His Trouble Maker

Chapter 54

JESSICA

Grayson is already snoring beside me.

| stare at the ceiling, listening to his steady breathing, feeling like the worst person alive, seduced him to get

what | needed.

He

calledhis Luna. His mate. And what didi doti

“You're such a bitch, Jessica.*

| 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. | trace my finger lightly over his jawline, feeling the scratch of stubble. “I'm sorry,” |

whisper, though I'm not sure | mean it.

Carefully, | slide from under his arm, wincing when he stirs. | freeze, holding my breath until his snoring resumes.

The clock on his nightstand reads 2:17 AM. Perfect. Everyone will be asleep.

# ust find the documents and get out. Nothing complicated.*

Yeah, except for the bomb he dropped aboutbeing his freaking Luna. However, that is tomorrow’s problem.

His desk is in the corner, neat and organized-so typical Grayson. Everything has its place.

I slip across the room like a shadow, bare feet silent on the floor. The small key I'd spotted earlier-the one he

thinks | didn’t notice him using -is taped under the third drawer. Classic hiding spot, Alpha.

The locked drawer slides open, and | start sifting through the files. Most are pack business, territory disputes,

things I'd normally care about but not tonight. Then | see it-a thick folder with a red tab. My name.

*Why would he have a separate file on me?*

I glance back at Grayson, still blissfully unaware, one arm stretched across where | 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.”

| already knew that but it still hurts the first time.

The next page is worse. It's a recommendation. From Grayson.

“Despite Jessica Wilkinsons’s persistence, | cannot recommend her for warrior status. Her talents would be better

utilized in pack childcare and community support. Effective immediately, all combat training will cease, and

transition to caretaker role will begin.”

My hands shake so violently that the paper makes a soft crinkling sound. | press it flat against the desk, terrified

of waking him, even as | feel my world collapsing.

Cold betrayal washes overas | see the date-it was just the night before the Trial.

| clap 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

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Chapter 54

My chest heaves with silent sobs. | want to scream. | want to wake him up and demand mawers | want to tip

then purée le throw them in his face.

Instead, | take out my phone and snap pictures of every page, hands trembling so badly | have to retake several

shots.

Behind me, Grayson sights in his sleep and rolls over.

In that moment, | know two things with absolute certainty: | will never be his Luna, and | will never let him decide

my future again.

I don’t know how | was able to get out of that place but | found myself running, the betrayal burning hotter than

the tears streaming down my face. My fingers fumbled with my phone as | texted Theo.

*Emergency, Edge of woods. Now. Bringing proof.*

| attached the photos, hands still trembling. Part ofwondered why | was running to him of all people. My ex.

But he was the only one who wouldn't sugar-coat things for me.

By the t| reached our old meeting spot, | was sobbing so hard | could barely breathe. Theo was already

waiting, phone in hand, face grim in the moonlight.

“Oh, little fox,” he said, using that stupid nickn| used to love. He opened his arms and | crashed into him,

hating myself for seeking comfort from him but needing someone-anyone-who wasn’t Grayson.

“You're wrong,” | choked out against his chest. “It wasn’t the council's decision. It was Grayson’s idea! He's been

playingthis whole time!”

Theo's body tensed. He pulled back, looking atwith an expression | couldn't quite read.

“Yeah,” he said finally. “I kind of figured.”

It took a second for his words to register.

“You... what?” | 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 letwent there and you fucking knew!?” | screamed, rushing at him and shoving him with all my

strength. He barely moved. “You watchedtrain until | bled! You saw what it meant to me!*/

“Would it have made a difference if | 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,” | snarled. “This is about you lying to my face!”

“Fine.” Theo's calm facade cracked, something dangerous flashing 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-pine and something darker-overwhelming me. “What else did he told you tonight?”

“I...” My voice catches in my throat as Theo leans in closer, his familiar scent makingdizzy with memories I'd

rather forget.

“What did he tell you, little fox?” Theo's voice drops to that dangerous velvet tone | know too well. “Did our

mighty Alpha fina admit what everyone already knows?”

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Chapter 54

| step back, but my heel hits a tree root. Nowhere to go. “That none of your business a

His laugh is low and mocking. “Oh, but it is.” He places one arm against the tree behind me, cagingin “see,

bragon len on you for years. Not just as another pack member. Not just as a warrior candidate”

“Stop it,” | 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 so completely wrecked right now.”

My silence confirms everything. Damn him.

“You know what's funny?” He traces a finger along my jawline, and | hate that | don’t immediately slap 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 givingspecial 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? | warned you.

Remember? | told you there was a reason you weren't advancing despite your skills.”

The memory hitslike a punch. Theo, drunk after a bonfire last winter, tellingthe 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,” | hiss.

“I know he’s got you wrapped around his finger.” Theo said. “And | know there's a group of us who've had

enough of his leadership. We're planning 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-bright now. “Grayson'’s too

traditional. Too stuck in the old ways. We need change.”

“That's treason,” | whisper, horrified.

“It's revolution,” he counters. “And | 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,” | say, but my voice lacks conviction.

He hears it too. His smile widens, “Am 1? Or am | 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 you compliant

with sweet words about being his Luna while making sure you never reach your true potential.”

I slap 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

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Chapter 54

to his people?”

“I need to go.” | say, desperate to escape his poisonous words before they take root.

“Running back to him already?” Theo calls afteras | turn to leave. “Tellthis, Jess if he really respected

you, why didn’t he truth from the beginning? Why the games?”

| stop, his words hitting their mark. Why hadn't Grayson told me? Why letbelieve 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 | promise, no one will ever hold you back again.”

I run without answering, his offer echoing in my head like a siren’s call.

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