Chapter 6 It's over between us, Alpha Jasper

Lina's POV

After getting into the car, I watched as the city buildings gradually gave way to towering pines and rolling hills, the landscape growing more familiar with each passing mile.

"Almost there!" Chloe chirped, bouncing slightly in her seat as she turned onto a private road.

My heart stuttered in my chest as recognition dawned. No, it couldn't be...

The car rounded the final bend, and there it stood—my childhood sanctuary—Rose Heaven. The sprawling mountain lodge with its natural stone facade and wide windows that seemed to embrace the surrounding forest. This lodge had been built by my parents just for me, a safe haven where our little family could escape the pressures of pack life.

But after they were killed by silver-bladed hunters, my greedy uncle had seized everything—our home, our pack, our legacy. If not for Alpha Victor and Luna Elena taking me in, I would have been Rogue.

"Chloe," I whispered, my voice trembling, "why are we here?"

She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, get out of the car and I'll explain everything."

I stepped out of the car on shaky legs, my eyes drinking in every detail of the place I'd thought lost forever.

"Dad bought it back for you," Chloe announced, practically bouncing on her heels. "The whole Moonstone Lake—the lodge, the surrounding land, everything. It's all yours now, Lina."

I whipped around to face her, certain I had misheard. "What? No, that's impossible. This place must be worth—"

"A small fortune? Yeah, it is." Adrian's deep voice came from behind me. I turned to see him approaching from his SUV that I hadn't even noticed pull up. "But it's worth every penny to see that look on your face."

"Adrian, I can't accept this," I stammered, shaking my head vigorously. "It's too much. Way too much."

He stepped closer and surprised me by gently ruffling my hair, his touch sending unexpected warmth cascading through me. "Consider it payment for being my contractual wife," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "And also something I wanted to do for you, Lina. Please accept it."

I looked back at the lodge—my parents' final gift to me—then at Adrian's sincere expression. My vision blurred as tears threatened to spill.

This place was the last real piece of my parents I had left, the one thing I'd dreamed of reclaiming ever since I was thirteen.

There was no way I could refuse.

"Thank you," I whispered, meaning it with every shattered, hopeful piece of me.

In that moment, I made a silent vow to be the best fake Luna I could possibly be for him.

He deserved nothing less.

Adrian's phone rang, breaking our moment. He checked the screen and frowned slightly.

"I need to take this," he said apologetically. "You two go ahead and look around. I'll join you shortly."

Chloe linked her arm through mine, but seemed to sense my emotional state. "Actually, I think I left something in the car. Why don't you go explore? This is your homecoming, after all."

Left alone, I wandered through the front door and into the lodge. Everything had been maintained beautifully—the hardwood floors gleamed, the stone fireplace stood majestically in the great room, and the floor-to-ceiling windows still offered breathtaking views of the mountains.

Adrian must have renovated this place.

Then I made my way to the back garden, my fingers trailing along walls that seemed to hum with memories.

The garden was exactly as I remembered—roses and lilies meticulously arranged around a small stone fountain, my mother's pride and joy. I closed my eyes, almost able to hear her humming as she tended to her flowers.

"It hasn't changed much, has it?"

That voice. My eyes snapped open as ice flooded my veins. Standing on the garden path was Jasper Lockwood, the last person on earth I wanted to see.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice dropping several degrees.

Jasper stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "I knew your greatest dream since your parents died was to buy this place back," he said softly. "I've been working toward that goal ever since I gained control of the Lockwood assets. For you."

"For me?" I scoffed, the sound bitter even to my own ears. Once upon a time, such words would have made me melt. But now? His practiced sincerity couldn't fool me anymore.

"I don't need your fake concern," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Your parents were good to me, and I don't want to cause a rift in your family. But please, stop with these misleading comments that only create confusion."

I turned to leave, but Jasper lunged forward, grabbing my wrist with unexpected force and yanking me against his chest.

This was the chest I'd once dreamed of leaning against. Now his touch felt like poison.

"Let me go, Alpha Jasper!" I tried to pull away.

"Lina, did you make some kind of deal with Alpha Adrian Storm for this property?" His voice was low, accusatory.

I bit my lip nervously. Did Jasper somehow know about my marriage to Adrian? No, that was impossible. We'd kept the marriage private and discreet.

"What exactly are you getting at?" I asked, uneasiness crawling up my spine.

His expression flickered with what seemed like internal conflict. His grip on my waist tightened as he leaned in closer.

"Don't be naive," he said, each word slow and deliberate. "I checked—Alpha Adrian Storm was the buyer who outbid me for this property. Your friendship with Chloe isn't enough reason for him to spend millions on this lodge."

My heart constricted painfully. What was he implying?

"Business people always have motives, Lina. Think about it—why would Chloe befriend you? What could she possibly want from you? Isn't it all because of her father?" he insisted.

"I have nothing of value. What could Chloe and Alpha Adrian possibly want from me?"

Jasper's voice lowered. "Alpha Adrian Storm has been single for eighteen years. He returned from Africa in disgrace back then, with a supposed daughter in tow."

"But you're young, beautiful, and the publicly acknowledged adopted daughter of the Lockwood pack. Even as an Omega, you have immense value. You've become a plaything for that father-daughter duo, letting them manipulate your mind."

"Lina," Jasper said, his voice dripping with false concern, "Chloe is nothing but a foolish puppet who does whatever her father tells her to. As Alpha Adrian's only daughter, why do you think she'd want to be friends with you? Think about it—I'm the only one who truly cares about you."

Each word struck my nerves like needles. I took a deep breath, drew my hand back, and slapped him hard across the face.

Jasper clearly hadn't expected this.

He took the full force of the blow, his head snapping to the side. He stared at me in shock, clearly unable to believe that the once-gentle, always-accommodating Lina would ever strike him.

"Not everyone has ulterior motives like you, Jasper," I choked out, tears threatening. "And even if Chloe did want something from me, I'd give it willingly. She's been more family to me than you ever were."

I thought about how Chloe had befriended me when no one else would, how she'd stood by me through the worst moments of my life. I thought about Adrian quietly purchasing this lodge for me, giving me back a piece of myself I thought was lost forever.

"It's over between us, Alpha Jasper," I said, my voice steadier now. "The damage you've done can never be undone. The trust you broke can never be repaired. If you can't accept being just my foster brother, then we can be nothing at all."

I saw something dark flicker in his eyes—wounded pride, perhaps, or fury at being rejected. But clearly, he didn't have the power to challenge Adrian right now, so he could only put his mask back on.

"This isn't over," he muttered, but he backed away nonetheless, finally turning and stalking out of the garden.

As soon as he was gone, all the strength drained from my body. I sank to my knees on the stone path, trembling hands covering my face as months of pent-up hurt and betrayal finally broke through my carefully constructed walls.

I don't know how long I knelt there, crying until my throat felt raw, but I couldn't stop. It was as if a dam had broken inside me, releasing everything I'd held back for so long.