¯re fated Grayson. It¡¯s written on the moon. So what are you so afraid of?¡± 100 Alpha Luna 168 Chapter 168 JESSICA ¡°What¡¯s taking him so long?¡± I sighed to myself and stared at the meal on the table. I¡¯m not really a cook. Hell, Pierce all did the cooking in our house before. Well, and mom¡­ Goddess. Mom. Suddenly, I¡¯ve got this edgy feeling of missing her. We haven¡¯t talked about it. I mean me and Grayson. He lost his father and sister too but none of us really talk about our grief. It¡¯s like we¡¯ve just moved on and found ourselves a problem to solve. 55 vouchers Looking back, we¡¯re really toxic to each other. Very toxic. Wolves aren¡¯t supposed to cry. We¡¯re supposed to snarl, fuck, kill. So instead of grieving, we bite. We bleed each other because it¡¯s easier than admitting we¡¯re already hollow. Toxic? Maybe. Wolves don¡¯t use that word. But that¡¯s what it is. He tests my limits. I test his. Bite for bite. But tonight¡­ tonight I want something different. It¡¯s his birthday. I shouldn¡¯t care. I shouldn¡¯t. But here I am, standing over this table like some pathetic omega wife, staring at the pitiful meal I managed to throw together. A b of roasted meat. Bread is already hardening at the edges. A bottle of whiskey I stole from the supply room. It¡¯s nothing. Not worthy of an Alpha. Not worthy of Grayson. Still¡­ it¡¯s mine. My offering. The door finally opened and my heart beats so fast for an unknown reason. Maybe because it¡¯s been really so long since we¡¯ve been honest with each other. Grayson remained silent for several moments. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m home.¡± 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 100 55 vouchers The smirk on his face is cruel but the amusement in his face started to paint as he look at my face before it slides behind me. ¡°It¡¯s not much but¡­Happy birthday, baby.¡± I waited for a few beats, wondering why he¡¯s not saying or doing anything. He¡¯s just standing there with his stern face. And I was intrigued, because somehow I¡¯m lost with theck of emotions in his face. I felt nervous watching him step closer, so close until my back hits the edge of the table. ¡°You made this for me?¡± She asked, moving his hands on my waist and holding me in ce. I¡¯ll give anything for this moment to freeze. Grayson¡¯s thumb draws circles on my waist as I nodded my head and chase for his lips for a peck. ¡°You cook?¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°You doubt me, alpha?¡± Gryason¡¯sughter shook his chest. ¡± I didn¡¯t mean that¡­ I mean, you¡¯re ying a good wife now?¡± ¡°Stop teasing.¡± ¡°No,¡± he said, then pulled my ass up so I¡¯m sitting on the table now. Grayson skillfully spread my knees so he can settle himself between me. At this angle, I¡¯m starting to wonder if he¡¯s being confused about the dinner I intended for him to eat. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°You do?¡± He tipped my chin, locking our gaze. ¡°You doubt me? After all this time?¡± I¡¯m just kidding. Of course, I don¡¯t doubt his love for me. But pissing him off is part of the ceremony. When I¡¯m calmed, I push his chest so I can go back to my original n. I can¡¯t let him seduce me again into bed well¡­we can do thatter. ¡°I wanted to celebrate first,¡± I said, grabbing some lighter so I could ignite the candles. ¡°I stole these in your room by the way. You smoke?¡± ¡°Sometimes.¡± I found his eyes again and he¡¯szily leaning on the table watching me. ¡°That¡¯s a filthy habit for an alpha.¡± I knew he smoked. Grayson also has whores. Well,that was before he met me. I knew everything about him too apparently. Telling him that will be so embarrassing but then he used to read my thoughts too. ¡°Come here.¡± After I ced all the candles in the right ces, Grayson pulled out a chair and told me to sit on it. However, I have something in mind. 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 : 100 85 wuchars So when he sits on his own chair, I slowly part my legs apart and straddle hisp. That vicious movement made him gasp. ¡°It really is my birthday, huh?¡± He chuckles, full attention on me now. ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll feed you.¡± Grayson slid a strand of hair behind my ear and I¡¯m so into this. I¡¯ve wanted all of his attention on me. All of his gasps and his wild thoughts and wild remarks. ¡°You will?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve cooked so I can feed you, you know.¡± ¡°Can I eat you?¡± He shes an infuriatingly sexy smirk, and I reach down, nting a quick kiss on his lips. ¡°Not yet.¡± I couldn¡¯t handle sitting on hisp anymore and not imaging getting fucked by him so I got up and went to the other chair infront of him. Grayson is having his time watching me squirm. This asshole. ¡°So¡­do you want to taste what I¡¯ve prepared?¡± This is awkward because well¡­ I don¡¯t really know if it¡¯s good. Hell, I¡¯ve put so much and practically everything on it. Grayson¡¯s eyed the meal and I know that look. ¡°It¡¯s edible.¡± He chuckles. ¡°I haven¡¯t said anything, baby.¡± ¡°Your face says it all!¡± Had he been hiding anyughter in his stupid stomach, ites out now in this loud annoying noise. I knew it! Hisugh filled the whole ce as he inspected the food in front of us. I wanted to cry out of shame but I couldn¡¯t because we both really know I have no future in the kitchen. ¡°I¡¯ve tried okay?¡± ¡°You really did. You really did.¡± He muttered in between hisughter. ¡°I¡¯ll eat these Jess. Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s the first time you¡¯ve cooked something for me.¡± ¡°It is?¡± My eyes widened trying to remember if it really is. ¡°It¡¯s your fault. You always wanted to fuck so we can¡¯t do normal things!¡± Another heartyugh sent a jolt straight to my pussy. ¡°Hey it¡¯s not my fault you can¡¯t resist me at that time, okay? Plus, you wanted to hide our rtionship, remember?¡± 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 Right. And now, they are all dead. ¡°Fine.¡± I licked my lips and dug into the meal. ¡°It¡¯s good.¡± Ew. It tastes salty! I almost puke but I wanted to really impress him and get his mind off things. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± 100 65 vouchery My alpha only grins and digs food into his own mouth. I was watching his own expression when he took a bite and I almost felt sorry for him. I bit my lips waiting for his judgment. ¡± So¡­you want a drink?¡± I popped open the bottle and poured him some wine. ¡°Do not try to lie.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good.¡± Grayson¡¯s lips pursed, as he chewed the food. Liar. It¡¯s not good and he¡¯s trying very hard.¡± It¡¯s good that you didn¡¯t burn this house when you cooked too.¡± Like I said, asshole. I just ignored him and gave him the ss of wine. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll cook an edible mealter for us. It¡¯s always been the case. Grayson straightened his back while I have many ns for him tonight. Like I said, I¡¯m trying to make some time for us. My feets are dangling and slowly crawling its way on hisp thigh when he growls. ¡°Baby, what are you doing?¡± I shrugged, pretending to not know anything. ¡°What?¡± Grayson put his wine ss back and I almost shrieked when he grabbed my feet and put it directly on his cock. Oh! You vicious man. ¡°If you want to tease me, you have to be bolder.¡± I brought the wine to my lips and took a long gulp. Oh hell, did I just dig my own grave? He¡¯s pulsing, very hard and ready and I am just teasing him. His eyes are daring me to do something when I leaned forward and motion him toe closer on me, It looks like the alpha is in a good mood in obeying because he did exactly what I said. Grayson leans forward and I spit the wine into his mouth. 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 ¡°Shit,¡± he groaned, licking his lips and staring at me with those feral eyes. 100 El 55 vouchers Et ¡°Like it?¡± It was easier to flirt with him than be honest with him. ¡°You want more?¡± It¡¯s easier to tame him too than to read whatever is in his mind. ¡°Do you have your birthday wish, Grayson?¡± I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to stop salivating at his look right now. ¡°A birthday wish?¡± I wasn¡¯t sure if this is the first time that someone asked him that. ¡°Yes. A birthday wish. Anything?¡± Grayson took his time thinking before he got up from his chair and slowly walked behind me. Confidently, he put his hands on my shoulder, sliding it to my breast, making me slightly moan. ¡°I want to im you,¡± he whispers, nose brushing on the soft spot on my neck now. ¡°That¡¯s always been my wish, Jessica. You as my mate. Jessica Wilkinson, officially my Luna.¡± Alpha Luna 169 Chapter 169 GRAYSON : I had to admit, this tops every Jessica Wilkinson¡¯s trouble ever. 100 65 vouchers My fucking sanity is out of the window the second she offered to y some fantasy games in our bed. And look at that, she wants me to y a tyrant alpha to his pitiful omega. ¡°Just don¡¯t shift when you¡¯re inside me,¡± she said with an excited chirp. A loud growl went out of my lips with that fucking thought. My wolf wants that. He longs to im her enough and now she¡¯s trying to feed him with these offers from her? Well, I¡¯ll be damned. But no matter how exciting that can be, it will only tear her apart. ¡°What are you doing?¡± My voice was a whisper still not getting over the fact that my Luna just surprised me with a poisonous meal but made me the luckiest man alive on earth. Jessica slowly lifted her shirt while dancing and I had to control myself. I¡¯m naked on the bed while she¡¯s on the bed trying to edge me with whatever naughty thought she has in her mind tonight. I¡¯m down to anything too. Especially after the conversation that I had with Kade. ¡°Have you ever had ap dance?¡± Oh hell, no. ¡°You mean, a dirtyp dance?¡± Jessica nods. I think she really tried to go overboard with all of these. ¡°Yes, alpha. Have you?¡± Moon goddess! I¡¯ve been in love with her for years already and I am not a good hypocrite man to not think of every filthy little act and position I want to put her through but her wiggling her ass and crawling on the bed? That¡¯s a fucking scene I¡¯ll always remember on my birthday, Jessica settles on my thighs, eyes locked on mine, daring me to breathe, daring me to lose control. She doesn¡¯t even know what she¡¯s doing to me¨Cwhat she¡¯s always done. My hands twitch with the urge to grab her ass, to pin her down and make her stop ying with me, but fuck -I can¡¯t ruin this. Not when she¡¯s giving me the filthiest birthday I¡¯ll ever have. ¡°Please¡­¡± she whispers, voice trembling in that practiced, innocent way that doesn¡¯t belong to her at all. ¡°I¡¯ll never tell anyone. Don¡¯t make me do this, please?¡± The corner of my mouth curves. She¡¯s roleying. My good little wolf, acting like she isn¡¯t grinding herself against my cock right now. 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 : 100 EL 65 vouchere ¡°You think begging is going to save you?¡± My voice out darker than I intend, but she shivers, so I don¡¯t stop. My fingers dig into her hips, keeping her exactly where she is. ¡°Do it. Dance for me. Or I¡¯ll show you what happens when an omega lies to her Alpha.¡± She gasps, not from fear but from the way my grip bites into her skin. Hershes lower, her lips part, and then she starts to move. Slow at first. Little circles of her hips, dragging her clothed cunt right over the length of
  1. me.
¡°That¡¯s it,¡± I rasp, my thumb sliding under her shirt, brushing her bare skin. ¡°Is this why you always disobey me, Wilkinson?¡± I know what dragging herst name will do to her. Sure enough, her body jerks, her eyes shing with confusion then heat. She didn¡¯t expect me to go into that very scenario of how we lived our life till now. ¡°You¡¯re an asshole,¡± she breathes, hips rolling harder anyway, like she can fuck the insult right back at me. ¡°And you¡¯re a brat,¡± I shoot back, my teeth grazing her jaw. I grab a fistful of her hair, tugging just enough to arch her throat. ¡°Say it. Admit you like being punished for disobeying me.¡± She shakes her head, stubborn even as her cunt grinds deeper against me. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve being an alpha Grayson.¡± Damn it. Hearing that hurts¨Cbut so is pping her ass. My palmnds hot and hard, the sound echoing in the room, and she jerks against me, gasping. ¡°You think I don¡¯t deserve it?¡± I growl, fingers tightening in her hair until her throat is bared for me. ¡°Then why the fuck are you dripping all over myp, Jessica?¡± She whimpers, but her hips don¡¯t stop. If anything, she rides me harder, chasing friction like she wants to prove me wrong with every grind. ¡°You want to test me? Fine.¡± I yank her closer, chest to chest, my mouth at her ear. ¡°I¡¯ll show you what kind of Alpha I am.¡± Her eyes ze, defiant even as her body trembles. She loves this. Loves me dragging her past rebellions into the present, twisting them into something filthy, something ours. ¡°Arch your back.¡± She does, slow and smug, tits bouncing right in my face as she rolls her hips on me. I slide lower against the pillows so I can breathe her in, mouth a breath from her skin. ¡°Hands behind you,¡± I order. ¡°Wrists crossed. Keep them there.¡± Her eyes spark like she might argue, but she folds her arms back, wrists locking at the small of her spine. It pushes her chest higher¨Cexactly where I want it. 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 : 100 B5 vuchare ¡°Good girl.¡± I nose along the curve of her, not giving her the satisfaction of my mouth yet. ¡°Look at you trying to be in charge while you put yourself right here.¡± She grinds down harder, on purpose. ¡°Maybe I am in charge.¡± My fingers grip her hips, dragging her slower so every pass is torture. ¡°You¡¯re a brat, Wilkinson. And this brat doesn¡¯t touch unless I say.¡± I tilt my chin. ¡°Present for your Alpha.¡± She arches more¨Ctaunting me, because that¡¯s what she lives for. My lips barely graze her through the thin fabric, a ghost of heat, not nearly enough. ¡°Tease,¡± she breathes. ¡°You started it.¡± I open my mouth and take one needy peak into the heat of my tongue, just a taste, then pull back before she can chase me. She whines¨Ccaught¨Cthen bites it off like she didn¡¯t mean to. ¡°Say it,¡± I murmur, breath hot against her skin. ¡°Tell me you like being punished for disobeying me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t-¡± I p the outside of her thigh, a sharp sting that makes her jump and ride me harder. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me.¡± She pants, forehead tipping to mine, wrists still locked behind her. ¡°I like it.¡± ¡°Louder.¡± ¡°I¨Clike¨Cit.¡± She¡¯s trembling now, chest rising against my mouth with every grind. ¡°Happy?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± I drag my teeth lightly along her, just enough to make her gasp. ¡°You told me I don¡¯t deserve to be Alpha. Say it again.¡± Her eyes re. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve it.¡± Iugh, low. ¡°Look at you. My disobedient little wolf is finally on her knees¨Cfinally giving me the birthday dance I deserve.¡± Her breath stutters. ¡°You¡¯re sick.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re wetter than you¡¯ve ever been,¡± I fire back, my hand cracking against her ass again, forcing her to grind harder. ¡°You hear that? That sloppy noise? That¡¯s your pussy soaking through my pants for everyone to smell.¡± She whimpers, hiding her face, but I catch her chin and shove her tits against my mouth. I suck hard, wet, obscene, saliva trailing when I let go. ¡°Fuck, taste so sweet,¡± I groan against her skin, tongue dragging across her nipple through the thin fabric. ¡°You love it when I use you like this. Sitting on my cock, tits in my face, dripping like a bitch in heat.¡± ¡°Stop-¡± she gasps, but her hips betray her, circling faster, grinding right where she wants it. 7:06 Wed, Sep 10 ¡°Don¡¯t say stop when you mean harder,¡± I growl, catching her breast between my teeth, tugging until she cries out. The sound is ragged, messy, exactly how I like her. I spit over the swell of her tit, then lick it back up, wetting her with my tongue, the obscene noise of it filling the room. Her thighs shake around me, the slick grind getting faster, wetter. I smack her ass again, guiding her pace. ¡°That¡¯s it. Make a mess all over your Alpha. Let me hear it. Let me fucking hear how bad you want me inside you.¡± She moans loud this time, no holding back, the sound breaking into little sobs. Her chest heaves against my mouth, and I lick, bite, suck¨Cleaving her soaked, marked, mine. ¡°You think you¡¯re in control?¡± I snarl against her skin. ¡°You¡¯re just a dripping, desperate little slut on myp. begging to be filled. And you¡¯re going to beg louder before I give it to you.¡± AD Comment Alpha Luna 170 Chapter 170 JESSICA ¡°Well, someone¡¯s definitely had a good night.¡± 55 vouchers Rolling my eyes, I sat beside Jack. My gaze scans his body, searching for wounds. He¡¯s strong enough that no one should be able toy a w on him¨Cbut I check anyway. Instinct. Pack. Because deep down, I know the truth. He¡¯s here because of me. Because I couldn¡¯t shut my mouth, couldn¡¯t stay in line. Kade¡¯s just doing what an enforcer does, and Grayson¨CGrayson¡¯s too blinded by his own fear to see anything clearly. ¡°You¡¯re staring, Jessica,¡± he drawls, lips curving into that infuriating grin. ¡°What? Hoping I¡¯ve got scars you can lick clean?¡± I bare my teeth. ¡°Hoping you¡¯ve got scars that hurt when I touch them.¡± Hisugh is sharp. ¡°That¡¯s my girl. Still a brat even when you¡¯re the reason I got chained up.¡± He leans closer, close enough that I feel his breath ghost over my cheek. ¡°Tell me, did you enjoy knowing I was down there? Did you piss him off?¡± ¡°Is that what you want?¡± I snap, chin tilting higher against his grip. ¡°For me to piss Grayson off?¡± That makes himugh again, darker this time. He licks a slow stripe up his lips and shakes his head. ¡°I just want you to know the truth.¡± My pulse stutters. ¡°What truth?¡± ¡°That you¡¯re not weak as he thinks you are.¡± Somehow, Jack¡¯s words make my pulse pound harder, like he¡¯s dragging ws through the parts of me I swore no one would see. ¡°You¡¯re not weak,¡± he murmurs, voice rougher now, eyes gone wolf¨Cdark. ¡°Grayson leashes you because he¡¯s terrified of what you¡¯d be if you stopped obeying.¡± My chest tightens. ¡°You don¡¯t know-¡± He cuts me off with a growl, stepping closer, the heat of him choking the air between us. ¡°I do know. I¡¯ve watched you bite your tongue bloody just to keep from tearing into him. I¡¯ve watched you hide the fire that should¡¯ve been burning down his pack years ago.¡± His gaze drops to my mouth, lingers, then drags back up. ¡°And you fucking love that I see it.¡± ¡°Jack-¡± ¡°But you¡¯re in love with him.¡± His voice is a growl threaded with dark amusement, heavy with heat. ¡°And you¡¯ve convinced yourself that being his obedient little Luna is enough.¡± He tilts his head, a sharp smile cutting. ¡°Content. Caged. Domesticated.¡± 9.09 §¢§Ö§â : 8:0 42 The denial ws at my throat but won¡¯te out. 55 vouchers He leans in, so close my lips tingle with the phantom brush of his. His scent floods me¨Cwild, untamed, dangerous. My wolf stirs restlessly, betraying me. ¡°You¡¯re just another Riot¡­¡± I whispered, lips trembling as I stared at his eyes. ¡°You just want to use me against Grayson.¡± As I look at him, I know fully, terrifyingly¡­ why I¡¯ve always been drawn to him. Because he sounds like Riot. And now¡­ he¡¯s using it. Using me. Twisting that instinct, that hunger, making me question everything I thought I knew about loyalty, about control, about who I belong to. My wolf stirs violently, desperate, confused but I won¡¯t betray Grayson now. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whisper, voice breaking. ¡°I¡­ I love Grayson. And I won¡¯t betray him. Not again.¡± Jack¡¯s eyes re, sharp and amused, but he doesn¡¯t move to stop me. He just watches, wolf¨Chot and predatory, as I turn on trembling legs. I run. Fast. Heart hammering, chest heaving, wolf screaming in my chest, ws itching for freedom. It¡¯s the first time¨CI¡¯ll shift again after¨Cbut the pull is already overwhelming. Mud clings to my boots, rain soaks my hair, but I don¡¯t feel it. My wolf is already prying at my bones, stretching, straining, hungry to be unleashed. ¡°Let me out!¡± ¡°No!¡± I snap, trying to hold her back, to stay human just a little longer, even as ws dig into the earth and every instinct screams freedom. Rainshes my fur, ws digging into the slippery mud as my wolf screams in my chest. I¡¯m barely holding myself together, barely holding her back. ¡°It¡¯s time Jessica! You can¡¯t hold me forever.¡± ¡°You¨Cdon¡¯t¨Cdare-¡± I hiss back, voice rough, trembling, every muscle coiling, every vein alive. My wolf snarls with me, echoing, matching the storm. She pounds against the cage of my human bones, ws scraping at flesh, teeth grazing ribs, demanding release. My lungs burn. My heart hammers. Rain streaks my face, but I barely feel it. Every step I take, every gasp of air, is a battle. She wants speed. She wants the wild. She wants teeth and ws and wind tearing past us. I want¡­ to stay myself just a second longer. Just long enough to remember who I am. Roots tear at my boots. Mud pulls at my legs. My wolf whines, desperate, frustrated, and I feel her surge, trembling beneath my skin. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t-¡± I gasp. Her growl rattles my bones, shaking me from the inside out. 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 B. ¡­ 41 55 vouchers Lightning cracks above, illuminating the forest in jagged white. I stumble, slip, and she presses harder, ws raking mud, teeth scraping, spine arching, tail whipping. Every nerve is fire. Every heartbeat screams freedom. I bite back a scream, teeth shing, and whisper to her, to me, to the wild in my chest: ¡°Soon¡­ soon, I¡¯ll let you out.¡± ¡°Not soon! I want out now!¡± Her roar shatters thest threads of my control. Bones twist, spine stretches, ribs cracking, muscles tearing free from human restraint. ¡°NoooooOoo!¡± I roar, voice shattering into the storm. ¡°NO! Not yet! I¡¯m not ready!¡± ¡°You are. It¡¯s been so long!¡± Thest hold of my human self snaps. I shift fully, ws, fangs, tail, fur, muscles pulsing with feral power. I scream again, a sound so deep, so raw, it shakes the trees. I hit the ground on all fours, ws digging into mud, rainshing against fur, and the forest erupts around
  1. me.
The wolfughs in my chest, sharp, hungry, feral, and I answer with a howl that tears through the storm. My wolf is free. I am free. Alpha Luna 171 GRAYSON ¡°Where is she?¡± Fucking hell. 55 vouchers I only took my gaze off her for a second¨Cjust to make sure we weren¡¯t being swarmed by rogues¨Cand now she¡¯s gone. Jack¡¯s smirk tells me everything. He knows. He¡¯s taunting me. I grab Jack by the cor as soon as her scent reaches my nose. ¡°Where. The. Fuck. Is she?¡± ¡°I can smell her on you,¡± I growl, pressing closer, ws digging into the leather of his jacket. ¡°One word, and I swear-¡± Jack tilts his head, amusement dripping from his every move. ¡°Rx, Grayson. You might want to save some of that fury for when you actually catch her.¡± ¡°Catch her?¡± The asshole nodded. Cracking the tension on his neck as he pointed at the direction of the woods. Damn it. She run away from me.¡± 66 ¡°What did you tell her?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± I push him hard, almost having visions of ripping his neck. ¡°Are you fucking sure?¡± ¡°Positive. But you might want to hurry. She¡¯s fast when she wants to be.¡± My wolf ws at my chest, screaming. Fast. Defiant. Mine. Without another word, I tear through the mud, the rain, the storm, chasing her scent. Why would she run away? And why now? Kade and I discovered anomalies in our perimeter, and I have to check twice if we¡¯re being invaded. But fuck it¨Cthere¡¯s only one priority now. Her. My Luna. I pivot, dodging a fallen log, ws scraping bark, teeth bared. The stormshes at my back, but my wolf doesn¡¯t care. It only wants her. Wants to tear through the distance, tear her out of the rain¨Csoaked trees, and im herpletely. I push harder, sprinting, muscles screaming, teeth clenched. ¡°Jessica!¡± I know she hears it. She always hears me. And I know she¡¯s running, thrilled, defiant, testing me. ¡°Where the hell are you?!¡± What the fuck. Inu, Sep 1 I¡¯m losing my breath as I run in pieces just to be whole again. And then¨C1 catch it. Her scent. I tip my nose to the wind, scent hitting me full force. She¡¯s close. So close. Mine. Mine. Mine. 55 vouchers Another howl cuts through the storm and I fucking recognize it. Jessica let her wolf out and now she¡¯s not in control. ¡°Come to me, you little brat,¡± I growl, voice low, dangerous, feral. ¡°You think you can run from me?¡± Branches whip my face. Mud clings to my fur. Rain soaks me to the bone. Doesn¡¯t matter. I can smell her. There. Ahead. A sh of movement, tail whipping, fur slicked with rain. ¡°Got you.¡± I slow, just enough to let her know she¡¯s already cornered. Her wolf is beautiful and destructive in its own way, but whatever it is she carries¨Cfire, defiance, danger¨Cit intoxicates me. Every poisonous bit, I¡¯d drink it just to have her. Gold eyes re under rain, teeth gleaming, fangs wet. I step closer, heart hammering, senses screaming. ¡°Hey,¡± I growl, curling my fingers, gesturing her closer. The storm pounds around us, but I¡¯m the only thing she¡¯s hearing, feeling, sensing. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I won¡¯t harm you.¡± Can she not recognize me? I circle her slowly, letting the wind carry my scent straight to her. Her fur bristles under the rain, spine arched, fangs glinting as she matches my movements, dangerous and defiant. ¡°Closer,¡± I growl, teeth bared. ¡°I¡¯m not your enemy.¡± I know she¡¯s confused. She¡¯s been through too much, fought too hard to trust anyone. What had happened to her made her different. She¡¯s been poisoned and manipted. ¡°It¡¯s alright¡­I won¡¯t hurt you.¡± She answers with a long, raw howl. ¡°It¡¯s okay baby. It¡¯s me. You don¡¯t have to be afraid anymore.¡± Every instinct screams to close the distance, to im her, to drown in the raw fire of her defiance¨Cbut I don¡¯t. 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 41 255 vouchers Not yet. I slow, letting my gaze lock with hers, letting her feel it. I am safe. You are safe. Rainshes against us, soaking fur and skin, but I don¡¯t care. The storm outside is nothingpared to the storm inside me. I can do this. I will do this. For a lifetime. Finally, she lets out a purr before she drops to the mud, fur slick, body trembling, but calm in her own feral way. Tail curling around her, eyes still locked on mine, sheys there, vulnerable yet wild, letting me see her entirely. I crouch a little closer until my hands are on her tracing the curve of her nks, feeling the slick heat of her fur against my palms. ¡°Good girl,¡± I growl, low and dangerous, letting my thumb brush along her jaw, teasing the tip of her ear. Her body trembles under my touch, tail flicking, ws digging lightly into the mud¨Cbut she stays, eyes locked on mine, daring me to im more. I lean closer, letting my scent wash over her, letting her know this is mine. My wolf hums beneath the surface, approving, echoing the hunger in my chest. Every inch of her radiates fire, defiance, and something so feral I can¡¯t resist. ¡°Can you¡­ let her back now?¡± She purrs, nuzzling her head into my hand instead. ¡°I need you to shift. It¡¯s getting cold out here.¡± She whines softly, tail curling tighter around me, head nudging insistently. Clearly, she doesn¡¯t want to. I inhale, tasting the storm, tasting her, and let my wolf instincts guide me. ¡°Fine,¡± I murmur, voice low, ¡°But we have to go back to our house. Is that okay with you?¡± Her ears twitch, gold eyes flicking up at me, wary yet trusting, the tiniest tilt of surrender. She presses her wet head into my palm, purring¨Ca deep, dangerous sound that makes my chest tighten. ¡°Are you hurt somewhere? Can you run back?¡± My eyes scan every line of her body¨Cthank the moon goddess, nothing broken, just mud and soaked fur. She twitches, letting out a sharp, yful growl, backing a step, then circling me, daring me to move faster, testing my patience. ¡°Easy,¡± I growl, tracing her spine with slow, possessive fingers, letting her feel my heat. ¡°We move together. You and me. Now.¡± I rise, boots squelching in the mud, rainshing my face, but I don¡¯t care. She¡¯s already moving, sleek and wild, muscles rippling beneath wet fur, gold eyes zing like molten fire. ¡°Stay close,¡± I growl, voice raw, and she flicks her tail, turning just enough to sh a nce at me¡ªas if daring me to catch her. My pulse spikes. 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 : -41 55 vouchers God, she¡¯s irresistible like this, every instinct in me tethered to her movements, wanting to run my hands along her spine, bury myself in the heat of her, im her entirely. We burst through the forest, wind whipping, rain stinging, and my lungs burn, every heartbeat pounding with desperate need. I keep pace, human legs pumping, teeth gritted, chest heaving. She nces at me again, ears flicking, and my wolf growls low, hungry, possessive I reach out, fingers brushing against her slick fur as we pass a fallen tree, and she doesn¡¯t pull away¨Cshe presses into the touch, spine arching, tail curling around mine. My breath catches. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± I murmur, voice cracking with heat and longing, low enough that only she can hear it over the storm. My fingers drag along her nks, kneading the tension from her muscles, feeling her body shiver against the rain, against me, and I can¡¯t stop myself from pressing closer, every step in sync with hers, every instinct screaming. Her howl splits the night, long, raw, feral¡ªand I answer it with a growl from deep in my chest. Desire, possessiveness, hunger. We are fire and storm and wolf, chasing each other through the rain¨Csoaked trees, and I¡¯d give everything just to keep this tether, to never let her escape again. Alpha Luna 172 GRAYSON ¡°There. You¡¯re clean now.¡± : 41 E 55 vouchers She whines, soft and raw, tail curling tight around me as I drag the towel over her soaked fur. She hadn¡¯t been able to shift and I don¡¯t know why. Somehow I¡¯m starting to get afraid that something is wrong with her. I don¡¯t want to think anything and I certainly don¡¯t want her wolf to feel like I don¡¯t want her but this is a first for me. ¡°Shift, Jessica,¡± I murmur, voice low, almost desperate. ¡°Let me feel you. Let me bring you back to me.¡± Still nothing. What the fuck is wrong with her? Her gold eyes flick to mine, wild, confused, vulnerable. ¡°Come on, baby,¡± I growl, voice rough, teeth bared. ¡°I need you. Don¡¯t make me wait.¡± She whines again, nudging my thigh, pressing close. ¡°Okay. I won¡¯t force you,¡± I told her as I lifted her fully and carried her on our bed. I set her down gently, pressing her head against the pillow, letting her body sink into the mattress. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you, anyway?¡± I know she¡¯ll never understand what I am saying. I let myself watch her for another minute before I sigh and went to the asshole outside of my house. Jack steps inside as soon as I open the door. ¡°So¡­did you find her?¡± ¡°Yeah. And she¡¯s mine. Don¡¯t get any ideas, asshole.¡± Jack¡¯s grin widens, but there¡¯s a hint of caution now. ¡°Oh? Still in wolf form, huh?¡± I growl, pressing my fingers into the mattress near her, feeling her tremble under my gaze. ¡°She¡¯ll shift when she¡¯s ready. And until then¡­hands off.¡± Her ears flick at the sound of my voice, tail curling tighter, and I can feel her focus slowly, dangerously, drifting toward me again. My wolf hums, approving, hungry. I lean closer, inhaling her scent, letting the storm outside match the one raging inside me. ¡°What did you tell her anyway?¡± Jack leans backzily, smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, like he¡¯s daring me to snap. ¡°Rx, big guy. I didn¡¯t tell her shit¡­not exactly.¡± ¡°Not exactly?¡± I growl, stepping closer, wolf instincts thrumming in my chest. ¡°You were thest one she saw. Every word out of your mouth, she felt it. What did you do to her?¡± 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 41 55 vouchers Jackughs, a little nervous now. ¡°Oh¡­you know. Just reminded her that sometimes it¡¯s fun to run, to y a little. To see who¡¯s really chasing her.¡± My wolf growls low, tail bristling inside me, and my teeth grit. ¡°She¡¯s mine, Jack. Don¡¯t fucking y with her.¡± Jack raises his hands, smirk faltering, just a fraction. ¡°Okay, okay¡­point taken. Don¡¯t need to eat me¡­yet.¡± ¡°But¡­have you tried it? I mean¡­doing it in wolf form?¡± His tone is teasing, dangerous, and I can hear the y in his words. I freeze, ws tightening, heat snapping through my chest. ¡°What the fuck are you talking about?¡± Jack chuckles, leaning back just out of reach, clearly loving my reaction. ¡°You know¡­wolf you, wolf her. The chase, the¡­ iming. Could be¡­fun.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare,¡± I hiss, voice low and feral. ¡°She¡¯s not some toy for your twisted amusement.¡± Jackughs, shaking his head, but I don¡¯t even notice him anymore. All I can think about is her¨Cfur slicked with rain, muscles coiled, golden eyes sharp, defiant, wild. My wolf growls in my chest, echoing the same thoughts. Damn it. I throw my head back, letting a guttural, feral howl tear out of me, raw and possessive. It rattles the walls, rattles my bones, and even through it all, I can hear Jack¡¯sugh bursting like a twisted melody behind me. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought,¡± he shouts between chuckles. ¡°It is fun.¡± Before he can tell anything else, I¡¯m already shoving him away from the bedroom door and into the kitchen. ¡°I think she¡¯s damaged, Grayson.¡± I frown. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jack pushed a chair before he took the one in front of me. ¡°She told me I was just like Riot.¡± Riot. That name. Jack leans back, smirk gone, his usual amusement reced with a touch of guilt. ¡°She¡­ shepared me to him. Said I reminded her of him, the way I was chasing her. Said she¡­ I¡¯m just using her¡­to leave you.¡± The mention of her leaving me made my throat constrict in pain. That¡¯ll be the day. ¡°Riot¡­hurt her and I think he got her wolf confused¡­and also I think she¡¯s into him.¡± Jack holds up his hands, wide¨Ceyed, ¡°Whoa! What?¡± I don¡¯t let him finish. I look away, jaw tight, chest hammering, heart caught between fury and fear. I can¡¯t let him see it. That tiny, unbearable fear: that one day she¡¯ll wake up and realize it¡¯s always been Riot. That all this¡­ all my chasing, all my protection¡­ she could mistake it for someone else. 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 I let out a low hiss, shaking my head. ¡°I caught them kissing..making out.¡± 41 55 vouchers ¡°Wait¨Cwhat?¡± His voice is a mix of disbelief and a twitch of amusement, but there¡¯s a flicker of seriousness in his gaze now. ¡°I caught them,¡± I growl, voice low, rough, teeth clenched. ¡°Kissing. Making out. Her wolf¡­ it doesn¡¯t know who to trust anymore. And I swear-¡± My fists clench, nails biting into my palms. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she never mistakes anyone else for what¡¯s hers.¡± ¡°Damn¡­ I didn¡¯t think¨Cshit, man, she¡¯s¡­ wild. I get why you¡¯re-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t finish that sentence.¡± Jack swallows, shifting uneasily, but can¡¯t hide the hint of admiration in his eyes. ¡°Alright, alright¡­ I get it. Don¡¯t snap me, okay? Have you told her?