Chapter 46
23
JESSICA
When I 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, making me roll my eyes. I 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,” I sighed, crouching down to tie my boots. The faces were stiff, like they didn’t want to cooperate any more than I did. I 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.”
I 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 I hate that I hit a nerve. But not enough to stop.
“I’m not backing out,” I say. “Not when I’ve bled for this.”
Pierce moves beside me, leaning on the counter like he’s trying to be casual, but I see the way his jaw flexes. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, you know.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I finally look at him. “If I don’t prove myself today, I’m just the omega who fucked her way to the top.”
I didn’t wait for him to say anything else. I 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 I need today is to be focus on the trial. The top five contenders get to choose which department they’ll lead. If I wasn’t one of them, I was nothing. Worse than nothing.
I need to get into one of those departments, preferably combat or border patrol. Anything that gets me away from the center of pack politics.
After what happened with Aria, I think everyone have this perception of me. Everyone giving me those 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 onto me like 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 I kept my mouth shut and tried to keep walking. Vex stepped directly in my path, his broad shoulders creating a wall I 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 tell me daddy Gray hasn’t upgraded you into his full–time whore yet?” He leaned in closer, his hot breath hitting my face. “What nasty tricks do you do for him that keeps him so… interested?”
I tried to step around him, but Kendra shoved me hard with both hands, sending me staggering 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 I noticed wolves already gathering beyond them, circling the arena, some staring 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,” I growled through clenched teeth, trying to sound stronger than I felt.
Vex’s smile only widened, showing teeth. “Or what? You’ll call your guard dog?” He stepped closer, forcing me to back up until I 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.”
I snapped. One second his mouth was moving–next, I had him by the throat, slammed into the dirt so hard the air jumped out of him. I 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 I push harder making Trent’s face turn purple. My vision blurs with rage.
Trent’s still gasping under me when someone shoves me hard. I 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. I curl up, gasping. “Not so tough now, are you?” He grabs my hair, yanks my head back. “Fucking worthless piece of shit.”
He slaps me hard. Stars burst behind my eyes. It fucking hurts like hell.
“Get up,” he growls, spitting in my face. “Get up so I can knock you down again, bitch.”
I struggle to my knees. He kicks me in the stomach. I retch, bile burning my throat.
“That’s right,” Trent sneers, circling me like prey. “Crawl, you’dirty whore.”
His fist catches my jaw. I 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 I 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, offering me his hand. I 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 help me again. Grayson crouches down, voice lower but still hard. “You’re done for today. Get your ass to the clinic.”
“I’m fine,” I hiss, pushing his hand away. My palm leaves a bloody print on his wrist.
“You’re not fine. You can barely-”
I 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 I 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 I limp back toward the others, he grabs my arm. “This isn’t bravery. It’s stupidity.”
I yank away, nearly falling from the effort. “Good thing I wasn’t asking for your opinion.”
Every step feels like knives in my side, but I straighten my back and join the line. I can feel Grayson’s eyes burning into me, but I don’t look back. If I am going to be a warrior, I 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 at me like I seduce Grayson.
I 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,” I snap, then immediately regret it when I 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 I can’t hear what they’re saying about me.
“Fucking asshole,” I 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.”
I 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 I can answer, Thear heavy footsteps behind us. I 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 I lift my chin anyway. “I’m fine.”
“I said I’m fine.”
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His eyes burn into mine, searching for something. I 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.
