Jaded

Chapter One The basement beneath the mansion was cold even in the middle of summer. Stone walls disappeared into shadows beyond the reach of the hanging lights overhead. The old space had once been used as a wine cellar generations ago, before Walter's father had converted portions of it into holding rooms and interrogation chambers. The scent of mildew still lingered beneath the stronger smells of blood, sweat, and rusted iron. Blood dripped steadily from the edge of a metal table. Plink. Plink. Plink. The sound echoed softly through the room. Astrid sat restrained to a steel chair bolted into the concrete floor. Her wrists were secured behind her back with silver-lined restraints. Dried blood streaked her pale skin. One eye had swollen nearly shut. Fresh cuts marked her throat and collarbone. A bruise darkened the side of her jaw where Jade had struck her earlier. Yet somehow the rogue still managed to look defiant. Jade hated that. She hated how Astrid continued staring back at her as though she hadn't spent the last two hours being questioned, as though she hadn't screamed, as though she wasn't bleeding all over Walter's damn basement. Jade paced slowly in front of her. The knife spun lazily between her fingers. Its blade was stained crimson. She wasn't getting enough. Astrid knew something. Jade could feel it. The attacks weren't random. The deaths weren't random. Three scouts had been found dead in less than two months. Not just dead. Executed. One with his throat ripped out. One gutted. One strung from a tree for the entire mountain to see. Rogues didn't work together, not like this, not with strategy, not with discipline, not with coordination. Someone was organizing them. Someone was giving orders. And Jade was getting dangerously close to proving it. The basement door suddenly burst open. Jade froze. A familiar wave of irritation immediately rolled through her. Luca. Of course it was Luca. The heavy door slammed shut behind him. His broad frame nearly filled the doorway as he stepped inside. Dark tattoos disappeared beneath the sleeves of his black Henley. His olive skin looked almost golden beneath the harsh overhead lights. His dark eyes swept across the room once. The blood. The knife. Astrid. Then finally Jade. His jaw tightened. Jade immediately knew exactly what expression he was making. The one that said she was about three seconds away from doing something stupid. God, she hated that expression. "Get out, Luca." Her voice cracked through the room like a whip. She pointed the knife directly at him. Blood flung from the tip. "I am serious.” Luca didn't even glance at the blade. That somehow annoyed her more. Instead, he folded his tattooed arms across his broad chest. The movement stretched the fabric across his shoulders. "So you can kill the one rogue who actually knows what's going on?" His voice was dry. Unimpressed. The same tone he had used on her since they were teenagers. Jade's eye twitched. "I wasn't aware I needed your permission." "No." Luca's gaze shifted briefly toward Astrid. "Apparently you don't think you need anyone's.” Astrid snorted through her broken nose. Jade shot her a look. Astrid wisely shut up. For now. Jade turned back toward Luca. The room seemed to shrink whenever they argued. Every conversation became a challenge. Every disagreement became a battle. It had always been that way. Walter called it stubbornness. Roman called it foreplay. Jade had nearly punched him for that one. "You think I can't handle one rogue?" she demanded. "I think you're pissed." His answer came instantly. "I think you're emotional." Strike one. "And I think when you're emotional, people end up bleeding." Strike two. His eyes dropped meaningfully to the knife. Strike three. Jade wanted to stab something. Preferably him. Unfortunately, that would only prove his point. The realization irritated her even more. Luca pushed away from the doorway and entered the room fully. Not close enough to interfere. Close enough to stop her if she tried something reckless. As always. The leash. Jade could practically feel it. Invisible. Unspoken. Constant. Luca never seemed to understand that every time he stepped between her and a decision, she felt trapped. Like everyone still saw her as a child. Like Walter's spoiled adopted daughter instead of one of the strongest wolves in the pack. As if she is a liability. Like someone who needed supervision. She hated it. More than that. She hated that a small part of her knew his concern came from somewhere genuine. That made it worse. Jade exhaled sharply through her nose. Fine. If Luca wants to watch, he can watch. She turned away from him and stalked toward Astrid. The rogue lifted her chin. Blood stained her teeth when she smiled. "You two always fight like an old married couple?” Jade and Luca both glared at her. Astrid's smile widened. Jade ignored the heat crawling up her neck. Instead, she crouched directly in front of Astrid. The knife rested loosely against her thigh. "You have a leader.” Astrid rolled her eyes. Jade smiled. Not a pleasant smile. The kind predators hold before they bite. "Rogues don't attack in groups. There were three bite marks on our last scout." Silence. "Rogues don't coordinate patrol routes." Nothing. "They don't ambush scouts.” Astrid stared straight ahead. Jade leaned