I pulled out my ring and held it in front of him. "I'm calling off our engagement. I won't - won't marry a cheating bastard like you. You can live happily ever after with someone else, like Blair Anderson. Smile, Jayden - you're finally getting rid of me, may you live happily ever after with your dear girlfriend." I said with a fake smile and cold eyes. "Oh, and before I forget, I, Ashley Van Smith, of the Red Moon Pack, reject Jayden Ronan Keller, of the Crimson Pack, as my mate and fiancé, we are hereby no longer related." ******************************************** In which Ashley Van Smith and Jayden Ronan Keller are mated and engaged. Because of the arranged marriage made by their parents. Problems arise when Ashley finds out that Jayden is involved in an unfaithful relationship. Ashley never thought that she would be in a relationship with a cheater. So she wants to end this engagement because he cheated on her, but fate decides to intervene and Jayden suffers from amnesia that only she seems to be able to deal with. Ashley, despite not having deep feelings for him, feels there is still a bond between them and has a sense of responsibility to help recover his memory and guide him through his difficult times. In the midst of her efforts to help Jayden recover, Ashley is faced with a difficult decision. Will she stay by his side and help him through this difficult time, even though Jayden is in love with someone else? Or should Ashley simply let Jayden go?
View MoreAshley POV
It was an impulse decision that meant I had to follow my best friend who had a spare ticket because her other friend was sick. Her seat was one of the most expensive, almost in front of the stage. She was a huge fan, the type who buys everything related to the boy band, even seemingly useless things like paperweights. That was her biggest idol the one and only, Jayden Ronan Keller.My worst nightmare right in front of my eyes — Oh, and also my mate and fiancé.Of course, she didn't know that last part. Nobody does, or I wouldn't be standing in one of the front rows, still breathing. She only knew about my family and Jayden's long-standing relationship and that we often celebrated holidays together. Some media had reported about us because I was supposedly the heir to Red Moon Inc., the huge international company owned by my late grandfather, Alpha Eros Van Smith of the Red Moon Pack, and well, he was Jayden R. Keller, the personnel of the boy band "Boyz Hits Bullets aka BHB", the "Golden Man", the "Hunkiest and Sweetest" guy, the "Idol sought after by 9 different entertainment agencies", every girl's secret wet dream - yes, I had heard it all from my best friend and her friends. To be honest, it was too much information.Actually, Jayden and I have known each other since we were kids. Both of our parents know each other, and we often go on vacations or family gatherings together. Jayden is the youngest son of Alpha Roger Keller of the Crimson Pack.For me, he will be the boy who will always ignore me at family gatherings and pry into everything I like. He'll also be the kid who always looked the other way when Hannah and her pets bullied me from first grade until graduation.At least that's what I thought before I saw him on stage, in person, for the first time. Suddenly, I found it hard to believe that I'd ever met him outside of the concert arena - or that I knew him at all.His hair was freshly dyed and cut, he was probably wearing more makeup than I was, and he was probably wearing tight trousers on purpose. He moved with a grace that could only come with practice and practice and more practice, and he sang and danced with gusto, with more power than I could muster sitting down. We were both the same age, 20 years old and yet I realized that he had truly and undoubtedly reached the best times of his life. He wasn't a boy anymore.And to be honest, it scared me.When the song ended, deafening screams and thunderous applause echoed throughout the stadium. Grimacing and covering my ears, I watched as the lights on the stage quickly dimmed, obscuring the view of Jayden and the other six members. Just when I thought it was safe to relax, a new song started, causing screams and yells to erupt again - especially from my right, where my best friend and her friends were standing. I didn't understand what was going on until a spotlight in the center of the stage illuminated the shape of a person.Jayden raised the microphone to his lips and began to sing.All I could do was stare, mesmerized by his performance. There was such passion and emotion in his voice and face - even the way his fingers sometimes flexed and relaxed around the microphone fascinated me. Mostly it surprised me.All my life, growing up with him, he had never shown any particular emotion. More often he was stiff, reserved, or even cynical. But in that moment, as he danced and sang on stage, he seemed as vulnerable as he had ever been. I only got to see such a performance once.He finished the song with a few lingering notes and a final dance move that matched the beat. The lights had dimmed, but in the darkness I could see the lines of his slender body against the backdrop. I stared in amazement, savoring the sensual curve of his lips, his half-closed eyes, and the sweat dripping down his temples and neck. I caught a glimpse of the boy who once had a nose too big for his face, but that image was quickly replaced by the man I and ten thousand other pairs of eyes could see. He