¡± ¡°About what, Jack? That her wolf might remember him? That she¡¯s¡­ confused? That she¡¯s still breathing in pieces of someone else?¡± Jack blinks, then smirks nervously. ¡°Yeah¡­that.¡± I shake my head, running a hand through my damp hair, chest heaving. ¡°No. I don¡¯t want her to know I¡¯m doubting her.¡± ¡°Doubting¡­her?¡± I look down, shoulders tightening, the rain from outside still damp on my skin, but it¡¯s nothingpared to the storm in my chest. ¡°Yeah¡­doubting her. Doubting that I can fix this. That I can keep her from breaking again. That¡­that I¡¯m enough.¡± Jack leans back, studying me like he¡¯s seeing a side I rarely let anyone see. ¡°Shit, man¡­you¡¯re really in this, huh?¡± I nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve never¡­felt this way before. About anyone. And now¡­ if she slips, if she-¡± My voice catches. I shake my head, trying to w back control. ¡°I can¡¯t lose her. Not to him. Not to anyone. Not even herself.¡± Jack doesn¡¯t say anything for a moment, just lets me sit in it, letting the vulnerability hang heavy in the air. Then he mutters, quietly, almost in awe: ¡°Damn, Grayson¡­she¡¯s lucky to have you.¡± I force a bitterugh, looking away, but I don¡¯t argue. I don¡¯t even try. Because the truth is¡­luck has nothing to do with it. I¡¯ll fight. I¡¯ll w, I¡¯ll bleed, I¡¯ll die for her. And maybe that¡¯s what scares me most. 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 Alpha Luna 173 JESSICA Where am I? : 41 55 vouchers My eyes adjusted slowly, and I had to squint because the golden rays of the sun were spilling across the room. Shit. I quickly pulled the nket over my very naked body and stared around. It¡¯s a good thing this ce is familiar¨Cotherwise I¡¯d be screaming right now. What happened to me? I looked down at myself again and realized¨CI wasn¡¯t dreaming. My stomach dropped. I shoved my legs out of the sheets and wrapped the nket tight around me, knotting it at my chest with shaking hands. Grayson. I stumbled toward the door, bare feet pping against the floorboards, heart hammering in my throat. ¡°Grayson!¡± I shoved through the doorway into the living room. And froze. Every Alpha in the room turned to me at once. Their conversation cut off mid¨Cword, jaws falling ck, eyes widening like I was a ghost crawling out of the grave. Heat scorched my cheeks, but I couldn¡¯t move. The nket slipped lower on my shoulders, baring more skin than I wanted, and still I couldn¡¯t make myself pull it up. ¡°Sorry!¡± I blurted, spinning on my heel. My voice cracked. God, that was damn stupid. I bolted. My bare feet pped against the hallway floor as I half¨Cran, half¨Ctripped, clutching the nket tight to keep it from slipping. My heart thundered so loud it drowned out everything else¨Cuntil I heard it. ¡°Jess!¡± Grayson¡¯s voice, sharp, furious, too close. I didn¡¯t look back. Couldn¡¯t. Shame and panic burned hotter than the sunlight spilling through the windows. My wolf stirred weakly, whining inside me, but I shoved her down, focusing only on putting space between me and those stares. Heavy footsteps pounded after me. 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 ¡°Jess, stop!¡± I ran faster until I was inside the room. Knocks came a secondter. Shit. Shit. ¡°¡°Go away!¡± 41 55 vouchers The pounding kepting, faster, louder, like he¡¯d tear the door off its hinges if I didn¡¯t answer. ¡°Baby, it¡¯s me. Open up. Please.¡± That¡¯s not going to work on me. But certainly, it¡¯s going to work on my wolf. What¡¯s happening to her? It felt like¡­she¡¯s so eager to answer for Grayson. I bit myself to stop her from wing out again until the door opened and Grayson finally slipped himself inside. The look of the alpha in fury is etched in his very skin. ¡°What the hell?¡± Rolling my eyes, I lose the damn nket and walk straight to the cab to look for fresh clothes. I¡¯m not embarrassed about being naked in front of him. Not after everything. If he wants to stand there fuming, let him. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He stalked closer, sitting on the side of the bed as he waited for me to dress his shirt. I wasn¡¯t even done when he pulled me on hisp, nuzzling his head on my neck. ¡°You¡¯re back..¡± ¡°I am. Did you miss me?¡± That was supposed to make meugh but staring at his soulful gaze as he lifts his eyes and ims my lips, I suddenly wonder what happened to me. ¡°I do.¡± My wolf whines, pushing against me, desperate to close the distance, to sink into him. I push at his chest, sharp, but he doesn¡¯t budge. His arms only tighten, locking me against him like I¡¯m something he¡¯ll never let go of again. Heat burns through me¨Crage, desire, confusion tangled so thick I can barely breathe. ¡°What happened to me?¡± Grayson¡¯s handes up, fingers rough but steady as he tilts my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. My breath stutters, betraying me. His thumb brushes the corner of my mouth like he has every right to touch me, like I belong to him. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he murmurs, forehead pressing against mine. ¡°That¡¯s what happened.¡± 9:09 Thu, Sep 11 41 55 vouchers I re, but my breath hitches when he leans closer, lips ghosting over my cheek before trailing down to my jaw. ¡°Did I do something stupid?¡± ¡°Define stupid.¡± ¡°Stop dodging. Tell me what I did.¡± Grayson leans back just enough to meet my eyes, his hand still tilting my chin like he refuses to let me look anywhere but at him. ¡°You mean, besides driving me half¨Cinsane with worry? Or the part where you made every single Alpha in that room choke on their tongues?¡± Heat floods my cheeks. My nails bite into his shoulder. ¡°That wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Stupid?¡± he interrupts smoothly, smirking now. ¡°Baby, if you¡¯re asking me, walking in naked and then running from me definitely qualifies.¡± My wolf whines, rolling belly¨Cup, happy to be teased. I grit my teeth, hating how easily he unravels me. ¡°Did I lose control yesterday?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡± Grayson¡¯s smirk sharpens, dangerous, amused all at once. ¡°You mean¡­ when you ran, when you shifted?¡± I grit my teeth, ws pressing into his chest. ¡°Yes. That. What the hell happened to me?¡± His lips trace my jaw, slow, teasing, dangerous. ¡°Your wolf is so hard to tame, baby. Maybe I should start fucking some sense into it too.¡± ¡°Are¡­ you serious?!¡± ¡°Dead serious,¡± he murmurs, dark and low. ¡°Why are you running anyway?¡± I stiffen, heat crawling up my neck. I don¡¯t want to tell him all of it¨Cnot about losing control, not about letting my wolf take over¨Cbut my body hums with the memory anyway. ¡°I¡­ I wasn¡¯t running,¡± I snap, ws flexing, heart hammering. My wolf whines, pressing against my ribs, desperate to answer for him, to leap, to bite, to scream. Grayson tilts his head, eyes dark, smirk curling like he knows exactly what I¡¯m hiding. ¡°Moved fast, huh? Sounds an awful lot like running from me.¡± I gape, cheeks burning, and my hands tighten into fists at his chest. ¡°I wasn¡¯t!¡°. ¡°Uh¨Chuh,¡± he murmurs, brushing a thumb along my jaw, lips ghosting against my neck, dangerous and teasing. ¡°Your wolf looks pretty thrilled you were.¡± I bet she is. She¡¯s shameless, greedy, wild¨Ceverything I try to keep buried in human skin. And right now, she¡¯sughing at me from the inside, loving every second of this. Damn her. Damn him. Damn both of them. for making me feel like I¡¯m barely holding myself together. My legs waver as I get up from Grayson¡¯sp, and my hands itch to shove him away and pull myself together at the same time. 9:10 Thu, Sep 11 Get a grip, Jess. :D 41 55 vouchers ¡°How are you, anyway? Are you hurt somewhere?¡± His eyes travel down my body and he whistles low, slow, teasing. I smirk, twisting my hips just enough to make his breath hitch. ¡°Hurt? Maybe. But not where you¡¯re looking.¡± I step closer, pressing my knee between his legs, feeling the heat of him even through the fabric. His hands fly to my waist, gripping hard, but I don¡¯t stop. ¡°You¡¯re the one who looks like he¡¯s about to fall apart, Grayson.¡± His jaw tightens, eyes darkening as they lock on mine. ¡°Careful, Jess,¡± he growls, voice low and dangerous. ¡°The alphas are outside but I can very much bend you in this bed and im you.¡± I smirk, pressing my knee between his thighs.¡± Really? Ah¨COh my goddess! Please, Grayson..¡± His eyes darken, his hands gripping my waist like he¡¯s fighting to keep control. I press closer, my chest against his, and feel his heartbeat quicken. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I whisper, my fingers tracing the line of his corbone. ¡°Can¡¯t handle a little teasing?¡± I pull back just as he leans in, his lips almost grazing mine. Iugh, a soft, knowing sound, and sashay away, leaving him breathless and frustrated. AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 174 hapter 174 JESSICA ¡°Was it good?¡± : 71 55 vouchers I almost snorted and threw my water at Kade¡¯s face. The alphas have these annoying smirk on their face once we¡¯re out of the bed. It turns out, they¡¯ve been trying to drag Grayson¡¯s ass because he wouldn¡¯t go away without me shifting back to normal. Ugh, alphas and their dumb, overconfident faces. ¡°So where are you trying to drag him away?¡± ¡°Alpha¡¯s business.¡± Of course, why did I bother? It¡¯s not like they are really including me in their ns. After a few minutes, Grayson had finally managed to make the others go away. I was cooking when I felt him again resting his hands on my waist. ¡°You really love pissing Kade,¡± he chuckles, sniffing on my neck. I tilt mine just to give him some ess and also because I¡¯m already so turned on by him. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re in a pack and hiding our rtionship. ¡°What are you cooking, baby?¡± ¡°Your balls.¡± ¡°What?¡± He sounded so offended. When he turned me around, he already had this shocked expression on his face. ¡°That¡¯s a bad thing to say, omega.¡± ¡°Is it?¡± Finally, I¡¯m done cooking. Grayson let me set up my food first before his hands are all over me again. Moon goddess! Why is he being so horny right now? I cannot stop myself and face him to probably shout at his face but his hands are already finding its way inside my shorts. A gasp left out of my lips as I felt him touch me. ¡°Ah-¡± His thumb brushes over the slick heat he¡¯s already found, teasing, iming, like he¡¯s marking what¡¯s his. I hiss, gripping the edge of the counter, legs trembling, heart hammering. My mouth parts, a soft, sharp gasp escaping me. ¡°G¨CGrayson¡­¡± ¡°Ah-¡± I let it out again, sharp, breathless, as my head tilted back, exposing my neck. ¡°You-¡°I start, voice trembling, sharp with want, ¡°you¡¯re-¡± ¡°-what, baby?¡± 11:47 Fri, Sep 12 : 71 55 vouchers Grayson smirks, eyes dark, hungry, hand still sliding, teasing, iming. He leans in, lips brushing my ear, low and yful. ¡°You like that, don¡¯t you?¡± I shiver violently, head tilting back, mouth parting, a soft gasp escaping me. ¡°Ah¡­ yes¡­¡± Fuck him. Of course I like it¨Che knows I like it¡ªbut I¡¯ll die before I say it. I bet he got so pent up because my wolf gave him a very hard time. He fucking deserves it. My pussy suddenly tightened. I open my legs wider to allow him to punish me or make me happy as he wants but the alpha is trying to y a game. ¡°So eager, are we?¡± I grind on his fingers but what he gave me is a sharp p on the cunt. ¡°Ah! What the hell was that for?¡± He plunged a finger into my pussy. ¡°That was for running away.¡± I clenched at his fingers and he added another one making me moan. ¡°One more?¡± ¡°Wait-¡°I gasped, trying to pull back, but his fingers plunged deeper, curling inside me. My hips jerked involuntarily, grinding against his hand, heat pooling, and my wolf whined, rolling, urging me to surrender. ¡°You¡¯re stretching me so much,¡± I breathed, voice trembling, sharp and raw, but a shiver ran through me anyway. My ws dug into the edge of the counter, nails scraping, trying to anchor myself while my body betrayed mepletely. Grayson¡¯s smirk deepened, dark and teasing. ¡°Mm, you like it, don¡¯t you? You can take it, baby. You¡¯re made for it.¡± I hissed, back arching, breath hitching, legs trembling. Made for it? Made for him? He didn¡¯t give me a chance to adjust. Another finger thrust fast, deep, curling inside me. I shivered violently, hips bucking instinctively against him. Fuck¡­ he knows exactly what he¡¯s doing. He always knows. ¡°God¡­ I can¡¯t-¡± I groaned, ws scraping the counter, chest pressing against his, mouth parting in a gasp that nearly betrayed mepletely. ¡°Oh¨Cfuck! Grayson-!¡± I cried, head lolling back, eyes squeezing shut, mouth opening in a ragged gasp. My wolf howled inside, rolling, wing, desperate to im, to feel, to release. ¡°God, yes¡­ oh-!¡± I cried again, body trembling, hips snapping forward, letting him push me further, deeper. The world narrowed down to the sharp, scaring pleasure his hands were giving me, his smell, his heat, the way he had mepletely undone. A shiver ran through me, teeth chattering, ws flexing, as a white¨Chot wave tore through my body. My knees buckled slightly, but he held me, grounding me, letting me ride it out, every gasp and whine spilling from my lips. 11:47 Fri, Sep 12 : 71 55 vouchers ¡°Oh¡­ oh¡­ oh¨Cyes¨Cyes¨Cyes!¡± I cried, voice raw, breath ragged, my body arching impossibly into him. My wolf purred, whining, rolling against every inch of me, and I shivered violently, feelingpletely, utterly, ferally undone. Grayson¡¯s low chuckle vibrated against me, lips brushing my neck, teasing, iming. ¡°That¡¯s my girl,¡± he murmured, voice dark and yful. ¡°Mine. Every inch.¡± I gasped again, leaning into him, shivering, still trembling, heat coiling, my wolf finally settling, content for the first time since he started. My body throbbed, still aching for more, still alive, still wild. He only gives me a few minutes to recover before he nts another kiss on my lips. I¡¯m still gasping for air, chest rising and falling too fast. ¡°W¨CWhat¡­ about you?¡± I manage between ragged breaths, ws still flexing against his shoulders. His nose brushes mine, dark eyes glittering with amusement. ¡°Nope,¡± he murmurs, voice low, dangerous, teasing. ¡°I¡¯m okay, Jess. I just want to tease you,¡± he murmurs, low, yful, dangerous. Before I can react, he drags a finger slowly down my jaw, along my neck, brushing against my corbone, and then ¨C impossibly ¨C he licks it God, this man¡­ he¡¯s infuriating, irresistible, and utterly dangerous. ¡°You¡¯re going to ruin me,¡± I manage between ragged breaths. ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± I¡¯m already ruined, baby. I don¡¯t tell him that. Grayson let me rest on his shoulders though. He¡¯s very hard but when I tried to touch his cock, he pushed my hands away.¡± Do you have ns today?¡± ¡°Yes and I need to be focused.¡± Focus it is. I push my hands down to my sides, trying to regain some control, though my wolf whines, rolling inside me, restless and impatient. He leans closer, nose brushing mine, lips hovering just a breath away, dark eyes glittering with amusement. ¡°Focus, huh?¡± he murmurs, voice low, dangerous. ¡°Maybe I should just spend this day with you.¡± I chuckle, tilting my head, fixing myself before leaning back to face him. ¡°And piss Kade?¡± I tease, voice sharp, yful, daring. ¡°Right,¡± he nods, smirk curling as he leans in, pressing a quick, scorching kiss to my lips. His hands linger for a second on my waist, a subtle im before he pulls back slightly. ¡°Behave,¡± he murmurs, low and dangerous, eyes glittering. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± Alpha Luna 175 GRAYSON ¡°Did you tell her?¡± 71 55 vouchers Kade¡¯s eyes are glued to his papers, flipping like the world doesn¡¯t even exist. I sip my coffee, bitter, hot, eyes. on the frost creeping across the ss. Cold bites at my cheeks, but I¡¯m too satisfied¨Ctoo alive. How the hell could I tell her when her wolf is restless, whining low, ws flexing in her chest? My pulse quickens. That damn wolf of hers¡­ always trying to answer before she does. ¡°She¡¯ll find out when she finds out,¡± Kade mutters. I growl low, amber eyes snapping to him. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking tell her yet, Kade.¡± He finally looks up, that smug smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°But the full moon is in three days, Grayson. That¡¯s yourst chance of marking her.¡± Three days. Three goddamn days. And she¡¯s out there, so tantalizing, her wolf pressing against her ribs even as she looks calm, innocent¨Cor pretending to be. Mine. I have to control this. I have to make her mine on my terms, my rules. It¡¯s seriously making me insane¨Cher losing control with her wolf. Something triggered it. Something dangerous, something that made her wolf snap like that. And I need to find out. There¡¯s no margin for mistakes. One misstep, and she¨Cor I¨Cpay the price. Jessica doesn¡¯t know it, but I¡¯m already three moves ahead. Her hybrids are only the start¨Ceverything, every part of her, will be mine soon enough. Three days. Three goddamn days. And after that¡­ there will be no running, no hiding, no pretending. She will be mine,pletely, and I will never let her go. I¡¯m going to im her¨Cher body, her wolf, her defiance. Every inch of her will know that I am hers. But every second, the hunger spikes, my control fraying. She is mine¨Calready¨Cshe just doesn¡¯t know it yet. And when the full moon rises¡­ there will be no mercy. ¡°I don¡¯t like that look Grayson,¡± Kade said. ¡°What look?¡± I¡¯m fucking starving. I quickly put the mug down and told Kade a goodbye before I ran out of his office. ¡°Careful, Grayson. That wolf of hers¡­ she¡¯s not yours to snap at just yet.¡± I don¡¯t need him to remind me¨Cthe wolf knows, and I know, and that¡¯s more than enough. 55 vouchers The hallways blurred past me, every instinct alive, wolf snarling beneath my skin. Jack¡¯s door came into view, and I didn¡¯t even knock. I yanked it open and slipped inside, closing it with a hard thud behind me. The room smelled faintly of him¨Ccologne, leather, traces of sweat. My wolf growled low, ws flexing inside me, pressing me forward. ¡°Jack?¡± ¡°What, Grayson?¡± Jack shouts, panic scratching his tone. Bathroom? Bad call. Wolf snarls. I stalk closer anyway. ¡°Fuck! Can¡¯t you knock?¡± The other alpha freezes mid¨Cstep, eyes widening, shoulders stiffening. Smugness bleeds out of him like water. Good. ¡°So¡­ back with old habits again, I see?¡± Jack tss¡¯s, mutters something to the other alpha, then vaults out of the room in a blur of motion. Pathetic. ¡°Don¡¯t say a word,¡± Jack barked, and without warning, I shoved him hard into the wall. The smack echoed, Jack¡¯s back hitting solid wood, his hands scrambling to push me off¨Cbut I didn¡¯t relent. ¡°Tss¨CGrayson!¡± he sputtered, eyes darting, panic rising in the scent I could almost taste. ¡°I fucking warned you didn¡¯t I?¡± I growled, pressing closer, nose brushing his, amber eyes shing, wolf wing at my ribs, hungry. Every second he stayed there, every heartbeat, was a provocation I could barely tolerate. Jack gulped, body quivering, trying to pull himself upright, but I held him there. My fingers flexed like iron, my pulse hammering. ¡°Move, and I¡¯ll show you exactly what happens when you cross me,¡± I snarled low, teeth shing in a predator¡¯s grin. He stammered something incoherent, and I let him scramble for his clothes¨Cbut my eyes never left him. My wolf purred, ready to im, to punish, to dominate. ¡°You think this little game of yours¨Csneaking around with other alphas¨Cdoesn¡¯t disrupt the pack?¡± 1 growled, each word jagged, spitting like fire. ¡°You¡¯re stepping on lines you don¡¯t get to cross.¡± ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯re risking?¡± I hissed, leaning closer, pressing him against the wall again. ¡°Every choice you make ripples through the pack. Every misstep? Mine to punish.¡± His hands fumbled at the waistband of his pants, trying to cover himself, but my eyes didn¡¯t leave him. Every inch of himid bare under my scrutiny¨Csweat, fear, arrogance still clinging like a bad perfume. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not throwing you out ¡°I growled, an amber gaze dark, wolf purring in dangerous 11:47 Fri, Sep 12 71 55 vouchers anticipation. ¡°Lucky I haven¡¯t decided how much of this pack I want to use you for.¡± He swallowed hard, words stuck in his throat, and I could smell the tension radiating off him. ¡°Understand this,¡± I spat, ws grazing the wall inches from his ribs, ¡°one more slip, one more game, and I won¡¯t just punish you¡ªI¡¯ll make sure every alpha who thinks they can y around you remembers exactly who runs this pack. And it isn¡¯t you.¡± Jack loves to y this game and I¡¯m acquainted with it but I can have him doing this when there is a war waiting for us. Jack¡¯s jaw snapped shut, teeth shing. He shoved me, chest mming into mine. I stumbled¨Cjust enough for the wolf inside to roar. ¡°You really want this?¡± I hiss, teeth shing, voice low and sharp. ¡°War¡¯sing, Jack. And your little rebellion? I can crush it¨Cor you. Your call.¡± I step closer, ws flexing, heat radiating off me. Walls close, space shrinking. ¡°Pack rules, Jack,¡± I growl. ¡°No fucking other alphas.¡± I reach up, gripping his jaw in one hand, tilting his face so his eyes lock with mine. His defiance flickers, and I feel the wolf inside him tense. ¡°Say it,¡± I growl, voice low, dangerous, vibrating with hunger and authority. ¡°Say you won¡¯t cross me. Say you won¡¯t touch other alphas again.¡± I tighten my grip slightly¨Cnot enough to hurt, just enough to dominate. ¡°I¡­ won¡¯t,¡± he hisses, eyes darting away for a fraction of a second, then back to me, challenge still faintly burning there. ¡°Good,¡± I murmur, releasing his jaw, but letting my hand linger near his neck, my ws brushing the skin. ¡°Because one slip, one bite of betrayal¡­ and you¡¯ll regret it. Not just me, Jack. The pack will remember.¡± I step back, letting him draw a shaky breath, letting him simmer in the knowledge that I will allow no mistakes¨Cno disruptions, no games¨Cwhen ites to protecting Jessica. Every alpha in that room will know: cross me, and there¡¯s hell to pay. I reach out, brushing my fingertips across his cheek¨Cjust enough to startle him. Soft, yes¨Cbut the pressure, the intent, is a warning: step out of line, and you¡¯ll regret it. ¡°Come,¡± I growl, teeth shing, my voice sharp as steel. ¡°You¡¯reing with me. Now.¡± 11:47 Fri, Sep 12 Alpha Luna 176 Chapter 176 GRAYSON ¡°You¡¯re not going to kill me, aren¡¯t you?¡± Stupid Jack. Sometimes, I wonder why his pack has chosen him to be their alpha. 55 vouchers It¡¯s fucking scorching, and I might as well melt under this bastard sun. Sweat drips down my spine, sticking my shirt to my skin, and every step kicks up more dust than I care to breathe. Jack¡¯s ahead of me, shoulders tense, jaw tight, pretending he¡¯s not feeling the heat. He¡¯s good at pretending always has been. Doesn¡¯t make me want to kill him any less. ¡°Not gonna kill me, huh?¡± he throws over his shoulder, voice casual, baiting me. I snort and grab the back of his neck, squeezing until I feel the tremor in his pulse. ¡°Keep talking. See what happens. 79 He stumbles when I shove him forward, boots crunching on dry earth. ¡°Where are we going anyway?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± ¡ª The rogues are a mess. Starved, broken, wild. A dozen cages lined up like some kind of execution ground, shadows slicing across rusted bars. One hybrid throws itself against the steel, frothing at the mouth, ws leaving bloody streaks. Another crouches in the corner, ribs sharp under mangy fur, its eyes glowing like coals in a pit. Jack slows. Instinct. His wolf knows what this ce is. ¡°Rx,¡± I say, voice t, cold. ¡°They¡¯re chained. For now.¡± He shoots me a look over his shoulder, lips curling back from his teeth. ¡°You enjoying this?¡± I grin, slow and sharp, like I¡¯ve got all the time in the world to break him. ¡°You have no idea.¡± I walk past him, ws sliding free, just because I know it¡¯ll piss him off. The rogues rattle the bars as I move, the smell of fear and fury thick in the air, coating my tongue like copper. I m my fist into the nearest cage, iron groaning under the hit. The wolf inside shrieks, ears t, tail tucked. Jack flinches, a tiny twitch of muscle I almost miss. 1 ¡°You get soft, this is what happens,¡± I say, voice carrying over the snarls. ¡°Why did you bring Jessica to this ce anyway?¡± Jack huffs augh, bitter. ¡°Because you¡¯re not giving credit to her strength.¡± 11:47 Fri, Sep 12 ¡­ : 71 55 vouchers I¡¯m on him in a second, ws sliding free, one hand fisting in his cor as I m him against a rusted cage so hard the bars screech. ¡°Stronger?¡± ¡°She can handle it,¡± he bites back, lips curling, breathing hot between us. ¡°She¡¯s not some delicate thing for you to guard like treasure.¡± Myugh is low, humorless, and dangerous. ¡°You think I guard her because she¡¯s delicate? No, Jack. I guard her because she¡¯s mine. And because this filthy thing ruined her-¡± I m him harder, the cage rattling violently, the rogue inside yelping. ¡°-enough and I don¡¯t want to let her suffer again.¡± Jack¡¯s eyes sh gold, his wolf straining under his skin, but he doesn¡¯t push me off. I let him go and went to thest cage to see Logan. Yes, Logan. I need to see if there is an improvement with him. We¡¯ve been doing everything that we can to analyze their status. Every week, I drag healers down here, make themb through blood and bone for answers, anything that¡¯ll stop this sickness from eating through my pack like wildfire. And every week, I leave with nothing but more bodies rotting in the dirt. If there¡¯s no cure, no fix, then all I can do is end them. Put them down like rabid dogs before they rip through what¡¯s left of us. And gods help me, they¡¯re all mine. Everyst one of these creatures in these cages used to wear my crest, used to fight beside me. My wolves. My family. Now they¡¯re snarling ghosts in skin, hybrids twisted into something feral and wrong. I press a hand to the bars, and Logan lifts his head. His eyes aren¡¯t gold anymore, not the bright shade I remember. They¡¯re ck pits, rimmed with red veins, hollow of anything human or wolf. ¡°Grayson¡­¡± The sound of my name on his cracked lips nearly guts me. I crouch until my knees grind into the dirt, close enough to taste the rot on his breath, close enough to see his jaw trembling like he¡¯s fighting himself. ¡°Logan.¡± My voice is gravel and threat, ws screeching sparks off the bars. ¡°Talk to me. Don¡¯t you fucking fold on me now.¡± Jack shifts behind me, boots grinding in the dirt, but he doesn¡¯t say a word. Smart. One word from him right now and I¡¯ll rip his fucking throat out just to quiet the noise. ¡°Logan!¡± He stares at me for a long time, unblinking, wolf and man both gone from those eyes. And then, slowly, heughs again, a horrible, broken sound that echoes through the clearing. ¡°Alpha Grayson-¡± 71 EL 55 vouchers The way he says it makes my skin crawl¨Cmocking, sing¨Csong, dripping rot and madness. He tilts his head back, lips peeling into a grin too wide for his face. ¡°Having fun with the traitor?!¡± He¡¯s worse. So much worse than thest time I saw him. Logan suddenly jerks, a strangled yelp tearing out of his throat, and fuck. ¡°Kill me! Kill me!¡± ¡°Logan!¡± I bark his name, but it only makes him convulse harder. His head snaps up, eyes glowing that sick, faded yellow, veins spiderwebbing ck across his face. The wolf in him is barely there, buried under whatever infection is eating him alive. Jack mutters behind me, voice taut with dread. ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± ¡°Shut your mouth.¡± Logan throws himself against the bars again, and his body shudders violently, foam and blood streaking his chin. He rasps, voice shredded raw: ¡°Kill me, Alpha. Please.¡± I can¡¯t move. Can¡¯t breathe. For one heartbeat I¡¯m rooted there, staring at what¡¯s left of him, my wolf howling in my skull, every instinct screaming to rip the cage apart and put him down like a mercy kill. ¡°Grayson.¡± I don¡¯t turn. ¡°Grayson.¡± Closer this time, a warning edge. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± My voicees out low, guttural. Then Logan screams again, a sound that rattles bone. Something in me snaps. I lunge for the cage, ws out, and that¡¯s when Jack ms into me from the side, grip like a vice on my arm. ¡°Move.¡± I snarl, twisting on him, but he doesn¡¯t budge. He meets my eyes, gold bleeding into his own, his expression carved from stone. ¡°Let me go- ¡°No,¡± he growls, shoving me back, his weight pinning me against the wall hard enough to rattle dust from the rafters. ¡°You¡¯re not putting him down like this.¡± ¡°Jack-¡± 11:47 Fri, Sep 12 55 vouchers ¡°You think he¡¯s begging for mercy?¡± His voice is low, dangerous. ¡°He¡¯s rabid. He doesn¡¯t know you. And you¡¯re one second from making a choice you¡¯ll regret every time you close your fucking eyes.¡± The words sink into me like fangs, and for a second, all I can hear is the rattle of his cage, the wet rasp of his breath, the smell of blood and rot. Jack doesn¡¯t let me go. And I don¡¯t know if I hate him or need him for it. Alpha Luna 177 JESSICA ¡°Where. Were. You.¡± ¡°Out.¡± That was it? : 398 5 vouchers Three goddamn hours of pacing grooves into the floor, chewing my nails down to nothing while every clock tick scraped my nerves raw, and that¡¯s all he gives me? Grayson didn¡¯t pause. The bastard stalked past me into the bedroom like he¡¯d crawled out of some pit, jacket still reeking of smoke and sin. My chest burned. I should¡¯veunched amp at his head. Instead, I followed, pulse hammering like it wanted to strangle me from the inside. ¡°Grayson!¡± ¡°Baby, I¡¯m tired.¡± Baby. Oh, fuck him. My fists curled at my sides, nails biting into skin. I stepped into the doorway, spine rigid. If he thought he could breeze in with one word and vanish into our sheets, he had another thinging. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare ¡®baby¡® me.¡± I wanted to w the word out of his throat, even as some traitorous part of me catalogued the sweat at his temple, the heat rolling off him, the loose tie, the way his shoulders carried danger¨Cand something else, something maic. My stomach twisted. My thighs pressed tight. Rage and want wed at each other inside
  1. me.
He dragged a hand down his face like he was swatting an itch he couldn¡¯t shake. ¡°I don¡¯t want to do this tonight.¡± ¡°Too fucking bad,¡± I snapped, shoving at his chest. He didn¡¯t budge. Never did. Instead, his palm caught my wrist, scorching skin. He tilted his head, eyes cutting me like he could y me open with one look. ¡°Careful,¡± he warned. ¡°Careful?¡± I barked augh. ¡°You disappear for hours smelling like hell and tell me to be careful?¡± He leaned into me, pressing me back, chest crushing mine, grip sliding to my waist. My ribs cinched under him. My breath hitched. ¡°Where were you?¡± ¡°Out,¡± he muttered, a twitch of a smirk. 8:16 Sun, Sep 14 N Vouchers I mmed my palm against his chest¨Cnot to push, but just to feel him buckle. He didn¡¯t. He leaned into it. pinning me tighter, like he liked my fight. ¡°Don¡¯t y games with me, Grayson.¡± ¡°Out where?¡± I tipped my chin, jaw locked, daring him. ¡°Out with who?¡± His gaze flicked to my mouth, lingering like a curse. ¡°Does it matter?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re fucking someone else-¡± A low, dangerousugh vibrated against my knuckles. ¡°If I were fucking someone else, you¡¯d know. You¡¯d smell her on me.¡± That¡¯s true. ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± I said, throat bare in defiance that tasted too much like surrender. ¡°Say where. Say who. Or I¡¯ll He growled, guttural, bone¨Cdeep, and the next second, I was pinned so hard the drywall cracked behind me. ¡°Grayson-¡± My gasp died in his mouth, swallowed whole. I shoved at his chest with both hands, but all it did was make him grind closer. ¡°You want to know where I was?¡± he rasped, teeth grazing my jaw, lips relentless. ¡°I fucked up, baby. So bad.¡± His nose buried in my neck like he could crawl inside and stay there. My nails wed his shirt. Fury shook me. ¡°Fucked up how?¡± ¡°I lost control.¡± His hand slid higher on my thigh, forcing it open, grounding me against the wall with sheer weight. ¡°Out there¨Cblood, teeth, rage¨CI let the wolf win. I nearly-¡± His voice cracked, then hardened. ¡°I nearly didn¡¯te back to you.¡± Grayson lost control? ¡°What the hell are you saying?¡± I snapped, eyes wide, nails wing at his shoulders. ¡°You nearly¡­ didn¡¯te back? You¡¯re telling me¨Cwhat? That you let yourself get lost out there?¡± His eyes flicked to mine, ck, dangerous, raw. ¡°I¨CI couldn¡¯t stop it. The wolf¡­ he came out, and I¡­ I almost didn¡¯t make it back to you.¡± Rage, fear, disbelief¨Cand something traitorous¨Ctwisted low in my chest. ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± I hissed, shoving at him. Hands barely budged him. ¡°I do,¡± he growled, forehead pressing to mine, teeth brushing mine in warning. ¡°I¡¯ve never lost control of my wolf.¡± He¡¯s telling me he almost¡­ didn¡¯t make it back. Almost lost himself. Almost¡­ lost me. 8:16 Sun, Sep 14 N ¡°How¡­ what¡­?¡± I whispered, mind spinning. Slowly, he guided me back to our bed. I sank onto it, trying to catch my thoughts. ¡°Did something else happen? Before¡­ losing control?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve visited Logan, Jess.¡± My chest seized. I leapt to the edge of the bed, eyes wide. Grayson¡¯s hands shot to my waist, holding me in ce. ¡°I went to see him. Check if he¡¯d gone too far. Make sure he wouldn¡¯t hurt you.¡± ¡°Check on him?¡± My voice caught between fury and disbelief. ¡°Grayson¡­ you don¡¯t check. You go in¡­ you- what? Kill him? What did you do?¡± His gaze pinned me. ¡°Do you really think of me as a monster, Jessica?¡± Of course not. My jaw fell. ¡°Logan¡­ wants you to kill him?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°No!¡± My chest burned, a wild knot twisting low. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re telling me that Logan¡­ asked you to-¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You will not kill him.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he rasped, jaw tight, gaze dark. ¡°But you have to keep your options here.¡± ¡°Options?¡± I snapped, shoving at his chest. ¡°You think I want options? You go out there, blood on your hands, and I¡¯m supposed to¡­ what? Praise you?¡± His hands caught mine mid¨Cshove, iron locking my wrists. ¡°I didn¡¯t go to hurt him, Jess. I went to see him. Make sure he wouldn¡¯t-¡± nust be ¡°You see him?¡± My voice cracked. ¡°Grayson, he wants you to die. Do you understand? He¨Che wants you to die, and you¡¯re standing there deciding if-¡± I gasped, fingers wing his shoulders. ¡°Please¡­ th another way.¡± There must be another way. I cannot lose Logan. No. I cannot lose someone else again. Grayson¡¯s jaw tightened, and for a long, terrifying second, he just stared at me. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he said again, voice low, rough, almost breaking. ¡°I won¡¯t kill him, Jess. Never. Not for Logan, not for anyone. I swear it.¡± I searched his eyes, needing to see the truth, needing him to be the man I knew¨Cthe one who could fight the 8:10 Sun, Sep 14 wolf and stille back to me. ¡°Then¡­ what do we do?¡± My voice was small, almost trembling. His gaze softened just a fraction. His thumbs brushed over my wrists, easing the tension in my muscles. ¡°We survive it. Together.¡± ¡°Together?¡± I echoed, incredulous, the word catching in my throat. ¡°Grayson¡­ people die out there. You ¡°I¡¯ll fight to make sure it¡¯s not him,¡± he cut in, teeth grazing my jaw in a warning that wasn¡¯t meant to hurt. ¡°And I¡¯lle back to you. Always.¡±
  1. n. I wanted to believe him. I had to.
