~Jasmine~
Quickly, I threw off the luxurious bed cover and began dressing up. As I glanced around, I noticed the opulent high chandeliers and exquisite artwork adorning the walls. It didn't take a genius to deduce that I was in a presidential suite. I read the inscriptions on the unique pieces of furniture closely. This was not just a suite in a random hotel but one in the exclusive Crimson Blood hotel.
Oh gosh! I held my throbbing head as I realized that my fated mate might be a man of immense wealth because not just anyone could afford such a suite. It was only patronized by the elite.
I shrugged off the thought of his status; it should be the least of my problems. I shouldn't be bothered about a mate who obviously ran off the first night with no explanations.
Besides, I still had to finalize my divorce with Logan, and being seen here was risky enough and could be used against me. I had to keep it low.
Hurriedly, I grabbed my belongings, and soon, I was out of the hotel. I flagged down a cab and slid into the back seat.
“Where to, ma’am?” the driver asked.
For a moment, I froze. Home? That place no longer felt like home. Swallowing back my emotions, I gave him Rose’s address instead.
“No. 7 Royal Blue, West Side,” I murmured.
As the cab pulled away, I unlocked my phone, only to be bombarded by a flood of missed calls and messages from Rose. My stomach churned as I read through her frantic texts, sent since last night:
“Where are you? Are you okay? I’m calling the cops!”
Last night’s events replayed in pieces as I tried to fix the puzzle. My pulse quickened when I remembered Samantha’s smirk from across the barroom. Could she have had something to do with this?
Ping!
A new email notification snapped me out of my thoughts. It was from the pack registry notifying me that my divorce with Logan will be finalized by 10:00 a.m. prompt at the werewolf hall. The registry couldn’t contact me without someone starting the process.
The werewolf city hall? My stomach knotted. Did this mean the new Alpha had returned? Did Logan contact him? What was Logan up to?
After three years, Logan ’s uncle, Alpha Maverick , might have finally returned to reclaim the Gold Pack. He had left it under the watch of Beta Kazeem while he pursued his business.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, knowing I would likely be back to square zero if he took sides with his blood. A divorced, former housewife, expelled with nothing from her previous pack? I didn’t know how I’d survive, but I was certain I would. Giving up was not one of my attributes.
“We’re here, ma’am,” the driver announced, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.
I handed him cash, muttered a quick thank you, and rushed inside Rose’s house. She was wiping down her coffee table when I entered.
“What the hell, Jasmine? You had me worried sick! Where did you disappear to?” Sophie’s voice rose as she followed me into the kitchen. “Are you even listening to me? The waiter said you left with a man.”
Ignoring her barrage of questions, I chugged down a glass of water. “I think Samantha set me up, but I will explain everything later, okay?”
“How? That bastard,” she yelled.
“Right now, I need to get dressed. It seems my request for divorce was approved. Not sure, sort of. But I have to be at the head registry before 10:00 a.m.”
Her eyes darted to the clock. “It’s already 9:07! I’m driving you.”
“Thank you,” I muttered. All I wanted now was to freshen up and get the divorce over with.
Rummaging through Sophie’s wardrobe—since I hadn’t retrieved my things from Logan s house—I searched for something appropriate to wear.
After some digging, I settled on a formal gown that would suffice for the occasion. A concerned Rose insisted on accompanying me to the ‘Werewolf City Hall’ to ensure the process went smoothly.
When we arrived at the registry, Logan and Samantha were already waiting for me, with smug expressions plastered across their faces.
Logan’s eyes raked over my body, lingering on my curves. His jaw tightened before he quickly looked away. I recognized that look all too well—jealousy.
Samantha, on the other hand, wore her usual smug expression. And something in her eyes told me she had a hand in whatever happened last night. After all, she has proven to be a foe, not a friend, and spiking my drink was not far from what she could do.
“Oh, see who finally graced us with her filthy presence,” Samantha sneered, her lips curling with malicious hatred. “The shameless whore, pointing her fingers at others when hers aren’t clean either. You're here.”
