Bad Husband novel Chapter 205

Sophia’s POV

Jackson’s expression twisted with contempt. “Friends? What kind of friendship could you possibly have? She’s just an orphan from Shadow

Creek!”

“And you’re just an opportunistic snake,‘ I shot back.

“Sophia, you’re the daughter of the Morgan family,” he sneered, gesturing dismissively at Ava. “Is she worthy of being your friend? Without me, do you think she would truly care about you? She’s just using you to get to Blake!”

Something inside me snapped. All the memories of Ava and me before Jackson–training together, surviving that kidnapping, laughing over midnight snacks–rushed back with crystal clarity.

“Jackson Hayes,” I said, voice steady despite my racing heart, “I release you from our engagement.”

His face went blank for a half–second before twisting with rage. “You’re not thinking clearly-*

“I’ve never thought more clearly in my life.” I twisted the ring off my finger and tossed it at his feet. “We’re done.”

Jackson stared at the silver wolf ring on the floor, his eyes dark with contempt. With deliberate slowness, he raised his foot and stomped down hard, grinding the ring beneath his heel. The sickening crunch of metal echoed through the room as the sacred symbol–meant to represent eternal pack bonds–was destroyed beneath his boot.

That’s when he lost control completely.

His eyes flashed silver–pure wolf taking over–and a sound more animal than human tore from his throat. “You dare destroy everything I’ve built? No one can stop me! No one!”

His body began to tremble, the first sign of an impending shift. Clothes ripped as his muscles expanded, bones cracking as they realigned.

Ava shoved me behind her. “Back up! He’s shifting!”

We retreated toward the door, but Jackson–now half–transformed–lunged forward, blocking our escape. His face elongated, teeth sharpening into fangs as gray–brown fur rippled across his skin.

“Shift,” Ava hissed at me, already tearing off her outer layers. “Together. Now!”

I’d never shifted so fast in my life. The change burned through me like liquid fire–bones breaking and reforming, muscles stretching, skin tearing as fur pushed through pores. Pain crashed over me in waves, but necessity drove me forward. I welcomed the agony, letting it fuel my determination.

My vision blurred, then sharpened to crystal clarity. Scents exploded around me–Jackson’s rage, Ava’s determination, my own fear, all swirling in a cocktail of emotions that painted the room in invisible colors.

Where I’d stood seconds before, a light golden she–wolf now crouched, muscles coiled and ready.

Beside me, Ava completed her transformation a sleek silver–gray she–wolf with deep green eyes that held both intelligence and deadly focus. Her fur caught the late afternoon light, gleaming like polished metal as she lowered into a fighting stance.

Across the room, Jackson finished his shift+a massive gray–brown wolf with hate–filled silver eyes. His fur bristled along his spine, making him look even larger as a rumbling growl vibrated through the floorboards.

He attacked without warning.

His massive body launched through the air, jaws aiming straight for Ava’s throat. She twisted away at the last second, her smaller size and

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speed saving her from those crushing jaws. Glass shattered as they crashed into a side table, sending crystal decanters flying. The smell of spilled bourbon filled the air, mixing with the copper tang of blood.

I circled, looking for an opening. When Jackson landed hard after missing Ava, I darted in, teeth slashing across his flank before dancing away. Blood coated my tongue, hot and metallic, sparking something primal in my wolf.

He roared in fury, spinning to face me. That split–second distraction was all Ava needed–she leapt onto his back, claws digging deep, forcing a howl of pain from his throat.

We moved with unexpected synchronicity, a strange bond forming between us in the heat of battle. When I feinted left, Ava somehow knew to attack right. When she drew his attention forward, I instinctively struck from behind. It was as if we shared one mind, one purpose–survive this together.

But Jackson was still stronger, his massive body absorbing punishment that would have felled lesser wolves. With a violent roll, he dislodged Ava, sending her crashing into Mom’s antique side table. The sound of splintering wood mixed with her pained yelp, driving a spike of fear through my heart.

I placed myself between them as Jackson regrouped, hackles raised and teeth bared. Blood matted his fur, but his eyes burned with murderous rage.

He charged again, this time aiming for me. I braced for impact, knowing I couldn’t match his raw strength.

The blow never came.

“Don’t hurt my mom and sister!”

My heart nearly stopped. I turned to see my baby brother standing in the doorway, his little face a mixture of terror and determination that no seven–year–old should ever have to wear. His small hands were balled into fists, trembling slightly but refusing to back down.