¡°You have to promise me,¡± I whispered, leaning into the weight of him, needing some anchor. ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t lose yourself again.¡± His lips brushed mine in a ghost of a kiss, a promise more than anything else. ¡°I won¡¯t. The wolf may roar, Jess, but I alwayse home.¡± I let my forehead press to his, the world outside our bedroom shrieking with danger, yet here, in this moment, we found a fragile, feral kind of calm. AD Comment Send gift No Ads Alpha Luna 178 Chapter 178 JESSICA ¡°Focus, Jessica.¡± verter Vauchers ¡°Yes, alpha.¡± I inhale deeply and close my eyes. When I open them, I set my eyes on the target and pull the arrow until itnds on it. ¡°Bullseye!¡± Chuckling, I turn around to see Grayson¡¯s reaction but he¡¯s busy talking to Kade. Always busy. Ever since that day, he seems to be very upied. He told me they have to put off the marking for another week. I don¡¯t know what to think about it. Grayson never asked me for my opinion. He just assumed I wanted to be marked by him which is partly true but I also wanted him to consider me in every n that he got going around his head. I stalked toward them, boots crunching in the dirt. ¡°Grayson.¡± He lifted a hand without looking, a silentmand to wait. My teeth ground together. My pulse throbbed in my throat. He couldmand a whole damn pack with that gesture, but I wasn¡¯t one of his wolves¨Cwas I? I don¡¯t wait. If he thinks that hand is enough to leash me, he¡¯s forgotten who I am. The distance between us closes in three strides, and before Kade can shift aside, I¡¯m sliding my hand up the back of Grayson¡¯s neck. I tilt my face into his, lips grazing the cut of his jaw before pressing a kiss there. ¡°So,¡± I purr, nails pricking the back of Grayson¡¯s neck, ¡°what¡¯s worth your attention more than me?¡± Finally, I turn my gaze on Kade, my mouth still brushing Grayson¡¯s jaw. ¡°Well, well,¡± he drawls, tilting his head as if cataloguing every brush of my mouth against Grayson¡¯s jaw. ¡°Didn¡¯t know I was interrupting something¡­ intimate.¡± ¡°Kade.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kade smirks, spreading his hands. ¡°I¡¯m just appreciating the view. If you don¡¯t want her tested, maybe don¡¯t parade her in front of wolves who like a challenge.¡± ¡°What did I do?¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes darken, wolf¨Cck, hunger barely caged. For a heartbeat, I think he¡¯ll take me right here in the dirt where anyone could see. But then he releases me so abruptly I stumble back. ¡°Training¡¯s over.¡± His voice is steel. ¡°Everyone out.¡± Wolves scatter at the order, the field emptying fast. Only Kade lingers, arms folded, a smirk ying at his lips. ¡°Touchy,¡± Kade murmurs, watching me, not him. ¡°Almost like you¡¯re hiding something, alpha.¡± Grayson¡¯s snarl cuts the air, sharp enough to make the trees quake, but Kade just chuckles and drifts toward the tree line, hisugh curling back on the wind. I round on Grayson, heat and fury sparking off me. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± His jaw ticks, eyes still rimmed in ck. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t provoke him.¡± ¡°Provoke-?¡± I bark out augh, sharp and disbelieving. ¡°You¡¯re the one keeping secrets and I¡¯m supposed to sit here and be your quiet little shadow?¡± Grayson closes the space between us in a blur, his hand mping my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. ¡°I dyed the marking for a reason, Jessica. You think I don¡¯t want you? You think I can¡¯t smell what you¡¯re doing to me right now?¡± His words scrape low, rough, vibrating through me. ¡°But I will not bind you to me until I know you¡¯re safe.¡± ¡°Safe from what?¡± For the first time, he looks away. His chest heaves, breath unsteady. ¡°There¡¯s a traitor in the pack.¡± The way he said that, it almost felt like he¡¯s been thinking about it for weeks now. I know Grayson and I know he thinks everything thoroughly before concluding everything. So him saying this to me means that he already has a name in mind. ¡°Who?¡± His grip drops, fists balling at his sides. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But Kade¡¯s watching everyone now. We¡¯re all alphas here, Jess. I just don¡¯t think¡­¡± A howl rips through the night before I can answer¨Craw, panicked, tearing across the valley. Both our heads snap toward it. ¡°That¡¯s the eastern patrol,¡± Grayson growls, already moving. He whips his head back to me, eyes zing. ¡°Stay here.¡± But the wolf in me is already awake, already wing to run. My blood sings with the sound of that cry, and there¡¯s no universe where I stay behind. ¡°Like hell,¡± I snarl, snatching my bow from the dirt. ¡°If there¡¯s blood in my pack, I¡¯m not hiding in the shadows.¡± Grayson¡¯s lips curl in something between pride and fury before he bolts toward the tre blur of muscle and rage. I chase, every step burning with the promise that whatever waits for us out there is about to change everything. The forest tears at me as I run, but I barely feel it. My wolf is awake, hot and ravenous, scraping at my bones like she wants to rip free and devour the night. Grayson¡¯s voice is in my skull even though he doesn¡¯t look back. Breathe through it. Don¡¯t cage her. Own her. apter 178 God, I used to hate the way he barked orders at me at dawn, the way he broke me down until I thought I¡¯d shatter. But now¨Cnow I feel it. The power in the burn of my lungs, the way my wolf snarls but doesn¡¯t consume me. She¡¯s mine. I¡¯m hers. And it¡¯s because he shoved me into the fire and refused to let me crawl back out. The forest bends around Grayson¡¯s figure ahead of me, his shoulders broad, every motion precise, terrifyingly fluid. He doesn¡¯t just move through the wild; he rules it. And part of me thrills at the fact that I¡¯ve been learning¨Cslowly, stubbornly¨Cto keep up with him. Stay close to me. Feel the ground before it gives. Breathe through the rage. It¡¯s yours, not hers. I drag air into my chest and snarl it back down. The shift doesn¡¯t take me. I take it. My lips curl in something feral. Grayson feels it. I know he does. He nces over his shoulder, eyes ck, burning¨Cand the pride there punches through me harder than the run. For one heartbeat, the danger around us doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is that he sees me. That I¡¯m not just the hybrid that ruiend his pack, his burden¨CI¡¯m bing the thing he¡¯s been forging with blood and grit. ¡°Jessica. Wait here.¡± Themand tears out of him, low and savage, the kind that snaps spines into obedience. Ligh My wolf shudders inside me, a traitorous pull to submit. My knees almost bend before I catch them, locking tight. ¡°You forget,¡± I rasp, nails biting into my bow¡¯s grip, ¡°I don¡¯t take orders. Not even yours.¡± Grayson¡¯s snarl rakes the air, but I don¡¯t give him the satisfaction of stopping. My boots chew up the forest floor as I push after him, matching stride for stride. He doesn¡¯t slow. He knows I¡¯m there. Maybe he wanted me to stay back. Maybe he wanted me to prove I wouldn¡¯t but I didn¡¯t until¡­I saw it. Bodies. Torn wolves littering the patrol line, fur matted dark with blood, throats shredded like meat. And beyond them, one still moves¨Ccrawling, whimpering¨Cbefore another shape crashes down on it, teeth ripping, flesh tearing in wet, sickening bursts. My wolf ms against my chest, not in hunger but in panic. Her whimper tears through me, raw and primal, a memory stitched to the marrow of my bones. I know this ughter. I see it again¡ªmy body pinned, hot jaws snapping inches from my throat, the stink o. cath and blood choking me as teeth scraped across my skin. That helplessness. And she remembers too. My wolf shrinks, curls in on herself, tail between her legs, begging me to back down, to hide, to run before those same jaws turn on us. ¡°Jessica.¡± My chest convulses like something is tearing me apart from the inside. I grip Grayson¡¯s hands as if I¡¯ll be ripped away without them, nails digging into his skin, anchoring myself to the only thing keeping me upright. 8:17 Sun, Sep 14 N : ¡°It¡¯s Riot,¡± I choke out. My wolf keens at the sound of it, a hollow cry inside my skull. ¡°It¡¯s him. I know it haw. this before¡­when he was chasing me.¡±. Grayson¡¯s fingers mp around mine, hard, grounding¨Cbut his eyes are fire, hunting, already calcting the kill. I wish I could borrow his rage. Riot¡¯s shadow has lived in my bones ever since, and I know we did all the forgiving in the past but this is making me terrified. The wolf inside me cowers lower. Whimpering. Shaking. She doesn¡¯t want to fight him. She wants to curl up and disappear. ¡°Grayson¡­what happened to him? Where¡¯s Pierce?¡± He doesn¡¯t answer right away, just drags his gaze over the battlefield like he¡¯s counting sins instead of bodies. ¡°Riot was supposed to be alive,¡± I whisper, voice splintering. ¡°You swore you¡¯d keep him¨Cand Pierce¨Csafe. You promised me.¡± ¡°I did keep them alive, Jessica. That¡¯s the problem.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t understand-¡± Grayson pulls me closer, forcing me to look away. ¡°Listen.¡± His hand strokes my cheek so gently and lovingly, I think he¡¯s trying to hide something from me. ¡°I need you to go and ask Kade toe here then I need you to hide.¡± What¡­is this? ¡°Why do I need to hide? Grayson! What the hell?¡± His thumb lingers against my cheek, tender where everything else about him is ruthless. That softness terrifies me more than the blood soaking the ground. It means there¡¯s something he doesn¡¯t want me to see. ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me?¡± Grayson releases a long breath and I¡¯m sure I felt him tremble when he kissed my lips. ¡± Go. Trust me on this.¡± AD Alpha Luna 179 Chapter 179 GRAYSON If she stays, she dies. If she sees this, I lose her. Damn it. Quickly, I stalk toward Riot only to freeze when he lifts his head and grins at me. Blood drips from his chin, glistening in the dark. ¡°Still keeping your little toy safe?¡± he taunts, voice guttural, throat shredded from too many screams and not enough sanity. My ws flex. ¡°What are you doing here, Riot? I thought we had a deal.¡± He staggers a step sideways, circling like a wolf drunk on madness, saliva thick as he spits into the dirt. ¡°A deal? You mean your leash?¡± Hisugh is a cracked, broken sound. ¡°You thought you could bind me¨Ccage me like one of your rabid dogs. You forgot what I am, Grayson.¡± I match his circle, boots grinding over blood¨Csoaked earth, every muscle wound tight. ¡°I didn¡¯t forget. I gave you mercy. That was yourst one.¡± Riot lunges a step, sudden and sharp, shoulders twitching as though his skin can¡¯t contain him. My weight shifts.instinctively, ws snapping free with a metallic scrape. He halts just short, lips pulling back in a grin too wide, eyes glowing red at the edges. ¡°Mercy,¡± he sneers, chest heaving. ¡°You call that pit mercy? You call watching me rot while you fucked her mercy?¡± A growl tears through me before I can leash it, the sound vibrating through my chest. I prowl forward, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his ruined body. ¡°Careful.¡± His grin splits wider, jagged. ¡°Oh, I see it now. You marked her, didn¡¯t you? Or were you too afraid? Afraid she¡¯ll see the truth when her wolf wakes¨Cthat her Alpha¡¯s a coward who couldn¡¯t finish me when he had the chance.¡± I strike, ws shing, but he¡¯s faster than he looks. He jerks back, dirt exploding under his heels as my swipe cuts the air where his throat was a heartbeat ago. He circles again, weaving, feral, every twitch a provocation. ¡°You can¡¯t kill me,¡± Riot snarls, voice vibrating with manic certainty. ¡°If you could, would have. That¡¯s why you¡¯re trembling, Alpha. That¡¯s why you¡¯re standing between me and her instead of putting me down.¡± Her. Always her. My hand shoots up, fisting in his cor, mming him back a step. ¡°I¡¯ve given you a chance to start a new life, Riot!¡± ¡°A leash isn¡¯t a life, brother.¡± I bare my ws deeper into his chest, forcing him closer until his breath is hot and rank against my face. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Somewhere private.¡± 30 Vouchers Before he can twist free, I drag him, step by grinding step, into the trees. His boots scrape, the forest swallowing us whole. Every stagger he takes, I tighten my grip, ws pricking skin, steering him away from her scent, away from her eyes. ¡°Scared she¡¯ll see?¡± he rasps, half¨Cchoking, halfughing. ¡°Scared she¡¯ll learn her Alpha¡¯s just another beast?¡± ¡°Quiet,¡± I snap, shoving him forward harder, my own growl running hot in my throat. ¡°You and I finish this in the dark.¡± I shove him again, harder, until his heels gouge ruts in the dirt. Keep him moving. Away from her. Away from the pack. If they see him like this¨Cgrinning, bleeding, unbroken¨Cit makes me weak. An Alpha doesn¡¯t drag his brother into the dark unless he¡¯s too afraid to end it in the light. And I¡¯m not afraid. Not of him. Not of what I¡¯ll do. I¡¯m afraid Riot will just make everythingplicated on my own terms. I¡¯m already handling enough problems with Kade and Jessica. I m him sideways into a tree so hard bark sprays my arm. ¡°How about Pierce?¡± ¡°He¡¯s fine.¡± ÑÛ My jaw grinds. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± Hisugh is low, rasping, less wild than before. ¡°Pierce has always been smarter than both of us. He knows how to keep his head down. He¡¯s still running with the rogues on the border, but¡­ he¡¯s breathing.¡± I tighten my grip, less out of rage now, more to keep him steady. My pulse hammers in my throat. ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± ¡°Because no one else will,¡± Riot spits, eyes flicking toward the camp we left behind. ¡°You¡¯ve got Kade circling your throne and Jessica whispering in the dark. You¡¯re so busy ying king, you forget the blood that actually matters.¡± I¡¯ve been holding this pack together with my teeth and ws, choking down challenge after challenge. Kade waiting to make a move. Jessica weaving her lies. And through it all, I told myself I was protecting Pierce by keeping him away. But what if I wasn¡¯t? What if Riot¡¯s right, and all I did was abandon him? ¡°I¡¯m going to mark her.¡± The words rip out before I even realize I¡¯ve spoken them. Low. Rough. Not for Riot¡¯s ears, but theye anyway. And I know I should¡¯ve kept it buried. I shouldn¡¯t tell him about this¨Cbecause that is what Kade and I agreed to. We keep it a secret until the timing is right. Until the pack is steady. Until we have enough to protect her 8:17 Sun, Sep 14 from the pack who wants her blood. :¨C flo vouch ¡°Mark her?¡± Riot¡¯sugh scrapes raw through his throat. ¡°Should¡¯ve you done that long ago?¡± I should¡¯ve. But I didn¡¯t. ¡°So when? After Kade tears your pack in half? After Jessica gets carved up in the dirt by wolves who think she¡¯s nothing but prey?¡± The growl rips out of me before I can stop it. ¡°Next full moon.¡± The words drop like stone, final, brutal. ¡°That¡¯s when. She¡¯ll be mine, and every wolf in the valley will know it.¡± For a moment, Riot goes still, theughter drying on his lips. He studies me, chest heaving, blood running down from the punctures I¡¯ve carved into him. And then he bares his teeth in something that almost looks like pride¨Calmost. ¡°About damn time.¡± His chuckle is rough, wet, but quieter now. ¡°You waited so long I thought you¡¯d choke on your own cowardice.¡± I m him again, just to feel the bark splinter, to remind him I¡¯m still Alpha here. ¡°Don¡¯t mistake patience for fear. I¡¯ll mark her when it means something. When the pack sees it and understands they can¡¯t touch her. Not before.¡± Riot¡¯s grin sharpens, feral. ¡°Then you¡¯d better hold your throne until the moon rises again. Because if you fall before then¡­ she¡¯s mine to tear apart.¡± The words sear through me, sharper than any w. I drag him off the tree, m him back again, just to shut him up¨Cbut the full moon glows over us, and I know he¡¯s already sunk his teeth into the truth. I¡¯ve set the clock ticking. One moon. That¡¯s all the time I¡¯ve got. Alpha Luna 180 Chapter 180 JESSICA 10 voucher ¡°If I don¡¯t mark you, someone else will.¡± His voice is raw, ground down to its bones. ¡°If you don¡¯t choose me they¡¯ll tear you apart.¡± Kade mutters something sharp under his breath, but it barely registers. My eyes don¡¯t leave the tree line, the ce Grayson vanished into¨Cand now returned from¨Chis shirt torn, blood soaking through, his shoulders braced like he¡¯s still fighting ghosts out there. Riot. He was here. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I step toward him, fast, hand catching his jaw before I can stop myself, tilting his face into the light. ¡°Thank the goddess,¡± I breathe, chest shuddering, though I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m saying it for him or for me. ¡°I can handle him.¡± My relief curdles into anger. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding.¡± My voice shakes, sharp edges cutting. ¡°Handling him looks like this? You disappear into the woods,e back soaked in blood, and I¡¯m supposed to just¨Cjust what? Pretend this is fine?¡± His eyes cut to mine, dark, heavy. ¡°Jessica.¡± I bare my teeth in a smile that doesn¡¯t reach my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t Jessica me. You vanish into the woods with your psychotic brother ande back promising to put your mark on me like I¡¯m some prize you¡¯re trying to guard.¡± I step closer, shoulders squared, refusing to back down. ¡°You don¡¯t get to scare the hell out of me and then act like I should just bow my head and say thank you.¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± he said before shutting me out with his lips. When he rips away, I¡¯m left gasping, my lips swollen, my pulse out of control. My head says punch him. My body says more. ¡°Don¡¯t-¡°I choke, trying to steady myself. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare use me like that.¡± His eyes are ck around the edges, wolf straining. He doesn¡¯t answer me. He looks over my shoulder, straight at Kade, and gives him a single nod. I whip my head around. Kade¡¯s leaning against a tree, arms folded, smirk sharp enough to draw blood. ¡°You two are always this entertaining?¡± His gaze crawls over me. ¡°Or is this just for my benefit?¡± ¡°Go to hell,¡± I snap, even though my throat feels tight. Grayson steps half in front of me, giving me another kiss. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter.¡± 10 voucher). Later? That¡¯s it? He kisses me, silences me, throws me behind him like some fragile thing, and then ? By the time I find my voice, him and Kade are already gone. ¡°Fuck you, Grayson!¡± I shout into the trees before I storm back toward the house. I don¡¯t even care if he¡¯s bleeding out somewhere¨CI¡¯m just happy he¡¯s damn breathing. But him always doing this to me? Leaving me in the dark, kissing me quiet, tossing me scraps of half¨Ctruths¡ªit¡¯s getting fucking tiring. I drag a shaky hand through my hair, pacing the small space. My wolf ws at me, restless, snarling, demanding I tear out there and hunt down the answers myself. But I shove her down. Hard. I promised Grayson I¡¯d behave. Behave. Like I¡¯m some pet on a leash. Myughes out sharp, bitter. ¡°Yeah, real convincing, Jessica.¡± Why is Riot here? And why does he look like he lost it again? I bite my lips and the next thing I know, I¡¯m already out in the woods, trailing Riot¡¯s scent. I drop to my knees, palms pressing dirt, nose to the ground. Blood. His? Someone else¡¯s? I don¡¯t know. I close my eyes, listening. ¡°Riot? Are you¡­.still here?¡± ¡°Show yourself,¡± I whisper, though my voice shakes. ¡°If you¡¯re going to stalk me, at least¡ª¡± A chuckle cuts me off. ¡°Little Jessica.¡± My name drips from the shadows, shredded raw in his throat. ¡°Still sniffing after things that¡¯ll kill you.¡± A shiver skates down my spine. I push up from the dirt too fast, my knees nearly buckling, but I bare my teeth anyway like I¡¯ve got ws sharp enough to gut him. ¡°Come out,¡± I snap, even though my stomach¡¯s twisting. ¡°W¨CWhere¡¯s Pierce? Where is my brother?¡± Silence. ¡°Riot,¡± I choke again, softer, desperate. My chest aches with it. ¡°Please!¡± And then, low by my ear, close enough that my skin prickles- ¡°He¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°You bastard,¡± I hiss, voice cracking. ¡°If you touched him¨Cif you did anything to him-¡± My threat breaks apart, dissolves. My knees threaten to give again but I lock them, teeth grinding so hard my jaw aches. A chuckle, thin and shredded, drifts through the trees. I spin, but there¡¯s nothing. Only shadows shifting, like they¡¯re in on the joke. ¡°Stop hiding!¡± I scream, the sound raw enough to tear my throat. ¡°Face me!¡± My wolf hurls herself against my ribs, howling, demanding we chase him down, but there¡¯s no trail, no weigh in the air. Just that copper tang of blood, growing fainter by the second. He¡¯s gone. Like he was never here at all. I stand there shaking, fists balled, eyes burning, until my lungs won¡¯t hold another breath. Then the truth cuts me open in a way his voice couldn¡¯t. If he¡¯s telling the truth¡­ if Pierce really is- ¡°No.¡± One second I¡¯m in the trees, the next I¡¯m mming through the door. Grayson barely has time to turn before I¡¯ve got him by the throat and pinned to the wall. His eyes sh¨Cshock, then wolf¨Cbut I don¡¯t let him speak. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± ¡°Jessica-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± I m him harder into the wall. ¡°He said Pierce is dead. Do you hear me? Dead! And you¨Cyou keep me away?¡± His wolf surges. In a blink I¡¯m wrenched off my feet, my back cracking against the opposite wall as his hand mps around my wrists and pins them high above my head. ¡°Enough,¡± he snarls, eyes ck. I buck against him, legs kicking, but he cages me in, thigh shoving between mine. ¡°That¡¯s my fucking brother, Grayson!¡± ¡°Pierce is not dead,¡± he grits out, so close his breath scorches my skin. ¡°Do you hear me? Not dead. Riot lies, Jessica. He lies because he knows you¡¯ll bleed for it.¡± ¡°He wouldn¡¯t say it if-¡± ¡°He would say anything,¡± Grayson cuts in. ¡°He¡¯d tell you the sky¡¯s burning if it meant watching you run into the fire.¡± I p him across the face, hard. ¡°You always lie to me too!¡± My nails dig into his chest jerking him back, shoving him from me. ¡°All the time! You think I don¡¯t see it?¡± He staggers, just a hair, then grabs my wrists again, twisting, forcing me toward the wall. My boots skid across the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t lie!¡± he roars, voice raw, wolf¨Cedge under every word. ¡°You do!¡± I spit, kicking at his shin. My teeth grit, jaw aching. Every instinct screams fight or flee, but my blood is fire, my lungs are tearing, my wolf is roaring under my skin. He ms me into the wall again, knocking the air from me. ¡°Stop squirming, Jess!¡± His hands dig into my 8:17 Sun, Sep 14 shoulders, hard enough to bruise. 10 vouchert I shove back with everything I have, knocking him a step off bnce, and then¨Che¡¯s back, closer, chest to chest, face inches from mine. ¡°Do you even hear yourself?¡± I rasp. ¡°Do you hear what you¡¯re saying to me?¡± His chest rises and falls violently. ¡°I hear you. Every word. Every fight. What do you fucking want to know? ¡°WHAT DOES.RIOT.WANT?¡± Grayson holds my gaze for a heartbeat longer, fingers brushing my jaw. He licks his lips slowly, a sigh curling from his chest like smoke. ¡°Tomorrow is the full moon,¡± he murmurs, low, dangerous. ¡°He¡¯s making sure¡­ I¡¯ll mark you.¡± ? AD Comment Send gift No Ads Alpha Luna 181 Chapter 181 JESSICA ¡°Have you been practicing?¡± I curl my fingers into the cor of my shirt, tugging it up just enough to hide the crescent bruises Grayson leftst night. Heat ws up my neck, prickling at every pulse, and I can feel Kade¡¯s eyes on me. ¡°Mind your own business, Kade.¡± Kade¡¯s handnds on the table with a soft thud, and I catch the faint shift in his gaze sliding toward the marks at the base of my throat. I stiffen, tugging the cor a fraction higher, letting my hair fall just enough to obscure the bruises. Every instinct in me screams to hide, yet a part of me burns with the challenge¨Cthe defiance I can¡¯t seem to suppress. After Grayson and I had our talkst night, he¡¯s sure as hell punished me from pping him. I¡¯m d I can barely walk for tonight¡¯s ceremony. Grayson snorts, low, amused, but there¡¯s an edge to it, a warning tangled in his voice. ¡°Brat,¡± he mutters. ¡°Don¡¯t piss Kade. He¡¯s the one making sure tonight will be perfect.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t mess up,¡± I hiss¡­ Beneath the smirk, beneath the snarl, my stomach tightens. Coil after coil of anticipation, dread, and something I refuse to name twists deep inside me. Years with Grayson have taught me this is the right path for us, but that doesn¡¯t make it any easier. Kade leans back, his arms crossed, eyes glinting. ¡°Tonight, he wants the marking done right. No hesitation. You¡¯re his¡­ you understand what that means.¡± I do understand. Too well. ¡°Yeah,¡± I murmur, barely loud enough for him. My stomach tightens again, harder this time, heat pooling low. ¡°I know what it means.¡± Staring at the cor, Kade licks his lips and shakes his head. ¡°Someone looks nervous.¡± His tone should annoy me, and part of me wants to snap, but the truth curls around my ribs like a vice: I am. Fucking nervous. I am not supposed to feel this way. I am supposed to feel confident about finally having Grayson as my official mate¨Cbut I don¡¯t. All I feel is this stupid, looping thought about messing it all up, about flinching, stumbling, betraying the bond before it¡¯s even sealed. I am not fragile. I am fierce. I am fired. And yet my stomach betrays me, twisting, fluttering, sinking, as if already bowing to what tonight will do to me. Kade leans back, smirk ying on his lips. ¡°You know, you could just admit it. Nervous. It¡¯s okay. Makes it easier for him to¡­ im you.¡± im me. Is that it? Is that why I¡¯m having second thoughts about this? Because I don¡¯t want to be imed? 17:47 Mon, 15 Sept. ¡°I¡¯m not nervous,¡± I spit, voice sharp, brittle. Lies, lies, lies. 30% ¡°There¡¯s my girl,¡± Grayson murmurs, stepping closer, low and amused, and pats my head before leaning in for a slurpy kiss -right in front of Kade.. Rage, embarrassment, arousal, and panic all collide. I shove back against him reflexively, chest flush, jaw tight. ¡°Don¡¯t-¡°I hiss, trying to pull free, but my hands tremble. ¡°Sorry. I should go.¡± I push myself out of the chair. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m meeting Jack today. Did I tell you?¡± ¡°No, you did not.¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes narrow, jaw tight, the anger rolling off him in low, dangerous waves. I ke my nostrils, trying to ignore him. But I take his anger, swallow it down like bitter medicine, if it means I can slip away for a few minutes, clear my head. Because looking at him knowing I¡¯ll be marked tonight¨Cand feeling these second thoughts creeping in¨Cis definitely going to make me unravel right here, right now. ¡°You think you can just¡­ go? Tonight ising, and I don¡¯t want you near danger or anything.¡± I bite my lip, wanting to spit out the words that hover on my tongue¨Cthe truth that danger seems to orbit, that trouble finds me whether I¡¯m careful or not¨Cbut I press my lips together hard enough to stop myself. ¡°I love you, okay? I¡¯ll be back in an hour.¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t get a chance to argue; I¡¯m on my feet, moving before he can say a word, sprinting through the woods with my heart hammering so hard it feels like it might tear out of my chest. My hair whips against my face, and I barely notice the chill of the morning air because my stomach is a twisted coil of nerves and heat. It seems silly how I acted out¨Cbut the thought of tonight, of the marking, of finally being his in front of everyone¡­ it¡¯s overwhelming. The deeper I go, the more I feel the familiar pull of adrenaline and nerves, twisting in my gut, making my breaths short, shallow, sharp. The woods blur around me, but my mind can¡¯t stop running through every worst¨Ccase scenario, every sh of doubt, every shred of fear. And yet¡­ somewhere beneath it all, there¡¯s a spark of excitement, dangerous and illicit, that I can¡¯t ignore. I round thest bend of the trail, slowing only when I reach the small clearing where Jack is waiting, up on a tree. ¡°Finally decided to show up, huh?¡± His tone is teasing, but my stomach tightens like a fist anyway. ¡°Shut up,¡± I snap, though the wordse out breathless, ragged. Instinct kicks in. I crouch slightly, feeling the tense power in my legs¨Cthe muscle memory of being more than human. With a sharp push off the balls of my feet, I leap, heart mming against my ribs, andnd a few feet from the tree with a soft thud, ws of adrenaline digging deep. Jackughs, low and amused, leaning over the branch to watch mend. ¡°Not bad,¡± he says, voice teasing, eyes glinting.¡± Grayson taught you that?¡± ¡°Whatever. What were you doing here?¡± I snap, brushing imaginary dust from my pants. Jack smirks, hopping down from the branch with a graceful, almost predatory ease. ¡°I could ask you the same thing,¡± he says, eyes glinting as he gestures toward a fallen log. ¡°Sit.¡± 2/4 17:47 Mon, 15 Sept 58% I nce at the log, hesitating for a fraction of a second, but I squat down anyway, lowering myself onto the rough bark. Once I do, the view hits me, and for a moment, it steals my focus. Sunlight filters through the trees in golden streaks, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. The leaves rustle with a soft, whispering cadence, and somewhere nearby, a bird trills, a sound that feels almost impossibly peacefulpared to the coil of nerves and heat twisting in my stomach. ¡°You¡¯re quiet,¡± he says. ¡°Something on your mind?¡± 1 press my lips together, forcing my gaze back to the forest, though my stomach twists harder at the question. ¡°Maybe,¡± I mutter, voice brittle. Lies. Too many lies today. Jack nudges me lightly with his shoulder. ¡°Come on, Jess. You can tell me.¡± Funny how thest person I want to tell my doubts to is Jack but I¡¯m here sitting on top of a tree and confessing to him. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ tonight,¡± I admit finally, voice low, shaky. ¡°The marking. The ceremony. I¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can¨Cif I¡¯m ready.¡± Jack tilts his head, studying me. ¡°Doubts?¡± His smirk softens slightly, like he¡¯s amused and curious in equal measure. ¡°You? Doubting? I find that hard to believe.¡± I re at him, teeth pressing into my bottom lip. ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to feel this way,¡± I whisper, more to myself than him. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be sure¡­ confident. But I¡¯m not. I feel like I¡¯m going to mess it all up.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen wolves mate and break Jess but I¡¯ve never seen two people willing to die and burn packs because of love.¡± ¡°You¡­ you mean Grayson and me?¡± Jack leans back slightly, smirk still teasing but his tone serious now, eyes locked on mine. ¡°Exactly that. Most wolves would crumble, let the pack tear them apart, let the bond snap under pressure. But you two? You¡¯re a different kind of fire, Jess. Dangerous, stubborn, and¡­ relentless.¡± Heat res up my neck, prickling at every pulse. ¡°That¡¯s the problem. We¡¯re dangerous for people around us.¡± Grayson¡­ he¡¯d die for me. Kill for me. Risk everything he is, everything he¡¯s built, just to have me, to keep me close, to im me in front of everyone. And I can¡¯t stop imagining it¨Cthe lengths he¡¯d go, the blood he¡¯d spill, the fury he¡¯d unleash. All of it, just for me. Do I deserve that? Do I deserve him risking everything for me? We¡¯ve ruined so many lives. Left scars, burned bridges, shattered trust. And yet¡­ here he is, ready toy it all on the line for me. A part of me wants to scream that we don¡¯t deserve a happy ending¨Cbut another part, a small, stubborn, dangerous part, aches for it. Craves it, Tonight, Grayson will mark me, and whether I¡¯m ready or not, I¡¯ll be his. And as the first silver light of the moon goddess brushes the treetops, I swear to her¨Cand to him¨Cthat I won¡¯t break. 3/4 Alpha Luna 182 Chapter 182 JESSICA 2$ ????, 58%¡ã It was hard to decide what to wear. I don¡¯t think I have enough in my wardrobe either. Grayson had a lot of clothes here but I have nothing but his shirts. My heart won¡¯t stop pounding, like it¡¯s trying to escape before tonight can chain it down. I hate this. I hate how nervous ! am. Jack saw it¨Che called me out without even blinking. And he¡¯s right. I¡¯m terrified. Not of Grayson, not of the ceremony, not even of the bond. I¡¯m terrified of me. Of faltering. Of proving I¡¯m not the fierce, unbreakable girl I¡¯ve always told myself I was. ¡°Trouble?¡± I bite my lip, grateful he can¡¯t hear my thoughts anymore. The mirror betrays me, though¨Chis reflection filling the doorway, steady, unshakable, eyes locked on me like I¡¯m the only thing that matters. He never wavers. ¡°Keep doing that,¡± he says, voice low, dark amusement curling through it. My brow furrows. ¡°Doing what?¡± His gaze flicks to my mouth, and heat curls down my spine when I realize¨Che means my lip. ¡°That.¡± His smirk grows, wicked and sure, like he owns the ground I¡¯m standing on. ¡°Makes me want to ruin yourposure all over again.¡± My cheeks burn. ¡°Grayson-¡± He steps closer, until the solid weight of his presence surrounds me. My breath stutters when his hands settle on the back of the chair I¡¯m perched on, caging me without touching me. ¡°You¡¯re nervous,¡± he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. ¡°I might not be able to hear your thoughts but I can still read your expressions, Jessica.¡± ¡°Geez. Thanks for reminding me you¡¯re my obsessive stalker before.¡± That earns me a low chuckle, ¡°Do you know my mother used to love you when you were a kid?¡± I blink, thrown. ¡°What?¡± ¡°She used to say you had fire in you. Said you were going to be in trouble one day.¡± His lips graze my temple, soft but deliberate. ¡°She was right.¡± My throat tightens, heat crawling up my neck. ¡°Trouble? That¡¯s what she called me?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± His fingers trail down the side of my neck, pausing just above the cor of his shirt that drowns me. ¡°Beautiful trouble.¡± His voice drops lower, husky. And I¡¯m the idiot who can¡¯t get enough of it.¡± I try tough it off, but ites out breathless. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous.¡± His reflection in the mirror shows his grin¨Cwolfish, devastating. ¡°You really are trouble, Jess.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± 1/3 17:47 Mon, 15 SeptA $ .53% ¡°You wreck me, Jess. Every damn day. I used to think I was in control¨Cof the pack, of myself¨Cbut then you¡­¡± His eyes burn into mine through the mirror, unblinking. ¡°You turned me inside out.¡± My heart lurches, hammering so hard it hurts. ¡°Grayson-¡± He cuts me off with a low growl, his forehead pressing against the side of my head, voice raw against my skin. ¡°I¡¯d burn this world for you. Do you understand that? I¡¯d tear it apart, w it bloody, just to keep you in my arms.