Chapter Sixty-Six

Jasmine’s POV

Since I had no choice in the matter, I took amusement from wherever I could.

At the moment, the amusement I derived from the expression of disbelief on the face of my former mate was one that brought me immense satisfaction indeed.

He remained standing in the same spot since he had seen me, with his Beta beside him.

“So it is true then?” He asked again, the disbelief suddenly giving way to an emotion I did not quickly realize.

“She has already said that it is”, Lena replied hotly from where she way seated.

He finally broke his gaze away from mine to shoot her a heated glare.

“And who might you be?” He asked with a threatening growl.

Before I could open my mouth to warn him to not speak that way to her, her mate, whose hand remained possessively on her shoulder, spoke.

“She is my mate”, Alpha Gaius said, the warning clear in his tone and the brief flickering of his eyes that warned that his wolf was not so far from the surface, ready to attack any threat posed against their mate.

Since Carson had probably not noticed before, it was clear to see from his retreat that he had finally noticed the aura of an Alpha that surrounded Alpha Gaius, and knew that it would not be wise to threaten the mate of an Alpha wolf in his presence.

Werewolves, especially Alpha werewolves were known to be very protective of their mates, even going as far as starting wars whenever they perceived any disrespect directed at their mate.

Carson gave a humiliating nod before turning back to me.

Seeing him and his reactions, I couldn’t help but compare him to my mate.

Regan was a strong, Alpha werewolf. Decisive, wise and possessive. Brave and courageous. Never hesitating to protect me and everything that concerned me.

The authority his mere presence commanded was astounding. And the power that radiated off him left everyone who saw him without a doubt that he was a powerful Alpha.

I was always proud of the fact that he was my mate.

And compared to him, Carson was quite a pathetic excuse of an Alpha.

And watching him as he stood before me simply made it too glaring.

“You should have been my mate”, he suddenly said out of nowhere.

Everyone in the room tensed, our Gamma even coming to his feet with a warning growl.

Their reactions were understandable.

One of the worst crimes that could be committed in the werewolf realm was that of lusting after or wanting someone else’s mate.

Especially if the affection or attention was not mutual.

That Carson voiced that out in a gathering of members of my pack was an affront, not just to me, but to my mate who was Alpha, and by extension my pack as well.

I decided then to add foolish to the ever growing list of his attributes.

Before anyone else could react and escalate the matter, I responded.

“I was never going to be your mate”, I told him.

“The Moon Goddess chose us to be together”, he said, further agitating those press with his foolishly spoken words.

“No”, I said Imm with a firm shake of my head. “The Moon Goddess wanted me to understand that I deserved better, so that I would not be confused when the mate she had destined for me came along”, I told him firmly, holding his gaze so that he would be left without a doubt.

“I am the mate of the Powerful Alpha of the Midnight Wolves pack”, I told him. “And as long as you are standing in my pack, you will pay us that respect and not utter any more foolish words that could cost you your life”, I told him.

He looked at me in surprise.

“You have changed”, he said, almost in wonder. “You are not the same she-wolf I knew”, he said to me.

I leaned comfortably into the warmth of my mate’s chair.

“I am pleased that you noticed”, I told him. “That she-wolf you thought you knew died a long time ago”, I said. “She will never return”.

I allowed my words to sink in before picking up the letter with the crest of the Council of Elders.

“In this letter”, I said, holding up the letter. “It is said that you wished for an audience with our pack in order to try to make amends for your crimes in the past”, I said, summarizing the context of the letter. “I advise you to get on with it before my presence is needed elsewhere”, I told him.

He looked at me with that gaze that I did not like before briefly turning to glance back at his Beta and turning back to me.

“We have heard rumors from the neighboring packs”, he said. “Rumors talking about a prophesy. About a she-wolf with the Royal markings”, he said.

I could not help but cut in.

“Oh yes”, I said. “As it turned out, those horrid birth marks on my back were actually the Royal markings concealed by a spell”, I said, my tone mocking enough so that he could get the message within.

He looked away and brought a hand up to scratch his chin, a habit I detested seeing as it brought out memories I was not fond of.

“I see”, he murmured.

“Well”, I said. “I do not see how that should make you request for an audience with my pack”, I said. “I am sure I am not the only one that finds it strange that you would go to such lengths to be allowed into our pack simply because you heard a rumor”, I said.

He was silently for a while before he spoke.

“My initial desire was to offer a hand of peace and pledge the assistance of my pack to the service of the Royal bloodline”, h e finally said.

