Chapter Sixty-Four

Jasmine’s POV

After my judgment on the mother and daughter who had lied against Amy, I noticed that members of my pack began to treat me differently.

And not in a bad way.

If they had treated me with anything close to respect, due to the fact that I was their Alpha’s mate, they now treated me with respect and admiration.

Lena had ensured that my sentences on the mother and daughter were carried out.

More than anyone, she had been proud of how I had handled the case and took great joy in narrating the occurrence in great detail to Nana and Mari, who had been disappointed that they had not been present to witness the even for themselves.

Amy and Emry’s mother, who worked closely alongside Nana at the healing house was full of thanks, even going as far as shedding a few tears, to express her gratitude for how I had come to her daughter’s rescue.

Like her daughter, she was a quiet she-wolf who had lost her husband years ago and worked at the healing house to provide for her two children.

Nana preferred her among the other she-wolves who worked at, or assisted at the healing house.

I also knew for a fact that Nana trusted her as well. And Nana did not trust many people.

That spoke a lot about her character and earned her my respect.

She also thanked me for tending to her child’s bruises and comforting her.

Personally, I saw no need for that.

It was no secret that I preferred Amy and her company to the other young girls that helped out around the pack.

I adored her quiet nature and calmness.

I also remembered the time she had come to my rescue. And how she had not said a word about it since then.

I would have doubted that she even remembered if I did not already know that she was a bright girl with a sharp mind that never forgot anything.

It was why she was so helpful.

I had grown very fond of her.

After the incident, she had begun to come around me more often. She was almost always at my side, dutifully following me everywhere I went as I performed my daily chores and duties.

I truly did not mind it.

In fact, I loved her company. And since Lena was just as fond of her as I was, she became a constant company.

It suddenly felt like I had gotten a little sister, and I doted on her to the extent that it became obvious to the entire pack.

Members of our pack began to treat her differently.

While they had almost always treated both her and her mother with quite little respect due to their low rank and lack of a male wolf protector, Emry’s joining of the warriors and Regan’s obvious affection for him had indicated the presence of a male wolf protector in their family of three.

That, combined with my obvious affection for Amy, was enough to elevate their status in the eyes of the members of our pack, even without any official announcement or change of rank.

Despite the new found respect and admiration from my pack, as well as the company that kept me occupied, I could not help but still miss my mate.

His journey was taking longer than originally planned and I was worried for their safe return until we received word of the reason behind it.

Grateful for their well being but still missing him terribly, I had written a letter and had given it to Nana who sent it through the means of a spell.

I received a letter a few days later in answer to my enquiries made in my letter as well as telling me how much he missed me.

His letter brought me a whole deal of relief.

Until a day later when all my relief and evaporated at a request sent by the Alpha of Blackmoon pack, requesting permission to enter into our pack and have an audience with me, it’s leader at the moment.

As soon as the letter was brought to me and I read through it, I immediately rejected it.

But Carson would not give up.

He sent request after request, all which I denied, before a letter from him was brought to me bearing a different seal.

Our Gamma, who once again brought the letter to where I was seated behind Regan’s desk in his study at the pack house, spoke as soon as he handed he letter to me.

“I am afraid we would have no choice but to give him audience”, he said as I opened the letter.

Lena, who was seated across from me on the other side of the desk leaned forward to take a closer look at the letter in my hands.

It was different from the others who held the crest of the Blackmoon pack.

This letter had a completely different crest.

On finally catching a glimpse of the crest on the new letter, Lena gasped.

“That sly creature!” She gasped in outrage.

I looked in surprise from her outraged face to that of the Gamma who stood with a straight face.

“What is this crest?” I asked. “And what does it mean?” I asked, this time turning to our Gamma for an explanation.

Lena looked too angry to explain.

He answered almost immediately.

“It is not good news, Luna”, he said. “At least not for us”, he added before continuing. “That crest is the crest of the council of Elders”, he told me. “It seems that the Alpha of Blackmoon pack requested a pardon letter that cannot be rejected by any of the packs tho be sent to us”, he explained.

“But why would they even permit him to do such a thing?” Lena asked. “Are they unaware of the history between our pack and Blackmoon?” She asked angrily. “What lies could he have told them to make them issue a pardon letter?” She asked.

From their conversation, I began to understand what they were talking about.

It seemed Carson had requested a letter issued by the Council of Elders that made it impossible to refuse.

Like Lena had said, he was a sly creature indeed.

“He had probably lied about wishing to make amends with our pack”, our Gamma said.

Lena scoffed. “How the Elders can be gullible enough to believe such an obvious lie would forever be a mystery of the decade”, she said.

“It is no surprise since they are after peace”, our Gamma said. “The werewolf realm is divided enough as it is”, he added.

With his words, I could understand why the Council of Elders would grant such a privilege to a member of Blackmoon pack.