¡± His hand slides lower, gripping my hip like he¡¯s staking a im only I can feel. ¡°And I don¡¯t regret a single second of it.¡± Heat rushes through me so fiercely I can¡¯t breathe. The mirror catches everything¨Cthe flushed pink of my skin, the wild look in my eyes, the way his mouth hovers at my neck like he can¡¯t decide whether to kiss me or bite. My throat closes, and before I can stop it, the burn behind my eyes spills over. A single tear slips free, trailing hot down my cheek. Then another. ¡°Jess?¡± His hand stills on my hip, trembling just enough for me to notice. ¡°Hey¡­ look at me.¡± I shake my head, pressing my lips tight, but the tears keep falling anyway, traitorous and relentless. ¡°I¡¯m scared¡­ Grayson.¡± ¡°So am I.¡± ¡°No.¡± I tried very hard to not fall apart. ¡°You¡¯re Grayson Westwood. You don¡¯t get scared.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lie, Jess.¡± He paused and I saw him on the verge of tears too. ¡°There have been a million times I¡¯ve been scared- because of you.¡± My breath catches, my tears freezing midfall. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Every time you run off without telling me where. Every time you throw yourself into danger like you¡¯re fucking invincible. Every time I think I¡¯ll lose you, that some bastard will take you away from me¡­¡± His forehead presses hard to mine, his words breaking apart as his grip on me shakes. ¡°That terrifies me, Jess. You terrify me. Because you¡¯re the only thing in this world I can¡¯t control. And if I lose you, I lose everything.¡± ¡°Grayson¡­¡± I whisper, small, fragile. His thumb brushes another tear away, but his jaw clenches, eyes wild. ¡°So don¡¯t you dare say I don¡¯t get scared. I¡¯ve been scared a million times, every single one because of you. Because loving you this much¨Cit¡¯s the one thing that makes me weak.¡± His words gut me, tearing me open in ways, I never thought possible. Then he moves. Swift, decisive. His hands leave my hips only to grab mine, tugging me up from the chair and pulling me across the room. My heart stumbles with every step, confusion tangling with the ache in my chest. ¡°Grayson¨Cwhat are you-¡± He doesn¡¯t answer, not right away. He pushes open the wardrobe door, and for a moment, I don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m seeing. Then I do. 213 Mon, 15 Sept Hanging there, delicate and impossibly beautiful, is a dress. White. Flowing. A wedding dress. My breath lodges in my throat. ¡°You¡­¡± My voice falters, shaking. ¡°You got me¡­ a dress?¡± He turns to me, and for the first time, he looks like the boy I knew before the alpha, before the blood, before the fire-his eyes ssy, his chest rising and falling too fast. ¡°Because I want you to know this isn¡¯t just about a mark. Or a bond. Or some ceremony everyone expects us to get through.¡± His voice breaks, the words spilling rough, jagged. ¡°It¡¯s about us, Jess. You and me. I want you as my wife. Not just my mate. My forever.¡± My knees nearly buckle, tears blurring the edges of the dress, of him, of everything. ¡°Wow.¡± Grayson¡¯s lips twitch, the faintest ghost of a grin. ¡°Wow? That¡¯s it? I bare my damn soul to you, and all you can say is wow?¡± A shakyugh escapes me, tears still streaking down my cheeks. ¡°What do you want me to say? That it¡¯s the most beautiful thing anyone¡¯s ever done for me? That you¡¯re insane? That I¡¯m two seconds away from ugly¨Ccrying on your shirt?¡± He leans closer, crowding me back until my shoulders hit the wardrobe, the wedding dress brushing against my arm. His grin sharpens, wolfish. ¡°Ugly¨Ccrying I can handle. But you calling me insane?¡± His mouth hovers just above mine, teasing. ¡°That¡¯s just forey.¡± Heat floods my face, a gasp catching in my throat. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous.¡± ¡°And yet-¡± His hand slides around my waist, tugging me flush against him. His voice drops lower, velvet¨Cdark. ¡°You¡¯re still looking at that dress like you¡¯re already imagining me taking it off you.¡± ¡°Grayson!¡± I smack his chest, but theugh that slips out of me betrays how warm, how alive I suddenly feel. His teeth graze my jaw, yful, dangerous, but when he speaks next, it¡¯s no longer a tease¨Cit¡¯s a growl, low and aching. ¡°It¡¯s full moon already, baby. Can¡¯t you feel it?¡± His nose brushes down the side of my throat, inhaling me like I¡¯m air. ¡°Every part of me is howling for you. For this. For us.¡± And I know, deep down, if I said yes, if I said the words; he¡¯d drag me straight into forever without hesitation. 3/3 Alpha Luna 183 Chapter 183 Jessica 58% They say the Moon first bound wolf to wolf with a kiss of fire and sorrow. A mark not of love, but of chains ¨C blood made covenant, pain made vow. I used to wonder if such tales were only meant to frighten pups into obedience. If the Goddess is merciful, then I have never known mercy. She has dressed my fate in thorns and woven chains of silver into my blood. She made me thest, the only, and cursed me with the hunger of all the worlds. Should I fall to my knees and thank her? Should I raise my eyes to her pale throne and whisper a hymn? No. For she has given me nothing but doubts, and trials I never longed for in this lifetime. ¡°You can live a thousand lives, Jess, and I will chase you in every one of them.¡± His words haunt me, whispered once beneath the branches, when we were children and foolish enough to believe in forever. But forever is no gift ¨C it is the cruelest curse. My bare feet touch the moonflowers scattered along the path. Their petals crush beneath me with a sound like sighs, releasing the scent of night itself. I should mourn the ruin of them, but I cannot for moonflowers have always been mine My favorite. My secret sce. Grayson once ced them in my hands, a clumsy offering wrapped in silence, his eyes lowered as though ashamed of such tenderness. And I loved him for it. I love him still. Now they are strewn beneath me like a bridal shroud, pale faces bowing to witness my undoing. It is cruel that the Goddess makes me tread upon them, as though mocking what little joy I have ever imed. Yet even as their blossoms bruise beneath me, I think only of him. Of the boy who knelt with trembling hands, and the man who now waits in the circle with eyes that burn like a vow. My hair is crowned with moonflowers, their pale faces trembling in the dark, petals loosening one by one as though fleeing before the Goddess¡¯s eye Above, the moon reigns eternal, her cold eye unblinking. I wonder if she always knew it would be Grayson and me. If every turn of the heavens, every thread of sorrow, was spun only to lead me here ¨C to him. Did she smile when he ced moonflowers in my hands? Did sheugh when I whispered his name into the dark, believing it safe, believing it mine alone? If the Goddess knew, then she is cruel beyond measure. For to tie my soul to his is no gift- it is torment. 17:47 Mon, 15 Sept To love him is to bleed. To be chosen for him is to be chained. And still, I would choose him in every life, a thousand times over, though it damns me to eternity without peace. The moon bears witness as I step closer. My dress drags through the petals like a tide across the dead, my crown trembling as though the flowers themselves grieve for me. And there he waits ¨C Grayson ¨C my ruin, my salvation, my curse made flesh. My gaze climbs to him, standing at the altar¡¯s heart as though the stones themselves were raised to guard him. 58% 38 How cruel, that the boy who once pressed moonflowers into my hands with trembling fingers now stands before me with shoulders set, mouth hard, eyes lit with something between hunger and grief. He has never softened for me. Not once. His mouth was made for frowns, for sharp words that struck harder than ws. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but trouble,¡± he would say. Trouble. As if I chose the way my wolf wed at his presence, the way my breath failed when he neared. As if I were not born already bound to him, stitched to him by a Goddess who delights in cruelty. But I think we both know the truth. I am only trouble because he is here. Because his scent lives in my marrow, because his shadow has always been the horizon of my life. My wolf was quiet until him. My hunger was dormant until him. It is not I who bring the ruin it is he. He is the storm that wakes the beast inside me. He is the reason I cannot belong to any other. And perhaps that is why he has always frowned at me, because he feels it too ¨C that I am the end of his peace, and he the end of mine. I take a step, and the earth itself seems to flinch beneath my bare feet. My dress sways about me, heavy with cold, and I wonder if the Goddess means to freeze me still before I can reach him. But my wolf does not still. She prowls inside me, restless, her ws dragging against my skin as though carving a path to him. She knows him. She always has. The moment his eyes pierced mine across the circle, she pressed forward, spine arched, fangs bared ¨C not in defiance, but in recognition. Another step, and his gaze sharpens. The night is bitter, the cold a scourge against my skin, yet I do not falter. Step by step, I am summoned. Each pace drags the world tighter, until there is naught but him, myself, and the bond burning unseen between us. 3 58% 38) Grayson does not move. His shoulders are squared, his jaw set like judgment itself. His gaze binds me, more chain than sight, and I cannot look away. All the frowns he has ever worn, all the cruel words he has ever given me, live still in the corners of his mouth. Yet his eyes ¨C gods, his eyes ¨C are the fire in which I am undone. They tell me he has waited, that he has fought, that he will not be ¡ª denied. The Goddess mocked me with choices, but there were none. There was only him. Only this. Only the path that led me here, into the circle of stone, into the firelight, into his shadow. And now, as the howls rise to crown the night, as the cold cuts through my skin and my wolf ws for release, I know the truth that terrifies me most: fate did not bring me to him. I brought myself. For I have always belonged to Grayson, in life, in death, in every cursed breath between. And tonight, beneath the pale tyranny of the Moon, he will im what was his from the first heartbeat. Around us, the Alphas are gathered, their silence heavier than steel. They do not breathe, they do not stir, yet I feel their hunger pressing close, a thousand unspoken oaths circling like vultures. Thest step is the hardest. AD Alpha Luna 184 JESSICA 39 E 55 vouchers The stone is cold, biting even through the flesh of my bare foot, as though the earth itself demands a price for what I am about to surrender. My breath hitches, the veil stirs against my lips, and for a heartbeat I falter. But then¨CGrayson moves. His hand rises, sure and unyielding, palm open as though he has waited lifetimes to catch mine. I give it, trembling, defiant, undone. I stand before him now. The veil slips, the moonflowers in my hair tremble with the wind, and the Moon herself leans heavy above us, pale and merciless. In his grasp, I am no longer hidden. I am no longer the secret the Goddess tried to bury. I am found. I am imed. I am hers no longer. I am his. ¡°I love you,¡± he whispers. The silence deepens, until even the fire seems to bow its crackling tongue. Then, from the edge of the circle, Kade steps forward. Cloaked in ck, his eyes like embers, he raises his hand toward the Moon, and his voice unfurls like thunder rolling through stone. ¡°By the blood that binds us. By the fang that scars us. By the Moon who sees all and forgets nothing. We call upon the first vow.¡± The Alphas answer as one, their voices a low, shuddering growl, more beast than man: ¡°The vow is heard.¡± Kade¡¯s gaze falls upon us, sharp as a de drawn for judgment. ¡°Step forth,¡± hemands, though I already stand at Grayson¡¯s side, my hand caged in his. ¡°Alpha Grayson. Omega Jess. The bond you im is not of your flesh alone, but of your blood, your wolves, your fates. Do you swear to bind as the Moon once bound the first wolves in fire, in pain, in sorrow, in love?¡± ¨C Grayson¡¯s grip tightens. He does not look away, not from me, not even for a heartbeat. ¡°I swear,¡± he answers, voice steady as iron, low as the growl of his wolf beneath his skin. ¡°In fire, in pain, in sorrow, in love.¡± The ritual sears through me, and I feel the eyes of every Alpha upon my trembling lips. The cold devours me, the howls surge like waves crashing against the circle, and still¨CI force breath into words. ¡°I swear,¡± I whisper, though the vow feels like a scream in my blood. ¡°In fire, in pain, in sorrow, in love.¡± ¡ª The mes spit white, the wolves cry until the air itself splits and still, Kade does not release us. His gaze falls to me, cold, merciless, ancient. ¡°Omega,¡± he intones, his voice heavy as iron. ¡°The vow is sworn, yet the bond is not sealed. To receive the mark, you must kneel. For the Moon bows to none, but the Alphamands.¡± The words tear through me. Kneel. Yield. Submit. My wolf rages, thrashing like a storm in my blood, her snarl vibrating in my chest. She will not bend. She was not born for chains. She was carved from sorrow and fire, meant to devour, never to bow. The voices around us whisper¨Clow, sharp, certain: she will not bow. She cannot bow. She is Omega, yet untamed. Trouble. Always trouble. My wolf ws at my throat, screaming defiance, her cry raw and endless. : But love is a chain as cruel as fate. And 1-1 am already bound. 39 E55 vouchers Slowly, with the world¡¯s eyes upon me, I let my knees bend. The earth strikes hard against bone, cold and merciless. The circle holds its breath. The fires roar white, the howls w the heavens, the Alphas lean forward as though to taste my shame. I kneel. I kneel, and they believe me broken. But then¨CGrayson moves. Slow as the tide, inevitable as dawn, he lowers himself before me. An Alpha, bending. Stone shudders. The crowd stiffens, struck dumb, for this is no ce for bowing. Yet still hees down to me, until his knees press the earth, until his eyes are level with mine. His hand finds my cheek, calloused and burning, and his voice is a vow no rite couldmand of him. ¡°If you kneel, Jess, then I kneel also. For I am not above you. I am yours.¡± The words unravel me. My wolf, once defiant, once raging, now keens in silence, her fury drowned by a surrender more dangerous than any chain. For here, before the Moon, before the blood of our kind, he bows ¨C not as Alpha, not as master, but as man. As mine. The crowd murmurs, restless, uncertain. The ritual is bent, twisted into something older than theirws. Kade¡¯s voice trembles the air, deep and unyielding: ¡°Then let it be sealed. By fire. By blood. By sorrow. By love.¡± Grayson does not wait for permission. His breath scorches against my throat, his lips brushing the hollow where my pulse rages. The world tilts fire leaping higher, the howls breaking into frenzy, the Moon ring white in judgment. My heart hammers once, twice, before his fangs sink deep into my flesh. When his mouth closed upon my neck, I thought the world ended. Fire burst beneath my skin, a river of ice tearing through my veins, and my cry shattered into the night. It was agony, yes, but not only agony¨Cit was revtion. Every scar I had hidden, every prayer I had buried, every breath I had swallowed for fear of being known- they were dragged into the open, bleeding into him. And in his fangs, I was both devoured and made eternal. Mine, the bond whispered. Mine, my wolf answered. Mine, my blood sang, even as it drowned me. When he pulled back, his mouth stained with me, his gaze met mine¨Cand the bond snapped taut, alive, a silver chain burning through marrow and spirit alike. My wolf howled in triumph, his wolf answered, and for the first time, I knew what it was to be whole. Marked. Bound. Chosen. His, as he was mine, forever beneath the tyranny of the Moon. 15:48 Tue, Sep 16 : Alpha Luna 185 Jessica It wasn¡¯t a dream, wasn¡¯t it? For no dream could hold me so tightly and surely. I think I¡¯m going to lose my mind. I can hear Grayson¡¯s heartbeat, as my ears are on his heart and his lips are on my head. 38 55 vouchers This man¡­this alpha, is now mine. I don¡¯t think I have ever felt so happy. I tilt my face up, and his eyes find mine¨Cdark, fierce, the same eyes that once scorned, once condemned, now zing with something I scarcely dare name. ¡°Are you happy?¡± ¡°I am.¡± His hand slid lower against my back, guiding me through the circle as the rhythm of the pack rose like thunder. Around us, Alphas raised their cups, celebrating with us. ¡°No one can steal you from me now, Jess,¡± he murmured. I tilted my head, pressing my brow to the hard cut of his jaw. ¡°You¡¯re so possessive, you know that?¡± ¡°Possessive?¡± His lips brushed my hair as he breathed me in. ¡°No, little wolf. I¡¯m territorial.¡± Iughed softly against him, tilting my head so my lips ghosted the edge of his throat. ¡°That¡¯s the same, babe.¡± ¡°No,¡± he growled, though his mouth curved faintly against my temple. ¡°Possession is wanting. Territory is war. And you¡­¡± His hand pressed firmer against the small of my back, guiding me in a slow turn. ¡°¡­you are thend I would burn kingdoms for.¡± Heat stole my breath, though the night air was cold and sharp. My fingers dared to trace the line of his cor, the edge where skin met fabric. ¡°You say that now,¡± I whispered, eyes glinting up at him. ¡°But tomorrow you¡¯ll call me trouble again.¡± ¡°And you are. Trouble that stalks me, trouble that haunts me. Trouble I would bleed for, again and again.¡± Fair. We bothughed as though aware of how absurd we might sound. Yet if there is ever a night when we are permitted to be foolish, to be reckless, to care nothing for the weight of the world, it is this night. He spun me then, a swift turn that made my skirts re and the moonflowers in my hair tremble. When I fell back into his arms, his eyes alight with that cruel, impossible tenderness he never let the world see. It was perfect. It was everything I had dreamed of. We were so bound, so lost, so utterly caught in that moment when- A howl ripped from the woods, high and piercing. ¡°W¨Cwhat¡¯s that?¡± EZ 55 vouchers Grayson¡¯s arm tightened around me, his gaze never leaving the dark edge of the trees. He gave the smallest nod to Kade, whose chair scraped against stone as he rose, already moving, already scenting the air. Theughter of moments ago was gone, swallowed whole by silence and the sharp bite of fear. Another howl followed, deeper, closer, carrying with it the stench of blood. ¡°Listen to me, Jess.¡± His head bowed, eyes spearing into mine, dark as fate itself. ¡°Stay close to the others. Jack!¡± Jack stepped forward at once, already nodding, as though he had read themand before it was spoken. ¡°Grayson, no!¡± My fingers seized his arm. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡± ¡°Jess-¡± Around us, chairs overturned, ws struck stone, Alphas rushing to Kade¡¯s side. The sound swelled. Shit. It¡¯s not a single rogue. Too many. Far too many. ¡°Stay.¡± One word,w and vow, before he turned, already striding into the storm. ¡°Grayson!¡± My feet moved before thought, skirts tangling, heart wing out of my chest. I would have followed, gods, I would have chased him into the dark- But Jack¡¯s hand mped hard around my wrist. A silent shake of his head, grim and final. His eyes told me what his mouth did not: do not defy him. Not now. ¡°Please,¡± I choked. ¡°I can¡¯t let him-¡± ¡°If you run after him, you¡¯ll both die. That¡¯s not bravery. That¡¯s suicide.¡± My pulse pounded like a war drum, drowning out the chaos outside the walls¨Cthe snarls, the sickening crunch of bone, the howl that split the night like lightning. Grayson¡¯s howl. My entire body lurched toward it, every instinct in me screaming to go, to find him, to fight beside him. ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± My voice cracked, breaking on the words. ¡°I can¡¯t just sit here while he-¡± ¡°You think he doesn¡¯t know that?¡± From the tree line, I can hear the wolves. I close my eyes, breathing it in. Grayson is out there fighting, and 1 hate the fact that I am not with him¨Cbut Jack is right. If I run to him, I¡¯ll only be his weakness. Tears burn behind my lids. ¡°Where does he want us to go?¡± ¡°Down to the cers. That¡¯s his order for an emergency like this.¡± Safe. He wants me safe while he bleeds for us. For me, ¡°I can¡¯t leave him.¡± ¡°Jess, listen to me¡ªhe¡¯d rip out my throat if I let you disobey him. Do you understand?¡± I understand. I need to fucking understand. 38 55 vouchers So, even with doubts wing at my heart, I nodded to Jack and let him drag me out of that ce. My skirts snagged on overturned chairs, my shoes slipping on stone slick with spilled wine and worse. Every step away from Grayson felt like my own ribs being torn apart. The bond screamed, stretching thin, hot, demanding I turn back. ¡°Don¡¯t fight me, Jess,¡± he snarled low, dragging me faster toward the stairwell. ¡°If he knew I let you near that field, he¡¯d never forgive me.¡± I stumbled, nearly falling, and whispered through clenched teeth, ¡°And if he dies, Jack? What then?¡± He didn¡¯t look back. His silence was answer enough. ¡°Whose attacking us, Jack?¡± ¡°Another pack. Maybe more than one. I caught the scents¨Ceastern bloodlines, some from the north. Old enemies.¡± His grip tightened. ¡°It¡¯s not a raid. It¡¯s a coup.¡± My stomach lurched. A coup. Against Grayson. Against us. ¡°No¨Cno, that doesn¡¯t make sense. They wouldn¡¯t dare-¡± ¡°You¡¯re not just Grayson¡¯s mate, Jess. You¡¯re¡­ the blood of two worlds. Half wolf, half rogue. The prophecy- the old bloodlines¨Cthey all saw you as the one who could lead. The one who could unite¨Cor destroy.¡± My stomach lurched, twisting in knots. Lead? Me? Jack¡¯s eyes were sharp, serious. ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡± ¡°I know what?¡± ¡°The Triads. They¡¯ve been waiting, watching. They want you to step forward, to lead them. But¡­ Grayson- he¡¯s blocking them. Every move, every attempt, he¡¯s there, shielding you.¡± The Triads¡­ the strongest, most feared werewolves across all the northern bloodlines. Legends whispered that no one challenged them and lived to tell the tale. And now, they wanted me. I froze. ¡°Why would he do that?¡± ¡°Because they¡¯re not wolves, Jess. They¡¯re rogue¨Cblooded, chaotic. He trusts no one to touch you, to im you -except him.¡± Jack¡¯s voice softened, a low rumble. ¡°He won¡¯t let them use you, even if it¡¯s what you¡¯re meant to do.¡± A chill crept over me. The Triads¡­ they had been my dream all along. To stand among the strongest, the fiercest, the legends whispered about in every northern bloodline¡­ to be seen for what I was meant to be. ¡­ 38 55 vouchers And yet¨CGrayson was out there, blocking them. Shielding me. Protecting me. I knew that. My wolf knew it. My heart knew it. But why hadn¡¯t he told me? Why would he not tell me? Alpha Luna 186 Chapter 186 JESSICA Where in the Moon Goddess name am I? 38 E55 vouchers My head swivels from left to right, the iron clinking as the chains bite into my wrists. I always knew Jack is a fucking traitor, but I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d sink this low. ¡°Jack,¡± I hiss into the dark, voice raw and trembling with fury. ¡°When I get out of here, I¡¯ll carve your name into the dirt myself.¡± A low chuckle answers me. My eyes strain against the dark until I catch the outline of broad shoulders slumped across from me. His arms are yanked high, the same iron biting into him that cuts into me. ¡°Jessica,¡± Jack rasps, voice hoarse, threaded with pain. ¡°If I were the traitor, do you think I¡¯d be locked in here too?¡± ¡ª My pulse stutters. For a second, the fury falters but only for a second. The coup is still howling outside, ws against steel, wolves tearing at wolves. And here we are, both chained, both useless. ¡°Then who, Jack? Who had the strength to drag both of us down here while the pack rips itself apart?¡± His head lifts, slow, the chains grinding with the motion. ¡°That¡¯s the question, isn¡¯t it?¡± My stomach knots, but I don¡¯t let the fear show. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare y cryptic with me.¡± Thest thing I remember is trying to get out of Jack¡¯s hold as I try to rescue Grayson. ¡°Is this your n? Hand me over and y martyr beside me?¡± ¡°Damn it, Jessica,¡± Jack growls, jerking at his restraints. His voice isn¡¯t sly now¨Cit¡¯s desperate. ¡°Shut up.¡± His head snaps toward the door, eyes wide, feral. ¡°They¡¯reing.¡± Coming who? Panic rises, slowly morphing into terror. Who ising? I¡¯ll have to get out of this ce before whoever they are reach that door. Grayson, please. Footsteps echo closer. Heavy, Slow. Whoever it is doesn¡¯t need to hurry. We¡¯re not going anywhere. Jack¡¯s breath is ragged. ¡°Whatever happens, don¡¯t look them in the eyes.¡± Something about Jack¡¯s warning sets my blood on fire. Before I can even ask what he means, the cell door creaks open, and a cold wind slices across my face. ¡°Jessica Wilkinson. Omega. Hybrid. And now, the mate of Alpha Grayson Westwood.¡± 15:48 Tue, Sep 16 38 E55 vouchers I spin, searching the shadows. The cell is empty. Jack swears under his breath, jerking against his chains. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t turn.¡± I want to. I need to. My wolf ws at my mind, straining, desperate. The whisperes again, closer this time, hot and dangerous, curling around my neck. ¡°You¡¯re clever, little wolf,¡± the voice murmurs, low and dangerous, brushing along my neck, circling me like a predator. ¡°Clever, ambitious¡­ and so hungry for more. Look at you, Omega. Chained, yet you burn with a fire that could level packs, topple alphas¡­ even topple mates who think they can hold you.¡± I twist, jerking against the chains, trying to find it, to see it, to face whoever speaks. ¡°Who¨Cwho are you?¡± The voiceughs softly, a low, teasing sound that makes my stomach twist. ¡°Ah, curious. That¡¯s good. Ambition suits you. But careful¡­ ambition can be deadly, little wolf. You¡¯ve already cost so many for your rise, haven¡¯t you?¡± I flinch, shivering, my hands straining at the irons. ¡°You fascinate me, Omega. Not weak, not meek¡­ dangerous. Ambition like yours¡­ it¡¯s rare. And deadly. Do you know that?¡± ¡°Show yourself! Who are you?¡± The whisper drifts along my neck like fire. ¡°I am¡­ everything you crave and everything you fear, little wolf. And I am far from done with you.¡± Suddenly, my hair is yanked hard, jerking my head back. Pain shoots through my scalp and my body jolts against the chains. I feel the weight of someone pressing close, almost merging with me. A hot, sharp brush of air follows, and a nose grazes my neck, teasing, iming. ¡°Freshly marked,¡± the voice murmurs, low and yful, almost satisfied. ¡°Hmm.¡± I gag, trying to twist away, but it¡¯s useless. Cold, sharp fangs press against my neck, grazing the tender skin over the mark, mocking it, daring me to react. My stomach twists violently, a shiver of revulsion and fear crawling over me. The predator¡¯s hot breath brushes my ear, the whisper teasing, ¡°Already trembling¡­ and so very aware of it.¡± Tears slip down my cheeks, unbidden, as shame, rage, and disgust twist together. ¡°Please,¡± I choke out, voice breaking. ¡°Whoever you are¡­ just let us go.¡± A soft, cruelugh drifts along my neck, brushing my ear. ¡°Go? Oh, little wolf¡­ I could, I suppose. But where¡¯s the fun in that? You¡¯re far too interesting to simply release.¡± Jack thrashes violently against his chains, raw desperation in his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t touch her!¡± he roars, straining against the iron. ¡°I swear¨Cif youy a finger on her, I¡¯ll-¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Themand is sharp, cold, final. A swift, brutal strike catches Jack across the temple. His head snaps back. His body slumps against the chains, limp. Silence crashes down, leaving only my ragged breathing. 15:48 Tue, Sep 16 ¡­ ¡°Jaaaack! What did you do? Is he¡­¡± ¡°Dead?¡± the voice murmurs, low, amused, almost intimate. ¡°What do you think?¡± 38 55 vouchers Rage burns through my veins, sharp and raw. I won¡¯t break. I have met more evil than this person right here, and I¡¯ve survived. My fists curl into tight balls, knuckles whitening, as I strain against the chains. ¡°Listen carefully,¡± I growl, voice shaking but fierce. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are. You think you can intimidate me, y your games, threaten my mate¡­ but I am not weak. I am not yours to toy with.¡± The predator hums, almost approving. ¡°Ah¡­ such fire. I like that. But don¡¯t worry about him,¡± it murmurs, ncing toward Jack¡¯s slumped form. ¡°He¡¯s just passed out. Nothing permanent¡­ yet.¡± My stomach twists, half relieved, half furious. Relief that Jack will live, fury that this person thinks they can scare me. ¡°What do you want with me?¡± I spit. ¡°You.¡± I can¡¯t help the chuckle that escapes, sharp and defiant. ¡°Too bad I already belong to my mate.¡± ¡°Such a mistake, Jess,¡± he said. ¡°You could¡¯ve done much better than him. Far better. Stronger. Wiser. More¡­ dangerous.¡± Far better? Is he hearing himself? There¡¯s no better mate out there than Grayson Westwood. We¡¯re fated for each other. ¡°Stronger, wiser, more dangerous?¡± I spit, voice trembling with controlled rage. ¡°You clearly don¡¯t know him. There¡¯s no one like Grayson. And whatever it is, I am not interested.¡± ¡°Join the Triad.¡± I gulp, my throat dry, heart hammering. Power. Ambition. Fire¡­that¡¯s what the Triad is. I¡¯m an Omega,¡± I whisper, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. ¡°And a hybrid.¡± Fuck.¡± ¡°You have the potential to be one of us. Far more than you allow yourself to see. Far more than your mate can ever make you.¡± I twist against the chains, straining, trying to create distance. ¡°I am not¡­ I am mine. I don¡¯t need your power. I don¡¯t want your¡­ Triad. I belong to Grayson.¡± A soft, darkugh slides over my shoulder, warm and dangerous. ¡°Is that what he told you, Jess? Remember¡­ we¡¯reing back. Join the Triad. Or¡­¡± The words hang, unfinished, a de of threat in the cold air. Then, just as suddenly as the presence appeared, it¡¯s gone. The shadows retreat, leaving only the echo of that low, darkugh. 38 55 vouchers I slump against the chains, trembling, heart hammering, every nerve screaming. Rage, fear, and the sting of helplessness swirl inside me. My wolf snarls in frustration, ws scraping at my mind, but all I can do is wait. Wait¨Cand hope Jack wakes. The cell feels impossibly cold now, silent but for the distant chaos outside, and the promise that this isn¡¯t over. 15:48 Tue, Sep 16 Alpha Luna 187 7 Chapter 187 JESSICA ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t see anything?¡± ¡°No.¡± 38 55 vouchers Grayson is suspicious. I can see it in his eyes when he found us in that cell after the Triad left. I know I¡¯m supposed to tell him everything but how can I do that when he¡¯s the one lying to me? ¡°Jess.¡± I forced my hands steady on the bandage, keeping my gaze low. ¡°I said no. You gonna ask me a third time, Alpha, or actually let me patch you up?¡± A muscle ticked in his cheek. He didn¡¯t believe me. He never would. Around us, others murmured¨Cno casualties, they said. Lucky. Blessed. I heard the im, but the forest still hummed with a different voice: the Triads¡® echo, patient and hungry. My wolf growled low in my chest. Grayson didn¡¯t ask again. He just stared at me¨Ctired eyes, jaw tight, and I realized, all at once, how damn wounded he looked. A slow exhale left him, and he released my wrist only to slide his hand to my waist. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, voice rough but quieter now. ¡°If you say no, I¡¯ll believe you.¡± Before I could react, he pulled me in, guiding me until I straddled hisp, the bandages forgotten. His arms wrapped tight around me, one hand spread firm across my spine, the other caging my hip as though he could fuse me into him. ¡°Grayson-¡± I started, but his mouth was already brushing my temple, his voice breaking softer. ¡°You scare me half to death every time you¡¯re not in my sight. Do you know that? I fight, I bleed, I tear rogues apart¨Cbut it¡¯s this,¡± his grip tightened, breath shuddering against my hair, ¡°the thought of losing you, that ruins me.¡± I realized I wasn¡¯t just holding him¡­ he was holding me. Broken, desperate, and impossibly alive. Slowly, carefully, I cupped his jaw in my palms, tilting his head until our foreheads pressed together. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry if I scared you again.¡± ¡°I always fail at protecting you, Jess. Always.¡± My eyes locked with his, searching, tracing the exhaustion and the edge of pain in them. Is that how he always felt? That no matter what he did, it was never enough? ¡°You didn¡¯t fail,¡± I whispered, pressing my thumbs against the tense line of his cheekbones. ¡°You protect me, Grayson. And I¡¯m grateful for that.¡± His jaw twitched, tight, and a shudder ran through him. He buried his face in my neck, letting out a rough, uneven breath. ¡°I¡­ I just¡­¡± His hands gripped my hips, trembling. ¡°I can fight anything, bleed anywhere, tear 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 through them all¡­ but when ites to keeping you safe, I fail.¡± 38 55 vouchers My heart tightened. I couldn¡¯t stand it. I leaned in and kissed him, hard, shutting his mouth with everything I wanted to say¨Cthe fears, the rage, the ache of knowing how much he carried. His lips parted instantly, groaning low, trembling, hands clenching my hips like I was the only thing keeping him from falling apart. ¡°Shut up,¡± I breathed against him, tugging gently at his hair, letting him feel the sharp insistence of me. ¡°You protect me. That¡¯s all that matters.¡± ¡°Understood?¡± He groaned again, low and ragged, licking his lips, eyes dark and molten, nodding like a man who¡¯d give anything right now. Someone whistled from the crowd, sharp and loud, and my eyes flicked toward the others. Even if everyone was wounded, I knew we had a long night ahead¨Ctoo many to fix, too much blood, too many aching bodies. Tomorrow there will be chaos again. ¡°Well, at least someone¡¯s happy,¡± Kade called, smirking. I groaned, heat crawling up my neck, cheeks burning. Damn him. Always ruining the moment. Grayson chuckled low, rough, a sound that rumbled through my chest and ignited something dangerous in me. Before I could even blink, he scooped me up, pressing me flush against him. My arms curled around his neck, pulse hammering, every nerve screaming. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about trying to wriggle free,¡± he muttered, halfmand, half plea. I hooked my legs around his hips because I was stubborn and because it felt good to make him carry me. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to keep bleeding on me a while longer?¡± I teased, not really caring if the others are seeing this right now. He let out a short, dangerousugh. ¡°Shut up, trouble.¡± His mouth ghosted the shell of my ear. ¡°Get used to me carrying you. Tonight I¡¯ll carry you out of trenches and through fire if I have to.¡± ¡°Promise?