~Jasmine~โMaโฆ Mavโฆโ I managed to choke out, my voice trembled, feeling the entire world crash around me. The gravel on the cold floor sank into my skin. I couldn't believe Samantha could leave me in this state unapologetically.โJasmine? Whatโs wrong? Are you okay?โ His panicked voice called out, slicing through the confusion that almost clouded my entire senses.In the background, I heard the screech of tiresโhe must have taken a sharp turn.โNโฆ noโฆ Iโm not.โ The words came out hoarse, my throat dry and aching.โWhere are you, Jasmine? Please, stay with me! Iโm on my way.โI nodded, tears blurring my vision as if he could somehow see my response from here. My breath came in shallow gasps, and the ache in my abdomen only grew unbearable as if a saw had been driven through it.Time seemed to stretch endlessly and I thought I couldn't bear it anymore until I caught the familiar scent of sandalwood, enveloping me in its warmth. My nerves immediately calmed down.The figure appeared from
~Alpha Maverick~After realizing Jasmine wasnโt backing down on her argument, I watched her take the cab, frustration tightening my chest. I drove off to the meeting, my mind swirling with unresolved tension.My jaw ticked, and my hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as Loganโs request echoed in my mind.The issue had been closed and settled, yet here they were, dragging it back to the surface. I couldnโt understand their motive for coming here.I gritted my teeth in frustration. Why were they trying to provoke me when Iโd been nothing but lenient with them? Why was Isabella making it seem like I had no regard for them anymore, as though Iโd completely disregarded my responsibilities? What she was asking for, however, was nearly impossible.I shook my head, suppressing any creeping doubts. I had made my decision. If Logan wasnโt ready to prove himself worthy and fight for his position like everyone else, I wouldnโt force it.Soon, I arrived at the clinic and was met by the pack do
~Jasmine~My body grew cold at Dr. Jamesโs words. โThe fetus has been compromised due to stress, and you need complete bed rest,โ he said with a tone of finality that sent a shiver down my spine.I couldnโt tell what to feelโfear, guilt, or disbelief. The realization that I carried a life within me, a life entirely dependent on my well-being, weighed heavily on me.He explained some things to Maverick, but his words blurred into the background. I couldnโt concentrate on them. Even Maverick looked lost. What was going through his mind? Was he worried too?โI need to keep a close eye on her. Her body is still in shock from the fall. I suggest you both stay the night here. Please, make yourselves comfortable,โ Dr. James said, and soon led us to a guest room.After we settled in and freshened up, Dr. James returned with pain relief medication and ointment for the scrapes on my legs.โAre you okay?โ Maverickโs voice was soft as he knelt in front of me, carefully applying the ointment, as s
~Jasmine~Lost in thought, I was startled by a soft knock. โCome in,โ I called, and the door opened to reveal Maverick. My breath caught. He wore a fitted white t-shirt that showcased the defined lines of his biceps, and my gaze trailed lower, lingering for a moment too long on the way his pajama pants draped across his groin. I swallowed hard, forcing my thoughts elsewhere.He ran a hand through his damp, dark hair, looking and smelling incredible. โAre you alright?โ he asked, walking towards me. โI came to check if you needed anything and to let you know Iโll be working from home starting tomorrow, so I can keep a closer eye on you.โA frown creased my brow. What did he mean by that? Wasn't hiring a nurse enough? Why was he acting as if I was incapable of caring for myself? I wasnโt a child. Just because I was pregnant didnโt mean I couldnโt lift a finger. Was this out of concern or he just is up to something?I sighed, deciding to address the issue directly. โI understand I need re
~Maverick~My mind raced with questions as Dr. James spoke. One thing was clearโLogan must never find out about this, no matter what. As Dr. James led us into the guest room, he suggested that Jasmine stay the night. A few moments later, he returned with ointment and pills for her.I carefully applied the ointment to her wounds, asking if she was feeling okay. She nodded, but I could see something was off. My thoughts spiraled: what if the child she carried belonged to Logan? And now, with everything Jasmine had said about giving him another chance, was this the right time for Logan to return to the company? Or should I send him to manage the branch on the far side of the city instead?As I shifted to her scraped knees, I gently applied the cream. Jasmine winced slightly, the sting breaking her composure for a moment. Something about her fall didnโt sit right with me. From the position I found her in, it wasnโt a simple slipโit was too severe for that.I glanced into her eyes, searchi
~Maverick~When I returned from my meeting with Professor Gabby, Jasmine had finally woken up. Dr. James assured me it was fine to take her home now, promising to send the appointment details later.After assessing her, Dr. James confirmed that while Jasmine was stable, the fetus was still at risk. He stressed the importance of extreme care moving forward.Determined to lift her spirits, I arranged for an event planner to organize lunch. I needed her to see how much I cared, especially since she hadnโt eaten much since yesterday. I remembered her love for steak marinated in mango sauce, it seemed to be her favorite, so I ensured it was part of the platter, alongside other dishes she enjoyed.The car ride home was quiet until I broke the silence. โIโve decided to have your art pieces moved into your room. Now that youโre staying here, youโll need to sort through your personal belongings before we sell the house.โHer response was unexpected. โDidnโt you hear what Dr. James said? This c
