Chapter 50
JESSICA
76%
“You should eat something,” Pierce says, setting a plate beside my bed. It’s been forty–eight hours since my discharge, and I haven’t left my
room.
I stare at the food without interest. “Not hungry.”
“Jessica…” His voice softens in that way I can’t stand–pity wrapped in concern.
“Don’t.” I pull myself up to sitting. “Just… don’t.”
When he leaves, I drag myself to the bathroom, avoiding my reflection. The shower helps, hot water scalding my skin until I feel something again, even if it’s just pain. As I’m toweling off, I hear voices outside. One of them is Grayson’s. I freeze, strain to listen.
“-shouldn’t be here,” Pierce says.
“I need to see her.”
“You’ve done enough damage.”
Their voices drop lower, and I press my ear against the door.
“There’s something you don’t understand,” Grayson’s voice sounds desperate.
“It wasn’t about failing her. The council-” The front door slams, cutting off whatever he was about to say. I slowly slide down the bathroom wall until I’m sitting on the cold tile floor.
The council?
What did they have to do with this?
A thought occurs to me–a dangerous one. What if this isn’t about me being weak at all? What if there’s something else going on–something they’re not telling me? I pull myself up, a new determination taking hold. If Grayson won’t tell me the truth, I’ll find it myself.
I grab my phone and text the one person who knows everything that happens in this pack: “Theo, I need a favor. I’ll tell you later. Pretty please?”
Damn it. I swear I won’t ever ask Theo for favors, but I need answers. My reflection catches my eye–hollow cheeks, dark circles, hair hanging in wet strands. I look pathetic. Weak. Just like they all think I am.
“Fuck that,” I growl, yanking open drawers, grabbing clothes.
I throw on black jeans and a tank top, not bothering to dry my hair. My muscles ache as I stretch, reminding me of how long I’ve been lying in that bed. Wasting time.
My phone buzzes.
Theo: “What kind of favor we talking about?
I type back while shoving my feet into boots: *Access to council records. Last meeting.”
Theo: That’s not a favor, that’s suicide. What happened to you?‘
1/4
11:17 Tue, 12 Aug
Chapter 50
“I’ll explain later. Yes or no?”
I grab my jacket, pull it on with jerky movements. My heart hammers against my ribs–not from fear but from something else. Rage. Pure, brutal rage that’s been building for days.
Theo: ‘Fine, North entrance. 20 minutes. Don’t be late.
I stuff my phone in my pocket and yank open my bedroom door. Pierce is sitting at the kitchen table, head snapping up as I storm through.
“Jessica? What are you–”
“Going out,” I cut him off, grabbing my keys from the hook.
He stands quickly, chair scraping. “You’re not ready-”
“Not your call.” I whirl around, facing him. “I’m done being coddled. Done with the lies.”
“What lies?” His face pales. “What did Grayson tell you?”
I laugh, harsh and sharp. “Nothing. That’s the problem.”
My hand finds the doorknob, twisting it hard. Pierce lunges, grabbing my arm.
“You can’t just-”
I wrench away, shoving him back with a strength that surprises us both. “Don’t touch me.”
He stumbles, eyes wide. “Jessica, please-”
“Tell me the truth, then.” I step closer, my voice dropping to something dangerous. “What did the council have to do with what happened?”
His silence tells me everything.
“That’s what I thought.” I turn, yanking the door open.
“They’ll come after you,” Pierce calls as I step outside. “If you start asking questions-”
I look back over my shoulder, a cold smile forming. “Let them try. I’ve got nothing left to lose.”
The door slams behind me as I stride into the night. My ribs ache with each step. But I’m done crying, done waiting for Grayson to decide I’m strong enough for the truth.
Fuck his worried eyes and that goddamn frown when I try to do anything for myself.
“Overprotective asshole,” I mutter, kicking a stone across the pavement. It skitters away into darkness like my patience did about three days
ago.
My phone buzzes again. Grayson has been calling me. I don’t care about him. I don’t want to care about him.
“Go to hell,” I snarl, hitting decline and shoving it back in my pocket.
I hate how my body betrays me–how despite everything, I still catch myself watching him, wanting him. I hate how he makes me feel safe even when I’m furious with him. I hate how much I crave his touch even while I’m plotting to go behind his back. Most of all, I hate how I can’t actually hate him, no matter how hard try…
“Goddammit,” I mutter, wiping angrily at my eyes.