¡± I dared, soft and stupid. ¡°Promise,¡± he said, and the word was a vow, rough as gravel and twice as binding. He set me down not in the middle of the chaos, but by Kade and the others¨Cby safety¨Cand his hands lingered on my waist as if the world were trying to pry us apart. For a ridiculous, awful second I let myself be happy, empty¨Cheaded and stupid with it. Tomorrow would bring the questions that might ruin us both ¨C did Grayson know about the Triads? Did I have to find out? The thought tightened my chest. But Grayson didn¡¯t give me time to dwell. His arms tightened, and without a word he hoisted me up again, carrying me through the darkness. I thought he was taking me to our bed, but then he turned, not toward our chambers. The steps grew unfamiliar, the torches fewer, the air colder. My wolf bristled, uneasy. ¡°Grayson?¡± I whispered, but his only answer was a rough kiss to my temple, his pace never faltering. ¡°Where 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 are you taking me?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see, baby.¡± 38 55 vouchers The hallways blurred past, torchlight flickering over his sharp jaw. My heart kicked hard, half fear, half anticipation, as he pushed open a heavy door. Moonlight spilled in, silver and endless. I gasped. It wasn¡¯t a bedchamber at all. It was the old rooftop terrace, strung with wildflowers andnterns, the scent of pine and smoke threading through the air. A table waited, heavy with food and wine, furs spread wide by the firepit like some ancient offering. And above us, the moon hung full and swollen, bathing everything in its light. Grayson set me down slowly, his hands refusing to leave my waist, his eyes drinking in every inch of me like he hadn¡¯t already memorized it a thousand times. ¡°Our first night as mates. As husband and wife. You thought I¡¯d waste it on sleep?¡± Heat rushed up my neck. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Yes, you did,¡± he cut in, wolfish grin shing as he tugged me closer. ¡°You thought I¡¯d toss you on our bed, rut you until dawn, and call it a honeymoon.¡± My breath hitched, but I couldn¡¯t stop theugh that slipped out. ¡°Well, wasn¡¯t that the n?¡± His mouth brushed my jaw, hot and teasing, his voice dropping to a growl. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s still the n. But first-¡°¡± his thumb strokedzy circles over my hip, ¡°-you¡¯re going to sit down, eat, drink, and let me spoil you. Then I¡¯ll ruin you.¡± I swatted his chest, though my smile betrayed me. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡± ¡°And yet you married me anyway.¡± His grin softened, something raw flickering in his eyes before he kissed my temple. ¡°Tonight was supposed to be different. Music, vows, the whole damn pack watching as I imed you properly. But the war came first.¡± My chest tightened. ¡°Grayson-¡± He shook his head, silencing me with a press of his finger to my lips. ¡°So I made this instead. For us. No audience. No interruptions. Just you, me, and the moon.¡± The lump in my throat made it impossible to speak. My hand found his jaw, thumb brushing over the rough stubble there. ¡°You nned this¡­ even with everything else?¡± His smile curved, wolfish again, but his voice came low, almost tender. ¡°I¡¯d n a thousand battles and still save my best fight for you.¡± Heat pooled low in my belly, my lips parting on a shakyugh. ¡°Gods, since when did you be so romantic?¡± He bent close, teeth grazing my ear, his growl dark and yful. ¡°Since I met you.¡± Alpha Luna 188 JESSICA ¡°So¡­ was it good?¡± : 38 E55 vouchers His head lifted from where it rested against my shoulder, and those molten eyes cut to mine like I¡¯d just dared him to fight me. ¡°Good?¡± His voice came out low, ruined from growls and kisses, threaded with disbelief. ¡°Little wolf, you think I¡¯d let you walk after ¡®good?¡± Heat red in my cheeks, but my mouth was faster than my shame. ¡°Well, you were alright. Maybe a solid seven.¡± The rumble in his chest shook through me, a dangerousugh that promised retribution. His hand tightened on my hip, ws ghosting skin. ¡°Seven?¡± He dragged the word like a threat, pressing his mouth to the mark he¡¯d left at my throat. His teeth scraped, slow, deliberate. ¡°You¡¯ll say that again when you can stand.¡± My pulse leapt, stubbornness sparking even as my body betrayed me, trembling under his touch. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll say six.¡± That earned me a snarl, rough and low, before he rolled me beneath him again. ¡°Grayson¨Cit¡¯s sunrise.¡± My voice came out husky, ruined. ¡°We don¡¯t have time.¡± He growled low, almost pained, as if the sun itself had betrayed him. ¡°The pack can wait.¡± ¡°They can¡¯t.¡± I bit back a gasp when his teeth grazed the swell of my breast through the sheet. ¡°There¡¯s too much to fix¨Crepairs, supplies, wounded¡­¡± ¡°Right.¡± Iugh at his ridiculous expression. Goddess, how can I love this man this much? ¡°Promise¡­ just onest time,¡± I rasped, mimicking the way he¡¯d beggedst night. ¡°I¡¯ll be gentler, Jess. Goddess, I need you.¡± ¡°You little-¡± I pressed my lips together, failing to stifle myugh. ¡°That was you. All needy and desperate, like one more wasn¡¯t enough.¡± I propped my chin on my elbow, the sheet clutched against my chest, my grin wide and shameless. ¡°Alpha, please. Just one more-¡± The growl he gave me this time shook through the bed. A secondter, he was on me, dragging me across the sheets until I yelped. ¡°If we really don¡¯t have to attend that meetingter at breakfast¡­¡± 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 ¡­ 38 55 vouchers The words barely left my mouth before his hand fisted in the sheet, tearing it from my grip. My squeak turned into a gasp as he pinned me t, molten eyes burning down at me like I¡¯d just signed my own death sentence. Seconds. That¡¯s all it took. Now I was panting, hair stered to my temples, nails biting crescent moons into his shoulders. ¡°Oh, Goddess¡­. I¡¯m gonna be fucking sore.¡± Graysonughed¨Clow, ruined, satisfied. He shifted, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth before peeling himself back. ¡°Shower. We¡¯ve got one hour before the breakfast meeting.¡± Although the shower was supposed to wake me, it didn¡¯t¡ªit broke me further. His hands never stopped, his mouth never relented. By the time we stumbled out, dripping and bruised, I could barely tell if the water or him had wrecked me more. Now, walking beside him, my damp hair sticking to my neck, his handced tightly through mine, I tried to steady my breath. Tried, and failed. ¡°I thought you two would still be busy marking each other,¡± Jack whistled as soon as we stepped into Kade¡¯s house. The others were already gathered around the long table. Heat shot up my neck. ¡°Busy?¡± he echoed, gaze sweeping over the table, daring any of them to meet it. ¡°If she could still walk straight, maybe.¡± A few chokedughs. ¡°Grayson-¡°I hissed under my breath, but he only dragged me closer, until his mouth brushed my ear. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± ¡°iming you.¡± Hours ago, he already imed me in front of the whole pack but it seems like that wasn¡¯t enough for him. I let him do whatever he wanted and just grab a chair on the table as he shook hands with the others. I never really peg Grayson Westwood to be like this but I guess, I never really saw him before outside of his role as the alpha. ¡°Surprise, you can still walk, hmm?¡± ¡°Oh my!¡± Shock, I turn my head to see a very unfamiliar ce. Unfamiliar because as far as I know, I¡¯m the only woman in here until now. ¡°Sorry. Who are you?¡± The new girl¡¯s grin is huge, and Jack snorts. Is it just me or does she look irritated as soon as Jack drops his hands on me? ¡°That¡¯s Be.¡± I¡¯ve been with the pack for months now and it weed me in every possible way. It gives me a full view of what they do and what they allow in this secret organization they had but I never heard of that name until now. 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 ¡­ ¡°She¡¯s Grayson¡¯s right hand on this pack.¡± Right hand? I thought that was Kade. 38 55 vouchers Jack inches forward and I cannot help to notice how Be¡¯s eyes follow his movement with a frown. ¡°More like an advisor, actually.¡± Okay, that doesn¡¯t make sense at all. How can he, the great Grayson Westwood take advice from someone especially a woman? I¡¯m not judging but from the years that I¡¯ve known him, Grayson can be a bit of a misogynist. I resisted the urge to ask more when Grayson found us and joined us on the table himself. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve met Be.¡± ¡°Yup.¡± I grab some water and drink from it. ¡°Your advisor?¡± There¡¯s no need to hide it anyway. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m jealous or irritated. I¡¯m just kinda confused. ¡°Since when?¡± Grayson¡¯s lips twitch in that way that tells me I¡¯ve said something in between those lines. ¡°Since I¡¯m ten.¡± Wow. ¡°That¡¯s¡­amazing!¡± I need to get out of here. Jack must¡¯ve noticed when he suddenly said that he¡¯s going to show me something and nodded to Grayson as if it¡¯s some signal for whatever it is they are hiding from me. My gaze is still on them when Jack drags me to the other side, filling my te with food. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Be.¡± I re at him. ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°I told you, Be.¡± I grumble under my breath, but decided it¡¯s not worth it to throw another scandal in this ce. After all, they all had a long nightst night after the attacks. I cannot help but to notice how almost everyone heals so fast. I¡¯ve been told that each alpha¡¯s here lead arge pack of their own and maybe that¡¯s the reason why we also have supplies being delivered. Once done, Jack pulls out a chair and motions for me to sit. ¡°Sit down,¡± he says. ¡°Grayson¡¯s leading this meeting so I¡¯m in charge of keeping my eye on you.¡± I can perfectly see that. ¡°He seems to be very good at leading,¡± I mutter more to myself as I ground my eyes in front. Grayson is now standing at the center with Be beside him. Jack chuckles as he lowers himself down beside me. Grayson never told me what this meeting is all about. I thought Kade is going to lead it but it turns out, it¡¯s my great mate who will do all the talking. Settle down, guys,¡± Grayson¡¯s voice abrupts the chaos and everyone went to obey him. ¡± First of all, I want to thank you for saving our asses 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 ¡°Pussy!¡± ¡°Save us the introduction, alpha!¡± ¡°No dramas, please!¡± : 38 55 vouchers I¡¯ve never seen this pack of alphas behave like this other than the first Grayson had brought me here. Something tells me that their rtionship goes so much deeper than they are allowing me to know. ¡°We¡¯ve got no casualties and that¡¯s a good sign. Our n is now in motion and the other packs will now start respecting us.¡± ¡°What is he talking about?¡± I asked Jack. Jack sighs. ¡°The other pack who attacked us wants you for their own power but when Grayson marks you, it sends a message.¡± I shake my head, still not understanding. ¡°That you, Jessica Wilkinson, a hybrid omega is now binded to this pack of alphas and you are, as of this moment, under our protection.¡± AD Alpha Luna 189 JESSICA Protection? You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. 38 55 vouchers Grayson kept talking in front of us, but my gaze stayed locked on the slutty adviser glued to his side. ¡°If looks could kill¡­¡± Jackughed under his breath. ¡°You¡¯d have buried her three times over by now.¡± He¡¯s not wrong. One re and I could burn her where she stood. And maybe I would¨Cif I didn¡¯t have to keep my mouth shut for now. Seriously, what is wrong with her? wing at him like the whole pack is not watching. ¡°How long since she¡¯s been his adviser?¡± I asked, eyes never leaving the woman. Jack¡¯s smile waszy. ¡°Jealous?¡± As if. Jack shrugged. ¡°She moved into the inner circle two years ago, so yes, whatever you¡¯re thinking, they probably have done it.¡± Ouch. My chest knots so tight I swear it might crack my ribs. Two years. My jaw ticks. Does it bother me? You bet. Every. Single. Second. ¡°So he fucked her.¡± His grin widened, wolfish. ¡°Most likely. You gonna ask him?¡± I shot him a look sharp enough to skin. ¡°What am I, twelve? I¡¯m not asking him shit.¡± Jack leaned closer, voice dipping, smug as hell. ¡°Mm. Thought so. Big bad Jessica, ring holes through his adviser but too scared to open that pretty mouth.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not scared.¡± He hummed, dragging it out just to irritate me. ¡°Alpha. Jessica has a question for you.¡± My head snapped toward him so fast my neck cracked. ¡°Jack¡± He just grinned wider, fang¨Ctipped and shameless. ¡°Go on, little wolf. Tell him.¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± I snapped, my jaw aching. ¡°He¡¯s being a dick. As usual.¡± ¡°Jessica.¡± Damn it. 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 : 38 55 vouchers My knees bent before my brain caught up. The scrape of wood bit into them as I bowed my head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha,¡± I forced out, every word like chewing ss. ¡°I have no question.¡± Silence stretched, heavy, until I dared to lift my head. Big mistake. Because the first thing I saw wasn¡¯t Grayson¨Cit was her. Miss¨CPerfect¨CAdviser, lips curled in the kind of smirk. that made me want to rip her throat out with my teeth. Of course she was enjoying this. Watching me kneel, watching me choke down pride. I forced my eyes back to Grayson, even though the heat crawling up my neck screamed I¡¯d already lost this round. ¡°See?¡± I said, shing a smile that didn¡¯t reach my eyes. ¡°No questions. None. We¡¯re all good here.¡± Jack snorted behind me. ¡°You¡¯re adorable when you lie.¡± I wanted to bury him. Six feet under. Twice. After the meeting, I found myself in Grayson¡¯s hands. Literally. ¡°Grayson-¡± ¡°Quiet.¡± I gasped, arching against the wall as his fingers slid in and out of me. ¡°Goddess,¡± I choked, my head thudding back against the wall. He leaned in, lips brushing my ear, cruel in his calm. ¡°After that little stunt in there?¡± His fingers twisted, hard, making me bite back a cry. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I don¡¯t make you crawl.¡± My teeth sank into my lip, stubborn even as my body betrayed me, shuddering in his hold. ¡°Fuck you.¡± Hisugh was dark, merciless, and his fingers curled deeper. ¡°Already am, little wolf.¡± ¡°Go to hell.¡± ¡°Taking you with me.¡± His thumb pressed cruelly against my clit, and my breath snapped out in a strangled sound I couldn¡¯t swallow down. ¡°Come.¡± I shook my head, trembling, but the moan that tore out of my throat betrayed me, raw and ruined. My legs buckled, quivering, but he caught me, pinning me tighter to the wall with his body. Another gush, wetter, harder, left me whimpering. My thighs trembled violently, and I copsed against him, panting, mouth open, tears streaking my cheeks. He pulled his hand free only to shove his slick fingers into my mouth, forcing my taste onto my tongue. ¡°Swallow.¡± I choked, shame burning through me as I obeyed, and his grin turned wolfish, cruel. 15:49 Tue, Sep 16 38 E55 vouchers ¡°That¡¯s my good little wolf,¡± he rasped, licking the salt of sweat from my throat. ¡°Now, tell me what you are jealous about.¡± Grayson let me clean myself first. By the time I¡¯d finished, he was already sprawled against the couch, waiting for me. ¡°Here.¡± His voice was low, dangerous. ¡°Sit.¡± My knees wobbled as I moved toward him. ¡°Well?¡± He tilted his head, mouth curved in that infuriating smirk. ¡°What is that all about?¡± ¡°What¡¯s what all about?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb, little wolf.¡± His arm draped over the back of the couch. ¡°You wanted to w her eyes out in front of the entire pack. Thought I wouldn¡¯t notice?¡± I swallowed hard, pulse thundering. ¡°Maybe I just hate her face.¡± The lowugh he gave me was pure menace. He leaned forward, fingers catching my chin, forcing me to meet those molten eyes. ¡°Jealous?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°We¡¯re mated now, Jess. We have to work harder with how wemunicate.¡± I squinted at him, irritation snapping hotter than my shame. ¡°Oh, you sure know a lot about mates, Alpha. You practiced this speech on someone else before me? Or did your pretty little adviser teach you?¡± ¡°Careful.¡± I arched a brow, refusing to flinch. ¡°Did I hit a nerve?¡± ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°Did you fuck her?¡± His silence was an answer in itself. My stomach twisted, fire licking up my throat. ¡°Unbelievable.¡± Grayson tried to reach for my hands, but I shoved him back hard enough to sting my palms. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°No. Don¡¯t you dare.¡± My voice cracked, but the fury in it held. ¡°I knew what you were before this. I knew. The Alpha who spread his legs and his teeth for whoever opened theirs. Fine. That¡¯s who you were.¡± My chest heaved, air burning like smoke. ¡°But you don¡¯t get to stand here now, call me mate, and expect me to smile sweetly while she looks at me like she¡¯s already had you¨Cbecause she has.¡± His jaw flexed, molten eyes shing, but I didn¡¯t stop. Couldn¡¯t. The words were ws now, and I needed them buried deep. : 38 55 vouchers ¡°You think I can¡¯t feel it? Every time she looks at you, it¡¯s like she¡¯sughing at me. Like she¡¯s still tasting you.¡± My nails dug crescents into my own skin. ¡°And the worst part? You let her. You fucking let her.¡± He caught my wrists then, too fast, too strong, hauling me against him so tight I could barely breathe. His mouth hovered at my ear, a growl vibrating through my bones. ¡°I let her. Once. Before you. And never again.¡± His grip bit bruises into my skin. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, little wolf. I could fuck a thousand women and not remember their names, but one taste of you¨Cone¨Cand I¡¯m ruined.¡± I hated the way my pulse leapt at that. ¡°Fire her.¡± His answer was instant, sharp as a whip. ¡°No.¡± Myugh tore out, bitter, ugly. ¡°Of course. Goddess forbid the mighty Alpha survive without his little fucktoy adviser.¡± ¡°Watch it.¡± ¡°No¨Cyou watch.¡± I ripped free, pacing like a caged animal, heat prickling under my skin. ¡°I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s your adviser, your strategist, or your goddamn secretary¨Cshe looks at me like I¡¯m the charity case you dragged home. Fire her.¡± Grayson rose, slow, dangerous, every inch of him screaming Alpha. ¡° I can¡¯t okay. Don¡¯t be so¨C¡± ¡°So what?¡± His nostrils red, a growl rumbling low in his chest, but I didn¡¯t stop. I shoved at him, hard enough he had to catch himself on the table behind him. ¡°So what, Alpha? Tell me.¡± In a blink, his hand shot out, stopping me from shoving him. ¡°So stupid,¡± he snarled. His eyes caught mine¡ª and my wolf broke. The bond snapped tight, ws raking down my insides, forcing my knees weak. Shock jolted through me. What¨Cwhat is this? AD Alpha Luna 190 Chapter 190 JESSICA ¡°Grayson.¡± He barely spared me a nce before walking away. Oh, so that¡¯s how he wanted to y it? Fine. Two can y. No. I y better. I peeled off my clothes, letting them hit the floor. ¡°Still ignoring me?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself,¡± he muttered, leaning on the door with that brooding look. I arched my brow. ¡°Says the one who told me to work on mymunication skills.¡± ¡°Undressing isn¡¯tmunication.¡± ¡°Fine. Then let¡¯s talk. In the shower.¡± His lips twitched, almost impressed, before he yanked his shirt over his head and mmed me against the bathroom wall. See? Not exactly what I had in mind. But if I want answers, I need him here, close, distracted. Grayson¡¯s mouth found my neck, rough and hungry. Heat shot down my spine, but I forced myself to smirk instead of melt. Focus, Jessica. He¡¯s giving you exactly what you need ¨C his guard down. I slid my fingers into his hair, tugging just hard enough to make him growl. ¡°What is happening to me?¡± ¡°This¡­ pull. This bond. Don¡¯t y dumb with me, Grayson. You feel it too.¡± His hands flexed at my hips, the slightest hesitation breaking through his control. ¡°You marked me and now I can¡¯t disobey you?¡± I didn¡¯t want to think about what other games he might be trying to y, but if he had, he wasn¡¯t going to get the satisfaction. ¡°Start talking, Grayson.¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Really? Because it feels like you do.¡± He growled, lips grazing my jaw. ¡°Stop spinning this into a game, Jessica.¡± I tugged at his hair again, stopping him from devouring me. ¡°WHAT. DID. YOU. DO. GRAYSON?¡± ¡°Stop fighting me.¡± Iughed, sharp. ¡°Or what? Bite me?¡± The bond red like fire, ripping through my veins, scorching, twisting. My knees nearly buckled. I hissed, ws scratching the tile. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he said, voice low, dangerous. His hands pressed my hips, pinning me, pulling me flush against 14:19 Wed, Sep 17 N : him. The mark throbbed, burning hotter with every defiance. 22.55 vouchery I jerked back, smirking through the sting, trying to hold onto my fire. ¡°You think this will make me submit?¡± It burned again, sharper, crueler. My pulse spiked, wolf screaming in protest, body betraying my defiance as the bond yanked me closer, tighter, demanding obedience. Tears blurred my vision, hot and unwee, but I gritted my teeth. ¡°You altered the bond.¡± ¡°No.¡± Grayson crouches in front of me and takes my jaw into his hands. ¡°You are an omega bonded to an alpha. This is how the bond works.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Yes. Your wolf is overwhelmed by mine.¡± His thumb brushed away the tear at my cheek like it was the most casual cruelty.¡± But you¡¯ll get used to it.¡± I let out a sound that wasn¡¯t augh. ¡°So I¡¯m supposed to just¡­ endure being yanked around?¡± His gaze didn¡¯t soften. ¡°You can¡¯t stop it. You learn to anchor it, to answer on your terms.¡± ¡°Then show me,¡± I said, cool and sudden. ¡°Now.¡± He closed his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t teach you,¡± he said. ¡°What-¡± I started. ¡°You need to want it,¡± he snapped. ¡°Begging won¡¯t save you.¡± The bond yanked. I nearly fell to the floor when Grayson let go of me. ¡°Grayson!¡± I screamed. But the more I hated him, the more it burned inside me. No one warned me about this. I choked on a sob, shaking, nails scraping the floorboards, leaving red streaks. ¡°It hurts-¡± He didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t even nce down. The cruel, perfect control in his stillness made my chest tighten, and betrayal twisted through me like a knife. Did he just fool me? Was this all an act? A trap to own me, to bend me, to make me obey? He was Alpha, and I was tethered, no matter how much I raged. ¡°You knew this would happen to me.¡± His silence hit harder than any bite. ¡°You¡­ you used me,¡± I whispered, voice cracking. ¡°All this¡­. just to make me yours?¡± He finally met my gaze, unreadable, cold. ¡°I love you. I did exactly what I had to do.¡± 373 2.55 Vouchers Then he turned. Just like that. Walked away, leaving me trembling, burning, and tethered by the bond that pulled at my veins like a leash. Hourster, I sat on the edge of the bed, still flushed from the heat inside me. I tried to find him, storm out of the house, but the moment I moved, firenced through my veins. My wolf growled, ws digging into my skin, yanking me back. ¡°Damn it!¡± I hissed, flinging clothes across the room. Grayson is making me mad. He thought he¡¯s protecting me but he¡¯s wrong. It was almost sundown when Grayson came back. He leaned in the doorway as if nothing had happened. ¡°Going somewhere?¡± I spun on him, flinging clothes at his face. ¡± I fucking hate you, do you know that?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. Grayson stepped over the mess, picking up my discarded clothes, folding them with that infuriating calm. ¡°I brought you some dinner.¡± ¡°Is that supposed to make me happy?¡± I snapped. The bond pulsed faintly, tugging at me, reminding me I was tethered. ¡°Why are you doing this to me, Grayson?¡± ¡°Talk!¡± I shouted. ¡°Exin yourself!¡± When he didn¡¯t, I followed him, stalking across the kitchen. ¡°You think ignoring me will work?¡± I spat, stalking closer, ws flexing, wolf snarling low in my chest. I swiped at him in frustration, nails catching his shirt¨Cripping it¡ªand froze. His back was exposed. Fresh, angrysh marks streaked across his skin. ¡°Grayson¡­¡± I hissed, eyes wide, heart hammering. ¡°What¡­ what happened to you?¡± He stiffened, a muscle twitching in his jaw, and quickly moved, trying to cover the marks with his hands. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he muttered, voice low, clipped. Iughed bitterly, sharp and incredulous. ¡°Nothing? Those are not nothing.¡± He didn¡¯t meet my eyes, didn¡¯t argue further. ¡°Eat.¡± ¡°What are you hiding from me?¡± His face bes cold. It¡¯s chilling how casual he suddenly felt unfamiliar. ¡°Eat Jessica.¡± ¡°Are you in trouble?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. You-¡± His eyes flicked to mine, and I noticed red swelling on his eyes. ¡± Let¡¯s have our dinner. please.¡± It might have been a minute or five before I realized those fresh marks weren¡¯t there earlier. That meant he got them when he went out¡­ and trapped me here. 14:19 Wed, Sep 17 N ¡°I want a son.¡± I blurted out, watching his expression. : 2195 vouchers His eyes flicked up, a brief twitch of surprise¨Cor maybe something else¨Cbut his mask returned instantly. ¡°We¡¯ll talkter.¡± ¡°I want a son and a daughter.¡± I said, not taking my eyes off him. Grayson looks confused but I think I know what is happening. My eyes scanned the ce and I realized some disys have been overturned since the attack. ¡°Do you think you can give me that?¡± We weren¡¯t careful. I hadn¡¯t told him about the Triad, but if my instincts were right, they were here- watching, waiting, doing exactly what they did best: terrorizing us. ¡°I¡¯ll give you everything you want Jess.¡± Of course he would. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I was such a bitch to you earlier.¡± ¡°Nothing we can¡¯t fix,¡± he replied, tone neutral, as if we didn¡¯t just try to tear each other apart. ¡°Eat the dinner, baby. I¡¯ll wait for you in our room.¡± That was Grayson¡¯sst words before he turned, leaving me alone in the kitchen. Two can y this game, Grayson. And I will not let you get wrecked in my troubles again. AD Alpha Luna 191 Chapter 191 JESSICA La 5 vouchers ¡°It¡¯s the Triad, isn¡¯t it?¡± Trying to get Grayson to talk is useless, so I snuggle closer into his chest, studying his expression. He thinks I haven¡¯t noticed why he¡¯s acting like this. ¡°They got to you?¡± He doesn¡¯t reply. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I know how you¡¯re protecting me from them.¡± His head quickly snaps into my direction. The irritation is very evident at some point but he manages to groan and pull me closer until I¡¯m practically pressed against him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°What do they want, Grayson?¡± Grayson only peels my embrace from him and turns his back. ¡°I said don¡¯t worry about it, Jess. Go to fucking sleep.¡± I¡¯m not an idiot or some weak omega anymore but somehow the way he¡¯s treating me right now makes me feel so much smaller than how he¡¯s been treating me before. I did not push the conversation anymore hoping he¡¯lle around but the morning after I woke up empty bed. Grayson must¡¯ve woken up earlier topensate for his asshole behavior. with an I¡¯m excited and jumpy heading straight towards the kitchen but he¡¯s not there. In fact, he¡¯s nowhere to be found. Is he for real? I swallow a lump and decide if he¡¯s not going to tell me what¡¯s going on then I¡¯m just going to find it out by myself. So, hourster, I found myself inside Kade¡¯s house. Except Kade is not there. ¡°You know how to make a good breakfast.¡± Be. What is she doing here? I don¡¯t mean to eavesdrop or anything but I just cannot help it. Besides, it¡¯s Kade. He¡¯s not exactly a good person. I was just about to reveal myself when a familiarughter made me freeze on the spot. Grayson. ¡°Open your mouth and you¡¯ll find out.¡± I¡¯ve always known Grayson is a damn asshole but him sharing a bed with mest night and sharing a breakfast with his whore is definitely not on my checklist. My eyes trail back to where the voices areing from and I shatter. There he is, my mate, my alpha leaning over the counter while Be is on top,ughing. 12:46 Thu, Sep 18 You¡¯d think that¡¯s what hurts me the most? No. It was himughing too and staring at her like it¡¯s been hier all along. ¡°Don¡¯t look at them.¡± Someone put his hands to cover my eyes but the image is forever branded into my mind. ¡°What are you doing here, Jess?¡± I stare at Kade, tearing up. ¡°Why¡­Why is Grayson¡­¡± ¡°Okay, calm down.¡± Kade says, shaking his head and picking my wrists so he can sneak at us outside. I don¡¯t know where he¡¯s taking me but my mind is in chaos and so is my heart. I couldn¡¯t believe it. I couldn¡¯t believe what I had just seen. ¡± Do not fucking cry on me Jess.¡± Kade sneaks me into someke house and I noticed that some of the alphas are not around. That¡¯s why it¡¯s such a quiet morning. ¡°The others have returned to their respective packs.¡± I think he¡¯s trying to get me away as much as possible. Just as I was about to ask him where he¡¯s taking me, we stopped near theke and he gave me a concerned look. It¡¯s funny ¡®cause Kade never looked at me like that. ¡°So¡­.it¡¯s just us here?¡± I should ask him to let me go and not stop me from going back inside his house and kill that bitch but I haven¡¯t. ¡°Yes and Jack who is out patrolling the woods.¡± I frown, trying to stop myself from sobbing. Jack is an alpha but I doubt he can patrol the area all by himself. Grayson is cheating on me.¡± 66 ¡°You don¡¯t know that.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I warn, shaking my head. ¡°I know what I saw Kade.¡± I could close my eyes and still vividly see their image at the back of my mind. It¡¯s a cycle, repeating itself in ever more painful turns. My vision blurs again as Kade sighs and pulls me down to sit on the docks. ¡°Do you think he can cheat on you? He marked you as his mate.¡± Exactly. When an alpha marks an omega, the power shifts entirely to him. It isn¡¯t a promise of love or a mutual bond. Marking is submission made visible, a signal to everyone that I, Jessica Wilkinson belong to him. 66 ¡®Grayson loves you.¡± It doesn¡¯t feel like it. ¡°I¡¯m a hybrid and that¡¯s exactly what this pack needs to establish its dominance and stop the war.¡± Kade could tell me I am wrong but he hasn¡¯t. He¡¯s just listening as if he¡¯s trying to let me figure things out, ¡°The war stopped because he already marked me.¡± 12:46 Thu, Sep 18 Kade¡¯s jaw tightens, and for the first time, I notice the hesitation in his eyes. ¡°Or maybe¡­ it stopped because he wants you to think that.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s not over?¡± ¡°You should go and talk to him, Jess.¡± Annoyingly, Kade will never give me any hints. It looks like he dragged me here to stop me from attacking them earlier. ¡°So you knew all about this?¡± But he¡¯s Kade¡¯s friend and he will forever be his friend. Everyone here is his allies and I¡¯m just an omega he brought here to protect. No one ever asked me about what I need. They always answer to him as their alpha. Kade¡¯s brows knit together and instead of giving me an honest answer he decided to look far ahead where we saw Jack running in our direction. ¡°She¡¯s a Triad.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kade stands, alert, as Jack emerges from the shadows, panting. I¡¯m too stunned by Kade¡¯s words to move. Jack shakes his head, sweat glistening on his brow, the wind tugging at his hair. ¡°Fancy seeing you two here.¡± Kade steps slightly in front of me, his stance rigid, protective. ¡°I told you to patrol the woods.¡± Jack smirks, wiping sweat from his forehead. ¡°I did. Don¡¯t worry about anything. What are you doing here with Jess?¡± The way he says it sends a shiver down my spine. His gaze lingers on me a moment too long, as if he¡¯s trying to figure something out ¡°Where¡¯s Grayson?¡± With his whore of an adviser. I rolled my eyes and decided¨Cif Grayson¡¯s going to whore out, then I¡¯m going to do it too. Kade and Jack watch me as I boldly strip off my shirt, leaving me in my brassiere, standing at the edge of theke. ¡°What? There¡¯s ake. I want to swim,¡± I say, smirking at their stunned expressions. Before they can react, I step in¨Cand the water hits me like a wall. Cold, shocking, icy fingers that steal my breath for a second. I gasp, butugh through it, sshing back at them. Kade frowns, stepping closer, protective as always. Jack just shakes his head, smirk returning, clearly entertained by my audacity. ¡°Is she high?¡± Well, I¡¯m pissed but Jack doesn¡¯t know that. ¡°Come on, Jack! Join me.¡± ¡°Jess, don¡¯t¡± Iugh, sshing the water toward him, defiant. ¡°Rx! It¡¯s just a swim!¡± Jack shakes his head again, exhaling sharply, but I can see that spark of intrigue¨Cor maybe mischief¨Clighting his gaze. ¡°Fine,¡± he mutters, tugging at the hem of his shirt. Within seconds, he peels it off, revealing lean muscles glistening with sweat in the wind. Ooooh¡­ he¡¯s hot. I¡¯ll give him that. I can¡¯t resist smirking, letting my eyes roam just a little too openly. ¡°Well, well¡­ looks like someone¡¯s been working out,¡± I tease, flicking water at him with a sly grin. Jack chuckles, low and amused. ¡°Grayson is not going to be very happy about thatment.¡± I grin wider, tossing my hair back. ¡°Oh? And what¡¯s he going to do about it? Come here and stop me?¡± As if I¡¯d spoken a magic word, Grayson appeared. His eyes were already burning with hatred the moment he found mine. ¡°Enjoying yourself, Jess?¡± He¡¯d been enjoying himself too with Be so what is he fussing about? I ignored him and sshed some water on Jack. Jack yelped,ughing, while Grayson¡¯s heavy footsteps thudded against the wooden dock. ¡°What? Don¡¯t like it when I have a little fun?¡± AD Comment Alpha Luna 192 JESSICA ¡°Get out of the water, Jessica.¡± Grayson growled. ¡°Or I¡¯m going in.¡± 55 vouchers It was bad enough that he never told me about the Triad or that he never mentioned I¡¯ll be weak when he finally marked me. Now, Grayson reduced himself into a cheating bastard. All he¡¯s done is lie to me. ¡°I¡¯m going to make an example out of you so you can never disobey me again,¡± he snarled. ¡°Out now.¡± While I know Grayson is true to his words, I¡¯m not stepping out. I turned my back to face the water until I found myself swimming at the end of theke. When I rise from the water, he¡¯s staring down at me with so much rage in his gaze. ¡°What game are you trying to y, Jess?¡± ¡°Why do you have to ask?¡± ¡°You¡¯re getting stubborn.¡± ¡°No you¡¯re getting boring.¡± I turn my back on him, but itsts all of two seconds. Rough hands mp down on my shoulder and yank me around, dragging me back into his shadow. His grip is bruised, his eyes worse. ¡°Get your dirty hands off me, you filthy rascal!¡± The tremor betrays me. Heat stings my eyes, tears threatening to spill, but I refuse to look away. For a fraction of a second, the fury in Grayson¡¯s face fractures. He looked at the others. ¡°Leave us. Now.¡± ¡°Why did you make them leave? Afraid I¡¯ll spill how you¡¯ve been fucking your adviser behind my back?