Jasmine’s POV. When I finally saw Luke, a part of me was relieved that the only thing left from his wounds was a faint scar, though I would have preferred that he didn’t have one to begin with. He didn’t sit with us at our table as he usually did. Instead, he walked in, whispered something into Regan’s ear that made him nod, before serving himself a plate of food and taking the said plate of food to a corner of the hall with no one else. He sat on an empty table by the window and ate, going through some papers as he did so. “If you wish to speak with him”, my mate suddenly said from beside me and I turned my worried gaze from where Luke was seated towards him. “You can go to him”, he said, not looking the slightest bit upset that his mate’s attention was elsewhere. “I am sure he would appreciate your company even if he doesn’t know it”, he said, giving me a nod of approval. I smiled at his words and pushed back my chair to stand to my feet. Then I bent to kiss his cheek b
Regan’s POV The potion Nana made would take about two days to be effective. The one she made for me was to weaken me enough that I would not harm my mate with my strength and the one she made for Jasmine was to make her strong enough to endure the mating ritual. The mating ritual was an important process that we had failed so far to complete. After the mating ceremony, mates were expected to perform the mating rituals which involved the process of mating and being marked right afterwards. After the marking, it was understood that the mates would be completely bonded. That meant that even though Jasmine did not possess a wolf, she would be able to mind link me, though no one else. It would also mean that we would be able to feel each other’s emotions and would have a stronger ability to trace each other’s scents. That was why I wanted the mating ritual to be completed as soon as possible. If we were completely mated, I would be able to tell when she’s in danger and co
Jasmine’s POV It was even better than the last time. If I had thought that the last time I had been with Regan was incredible, then there were certainly no words to describe the act of mating. I had only felt pain for a brief moment when he finally joined us as one, but the very next moment was blissful. I had lost count of how many times I had cried out his name in my release as he took me to heights that were indescribable again and again. When he finally joined me to ascend the heights and we cried out each other’s names, I suddenly started to feel a burning sensation on the side of my neck. “Regan?!” I cried out his name in alarm at the intense sensation of heat, as if the side of my neck was on fire. “What is happening?” I asked, worry making my voice start to tremble. He separated our sweaty bodies as he pushed off me, holding his weight with his elbows on both side of me as he peered down at me in concern. I immediately turned my neck to the side to show it to
Regan’s POV By the time we made it back towards the pack, and out of the woods, Nana was already there waiting for us. I had mind linked her earlier after seeing the silver lines on my mate’s back. I didn’t know what to make of it so I had mind linked Nana to let her know that something strange was happening to Jasmine and that we were on our way to see her. But with Jasmine suddenly shifting for the first time, I had forgotten all about meeting Nana until she had mind linked to ask where we were. I had simply told her that something had happened to Jasmine and to meet us in front of the woods. So, her presence was no surprise to me. Naturally, since Lena was an extension of Nana, I was not surprised to see her waiting alongside Nana as well, especially once she knew anything that pertained or concerned her dearest friend. The person who I was surprised to see however, was Luke. I had not mind linked him and since he was usually busy, I did not expect him to be prese
Jasmine’s POV I woke around Noon the next day feeling very well rested. I immediately caught the scent of my mate and knew it had not been too long since he had left the room. For a moment, I wondered how I could have known that before the memories of the night flooded my mind. I had finally gotten my wolf. I was no longer the werewolf without a wolf. I would no longer be considered weak or unworthy to stand beside my mate as his Luna. Tears gathered in my eyes as I thought of how my parents would react to the news of me finally getting my wolf. I thought to call her but remembered that I had yet to choose a name for her. ‘How do you feel?’ I heard her calm voice in my head and smiled, knowing she had read my mind. ‘Strong’, I told her honestly, a wide smile appearing on my lips. I got off my bed and made my way to my closet to search for clothes and a towel. ‘What are you doing?’ I heard her ask as I made my way towards the door rather than to the washroom.
