JESSICA
It’s fucking treason.
No matter how many ways I twist it, no matter how I dress it up in my head–Theo’s plan is an act of betrayal.
So why the hell am I still sitting on it like some complicit little bitch? Why haven’t I told the Alpha? Or Grayson? Or anyone with teeth and rank and the ability to crush this before it spreads?
But if I tell Grayson, it’ll blow everything up.
And if I don’t—and something actually happens–that blood is mine. All of it.
“Shit!”
I jolt, nearly tipping my chair over when fingers snap loud and sharp right in front of my face. Pierce is looking at me while I absently tear a chunk of meat between my teeth.
“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?” I 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 I am a caretaker? Never.” I roll my eyes so hard they might fall out of my skull.
“Jess…”
“Don’t ‘Jess‘ me like I’m some clueless pup.” I push my plate away. “Look, you’ve chosen your side and clearly, it’s not mine so whatever happens, it’s your fault.”
Shit. I shouldn’t have said that. I 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 over me as my eyes widen involuntarily. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit, did he hear about it? Does he know the plan?
“Mind your fucking business, Pierce,” I 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?!
I push past him with my shoulder, stomping toward the door. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
When I 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 me “So why can’t you fucking answer-
swer..”
1/3
Chapter 55
“Grayson!” I 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 wake me up.
Heat rushes to my face as his lips brush against imine. He’s making me so fucking guilty. I force myself to relax, to kiss him back, even as my mind screams that I don’t deserve this moment of tenderness.
“Sorry,” I mumble against his mouth, the word carrying more weight than he could possibly tinderstand. “I… I couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to disturb you.”
My eyes flicker to Pierce, who’s watching us with narrowed eyes. I 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. I can’t meet his eyes – guilt is eating me alive from the inside out.
“Hey,” he says softly, tilting my head up. “What’s going on with you two? He looks very pissed.”
I 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, I 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.”
I 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, I 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.
I 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 I subtly shift away, pretending to adjust my bag.
“Thanks to you,” I mutter.
“Look, I know this isn’t what you wanted, but-”
“But what?” I snap, whipping around to face him. “But I should be grateful? Do you want me to suck your cock for it?”
“Jess… language.”
9/3
Chapter 55
Whatever. He deserves it for trapping me in 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 to me before she died and said I 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,” I 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,
I catch a glimpse of us in the rearview mirror–his tall frame enveloping mine, those ridiculous shoulders making me look tiny by comparison. The sharp line of his jaw clenches as he secures the clasp, those hands that could break someone in half moving with surprising gentleness.
“Grayson-“I start, but he turns me around, one hand at the small of my back.
“Just once,” he says, “I need you to believe something I’m telling you.”
He’s so close I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes, count each of his stupidly long eyelashes. My breath catches as his thumb traces my lower lip.
“1
“My mother is a caretaker too, Jess.” He pulls back just enough to look at me.” She would’ve love to meet you.”
Yes, I would’ve loved to meet her too. But, I’m not his mother. And I don’t want to be a caretaker.
AD
