~Maverick ~
“Good!” I exclaimed while doing the Alpha’s nod. “And let me be clear: If I find out this was a ploy, I swear I will fire everyone involved and ensure you’re punished for defamation.” My eyes landed back on Jasmine, my hard heart softening immediately.
I dismissed everyone, wanting to be alone with Jasmine.
As they scurried out of the room, I turned my full attention to her. She was still angry with me, avoiding my gaze. Then, she uttered, “I’m not a damsel in distress. I can fight for myself! You’ve made it clear through your expressions that you didn’t believe me, so what are you trying to prove now? That you care?”
I tried to suppress the smile that threatened to take over, unaffected by her words. I stepped closer, until our bodies were flush and our breaths mingled. “First of all, it’s Maverick to you,” I said, my voice low. I didn’t need to tell her
~Maverick~A FEW DAYS LATER“Are you even listening to me?” I paced the room with my fists clenched tightly; I was trying my hardest to restrain my rising anger, but Isabella was restless. I was over the edge already, but she trailed behind me, with her voice sharp and accusing.“You can’t leave your nephew like that. He must go back to Grand Prime.”“Isabella, please.” I halted, raising my hand in warning to only for her words to provoke me even further while I was struggling to keep my composure.“Please what, Mav?” She sneered with hatred. “Why would you kick him out because of that good-for-nothing gold digger?”Gold digger? How dare she link Jasmine in such a degrading manner? My blood boiled.“Isabella!” I barked, voice laced with fury. “You better put a leash on that tongue before you say something you’ll regret. I won’t have you speaking about Jasmine like that. Do you understand me?”She swallowed hard, exchanging a nervous glance with Logan, who sat there motionless, avoidin
~Jasmine~I stared at the report sheet, with my pen hovering above the blank lines where I was supposed to record the weight of each reagent for an analysis. I was getting used to working in the company, including coming to the office without having to wait for Alpha Maverick.My mind wandered to the house was still up for sale and I wasn’t even sure again what I wanted to do with the proceeds. Buy a new home, invest, satisfy my desire to investigate my parents’ date or use all to fund my research? That wouldn’t even be enough if I didn’t succeed in getting adequate funding for my research. Uncertainty nagged me.The pen, as though it sensed my frustration, suddenly stopped writing. I frustratedly fumbled through my bag for another. While I searched, something small and cold slipped through my fingers and fell to the floor with a clink.My breath caught as I bent down to pick it up, my fingers brushing and analyzing the half-moon crest locket. The other half belonged to my little brot
~Jasmine~But what was she doing here at this moment? It had been weeks since I last heard of her, the last time I’d seen her name was scribbled on a card in Maverick’s car. I neither acknowledged it nor confronted him about it.I decided it was best to let go of the past and focus on preparing for my future. After one year, if things didn’t work out between Alpha Maverick and me, at the end of the contract, we would sign the divorce papers, and that would be the end of this.“What a pleasant surprise, Violeta. You’re back,” I uttered with forced composure.“Jasmine!” She exclaimed.She crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and challenging. A smirk played at the corner of her lips, like she was savoring for a moment of confrontation.“Is there a problem?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart was already beginning to race.“Oh, yes, there is, Jasmine,” she replied sharply, her eyes narrowing as she glared at me. “I can see right through you. Why did you try to take my pl
~Jasmine~I paced around my room, replaying the events of the day, starting from Violeta, down to Logan and Isabella. They seemed desperate for Logan to get back into the company. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for Isabella. Beneath her layers of bitterness, she still held the family in high regard and was willing to do anything for her son, even lowering her pride to ask, although not nicely, for what she thinks is her son’s right.I didn’t appreciate her calling me names, but after they left, her desperation unsettled me. They say nothing compares to a mother’s love—a love I hadn’t known since my teenage years. It’s the kind of love where someone stands by you against the world, no matter how much of a nuisance you are.I decided to check on Mav. I knew this was just as hard for him as it was for them. After all, before anything else, they were the only family he had.As I entered his room, his familiar scent welcomed me. There he was, sprawled on the bed, one hand lazily
~Jasmine~He turned to me, confusion etched across his face. “What about Violeta? Is there a reason behind your question?”I shrugged, forcing a small smile. “It’s nothing. Never mind.” I didn’t know if it was the right time to talk about Violeta. He seemed unaware of her true nature.His brows furrowed, questions still lingering in his eyes. He clearly wanted to know more, but I gently placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “Quit worrying about it. I don’t want to come between you and anyone else.”Still unconvinced, he rested his head on my shoulder, his gaze piercing through me as if trying to read my thoughts. “Did something happen?”I shook my head, brushing off the conversation. He looked puzzled, his concern evident. I chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. “It’s fine… I just didn’t know she’d been discharged from the hospital.”“Hmm,” he murmured, his gaze drifting into the distance as he spoke under his breath. His voice was low, but I still heard him clearly. “Frank! I
~Jasmine~My heart nearly flew out of my chest as I stared at her. The person who “was” once a dear friend.“Samantha?” I whispered, disbelief thick in my voice. What was she doing here in my house? How did she even know I would be here?She chuckled darkly, stepping closer like a predator savoring its prey. “Boo,” she sneered, her lips curling in amusement. “Scared?”Scared? Was that question directed at me? Hell no. She had only caught me off guard. I straightened my shoulders, pushing aside the uneasiness seeping into my bones. “What are you doing here Samantha? What do you want?” I demanded sharply, unwilling to waste my time on her petty games. I had better things to worry about. Like my future.She let out a blood-curdling laugh, its shrill pitch clawing at my nerves. I fought the urge to cover my ears from the sound. “What am I doing here?” she echoed mockingly. “I am here to warn you.”Her eyes gleamed with malice as she stepped closer, her heels clicking against the floor. “L
~Jasmine~“Ma… Mav…” 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.“Jasmine? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” His panicked voice called out, slicing through the confusion that almost clouded my entire senses.In the background, I heard the screech of tires—he must have taken a sharp turn.“N… no… I’m not.” The words came out hoarse, my throat dry and aching.“Where are you, Jasmine? Please, stay with me! I’m on my way.”I 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 wasn’t 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 Logan’s request echoed in my mind.The issue had been closed and settled, yet here they were, dragging it back to the surface. I couldn’t understand their motive for coming here.I gritted my teeth in frustration. Why were they trying to provoke me when I’d been nothing but lenient with them? Why was Isabella making it seem like I had no regard for them anymore, as though I’d 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 wasn’t ready to prove himself worthy and fight for his position like everyone else, I wouldn’t force it.Soon, I arrived at the clinic and was met by the pack do
~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
~Jasmine~Lost in thought, I was startled by a soft knock. “Come in,” 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. “Are you alright?” he asked, walking towards me. “I came to check if you needed anything and to let you know I’ll be working from home starting tomorrow, so I can keep a closer eye on you.”A 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 wasn’t a child. Just because I was pregnant didn’t mean I couldn’t lift a finger. Was this out of concern or he just is up to something?I sighed, deciding to address the issue directly. “I understand I need re
~Jasmine~My body grew cold at Dr. James’s words. “The fetus has been compromised due to stress, and you need complete bed rest,” he said with a tone of finality that sent a shiver down my spine.I couldn’t tell what to feel—fear, 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 couldn’t concentrate on them. Even Maverick looked lost. What was going through his mind? Was he worried too?“I 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,” 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.“Are you okay?” Maverick’s voice was soft as he knelt in front of me, carefully applying the ointment, as s