JESSICA
Grayson never learns.
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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–or 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 a lazy 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, coming 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 many labels this guy is going to give me?
“Relax, 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.”
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Chapter 158
Jack.
Yes, that’s his freaking name.
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He approached me earlier telling me that he can help me with our situation. Grayson had a plan for us but he never included me.
It’s his plan for us but it will never be our plan.
One thing that I’ve learned through everything is that Grayson never trusts anyone–not 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 plan 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–something’s off.
Jack glances back, his smirk returning. “Relax. I’d know if anyone was watching. I’ve got a sixth sense for trouble.”
“Great. So, you’re basically a walking alarm system,” I mutter.
He laughs, 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–this 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 village 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 glances 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
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Chapter 158
of something I can’t quite name.
:
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“Yeah, fascinating,” he mutters, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Then he steps closer, his presence like a storm rolling in. “But don’t get too comfortable. This isn’t some fairy tale. Out here, you either keep up or get left behind.” His eyes flash 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 place 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–a 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 glance around, half–expecting 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 explain 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!
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Chapter 159
