Jasmine’s POV.
“Jasmine!” I heard a familiar voice call through the darkness. “Jasmine, you must wake up”, the voice whispered urgently even as hands jerked me awake, pulling me from the darkness. I opened my eyes to the face of my mother, a fear in her eyes that mirrored the urgency in her voice. “Mama?” I called out softly in confusion, still dazed from sleep. “Get up”, she urged. “Quickly!” Even as she spoke, she moved away from me to rummage through the bag she had sewn for me out of the animal skin father had skinned. “We do not have time”, she said, moving about the room and putting things into the bag before closing it. “Come”, she said and scooped me up from my bed and into her arms. She held onto the bag with one hand and hurried through our humble house and out the back door which led into the dark woods. There, my father stood. There was a dead wolf a small distance away from me that my mother turned my head away from seeing properly through the darkness. “That one was just sent ahead”, my father said as we neared him. “More are on the way. We cannot hold them all back”, he told my mother, his tone urgent. “Papa”, I called out to him with outstretched arms the moment we were close enough and he took me into his arms immediately. “Do you have the letter?” I heard my mother ask as I wrapped my little arms around my father’s neck and buried my face into his warm shoulder, earning a kiss from him as he tightened his arms around me. “Are you certain he will fulfil his oath?” She asked. I felt my father nod. “He is many things but still a man who fulfils his oath”, father said. “At least until she is of age”. Before my mother could respond to that, we heard a loud howl that had me moving away from my father’s shoulder to look around and several howls immediately accompanied it. “There are more than we thought”, mother said before turning to grip my arms urgently to bring my eyes to hers. “Listen carefully, Jasmine”, she began. “You must do exactly what I tell you, do you understand?” I quickly nodded, realising how serious the situation was when I saw her fear reflected in my father’s eyes. “You will go with your father and stay where he tells you”, she said. “You will stay there and be quiet and make no sound no matter what you see or hear. Promise me”, she urged. “I promise, Mama”, I answered quickly. Her hands on my arm came up to tenderly cup my cheeks. “A man with a scar under his left eye will come for you at dawn but until he does, do not come out of that hole, you understand?” She asked. I nodded once more. “Yes, Mama”. “And listen closely, my heart”, she said moving our faces closer to each other. “When you come of age, you must find your mate”, she instructed. “Only he can help you unlock your destiny”, she said firmly and I nodded again. “And never forget”, she said as her eyes began to glisten with tears. “that your Papa and I love you eternally. Never forget”, she said and placed a tender kiss on my forehead. “Be strong, my heart”, she said as tears rolled down her cheeks. “and remember to do everything I just told you. Promise me again”, she urged pressing another kiss to my head. “I promise, Mama”, I vowed. She enclosed both me and my father in a tight hug and kissed my father’s lips passionately. “Go now”, she said just as we heard several barks and howls drawing closer. “Go!” My father put me on my feet and moved a few paces away before shifting into his familiar brown wolf and coming back to me. My mother put my bag around me then covered me with a thick cloak I hadn’t seen before. “It will mask your scent”, she said as she secured it around me and placed me on my father’s back. “Hold tight and do not let go”, she said, placing one last kiss on my head before patting my father’s wolf once. “Go”, she ordered just as the wolves came around the side of the house. My father turned and took off into the forest at such a pace that made me hold on tighter even as whines escaped him. I knew it hurt him to leave my mother behind and I turned to look back at her. She was still in her human form and was fighting the wolves without a weapon, only her outstretched hands. I didn’t understand why she didn’t just shift into her wolf and run away with us. But even at the young age of five, I knew my mother was no ordinary woman. I didn’t know exactly what she was but there was something different about her. Something powerful. I watched as she fought of wolf after wolf until one snuck up from behind her and bit her arm. She didn’t stop fighting, not until several deep slashes from claws brought her to her knees. Even as she knelt, her eyes looked into the forest and found mine. I didn’t know how we could still see each other despite how far my father had taken us deep into the forest but I never questioned it. From the distance, I heard her voice in my head as we locked eyes. “Never forget”, she said and her lips stretched into a smile just before her head was ripped off her shoulders. I screamed. Even as her body fell to the ground, I continued to scream. Until I noticed how badly my father’s wolf began to tremble and whimper in pain. He hadn’t seen it, but he had felt the death of his mate. I stopped screaming when I noticed my father’s pace had began to slow down. “Papa”, I called out to his wolf, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and