Chapter 35: Chapter 35

“Max,” I say to the wolf security guard at my side, “Has any closed circuit video been erased?”

“Yes Beta.”

“Have the cameras been disengaged?”

Again, “Yes Beta.”

“Last question…did you watch the footage?”

Max nods.

Good. “Whatever he did just now, do it again."

Max grabs hold of Gregory’s arms. Two other wolves in our employ move to do the same to his other side. Greg may have been able to toss around a single, human female. But he won’t fare as well against three prime males from our pack.

These men have been training since they were kids.

They drag Greg back to the side of the pond.

It’s a pretty pool. Fountains and waterfalls surrounded by lush foliage mark the start of a beautiful glass-enclosed solarium. There’s a puddle on the walkway in the exact spot where Greg attempted to drown Grace.

“Do it,” I say.

They force Greg to his knees and his face under water.

He riots.

This dolt is strong, I’ll give him that. But my men elbow him in the back, and one restrains his legs.

He can buck all he wants, but he isn’t going anywhere.

When he starts to twitch with the true onset of drowning I say, “Bring him up.”

They lift his head out of the water.

He chokes and sputters and screams.

“Gregory… do you think it’s wise to disturb Alpha Reed’s meal again? You know how he feels about noise.”

The man stops yelling.

He’s still gasping for air.

“Again,” I say.

Over and over they drown him, stopping only when he’s on the verge of death or shifting.

Greg Anders is going to regret what he did here today. He’s going to regret a great many things.

* * * * * * * * *

GRACE I return to the Sanitation Service Center, still shaken.

“My goodness, girl, why are you drenched? Did you fall into the river?" Claire asks. Then she sees the state of my torn clothes, and her teasing tone evaporates. "Did something happen when you sent the documents?"

"The documents... never mind, just now... I accidentally fell into a small pool."

“What? That’s terrible. Grace, it’s too cold to be out in wet clothes. You need to go home and take a hot bath—and dry your hair.”

I nod. I should’ve gone home in the first place.

Only I didn’t want the wolves driving me home at the behest of Alpha Reed to know where I lived.

It’s silly I know.

Alpha Reed’s power and influence extend from the far edges of the forest to the heart of this city. If he wants to know where I live, he could, with minimal digging.

I’m not exactly hiding.

I’m just trying to survive. The small section of city where I rent my apartment isn’t officially claimed by any pack, so my rogue status can’t get me in trouble for living there.

Someday, I’ll save enough money to get far away from here.

Claire stands by awkwardly while I grab my purse and phone from my locker. “Hey, I’m not sure this is even the right time, but Gus asked me about you. He’s interested. And he’s a nice guy, Grace.”

I slam my locker closed. ”Claire, I’ve said that I don't want to be in a relationship now. Why don't you help me with Gus and instead of encouraging him, why don’t you tell him not to put his hopes in me anymore? It'll only be a waste of time.”

Claire sighs. "If you really don't have the heart to take a chance on him, I will tell Gus. But I want it noted that I think you’re wasting a great opportunity here.”

I nod. Whatever. I’m too tired to argue.

I’m not trying to be mean. But my past is always going to collide with my future. Whether I like it or not.

And a good guy like Gus, someone honest and innocent, he doesn’t deserve to be dragged into my drama.

“Thanks for understanding, Claire.”

Claire shakes her head. “Grace,” she says quietly. “This is no way to live. You don’t really want to be alone until you die, do you?”

She can’t understand my position.

I’m not just an ex-convict.

I’m a wolf-less wolf who can’t immerse in the human world, but who is also shunned from pack.

I have no choice but to be alone.

Inexplicably, a handsome face appears in my mind.

I have Jay. Well, not in a romantic sense. But we’d be family. For as long as it lasts. And that would be enough.

“I appreciate you, Claire,” I tell her before starting the long walk home.

I hope what happened at that country club is done and over.

But as I walk, I’m hit with an overwhelming sense of dread.

And fear…