~Jasmine~I sank into the couch with a contented sigh, resting my head against Maverick’s shoulder as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through my hair. His body was warm, his breathing steady, and despite how badly he had been injured, his healing was already near complete. His healing ability was strong but the injury was severe. Only a shifter so strong could recover within the time frame he did.It had been two days since I addressed the Silvercrest threat, and in that time, the pack had remained on high alert, preparing for the worst. Tensions still ran high, but there was a newfound sense of unity—of purpose.Then, this morning, Kazeem reached out with unexpected news.“They backed down,” he said, his voice carrying through the phone. “Silvercrest is no longer pressing their demands. In fact, they’re looking for alliances.”I paused, gripping the edge of the table. “Alliances?”Kazeem exhaled, as if he was still trying to make sense of it himself. “Yes. Apparently, they’re sudde
~Jasmine~“All ranked members, to the hall immediately,” I ordered about 30 minutes later, letting Kazeem know that I would be stepping in, and taking matters into my hands.He wasted no time, sending word to the elders and pack members, calling an impromptu meeting.The moment I found that letter from Silvercrest, I knew I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. This was my home, my family, and I wasn’t going to let some power-hungry tyrants dictate our future.I glanced over at Maverick, who was sitting on the bed, watching me with hooded eyes. He still looked like hell, but he wasn’t fighting me on this. Not after our conversation.“This is my responsibility now,” I told him firmly, adjusting my stance. “I’m stepping up as Luna.”Something flickered in his eyes. There pride, maybe even admiration—but he just nodded. “Be careful.”I gave him a small smile before stepping out of the room, my heart pounding as I made my way to the meeting hall.The meeting hall was located at the other end
~Jasmine~Alpha Zeph walked over, his usual unreadable expression in place. The moment he was arm’s close, his lips curled into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hi Jasmine. I had to check on you.”“You didn’t have to,” I said, tilting my head.He smirked. “I know. But I wanted to.”An awkward silence followed. We stared at each other for a moment before he said, “I’m glad you forgave yourself.”I swallowed hard. “I’m glad I did too.”He nodded. “And I’m glad you chose Mav—over and over again. It would have really been tough for both of you to move on just like that. It’s good you guys sorted things out.”Warmth filled my chest. “I guess we found this out early enough.”A small smile ghosted his lips. “You’ll always be special to me, Jasmine.”I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around him. He hugged me back, firm and steady. When we pulled away from each other, he said, “Take care of yourself.”“You too.”“And if there’s anything you ever need from me, Jasmine, don’t h
~Jasmine~“I missed you.”I sat beside Mav’s hospital bed, my fingers lightly tracing the back of his hand.“Oh, I missed you more my sweet Jass.” He said, slightly patting my head. I saw the exhaustion, the pain he was trying to mask.“Mav,” I whispered, my thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”His smirk faltered for a brief moment before he leaned into my touch, exhaling softly. “I know,” he admitted. “But I don’t want you worrying.”I let out a soft huff. “Too late for that.”Mav chuckled, but even that seemed to take effort. “You always see right through me, don’t you?”I nodded, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Every time.”Before he could respond, the door swung open, and the doctor strode in, his gaze sweeping over Mav. “Well, Alpha Maverick, let’s see how you’re doing.”Mav groaned. “Save yourself the trouble. Just sign the discharge papers.”The doctor arched a brow. “You were stabbed and lost a significant amount of blood. You need rest,