¡± My question made his eyes break from mine. Turns out Grayson knew ten times more curses than I ever gave him credit for ¡°What the fuck did you just say?¡± One minute, he¡¯s across from me. The next, I¡¯m mmed back against the water, his hand squeezing my throat. Rage sparks hotter than fear. I twist, driving my knee up hard, catching him in the ribs. He snarls, breaking his hold, but only to shove me down harder, water sshing around us in violent waves. ¡°Little bitch,¡± he growls, hair dripping, eyes feral. ¡°You think you can win against me?¡± I spit water back at him, lips curling. 10:46 Sun, Sep 21 ¡°Watch me try.¡± : ? 74 55 vouchers I grab his wrist with both hands, fingers digging for purchase. He squeezes harder but I was already hopping behind him, legs winding around his thighs. Grayson thrashes, wild and furious, but I hold fast. His growl shakes the air; my pulse pounds. ¡°Why?¡± He swings, knocking me sideways. ¡°Stop fighting me!¡± Before I can react, his hands wrap around my wrists, mming them above my head. ¡°I am not cheating with her! Why the fuck did you think that?¡± ¡°Liar!¡± I snapped, chest heaving, eyes zing. ¡°I saw you with her!¡± ¡°You saw what exactly, Jessica?¡± ¡°Let go of me!¡± I watched him retreat, just enough to release me. Both of us were panting, chests heaving. ¡°Have you forgotten you are my mate?¡± Grayson asked, helping me get out of the water. ¡°I literally buried my whole pack for you, Jess. Do you have any idea what that means?¡± ¡°I did this for you, and you¡¯re still fighting me? Still doubting me?¡± I stomped, sending a ssh of cold water toward him. ¡°I¡¯m not doubting you! I¡¯m fighting you because you¡¯re controlling me, you lied to me and now I saw you sharing a damn breakfast with that woman!¡± ¡°Jessica.¡± I could have stopped there. I could have waited, listened, and asked for an exnation. But I didn¡¯t. I pped him across the face before spinning on my heel and running back inside the house. The moment I reached the doorway, I froze. Visitors. Grayson¡¯s dark eyes locked on mine, and for the first time since the fight, neither of us moved. ¡°Bad timing?¡± Triad. I could not make out the words; my blood roared in my ears. Grayson held my hand and pushed me into our bedroom, water dripping from our wet bodies. ¡°Clean yourself. I¡¯ll handle it.¡± : He was cold and didn¡¯t give me any chance to reply before locking the door. Why are they here? E55 vouchers I don¡¯t know how I managed to clean myself in a minute, but the moment I slipped on a fresh shirt, I found myself disobeying Grayson once again. He growled the instant he saw me step outside our room. In one swift motion, he shoved the man in his way aside, pressing me behind his back. ¡°This is your problem, Westwood. So damn overprotective.¡± ¡°Get out.¡± All this time, Grayson knew about the Triad lurking around me. He manages to keep me on the blind spot for what? ¡°No. I want to talk to him.¡± ¡°Jessica!¡± His angry stare did not stop me. I could hear him growling behind as I sat on the couch and watch the guest do the same. The tattoo crawling on his neck told me everything. Grayson joined me, and I realized will I be pushing his limits if I don¡¯t want him here? ¡°Alone, please.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do this to me.¡± Grayson almost pleaded. Do what exactly? I thought, narrowing my eyes. He¡¯d let me act, let me push, but the truth? He controlled everything I didn¡¯t know. ¡°Get out.¡± Grayson froze, eyes zing with anger. Then, with fists clenched and jaw tight, he stormed out of the house. Once we were alone, I turned to face the guest, who had the widest, most irritating grin stered across his face. ¡°Damn. What a tamed alpha. Hmmm?¡± he teased, eyes glinting. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°You.¡± A lull of silence fell between us. My eyes flicked back toward him, only to see him chuckling to himself. ¡°The Triad wants to make you an offer.¡± ¡°After kidnapping me and orchestrating a coup?¡± There was no answer. ¡°Whatever your offer is, I don¡¯t want it. 10:47 Sun, Sep 21 I let you here to give my warning. Stay away from Grayson and me.¡± 474 55 vouchers. He nced up, fascination in his gaze. ¡°He can¡¯t protect you. The Triad can. Leave this pack Jessica. Leave Grayson Westwood. Come with me.¡± ¡°Protect me from what?¡± Iughed. ¡°You¡¯re delusional if you think I¡¯d ever leave Grayson.¡± . ¡°Delusional? Perhaps. But I¡¯ve seen how this pack¨Cor rather, how he¨Cfails. I can give you what he cannot.¡± I narrowed my eyes, every instinct screaming at me to strike, to fight. ¡°I don¡¯t need protection from anyone but myself¡­ and Grayson. Stay in yourne.¡± I would do everything in my power to protect Grayson Westwood. He¡¯s my mate and my alpha. Mine. The guest loomed over me, tsking to himself. ¡°Hes¡® cheating, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°He lied about the markings,¡± he said, voice low, almost a whisper, as if savoring my reaction. ¡°Seems your precious Grayson isn¡¯t as truthful as you think. Makes you wonder what else he¡¯s hiding, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°He may lie, but he¡¯s still mine. You¡­ are nothing.¡± This moment felt like a repeat of my fight with Grayson. Except now I¡¯m defending him. ¡°Did he ever tell you the price of the protection this pack has offered so you could be here?¡± I knew there was a price and I hadn¡¯t asked him about it. ¡°Such a delicate omega.¡± I forced myself to not be affected by the way this guest is treating me. His hands touch my stomach and I growl. ¡± It¡¯s here, Jess. A hybrid pup that will rise in power¡­ stronger than anything you¡¯ve ever seen. You¡¯re a breeding fool, Jessica. And Grayson is using you.¡± Ìï Alpha Luna 193 Chapter 193 JESSICA 55 vouchers The days that follow are a blur for me. Grayson keeps asking, never stopping, never letting me breathe. What I¡¯m thinking. What I¡¯m hiding. What I want. And most of all¨Cwhat the Triad wants. His words chase me everywhere, sinking into me even when he¡¯s not in the room. I try to shut him out, but Grayson isn¡¯t the kind of man you can silence. The truth is, I don¡¯t have the answers he¡¯s looking for.Because how could I tell him what the Triad said? That Grayson¡¯s end goal isn¡¯t love, or loyalty. It¡¯s to breed me. To turn me into nothing more than a means to an end. I want to believe they¡¯re wrong. I want to believe he¡¯s different. But the more I hold it inside, the heavier it bes. Theo and Riot want the same thing, so how sure am I that Grayson is any different? My wolf doesn¡¯t hesitate¨CHe¡¯s our mate!-she snaps, fierce and unshaken. I roll my eyes at her certainty, unwilling to be pulled into the same trap. ¡°Shut up and let¡¯s try to shift again, please.¡± She doesn¡¯t like being dismissed, not when she thinks she¡¯s right. But I can¡¯t let her stubborn faith in Grayson drown out the chaos the Triad has already nted inside me. Shifting is the only thing I can control right now,and I¡¯ve been practicing. We¡¯ve done it four times already! she snaps, her voice sharp and impatient. Plus, I want Grayson! Of course she does. She always wants him¨Cwants the bond, the heat, the surrender. ¡°He¡¯s out,¡± I mutter, more to myself than to her. ¡°Probably whoring around, as usual.¡± Liar. I can smell him. I freeze, because she¡¯s right. ¡°Whoring around?¡± I whirl around, and there he is. Grayson. His face is shadowed, streaked with dirt and blood, a fresh cut dragging down his cheek, another along his jaw. ¡°Hello, Jess.¡± ¡°You look like hell,¡± I say. ¡°Guess the whorehouse doesn¡¯t pamper you the way you like.¡± 10:47 Sun, Sep 21 ¡°Watch me try.¡± 473 55 vouchers. I grab his wrist with both hands, fingers digging for purchase. He squeezes harder but I was already hopping behind him, legs winding around his thighs. Grayson thrashes, wild and furious, but I hold fast. His growl shakes the air; my pulse pounds. ¡°Why?¡± He swings, knocking me sideways. ¡°Stop fighting me!¡± Before I can react, his hands wrap around my wrists, mming them above my head. ¡°I am not cheating with her! Why the fuck did you think that?¡± ¡°Liar!¡± I snapped, chest heaving, eyes zing.¡°I saw you with her!¡± ¡°You saw what exactly, Jessica?¡± ¡°Let go of me!¡± I watched him retreat, just enough to release me. Both of us were panting, chests heaving. ¡°Have you forgotten you are my mate?¡± Grayson asked, helping me get out of the water. ¡°I literally buried my whole pack for you, Jess. Do you have any idea what that means?¡± ¡°I did this for you, and you¡¯re still fighting me? Still doubting me?¡± I stomped, sending a ssh of cold water toward him. ¡°I¡¯m not doubting you! I¡¯m fighting you because you¡¯re controlling me, you lied to me and now I saw you sharing a damn breakfast with that woman!¡± ¡°Jessica.¡± I could have stopped there. I could have waited, listened, and asked for an exnation. But I didn¡¯t. I pped him across the face before spinning on my heel and running back inside the house. The moment I reached the doorway, I froze. Visitors. Grayson¡¯s dark eyes locked on mine, and for the first time since the fight, neither of us moved. ¡°Bad timing?¡± Triad. I could not make out the words; my blood roared in my ears. Grayson held my hand and pushed me into our bedroom, water dripping from our wet bodies. ¡°Clean yourself. I¡¯ll handle it.¡± He was cold and didn¡¯t give me any chance to reply before locking the door. Why are they here? A 73 55 vouchers. I don¡¯t know how I managed to clean myself in a minute, but the moment I slipped on a fresh shirt, I found myself disobeying Grayson once again. He growled the instant he saw me step outside our room. In one swift motion, he shoved the man in his way aside, pressing me behind his back. ¡°This is your problem, Westwood. So damn overprotective.¡± ¡°Get out.¡± All this time, Grayson knew about the Triad lurking around me. He manages to keep me on the blind spot what? ¡°No. I want to talk to him.¡± ¡°Jessica!¡± for His angry stare did not stop me. I could hear him growling behind as I sat on the couch and watch the guest do the same. The tattoo crawling on his neck told me everything. Grayson joined me, and I realized will I be pushing his limits if I don¡¯t want him here? ¡°Alone, please.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do this to me.¡± Grayson almost pleaded. Do what exactly? I thought, narrowing my eyes. He¡¯d let me act, let me push, but the truth? He controlled everything I didn¡¯t know. ¡°Get out.¡± Grayson froze, eyes zing with anger. Then, with fists clenched and jaw tight, he stormed out of the house. Once we were alone, I turned to face the guest, who had the widest, most irritating grin stered across his face. ¡°Damn. What a tamed alpha. Hmmm?¡± he teased, eyes glinting. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°You.¡± A lull of silence fell between us. My eyes flicked back toward him, only to see him chuckling to himself. ¡°The Triad wants to make you an offer.¡± ¡°After kidnapping me and orchestrating a coup?¡± There was no answer. ¡°Whatever your offer is, I don¡¯t want it. 10:47 Sun, Sep 21 I let you here to give my warning. Stay away from Grayson and me.¡± 7) 55 vouchers He nced up, fascination in his gaze. ¡°He can¡¯t protect you. The Triad can. Leave this pack Jessica. Leave Grayson Westwood. Come with me.¡± ¡°Protect me from what?¡± Iughed. ¡°You¡¯re delusional if you think I¡¯d ever leave Grayson.¡± . ¡°Delusional? Perhaps. But I¡¯ve seen how this pack¨Cor rather, how he¨Cfails. I can give you what he cannot.¡± I narrowed my eyes, every instinct screaming at me to strike, to fight. ¡°I don¡¯t need protection from anyone but myself¡­ and Grayson. Stay in yourne.¡± I would do everything in my power to protect Grayson Westwood. He¡¯s my mate and my alpha. Mine. The guest loomed over me, tsking to himself. ¡°Hes¡® cheating, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°He lied about the markings,¡± he said, voice low, almost a whisper, as if savoring my reaction. ¡°Seems your precious Grayson isn¡¯t as truthful as you think. Makes you wonder what else he¡¯s hiding, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°He may lie, but he¡¯s still mine. You¡­ are nothing.¡± This moment felt like a repeat of my fight with Grayson. Except now I¡¯m defending him. ¡°Did he ever tell you the price of the protection this pack has offered so you could be here?¡± I knew there was a price and I hadn¡¯t asked him about it. ¡°Such a delicate omega.¡± I forced myself to not be affected by the way this guest is treating me. His hands touch my stomach and I growl. ¡± It¡¯s here, Jess. A hybrid pup that will rise in power¡­ stronger than anything you¡¯ve ever seen. You¡¯re a breeding fool, Jessica. And Grayson is using you.¡± AD Comment Send gift No Ads Alpha Luna 194 JESSICA : 73 55 vouchers My wolf howls before I even understand why. Heat ms into my ribs, a hot, traitorous w. My knees wobble. Breathes too fast. Both of them smell it ¨C hunger and victory and something almost like fear. Grayson¡¯s eyes go bright. He looks like he¡¯s found a prize. Riot¡¯s mouth quirks, not amused ¨C interested. ¡°Oh,¡± he says, quiet and slow. ¡°So that¡¯s the truth.¡± ¡°Stay away from her.¡± Grayson¡¯s voice is low and tight. He squares up as if he can stop the whole world by standing in front of me. Riot doesn¡¯t bother with him. His attention is on me, like I¡¯m the only thing in the room. He steps closer, and the pressure of his presence makes the hairs on my arms rise. ¡°The Triad told me you¡¯d fight it,¡± he says. ¡°That you¡¯d cling to him because you think you have no other choice. But you do. You always did.¡± ¡°Riot.¡± I try to make the name a warning. It splinters before it leaves my mouth. ¡°You belong to the Triad,¡± Riot says. No flourish. No drama. Just a fact, delivered t and final. ¡°And the Triad wants you reimed. By me.¡± My stomach drops like I¡¯ve been kicked between the legs. Reimed. ¡°You can¡¯t-¡± Grayson moves without thinking, a raw animal motion. He lunges. Riot catches him like he expected it. His hands are faster than they should be, steady in a way that makes my skin crawl. They collide¨Cfists, elbows, teeth¨Cmetal scraping leather, a loud, ugly sound. Grayson¡¯s first hitnds, a clean line of anger across Riot¡¯s jaw. Riot tastes blood and smiles. The fight isn¡¯t pretty. It¡¯s close and fast and cruel. They¡¯re not any two men; they¡¯re wolves, and the room smells like wet fur and adrenaline. I want to turn away. I can¡¯t. My wolf thrashes and thrashes again, torn between them. Grayson! she says. Riot! she says. I can¡¯t make her stop. Riot breathes in and the air tilts. You can feel something shift, like a switch flipped in the space between breaths. He¡¯s not just fighting Grayson ¨C he¡¯s testing the bond. He wants the bond¡¯s answer in real time. Grayson roars and rips at Riot¡¯s sleeve. Riot jerks back, then wedges his shoulder into Grayson¡¯s chest, shoving him against the tree. ¡°Is she yours?¡± Riot asks me, like a challenge. ¡°Does she belong to you?¡± Every part of me wants to say no. My body betrays me and says something else. I want to say Grayson¡¯s name and mean it and not mean it at the same time. 10:14 Mon, Sep 22 73 E55 vouchers ¡°You think the Triad sends me to reim for nothing?¡± Riot leans in so close the heat of his breath fogs my mask. ¡°They want proof. They want to know where your loyalty falls when everything is stripped away.¡± He pulls back and, like that, the fight ends ¨C not because someone wins, but because someone else walks into the room. Kade. He doesn¡¯t look at me. He looks at Riot and Grayson the way a god looks at sparring children. ¡°Enough,¡± he says. That single word pulls all the hair on my arms taut. Riot straightens. Grayson wipes blood from his lip and breathes like he¡¯s been running. ¡°The Triad wants a decision,¡± Theo says, low. He steps nearer, until his shadow falls across both of them. ¡°Tonight.¡± ¡°Tonight?¡± ¡°Tonight,¡± ¡°You will prove where your bond lies, Jess. Or we will choose for you.¡± My wolf screams. My heart tries to explode out of my chest. Grayson¡¯s hand finds my wrist ¨C possessive, desperate ¨C while Riot¡¯s gaze pins me with something that isn¡¯t quite tenderness. I¡¯m supposed to be terrified. I am. I am also, impossibly, electric. Want and hate and anger braid into a single rope and pull tight. Kade turns away and leaves the room like he¡¯s given us instructions and a sentence. For a breath ¨C a terrible, suspended second ¡ª everything hushes. Grayson looks at me like he¡¯s asking for forgiveness and war in the same blink. Riot looks at me like he¡¯s catalogued every weakness he can find. My wolf paddles desperately, ws scraping. ¡°You choose,¡± Grayson says. His voice is broken into pieces. ¡°Choose me.¡± ¡°Prove you can keep her,¡± Riot says, cold as ice. ¡°Prove you¡¯re not just appetite.¡± I open my mouth. I have no idea what to say. I have no idea what to do. Then, before I can think, before the bond or the Triad or either man can pull me into their n ¨C ¨C someone from the Triad steps out of the shadows holding a sealed envelope with my name on it. My name, written in ink I¡¯ve never seen and yet somehow know. ¡°You¡¯ll want to read that before you make any promises,¡± he says. My fingers reach for the envelope. Everything in me wants to burn the thing, to tear it open and not look. To rip it into pieces and swallow the ashes. But I open it. The single line inside makes the room tilt and the floor drop away. 10:14 Mon, Sep 22 Deadline: four hours. ? 73 55 vouchers I stare until the letters swim. Four hours to decide who I am. Four hours to choose a cage. Four hours to let them choose for me. Something nudges at the bottom of the envelope. A second scrap, folded small and slick with someone else¡¯s haste. I pry it out. A Proid tumbles into my palm. I only see shapes at first ¨C dim sheets, a hand at a corbone, a familiar sweep of dark hair. My throat goes dry. I flip it. Grayson. In his bed. With someone else. Not a stranger, but a face I recognize too well and have tried to bury: Be. The timestamp is sharp in the white border: tonight. Thirty¨Ceight minutes ago. My fingers go numb. It¡¯s a setup and a wound at once. Under the Proid is a second note, this one written in a hand I do not like: If you choose him, people see this. If you refuse, we still keep it for insurance. Choose wisely, Jessica Wilkinson. The room closes in. The Triad doesn¡¯t want my loyalty to be a private thing; they want it public. They don¡¯t care which name I say into the dark ¨C they just want the world to know I belong to someone who can be owned, exposed, traded. My wolf ws at my ribs. Grayson¡¯s hand tightens on my wrist like a leash. Riot watches me like a hunter who knows the exact moment his prey will bolt. Four hours. A photograph that screams betrayal. A choice that isn¡¯t mine. I fold the Proid over and press it to my chest. The paper is cold against my skin. Somewhere in the back of my skull a new thought settles like a splinter: They¡¯ve already started to break us. Ìï Alpha Luna 195 JESSICA : He betrayed you, my brain whispered. He¡¯s yours, my wolf snarled. Mate. Ours. ¡°Jessica.¡± : 87 55 vouchers Grayson¡¯s voice snapped me back. He was still gripping my wrist, rough enough that I could feel each throb of his pulse against mine. He looked wild¨Cblood on his lip, eyes bright with hunger and fury. The same hand that had touched Be¨Cmaybe¨Cwas holding me now. I wanted to scream. I wanted to break. Instead, I forced augh sharp enough to cut my tongue. ¡°You¡¯ll bruise me,¡± I said. ¡°Let go.¡± He did, but only because Riot was watching. Always watching. Riot¡¯s head tilted, dark eyes narrowing. He didn¡¯t know what was in my pocket, but his nostrils red, and something in him went alert, predatory. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something,¡± he said softly. My throat went tight. ¡°You¡¯re imagining things.¡± Riot stepped closer until the heat of him crowded me. ¡°No,¡± he murmured. ¡°I can smell the lie on you.¡± Grayson shoved between us, snarling. ¡°Back off.¡± For one hot second, it looked like they¡¯d rip into each other again. But Riot only smiled, slow and sure, like he¡¯d just confirmed his suspicion. ¡°You¡¯ll regret keeping secrets from me, Jess.¡± Kade¡¯s order still hung in the air: Tonight. Four hours to decide. I shoved the Proid deeper into my pocket and forced myself to breathe. ¡°Then stop wasting time,¡± I snapped. ¡°If the Triad wants proof, they¡¯ll get it.¡± Grayson¡¯s jaw flexed. Riot¡¯s smile thinned. Neither of them noticed how hard my hands shook, how my heart hammered as if the clock were already counting down. ¡°Get some air,¡± Grayson said, voice rough. He didn¡¯t loosen his jaw; he just stepped back enough for me to move. I walked away like I was leaving a burning room. My feet took me down the tree¨Clined path without permission, carrying the Proid against my sternum like contraband. I needed to do something other than think. Action steadied me. Proof. If this was a setup, I could find the 55 vouchers seam. If it wasn¡¯t ¨C if Grayson had betrayed me ¨C then I needed to see the truth with my own eyes before the Triad made it public and turned my choices into theatre. I could go to Be. I could go to Grayson. I could storm Kade¡¯s office and scream until someone taped my mouth shut. I could also do none of those things and spend the next two hours watching my life be auctioned. Augh ¨C small and raw ¡ª escaped me. Of course nothing about this was sane. When I turn to go back to our house, I find Be. She startles when I appear, like I¡¯m a ghost she didn¡¯t expect. Her lip is split. Her mascara has run thin, like someone cried quick and ugly. She looks ten times smaller than the woman in the photograph. ¡°Be.¡± ¡°Jess-¡± Her whisper is a dry breath. She doesn¡¯t meet my eyes. ¡°Did you-¡± I swallow. The world has narrowed to a single line: Did you sleep with him? The rest of the sentence¨Con purpose¨Cis venom in my throat. Be¡¯s shoulders slump. Her whole body slumps as if someone just snapped a string inside her. ¡°They made me,¡± she says.. My knees go weak. ¡°Who made you?¡± She looks at me then¨Creally looks¨Cand I see something like shame and a tidal, raw panic. ¡°The Triad,¡± she breathes. ¡°They-¡± Her fingers w at her sleeves. ¡°They have ways. They told me they¡¯d ruin my mother if I didn¡¯t¨Cif I didn¡¯t do it.¡± A hot, cold st smacks the air from my lungs. The photo folds up inside my pocket; the paper is suddenly a knife. ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± I say, but it¡¯s thinner than I want it to be. ¡°No.¡± Her voice breaks. ¡°I left the pack three hours ago and they called me a car. I thought it was a private party. Then there was a man¨CTriad¡¯s people¨Cand they filmed it. They told me to say I was-¡± She swallows like someone has shoved a fist into her throat. ¡°They told me if I didn¡¯t, they¡¯d send pictures to my mom¡¯s phone. They showed me the messages. They said they¡¯d make my life worse.¡± A cold, clean rage blooms under my skin. The Triad. Of course. They don¡¯t just want loyalty. They want leverage. They want to cut me down and tie our hands together while they watch. ¡°How long?¡± I asked. ¡°Forty minutes,¡± she whispered. ¡°Less. He¨CGrayson¨Cleft before I did. He was drunk, he kissed me. He woke up-¡± She pressed her palms to her face. ¡°I didn¡¯t want this, Jess. I swear.¡± My wolf keened; the word mate scraped my bones. ¡°Who filmed it?¡± I asked. : 87 55 vouchers She trembled. ¡°A man in a ck coat. He said he was with the Triad. He filmed it and sent it. Said he¡¯d post it if I didn¡¯t obey.¡± My gut dropped. ¡°I don¡¯t want the Triad¡¯s game,¡± I said. ¡°I want my life.¡± She looked at me and, with grim certainty, said, ¡°We don¡¯t get what we want. The Triad takes what they want. Remember that.¡± Her words shed me open, but my wolf shoved hard against the wound. He¡¯s ours, she snapped, louder than Be¡¯s voice, louder than my doubts. He would never choose her. Never. I wanted to scream at her. How do you know? How can you be so sure when I saw the photo with my own eyes? But she only growled back, hot and stubborn, as if the bond itself was insulted by the thought. And the terrifying part? She was winning. Because even now, with Be¡¯s mascara¨Cstreaked face in front of me, with the Proid burning like a curse in my pocket, I couldn¡¯t shake it. If he wanted Be, he wouldn¡¯t look at me like that, I told myself. If he wanted her, he wouldn¡¯t risk his own blood in front of Riot. If he wanted her¡­ why do I feel like he¡¯s drowning without me? I squeezed my eyes shut. The picture might have been real. The kiss might have happened. But it wasn¡¯t choice. It wasn¡¯t betrayal. Be¡¯s words echoed back: They made me. Made her. Made him. The Triad wasn¡¯t showing me the truth¨Cthey were twisting it. Poisoning it. Using it like a knife against my ribs, against his throat. My wolf whined, softer now, a thread of certainty weaving through the chaos. He¡¯s yours. He¡¯s ours. He wouldn¡¯t betray us. Not like that. Slowly, painfully, I let myself believe it. Not because it was easy, but because the alternative would kill me. Grayson hadn¡¯t betrayed me. The Triad had. And if that was true, if they thought they could break us with forged images and forced confessions, then they didn¡¯t understand what it meant to tie me to him. I opened my eyes. Be was gone, slipped into the shadows. But the conviction remained, hard and sharp in my chest. Grayson was mine. My mate. And no matter what games the Triad yed, I would prove it. Which meant that when the deadline came, I already knew my answer. Alpha Luna 196 JESSICA ¡°I ept the offer of the Triad.¡± B55 vouchers Grayson¡¯s eyes snapped to mine, wide, furious, burning. His body vibrated beside me like a storm barely contained, and I knew if I blinked, he¡¯d rip Riot¡¯s throat out and drag me away. I didn¡¯t blink. ¡°One condition,¡± I said, louder this time. Riot tilted his head, a cruel smile tugging at his mouth. ¡°A condition? Sweetheart, you¡¯re in no position¡ª¡± ¡°My bond stays with Grayson.¡± My voice shook, but I forced it out. ¡°No matter what theater you make of me. No matter what game this is. That bond is mine. And it stays.¡± The silence cracked like a whip. Riot¡¯s smile froze, then sharpened. ¡°You¡¯d ept us on paper, but keep him in your bed?¡± His gaze slid toward Grayson, hungry for a reaction. Grayson didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t breathe. His eyes locked on me like I was both salvation and executioner. Kade finally stirred. He stepped forward, his presence heavy enough to suffocate the air. ¡°You understand what you¡¯re saying,¡± he murmured. ¡°The Triad doesn¡¯t share.¡± ¡°They don¡¯t have to.¡± I curled my fists until my nails bit skin. ¡°You want my loyalty? Fine. You¡¯ll have it. But I won¡¯t break my mate¨Cbond to give it. You want me under your banner¨Cyou take me as I am.¡± Grayson¡¯s breath hitched, ragged and sharp, as if I¡¯d pulled him back from a cliff. Riotughed once, low and mean. ¡°She thinks she can bargain with gods.¡± Kade¡¯s gaze held mine. ¡°How will you maintain the bond if you¡¯re living with them? Breathing their air? Eating their food?¡± Behind me, Grayson¡¯s chest rose and fell in broken rhythm. I didn¡¯t dare look back. ¡°I¡¯ll maintain it the same way you keep a throne,¡± I said. ¡°By refusing to let anyone take it.¡± Riot¡¯s smile widened, ¡°Cute. You think willpower can fight hunger? Do you know what happens when mates are separated too long?¡± His voice dipped, taunting, ¡°The wolf starves. It scratches. It begs. It finds another way.¡± My wolf snarled inside me. Never. ¡°Then let me starve,¡± I snapped. ¡°Let me bleed, howl, break apart. But I won¡¯t let you rewrite what the bond already decided.¡± 86 55 vouchers Kade¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And what if he isn¡¯t strong enough to wait?¡± His gaze flicked to Grayson, sharp as a de. ¡°What if your mate breaks before you do?¡± Grayson stepped forward, shoulders rigid. ¡°I don¡¯t break.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t break.¡± That assurance was enough. Kade leaned closer, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°You want both¨Cyour bond, and the Triad¡¯s power.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A pause stretched, heavy as chains. Then, slowly, Kade inclined his head. He nodded once to Riot. His hand squeezed Grayson¡¯s shoulder¨Chard¨Cand he turned away. For one dizzy heartbeat, I thought I had won. But then- Grayson jerked under Kade¡¯s grip. A lurch, as if something had ripped through his ribs and tore his breath away. The world narrowed to the scrape of leather and the metallic smell that hit me before I even saw the stain spreading over his corbone. Blood, ck and bright at once. ¡°Kade-¡°I lunged, a reflex of heat and ws and pure, stupid panic, but Riot¡¯s forearm snapped out like a barred door and pinned me in ce. His hold was a show of easy power; he wasn¡¯t sweating. He was enjoying it. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± He said. ¡°This is the price of your condition, sweetheart. You wanted the impossible. You wanted both. Nothing that costs nothing was ever real.¡± Grayson went to his knees but he did not cry out. His jaw ground until I could hear it. His eyes never left me -fierce, raw, broken. The bond between us thrummed like a wire strummed by a storm. I felt it in my teeth, in the hollow where my breath lived. It screamed. Stop. Don¡¯t let go. My wolf tore at my insides, wanting him out of Riot¡¯s grip, wanting to tear the man whoughed like a god. ¡°Stop it!¡± I shouted. Sound, by itself, felt useless in the face of that power. ¡°Stop- you¡¯re killing him!¡± Kade¡¯s face didn¡¯t change. He looked as if I hadn¡¯t spoken at all, or as if I were some curious insect he could crush for sport. His hand hung at his side¨Cslick, red¨Cand he said, tly, ¡°Not killing Testing.¡± The single word folded the air like a de. ¡°If your bond is as unbreakable as you im, let it hold. If it frays¨Cbetter to know now thanter.¡± Jess¨CGrayson breathed my name. ¡°Do you know what happens when a wolf bleeds long enough? When the thread between mates is pulled thin, 11:53 Wed, Sep 24 stretched past the point where it remembers how to tie itself?¡± He chuckled. ¡°Sometimes it snaps.¡± ?? 86 ) 55 vouchers The bond between us hummed faster, a tuning fork losing its patience. At first it was a small prick along my spine, then ancing cold that made my fingers go numb. For the first time since I¡¯d spoken the words that had pushed them to this¨CMy bond stays with Grayson¨CI felt the thread that tied us give, like hair straightening under heat. A tremor. Fingers slipping from mine. My lungs forgot how to take oxygen. ¡°Kade!¡± I called, desperately.. ¡°What will you do if it breaks? What then? Kill him? Hunt his pack? What happens to me?¡± He considered me as if I¡¯d offered him a toy. ¡°If it breaks, the Triad decides. We take what remains. We bind you differently. Maybe, I¡¯ll take you for myself.¡± ¡°Please.¡± My throat closed. Two alphas versus one is never a good number to seed. The de kissed the skin of Grayson¡¯s arm and the moment he bleeds, I¡¯ve lost control of everything. My wolf screamed. I should have screamed back. Instead I did something I hadn¡¯t nned. My wolf overpowers me and suddenly I¡¯m howling letting her take control. I didn¡¯t care about the rules. I didn¡¯t care about the Triad¡¯s sanctity or the look of horror on Grayson¡¯s face. We both know I haven¡¯t learned how to control my wolf. I took Grayson¡¯s wrist and brought it to my mouth.I pressed my lips to his skin where the blood pooled, and I let the tiniest cut kiss my tongue. The copper burned and filled my mouth. A part of me expected lightning; instead there was a warmth that slid down my throat and settled in the hollow beneath my ribs. The bond screamed. For a second the room dissolved. Colors bled into one another. I saw the moment we¡¯d been bound again¡ª hisugh, my hand finding his in the dark. Kade swore under his breath. Riot¡¯s face went white with a new kind of calction. Grayson¡¯s eyes, already wet, widened. ¡°Jess-¡± he said, and the single syble was so full of everything I could not answer. The bond did not snap. It didn¡¯t mend perfectly either. But it held enough that I could feel him whole again, small sparks of warmth pulsing from his side into my hands. ¡°He¡¯s mine!¡± ¡­ : 86 55 vouchers I helped Grayson to his feet. He leaned heavily on me, and for a wild, private second I felt like the world was a tight, terrible promise kept between two people in the dark. Then Kade smiled that slow, his eyes telling me he¡¯s more satisfied than he¡¯s ever had. ¡°Tell the Triad we can confirm. She¡¯s a hybrid and we¡¯re not letting her go.¡± Alpha Luna 197 JESSICA ¡°You fooled me?¡± : ¡°Jess-¡± Grayson tried to reach for my arms but I pushed him away. ¡°It¡¯s the only way.¡± 88 65 vouchers Kade doesn¡¯t turn, only drags his hand over his jaw. The rasp of stubble is louder than it should be. Grayson finally meets my eyes. His are tired, not guilty. ¡°If we hadn¡¯t, you¡¯d already be dead.¡± I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold back the heat building in my chest. ¡°So you lie to me, scare me half to death, and I¡¯m supposed to thank you?¡± Kade stops pacing.. ¡°You think we wanted this? You think Grayson wanted to shove a de up your dress and pretend you were prey?¡± Grayson stiffens but says nothing. My pulse hammers, loud enough I¡¯m sure they all hear it. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think anymore.¡± The forest stirs then, birds scattering high above us, their cries sharp. A chill crawls down my spine. The sun is climbing, but the shadows between the trees stay thick, like they¡¯re hiding something. Kade finally looks at me, his eyes dark and unblinking. ¡°Then stop thinking,¡± he says. ¡°And start listening.¡± I look at Grayson, and I shouldn¡¯t. I shouldn¡¯t let my eyes lock on his, but the bond thrums between us, low and steady, a current I can¡¯t shut off. His chest rises slow, controlled, but I feel the stutter of his pulse like it¡¯s my own. ¡°You let them use me,¡± I whisper, but the heat of it dies before it reaches him. The bond won¡¯t let me hate him, not the way I want to. I would bleed out before I let the Triad touch you. But if you don¡¯t understand how dangerous they are¨Cif you don¡¯t feel it¨Cyou¡¯ll keep questioning us. And they¡¯ll take you.¡± Grayson takes one careful step closer, palms open. ¡°Jess. Look at me.¡± I do. I shouldn¡¯t, but I do, and the bond answers¨Cmy pulse syncing to his, my chest aching like it¡¯s trying to match his breath. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry if I¡¯ve been so harsh on you these past few days but I can¡¯t lose you, baby.¡± My heart races, syncing faster with Grayson¡¯s, and it terrifies me. My body wants to step into his arms, but my head screams to run. ¡°You can¡¯t just say sorry and expect me to forget. You made me believe-¡± My voice cracks. ¡°You made me believe they¡¯d kill me.¡± ¡°They would,¡± he snaps, harsher than he means, and then his face softens. His eyes search mine, desperate. ¡°They still might.¡± 10:11 Thu, Sep 25 : 88 55 vouchers The forest closes in around us. Shadows stretch long and deep, swallowing thest warmth of morning. Grayson takes another step, the bond thrumming hard enough I feel it in my bones. ¡°Baby,¡± he whispers. ¡°Please, listen to us.