Chapter 4: The Silent Ambush

Jessie's POV 

As I angrily dashed towards Derek and Gaty, a chilling voice whispered my name from the shadows. Just then, a sudden firm hand grabbed me, freezing me in my tracks. “I wouldn't do this if I were you,” a deep but warm voice whispered. The voice melted my heart, and I felt the rage in me slowly disappear. My wolf curled up, giving a mournful whining as I shifted back, falling into unseen arms.

 I looked up to see a man whose eyes were blue and bright like crystals, crystal-clear and piercing, as if they could look right through to your very soul. His lips were soft yet carried a quiet command, and his sharp jawline gave him a sculpted, almost untouchable presence. His broad shoulders stretched across a perfectly toned chest, every movement radiating strength and control. He looked simple, yet his masculinity spoke volumes, demanding attention without effort. His hands were strong, capable of both protection and destruction, and even standing still, he seemed ready to move with the deadly grace of a predator. Around him hung an aura of power so strong it felt as if the air itself trembled, the most intense I had ever perceived, making it impossible to look away. He was not merely a man, but a living force, impossible to ignore, a presence that seemed as though the world itself leaned toward him. “He is strangely familiar,” I thought to myself.

 “Princess”, the guards called out to me as my dad rushed towards me. “Are you okay? What happened?” My dad asked with worries written all over him. “ I'm okay, Dad, I'm sorry for causing such a commotion at Mom's funeral,” I said while hugging him. “Everything is alright, pup. We saw a man hold you, but nobody was able to see his face,” he said as he gently patted me on the head. “he is right…” I turned to show him the strange man, only to discover that he had suddenly disappeared.

 “Take her to her room, and make sure she is well taken care of,” my dad instructed. 

My mother's burial had ended, and everything had normalized. And there came the Jezebel, Gaty.

“Wassup Jessie,” she greeted but I didn't respond. “It's time to stop grieving and face what's ahead of you. Speaking about what's ahead, remember, your birthday is coming up in two days, and you have to look your best”.

 “That’s right, my birthday, the day I am to be kidnapped”. I muttered.

“Also, I think Derek has a crush on you; he had pleaded with me to put in words for him. He is the Alpha of the Circus pack, and he would really make a good mate. He is even here with me,” Gaty chipped in as she signaled him to come over. “Oh, wow, you even brought him along with you. Anyways, I am not interested.” I replied without thinking twice.

“Princess, I sincerely apologize for the whole lot that has happened recently. Please permit me to reintroduce myself to you. I am Derek, Alpha of the Circus Pack. I believe you are my fated mate, and I have come to make my intentions known to you. Derek said as he brushed his hair with his hand, for me to see his stupidly handsome face, like I cared. “I am not your fated mate, never will I be.” I walked off and headed to my room.

“Fated Mate, in this life? Never,” I said, clinching my fist. Every incident had been playing out exactly as they did in my previous life with little or no changes just like my mom being poisoned with wolfsbane, the sex scene at the guest house, and even Derek's stupid proposal“ I believe I can predict some incidents before they happen, hence I can also try to manipulate them. With this, I can finally get to change my fate and that of my unborn baby's”. I pondered as I paced in my room. 

Then a thought hit me,” The Kidnap made me marry Derek, at first I never wanted to marry him. I can't risk marrying him in this life, hence I must not get kidnapped”. 

“How is lil pup keeping up today?” My dad walked into the room. “Dad, can I not celebrate my eighteenth birthday?” I said, hugging him. “Why Jessie? You have always dreamt of your eighteenth birthday celebration more than anything. You know it has always been a rite to celebrate every female Princess’s eighteenth birthday, because that's when you will be matched with a mate. I know you are tense, but I believe you will find the most suitable mate, after all, you are your father's daughter”. He said as he playfully dragged my cheek.

The D-day finally came, my eighteenth Birthday. I was dressed in a revealing red gown that added to my grace and complemented my pale skin. My hair was carefully and neatly packed like a bride about to walk down the aisle. My eyes, though anxious, were as beautiful as ever. 

“You look breathtakingly beautiful, Daddy’s pup. Shall we?” my dad asked, stretching out his arm. I hesitated for a moment, my heart clenching, before slipping my hand into his.

The warmth of his hand stirred something deep within me, yet at the same time, it stabbed my heart with a piercing ache. Memories of the life I had lost surged back, memories of a father I would never see again, a love so steadfast I thought I had lost forever. My chest felt tight, and tears threatened to spill over. I tried to hold them back, but the weight of knowing he was gone in my original life was unbearable. My father, unaware of the turmoil inside me, smiled gently, mistaking my tears for excitement.

As we walked, each step carried a bittersweet tension, the joy of having him before me clashing with the painful reminder of the world I had left behind. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, each pulse echoing along the fragile line between hope and despair, as if the entire world held its breath, waiting for me to break.

Many wolves from different packs had attended my birthday party. The whole air was filled with lively music as all the wolves danced to their satisfaction. Soon, one of the workers approached me, “Princess, your phone has been ringing for some time now, maybe it's important.” She handed the phone over to me and left.

The phone rang again, and I finally picked “Gaty has been captured by the Wood pack and she is severely injured,” the voice on the call whispered as though he was scared of being heard. The Wood pack has been our sworn rival ever since hell knows when. In the previous life, I had quickly excused myself from my birthday party to rescue Gaty, but this time around, I knew better. “Take this phone, and don't bring it back even if it’s about to explode with calls,” I told one of the workers close to me as I handed over the phone to him. 

As I danced my anxieties away, one of the bartenders approached me, “A drink to spice up the mood, Princess?” He mouthed while pointing at the glasses of wine he was carrying in a tray. “One,” I signalled, and he handed me a glass of wine. 

As I took a shot, I felt a headache and a bit drowsy. I immediately headed towards the bathroom while the feeling was getting stronger. Suddenly, I felt a hand grab me by the neck and placed a substance on my nose, and I passed out. 

I woke up to see myself tied to a chair, my eyes were blindfolded. My wolf was weak. At that moment, I realised I had been drugged and kidnapped. “Unfold her eyes,” I heard one of the guys in the room say. “We don't always get to see a beautiful princess,” the same voice said as he placed a finger on my chin. It was a huge, dark man with one of his eyes patched. Immediately, I spat on his face, and he was about to slap me when we suddenly heard a fierce growl and saw his men on the floor, almost lifeless. Someone deadly had broken in, and the dark man ran away in fear. “Derek, I don't care whatever deal you made with my father; I'd rather end up with the most feared Alpha, Ethan, than marry you”. I said, staring fiercely at the man walking towards me. As he drew closer, I realised, it wasn't Derek, it was the same man that had held me during the funeral, then just like lightning it struck “Alpha Ethan”.