~Maverick~Pain. It was the first thing I felt. A deep, dull ache that spread through my body like a slow-burning fire. My limbs were heavy, my head pounded, and every breath sent a sharp sting through my ribs.Warmth. Soft, familiar warmth.It was faint at first, barely breaking through the heaviness weighing me down. But then, something else—something stronger—pulled me back. A voice. Soft, trembling. Her.My fingers twitched, brushing against something warm. A hand. Her hand.I fought against the darkness, the pain anchoring me down. My body felt sluggish, my limbs leaden, but I forced my way through. Slowly, agonizingly slow, I pried my eyes open.And there she was.Jasmine.“Jas…” My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, but the moment I spoke, her head snapped up.Her eyes—God, those beautiful eyes—widened, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.“Mav.” It was a whisper, a breath, a plea. And then, before I could react, she launched herself at me, her arms wrapping around me i
~Jasmine~I watched as his fingers twitched against my belly. It was real afterall. It wasn’t just my imagination. My heart leaped with joy, each move of his fingers thrilling me.“Mav?” My voice was barely a whisper, my heart hammering so hard that it nearly hurt.His brows furrowed slightly, his lips parting as if he was trying to say something. A weak groan escaped him, his breathing shifting, his body finally reacting.I gasped, tightening my grip on his hand. “Maverick, can you hear me?”His eyelids fluttered slowly, sluggishly opening up until he fixed his dull gaze at me.A rush of emotions hit me all at once. Relief. Fear. Overwhelming love.His usually sharp, stormy eyes were clouded, hazy with pain and confusion, but he was awake. He was here.“Jas…” His voice was hoarse, barely audible, but it was enough to break me.“You fool,” I cried, running into his arms, lightly hitting his shoulder. “How could you be so reckless? Do you know how scared I was? What if I lost you? What
~Jasmine~My phone rang sharply in the dead of night, its shrill tone slicing through the silence like a blade. I jolted awake, my heart pounding. My fingers fumbled as I grabbed it off the nightstand.The moment I saw Kazeem’s name flash across the screen, unease coiled in my stomach like a tightening knot. He never called me—especially not at this hour. A chill ran down my spine as my fingers hesitated over the screen, my pulse quickening with a sense of foreboding. The first thing that came to my mind was Maverick. Was he alright?“Hello?” My voice came out breathless, as if some part of me already knew.“Jasmine.” Kazeem’s voice was grave. “It’s Maverick. I think you need to know this. He’s been heavily injured. He’s being transferred back to the Gold Pack now.”For a second, the world around me stopped. My breath caught in my throat, my pulse roaring in my ears.“What?” My voice cracked. “No. No, that’s not—”“He was ambushed in Red Blood Pack,” Kazeem continued, his voice clippe
~Alpha Maverick~"We're here, Alpha," Kazeem said, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked around; we were in Red Blood Pack territory."Let's go," I replied, stepping off my private jet and heading towards the waiting limousine. I'd spent a restless night, my mind consumed by Nazy. I needed to confront him, to learn the truth about his motives. If he was involved in the fire that fueled my rage, driven by selfish ambition, I would ensure he paid dearly. I had a deep aversion to such self-serving individuals."Welcome, Alpha Maverick of Gold Pack. I hope you had a pleasant journey," the chauffeur greeted, opening the door. I acknowledged him and slid into the plush seat. I was exhausted, once I'd dealt with Nazy, I'd do anything to get Jasmine back. I'd beg, I'd plead, I'd tear down heaven and earth if I had to, whatever to bring her back.I frowned, looking around at the desolate landscape. "Are you sure this is the right place?" I asked Kazeem, who looked just as uncertain as I felt.
~Jasmine~“My Jass.”I turned at the sound of my name, my heart immediately recognizing the deep, familiar voice. Mav stood a few feet away, his dark eyes locked onto mine.Relief flooded through me. I wanted to run to him, throw my arms around him—tell him everything I had been holding inside. How much I had missed him, how I almost lost myself.But before I could take a step forward, something came out of nowhere and pounced on him.“Mav!” I screamed, my feet refusing to move as pure terror rooted me to the ground.The shadowy figure slammed into him with the force of a hurricane, claws slicing through his chest. Blood sprayed in all directions, staining the ground a deep crimson. He gritted his teeth, trying to fight back, but the creature was malicious.No!“Mav, hold on!” My voice cracked, raw with desperation.I tried to move, but my body wouldn’t listen. It was as if some mysterious force held me in place, refusing to let me go to him.He turned his head, his agonized eyes lock