¡± I don¡¯t know what more lies they can feed me. ¡°Jess,¡± he says again, softer now. ¡°If you can¡¯t trust me, then trust this. I will die for you.¡± I know. I sigh, wiping my tears with the back of my hand, trying to stop my wolf from answering before my mouth can. The animal inside me ws at the cage of my ribs¨Chot, impatient, hungry for certainty. It wants to snarl, to leap into his arms and never let go. It wants to tear out the throat of anyone. Tears spill again, hot and sudden. ¡°What is your n?¡± Grayson¡¯s hand finds mine and squeezes. ¡°You have to join the Triad.¡± ¡°What? I thought-¡± My voice fractures. I pull my hand back like his touch burned me. ¡°I thought you said we were protecting me. You want me to join them?¡± He swallows, jaw working. ¡°Join them how? As bait? As a¡ªwhat, Grayson? Give them my name and my life?¡± He looks away, and for a second he looks every bit the tired, dangerous man he is¨Cmore wolf than human. ¡°No. Not as a gift. As an inside. As leverage.¡± Leverage. ¡°You expect me to pretend to betray you? To smile at people who¡¯d tear me apart?¡± Kade stepped forward and I hated him so much because I knew this was his n. ¡°You¡¯ll be under watch. We¡¯ll be with you. We¡¯ll keep you from getting hurt.¡± Riot¡¯sugh is humorless. ¡°And if they test you? If they mark you as theirs?¡± He nces at Grayson- usation and fear braided together. ¡°What then?¡± Grayson¡¯s eyes burn. ¡°Then we have to be ready to take it back.¡± Take it back. The words are meant tofort, but they make my stomach drop. I imagine hands¨Cdirty, greedy¨Creaching, iming. I imagine being paraded before men whose smiles are knives. I imagine the Triad knowing the rhythm of my breath, the timbre of my voice, knowing every weakness to exploit. ¡°You¡¯re asking me to lie to their faces,¡± I whisper. ¡°To smile while I rot inside.¡± Tears blur the world. I¡¯m shaking. My wolf whines¨Csmall, humiliating. It doesn¡¯t want this. It wants to tear and run and hunt and kill. It doesn¡¯t understand subterfuge. It knows the truth in blood. Grayson¡¯s thumb rubs my knuckle.. ¡°I know.¡± His voice cracks. ¡°I know it¡¯s cruel. I know it¡¯s asking too much. But right now we don¡¯t have an army. We have three of us, and you with them inside is the only way to learn 10:11 Thu, Sep 25 d 88 55 vouchers their ns without walking into a trap. You¡¯re the only one who can get close enough without them killing us all first.¡± ¡°Or you¡¯re asking me to be their prisoner.¡± His face copses. For a heartbeat I see a man undone¨Cno alpha armor, just a raw, fearful human who loves too much. ¡°I can¡¯t-¡± He closes his eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you, Jess.¡± I think of everything they¡¯ve done to ¡®protect¡® me. The staged attacks. The cold metal at my thigh. The knife hidden where my dress can¡¯t reach. I think of the bond¨Chow it pulses at his words, how it makes me want to obey even when every sane part of me screams no. ¡°Kade,¡± I say suddenly, and the name is a lifeline. ¡°If I do this¨Cif I pretend¨Cwhat happens when they try to take me for real? When they demand proof? When they bind me to them in a way you can¡¯t fix?¡± Kade¡¯s jaw works. ¡°We¡¯ll have a n,¡± he says finally. ¡°We¡¯ll have signals. Extraction points. If it goes sideways, we pull you out. We burn their safehouses. We take them down.¡± Riot steps to the treeline, scanning. ¡°They¡¯re closer,¡± he says. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to debate philosophy.¡± The forest breathes around us¨Ccold, patient, full of eyes. Somewhere, not far, something moves with intent. My throat tightens. Decisions taste like iron. I press my palms to my face and feel the wet warmth of tears. I am so tired. So full of betrayal and love and doubts. fear. The bond hums like a second heartbeat, louder than my ¡°I won¡¯t be your weapon,¡± I whisper, almost to myself. ¡°I¡¯ll be my own de.¡± Grayson doesn¡¯t smile. He only nods, and in that nod there is surrender, strategy, and the fierce, terrible promise of a man who would burn the world for me. AD 111 10:11 Thu, Sep 25 d Alpha Luna 198 JESSICA : (88) 55 vouchers ¡°Do you even know how to use that?¡± I ask quietly, looking at Grayson as he packs some of my clothes into a battered duffel. He pauses, the knife glinting in his hand ¨C not the big de from the waistband, a smaller one now, bnced and clean. He gives me a half¨Csmile that doesn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Enough to not cut myself,¡± he says. Then, softer: ¡°Enough to keep you alive.¡± I tried to make the Triad believe I needed time. I browbeat them with false doubts and hollow tears until their patience bought me thirty more days. Thirty days to train. Thirty days for a n. Thirty days to pretend my bond with Grayson is fraying at the edges. Kade moves like a shadow, checking the perimeter with the restless precision of someone who once ran with wolves. He¡¯s already mapped escape routes in his head ¨C a creek that cuts through the north grove, a copsed root system we can crawl under, a low ridge that gives us cover. Riot stands by the treeline, squinting into the wash of morning, listening. ¡°Did they buy it?¡± I ask, because the lie tastes like ash in my mouth. Grayson zips the duffel closed and slings it over his shoulder. ¡°They did,¡± he says. ¡°They believe whatever makes them think they¡¯re winning.¡± My wolf snarls at him for lying, but the animal also purrs low at the prospect of the hunt. I hate how the two halves of me answer different truths. ¡ª Kade crouches and taps a rock twice. Two taps is the signal for ¡®stay low. He taps again, then draws a line with the butt of his knife in the dirt the route. ¡°Extraction points here, here, and here,¡± he says. His voice is clipped, businesslike. ¡°If anything goes wrong, you cut to the creek and head east. Riot covers you from the ridge. Grayson and I draw them toward the old logging road.¡± ¡°But if I¡¯m inside them-¡± My voice breaks. The image of men¡¯s hands on my skin shes like a de. I press my fingers to my lips to stop the sound. ¡°You¡¯re not alone,¡± Grayson says. He kneels to meet my eyes, the duffel at his feet. ¡°We¡¯ve rehearsed this. Signals. Code words. A press of the thumb to the inside of your palm ¨C that¡¯s ¡®extraction now.¡® A single word we¡¯ll never speak aloud unless it¡¯s thest resort.¡± He lifts his hand, thumb brushing my knuckle. It¡¯s small, intimate, I want to lean in so badly my knees feel weak. Instead I step back, breath sharp, angry at the way my body betrays me. Riot sneers, but there¡¯s a wetness at the corners of his eyes he won¡¯t admit. ¡°They¡¯re sending scouts today,¡± he says. ¡°Two or three. Clean¨Cfooted types. Watchers. They¡¯ll test you. Make sure you¡¯re loyal.¡± ¡°To be ready,¡± Kade corrects, but the edge on his words is thin. He swallows whatever he¡¯d nned to say and nods to Riot. ¡°We move now. Practice gets you used to panic.¡± Grayson crouches and shows me the knife again ¨C how to hold it, where to press to break bone if ites to 10:11 Thu, Sep 25 that, how to angle so the victim¡¯s momentum is used against them. 88 55 vouchers ¡°Keep your thumb along the spine,¡± he murmurs. ¡°It¡¯s bnce. Don¡¯t make it part of you unless you have to.¡± Tears slip out before I can stop them. I swipe them away with the heel of my hand. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a spy in a room of killers,¡± I whisper. ¡°You¡¯re not their spy,¡± Grayson says. ¡°Come here. I have another night to love you.¡± I let myself lean into him, stupid and willing. My forehead rests against his chest and he presses his lips to my hair, a soft, useless promise. ¡°One more night,¡± he murmurs against my scalp. ¡°One more where I can hold you without nning the fire escapes.¡± I curl against him, hands mping to the fabric of his shirt until my knuckles whiten. Sobse¨Csmall, unsteady, honest¨Cand he holds me while they shake out of me. I hate how easy it is to unravel in his arms. I hate how right it feels. I hate how much I want to stay. My wolf whines low in my throat, equal parts need and warning, and I stroke my palm over the ce where the knife rests in my duffel as if that will steady me. He lifts my face and the look in his eyes is a map of everything he¡¯s afraid to say: regret, adoration, a ferocity that makes the air between us taste metallic. His thumb brushes my lower lip, the motion intimate enough to make my knees weak. ¡°We¡¯ll do this together,¡± he says. ¡°You and me. Kade and Riot. We¡¯ll bruise for it. We¡¯ll mend. We¡¯ll take it back.¡± He draws me in and our mouths meet so passionately as if sealing a pact. It¡¯s soft and terrible and strips me down to the raw ce under the ribs. When we part, my breath is his, his breath is mine. ¡°I want you, Grayson.¡± His eyes darken instantly, like I just handed him permission he¡¯s been starving for. His mouth crushes mine again, harder this time, iming, demanding. My lips part and he takes, his tongue sliding against mine, and my whole body lights up like he¡¯s feeding the bond with every stroke. His hand fists in my hair, pulling my head back, and his mouth trails down my throat. I whimper, because it¡¯s too much, too good, and not nearly enough. My knees threaten to buckle when he licks the hollow of my neck and then bites, just sharp enough to sting. ¡°Grayson,¡± I pant. He spins me and ms me back against a tree, bark biting my shoulders through the thin dress. His hands are everywhere at once¨Cunder my skirt, tugging at my panties, palming my ass like he owns it. I can¡¯t breathe, can¡¯t think, only clutch his shoulders as he tears the flimsy scrap ofce off me with one sharp yank. The sound of fabric ripping echoes in the trees, filthy and final. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he growls against my throat, his breath hot, ragged. ¡°Not theirs. Not ever.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I gasp, arching as his fingers plunge between my legs. He¡¯s rough, unrelenting, sliding through my slickness and pressing hard against my clit until my whole body jerks. My nails rake his back through his shirt, desperate for more. ¡°Grayson, please-¡± ¡°Beg prettier,¡± he snarls, shoving two fingers inside me, curling them just right. My head drops back against 10:11 Thu, Sep 25 d¡­ the tree, mouth open, a cry spilling out before I can catch it. 88 55 voucliers ¡°Please.¡± I whimper, clutching his wrist as his fingers fuck me hard and deep. ¡°Please, I need your cock. I need you inside me.¡± He pulls out and I nearly sob at the emptiness. He doesn¡¯t give me a chance to protest¨Che¡¯s already shoving his jeans down, his thick cock springing free, hard and leaking. My eyes go wide. My mouth waters. He fists it once, tight, then presses the head against my dripping entrance. The stretch is instant, brutal, burning in the best way. I cry out, half in pain, half in bliss, and he growls into my ear, ¡°Take me, baby. Take all of me.¡± One thrust and he¡¯s buried to the hilt, my walls clutching him so tight we both gasp. The bark scrapes my back as he pins me harder, hands braced on my thighs to keep me wide open for him. He stays still for a heartbeat, trembling, as if he¡¯s fighting not to lose it right there. ¡°So fucking tight,¡± he groans, forehead pressed to mine, sweat dripping. ¡°Like your body was made for me. No one else. No one.¡± His cock stretches me so deep I feel him in my stomach, dragging moans from me I can¡¯t hold back. He kisses me like a drowning man between thrusts, tongue desperate, lips bruising, teeth catching on mine. His words are broken growls against my mouth: mine, my girl, my mate, no one takes you, no one. My climax builds sharp and fast, the bond flooding me with his hunger, his fear, his devotion. My nails dig bloody crescents into his shoulders as my body tightens around him. ¡°Grayson¨Cfuck, I¡¯m-¡± ¡°Come for me,¡± he orders, pounding harder, his cock hitting that spot again and again. ¡°Give it to me. Let me feel you break on me.¡± I shatter. My scream rips out into the trees, my walls mping around him in convulsing waves. He groans like it¡¯s killing him, like it¡¯s heaven and hell at once, and ms into me with brutal finality. Hot, thick release floods me as he buries deep, grinding hard like he¡¯s branding me from the inside. His teeth sink into my shoulder¨Cnot enough to mark, but enough to im, to remind me who I belong to. We cling to each other, trembling, panting, filthy and undone. His cock twitches inside me as he whispers ragged against my ear, ¡°They¡¯ll never have you. Even if they touch you, even if they try, you¡¯ll still be mine. Always mine.¡± Alpha Luna 199 Chapter 199 JESSICA Today is the day I¡¯m going to surrender myself to the Triad. I¡¯ve made a condition so Grayson won¡¯t be hurt seeing me go away. ¡°Did you say your goodbye?¡± ¡°Shut up, Kade. I¡¯m just inches away from slithering your throat.¡± ¡°Whole forest heard you moan,¡± he says, grinning. ¡°Crows jealous.¡± I snap my head at him, wolf shing hot in my chest. ¡°Say that again and I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t get a throat tough with.¡± He smirks but doesn¡¯t push it. He knows better. His knife spinszy in his hand, but his eyes are sharp, restless, already watching the road. The bond tugs. Hard. Even with Grayson not here, I feel him ¡ª his pulse, his ache, the echo of his arms still burned into my skin. My chest tightens until I can barely breathe. ¡°Kade.¡± My voice cracks. I swallow and try again. ¡°Promise me.¡± He nces over, brows raised. ¡°Promise you what?¡± ¡°That you¡¯ll keep him standing.¡± My nails dig into my palms. ¡°He won¡¯t eat when I¡¯m gone. He won¡¯t sleep. He¡¯ll tear himself apart if you don¡¯t-¡± My throat closes. ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll take care of him.¡± Kade exhales, long and rough. ¡°Jess-¡± ¡°No.¡± I cut him off, stepping closer. ¡°You don¡¯t get to brush this off. You don¡¯t get to joke this away. He¡¯ll follow me straight into hell if you let him. You know he will.¡± Kade¡¯s gaze hardens. For once, no jokes. ¡°You think I¡¯d let my alpha crumble? You think I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s like without you?¡± He steps closer, voice dropping low, almost a growl. ¡°I¡¯ll keep him breathing. Even if I have to chain him down myself.¡± I clutch my arms around me, the wolf wing, restless, hating this surrender. ¡°Swear it, Kade. Swear you¡¯ll keep him safe.¡± He exhales through his nose, rough, andys two fingers over his heart. ¡°On my blood. On my wolf. I¡¯ll guard him. Even from himself.¡± The truck¡¯s engine growls in the distance ¨C closer now. Kade¡¯s knife stops spinning. ¡°Showtime,¡± he mutters. I wipe my face with the back of my hand, straightening. The truck grows louder, closer, the stink of the Triad bleeding into the morning air. I turn to Kade onest time. ¡°Don¡¯t let him follow me.¡± 9:45 Fri, Sep 26 He bares his teeth in something that isn¡¯t quite a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll chain him down myself if I have to.¡± 78 55 vouchers The bond pulls, aching, begging me to run back to Grayson. But I stand still. The Triad is here. And today I¡¯m theirs. ¡°You¡¯re Jess,¡± the Alpha says. His voice rumbles like winter through stone. ¡°And this is not your mate.¡± Kade¡¯s jaw snaps shut. ¡°Nope but I¡¯m here to make sure you meet the end of your bargain,¡± he spits. ¨C The Alphaughs a sound without mercy. ¡°Pity. Your pack keeps uglypany¡± He leans in, breath hot with smoke and iron. Up close I taste old fights and older blood. ¡°He smells soft. A pup ying at kingship like your mate, perhaps?¡± ¡°Grayson is no pup,¡± I say. Rage sharpens my tongue. ¡°He¡¯ll burn every one of you down before you touch him.¡± The Alpha¡¯s eyes glow faint amber in the pale light. ¡°Bold,¡± he says. ¡°Typical omega bravado. I don¡¯t really understand the hype-¡± ¡°Enough, Cid.¡± Another alpha steps forward ¡ª older, broader, and colder. His presence snaps the air tight. ¡°The council wants her.¡± The Alpha studies Kade as if he¡¯s insulting him through his gaze. Then he nods like a king epting a minor lord¡¯s word. ¡°Very well. This is where you end, pup. We will im her. She will be in our den for training. She will learn to kill with pack mind, not lone fury.¡± My chest goes cold and hot at once. Training. The things they¡¯ll make me do¨Crun in cold, fight in blood, obey orders that hurt. The wolf inside me snarls and wants it. To be strong is everything. To be taken and trained by the strongest is an honor and a sentence. ¡°Do you fear your mate will follow?¡± the Alpha asks. ¡°Do I have to kill Grayson Westwood for your sake?¡± ¡°No one kills my mate,¡± I snap. ¡°You want me? Take me. But youy one hand on Grayson and I¡¯ll tear this world down around you.¡± The Alpha¡¯s lips twitch ¨C amusement, maybe annoyance. ¡°Will he be a distraction for you?¡± ¡°He is my hunger, and he keeps me from starving. Touch him and I will make you beg for the hunt you so love.¡± 9:45 Fri, Sep 26 The Alphaughs, low and full. ¡°So theatrical. Love makes fools of wolves.¡± He leans close, breath sour with smoke. ¡°You¡¯d risk a kingdom for a mate? How quaint.¡± I step forward until my face is an inch from the Alpha¡¯s. If he thinks I¡¯m a scared omega then he¡¯s wrong. Grayson Westwood made me strong and I¡¯m going to conquer everything for him. ¡°You don¡¯t kill him. You hear me? Kill him and I swear I¡¯m going to paint you red and dance on your graves.¡± For a heartbeat I think I¡¯ve won something. Then the older alpha ¨C the council one ¨C inclines his head like someone closing a book. He nods once, slow and absolute. ¡°So be it. Take her.¡± Cid grins, all teeth. ¡°Finally.¡± He flicks a gloved hand. Two burly wolves move in, hands closing on my arms. One of the men produces a sack, thick canvas, ckened at the lip. It smells of smoke and old wolf. He slips it over my head like a hood. ¡°What the hell. Get this off me!¡± Darkness swallows my vision. ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone, Jess. Keep that on until we¡¯re in our ground.¡± I yank at the canvas and the man¡¯s cuffed hand mps harder. Painnces¨Creal and good¨Creminds me there¡¯s a bargain in y. I stifled a curse and forced steady breathing until I heard Kade¡¯s words. ¡°Come back,¡± he breathes, the words muffled as if through earth. ¡°Come back whole.¡± Those are thest words I hear before they drag me away. The Triad has me now. And nothing about this ride will bring me home the same. Outside, I catch the echo of howls rolling through the trees¨Cmy pack, my bond, my Grayson. The sound punches through me like ws, but I grit down hard. If I break now, they win. I press my nails into my palms until I feel blood. A reminder. A vow. They can chain me, blind me, drag me through fire and ice¨Cbut I¡¯ll take their training. I¡¯ll take their lessons. And I¡¯lle back stronger. For him. For us. The Triad thinks they¡¯ve imed me. But they¡¯ve only armed me. Alpha Luna 200 Chapter 200 JESSICA ¡°Get up!¡± A hand yanks me by the cor, drags me to my feet. My knees scrape stone. The air bites cold, thinner than I¡¯ve ever breathed. The sack tears off. Light ms into my eyes. I blink hard, once, twice¨Cthen freeze. Mountains. Endless, jagged, ck against the sky. A wall of stone cut with towers, gates, fires burning white instead of gold. Wolves prowl the ridges, their eyes glowing like scattered stars. Armor tters. ws scrape. Too many. Too strong. This isn¡¯t a pack. It isn¡¯t even a city. ¡°What¡­ what is this ce?¡± I breathe before I can stop myself. Cid shoves me forward, hard enough my teeth knock together. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb, omega. This is the belly of the Triad. You¡¯re not in your soft little woods anymore.¡± I stumble, catch myself, re over my shoulder. ¡°Hands off.¡± His grin shes white and cruel. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll have more than my hands on you before long. They said I get to break you in.¡± He leans close, his breath hot, foul with smoke and iron. ¡°Hope you like bleeding.¡± I bare my teeth, wolf rising sharp in my chest. ¡°Try it, and I¡¯ll rip yours out first.¡± Cidughs, low and amused, like I¡¯m a pup snapping at a grown wolf. His hand mps back on my arm. dragging me toward the stair cut into the rock. ¡°Go on, love. I¡¯ll have to bathe you before you appear in the Triad.¡± I spit straight into his face ¨C thick, salty, meant to sting. Cid blinks, shock shing across that smug mouth for half a second, then his fingers curl into my hair and he hauls my head back. ¡°Ugly,¡± he sneers, dragging my face close enough that I taste him. ¡°Bitch!¡± I wrench my arm free with a hard twist and shove him in the ribs. Pain blooms in my shoulder where the cuff bites, but the shovends. A grunt. Cid snaps, hand flying up to p my cheek but I block him using my feet. I don¡¯t stop. I kick again, this time at the hip, then drop my weight and knee him in the gut. The world narrows to the sound of his breath leaving him and the barked shouts around us. Cid¡¯s face goes white, then angry, then impressed in a sh. Hands grab at me; I twist, elbow snapping back into a jaw I barely graze. ¡°Try me and you¡¯ll wish you hadn¡¯t spoken.¡± A hush falls. Even the training wolves pause¨Ctheir interest sharp as knives. ¡°Enough.¡± My wolf tightens, ears t. Someone stops two paces away and looks at me. His eyes are dark and patient and hungry. ¨¢¡¢ (9)). EX 55 vouchers ¡°I told you she¡¯s not to be touched.¡± He looks back at me.¡± My apologies, Ms. Wilkinson.¡± He steps closer, slow as if daring me to flinch. His hand finds mine, rough fingers closing around my cuffed wrist. Heat jolts up my arm, as I watch him lower his head and brush his lips against the back of my hand. ¡°The Triad may im you, but I won¡¯t let them dishonor you.¡± The kiss lingers for a heartbeat too long. Then he releases me, gaze unreadable, before turning sharp to Cid. ¡°If she bleeds again by your hand, you¡¯ll answer with bone.¡± Cid stiffens, jaw working, but says nothing. ¡°Yes, Kirill.¡± I stiffen, blinking at him. ¡°Kirill?¡± He inclines his head slightly, eyes never leaving mine. ¡°Alpha Kirill,¡± he says, the weight of the name rolling over me like winter wind over the mountain peaks. ¡°And I expect obedience, even from those who think themselves untouchable.¡± The air tightens around us, every wolf in the yard suddenly smaller, careful. Cid shifts, muttering the name like a curse. ¡°Yes¡­ Alpha Kirill.¡± Who are you? I want to ask but instead, I¡¯m mesmerized at his gaze. ¡°Come. I¡¯ll tour you in your house.¡± I don¡¯t know why I follow¨Cmaybe because everyone else steps aside. Cid shoots me onest look¨Chate, hunger, something like warning¨Cthen melts back into the shadows of the stone. We descend. Stairs cut into the bone of the mountain wind down and down. Torches spit white fire along the walls; shadows bite at the edges. The closer we get, the louder the world bes¨Cmetal on metal, shoutedmands, the p of trainers. Wolves shout in anguage of teeth and angles. ¡°Who are you?¡± I ask atst, voice small against the roar. He nces at me, one corner of his mouth lifting like a de. ¡°Kirill,¡± he says. ¡°Alpha. Keeper of the Cradle. And for now¨Cyour judge.¡± Cradle. What is it? ¡°It¡¯s a ce where you train, Ms. Wilkinson or should I call you Jessica?¡± I swallow. ¡°Jess is fine. And for the record, Cid is an asshole.¡± Kirill¡¯s lips twitch, just the barest hint of a smirk. ¡°Cid is¡­ rough,¡± he says. ¡°But he has his uses.¡± The hall widens, and my eyes widen with it. Wolves everywhere¨Cmassive, lithe, deadly¨Ctrain with precision that borders on terrifying. ¡°In this direction,¡± Kirill said, distracting me away from whatever is in store there. ¡°What is that?¡± I ask, my pulse spiking. ¡°Soon,¡± he replies, dragging me into another corner. I have many questions, but those words vanish the moment he opens the door. The sight steals my breath. Towering arches carved from ck stone stretch overhead. Torches flicker, casting long shadows along the walls. ¡°I don¡¯t know howvish Grayson pampered you,¡± Kirill says. ¡°but this will do.¡± The chamber is simple, almost spartan¨Cstone walls, a low bed, a bench, a basin. Yet in its austerity, there¡¯s a sense of strength, of purpose. ¡°You know him?¡± ¡°I know enough. Enough to recognize why he¡¯d want you alive. Why he¡¯d want you¡­ controlled.¡± ¡°Controlled?¡± A faint, unreadable smile flickers on his lips. ¡°Oh, I think you know Jess why he marked you that night. You¡¯re not that dumb, aren¡¯t you?¡± I stiffen. ¡°I don¡¯t answer riddles.¡± ¡°Marking binds more than flesh, Jess. It ties a wolf to its mate. To keep them alive¡­ to keep them loyal. You know why he did it.¡± I re. ¡°He did it for me. To protect me. Not to make me weak.¡± He studies me. ¡°And yet you¡¯vee here. You¡¯ve left him behind, willingly or not. Does that feel like weakness to you?¡± My chest tightens, wolf snarling beneath my ribs. ¡°I¡¯m not weak. Grayson knows me. My bond with him¡­ it keeps me alive. Even here, even under your eyes, I¡¯m still his. No one touches him. No one ever will Kirill¡¯s lips twitch¨Chalf amused, half approving. ¡°I never said anything about touching him. I don¡¯t care how you move mountains for each other, Jess. But your training here¡­ will be valuable for us.¡± 6:06 Sat, Sep 27 I nce at him, narrowing my eyes. ¡°Valuable? You mean a weapon? You want to turn me into a tool? ¡°Exactly, but not quite.¡± At first, I thought he was checking me out, letting his gaze weigh me down like stone¨Cbut there¡¯s no lewdness here. ¡°You can¡¯t control your wolf,¡± he says quietly, almost a murmur. ¡°How did you know that?¡± ¡°I watch. I listen. Wolves speak in ways humans rarely notice. Yours¡­ it¡¯s loud. Hungry. Restless. Dangerous if untamed.¡± I snort, fangs shing. ¡°Hungry, restless, dangerous¡­ sounds like every wolf I¡¯ve ever met. What makes mine so special?¡± instincts¡­ ¡°When Riot bit you, he didn¡¯t just mark you. He poisoned the order of your blood. Your omega your need to obey¡­ they¡¯re twisted now. You¡¯re a hybrid. Half rogue, half wolf¨Cborn omega. And now, you let Grayson stir up your identity. Fierce. Unbound. Dangerous.¡± Alpha Luna 201 Chapter 201 JESSICA I¡¯m more than an omega. More than Grayson¡¯s bond. I am fire made flesh. youchst ¡°Most omegas bend. Most wolves break. But yours¡­ no one has ever trained a hybrid like yours. They¡¯ll try. Jess. And you¡¯ll either break them¨Cor yourself.¡± Break me? ¡°Break me?¡± I scoff, tipping my head. ¡°So the honor of training a hybrid like me has to be yours?¡± E A corner of his mouth twitches. ¡°Not honor,¡± he says. ¡°Necessity. You have strength that even the Triad has never held. Strength that could burn us¨Cor save us.¡± ¡°From who exactly?¡± I snap, fangs shing, wolf thrumming under my skin. Kirill reaches out, letting his fingers hover just above my shoulder, not touching. ¡°From yourself, Jessica. Have you forgotten the pile of bodies you¡¯ve left behind? The wolves you¡¯ve unmade because you refused control?¡± My chest tightens, pulse spiking. The memory ws at me, but I straighten, wolf snarling, defiant. ¡°I don¡¯t need you¨Cor the Triad¨Cto remind me what I am.¡± His amber eyes re, intense and almost hungry. ¡°No. You need control, or you¡¯ll destroy everyone around you. Start with me. Trust me. I can help you.¡± ¡°How do I trust someone who could crush me without a thought?¡± Those words seem to make him lean closer, like he¡¯s smelling the defiance in me. ¡°You¡¯re fire. But fire without direction¡­ burns everything, including the hand that feeds it. Mine, for now, is the only hand that can guide yours.¡± I bare my teeth, pulse spiking, ws itching. ¡°And if I don¡¯t want your guidance?¡± ¡°Then we fight,¡± he says, calm as death, amber eyes flicking with amusement. ¡°And believe me¡­ your wolf would lose.¡± After that threat, Kirill left me saying he¡¯s going to let me enjoy some peace for now. ¡°I miss you,¡± I said to myself, staring at the empty wall and thinking of Grayson. I close my eyes, let the memory of Grayson fill me, and let the heat of my wolf simmer. I wonder what he¡¯s doing right now¨Cif he feels the pull of my absence, if his chest aches like mine does, if he¡¯s pacing, cursing the distance, thinking of me. ¡°I love you,¡± I whisper again, letting the words tumble into the empty room, fragile and raw. As if saying them will stitch the ache inside me. Goddess, how can he be so cruel¨Csending me here, leaving me in this mountain of stone and fire, surrounded by wolves who smell my weakness and my strength both? My wolf stirs, restless and bitter, echoing the same fury that twists through my chest. It¡¯s hunger, it¡¯s need, it¡¯s rage. And it¡¯s all for him. But I understand him. I vow to always seek understanding for Grayson Westwood and I will. No matter what the Triad throws at me, no matter the blood, the fire, or the shadows¨CI will carry him in me. Always. At night, one of the wolves¨Cthankfully not Cid¨Ctells me I shall go into the Cradle for a feast. Whatever that means. So here I am, standing at the front gate, noticing how suddenly the world has gone quiet. Will there be war? What will happen to me if I push these gates open? Only one way to find out. I shove the iron gates open and the first thing I noticed is the massive walls surrounding the gates as if it¡¯s protecting the ce itself from outsiders. ¡°Hello?¡± I say, and my voice sounds small, ignorant, like a pup in a hall of kings. My breath fogs, white and quick. The wind moves, but it does not so much pass as curl its fingers around me. questioning. From where I stand, I saw shadows move on my side and that¡¯s when I noticed we are not alone. How can they conceal their presence? They emerge from the darkness like wraiths, their eyes glowing with feral hunger. Five of them, maybe more. their fur bristling, teeth bared. They¡¯re not here to wee me. ¡°Look who¡¯s graced us with her presence,¡± one sneers, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°The Triad¡¯s little pet Think you¡¯re special, hybrid?¡± I bare my teeth, ws unsheathed. ¡°Special enough to take you all down.¡± Heughs, a cold, cruel sound that makes my skin crawl. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± They move as one, a coordinated strike that sends me diving to the side. I roll to my feet, but they¡¯re already closing in, their growls echoing like a chorus of death. One lunges, and I meet him head¨Con, our ws shing, teeth snapping. He¡¯s strong, but I¡¯m faster. I twist, sinking my ws into his side, and he howls in pain. But there¡¯s no time to celebrate. Another wolf barrels into me, his weight mming me to the ground. I snarl, struggling beneath him, but he¡¯s huge, his jaws snapping inches from my face. I kick, my boot connecting with his jaw, and he stumbles back. I scramble to my feet, breath heaving, blood dripping from a cut on my arm. 6:06 Sat, Sep 27 :. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± I taunt, my voice steady despite the fear wing at my chest. But perhaps, I shouldn¡¯t ask. Suddenly, a wolf with ck fur and red eyes leaps from the shadows, saliva dripping from its fangs. À±»Ø The ck¨Cfurred wolf lunges, and I barely duck in time. Its ws graze my side, tearing through my shirt and leaving a burning trail of pain. Shit. Shit. This one¡¯s different¨Cbigger, meaner, and its eyes glow like embers in the dark. I backpedal, keeping my ws ready, but it¡¯s relentless. It leaps again, and I throw myself to the ground, rolling to my feet just as its jaws snap shut where my head had been. ¡°Alright, big guy,¡± I growl, wiping blood from my split lip. ¡°Let¡¯s dance.¡± It howls, a sound that sends shivers down my spine, and charges. I sidestep, shing at its side, but it whirls around faster than I expect. Its paw swipes, hitting me square in the chest and sending me flying. I hit the ground hard, the air knocked out of me. Before I can recover, it¡¯s on top of me, its weight crushing. Its teeth bare, inches from my face, and I can smell its rancid breath. The wolf¡¯s weight presses down, its eyes burning like fire. Then, in a blur of smoke and shadow, it shifts. The fur recedes, muscles reshape, and the beast bes a man. Kirill. His bare chest gleams with sweat, his sharp jawline set in a feral grin. He¡¯s every inch the dangerous alpha, his presencemanding and brutal. ¡°You¡¯re slower than I anticipate,¡± he taunts, his voice a deep rumble. Blood trickles from a cut on his cheek, but he doesn¡¯t seem to notice. I wipe the blood from my mouth, my ws retracting as I straighten. ¡°And you¡¯re such a bastard,¡± I fire back, my voice steady despite the ache in my ribs. Kirill stands there,pletely unbothered by his nakedness, like he¡¯s the king of this damned forest. He grabs clothing from the side, eyes still not leaving mine. ¡°You¡¯ve managed to wound me, Jess.¡± I smirk, my own confidence burning brighter than his taunts. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee?¡± he repeats, a lowugh rumbling from his throat. ¡°You think cutting me makes you clever. Wolves bleed, Jessica. Even kings.¡± He takes a step closer, and the ground feels smaller beneath me. I tilt my chin higher, refusing to shrink. ¡°Then maybe you¡¯re not as untouchable as you pretend.¡± The grin fades from his lips, reced by something sharper, darker. His gaze rakes over me¨Cnot with lust, but with the same precision he uses to size up prey. ¡°Untouchable? No. Dangerous. Yes. And you¡­¡± His voice. lowers, a growl threaded with hunger. ¡°¡­you keep forgetting you¡¯re the one inside my den.¡± The circle of wolves tightens. Silent, obedient. Their eyes glint, waiting to see if I¡¯ll fall to my knees or sink my 6:06 Sat, Sep 27 ws deeper. He lets the silence stretch, counts me with that wolf¡¯s patience, then¨Calmost too casually¨Che inclines his head toward the yard beyond the ring. ¡°We prepared a feast for your arrival,¡± Kirill says. The words are simple, polite as a de¡¯s edge. ¡°Come. Join us.¡± ¡°Is that it, alpha?¡± I wish he could hear the mockery in my tone. Kirill gaze linger for me for another second before he steps closer. ¡°Wee to the Triad, Jess,¡± he says, voice low enough that only I can hear it and loud enough that the yard takes the words in. ¡°Eat well. Fight harder. Survive longer than those who¡¯vee before you¨Cand perhaps you will be more than prey.¡± AD Comment Alpha Luna 202 JESSICA 45 voustion ¡°They call it the Cradle, as if it were a thing that cradles infants instead of the bones of men,¡± Kirill said beside me as we both sat at our table. After his little shit show earlier, I don¡¯t know how he can believe I¡¯ll put anything in my mouth. He could¡¯ve poisoned it for all I know. He tears into a b of meat with his teeth, casual, watching me out of the corner of his eye. ¡°You don¡¯t eat meat? Ah! You think it has poison.¡± ¡°Does it?¡± Cid turns toward us from across the table, the look on his face like I just pissed on the alpha¡¯s boots. His lip curls, nostrils ring. ¡°You dare question-¡± Kirill lifts one hand,zy, silencing him without even looking. ¡°If I wanted you dead, Jessica, I would not waste poison on you.¡± His amber eyes glint, hunger and amusement dancing in the firelight. ¡°I¡¯d use my teeth.¡± The hall erupts inughter, sharp and wild. Cid throws his head back, joining in, though his eyes never leave
  1. me.
