Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine

Chapter 99

JASON

When she said my name my whole body stiffened.

"Do you hate Jason Reed?" I mumble.

She sighs. “How can I hate him? He is technically my alpha too, right? Well, if I still belonged to a pack,

then that pack, like every other one in this region, would have fealty to Alpha Reed.”

She hasn’t answered my question. “But do you hate him?”

“When I had the car accident, Jennifer Atkinson was Alpha Reed’s fiancée. So, of course, I was not

going to get out of it easily. How many people want to win favor with him? How many people think that

by hurting me it’ll gain them favor with him?”

Grace’s eyes take on a faraway look. “Who knows… maybe if that accident had involved someone

else. Someone other than Jennifer Atkinson, I could have won the lawsuit. Would I have been spared

from being in jail for three years and experienced all those things? Maybe.” Her eyes are so earnest

when they meet mine. “I didn’t drink and drive, Jay. I wouldn’t do that. I still can’t understand how the

evidence could corroborate that sort of thing.”

I know the ins and outs of the case intimately. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

That was a detail that I’d found odd. Not because of drinking, but because wolf metabolism burned

through alcohol so quickly.

It’s why we had our own clubs. Why the scene at Patrick’s place was different. Wolves can’t drink or act

the way we do in most human clubs, not without raising a ton of attention.

I squat in front of her, staring at her bent hands. "If I had known you would suffer so much, I would have

protected you three years ago."

This sentence has nothing to do with the game but was something that had come from the bottom of

my heart.

I hate thinking that this woman has suffered because of me. I’m cold, yes, but I also considered myself

fair. I’m not cruel. And Grace has been tortured for no other reason than that I might reward her

tormentors.

The thought sickens me.

Back then, I didn’t care what happened to her. That’s true. And I had rewarded some associated when

they mentioned getting some payback for my loss. I appreciated their loyalty.

But what Grace said… about being loyal to me, that resonates too.

I had only focused on Pack Reed and my immediate wolves. But I am the ruling Alpha for this entire

coast and as such, the wolves of other packs are, by extension, part of mine too.

I’ve been negligent in emphasizing this.

In exploiting this.

In being grateful for this.

But today is not about me! I believe her when she says that the car crash was an accident. And her

innocence opens something in my chest that makes me ache with regret.

”I know that you would have defended me,” Grace says. “Alright, let's not talk about this."

Even now, she puts on a brave face for me.

Lina enters the hallway. She shifts her feet awkwardly. “I, uh, got the medicine,” she says to us. “And

Dr. Craigge included two other prescriptions which we can fill once we get you home.”

I’ll follow up with the good doctor on my own time.

“Thank you, Lina,” Grace says.

“I’ll go get the car from the underground parking lot. Jay, help Grace to the entrance and wait for me."

I slide my arms beneath her legs.

“J-Jay, what are you doing?”

“It should be obvious, no?”

“I told you. They have wheelchairs. You don’t need to carry me.”

“The walking boot they give you won’t suffice. You should probably have crutches.”

I heft her into my arms and move purposefully out of this wing.

“I’m too heavy for you to carry me like this!”

I laugh. “Don’t be absurd. You hardly weigh anything.”

It’s true. I noticed that the other night too, when I lifted her from the table and moved her to the bed.

My wolf gives me added strength and Grace knows that. “Relax, sister,” I whisper. “I won’t drop you.”

“I know,” she replies just as quietly.

Then she rests her head against my chest.

My heart beat picks up. Her scent. Her nearness. Knowing she’s all right when I’d been left thinking the

worst… it all sends the blood in my body rushing to my head.

My eyes were fill with a tenderness that I’m not sure I want her to see.

Grace lifts one hand around my neck and clings to me.

I lift her higher. Hold her closer.

“Thank you for coming for me, Jay.”

My lips brush the top of her head too softly for her to feel.