His Trouble Maker

“The fuck are you thinking about?” he growls, his voice low as he sips his morning coffee. “Where the hell have

you been last night, Jess?”

“Do you really wanna know?” | 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 accepted the fact that | am a caretaker? Never.” | roll my eyes so hard they might fall out of my skull.

BISSST

“Don’t ‘Jess’like I'm sclueless pup.” | push my plate away. “Look, you've chosen your side and clearly,

it’s not mine so whatever happens, it’s your fault.”

Shit. | shouldn't have said that. | quickly got up and turn around, but Pierce launches from his chair and blocks

my exit.

“What does that fucking mean, Jessica?” He growls. “I saw you last night. With Theo.”

My throat closes up. A cold wave of panic washes overas my eyes widen involuntarily. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit,

did he hear about it? Does he know the plan?

“Mind your fucking business, Pierce,” | 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?!

| push past him with my shoulder, stomping toward the door. “You don’t know what you're talking about.”

When | wrench open the door, my heart stops completely. 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“So why can’t you fucking answer-

swer..”

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Chapter 55

“Grayson!” | 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 wakeup.

Heat rushes to my face as his lips brush against imine. He’s makingso fucking guilty. | force myself to relax,

to kiss him back, even as my mind screams that | don’t deserve this moment of tenderness.

“Sorry,” | mumble against his mouth, the word carrying more weight than he could possibly tinderstand. “I... |

couldn't sleep and didn’t want to disturb you.”

My eyes flicker to Pierce, who's watching us with narrowed eyes. | 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 her last night?”

My mouth opens but nothing comes 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 - 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. | can’t meet his eyes - guilt is eatingalive from

the inside out.

“Hey,” he says softly, tilting my head up. “What's going on with you two? He looks very pissed.”

| should tell him everything right now. About Theo. About the plan. About how I've been sneaking around behind

his back not for cheating, but for something that might be worse.

Instead, | 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.”

| should tell him everything right now. About Theo. About the plan. About how I've been sneaking around behind

his back not for cheating, but for something that might be worse.

Instead, | 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 plan. None of this was the

plan.

| fidget with my badge, flipping it over and over between my fingers. The plastic 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 | subtly shift away,

pretending to adjust my bag.

“Thanks to you,” | mutter.

“Look, | know this isn’t what you wanted, but-"

“But what?” | snap, whipping around to face him. “But | should be grateful? Do you wantto suck your cock

for it?”

“Jess... language.”

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Chapter 55

Whatever. He deserves it for trappingin 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 necklace—a 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 tobefore she died and said | 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,” | whisper, knowing what I'm planning to do.

“You can. You will.” He closes my fingers around it but when I didn’t accept, Grayson gently circles behind me,

his chest pressed against my back. His cologne—woodsy and wild-fills my senses as he brings the necklace

around my neck.

“I told you you're my mate, Jess,” he murmurs, his lips grazing my ear,

| catch a glimpse of us in the rearview mirror-his tall frenveloping mine, those ridiculous shoulders making