2/4
11:17 Tue, 12 Aug
Chapter 50
I’m only on the street for two minutes when I sense it—a shadow shifting where it shouldn’t.
My pulse quickens. The streetlights flicker, casting long, dark fingers across the pavement. Fuck, I shouldn’t have come alone.
I pick up my pace, boots scuffing against concrete. The shadow moves again.
“Who’s there?” I call out, hating how my voice wavers.
Nothing.
I reach for my phone, fingers trembling. Before I can grab it, something–someone–slams into me from behind. A hand clamps over my mouth, muffling my scream as I’m shoved roughly against a tree trunk.
د
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” a low voice growls in my ear, hot breath against my neck.
I thrash against his grip, but he’s solid muscle, pinning me effortlessly. My heart hammers so loud I swear he can hear it.
Then he spins me around, and I find myself staring into the coldest blue eyes I’ve ever seen.
Theo.
“Shut. The fuck. Up.”
I bite down on his palm–hard.
“Fucking hell!” The pressure releases for just a second.
I drive my knee up, aiming for his groin, but he twists, catching my thigh with his. My head whips back, connecting with the tree again.
“Would you stop fighting for two goddamn seconds?” the voice growls, lower now. Familiar.
“Get your fucking hands off me,” I spit when he cautiously removes his palm.
He doesn’t move back though, just plants his hands on either side of my head. “No can do, sweetheart. There’s a patrol two blocks down.”
“I don’t give a shit-”
“Yeah, well, maybe you should.” His face is inches from mine, all sharp angles and barely contained fury. “Because if they catch you heading to the council building like you’re on some half–assed suicide mission, your boyfriend Grayson isn’t the only one who’ll be screwed.”
My chest heaves against his. “He’s not my-”
“Save it,” Theo cuts me off. “I really don’t care what you call him while you’re making those little whimpering sounds in the training room.”
Heat rushes to my face. “Fuck you.”
A dangerous smile curls his mouth. “Maybe later. Right now we need to move.”
He finally steps back, and the cold air rushes between us. I hate how my skin still burns where he touched me.
“I’m not going anywhere with you Theo,” I say, but it sounds weak even to my ears.
Theo’s eyes flick over my shoulder. “Suit yourself. Stay here, let them find you. I’m sure Grayson would love explaining why his precious little trainee was sneaking around restricted areas.”
I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. “You’re still so stupid. Do you know that?”
3/4
770%0
+23)
Chapter 50
“Baby, I’m your first love.” He leans in again, his breath hot against my ear. “Since when did you become so feisty, huh?”
That’s not true.
Theo assumes we dated.
His hand wraps around my wrist, tugging me into the shadows. I should pull away. I should scream. I should do anything but follow this asshole into the dark.
But I don’t.
Instead, I let him drag me deeper into the corridor, my pulse racing beneath his fingertips. His touch burns against my skin, and I hate how my body betrays me with a shiver.
“Still responsive to my touch, I see,” Theo says, his voice dropping to that dangerous rumble that used to make my knees weak.
“Fuck you,” I spit out, yanking my arm back, but he just tightens his grip and pulls me closer.
“That an offer?” His smirk is infuriating, all lazy confidence and sharp edges. He backs me against the wall, one hand planted beside my head. “Because I remember how much you used to beg for it.”
My heart hammers so hard I’m sure he can hear it. The corridor feels too small, too hot, too everything with him crowding my space.
“Get off me,” I hiss, but it lacks the conviction I need.
His thumb traces my bottom lip, rough and possessive. “Your mouth says one thing, but your body…” He leans closer, his thigh sliding between mine. “Your body remembers me.”
Fury floods my system, hot and thick. I shove him back with both hands. “You don’t know shit about me anymore. You lost that right when
you-”
“When I what?” His eyes flash, dangerous and wild. “When I did exactly what someone like me was supposed to do?”
He’s so close I can smell him. “You’re pathetic,” I breathe, hoping he can’t feel the tremble in my voice.
Theo laughs, low and dark. “Maybe. But I’m not the one who asks for favors here, pup.”
4/4
AD
Comment