Ignoring her like she was nothing—because, frankly, her words no longer affected me—I turned my gaze back to Logan. “Shall we?”
But it was as if my silence drove her over the edge, and I was hell-bent on not giving her the attention she craved.
Stomping her feet like a child, she moved inches closer to me and continued, “How did you spend your night with your lover? It’s going around town that you were whoring around. You’ll never win against us, so cut this act and drop the case.”
Rose and I shared a knowing look. Her words confirmed what I’d suspected. Samantha had spiked my drink last night. Fury flooded through me, but I couldn’t retaliate without solid proof.
Logan scoffed, his anger barely contained. I knew it wasn’t just about the divorce but also his bruised ego. “I demand 100% of marital assets and ninety percent of your financial shares in the bank. Not only have you invaded my privacy and defamed my character, but you’ve also caused me emotional trauma by disregarding our mate bond. I curse the day we bound our souls under the holy watch of the moon goddess.”
I almost laughed out loud. The audacity of this man! Trying to encroach on my meager shares? How could he twist the truth when his infidelity was the real issue? But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised by his greed. After all, one woman had never been enough for him.
I didn’t care anymore. Let him have everything if it meant I could finally sever ties with the Gold Pack without facing a humiliating expulsion. I agreed to leave the pack with nothing of his, signing away my rights.
Logan couldn’t hide his surprise. I knew he hadn’t expected me to concede without a fight. But I was done.
As I reached for the papers, about to sign them, a familiar scent stopped me dead in my tracks.
“Logan,” a sultry voice cut through the tension, “My pack, my rules. You cannot commit such atrocities under my reign and expect to go scot-free. It is you who will be leaving the pack instead.”
The room fell silent as a tall figure strode in, his royal blue suit fitting perfectly over his broad shoulders. My eyes slowly traveled up, meeting his face.
His ocean-blue eyes locked onto mine, freezing my world.
No. This can’t be! I thought he fled without a word. What was he doing at the registry? With a presence commanding attention, like he ruled here.
My senses heightened at the scent of his power mixed with the richness of leather, sending a shiver down my spine.
My wolf, calm until now, began pacing and howling wildly, willing to lay her life in submission to the man before me. It confirmed what I already knew—he was mine!
“What?” Logan stammered, his once confident composure crumbling with each passing moment.
My breath hitched as I stared at my fated mate, awestruck by the confidence and authority that he exuded.
His pack? It only meant one thing—he was the Alpha of the Gold Crescent Pack.
It couldn’t be. Was the moon goddess playing a game of twisted fate on me?
(Alpha Maverick’s POV)“Can you believe it? She framed me with heavily doctored photos and videos, and now she wants a divorce!” Logan sighed in frustration over the phone.As I made my way to meet a business associate from the Blue Lagoon Pack, he filled my ear with his complaints.I had just received a call from my nephew, explaining that his wife was accusing him of infidelity. She was also attempting to use false evidence to acquire their marital assets.“I’ll be there as soon as possible, and we’ll look into it,” I replied, cutting the call. But something didn’t sit right with me. Logan has never complained about his mate. Why would she suddenly demand a divorce after they had agreed to be mates?I dialed Alpha Tristen of the Blue Lagoon Pack. “We need to reschedule our meeting,” I said. “Something urgent has come up.”The Gold Pack’s divorce procedures required the Alpha’s presence to confirm the separation of bonded souls, so I had to return to my pack immediately after nearly
~Jasmine~Shock pinned my feet to the floor; I couldn’t believe what was unfolding before me. My heart raced while my mind went blank.I froze, the pen in my hand halting midair. The tension in the room thickened as my gaze shifted between the Alpha and Logan. Before I could react, Alpha dropped to one knee and slid a diamond ring onto my finger.My heart pounded against my chest at his claim, stunned by his choice, a clear indication that he was not one to be influenced by perceived loyalty to bloodline. I couldn't believe that this mystery man did not flee after all. But the question burning in my mind was: how had he uncovered the truth?Glancing around the room, I noticed the shocked expressions on everyone’s faces as he got off his feet, admiring his assertion on my fingers.He quickly glanced at the papers on the desk, grabbed them, and flipped through them. “One hundred percent of marital assets to you, Logan? What a joke. How did you think I would be a party to this atrocity?”
