Chapter Twenty Four

WHEN THE FIRE SPREADS

JAX'S POV

Benson had called me out to check out the new ammunition that had arrived at the pack’s armoury. I had to reluctantly tear myself away from Gabriella.

Gabriella.

I didn’t know how we came to this, but I don’t hate it either. I loved how she made me feel. That warm feeling I usually felt in my chest when I held her, that rare sense of peace that I hadn’t felt that in years. She was everything I didn’t know I needed, and every second I spent away from her now felt like time wasted.

The armoury inspection was supposed to be quick, but Benson had me reviewing inventory, checking shipment accuracy, and dealing with a few issues from the border patrol.

By the time I made it back to the house, the sky had turned dark, and the halls were quiet.

I walked in with the intent to head straight to her room, feeling her warmth and maybe, showing her who she belonged to. My body was sore, my head a little foggy from overthinking, and all I wanted to do was curl into the comfort of her arms and sleep off the weight of the day.

But then a voice stopped me. "Alpha."

I turned around and saw one of the younger guards, Trent…I think. He was standing awkwardly in the hallway, holding his phone like it was hot coal.

"What is it?" I asked, stepping forward.

"I wasn’t supposed to see it. But… I thought you should know. I just thought you deserved to see it first."

His voice trembled, and I frowned. "Spit it out."

He stepped closer and turned the phone screen to face me.

I didn’t know what I expected.

But it sure as hell wasn’t this.

The image hit me like a punch in the gut. I froze.

Jack. Gabriella.

Kissing.

Her lips on his. Her body in his arms.

I blinked, trying to clear the image, but it burned itself into my mind like a brand. Her face was soaked in tears. His hands were on her like she belonged to him.

My heart slammed against my ribs, my breath catching in my throat. No. No, this wasn’t real. This wasn’t happening.

I wanted to laugh. To believe it was some stupid trick, a bad angle, a fake. But the timestamp was from today.

Just a few hours ago.

When I was out.

"Where did you get this?" My voice came out low and sharp.

"It was sent to a group chat," Trent said quickly. "One of the other guards showed me. I—I don’t know who took it. It’s spreading though. Fast."

Of course it was.

The entire house suddenly felt smaller. Hotter. My fists clenched at my sides, jaw tightening until it hurt.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

He blinked. "Alpha?"

"Leave. Now."

He nodded quickly and disappeared down the hallway.

I stood in the hallway for a long moment, staring at nothing. My blood roared in my ears. My chest tightened so bad I thought I’d pass out.

Jack.

My own fucking brother. He was such a fucking jerk, I swear. He had to force himself on her.

Gabriella.

The woman I loved.

I didn’t remember making the choice to move, but suddenly I was storming down the hall, toward her room. My steps were fast. Loud. I barely saw anything around me. Just doors, walls, shadows.

I burst into her room without knocking.

She jumped, sitting upright from where she’d been curled on the bed, clearly startled. "Jax?"

Her voice was soft. Sweet.

Fake. It felt so fucking fake.

I didn’t say anything. I just held up the phone, the screen lit up with the picture. Her eyes widened. Her lips parted. She looked like she’d been slapped.

"Jax—"

"Don’t." My voice cracked. I shoved the phone into my pocket. "Don’t say anything yet."

She stood up slowly, wrapping her arms around herself like she needed something to hold onto.

"It wasn’t what it looked like."

"Then what the hell was it?" I shouted.

She flinched. I had never raised my voice at her before.

"He kissed me," she said quickly. "I didn’t want it. I pushed him away. I swear, Jax. You have to believe me."

I stared at her. My breath came heavy, uneven.

"Why didn’t you tell me the second it happened?" I asked.

She hesitated. "I didn’t know how. You left. You were gone."

"So that was your excuse? Letting him get that close? Letting him think he still had a chance?"

Her eyes watered. "It wasn’t like that. I never wanted him. I only want you."

"You let him touch you."

She shook her head. "No. It wasn’t like that. You weren’t there. You don’t know—"

"Don’t tell me what I don’t know. I saw the damn picture."

Silence fell between us.

I turned away. My hands were shaking.

"Jax, please," she whispered behind me. "You know me. You know my heart. You know I wouldn’t do that to you."

But did I? I didn’t even know what the hell to believe anymore.

A beat passed.

Then another.

"You need to leave," I said.

Her breath hitched. "What?"

"You need to get out of this room. Go to one of the guest wings. I don’t want to see you right now."

She tried to move closer, but I stepped back.

"Go, Gabriella. Before I say something I regret."

Her lip trembled. Her eyes were full of tears, but I held her stare.

After a few seconds, she walked past me. Slowly. Silently. Her steps were shaky, but she didn’t look back.

The door clicked shut behind her.

And I stood alone.

In the room that still smelled like her.

Like us.

But all I could feel was cold.

Writer’s POV

Down the hallway, hidden in the shadows again, the figure from before watched Gabriella leave the room, tears streaking her face. They had taken a photo from the tiny crack of the door Jax had left open when he stormed angrily into the room.

Their smile widened, their eyes gleaming wickedly under the fluorescent lights.

"Just a little more," they whispered.

They reached into their pocket and tapped on the photo again, admiring the content of it. They slid on the gallery, with it showing a video of every word Jax had said to Gabriella in that room. then forwarded it to another number. The number was saved as Boss. This time, with a caption:

“Everything is going according to plan, boss. Phase two of the plan will be set into action soon.”

They looked up at the door Jax stood behind.

Everything was going according to plan.

And the fire was only just beginning to spread. Soon  it would burn out and then, this pack would crumble. Jax and Jack would be out of the way and their team would win.