JASMINE I got home around ten that night after Blake ran home with me. I found where I had tossed my clothes in the backyard and threw them on. My parents stood up from the living room couch as soon as I walked in. “Jasmine, where in Artemis’s name were you?” my dad shouted. “Do you have any idea how worried we were? Your car and phone were at home, and you were missing for several hours without a note or text about where you went.” I looked at him, not wanting to answer. Finally, I said, “I’m an adult.” “You may be an adult, but you still live under our roof! We called your mate, and he also had no idea where you were. He inquired with the patrol on duty and thank Goddess they were doing their job and knew you had crossed the border in your wolf form.” My mom chimed in, “Jasmine, it’s like we don’t even know you anymore. Ever since your birthday you’ve not been acting normal. What has gotten into you?” I shook my head, not wanting to respond. “Well, where were you?” My dad pres

JASMINE A few minutes before 6, I pulled up next to Luke's 4Runner in the pack parking lot. I then made my way to the front door and rang the doorbell. Luke opened the door, stepping aside so I could walk in. As soon as he shut the door, he wrapped his arms around me in a hug. "Thank you for coming, Jasmine. You look and smell so good." He then helped me slip out of my jacket, hanging it in the entry way closet. He took my hand and led me into the dining room where he had laid out dinner with two place settings. "I wish I could take the credit, but Connie's a much better cook than I am," he smiled, pulling out my chair for me. I sat down and he pushed me into the table. I looked at the food in front of us to see there was crisp salad, warm dinner rolls, and a savory beef roast surrounded by fingerling potatoes. When Luke carved into the roast, the juices dripped from the perfectly cooked beef. "This all looks and smells delicious!" I commented.

JASMINE I had signed up for my weekly two hours of sparring on Friday morning. I arrived early, sitting down on the bleachers while I waited for the group on the field to end their session. I sensed someone sit down next to me, Blake's scent alerting me to who it was. I turned to look at him, to see him smiling at me. "Well, hello there, Miss Alpha." "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, confused by his nickname for me. "You didn't tell me you come from a family of alphas. You're just full of surprises." "Oh yeah, I always forget about that. We don't really keep in touch with my mom's side of the family. How'd you find out?" "Luke told me." "Oh, I don't remember telling him that, but maybe Lucy told him." "Seems like a pretty big flex for you to keep this hidden from everyone." "It's not really a big deal. It's not like my dad's an alpha." "Still, it's pretty fucking hot. Now I know where you

JASMINEThe next day, Saturday, I worked the early shift and got out of work at 1:30. It had dipped below freezing and snow flurries were falling from the sky as I walked to my car. As I walked past the sub shop toward where I was parked, I noticed two familiar faces inside. Luke and Lucy were seated across from each other, Luke's hands on top of Lucy's on the table between them. I stared, the two of them lost in their own world and completely oblivious to the fact that I was gawking at them through a huge window.A person looked up at me that was sitting directly in front of the window, clearly wondering why I was staring creepily into the restaurant. I turned away and continued walking. Once again, I began to wonder what it would be like to have this as the rest of my life—forever competing for the attention of Luke with my former best friend and mother of his first born.I drove home to an empty house. My parents had gone out. I went up

JASMINE I awoke on Sunday morning feeling much better than I had when I initially arrived at the clinic. The deep gashes that the wolves had put into my body were no longer straining with agony. I brushed my hand along one of the cuts to find it was just a scratch. I lifted my arm to examine myself and was pleased to find that my wounds were all well on their way to fully healing, just shallow red, dried, fully closed cuts. My leg was still sore when I moved it, but not to the extent it was the night before when the pain was excruciating. I still probably couldn’t walk today, but maybe tomorrow. A nurse knocked and subsequently swung the door open. Upon making eye contact with me, she exclaimed, “Ah, you’re awake now! Good! Let me bring your breakfast and medication in then.” She immediately disappeared and returned a few minutes later carrying a tray. She adjusted my bed so I was sitting up and set the tray on the bed so I could easily eat from it. Before she left, she said, “Your m