was very handsome.By the end of the concert, my ears were almost deaf. My best friend and her friends were in tears and their voices were hoarse from screaming. They had recorded the entire concert with my best friend's very expensive camera, and when I finally left the stadium, they were frantically searching for the moment when one of the band members - I think his name was Jean - blew them a kiss from the stage during one of the songs. The three of them shared a YouTube channel entirely dedicated to this group and were already talking about editing, who they were going to annoy on the Internet by uploading the entire concert, and so on and so on.I exhaled loudly. My phone screen showed 22:34. I could still call my parents' driver, but I didn't want to make a scene. There were still a lot of people gathered in the exit area, and in case they recognized me. Although I was dressed very casually, I had no doubt that some people would put two and two together if they saw a girl my age leaving a boy band concert and getting into a very nice car with a private driver. Really, I didn't need any more media to cover my relationship with Jayden, even though we were already engaged.That was one of the conditions Jayden had set from the beginning. I looked at my best friend, Eva. "Eva, I thought you said you were going to call your mom."She looked up at the camera and smiled shyly. The orange light from the streetlamp overhead made her brown eyes sparkle and her light brown hair shine. "Sure, I just need to see it again." She furrowed her brow. "I can't believe you've never been to one of their concerts. I guess your parents and his parents get along." She held up two fingers and crossed them."Well, they do," I said reluctantly. "Not that he and I are. He has no reason to make me come to the concert anyway."In fact, Jayden had often tried to get me to stay away. He said there was nothing special about it and that the shows often failed due to carelessness and technical errors. He even claimed that they didn't really care about their fans and that it was very tense and uncomfortable to watch them perform. Come to think of it, I was actually very suspicious when I saw how the concert went. Of course, they had started the whole thing with makeup and expensive outfits, but they constantly had interludes where they talked to the audience and thanked them and each other. The show ended with them just wearing T-shirts - albeit with their own logo - and holding a microphone. It all felt very honest in the end, and up until then, the production values were very high, with good sound, lights, scenes that could go up and down, and more."Still," she says. "It's just weird, considering your relationship.""It is," I admitted. He could be rude - very, very rude - but I never thought of him as a liar. "Maybe I should ask him why he never invited me."Hearing this, Eva's friends stopped fiddling with the camera options. "How? Oh my God, do you have his number?" they shouted almost in unison.I was tempted to punch one of them when I saw a couple of girls turn their heads to see why they were yelling. Eva quickly calmed them both down."Shut up, you two. Ash, still, right?" Eva asked incredulously."No," I replied with a snort. "But I'll go backstage or whatever and look for him."For a moment the three were silent. But then they opened their mouths and burst out laughing."What?" I asked."Good luck getting past the security," Eva's friend said in a breathless voice. "I mean, really. Good luck.""Yeah, it's not like anyone else has ever tried," the other friend laughed. "Not at all."I frowned. "I'm just telling you, I'm friends with one of the members.""Guys," Eva said after they had another bout of invisible fairy laughter that clearly missed you with her wand. "I don't think she understands."I crossed my arms. "Obviously I don't understand.""It's okay," she said. "Just let her go. It's funnier that way.""Good idea," the other said. "Ashley, we'll wait here, don't worry."Eva was still giggling as she spoke. "It's no use," she said. "Think how many times fans have tried to get backstage, lying that they're cousins or something. You'll just be one of thousands of crazy people. Besides," she added a little more quietly so I could hear her, "the media will get it, somehow. How many times have you not complained that you wish you could change your life with someone else?"It was a valid point. But her friends had hurt my pride, and now I almost felt like I had to prove them wrong."Yes, but since I can't, I'd better accept it," I replied as I turned and started to walk away from the girls. "I'll be back soon.""Good luck!" one of them said sarcastically, making all three of them laugh.I wanted to show them. Deciding not to sound like a typical fan-stalker, I made up a lie. It wasn't too hard to convince one of the guards in the exit area to let me in to look for the missing key. He followed me, and while I pretended to search, I kept an eye out for signs backstage. There were some cleaners already at work, and a few people with badges around their necks walking around checking the cables, but otherwise, the stadium was empty, and I couldn't ask any of them where the artists were."I probably dropped them in the women's bathroom," I said to the guard after a minute or two of fruitless conversation with the janitor.He nodded. "Let's check there."Fortunately, I had visited the bathroom before the concert, which was next to a set of sturdy-looking