My cheeks burn hot, anger and shame boiling in my blood. Theughter ws at my ears, at my pride, until I can¡¯t stand it. I snatch the goblet by my te and tip it back, swallowing the wine in one long, furious gulp. The taste hits hard¨Cbitter, smoky, thick with spice. ¡°That¡¯s the one I put poison on.¡± My throat seizes. The heat surges higher, crawling down into my chest, and I cough, choke, wine spilling down my chin as I drag for air. Wolves roar withughter again, pounding fists on the table, the sound deafening. Kirill leans in close, so only I can hear the edge of his whisper: ¡°Breathe, little fire. If it were real poison, you¡¯d already be ash.¡± I re at him through the tears streaming from my burning throat, coughing harder ¡°F¨Cfuck you, Kirill.¡± Kirill justughs. A deep, rumbling sound that shakes his chest. He shakes his head at me like I¡¯m a stubborn pup biting at a hand too big to break. Then, slow as sin, he takes my goblet from my hand and drains what¡¯s left of the wine. When he ms the empty cup down, he rises to his full height. The air in the Cradle shifts, taut, waiting. ¡°To Jessica Westwood,¡± he deres, raising the goblet high, ¡°who curses her alpha but drinks his poison anyway.¡±
  1. Eft voucher
The hall erupts, wolves pounding their fists and howling. One bellows, raising a mug sloshing red, ¡°Jessica Westwood! The Triad¡¯s hybrid! The fire¨Cwolf herself!¡± The chant catches, spreading like wildfire through the hall. Fire¨Cwolf. Fire¨Cwolf. Fire¨Cwolf. I should hate it. Goddess, I do hate it. But the wolf inside me stirs, restless and hungry, tailshing. She likes the sound of it. Fire¨Cwolf. She preens under it. Kirill lowers his cup, amber eyes never leaving mine. ¡°Drink with us!¡± someone howls, shoving a mug across the table toward me, froth spilling over the rim. Kirill nods as if he¡¯s giving me the encouragement I don¡¯t need. I raise the cup high, re still locked on Kirill, and let my voice cut through their chant. ¡°To the Triad.¡± I say, steady, hard. ¡°May your poison never be stronger than me.¡± I drink. Drink and drink until I don¡¯t know how many goblets I¡¯ve emptied. My gaze turns hazy and somewhere between the fifth¨Cor the fifteenth¨CI stop tasting wine. ¡°That¡¯s enough, girl,¡± Kirill rumbles, his hand closing over the next cup before I can reach it. ¡°Oops,¡± I chuckle, snatching it from him anyway, my fingers brushing his. I tip it back, spill some down my chin, andugh louder. The room tilts, but his face stays sharp. Amber eyes, sharp jaw, all carved in firelight I lean in, squinting at him, swaying where I sit. ¡°You look¡­ very, very hot.¡± Kirill arches a brow, amused, the corner of his mouth twitching. ¡°Am I?¡± I giggle, reckless, leaning closer and raising my finger to touch his cheek. My hand wobbles, misses once, thennds, dragging clumsy across the sharp line of his jaw. ¡°But my mate is hotter. Grayson Westwood¡­. do you know him?¡± My words tumble out too loud, too proud, and I snicker at my own joke, shoulders shaking. I tap his face again like he¡¯s a doll. ¡°Not as hot as Grayson. Mmm, Grayson¡¯s-¡°I hup, cover my mouth, then point at him again, ¡°-Grayson¡¯s the hottest.¡± ¡°You smell good, though,¡± I mumble into his arm. ¡°Like smoke. And teeth.¡± My fingers curl around his sleeve, tugging clumsily. ¡°Don¡¯t tell Grayson I said that.¡± He chuckles, low in his chest, shaking his head. ¡°You are dangerous with wine, Jessica.¡± ¡°I¡¯m dangerous without it too,¡± I mutter, words slurred but fierce, lifting my head to re at him through heavyshes. Kirill just smiles, slow, almost indulgent, and lifts his own cup to drink, eyes still watching me. ¡°Do you miss him?¡± ¡°I do,¡± I pout, lips trembling just a little as the alcohol warms my veins. ¡°So much.¡± ¡°He¡¯s my mate. He¡¯s supposed to be here. I want to see him, kiss him and tell him how much I love him.¡± 6:07 Sat, Sep 27 : My voice cracks, spilling more than I intend, and I sway on my stool. 22 50 vouchers Before I can catch myself, I start tipping sideways. Panic flickers, but his hand is suddenly at my waist, firm, steady, gripping me just enough to keep me upright. My breath catches, chest tightening. ¡°Careful.¡± I nce up at him, cheeks ming hotter than the wine. ¡°You-¡°I hup, words tangled, voice trembling. you¡¯re the one who did this! You sent me away! Grayson¡­ he¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s not here because of you!¡± ¡°Me?¡± he murmurs, voice low, teasing, dangerous. ¡°Me? I didn¡¯t send him away, little fire. You chose to stay.¡± I push a little against him, drunk courage ring, anger and shame spilling over. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have stayed if it wasn¡¯t for you! You think I wanted to be here, drinking your poisoned wine, swaying on this stool, missing him while you¡­ while you watch?!¡± Kirill leans closer, amber eyes glinting in the firelight. ¡°I¡¯m not the reason, Jessica. You¡¯re here because you¡¯re stronger than you think¡­ and too stubborn to leave.¡± ¡°¡­Stubborn?¡± I whisper, voice breaking. ¡°¡­ Is that what you call it? You left me to¡­ to hurt!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± he says, gripping my waist, helping me upright. ¡°That¡¯s enough wine. Let¡¯s put you into your bed. girl.¡± Cid strides forward, chest puffed, eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯ll take her, Alpha. Let me-¡± ¡°No,¡± Kirill interrupts. ¡°I can do it.¡± Cid freezes, hands falling uselessly to his sides, lips pressed into a thin line. He nces at me, then back at Kirill. ¡°Okay.¡± I hup,ugh, and re at him half¨Cheartedly. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t need you to¡­ hold me¡­¡± Kirill¡¯s hand tightens, steady, possessive. ¡°Yes, you do. Tonight.¡± I feel my knees threaten to buckle again, and he adjusts, arms firm around my waist, lifting me almost effortlessly. The heat of him presses into me, intoxicating and grounding at the same time. Cid steps back, muttering under his breath, leaving Kirill and me alone in the chaos of the hall. My head lolls. slightly against Kirill¡¯s chest, too drunk to resist the warmth, the control, the tire coiling between us. ¡°Let¡¯s get you to bed,¡± he murmurs, voice low, intimate, his lips brushing my hair as he carries me out of the hall. Alpha Luna 203 JESSICA ¡°Shh¡­ It¡¯s okay, Jess. I¡¯m going to take care of you.¡± I flutter my eyes open, the room tilting around me. ¡°¡­Where¡­?¡± I try to sit up, immediately regretting it ¡°Ugh¡­ my head¡­¡± Memories fromst night hits me in pieces and moon goddess, what the fuck did I just do? ¡°¡­Fucking Kirill,¡± I rasp, dragging the back of my hand over my mouth, touching my tender lips. No, it couldn¡¯t be right? That didn¡¯t happen¡­ did it? Knock.Knock. The door swings open and Kirill is there, leaning against the doorframe. Amber eyes catching the first light like molten gold. ¡°Do I have to fetch you for every training?¡± Panic ws at my chest. I lurch upright, hands fumble at the sheets¨Cand horror blooms as I realize the weakness of my state. I am bare, vulnerable, naked infront of him. ¡°¡­I¡­ I¡¯m sorry!¡± I gasp, eyes averted, burning. His gaze does not falter. It scorches, probing, ancient, indifferent. ¡°Get dressed. Now. We train at dawn.¡± Then he is gone. Stupid, Jessica. Thirty minutester, I arrived at The Cradles with everyone warming up with their partners. At first, everyone¡¯s gaze flicked on me until I managed to find Kirill. Standing across the field, every inch of him exuding danger,mand, heat. Fingers twitching in some idle, cruel signal, his gaze locks on mine. Th?s chapter is updated by Find?Novel ¡°I¡¯m sorry I waste and I¡¯m¡­.sorry forst night.¡± Kirill doesn¡¯t so much as blink at my apology. He lifts a single hand, and calls out someone from the crowd. ¡°You¡¯re partnering with Cid.¡± I look up, shock burning in my veins, eyes wide. My throat opens, a protest dying before it can form. ¡°But¡­he wants to kill me.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t let him. Cid!¡± Is he fucking kidding with me? 13:25 Sun, Sep 28 N Before I can protest, he¡¯s already walking on the side, watching as Cid makes his way on me. He¡¯s three timesrger than I was and I bet he won¡¯t give me so much mercy. ¡°Are you scared?¡± Cid¡¯s shadow fell over me,rger than the sun rising behind him. ÁãËÄ 10 vouchers ¡°Of you?¡± My gaze fell upon Kirill and he¡¯s showing nothing. ¡°Why would I? So how do you want me, Cid?¡± ¡°Probably under me.¡± The words had barely left his mouth when he lunged. Shock burned hotter than fear. My mind spun, scattering, but I managed to roll through his momentum and avoid his punch. ¡°You cheating¡ª¡°Ie up, and I drive my knee up under his jaw. ¡°Bastard!¡± He snarls, surprise and fury in the same breath. For a moment he stumbles. ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for that.¡± Cid spits, before he drops to all fours before my eyes. Moon goddess. How does he shift so effortlessly, as if flesh and bone bend to his will? Shock blooms like wildfire, scorching veins, burning thought to ash. My breath shatters in my chest. He is no longer a man, no longer merely a beast. A snarl tears from his throat, jagged as broken ss, and I¡¯m sprinting for my damn life. Weapons tter underfoot as I stumble, hands wing at stone and dirt, desperate to keep the nightmare at bay. That beast¨CCid, hurls forward with terrifying grace. ¡°Shift! On your wolf form, Jessica!¡± Kirill¡¯s voice is not really helping me right now. ¡°He¡¯s going to swallow you whole!¡± ¡°Very helpful!¡± I shout, scrambling up to another wall. I need to shift. I have to shift.. Wake. Wake, you bastard, I roar in my mind. Now! Cid snarls beneath me, fur ck as midnight, eyes molten with hunger. My wolf flickers at the edges of consciousness, a faint ember against the wind, but she refuses to rise. Cid mps onto my pants, catching the fabric in a brutal bite. I shriek as gravity drags me downward. I am sure I¡¯m going to fall but the pain nevernds. Kirill. His amber eyes catch mine, but he quickly turns his fury toward Cid. ¡°Shift. Now.¡± 13:25 Sun, Sep 28 N I stare at him, disbelief and terror knotting my gut. Does he truly think he canmand Cid to shifte Slowly, impossibly, as if Kirill¡¯s will is a god¡¯s hand pressing down on him, Cid¡¯s frame ripples, contorts, and folds upon itself. He¡­ he justmanded a goddamn wolf to obey. ¡°You cheated, Cid.¡± Cid nces at me, rage still smoldering in his eyes, jaw flexing, ¡°I¡¯m just disciplining her, Alpha,¡± he spits, voice rough with humiliation. Me? ¡°She¡¯s mine to discipline.¡± Kirill took a deep breath. ¡°Do you understand that?¡± Cid¡¯s shoulders quake. For a heartbeat, I think he¡¯ll defy him. Then his head dips, low and stiff. ¡°Yes,¡± he grinds out. Moon Goddess¡­ what is he? My gaze on Kirill never falters even when Cid left with a sour face. ¡°Can you walk?¡± My knees tremble, my palms sting from the stone. Still, I nod once, refusing to look away from him. Amber eyes narrow. ¡°Then stand. Follow me in my office.¡± The hall seems longer than it should, stone archways rising like ribs, the light cold and thin. His office door looms at the end, carved with old runes that pulse faintly as his hand brushes the wood. He pushes it open without a nce back. ¡°Inside.¡± I obey, still not over with what I just witnessed. ¡°Look at me.¡± I do. My heart hammers like a trapped bird. ¡°I told you to shift,¡± he says, voice low, almost a growl. ¡°You did not.¡± ¡°I¨CI tried-¡± ¡°You failed.¡± His gaze res, molten, unreadable. ¡°You can¡¯t control your wolf,¡± he says, each word a de drawn across my chest. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s dormant. She won¡¯te. You don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°I understand exactly. You¡¯re hiding from her. You¡¯re afraid of what you¡¯ll be.¡± 13:25 Sun, Sep 28 N end pg up pg dn 10 vouchers ¡°I¡¯m not afraid,¡± I hiss, but the protest feels thin, brittle. ¡°You are,¡± he says, almost a growl. ¡°I can taste it on you.¡± His eyes drop¨Cslowly to my neck, looking at the spot where Grayson has marked me. ¡°One day you¡¯ll fall, and your wolf won¡¯te, and nothing will save you. Not even me.¡± My breath catches. My body sways toward him without permission. ¡°Then¡­ then teach me,¡± I breathe. ¡°You throw me to wolves¨Cliterally. You push, you break, but you don¡¯t teach. I¡¯m here because you¡¯re supposed to help me control her.¡± My voice falters, softer. ¡°Help me¡­ control me.¡± ¡°Control isn¡¯t given, little wolf. It¡¯s taken.¡± My stomach coils, and I shiver, though the fire inside me demands more. ¡°Then take me,¡± I whisper. ¡°Pull her out. Make me shift. Isn¡¯t that why I am here? To train me? To teach me?¡± He steps closer, shadows clinging to him like loyal wolves, his presence eclipsing everything. ¡°Do you even know what you¡¯re asking, little fire?¡± Fingers hook beneath my chin, Kirill tilts my chin up, locking my gaze. ¡°When I do this,¡± he whispers, ¡°there is no turning back. Your wolf will rise. She will be merciless¡­ and so will you.¡± My pulse roars. ¡°Then do it,¡± I breathe, equal parts dare and plead. ¡°Break me open.¡± His fingers press lightly, almost torturously, over the mark Grayson left. ¡°He should¡¯ve known better than to mark you.¡± Îå AD Comment Send gift Alpha Luna 204 I take a step back, his words striking harder than ws. ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean?¡± 10 vouchers ¡°That this,¡± his thumb presses against the tender skin, ¡°should never have been his to leave. That you¡­.¡± his eyes lift, dark and iming, ¡°¡­were never his to im.¡± Heat blooms under my skin, confusing, shaming, thrilling. ¡°You¨Cyou can¡¯t just-¡± ¡°I can,¡± he interrupts, soft but dangerous. His breath is warm against my cheek now, his thumb still circling, marking, teasing. ¡°And I will. Because if you¡¯re going to survive here, little wolf, you don¡¯t get to hide behind his scent. You need to learn who you are. What you are. And whose hands you¡¯re really in.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± My wolf stirs faintly, restless beneath my skin. N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find¡ïNovel ¡°He¡¯s a mistake, Jess.¡± Kirill¡¯s words are quiet but merciless, his fingers still at my throat. ¡°Grayson will be your weakness.¡± Something inside me snaps. My palm rises before my mind can stop it, striking his cheek with a crack that echoes off the stone walls. His head barely shifts with the blow. He just stands there, gaze fixed on me, unreadable, like a beast deciding whether to bite or to toy with its prey. ¡°How dare you,¡± I whisper, my voice shaking with anger, shame, something darker. ¡°You don¡¯t know him. You don¡¯t know me.¡± I shove him hard, all the heat and humiliation coiling inside me, and it barely makes him stumble. ¡°I said¨Cback off!¡± I spin on my heel, letting my hands w at the hem of my tunic as I storm toward the door. I don¡¯t know how I found my room, I just know that Kirill is bad news for me. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong?¡± When I turned around, I saw Cid hanging on the edge of my bed, fingers on my cover. ¡°Cid! Fuck. What are you doing here?!¡± ¡°I¡­ I wanted to say sorry,¡± he mutters, eyes still confused. ¡°For being an ass¡­ forst time. I¡ª¡± ¡°Cid-¡°I snap, hands trembling, wanting to shove him out. ¡°You can¡¯t just-¡± ¡°I know,¡± he interrupts, taking a cautious step forward. ¡°I was a bastard. I don¡¯t expect forgiveness¡­. I just-¡± Shit. My mind is in chaos but I manage to smile at him and pretend to be calm. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I forgive you even if you 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 *** almost ate me alive.¡± ¡°Really?¡± My chest rises fast, adrenaline still prickling from the Cradle. ¡°Really,¡± I say, voice trembling just a fraction, trying to hide it with a crooked grin. ÁãÔ° 10 vouchers Cid shifts slightly, shoulders tense, like he wants to close the distance but isn¡¯t sure if I¡¯ll let him. He takes another step, reaching his hands to me. ¡°So, wee to the triad?¡± My hand trembles, but I lift it and let my fingers brush against his. ¡°Please be good to me from now on?¡± He chuckles, shaking my hand. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am. But are you sure, you¡¯re okay?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± His gaze lingered a moment too long before he let me go. ¡°Okay. Sorry for barging in again. I¡¯m actually headed for patrolling the area. Want toe with me?¡± ¡°I can?¡± Cid nodded his head. ¡°Alpha Kirill wants you to. He hasn¡¯t told you?¡± ¡°Told me about what?¡± Cid¡¯s jaw tenses, but he shrugs like it¡¯s nothing. ¡°That you¡¯re allowed to apany me. On patrol. If you survive, maybe you¡¯ll feel less useless.¡± I blink, heart skipping. ¡°Survive?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see. He doesn¡¯t do this for fun, little fire. You¡¯ll either keep up¡­ or burn yourself out trying.¡± I swallow hard, mind racing with a mix of fear and reckless curiosity. My wolf thrums beneath my skin, restless, sensing the scent of the wild and of him¨CKirill¨Clooming somewhere out there, waiting, testing, watching. ¡°You¡­ you really want me toe?¡± Cid tilts his head, amused, almost wolfish in that smug, dangerous way. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me. Ask the Alpha. But if you go, you won¡¯t be alone.¡± I nod slowly, chest tight. ¡°Okay,¡± I murmur. ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡± Cid grins. ¡°Good. Keep up, little fire. Or don¡¯t. I¡¯d like to see him scold you.¡± You have no idea, Cid. I just pped your alpha so I think I¡¯ll get more than scolding from him. But I needed to get my mind off 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 N things and this is an opportunity for me to explore the pack. In vounter ¡°So, this is where you train?¡± I asked Cid after he told me he¡¯d let me join his patrol. ¡°I mean, except in the cradle of course.¡± ¡°This¡­ this is the backbone of the Triad. Every shadow, every stone, every scrap of blood spilled here shapes who we are. The Cradle is where we survive. Out here¡­ we dominate.¡± I nce around, eyes widening. The open grounds stretch farther than I expected. Training dummies, obstacle courses, and shadowed alcoves for sparring litter the area. ¡°And¡­ you just let me wander here?¡± I ask, half in awe, half in disbelief. ¡°Alone?¡± ¡°Alone? Not a chance. I¡¯m with you. But the rules¡­ they¡¯re the same for everyone. You step out of line, you¡¯re done. The pack doesn¡¯t forgive weakness.¡± I swallow, a mix of fear and thrill coiling in my chest. ¡°Right. Of course.¡± He chuckles, dark and low, the sound sliding under my skin. ¡°You know, everyone is the strongest here.¡± ¡°Except me?¡± Cid¡¯sugh is rough and genuine. ¡°You¡¯ve got ws, Jess,¡± he says, still grinning. ¡°You just haven¡¯t learned how to use them yet.¡± I arch a brow at him, trying to keep the heat out of my cheeks. ¡°So I¡¯m the runt, then?¡± ¡°No. Not a runt. A loaded gun with the safety still on.¡± That does something to me ¨C the way he says it, like he¡¯s already seen the wolf in me, the one I¡¯m still trying to wake. I snort softly, trying to shake it off. ¡°You¡¯ve got a way with metaphors, you know that?¡± Cid smirks, leaning a little closer as we walk. ¡°And you¡¯ve got a way of getting under people¡¯s skin. Ask Alpha Kirill.¡± My breath catches at the mention of his name. ¡°I think he hates me.¡± Cid chuckles again, this time quieter, darker. ¡°He doesn¡¯t hate you. If he did, you wouldn¡¯t still be standing.¡± ¡°Then what does he want?¡± Cid shrugs one broad shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s something you¡¯ll have to figure out before he does.¡± ¡°Does he have a mate?¡± I briefly wondered if there¡¯s a she¨Cwolf out there who is attracted to someone like him. Kirill is hot. Gorgeous, yes¨Cbut there¡¯s something about him. 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 N¡­ end pg up pg dn 10 voushen ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask me yourself?¡± Kirill. ¡°I¡¯ve sent you here to patrol the area, learn about how we do things and make sure you won¡¯t embarrass yourself again but then what are you doing, Jess?¡± ¡°We¡¯re just talking, Alpha.¡± He doesn¡¯t nce at Cid. ¡°Ask me again, Jess.¡± Kirill tipped my chin with his fingers. ¡°I have no mate. Do you know why?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Because the Triad owns me. And in case you¡¯re wondering¡­¡± His gaze sharpens, cold and merciless, ¡°¡­you won¡¯t even make it.¡± Alpha Luna 205 Chapter 205 ¡­you won¡¯t even make it.¡± Make it? Make it to what, exactly? ¼ÒÔ° 10 vouchers I had a mate. Grayson. And Kirill¡­ well, he could keep his arrogance. I had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of worrying me. ¡°Fuck!¡± I throw another punch on the bag and chase for my breath. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! I stagger back, hands trembling, knuckles raw, and the bag sways like it¡¯s mocking me. And maybe it is. Maybe everything about this ce mocks me. I¡¯m a prisoner of the Triad and I¡¯m a fool believing that they are here to be kind to me. Sweat drips down my spine, stinging my eyes, but I don¡¯t stop. ¡°That punching bag is going to have a hole if you keep punishing it.¡± Cid. ¡°What do you want?¡± He steps out of the shadow, the dim light catching the angles of his face. Calm. Smirking. ¡°Kirill wants me to let you know your supplies are delivered in your room.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Cid¡¯s tone lifts, sharp, teasing. His smirk deepens. ¡°Just¡­ okay? You¡¯re not going to fight me on this? Comin? Curse him out? Something?¡± I re at him, chest heaving, knuckles still raw. ¡°I said okay. That¡¯s enough. Supplies delivered. Big deal.¡± ¡°Are you hurt because of how he insulted you?¡± Myughes out short. ¡°Hurt? By him?¡± I swipe the back of my wrist across my mouth. ¡°Please. I¡¯m loyal to Grayson.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ About that. If you want, you can always ask to see him after your training.¡± My eyes widened. ¡°I can?¡± ¡°In theory. You¡¯re not a prisoner, right?¡± His tone turns almost mocking at thest word. ¡°You just¡­ have to survive first.¡± The source of th?s content is Find[F]ovel ¡°I¡¯m well trained.¡± 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 N ¡°Physically, yes. Mentally and controlling your wolf is the problem.¡± ???? 677 10 vouchers I roll my eyes and drop down to the floor, stretching out my sore arms. ¡°Says the beast who almost mauled me earlier.¡± Hisugh is low, dangerous. ¡°That was me being gentle.¡± I snort. ¡°If that¡¯s gentle, I¡¯d hate to see what you call rough.¡± Cid crouches down just enough to meet my eyes. ¡°You really pissed the alpha, do you know that?¡± It¡¯s not good for me. ¡°What does he want now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll personally train you. How well do you know your wolf, Jess?¡± ¡°I¡­ I know her,¡± I say cautiously. ¡°But she obeys Grayson because of the bond.¡± ¡°Then that¡¯s your first mistake.¡± I blink. ¡°What?¡± ¡°She isn¡¯t his wolf. She¡¯s yours. If she only listens because of some mark, then she¡¯s not your wolf. Did you let him do that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± My wolf hisses faintly inside of me and I know Grayson was able to tame her. ¡°Get up.¡± Cid offers me his hand. ¡°We¡¯re going to visit someone.¡± ****** When Cid said we were going to visit someone for answers, he didn¡¯t mention that ¡°someone¡± would be this. A woman stands at the center of a dimly lit room, tall and enticing. ¡°Sorry,¡± I blurt, realizing I¡¯ve been staring too long. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful. I mean¡ª¡± She chuckles. ¡°You¡¯re not the first to say so,¡± she murmurs, ¡°Cid reminds me everyday, right honey?¡± Oooooh. ¡°We¡¯re not in a rtionship.¡± Cid snorts. ¡°Why?¡± My question made him roll his eyes as he kept on sulking on the corner of this ce. ¡°Alright,y on the bed for me, okay?¡± 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 N *** My body goes rigid. ¡°¡­ Why?¡± Evouchers ¡°Because you came here for answers,¡± she says softly, stepping closer. ¡°So I¡¯m going to examine your wolf I nce at Cid, then at her. ¡°I cannot shift so I don¡¯t know how you will do that.¡± ¡°Oh, little one¡­ I don¡¯t need you to shift. I need you to submit for a heartbeat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not-¡± ¡°You¡¯re not submitting to me,¡± she interrupts smoothly. ¡°you¡¯re submitting to her. The one wing at the inside of your chest right now.¡± She tilts her head, the glint in her gaze feral. ¡°You feel her, don¡¯t you? She¡¯s awake, even if she¡¯s caged.¡± Heat floods my veins, my palms slick against my thighs. ¡°I¡­ I feel her,¡± I whisper. ¡°Good.¡± She gestures to the bed. ¡°Then lie down. Close your eyes. Breathe. Let me in.¡± I shoot a nce at Cid. He¡¯s standing rigid, arms folded across his chest, jaw clenched. ¡°She¡¯s not ready for this,¡± he growls. ¡°She¡¯ll break before she bends,¡± she replies without looking at him. ¡°That¡¯s the point.¡± A flicker of anger rises in me, hot and sharp. ¡°I won¡¯t break,¡± I hiss. ¡°Prove it.¡± ¡°Lie down, Jessica.¡± My heart pounds and one nod from Cid made me climb onto the bed, the linen cool against my overheated skin. ¡°Fine,¡± I murmur, my fists clenching at my sides. ¡°I¡¯m going to punch you for this Cid.¡± She ces her hands over my heart, her fingers warm and oddly electric. ¡°Breathe in,¡± she whispers. ¡°And when you exhale¡­ let go.¡± I inhale, shaking, eyes squeezed shut. ¡°Let go, Jess. Let her go. Make her control you.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± My breath shudders. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°You can,¡± she murmurs, her thumbs circling just over my heartbeat. ¡°You¡¯re not afraid of Kirill. Don¡¯t be afraid of her.¡± Inside me, the wolf¡¯s growl rises. ¡°Jess,¡± her voice sharpens,manding now. ¡°Stop fighting her. Stop caging her. Let her touch you.¡± A sh behind my eyelids¨Cws, teeth, a pale moon hanging heavy in a blood¨Ccolored sky. My heart stumbles, then races. 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 W ¡°1¡­¡± The sound rips out of me more growl than word. ¡°She¡¯s¨Cshe¡¯s too much¡± ¡°Good,¡± the woman breathes, and her hands press harder. ¡°More. Give me more. She¡¯s¡­breathtaking. ?? i vouchers First, there¡¯s darkness filling my mind until I see her¨Cfloating under a blood¨Cred sky, hair streaming like liquid shadows. Her eyes burn amber, pupils slit and feral, and I realize with a jolt that this¡­ this is my wolf. Her. ¡°Hello, Jessica.¡± Her hands reach toward me, fingertips brushing my face. ¡°You¡¯re so brave.¡± ¡°W¨CWho are you?¡± ¡°I am you, Jess. My name is Leticia. I¡¯m your wolf and I¡¯m very happy to finally meet you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ my wolf?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Her eyes sh gold, brighter now, burning. ¡°Leticia. The part of you that refuses to bow. The strength you locked away for Grayson. The rage you buried for Kirill. I am yours, Jess. Not theirs.¡± ¡°What do you want from me?¡± I whisper. Her lips curl in a feral smile. ¡°To stop hiding. To let me out. To be who we were always meant to be.¡± For the first time, I feel it¡ªher strength pouring into me. Leticia leans closer, forehead touching mine. ¡°Together, we¡¯re unstoppable. But only if you let me.¡± ¡°We are?¡± Leticia nodded. ¡°You have mistakes to correct, Jessica. Youmitted a sin to your own pack and left a train of bodies behind.¡± ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± says, voice Leticia¡¯s eyes sh silver, her form blurring at the edges. ¡°This is not only me speaking,¡± she echoing like thunder over a mountain. ¡°The Moon Goddess watches. And she has a message for you.¡± I can¡¯t move. My heart hammers against my ribs. ¨D ¡°Do not resist me,¡± the voice says not Leticia¡¯s now, but something celestial, shimmering with power. ¡°And do not resist him.¡± ¡°Him?¡± My pulse spikes. ¡°Who-?¡± ¡°You are meant for one wolf, Jessica,¡± the Moon Goddess intones, each word a de sinking into my skin. 13:26 Sun, Sep 28 N ¡°And it is not just Grayson.¡± AD ment Send gift No Ads The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!