Chapter 18

The bash was winding down, and honestly, I was dragging—bone-tired, the kind that hits deep. Ever since they swapped in that fake ticker for my heart, I'd been running on half a battery. No marathons for this she-wolf anymore.

Brian caught the fade in my eyes right away, like he had some sixth sense for it.

While I caught a breather, he leaned over to George, murmured a quick goodbye, then steered us for the exit.

We'd barely cleared the doors when—bam—a shadow planted itself dead-center in our headlights.

Rain hammered down like the sky was pissed, wipers slapping frantic.

Joseph stood there, not budging an inch, soaked to the skin. "Gina—out. We need to talk." Same old bossy bark, like I was still his to command.

Brian's paws tightened on the wheel, gearing up to hop out—then I snagged his sleeve. "Drive."

My voice came out flat, eyes shadowed. No chit-chat with that wolf. My payback? Just warming up.

Joseph was too chicken to play chicken for real.

Brian's grin sharpened, no brakes now—he gunned it straight at him.

Joseph braced, eyes slamming shut like he was begging for the hit.

But Brian grazed him just enough—tires clipped, sending him ass-over-elbows into the mud.

Tumbled hard, but nothing broke. Just a scrape and a bruise to match his ego.

They hauled him to the healer's ward, but by dawn? He was out, limping like a kicked pup.

Tracked my new crash pad—Brian's house, of all places.

Camped from sunrise to sunset, finally clocking me stepping out the villa gates.

He hobbled up, all twisted and desperate.

Brian's guards? On it like glue, walling him off.

Joseph's glare sliced through 'em, landing on me cold. "Gina—no green light from me on the unbound. You're still my mate!"

I stared back, unblinking. That line? A laugh riot.

"Joseph... ring any bells, this setup?"

His eyes flickered—caught off-guard.

But I didn't wait for the lightbulb. Rolled on. "Remember when Zoe swiped Shawn's remains? I fought tooth and claw to get him back, and you? Parked your muscle wall around her like a fortress. Wouldn't let me cross her 'wishes.' Said you were head-over-heels, she was your line in the sand. Ha—now? Your line stabbed you in the back, so you're sniffing around for a pity pat? What am I, Joseph—your backup toy? Newsflash: you and her tag-teaming Shawn, me? That blood? I'm paying it back, drop by drop. You'll both howl for every scar!"

No faking the disgust, the burn in my stare.

Joseph's paws twitched at his seams, like ghosts in his fingers.

Lips worked slow, forever before the words crawled out. "Gina... Shawn? My bad—I own that. You're raging, fair. I'll sign over half my stake—pack empire, yours. Just ditch Brian. Back to us, like old times. I just need—"

I barked a laugh—sharp, hollow.

Cut him off mid-plea.

He gawked, lost. "Gina? What's the joke?"

"Joseph... you sure you got anything left to give?"

Dropped that bomb and spun back inside, door clicking shut like a full stop.

Left him scratching his head, but oh—he'd get it soon enough.

When the mob swarmed the Lewis pack's front gates, howling for blood and answers, Joseph raced in, banged up and blind.

En route, his assistant shoved reports under his nose, one gut-punch after another. "Joseph... turns out Zoe's 'rescues'? All stone-cold monsters. Pup-rapers leaving 'em broken for life. Mate-beaters beating to death. Kidnappers, torch-jobs, you name it. She's been funneling your cash, building her little army of strays. Now it's blowing up—rumors flying that Lewis Business green-lit the whole mess. Bad press pack-wide, victims' kin filing complaints left and right, baying for our throats... and yours..."

Assistant trailed off; Joseph's face sank deeper with every word.

Fists cracked like knuckles.

No fix-it speech before they hit the tower base.

"There! Joseph's the scum—get him!"