Regan’s POV After Nana’s revelation about the possibility of my mate being of the Royal bloodline, she had not stopped crying. I could feel her sadness and fear through our mate bond and despite my best efforts, I could not help her feel better. However, I was embarrassed to admit that it seemed that Lena could do what I had failed to. After we had returned to the house, Lena had taken Jasmine up to her room and they had been cooped up there ever since. But through our mate bond, I could feel that whatever Lena was doing to help her feel better was working, because the feeling of fear was muted and amusement and sympathy dominated the new emotions I felt from her. Luke was expected to be back with the old she-wolf by nightfall and I truly hoped that her arrival would bring good news. I worked from the study in our house rather than the one at the pack house, simply needing to be closer to my mate. From time to time I would go up to see if they needed anything and tak
Jasmine’s POV Our guests from Whitestorm pack dined with us peacefully on the night of their arrival. Throughout the meal, I was conscious of the silver eyes that watched me intently from the other end of our table. The only thing that kept me calm was the presence of my mate beside me. Unfortunately, Lena could not be of much help since she had set eyes on her mate. To say I was happy for her would be the understatement of the century. It warmed my heart each time I felt her glance up and see her gaze go straight to where her mate was seated. He in turn could not seem to take his eyes off her and it was obvious to everyone that saw him that he was completely besotted with his mate already, despite not saying even a word to each other. Though his eyes stayed on Lena, he dutifully remained at his mother’s side throughout the meal and afterwards when Nana showed them to the quarters they would be occupying during their visit. I watched as Lena’s eyes locked on her mate
Regan’s POV Arwyn. I tried to recall if I ever heard of such a name but came up blank. I had never known of anyone by that name and neither did I recall ever hearing the name before it fell from Gaia’s lips. But what troubled me wasn’t the name itself, but the reaction to the name. In all my years of knowing her, and I had known her all my life, I had never seen Nana so visibly frightened as she was at the mention of that name. Gaia herself looked so obviously uneasy that it made me worried. It did not help that I could also feel the fear in my mate as she spoke of the dream she had of the so-called Arwyn. “Who is this Arwyn?” I asked, certainly voicing out the thoughts of the younger occupants in the room. If Gaia heard me, then she chose to ignore my question because instead of replying, she grabbed my mate’s other hand from mine and held on firmly. “Show me what you saw”, she demanded and before I could reach out to pull her hands away from my mate, her body jerke
Jasmine’s POV It was a surprise to everyone at breakfast the next morning to see Luke seated to Regan’s left, and the two thoroughly engaged in conversation. I am sure Luke’s mate was surprised as well because we shared a glance of astonishment before turning back to watch our mates interact. It was as though Luke had never left. The only difference was, when before it would be very obvious that they were both mind linking the other, it had now become that they would openly speak to each other. I secretly believed they did that so that Lena could see. If she saw and was affected by it, she hid it well, keeping a blank and almoubored expression on her face and only interacting with the ladies and her mate throughout the meal. It was the bored expression that let me know that she was indeed affected. Lena was never bored. If she was, she created something to entertain herself and others. On the other had, the two friends who had obviously resolved whatever issues the
Regan’s POV It had been three days since Luke came home and I could still feel the awkwardness between us. Lena had still not relented in her mission to pretend he did not exist and for the most part, I felt sorry for him. Lady Zara was getting along famously with the ladies, who went out of their way to include her in every activity they performed. They had even taken her to their favorite place at the stream and it was clear to see that Lady Zara was thoroughly enjoying her stay in our pack. For my part, I was mostly confused. I did not know whether to have Luke perform duties around the pack, just as I normally would. But it was not the same. I did not even know if o could still refer to him as my Beta. We had not had a single meaningful conversation since his return. On one hand, his mate was the last relative of the deceased Alpha of Redclaw pack, which meant that he could take up the leadership of the pack as its Alpha if he chose to remain there with her. O
Jasmine’s POV If I had expected Lena to have forgiven Luke once she sore him, I and everyone else who had had similar thoughts were proved wrong. I had been surprised to look around and find her absent, only to return to the house to see that she had never left in the first place. I had known that Lena’s feelings had been hurt by Luke’s refusal to respond to the several letters she had sent him while he had been away. However, I had assumed that all would be forgiven once he returned home. I had assumed wrong. She had avoided seeing him all day and had remained in the privacy of her room until it was time for Supper. Then, she had emerged in all her cold beauty and proceeded to sit as far away from Luke at the dinner table in the pack house. Despite her avoidance of Luke and her ignoring of his existence, her cold treatment was never given to Luke’s mate, who she had pulled into a hug and gushed over how beautiful she was the moment Nana had introduced her. She had g
