Chapter 216
JESSICA
For the past few days, we’ve been training.
Cid is a good mentor.
I’m learning a lot about the Triad while he nips at every issue of my life. And his favorite subject is Grayson.
“So, you broke up?”
“No, we didn’t.” I concentrate on keeping my stance low. Shit. I’m so fucked. I’ve been trying to try this for days now but I cannot execute it right. “Quit being nosy, Cid and help me here.”
I force my heel down, rotate my shoulder, and this time the strike lands with a heavy, clean crack. The pad absorbs it and then gives a small, satisfied thud.
Cid’s head snaps.
For a beat his grin falters and attention clamps on me in a way that feels like hunger.
“What was that?”
I tilt my head, panting, sweat dripping down my temple. “Do you like it?”
He should. But there’s something in his eyes that told me otherwise. I was just about to ask him about it when I heard Kirill in my head.
Yes, Kirill.
I’ve been taught how to use this mindlinking and honestly, I’m not a fan of it.
Jessica.
Cid tilts his head, watching me freeze. He knows. He always knows.
Come to my office.
“Get out of my head,” I murmur under my breath, but the link stays.
Cid’s eyes gleam. “What is it?” he asks softly, mocking, but there’s a flash of curiosity there, too. “Is it Kirill?”
“Yes.”
The link hums hotter and I know I have no choice. Ten minutes later, I saw myself barging inside Kirill’s office
but he’s not alone.
Grayson’s already half out of his chair when he sees me.
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Chapter 216
“What,” I spit, “the hell is happening here?”
Grayson’s fists tightened at his sides. “What is she doing here?”
“Oh, please.” Kirill rolled his eyes, his tone mocking. “Someone’s feeling a little bit sad.”
“Shut it, Kirill,” Grayson growls, his eyes flashing.
He doesn’t even look at me as he steps forward, brushing past me like I’m air.
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My hand twitches, reaching out instinctively, but I let it fall. His shoulder hits mine, and he doesn’t stop, doesn’t even pause.
“Grayson,” I say, my voice trembling. He keeps walking, anyway.
I stand there, frozen, my throat tight.
Kirill clears his throat. “Well, that was not what I expected.”
“Can you stop being an asshole?” I snap, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.
“Technically,” he offers me a drink, but I just glare at him, “I’m your alpha, so shut your bratty mouth and listen to me.” His tone is sharp, but there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes that makes my blood boil.
I don’t take the drink. Instead, I cross my arms, muscles tense, waiting for whatever he’s about to throw at me.
Kirill leans back, his grin widening. “Congrats, you and Grayson just earned yourselves a mission. Your first
one.”
My stomach drops. “What? Can you repeat that?”
“Consider it a test. You two clearly need to work on your teamwork.”
I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off. “And don’t even think about saying no. This isn’t a request. It’s an order.”
“Too bad,” I shoot back, my voice dripping with defiance, “I’m not taking orders from you.”
Kirill’s grin falters for a fraction of a second, his eyes narrowing. “Then maybe this will entice you. I’ve heard rumors about your brother.”
My stomach drops.
Pierce.
“W–what about him?” My voice cracks before I can stop it.
The last time I saw him… gods, the memory burns.
Grayson’s accusations, Pierce’s silence, the rift it carved between us.
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Chapter 216
Still, he was my brother.
Blood of my blood.
1 trusted him–at least, I wanted to. But I also knew exactly what he was capable of.
The hunger in him.
The sharp, reckless ambition that always seemed ready to cat him alive.
Kirill’s lips twist.
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He savors my unease like a wolf savoring marrow. “He’s not where you think he is. Not doing what you think he’s doing.”
His tone drips poison, deliberate and cruel.
“Word is, Pierce has been carving his own empire. Quiet. Clever. Dangerous. He’s got his own followers now, Jess. Wolves who whisper his name in the dark. Wolves who’d bleed for him.”
My throat tightens. I shake my head, but the denial feels paper–thin. “You’re lying.”
Kirill chuckles, a low, rumbling sound. “Am I? Or is that just what you want to believe? A lot has happened, Jessica. You left quite a mess and the Triad has been cleaning it for you.”
My hands ball into fists, nails digging into my palms. “What are you talking about?”
He leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “We eliminate everyone who goes beyond our code. There should be no hybrids or rogues. But because of you, they had hope. And now that hope is making everyone burn.”
I jerk back, my heart pounding. “You’re lying.”
Kirill shrugs, straightening up. “Believe what you want. But I need you to go on this one. Convince him, Jess. Convince your brother to stop whatever it is he’s cooking or else…”
I frowned. “Or else what?”
“Or else the Triad will eliminate him. Simple as that.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?” He smirked, then turned on his heel, his coat swishing as he walked away. “You’ve got 24 hours. Good luck.”
I stood there, my chest heaving, my mind racing. Pierce. My idiot brother. What the hell had he gotten himself into this time?
I spun around, grabbed my jacket, and slammed the door behind me. The cold air hit me like a slap as I stormed down the street, my boots crunching on the icy pavement.
Convince Pierce? Fine. But if he didn’t listen, I’d have to do more than talk. I’d have to stop him myself-
before the Triad got to him first.