Jackson paused mid–charge, momentarily confused by this unexpected interruption.

That hesitation was all my little brother needed. Lucas’s eyes began to glow gold–just like Dad’s–and his small hands transformed partially, fingers extending into deadly claws while the rest of him remained human.

“Leave them alone!” he shouted, his high voice cracking with emotion.

Jackson snarled, apparently deciding a child posed no real threat. If only he knew how fierce my baby brother could be. He turned back toward me, only to howl in shock when Lucas darted forward with startling speed, his tiny claws slashing at the tendons in Jackson’s leg.

My heart nearly stopped. Pride and terror warred inside me as I watched my little brother–my sweet, precious Lucas–put himself in harm’s way to protect us. Where had he learned such precision? Such courage?

Ava recovered in that moment, leaping back into the fray. Together, the three of us herded Jackson into a corner, his movements growing increasingly desperate as he realized he was outmatched.

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With one final, coordinated attack, we brought him down. Ava’s teeth at his throat, my weight pinning his body, and my brave little brother standing guard with those deadly little claws still extended. My heart couldn’t decide whether to burst with pride or collapse seeing Lucas in such danger.

The main doors crashed open, and Tyler strode in with a dozen armed Silverpeak warriors.

“Jackson Hayes,” Tyler announced formally, for treason, murder, and manipulation, I arrest you in the name of the Alpha King.”

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Sophia’s POV

Jackson’s silver eyes blazed with impotent fury as specialized restraints were clasped around his wounded limbs, forcing him back into–human form.

Half–naked and bleeding, he looked nothing like the polished politician who’d charmed his way through my defenses. This was the real Jackson Hayes–desperate, cruel, and utterly defeated.

“This isn’t possible!” he screamed, spittle flying from his lips. “I am the future Alpha of Shadow Creek! You have no right to do this to me!”

Ava let out a cold laugh that raised goosebumps on my arms. “Future Alpha? You don’t even qualify as a man. A real Alpha protects the people they love, not uses them.”

I stepped forward, looking down at the pathetic figure he’d become. “Jackson, I finally understand what real love is. It’s not control, it’s not possession–it’s mutual respect. Too bad you’ll never understand that.”

His eyes fixed on me, wild and frantic. “Sophia, you’ll regret this! Without me, you’re nothing!”

My little brother stepped forward, his face scrunched up with righteous anger. “You big meanie! You made my mom and sister cry! Dad says men should protect girls, not hurt them!”

Even in this moment, my heart melted at his innocent defense.

“What do you know, kid?” Jackson snarled at Lucas. “The world is more complicated than you imagine!”

Ava moved protectively in front of Lucas. “He understands more than you do as an adult. At least he knows right from wrong.”

I gently stroked my brother’s dark hair. “Lucas is right. Real men protect us, not act like you.”

“My father won’t let this stand!” Jackson thrashed against his restraints. “The Hayes family won’t just accept this!”

Tyler’s voice remained perfectly calm. “Richard Hayes has already been arrested. Your entire conspiracy has been exposed.”

“No…” The fight drained from Jackson’s body, his voice dropping to a horrified whisper. “That’s impossible… our plan was perfect…”

As they dragged him away, I shifted back to human form, gratefully accepting the robe a female guard offered me. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest. Despite our werewolf healing, bruises bloomed across my skin in purple–blue flowers. Beside me, Ava did the same, wincing as she straightened. Blood matted her hair where she’d struck the table, but her eyes were clear and victorious.

Lucas ran to her first, flinging his small arms around her waist. “Mom! Are you okay?”

My heart melted watching him–my little warrior, so brave and so small at the same time.

He proudly held up his hands, now back to normal little boy hands. “Mom, look! Your training really worked! I can contro. my power now!”

His voice was filled with childlike pride as he wiggled his fingers for Ava to see, his whole face lit up with excitement. I couldn’t help but smile through my tears, overwhelmed with love for my precious little brother.

“Our little hero was amazing,” I said, my voice thick with emotion as I stroked his soft dark hair. What would have happened if he hadn’t shown up when he did?

Ava wrapped him in a tight embrace. “Baby, you were so brave, but please don’t put yourself in danger like that again. Mom will protect you, okay?”

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Then he turned to me with those innocent eyes that could melt the coldest heart. “You okay too, Soph?” he asked, reaching for my hand with his small fingers.