~Jasmine~I swallowed, staring at him, the question hanging in the air. How did he know what had transpired between Samantha and me? How had he found out she was the one who pushed me?I didnโt remember telling him about our meeting. In fact, weโd never spoken about her. She wasnโt worth a conversation.The image of her cold eyes, leaving me there to bleed, haunted me. The more I recalled the incident, the more it frayed my nerves.I needed to teach Samantha a lesson she wouldnโt soon forgetโfor undermining me. If I told the Alpha about her threats, I was sure she would be severely punished.I cleared my throat, blinking. โDonโt worry about her, Mav. Sheโs nothing I canโt handle.โHe stared at me for a few moments, trying to read me, to see between the lines. But I revealed nothing, only smiled reassuringly. He slumped back in his chair, letting the conversation dropโfor now.โYour meal is getting cold,โ I said, gesturing to the half-eaten steak on his plate.โIโm full,โ he dismissed,
~Jasmine~Her eyes widened in surprise. โSeaweed?โ she repeated.โMrs. Martha, I can smell it. Rare seaweed has a distinct, pungent odor.โShe nodded, understanding dawning on her face. โIโm only administering Dr. Jamesโs prescription. I wasnโt given any specific information about the contents.โโWhatโs happening? Is there a problem?โ Mav asked, his gaze shifting between us.โNo, everythingโs fine. I just need to rest,โ I said, offering a tight smile to both him and Mrs. Martha.As soon as she left, Mav approached me, a smile on his face. โShall we?โ He gestured towards the wheelchair. I sighed.โI can walk back to my room, Mav. Itโll be better for digestion,โ I protested, but he wasnโt having it.โDonโt argue, Jasmine. Climbing the stairs is too much. Relax and let me take you to your room.โ I knew arguing was pointless. Mav was determined to abide by Dr. Jamesโs instructions about not straining myself and getting bed rest.I allowed him to guide me to the wheelchair and wheel me bac
~Alpha Maverick~I walked back to my office, but Violeta’s harsh words kept replaying in my head. I felt a tightness in my chest like I couldn’t breathe. My tie felt like it was choking me, so I loosened it. I was furious, not just from Violeta’s words but also from the pressing issue of the Lycan virus.I dialed my phone to call Kaiden and check on the progress of the situation, as he had been delaying in submitting the reports.On the second ring, he picked up. “Greetings, Alpha.”“Yes, Kaiden, the reports—why are they late?” I said directly.“My apologies, Alpha. We encountered a setback, but... The parasite carrying the Lycan Virus gradually shuts down the organs, leaving the patient in a vegetative state. The victim has stopped speaking and responding to external stimuli.”I sighed, pressing my temple. This was an alarming sign of deterioration. Although we are trying our best,
~Maverick~I noticed Jasmine’s discomfort when I brought up Samantha in the conversation. Although she tried to avoid discussing what had transpired that day, she simply said it was nothing she couldn’t handle, and I nodded, dropping the subject.We continued eating before she dropped another bombshell, asking about my decision regarding Logan’s position at the company.I sighed, unsure if my plan was a good idea. I told her I was planning to transfer him to one of our branches, though I withheld the fact that it was the most remote one.She nodded, clearly pleased that I was considering her input.After some lighthearted conversation, I turned serious again. “About Samantha… I heard you were good friends. What happened between you two? Why did she suddenly turn against you?”My words had a visible impact. She paused, her eyes fixed on a distant point, lost in thought. I could tell she was hesitant before
~Jasmine~He offered a warm smile, and only then did I notice the glint in Zephโs eyes. How had I ignored the signs for so long? Theyโd been right in front of me the entire time.The way he looked at me I had previously attributed to simple politeness. Even with the way he spoke to me, his voice softened ever so slightly when addressing me. His kind gestures, even offering help with the smallest tasksโeverything pointed to one thing: that Alpha Zeph was interested in me.Instead of outright dismissing Zephโs offer, I politely appreciated his effort.โThank you very much, Alpha Zeph,โ I said, my voice sincere. โI appreciate your kind offer, Zeph, but Iโm afraid I have a lot to work on right now. Iโm currently under scrutiny.I explained the recent accusations briefly and the query I was getting. I can't get my head straight, not until everything falls into place.โI need to rectify some situations at the office, so I wouldnโt be able to honor the dateโฆ not now, though.He nodded, shovi