Regan’s POV It had been more than ten days since my warriors and I returned from our successful journey. I had received several letters from the Alpha and Luna of Nighthowl pack. Alpha Regan kept me informed on his progress with the Council of Elders while his Luna wrote to ask about my well being as well as that of my mate and our unborn pup. She also wrote to inform me that she had written to her distant nephew, the Alpha of Moonrock pack, and encouraged me to write to him, assuring me of his acceptance to hear of my request. After receiving that particular letter, I wasted no time in writing to the Alpha of Moonrock pack, convincing Alpha Gaiu to do the same on our behalf. He readily agreed, if for nothing else but for his mate sake, I suspected. However, despite writing and receiving letters, I had yet to receive a letter from the one person I had not realized I had wished to hear from the most. Luke. I had written and destroyed several letters I had meant to send
Jasmine’s POV Regan’s return brought a new light to my days. Once they had been welcomed and fed, each warrior returned to their respective homes. With his arm around my waist, my mate led us back to our home after our evening meal with the rest of the pack to welcome our warriors back. Mira had done an absolutely marvelous job at cooking up the most sumptuous meal for our supper. Everyone had eaten their feel and the mood was very merry. However, throughout the meal, Isla remained quiet as usual, only lightly conversing with Lena or other wise quietly watching and smiling to some antics the warriors did. Most of them were somewhat drunk and were obnoxiously loud. One thing that was clear to anyone with eyes was how much and how often most of the warriors who had returned -most of which were unmated - tried to gain Isla’s attention. At first, they had simply stared at her or passed her admiring glances. But once they started to drink, they grew bolder with trying to g
Regan’s POV Not long after we had taken our morning meal, after we had put Alpha Zolan to rest under the full moon the night before, my warriors and I were ready to continually our journey home. Lady Zara came to bid us farewell, expressing her gratitude for our presence and assistance. And though she did not say it, I could see her gratitude for me allowing Luke remain with her. I waved away her thanks, taking her hand and bowing over it before bidding her farewell. Then I turned to Luke. Our goodbye was a very casual affair as we both knew each other well enough to know that we did not want to get affectionate or create a scene. So we limited our goodbye to a nod and a brief handshake and patting of shoulders. As I turned around and began to walk away to join our warriors who were already gathered and waiting with our horses and supplies for our return home, I caught sight of Emry break away from the group and run past me to Luke. I did not turn around to watch what
Jasmine’s POV When I received another letter from Regan soon after the one telling me about his journey home, I knew it was not good news. The ladies and I were seated in Lena’s room, taking a much needed break from our daily activities when I received the letter. As I tore it open and began to read, I could feel the curious silence that took over the space. Disappointment settled in my stomach when I heard that their journey home had been delayed once more. But when I heard the reason, the feeling of disappointment instantly changed to that of concern and worry. As I finished reading the letter, I lifted my head to face the three pair of eyes already on me, no that eager to hear the news. “Their journey has been further delayed”, I announced. Both Lena and Amy sighed in disappearing but Isla did not look the least upset or even affected about the news. I could not blame her, it was impossible to miss people you had never even met. She did rest a sympathetic hand o
Regan’s POV No matter how eager I was to go home, I did not have it in me to deny Luke’s request to see his mate one more time before we went home. After all, it was still on our path home and would cost us no major discomfort or set back. That had been the right choice to make, for as we approached the entrance into the pack, a white cloth was spread across the entrance. Seeing that could only mean one thing. That Alpha Zolan of the Redclaw pack had passed into the world beyond. Upon seeing this, Luke pushed his horse to go faster, disregarding the normal protocol and I did not have it in me to stop him. I understood how he felt. He had thought only of his mate. I followed closely behind him, and once their pack warriors saw that the intruders were us, they did not make any further move to stop us. I watched as Lady Zara come out of the pack house alongside other pack members. Upon seeing Luke hastily dismounting from his horse, she ran towards him and straigh
Jasmine’s POV Considering how worried I had been about her being accepted into my pack, Isla had fit in quite well. She and Lena had finally started to get along, seeing that they had some things in common. I would even go as far as saying that they had become close friends. Well, as close as one could be as a friend to someone who was used to being alone and valued her alone time over all else. Isla and Lena could not be more different if they were light and day. With Isla’s cool beauty and reserved demeanor, and Lena’s bright attitude and attractive features, they were very different. But somehow, thanks to efforts from mostly Lena who was determined to find something in common with my cousin, they had become good friends. Isla still disappeared to my garden or Nana’s garden whenever Lena became too much for her to cope with, but other than that, she seemed to have gotten used to Lena’s company and even seemed to have grown fond of her. Nana and Gaia had also gro