His Trouble Maker

Chapter 46

23

JESSICA

When | 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, makingroll my eyes. | 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,” | sighed, crouching down to tie my boots. The faces were stiff, like they didn’t

want to cooperate any more than I did. | hate when he pretends to be the fool. He isn’t. “I know you-"

“Jess,” Pierce says again, softer now. “It’s not too late to back out.”

| laugh. Once. Bitter. “And do what? Stay in the pack house and play good little omega until someone decides I'm

fit to breed?”

He flinches, and | hate that | hit a nerve. But not enough to stop.

“I'm not backing out,” | say. “Not when I've bled for this.”

Pierce moves beside me, leaning on the counter like he’s trying to be casual, but | see the way his jaw flexes.

“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, you know.”

“That’s where you're wrong.” | finally look at him. “If | don’t prove myself today, I'm just the omega who fucked

her way to the top.”

| didn’t wait for him to say anything else. | just threw my pack over my shoulder, adjusted my jacket collar, and

walked out the door before

the tightness in my chest could bloom into something messy. What | need today is to be focus on the trial. The

top five contenders get to choose which department they'll lead. If | wasn’t one of them, | was nothing. Worse

than nothing.

I need to get into one of those departments, preferably combat or border patrol. Anything that getsaway

from the center of pack politics.

After what happened with Aria, | think everyone have this perception of me. Everyone givingthose looks-

half-pity, half-confusion. Poor little omega Jess, playing 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-Vex, Kendra, and their pack of spoiled alpha jackals.

They clustered near the path to the arena, five pairs of eyes locking ontolike 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 | kept my mouth shut and tried to keep walking. Vex stepped directly in my path, his

broad shoulders creating a wall | 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 telldaddy Gray hasn't upgraded

you into his full-twhore yet?” He leaned in closer, his hot breath hitting my face. “What nasty tricks do you

do for him that keeps him so... interested?”

| tried to step around him, but Kendra shovedhard with both hands, sendingstaggering 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?”

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The others laughed, 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 | noticed wolves already gathering

beyond them, circling the arena, sstaring our way. Each second made it worse-another humiliation, another

chance for the rumors to spread like wildfire.

“Get the fuck out of my way,” | growled through clenched teeth, trying to sound stronger than | felt.

Vex's smile only widened, showing teeth. “Or what? You'll call your guard dog?” He stepped closer, forcingto

back up until | 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.”

| snapped. One second his mouth was moving-next, | had him by the throat, slammed into the dirt so hard the

air jumped out of him. | squeeze harder on Trent's throat, digging my thumb into his windpipe. His eyes bulge as

he claws at my hand.

“Fucking take it back,” I snarl, spit flying from my mouth.

The others tried to stop us, but | push harder making Trent's face turn purple. My vision blurs with rage.

Trent's still gasping underwhen someone shoveshard. | tumble into the dirt, tasting blood.

“Fucking cock-sucking cunt,” he rasps, scrambling up. “I'll show you what happens to-" His boot connects with

my ribs. Pain explodes through me. | curl up, gasping. “Not so tough now, are you?” He grabs my hair, yanks my

head back. “Fucking worthless piece of shit.”

He slapshard. Stars burst behind my eyes. It fucking hurts like hell.

“Get up,” he growls, spitting in my face. “Get up so | can knock you down again, bitch.”

| struggle to my knees. He kicksin the stomach. | retch, bile burning my throat.

“That's right,” Trent sneers, circlinglike prey. “Crawl, you’dirty whore.”

His fist catches my jaw. | taste more blood.

“ENOUGH!”

The roar cuts through everything. Grayson stands there, eyes blazing with fury. Everyone freezes.

“Get your hands off her. NOW.”

Vex backs up, hands raised. “She attacked first-"

Grayson moves so fast | 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, offeringhis hand. | only look at it but never really took it. Instead, I roll to my side, spitting

blood. My ribs scream. Everything hurts.

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Grayson sighs then barks out, “Get in lines. Now!”

Bodies quickly rush back on the field while he tries to helpagain. Grayson crouches down, voice lower but

still hard. “You're done for today. Get your ass to the clinic.”

“I'm fine,” | hiss, pushing his hand away. My palm leaves a bloody print on his wrist.

“You're not fine. You can barely-"

| 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 | 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 | limp back toward the others, he grabs my arm. “This isn’t bravery. It’s stupidity.”

| yank away, nearly falling from the effort. “Good thing | wasn’t asking for your opinion.”

Every step feels like knives in my side, but | straighten my back and join the line. | can feel Graysons eyes

burning into me, but | don’t look back. If | am going to be a warrior, | 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 atlike | seduce Grayson.

| 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,” | snap, then immediately regret it when | 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 glancing my way but | can’t hear what

they're saying about me.

“Fucking asshole,” | 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.”

| 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 | can answer, Thear heavy footsteps behind us. | 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 | lift my chin anyway. “I'm fine.”

“I said I'm fine.”

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His eyes burn into mine, searching for something. | 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-especially me-he 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.

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