I was quiet for a short moment while I observed him.

“Surely you do not expect me to believe that”, I said. “That you would now choose to offer a hand of assistance to the Midnight Wolves pack, whom you have committed multiple crimes against, simply to serve the Royal bloodline”, I told him with a stern gaze.

“Luna”, Lena called from where she was seated, drawing my attention away from Carson, to her. “Can I just draw attention to the statement he just made?” She requested and went on at my nod of approval. “He said his initial desire was to offer a hand of peace”, she said before turning to Carson to shoot him a look of accusation. “I wonder what his new found desire is now”, she said.

At her words, I turned back to him to see him looking unsurprised at her words.

“You heard her, Carson”, I said. “Do tell us of your new found desire”, I urged with a stern look.

He held my gaze for a moment before a clear look determination took over his features.

It caused a shiver I did not like to run down my spine.

But still, I took in a deep subtly and waited for his response.

“I now have one desire”, he said seriously. “And that is to win back my mate”, he declared.

At his declaration, everyone seated rose to their feet in outrage at his words.

That he had first said it carelessly, they had let it slide for my sake, I knew.

But the way he had repeated it in seriousness, it was a clear threat against me and my pack.

“Let me say this and make myself very clear”, I told him, also rising to my feet to lean forward and rest my open palms on the desk.

“I will never be your mate”, I told him firmly. “I have a mate, and he is all I will ever need”, I said. “If by some impossible reason, he chooses to reject me today, he will still remain the only mate I know”, I told him. “I will never be yours. Not in life and certainly not in death”, I said, and simply to refresh his memory, added. “Have you forgotten that it was you who sentenced me to death despite knowing I was your mate?” I asked.

He looked to the ground to avoid my glaring eyes, but I was not finished.

“Have you forgotten that it was in your pack that I was humiliated and maltreated?” I asked him. “And with your approval that I was flogged and maltreated by your mistress?” I asked.

At my words, I heard a surprised gasp from Gaia, and saw her turn to Nana who nodded to the truth of my words, from the corner of my eyes.

“You broke me and abandoned me”, I told him. “And I will forever thank the Moon Goddess for showing me who you truly are”, I said and leaned back to make my way around the desk.

“You rejected me”, I said, coming to a stop in front of me. “And for that, I thank you”, I said, a smile slowly coming onto my face. “Because if you had not done all those things to me, it would never had brought me to my true mate. The true one the Moon Goddess had destined for me all along”, I told him, even as his jaw clenched.

“He accepted me as I was”, I told him. “He loved me with every scar you placed on me. He made me strong. He made me understand what it meant to have a true mate”, I said and took another step closer so that my words would hit perfectly.

“He made me know the difference between a true wolf”, I leaned closer, bringing my voice low despite knowing everyone could hear me. “And a coward”, I whispered.

His eyes flickered but rather than being afraid, I laughed in his face, before turning away and walking back to resume my seat.

“This is the last time I will show you mercy for your careless words”, I told him as I sat down in my mate’s chair.

“The next time you insult me and my pack with such nonsense talk”, I said. “It would be the last time you have a tongue”, I finished with a smile before leaning back.

“And while I know you well enough to not believe the lie in your pretense for wanting peace, I appreciate your effort in even attempting to do so”, I said. “However, seeing as it is quite insincere, I reject your offer and ban you and any members of your pack from coming anywhere close to the borders of my pack”. I allowed the smile melt off my face to be replaced by a hard look. “If any of your pack members so much as come close to our borders, they will be killed instantly”, I declared. “This is the last time you will be granted access into our pack. Any future attempts you make will be rejected, irrespective of whatever crests your letter may carry”, I said firmly.

I did not care if the council of elders themselves pleaded for me to see him again. I never wanted to set eyes on him again.

I was long done with Tyler Carson of the Blackmoon pack.

With that said, I turned to my Gamma.

“Please ensure that him and his company are escorted out of our pack”, I told him as he rose to his feet to carry out my command. “They are never to step foot anywhere close to our pack or its borders”, i told him.

“Yes, Luna”, he said with a bow before turning to usher Carson and his Beta out of our study.

As he left, Carson turned back with a look and a smile that made my stomach turn.

“Until next time, my Jasmine”, he said before her was almost pushed out by our Gamma and the door slammed shut.

Gaia immediately rose to her feet.

“I am afraid that is not the last time you will see him, my Dear”, she said, and I knew for certain that she had seen something.

“I know”, I told her, not knowing how, but being certain of that one thing.