But it still presented the problem that I was left with no choice but to allow Carson into our pack.

But I would take precautions.

Carson was a snake, that I knew.

So I could never be too careful.

“Alert our warriors”, I said to our Gamma. “Keep a tight lock on all our borders. No one comes in or goes out until the Alpha of Blackmoon pack leaves”, I ordered. “Send for Alpha Gaius, Gaia and Nana. I would need their presenc”, I said and he nodded. “Also”, I added before he could leave. “The Alpha of Blackmoon pack is allowed to come in with only one person”, I said. “Every other werewolf of their party would remain in wait, outside our borders. Send some warriors there to keep watch and ensure they know to not hesitate if the wolves of Blackmoon pack act suspicious”, I told him firmly.

“Yes, Luna”, he said with a firm nod.

“That is all for now”, I told him. “Bring him here”.

At my final orders, he bowed in respect before taking his leave.

“I do not like this, Dearest”, Lena said as soon as our Gamma left the study.

“Neither do I”, I told her in return. “But it seems we have no choice in the matter”, I said, leaning back into my mate’s chair that still had his scent.

It brought me warmth and gave me strength, and reminded me of who I am.

So, when Nana, Gaia and Alpha Gaius walked into the study a moment later, I straightened my spine and assumed the position of strength I wanted our enemy to see.

Nana’s lips curved on seeing me, pride in her smile as she walked in and took a seat on one of the available chairs.

Gaia took the one beside her.

Alpha Gaius came to stand behind the chair his mate was seated, allowing a hand to rest on her shoulder while Lena remained seated exactly where she was, opposite the last free seat in the room which our enemy would occupy.

I could feel my heart beat fast the minute our Gamma mind linked to tell me that they were approaching the pack house.

Everyone else must had heard it because Nana suddenly called out my name softly.

I looked towards her on hearing it and she gave a comforting smile.

“Calm yourself, My dear”, she said to me. “You are no longer the helpless she-wolf he once knew”, she said. “Now, you are the Luna of the Midnight Wolves pack and last descendant of the Royal Bloodline. Do not forget that”, she said.

I smiled my gratitude, grateful for her words as I took in a deep breath of my mate’s scent, allowing it calm me down and even out my heart beat, before I heard footsteps approaching from outside the study.

I mind linked our Gamma to enter once he knocked, and the door came open to reveal our guests.

My eyes immediately locked on Tyler Carson as he made his way into the room, an arrogant smirk on his lips as he walked in.

On seeing me seated behind the desk, he came to a sudden halt, his eyes widening in surprise and disbelief as he stared at me.

I slow smile of satisfaction curved my lips.

It was certainly worth it to see that expression on his face.

“Alpha Carson”, I said, addressing him formally, my tone cool and calm. “I am sure you did not come all the way to my pack simply to stare at me”, I said, when he remained speechless.

“Jasmine?” He called out in disbelief, as if still not believing it.

“That is Luna Jasmine to you”, Lena snapped from where she was seated, drawing his attention from me, and he finally recovered from his shock.

He turned back to me.

“I thought you were…” he trailed off, unwilling to complete his sentence.

“Dead?” I asked, helping his finish his sentence.

He did not respond, simply allowed his eyes roam all over my face, a sudden look coming onto his face that I did not like.

“You look different”, he said, taking gradual steps forward, that look still in his eyes. “I do not remember you being so beautiful”, he said.

I heard Lena’s hiss as I clenched my jaw in anger.

Knowing it would not help to allow him get a rise out of me, I simply took in a breath before leaning back into my seat and pointing at the only free chair in the room.

“Why don’t you seat?” I said, looking him down turning to my Gamma.

Getting the message, our Gamma came forward and took the last available seat in the room, leaving our guests standing.

Though a childish move on my part, it gave me a small sense of satisfaction.

He did not deserve to be seated in my presence.

At my move, he only smiled, before the smile slowly disappeared as he realized something.

“So, you are Cross’s new mate?” He asked, his eyes hardening and jaw clenching.

I smiled.

“I am”, I told him, only then noticing his only companion.

As I took in the sight of him, memories of the maltreatment I received from him flitted through my mind but I did not allow it take hold of me.

Bianca’s cousin, Tyler’s Beta, stood with his head bowed before me, and I suddenly thought how funny fate could be.

I turned back to Tyler.

“What was the reason you went to such lengths to get an audience with my mate?” I asked, aware that he had been hoping to see Regan.

“I wished to confirm a rumor I had heard”, he said reluctantly.

“And what rumor would that be?” I asked.

“That his mate was a descendant of the Royal Bloodline”, he said, pushing the words out through clenched teeth.

A slow smile split my lips.

“The rumor is true”, I said to him, all but beaming at the look on his face. “And I am that mate”.