closer. "They certainly don't kill three of our scouts in under one month.” A muscle jumped in Astrid's jaw. There. Jade saw it. The smallest crack. Behind her, Luca had gone completely silent. Listening. Watching. Waiting. Jade continued. "You just happened to get caught inside our territory." She tilted her head. "Which means you aren't passing through." Astrid's breathing remained steady. Too steady. Practiced. "You've been hiding in the mountains." Still nothing. Jade's smile slowly widened. "Lucian isn't going to save you." For the first time all night—Astrid reacted. The change lasted less than a second. A slight widening of her eyes. A tightening of her shoulders. Gone almost immediately. But Jade saw it. And judging by the way Luca suddenly straightened behind her—he saw it too. Got you. Triumph flared inside her chest. Astrid recovered quickly. Too quickly. "Lucian has been missing for thirteen years." Her voice sounded dismissive. Almost bored. But Jade could smell it now. Fear. Tiny. Buried deep beneath the surface. Fear. "Missing doesn't mean dead, bitch.” Astrid's split lips tightened. The silence stretched. Jade could practically feel Luca watching her. Not interrupting. Not stopping her. For once. She wasn't about to waste it. "I know why you became rogue.” Astrid's face went blank. Dangerously blank. Jade pressed forward anyway. "Your father sold you.” A flicker. "There it is." Jade's voice softened, not with kindness. With precision. "Called it an arranged marriage.” Astrid stared at the floor. "You were thrown into a cell." Silence. "Forced to breed four beta pups.” Astrid's breathing hitched. Only once. But it was enough. The room suddenly felt much quieter. Even Luca remained still. Still watching. Still listening. Learning. "A terrible life." Jade's voice lowered. "I don't blame you for becoming angry.” Astrid slowly lifted her gaze. For the first time, the arrogance was gone. Only pain remained. "I don't even blame you for becoming a piece of shit.” The rogue laughed weakly. A hollow sound. "But you can't save him." Jade raised the knife. The steel touched Astrid's cheek. A thin line of blood followed immediately. Bright red against pale skin. "I know Lucian is the one giving the orders.” Astrid's throat bobbed. "If you give me actual information..." Jade slowly traced the knife downward. "...I can get you out of here." Her eyes watched the blade instead of Astrid. For several seconds neither woman moved. Then Astrid whispered, "They'll find me.” Fear. Real fear. Not fear of Jade. Not fear of Walter. Not fear of death. Fear of whoever was waiting beyond these walls. "So either way..." Astrid swallowed hard. "I die.” Jade stared at her. Then slowly pulled the knife away. A cruel smile curved her lips. "Not exactly.” Confusion flickered across Astrid's face. "For Lucian?" Jade rose to her feet. The smile never left her mouth. "I'm willing to keep you as my prisoner.” Astrid frowned. Jade took one slow step closer. "If you don't give him up..." Her pale-green eyes gleamed beneath the harsh basement lights. "...you won't have to worry about them finding you.” The room went silent. Even Luca was staring now. Jade bent down until she was eye level with Astrid. Every word came out soft. Deliberate. Deadly. "Because I will tear you to pieces myself before I ever let anyone else have the chance." "If you're going to keep me here just to torture me," Astrid said quietly, her voice rough from hours of interrogation, "you may as well kill me now." The fight had gone out of her words. Not the defiance. That still burned stubbornly behind her swollen blue eyes. But the energy to pretend she wasn't exhausted had finally begun to crack. Blood continued to trickle from the cut along her cheek where Jade's knife had rested moments earlier. It painted a thin crimson trail down her jaw before dripping onto the front of her shirt. Jade studied her for a long moment. Astrid wasn't bluffing. She had seen enough death to recognize when someone had stopped fearing it. The realization settled heavily in her chest. Slowly, she lowered the knife completely. The gesture seemed to surprise everyone in the room. Including Luca. "I am willing to give you my word," Jade said, her voice calmer now, "that no one will touch you.” Astrid frowned. Jade could practically see the suspicion working behind her eyes. A wolf's word meant something. A pack wolf's word meant even more. But trust wasn't something Astrid handed out freely. Not after everything that had happened to her. Not after being sold by her own father. Not after being locked in a cell and treated like breeding stock. Not after surviving rogues. Not after surviving Lucian. Astrid shifted slightly in her restraints. The chains rattled softly. "And why would I believe you?” Jade shrugged one shoulder. "Because if I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't be wasting my time making promises.” A corner of Luca's mouth twitched. Barely. But Jade caught it. The bastard was amused. Astrid stared at her for several seconds, searching, trying to find the lie., trying to decide whether Jade was simply another wolf offering false hope. Eventually her gaze dropped. Not in submission. In thought. She was considering it. Good. Jade knew she was close. "It is a shame, though." The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them. Astrid