His Trouble Maker

Chapter 147

Chapter 147

JESSICA

“Seriously?”

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Riot barks a laugh somewhere to my left, but | barely hear him. Grayson’s too close. When he broke down

earlier, my heart shattered in a million pieces.

Seeing him cry formakesquestion if | 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. | didn’t believe him when he said tothat he lovesbecause | saw

many versions of love but his version always makesgo back to questioning my love for him.

My eyes flicked to him once-stupid, stupid-and he was already there, already looking atlike he’s so afraid Ill

just run away from him like | always do.

What did | do to deserve him?

Sometimes | wonder if | prayed so hard or that he just loves me. Whatever it is, | think I'll take it.

“I...I don’t really think you should tie Riot-"

- Tighten the rope!” Grayson shouted and | 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 sawand Riot earlier.

“Grayson, he’s fine-"

He looked atand 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 forbut cruel to others. “Why, Jess?”

“Huh?”

| said it without thinking. | knew what he meant. Of course | did. But | couldn't say it. Couldn't answer while my

throat burned like that. While he looked atlike he already knew and was still asking anyway.

| swallowed hard. My hands went cold. My jaw clenched, like if | just held it tight enough I could stop my whole

face from falling apart.

“Don’t,” | whispered.

“I can understand everything,” he said, softer now. “But | can never understand why you let Riot touch you.”

That tore through me.

“Grayson, | didn’t-“l stepped forward. His face broke a little, just a twitch, just enough to ruin me. “I thought Host

everything. | thought I lost you.”

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Chapter 147

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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 | 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 accusatory. It was wrecked. Like he was trying to understand

something that didn’t make sense. “You let him.”

| choked. My lips parted but nothing cout. Because | had let Riot hold me. I let myself lean into it for one

second too long. | let myself feel safe in something that wasn’t him.

“I didn’t mean to.” It was the only thing | could say. The only thing | could offer without falling apart. “I was

scared. | wasn’t thinking. It just... it happened.”

“You let it happen,” he said.

“Grayson,” | said. “Please don’t look atlike 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?”

| blinked. My chest collapsed inward. | stepped close enough to feel his body heat but didn’t touch him. | was

afraid he'd pull away. He never pulled away before.

“Ill fix it,” | whispered. “I'll fix this.”

Grayson took a deep breath. It painswhen he pulls away just enough forto realize I'm starting to lose

him. “Do you know what | 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 toagain, and I'd still cback. You could breakin half, Jess. And I'd still try to find a way

to make it fit again.”

His chest rose, shaky. He laughed. 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

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mine.”

Tears pricked hot at the corner of my eyes. | tried to blink them back, but one slipped free.

“I don’t know how to stop loving you,” he said. “Even when | should.”

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| reached for him again. This t| touched him. Just the edge of his shirt, two fingers curling in like | was asking

permission to still be allowed here.

He let me.

“What are you doing?” | 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 | know it too.”

“You're wrong.”

He shook his head. “You're confused, Jess. Between Riot and me, | think you're having doubts—"

“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 the last the’d be this close.

“Don’t do that,” he whispered. “Don’t lie tojust 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 atthe same?”

My breath hitched. | tried to pull away, but his hand held firm. “Do you love him?”

“Riot?” | asked, even though | knew.

He nodded once. just once.

I didn’t answer,

“You hesitated,” he said quietly. “That's all | needed.”

Tears stung, hot and sudden. “You think this is easy for me? You think | wanted any of this?”

“I think you want him.” His voice didn’t rise. “And | think I'll never be enough for you, no matter how hard I try.”

“Stop it,” | said, but it cout like a sob. “You're my mate! You said it yourself, okay? You're my mate!”

“Am 1?”

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Chapter 147

That stopped me.

“You let him touch you.” His voice went lower. Rougher. “You didn’t stop him.”

“It wasn't like that—"

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“It doesn’t matter.” He stepped forward. Just one step. His scent hitfull. Alpha. Grayson. Mine. “You made

your choice. And | saw it.”

“I didn’t choose anything-"

“Yes, you did.” His hand cup, not to touch me, but to stop me. “Yes, you did Jess. You fucking did.”

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