gray metal doors. I knew the door was locked because my friend had tried to open it to no avail. However, my last chance was to find Jayden on the way out of the stadium, and maybe those doors were the way out of the backstage area. I knew it was an almost absurd thought, but my pride was still hurt and I thought I should give it a try.I didn't see him on the way, and the doors remained closed and probably locked as before. In frustration, I entered the women's restroom and took one last look at the gray door.Someone was in one of the stalls. I went to the sink to wash my hands, to do something while I felt more and more embarrassed. My keys were burning in the breast pocket of my jacket, so at least the lie would have a happy ending.Through the mirror, I saw a short girl with brown curls coming out of the stall behind the sink. At first I didn't understand why there was something strange about her, but then I realized.And suddenly my feelings dropped to earth.She is Blair Anderson, an artist, and singer, as well as a model for one of the gogirls magazines! For this season's edition. Beautiful as the moon with a silky voice and a bright, optimistic personality, and a smile that could melt iron. Everyone has heard of her. She rose to fame faster than Selena thanks to the movie "Her Secret Legacy" and I know she became an "It" icon in Hollywood.Blair wasn't just in the bathroom at the stadium where the boy band Boyz Hits Bullets had just performed. She's wearing his jacket — and no, not the one he wore on stage, but the personalized one he wore to a New Year's Eve party with my family almost a month ago. And most obviously, she was wearing the necklace I bought for his graduation. Moreover, His scent wafted strongly from her.My inner wolf began to growl. Something amiss had happened, as if to confirm my suspicion, Lea, My inner wolf roared, 'He has cheated on us, our mate has cheated on us.'That son of a bitch had been cheating on me.Ashley POVJared reached out and shook Samuel’s hand without even blinking. That surprised me, considering Samuel’s old injury, but Jared’s grip was firm and smooth.“Jared Keller,” he said with a hint of a smile. “And I’m sure the best wedding photographer in the city is more than capable of taking a few photos of me and my fiancée.”His voice, usually cold and even, actually sounded warm this time— nothing like the sharp tone he usually used with me. But that didn’t bother me. Not one bit.Because I knew Jared. I knew that when he wanted to, he could charm anyone— regardless of gender. That cool, intimidating aura of his didn’t stop him from flipping a switch and turning into the smoothest guy in the room.And honestly? The fact he was using that tone with someone other than me or Eva? It was kind of a relief.When Jared talked like that, people couldn’t help but feel confident, maybe even proud— like they mattered. Like Jared saw something special in them, even if they barely knew
Ashley POV“And... smile!”The umbrella lights flashed across the room, making my vision blur for a second. I blinked quickly, waiting for the black dots to fade as my eyes adjusted to the pastel walls, the endless fake white and blush roses surrounding me, and the bulky guy standing behind the camera set up in front of me.Raising his hand, he gave the universal “okay” gesture. “Beautiful, beautiful,” he said excitedly. “Now, if you could just tilt your head a little to the side and angle your chin to the right...”Without a word, I followed his instructions, rewarded with a delighted squeal and another blinding flash. “Yes, that’s it! And maybe move your hand like this...” he said, demonstrating with his left hand. I copied him. “Yesss! Perfect! I gotta say,” he went on with a big grin, “you are the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen, Ashley Van Smith. Your fiancé is one lucky guy.”The camera clicked and the lights flashed again.“Thanks, Sam,” I said once my vision started coming
Jayden POV“Jay, are you okay?”“How many times do I have to answer that?” I didn't look up from my phone screen even though I'd probably read the same news article about criminals a thousand times. Somehow, the drive to the restaurant felt like an eternity, or, at least, that's how I felt when I was stuck in the car with nothing to hear but silly questions.I was fine, though.“How many times does it take you to spill the fucking truth,” Hunter asked, his voice coming from dangerously close behind me.I lifted my phone over my shoulder so he could see what I was doing, then snorted. I took the only open passenger seat in the front on the pretense that I was feeling sick because I was so damn starving, but now here I was suddenly wondering if it would be better to sit in the very back seat.But there was Miles already seated, and I didn't like the way he was looking at me as I turned towards him.“Jayden...” Jamie's tone was low, worried.“Get off of my back,” I snapped. “I'm fine, ok
Jayden POV“No,” I stated simply. “She… Everyone thinks we're just family friends.”“Well,” she went on, the glint in her eyes turning cold. Extremely cold, like merciless stones of ice. “As of today, that won't be a lie anymore.”My brows furrowed, I couldn't help but let the fear caused by my anxiety creep up my voice. “What do you mean?” I asked in a tone that hopefully sounded calm.She pulled the engagement ring off her finger and held it out to me. “I'm calling off our engagement,” she said harshly. “I won't - won't marry a cheating bastard like you. You can live happily ever after with someone else, like Blair Anderson.” A mocking sneer spread across her face. “Smile, Jayden - you're finally getting rid of me, may you live happily ever after with your dear girlfriend.” What she said after that sucked the life out of me as if part of my soul had been taken away. “Oh, and before I forget, I, Ashley Van Smith, of the Red Moon Pack, reject Jayden Ronan Keller, of the Crimson Pack,