blinked. "What is?” Jade straightened to her full height. The basement suddenly felt smaller around her. "You would've made one hell of a soldier.” For the first time all night, genuine surprise crossed Astrid's face. It vanished quickly, replaced by a dry laugh. The sound scraped against her damaged throat. "I only care about myself.” The honesty of it nearly made Jade smile. Nearly. She gave a small nod. "Which is exactly why it's a shame.” Astrid frowned. Jade began pacing slowly around the chair. "The wolves who survive the longest aren't always the strongest." She twirled the knife between her fingers. "They're the adaptable ones." The steel flashed beneath the overhead lights. "You survived being sold." A slow step. "You survived captivity." Another. "You survived childbirth.” Astrid's jaw tightened. "You survived becoming a rogue." Jade stopped directly in front of her again. "That isn't weakness.” The room fell silent. Even the faint buzzing from the overhead light seemed distant. "Lone wolves rarely survive long without a pack." Jade tilted her head. "Which means eventually you were forced into another one.” Astrid looked away. The movement was small. Tiny. But it was answer enough. Jade saw it immediately. And judging by the way Luca's posture shifted behind her, he saw it too. Interesting. Very interesting. "And if I had to guess," Jade continued softly, "you're treated like s**t there too." Astrid's throat bobbed. Silence. That was answer enough as well. Jade felt something ugly twist in her stomach. Not sympathy. Not quite. Understanding. The two often looked similar. "How much is your life worth to you, Astrid?" The question hung heavily in the air. Astrid slowly lifted her head. Their eyes met. For the first time since entering the basement, Jade wasn't looking at a rogue. She wasn't looking at an enemy. She was looking at a woman who had spent years being used by people stronger than herself. And now she had finally run out of places to run. Behind her, Luca remained completely silent. Which was unusual. Concernedly unusual. Jade didn't need to turn around to know he was staring. He had come down here expecting a disaster. Instead, he was watching her dismantle Astrid piece by piece. Not with violence. With information. With observation. With patience. The realization alone was probably irritating him. Good. Astrid's eyes hardened. Not with defiance. With resolve. A decision had been made. "I'll tell you where he is." The words landed like a stone dropped into still water. Silence followed. Even Luca seemed momentarily stunned. Jade remained perfectly still. Though her pulse immediately quickened. Finally. "But..." Astrid hesitated. Jade lifted a brow. "But?" Astrid glanced past her. Toward Luca. Jade followed her gaze. Somewhere during the conversation, Luca had pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. One rested between his lips now. The lighter clicked. A small flame flickered to life. The scent of tobacco immediately joined the smells of blood and iron filling the room. Astrid stared at it like a dying woman staring at water. When she finally spoke, her voice sounded almost offended. "Get me a f*****g cigarette, please." For one full second, nobody moved. Then Jade barked out a laugh. A real laugh. The first one she had managed all evening. Even Astrid smirked. Luca looked thoroughly unimpressed. Which only made it better. Without warning, Jade reached over and plucked the freshly lit cigarette directly from between Luca's lips. The look on his face was priceless. Pure disbelief. "Jade." His voice carried a warning. She ignored it. Happily. Some victories were simply too satisfying to pass up. Especially when they involved irritating Luca. Grinning, she turned and placed the cigarette between Astrid's bruised lips. "You know," Jade said cheerfully, "this is significantly more satisfying than stabbing him." Astrid inhaled deeply. For the first time since she had been captured, genuine relief crossed her face. Behind them, Luca dragged a hand down his face. Already regretting every decision that had brought him into this basement. The mansion felt strangely quiet after the basement. As Jade climbed the stairs, the scent of blood gradually gave way to polished wood, expensive candles, and the lingering aroma of coffee that someone had brewed hours ago. The tension of the interrogation still clung to her skin, however. She could feel it in the slight ache in her shoulders and the lingering adrenaline humming beneath her veins. Luca followed beside her. Neither spoke for several moments. The silence wasn't uncomfortable. Not exactly. Both of them were still processing what Astrid had revealed. Jade unfolded the map as they walked down the hallway, barely paying attention to where she was going. Her pale-green eyes traced the rough markings Astrid had made before finally giving up Lucian's location. "There." She tapped a section of the map. "Their cave is well within our territory, just like I thought." The satisfaction in her voice was impossible to miss. Luca glanced down at the map. Jade continued studying it as they entered the kitchen. "It looks like a five-hour hike, maybe a little less if we cut through the eastern ridge." Her heels clicked softly against the white marble floor veined with gold. The kitchen itself was enormous, easily large enough to host an entire family gathering. Soft under-cabinet lighting illuminated the polished countertops. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the dark mountains beyond. Jade barely noticed any of it. Her focus remained fixed on the map spread across the island. "We could send scouts in groups of four," she continued, tracing possible routes with her finger. "Have them work the ridge lines. They'll have the height advantage and cover from the trees." Luca listened quietly. A habit he rarely extended to anyone. Crossing toward the liquor cabinet, he retrieved a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. The amber liquid splashed softly against crystal. Jade didn't even glance up. Her mind was already planning patrol routes. Escape routes. Potential ambush points. Walter was going to lose his mind when he saw this. The thought brought a grin to her face. "Walter is going to be the happiest man alive when he gets home." Luca chuckled. The sound was low and warm. Something about it always annoyed her. Probably because she liked it. She refused to examine that thought any further. A glass appeared beside her hand. Without looking up, she reached for it automatically. Years of familiarity. Years of habits. Years of knowing exactly how Luca moved around a room. The realization hit both of them at the same time. Jade ignored it. Taking a sip, she continued staring at the map. The whiskey burned pleasantly down her throat. Across from her, Luca settled onto the stool beside her. For a while he simply watched her. The map. The notes. The route calculations. The determined crease between her brows. Then finally he asked, "How did you know?" Jade glanced up. "What?" "All of it." His dark eyes remained fixed on her. "The scouts. Lucian. Astrid." There was genuine curiosity there. No mockery. No criticism. No lecture waiting around the corner. Just a question. Oddly enough, that caught her off guard more than if he had started arguing. Jade lowered her glass. "The reports." Luca frowned. "The reports?" She nodded. "The second scout." A shadow crossed her expression. "Mikel." The name lingered between them. Mikel had been young. Strong. Popular. Pack deaths always hit hard. Scout deaths hit harder. "There were three distinct bite marks." Luca remained silent. Listening. Jade pointed toward the map absentmindedly. "Only rogues with mates hunt together." Her eyes lifted to his. "So why was there a third set?" Something shifted behind Luca's gaze. Understanding. Jade continued. "Then I started checking neighboring packs." She shrugged. "No attacks." Another sip of whiskey. "No missing scouts." Another. "No dead patrols." The smile slowly returned. "We were the only pack being targeted." Now Luca was staring. Really staring. Jade almost rolled her eyes. "What?" His head shook slowly. Disbelief. Admiration. A little irritation. All mixed together. "There is only one person stupid enough to take out scouts patrolling alone. Lucian." Jade nodded The kitchen fell quiet. For several moments, Luca simply looked at her. Then he laughed softly. Not because it was funny. Because he was impressed. "You know," he said, shaking his head, "that is actually amazing." The compliment hit harder than she expected. Jade immediately hated that it did. Trying not to show it, she dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment and lifted her glass again. The whiskey suddenly tasted better. Yet the moment only lasted a few seconds. Because of course it did. Jade glanced at him over the rim of her glass. "Yet you still underestimate me." The words slipped out before she could stop them. Luca's jaw immediately tightened. There it is. The familiar tension. The familiar friction. The thing that always existed between them. "I don't underestimate you." Jade laughed. The sound held absolutely no humor. "Right." "I don't." "You absolutely do." She set her glass down. "You still think I'm some reckless i***t who punches first and thinks later." "That's because you frequently punch first and think later." "Sometimes." Luca stared at her. "Most times." Jade rolled her eyes dramatically. "My fuse is no shorter than yours, Lucas." The use of his full name landed exactly as intended. Luca's eyes narrowed. Dangerously. Jade smiled sweetly. Pure provocation. "Don't." "Oh, come on, Lucas." "Jade." She looked entirely too pleased with herself. Which usually meant trouble. The laughter lingering between them slowly faded. For a few moments, the only sounds in the kitchen were the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clink of ice against crystal as Luca swirled the whiskey in his glass. Jade studied the map one final time before folding it neatly. The interrogation had gone better than she could have hoped. They had a location. And they had confirmation. Most importantly—she had proven she wasn't some spoiled princess playing at being useful. Walter would be thrilled. The thought alone made her grin. Without another word, she downed the remainder of her whiskey. The burn spread pleasantly through her chest. "Well." She slid off the stool. "I am off to the city to blow off some steam, and find me some handsome human to ruin." Luca closed his eyes. Briefly. As though summoning patience from whatever unfortunate