~Jasmine~I stared at him wide-eyed as his name died on my lips. He approached me slowly, like a predator closing in on his prey. Instead of backing away like any sane person would, I held my head high, crossing my arms. “What do you want, Logan?”“You? And my uncle? That is impossible, Jasmine. Why don’t you reject him, huh?” He came closer until I felt his hot breath fanning my face. His scent, which I once found comforting, now felt overwhelming. My wolf rejected his smell. Maybe it was because I had gotten a taste of my mate’s scent.Grabbing my elbow softly, he spoke again, his voice soft this time. “What do you want, Jass? I have treated you so well and worshiped the ground you walked on. I gave you every damn thing you wanted. I provided for you without you having to lift a finger. I gave you the best, so why…” His voice cracked as he continued, “Why couldn’t you give me a second chance after one mistake?”I scoffed, unable to believe what he was saying. Instead of apologizing
~Jasmine~I held my throbbing cheek in pain, too stunned to even move. The woman glared at me, her eyes filled with so much disgust. But as I looked closer at her, something clicked in my mind. I gasped, recognizing her. The woman standing in front of me was Logan’s mother, Isabella.The uncanny resemblance was undeniable. Starting with the sharpness of her eyes, to the curve of her lips, and the fact that I had seen her photos in an album Logan kept in his room. But she looked slightly older from the photographs, the years of bitterness and hate written in the lines of her face.Isabella’s voice dripped with ridicule. “This is a generous offer, Jasmine. Enough to set you up anywhere you want, far away from here. Take it and leave our lives for good.”My eyes landed on the buyout check, and my jaw tightened. “You think you can buy me off? My worth isn’t measured in your money, Isabella. Keep it; your son needs it more than I do.“You ingrate,” she boomed, her voice vibrating with rage
~Jasmine~“What a pleasant surprise, brother,” Isabella remarked, her tone dripping with malice. “You're here to defend a woman who is clearly undeserving. What has she done to you? She has used her charms to bewitch you. Manipulating you into removing Logan as the CEO of Prime. What did Logan do to revoke the authority you gave him over that little fraction of Grand Prime?”Maverick’s expression turned stern. “Enough of the hateful words, Bella. You should know better than to trifle with the will of the moon goddess. As for Logan, I can't compromise. He cannot be trusted for trying to lure me into being a party to his bad ways.”“Know better? Can you even hear yourself, Maverick?” Isabella scoffed in disbelief. “You are the one blind to her schemes. Now she has come between you and us. She will destroy us; don't let her.”“Isabella—” Alpha Maverick warned, but she cut him off.“No, Maverick. You are my blood, and I must look out for you. I know this dirty swine better than you do. Sh
~Jasmine~I stood before the full-length mirror as I got ready for the gala, my gaze locking onto my reflection. I took a deep breath, smoothing the emerald green gown clinging to me like a second skin.The dress had a daring slit up the side, which revealed my toned legs before pooling elegantly at my feet with a luxurious cascade of the dress’s fabric.My smokey eye makeup and winged eyeliner accentuated my already striking features, while my lips were painted in a perfect deep red shade. My hair was swept up neatly, with a few tendrils framing my face. I looked absolutely gorgeous.As I touched up my face, ensuring I hadn’t missed anything, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway reached me. I didn’t need to be told—it was Alpha Maverick, so I quickly tried to finish up.After Maverick made his request, he had left to handle pressing matters about a report, leaving me to rummage through my wardrobe for something suitable to wear. My nerves had also been fraying ever since.Thi
~Jasmine~Clearing my throat, I added, “May I ask for a clarification?”They froze while the Stallion Pack’s representative gave me a judgmental look, but I continued, “You mentioned something about using a human-dominated faction, right?”His eyes narrowed, and he furrowed his brows, becoming defensive. “I believe there’s a scheme going on in the Gold Crescent Pack. Using a high percentage of humans goes against what's in the protocol book.” As I listened to him, I realized there was a misinterpretation in the research paper.I quickly sifted through my thoughts, recalling that I had encountered a similar issue during my research days. I tried to piece together the puzzle and find the missing link.“I believe this accusation stems from a misunderstanding,” I said, holding the gaze of both parties.“What do you mean?” The Alpha’s executive asked, and I smiled, clearing my throat. All eyes were on me, and for a moment, I forgot I was standing before prestigious members in the hall, the