Jayden POV“What are you doing here, Ashley?”It wasn't my intention to lash out at her, but I was too shocked to find other words, so my tongue moved faster than my brain. She looked flabbergasted at my words, her face turning redder than a ripe tomato as she caught sight of me and my group of friends. Her lips parted and sealed, then parted again, but this time to my astonishment. She was stunned. Angry, too.And hurting more than I'd ever seen her before.“Jayden,” Tyler said hesitantly, breaking the silence down the hallway that had suddenly become eerily quiet. “Isn't she a friend of your family?”“Is it really her?” asked Jax, glancing curiously between me and Ashley while scratching his face.Later on, Jamie stepped in front of me as soon as I snarled at Ashley with both shoulders raised but immediately loosened up at Tyler's words. “Oh yeah, I've seen your face before, on the news.”Hunter snapped his fingers. “That's right!” he said as he realized something. “Whenever you two
Jayden POV23.02 - Fine, I'll go get your stuff. See you in five minutes?23.02 - Perfect! Hey, baby, you're not mad at me, right?Rolling my eyes, I replied with the word “No”. To be frank, I'm not mad at her. I'm just tired of her. Blair was prettier than most, very talented, and kind despite being more of a loner than Jean and overall she was a very nice girl. She is the kind of girl that guys dream about, because of her sweet and lovable nature, her graceful and slender figure. In fact, she was exactly what I wanted when I first laid eyes on her. I used to think I could finally fall in love, and it would be with her because she's almost perfect in every way. I mean, how could a guy not like a woman like Blair?At first, it was fun and exciting. I had never had someone... someone who I knew was definitely interested in me and talked to me for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. She made me break down my walls, to the point where I felt I could trust her. I thought I could
Jayden POV—Flashback a few hours before the accident after the concert in NY in February—“Good job, everyone! That's a wrap for our concert in NY!”Clark escorted the seven of us from backstage to one of the leather couches in the dressing room before darting off somewhere. Some of the other coordinators and managers who had been with us for a few months to a few years came next, all with smiles on their faces. I poured the last contents of my water bottle over my head to cool down as I sat next to Jax. The liquid dripped down my face, neck, and back, soaking the black T-shirt I wore at the end of the concert, and though it felt relatively warm, I was still able to breathe a sigh of relief.“There's a place called the bathroom.” Tyler leaned over to my right and tugged gently on my sleeve. “Man, you're soaked.”“You too,” I retorted as I stared intently at his hair stuck to his forehead.“I'm starving,” whimpered Jean as he fanned himself frantically with someone's magazine. He plop
Ashley POVJayden was checking himself out in the massive mirror, eyes trailing from head to toe. His dyed light brown hair was a mess, and he had just enough makeup on to cover the small scar on his left cheek. Titanium earrings dangled from his ears, and rings wrapped around his fingers. He wore a red bomber jacket over a teal patterned shirt, paired with tight— very tight— black skinny jeans and branded sneakers to complete the look.“Hey,” he greeted, locking eyes with me through the mirror.I pushed a rolling clothing rack filled with expensive-looking shirts and jackets. “No white tees? What’s going on?” I asked.Jayden let out a small laugh. “Sorry to disappoint,” he replied, adjusting his collar. “Anyway, where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”“I was at the mall,” I lied, trying my hardest not to rub my wrist. “I’m actually feeling kinda sick. I don’t know if I can stay for the whole concert.”He immediately turned to me. “You have to,” he said, a hint of
Ashley POVChugging his water bottle, Jayden turned his attention back to his friends. Miles, however, kept sneaking glances at me, his expression unreadable. I gave him a small smile anyway, hoping to reassure him that I was fine.A lie, of course. I was fine. I just had no idea how.“Are you and Miles having a thing or...?”My jaw practically hit the floor, and I gawked at Blair in disbelief. “What?” I blurted, unable to hide my shock. “Of course not!”She tapped a finger against her chin, flashing me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, that was kind of fishy.” She came closer, the scent of her strawberry perfume stinging my nose even more. “Come on, we’re friends. You can tell me.”I was this close to telling her that friendship didn’t work that way. Hell, I wanted to punch her square in the jaw. But I managed to hold back and just shook my head. “No, really,” I said, sneakily shifting away from her. “There’s nothing going on between me and him. Or anyone else in this group, for that matt
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