deity had cursed him with Jade's existence. Jade immediately noticed. And enjoyed it. When his eyes opened again, he looked entirely unimpressed. "I really wish you wouldn't." That only made her laugh. A bright, genuine sound that echoed through the kitchen. "Why?" Luca stared at her. For a moment, she thought he might actually tell her what was bothering him. Instead, he took a slow sip of whiskey. "You could hurt them." Jade barked out another laugh. "Please." She waved a dismissive hand. "You may enjoy sleeping your way through the pack, but I am not that kind of girl, Luca." The effect was immediate. His jaw tightened. Got him. Jade fought a smile. Barely. "I have not slept with any wolf in this pack." His tone was flat. Dangerously flat. Which made it even funnier. "Oh?" Jade folded her arms. The grin finally escaped. "That's your defense?" "It wasn't a defense." "It sounded like one." Luca looked away before he did something regrettable. Unfortunately, Jade interpreted that as victory. Her grin widened. Like a shark scenting blood. "How long has it been for you, Luca?" He took another drink. "I am not having this conversation with you." That was all the encouragement Jade needed. Her smile became downright wicked. "That long, huh?" Luca stared into his whiskey. He knew exactly where this was headed. And he hated that part of him was already preparing responses. Jade perched one hip against the island. Waiting. Watching. Poking at him the way she always did. Like a wolf testing a fence just to see if it would hold. The worst part? She genuinely looked entertained. Luca clenched his jaw. Hard. Somewhere deep inside him, irritation wrestled with amusement. An old battle. One he rarely won. Jade was infuriating. Reckless. Stubborn. Argumentative. Completely incapable of leaving well enough alone. Across the island, Jade looked entirely too pleased with herself. The smug grin. The triumphant glint in her pale-green eyes. The way she kept pushing every button she knew he had. God, she was infuriating. For one brief moment, he imagined wrapping a hand around the back of her neck and forcing her to stop talking long enough for him to enjoy five seconds of peace. The image appeared so suddenly that it caught him off guard. His fingers tightened around his glass. No. He immediately shoved the thought away. Jade had always had that effect on him. Since they were children. She could start an argument in an empty room and somehow walk away believing she had won it. Every conversation became a challenge. Every challenge became a competition. Every competition became a headache. Luca took a long drink of whiskey. Much safer. Because dwelling on Jade was rarely productive. And when he let his thoughts linger too long, they tended to wander into territory he had no business exploring. Especially where she was concerned. So he did what he always did. He buried the thought. Ignored it. And focused on the far more pressing issue of keeping her from getting herself killed. Jade, blissfully unaware of the war occurring behind his expression, picked up the map again. Her attention shifted immediately back to Lucian. Back to strategy. Back to the hunt. Typical. She could spend ten minutes trying to provoke a person and then abandon the conversation entirely. "I'll leave Walter a voice message before I go." She traced a finger along one of the ridge lines. "He is probably out of range anyway." Luca rubbed a hand across his jaw. "You don't need to go to the city." Jade didn't even look up. "I know." "Then don't." That got her attention. Slowly, she lifted her gaze. A challenge immediately sparked in her pale-green eyes. "There it is." Luca sighed. "What?" "The bossiness." She pointed at him. "The constant need to tell everyone what to do." "I am literally the future Alpha." "Tragic." "It is the job description." Jade laughed. Then folded the map shut. "I'll survive." His expression darkened. "That isn't what concerns me." The words slipped out before he could stop them. The kitchen fell quiet. For a second, neither moved. Neither spoke. Something unspoken settled between them. Something neither one seemed willing to acknowledge. Jade broke eye contact first. Of course she did. Humor was easier. Humor was safer. "Don't wait up." The grin returned. Bright. Mischievous. Hazardous. Before Luca could respond, she turned and headed for the door. Her heels clicked softly against the marble. The sound echoed through the quiet kitchen. Luca watched her go. Toward the pool house Walter had renovated specifically because he had refused for her to live in the college dormitories. Spoiled. Completely spoiled. The entire pack knew it. Walter knew it. Jade knew it. And somehow she still managed to get whatever she wanted. A few moments later, the sliding glass door shut behind her. Silence settled over the kitchen once more. Luca stared into his glass. Then down at the folded map resting on the island. Then toward the dark window overlooking the mountains. Lucian. Dead scouts. Rogues hiding within their territory. A war slowly taking shape. He should have been thinking about that. Instead, he found himself wondering which poor human Jade planned on tormenting tonight. The realization irritated him enough that he immediately finished the rest of his whiskey. Unfortunately, it didn't help.