~Jasmine~His words sent me over the edge as I pressed myself closer to him, wanting to feel him near me once again.The kiss became more frantic, more intense, as I clenched my thighs together. His large hands slowly trailed over my body, caressing me, the contact making me moan into his mouth.Just as he reached down to my panties, I shivered slightly, his thumb grazing over my sensitive spot, and reason returned to my mind.“Wait,” I said as he pulled back with a questioning look in his eyes.“Is there something wrong?” he asked in a raspy voice, his eyes still clouded with desire.I let out a shaky breath. “Nothing… I just think we need to take things slow.”His hands, which were tugging at my panty line, now rested on my thighs before he asked again, “Including sex?” He turned to look deeply into my eyes.And when I refused to answer, he got the message. He let out a low chuckle. “You know that’s going to be a hard one, Jasmine. I can’t resist you, and the mate bond isn’t making
~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 Zeph’s eyes. How had I ignored the signs for so long? They’d 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 tasks—everything pointed to one thing: that Alpha Zeph was interested in me.Instead of outright dismissing Zeph’s offer, I politely appreciated his effort.“Thank you very much, Alpha Zeph,” I said, my voice sincere. “I appreciate your kind offer, Zeph, but I’m afraid I have a lot to work on right now. I’m 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.“I need to rectify some situations at the office, so I wouldn’t be able to honor the date… not now, though.He nodded, shovi
~Jasmine~Violeta’s 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. “Alpha, I…” 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. “Dare you say another word, Violeta…”Violeta 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~“Well done, Jasmine. This concludes your interview.” 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.“Thank you for having me,” 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 Gabby’s 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.“There’s an emergency I need to attend to. A driver in a green Porsche will pick you up. Good luck with your interview—you’ve got
~Jasmine~Her eyes widened in surprise. “Seaweed?” she repeated.“Mrs. Martha, I can smell it. Rare seaweed has a distinct, pungent odor.”She nodded, understanding dawning on her face. “I’m only administering Dr. James’s prescription. I wasn’t given any specific information about the contents.”“What’s happening? Is there a problem?” Mav asked, his gaze shifting between us.“No, everything’s fine. I just need to rest,” 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. “Shall we?” He gestured towards the wheelchair. I sighed.“I can walk back to my room, Mav. It’ll be better for digestion,” I protested, but he wasn’t having it.“Don’t argue, Jasmine. Climbing the stairs is too much. Relax and let me take you to your room.” I knew arguing was pointless. Mav was determined to abide by Dr. James’s 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 didn’t remember telling him about our meeting. In fact, we’d never spoken about her. She wasn’t 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 wouldn’t soon forget—for undermining me. If I told the Alpha about her threats, I was sure she would be severely punished.I cleared my throat, blinking. “Don’t worry about her, Mav. She’s nothing I can’t handle.”He 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 drop—for now.“Your meal is getting cold,” I said, gesturing to the half-eaten steak on his plate.“I’m full,” 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 hadn’t 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. “I’ve decided to have your art pieces moved into your room. Now that you’re staying here, you’ll need to sort through your personal belongings before we sell the house.”Her response was unexpected. “Didn’t you hear what Dr. James said? This c
~Maverick~My mind raced with questions as Dr. James spoke. One thing was clear—Logan 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 didn’t sit right with me. From the position I found her in, it wasn’t a simple slip—it was too severe for that.I glanced into her eyes, searchi