~Jasmine~Violetaโs eyes were downcast, her posture slumped with a mixture of shame and fear. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, nervously twisting her fingers.Before finally summoning the courage to look up at Alpha Maverick, she took a shaky breath. โAlpha, Iโฆโ she began, her voice trembling. She attempted to apologize, to offer some semblance of an explanation for her behavior, but the damage had already been done.She couldn't turn back time, nor could she retract her hurtful words. He raised a hand to silence her. โDare you say another word, VioletaโฆโVioleta nodded her head frantically, her eyes wide with fear, understanding the gravity of his unspoken words. She knew she had crossed a line, and the consequences would be severe.With that, Mav turned sharply and walked out of the office, leaving just Violeta and me in the tense silence. I glanced one last time at her broken frame, her shoulders slumped, her head bowed in defeat. I felt a pang of something akin t
~Jasmine~โWell done, Jasmine. This concludes your interview.โ Professor Gabby extended his hand for a handshake. His words were accompanied by a warm smile. I could see the genuine satisfaction in his eyes.โThank you for having me,โ I replied politely, returning his handshake and then turning to acknowledge the other professors seated around the table. They offered small nods and smiles.Leaving Professor Gabbyโs office, I expected to find Mav waiting eagerly in the lobby, waiting to hear every detail of how the interview went, but he wasn't there. The lobby was empty, save for a few workers milling about.I went outside, scanning for his car in the parking lot, but it was also absent. I reached into my purse for my phone to call him and inquire about his whereabouts; a notification caught my eye. It was a text message from Maverick sent minutes earlier.โThereโs an emergency I need to attend to. A driver in a green Porsche will pick you up. Good luck with your interviewโyouโve got
~Jasmine~Her eyes widened in surprise. โSeaweed?โ she repeated.โMrs. Martha, I can smell it. Rare seaweed has a distinct, pungent odor.โShe nodded, understanding dawning on her face. โIโm only administering Dr. Jamesโs prescription. I wasnโt given any specific information about the contents.โโWhatโs happening? Is there a problem?โ Mav asked, his gaze shifting between us.โNo, everythingโs fine. I just need to rest,โ I said, offering a tight smile to both him and Mrs. Martha.As soon as she left, Mav approached me, a smile on his face. โShall we?โ He gestured towards the wheelchair. I sighed.โI can walk back to my room, Mav. Itโll be better for digestion,โ I protested, but he wasnโt having it.โDonโt argue, Jasmine. Climbing the stairs is too much. Relax and let me take you to your room.โ I knew arguing was pointless. Mav was determined to abide by Dr. Jamesโs instructions about not straining myself and getting bed rest.I allowed him to guide me to the wheelchair and wheel me bac
~Jasmine~I swallowed, staring at him, the question hanging in the air. How did he know what had transpired between Samantha and me? How had he found out she was the one who pushed me?I didnโt remember telling him about our meeting. In fact, weโd never spoken about her. She wasnโt worth a conversation.The image of her cold eyes, leaving me there to bleed, haunted me. The more I recalled the incident, the more it frayed my nerves.I needed to teach Samantha a lesson she wouldnโt soon forgetโfor undermining me. If I told the Alpha about her threats, I was sure she would be severely punished.I cleared my throat, blinking. โDonโt worry about her, Mav. Sheโs nothing I canโt handle.โHe stared at me for a few moments, trying to read me, to see between the lines. But I revealed nothing, only smiled reassuringly. He slumped back in his chair, letting the conversation dropโfor now.โYour meal is getting cold,โ I said, gesturing to the half-eaten steak on his plate.โIโm full,โ he dismissed,
~Maverick~When I returned from my meeting with Professor Gabby, Jasmine had finally woken up. Dr. James assured me it was fine to take her home now, promising to send the appointment details later.After assessing her, Dr. James confirmed that while Jasmine was stable, the fetus was still at risk. He stressed the importance of extreme care moving forward.Determined to lift her spirits, I arranged for an event planner to organize lunch. I needed her to see how much I cared, especially since she hadnโt eaten much since yesterday. I remembered her love for steak marinated in mango sauce, it seemed to be her favorite, so I ensured it was part of the platter, alongside other dishes she enjoyed.The car ride home was quiet until I broke the silence. โIโve decided to have your art pieces moved into your room. Now that youโre staying here, youโll need to sort through your personal belongings before we sell the house.โHer response was unexpected. โDidnโt you hear what Dr. James said? This c
~Maverick~My mind raced with questions as Dr. James spoke. One thing was clearโLogan must never find out about this, no matter what. As Dr. James led us into the guest room, he suggested that Jasmine stay the night. A few moments later, he returned with ointment and pills for her.I carefully applied the ointment to her wounds, asking if she was feeling okay. She nodded, but I could see something was off. My thoughts spiraled: what if the child she carried belonged to Logan? And now, with everything Jasmine had said about giving him another chance, was this the right time for Logan to return to the company? Or should I send him to manage the branch on the far side of the city instead?As I shifted to her scraped knees, I gently applied the cream. Jasmine winced slightly, the sting breaking her composure for a moment. Something about her fall didnโt sit right with me. From the position I found her in, it wasnโt a simple slipโit was too severe for that.I glanced into her eyes, searchi