Chapter 1 - Alpha, You Are Mine!

JASMINE POV

I tumbled down the stairs. My head and ribs collided with the sharp edges of each step riser. I moaned in excruciating pain when it stopped.

"Seb–Sebastian," I croaked, tasting the salty tears that dropped. 

My vision blurred as I looked up. I still made out the four laughing faces of the pack wolves that just threw me down these steps. They hurried towards me now.

"Oh, Jasmine! Did you think we were through with you yet?" A deep voice mocked me, getting closer and closer.

My heart beat as fast as a freight train. A sob tore through me as they neared.

Another licked his lips. "Sebastian's whore looks so edible while covered in her own blood."

I had to stand up and run. I tried crawling forward, but a hand grabbed the scruff of my neck, slamming the back of my head into the opposite wall.

A groan escaped me, "Argh." 

"No one can save you now, birthday girl," the deep voice laughed, yanking at my hair and digging claws into my scalp.

I turned eighteen today. In fact, a delivery guy waited outside with the cake Sebastian got me, but they wouldn’t let me go get it. I had just left my bedroom when they cornered me.

"Please. I beg you, Dane," my snot leaked into my mouth, "Let me answer the delivery guy at the gate. It's Sebastian's gift for me—"

"Stupid girl! Do you think Sebastian would care about you now that he's being named Alpha?" A feminine voice bitterly scoffed at me.

My teeth dug into my bottom lip. Sebastian was far away in the pack's throne room, receiving the Alpha's crown. His aged father relinquished his throne two days ago, and today, it was happening.

The only friend I had rose in ranks. They said power made people forget people. Would I become insignificant to Seb?

"You are nobody, Jasmine. An orphan who doesn't belong here," Dane gritted, spitting in my face, his vice grip still on my black hair. "All these years, you've been too arrogant because the Luna and Alpha took you in. Now we finally get to teach you a lesson."

"Please, please, Dane. You are Sebastian's friend. He wouldn't want you to harm me, and you know it."

"About that part, Jasmine. Where is your saviour now?" Dane's amused whisper came next to my ear and I shivered in fear. "I thought as much."

He chuckled darkly for a beat, leaving my hair and standing supine.

"Dane, look! They brought the birthday girl's cake inside," the only feminine voice in the group laughed and approached the bottom of the stairs.

Dane turned to me, eyes glinting sinisterly. "Would you like a bite before we finish you off?"

A tear rolled down my cheek. I gazed at the chocolate cake wistfully. Sebastian and I had talked about it weeks ago. I needed him now. Oh, Seb...

I shook my head, but Dane didn't listen. He smashed the cake into my face, and the four of them snickered, laughing at my misery.

"We should incinerate her," Talia said, putting her weight on one foot and sparing an evil smile.

Months ago, all six of us used to be good friends until I realised they secretly hated me. Talia had a crush on Sebastian, but he was always interested in me, and she despised me for that reason.

Apparently, it was enough for her to want to burn me alive.

"You hateful bitch!" I snarled at her, shocking them all.

"What did you just say?!"

Talia stomped my way, raising her hands to land a dirty slap on my cheek. Instantly, I looked away, but the sting never came.

I raised my eyes after a beat, and I saw Sebastian holding her elevated wrist. All four of them shook with fear now.

I smiled like a lunatic. His presence meant the ceremony was over. Sebastian was the Alpha of our pack now.

Dane stuttered. "Sebastian, it's not what you think—"

His back hit the wall as Sebastian strangled him. The rest of my bullies ran, scared of the wrath of the Alpha. I watch Seb bring his friend close to the edge of death.

"I should kill you for daring to touch her!"

"Seb, please." Dane gagged, face turning red with impending death. "It was stupid of me. Please! Please spare my life. I beg you."

After a long moment, Sebastian let him go with a punch in the face. He lifted me in his arms and walked away. I didn't know where we were going, but the view of his fine features made me content with his silence.

"What is this place, Seb?" I asked after he laid me down on trimmed grass that overlooked a neat bayou.

Sebastian flanked me on the ground, propping himself up on an elbow as he peered down at me.

"My favourite spot in the world," he said, wiping the chocolate cake off my face with his handkerchief.

I gushed. "It's beautiful." My eyes roved through the spring green trees and the clear water that reflected the vicinity.

"You're beautiful, Jasmine." His hand tucked a lock of my hair away from my eyes.

I forgot all about the pain in my ribs and in my head as our heated gazes collided.

Sebastian and I grew up together after his parents took me in, and we've been inseparable ever since.

His hand fell to my neck. Those light strokes of his fingers over my skin drove me mad with lust. This was a new feeling.

Up until this moment, Sebastian had always been my best friend, my foster brother, my protector. 

"Sebastian," I gasped his name when I couldn’t take it anymore.

"Show me where it hurts."

I raised my top and showed him my bruised ribs. A pink blotch had formed around the area. I took his hand and placed it over the back of my head. Then, I placed his hand over my beating heart, eyes locked on each other.  

He also felt my breasts. It was then I knew we had crossed the line, and there was no going back.

Sebastian kissed me, linking our hands and sharing the pain I felt until it was only a dull throb. 

He was Alpha now. His abilities increased to much more than any of us could imagine.

"Are you sure you want this, Jasmine?" He came up for air, breaths ragged, and heart beating erratically. "I can stop now if you want."

I threw caution to the wind and bobbed my head, "Make love to me, Seb. I want you to be my first. Please." 

His lips clashed with mine in a kiss as hot as sparks. He ravaged me and made love to me under those spring green trees. When I let go, it was his name I sang hopelessly.

7:25 pm.

I was in his shirt when I woke up in the empty bed. My cheeks heated as I squealed. 

We crossed the line from platonic best friends to lovers hours ago. I cleared my throat, slapping my cheeks to clear the blush away.

What if it was just a one-night-stand? 

I reminisced on the many times he made love to me. After the bayou, he fucked me in his bed. My thighs clenched, and my cheeks burned red again.

There was only one way to find out.

I went in search of Sebastian after putting on a robe. There was a skip in every step I took. I searched every room in the pack house.

"Your scent. Mmm."

That voice stopped me.

I whipped my head to the open door at my side. A shirtless Sebastian stood there, but my smile immediately fell when I realised that he wasn't alone.

"What's happening to us, Seb?" Talia's voice asked.

Silence fell for a beat.

"Mate!" Sebastian growled all the while looking at Talia.