Words failed me as emotion overwhelmed my heart. I knelt down to his level and wrapped my arms around his tiny frame, pulling my baby brother close against my chest. This little boy who’d just risked everything to protect us deserved all the love in the world. I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, inhaling his familiar scent of cookies and sunshine, silently thanking the Moon Goddess that he was safe.

Over his head, my eyes met Ava’s. The woman I’d spent months hating based on lies and manipulation. The woman who’d just risked her life to protect me. Her face was bruised but resolute, green eyes holding a warmth I’d forgotten existed between us.

“We were friends once,” I said softly, my voice catching on the words.

Her green eyes softened, a small smile lifting the corner of her mouth. “We still are. We just got a little lost for a while.”

My precious little brother looked between us, his face lighting up with pure joy that only a child could express so openly. His eyes–so much like Dad’s–sparkled with happiness. “Mom and sister are friends again! Now we’re really a family, right?

The simplicity of his statement–the pure, unfiltered truth that only children seem capable of–made tears spill down my cheeks. Leave it to my sweet Lucas to cut through all the adult complications and see right to the heart of what mattered. I reached out, and Ava’s hand met mine halfway, our fingers intertwining in a silent promise while Lucas beamed up at us, his little face radiating the purest joy I’d ever seen.

“Yes,” I whispered. “We’re family.”

The sound of boots on marble pulled our attention back to reality. Tyler returned with a cleanup crew, his eyes surveying the destruction with professional detachment. Broken furniture, shattered glass, and claw marks scored into expensive flooring–our fight had left the sitting room looking like a war zone.

“You three should get cleaned up,” Tyler said, nodding toward the staircase. His usually stern expression softened when he glanced at Lucas, who was still clutching Ava’s hand. He knelt down briefly to my brother’s level. “Good work, little warrior. Your father would be proud.”

Lucas beamed at the rare praise, standing a little taller.

Tyler straightened, turning to Ava with a more serious expression. “Especially you,” he said, his voice dropping slightly. “I just got word. Alpha King is bringing William and Sarah here within the hour. They’ll want to see you, not…” he gestured vaguely at her blood–matted hair and torn robe, “…whatever this is.”

Ava’s face transformed at those words–hope, disbelief, and pure joy washing over her features in rapid succession. Her hand flew to her mouth, green eyes filling with tears. “They’re coming here? Both of them? You’re sure?”

Tyler nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting in a rare smile. “Positive. Now go get ready. You’ve got a family reunion to prepare for:”

BITE ME WEREWOLVES:

Holy, writing that takedown scene was SO. SATISFYING.

After all these chapters of watching Jackson manipulate everyone, seeing Sophia and Ava team up to bring him down felt ever. I’ve been waiting FOREVER to write these two working together! And throwing Lucas into the mix? That kid is litera… this broken family together.

e biggest payoff

e glue holding

I know some of you were getting frustrated with Sophia (trust me, your comments were very clear lol), but I always knew she’d come around once she saw through Jackson’s BS. Sometimes the people closest to us are the hardest to see clearly, you know?

Anyway, next chapter is the family reunion we’ve all been waiting fort–William finally gets justice, and Ava gets to see her parents again. I know you won’t want to miss it!

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Sophia’s POV

Jackson’s silver eyes blazed with impotent fury as specialized restraints were clasped around his wounded limbs, forcing him back into human

form.

Half–naked and bleeding, he looked nothing like the polished politician who’d charmed his way through my defenses. This was the real Jackson Hayes–desperate, cruel, and utterly defeated.

“This isn’t possible!” he screamed, spittle flying from his lips. “I am the future Alpha of Shadow Creek! You have no right to do this to me!”

Ava let out a cold laugh that raised goosebumps on my arms. “Future Alpha? You don’t even qualify as a man. A real Alpha protects the people they love, not uses them.”

I stepped forward, looking down at the pathetic figure he’d become. “Jackson, I finally understand what real love is. It’s not control, it’s not possession–it’s mutual respect. Too bad you’ll never understand that.”

His eyes fixed on me, wild and frantic. “Sophia, you’ll regret this! Without me, you’re nothing!”

My little brother stepped forward, his face scrunched up with righteous anger. “You big meanie! You made my mom and sister cry! Dad says men should protect girls, not hurt them!”

Even in this moment, my heart melted at his innocent defense.

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