he picked up his pace, running despite the trembling of his body. I could hear the howls drawing nearer and I knew he heard it too when he ran faster than ever. We got to a small clearing with a big tree before my father stopped and shifted. He carried me over to the tree and lifted a large root that revealed a small hole just big enough to fit me. He quickly placed me inside and wiped at the tears I didn’t know were running down my cheeks. “Remember your promise to your mother”, he said, his eyes glistening with his own tears. “Do not make a sound, no matter what you see or hear”, he reminded. “Do you promise?” I nodded. “Yes, Papa. I promise”, I answered. “Good girl”, he praised with a kiss on my tear-stained cheek. “Do not come out until the man with a scar under his left eye comes for you”, he reminded then moved the root latch to show me a small hole in it that could allow me see through. “Look through here to know if it is him. Do not come out for anyone else and do not look through the hole until you do not hear any sound after a very long time. Promise?” He requested once more. I nodded for the last time. “I promise”. “I love you as the Goddess loves the moon, my Jasmine”, he said as a tear rolled down his cheek. “I love you more than I love berries, Papa”, I said, bringing a small smile to his lips. “Never forget”, he said as he kissed me one final time, putting the letter into my bag before he pulled the root latch close to shroud me in complete darkness, away from the full moonlight. Only the dull light from the hole on the latch brought the tiniest amount of consolation. I heard the familiar sound of his breaking bones as he shifted then heard the pounding of his paws fade as he ran in the opposite direction. Almost immediately, several sounds of pounding paws followed in the direction he went. Soon, I heard a familiar howl of pain that let me know that they had caught up with my father. I heard several growls and snaps from the distance and knew my father was fighting back. After another painful growl, the next thing I heard through the quiet forest was a voice. “Where is the girl?!” It roared. “Where is she?!” I was too far way to hear my father’s response but the howl of pain that followed after let me know that his response was not to the roaring werewolf’s liking. This continued for a while and I covered my ears with my hands and curled into a ball to try to block out the sounds of my father’s pain-filled howls. After a particular heart wrenching howl, everything went silent and I knew my father was no more. I bit down on the thick cloak my mother had put around me to muffle my sobs as tears ran down my cheeks. I heard the pounding of paws come back through where I hid until they all faded away. Then the exhaustion from the many tears I had shed pulled me into yet another darkness.Jasmine’s POV The darkness of the hole gave way to another darkness that soon engulfed me. Howling sounds pulled me from the darkness this time and when I came to, I looked around and realised that I was in the same room my mate had all but rejected me in. I was still sprawled out on the cold floor and from the tight muscle pains that radiated all over my body and the cold I could feel in my bones, I knew I had been passed out for a while. It had been a dream. A dream I hadn’t had in a very long time. One that felt more like a memory than a dream but I could never be too sure. The only thing that made me think it was not just a dream was the fact that my guardian was a man with a scar under his left eye. Other than that, I had no clue on anything else. I shifted from my position, a groan escaping my cold, chapped lips as I brought myself to a sit on the cold floor. I could still hear the several howls that had pulled me out of my unconsciousness. The clear difference
Unknown POV He picked up another scroll that laid beside the books and papers stacked on the desk he sat behind and read through another report from some warriors on an errand to an ally pack up north. He scowled at the contents written in it, still ignoring the presence of the three men who stood before him on the other side of the table. Having read enough of the scroll’s contents, he tossed it aside and turned his scowl to the men who waited silently. He regarded each of them without a word, knowing his silence would only make them grow nervous and fearful. That was his intent after all. He finally decided to break his silence when the youngest of the three began to tremble. “You said you had important information for me regarding Blackmoon”, he said, biting back his smirk at their fear. “Yes, Alpha”, the older, more muscular one said immediately. “Then tell me”, he urged. The three exchanged looks before the trembling youngster took a step forward.
Jasmine’s POV I couldn’t muster the ability to care that I was now sprawled out on the floor of the wooden cabin I had been unceremoniously dumped in two days before. I had been brought here after my mate had pronounced my sentence and I had cried my eyes out. As I laid out on the cold floor, allowing the cold to seep into my bones and ignoring the second plate of oatmeal and dried fish that had been brought earlier by one of the guards of my cabin prison, I discovered an emotion that was though strange, yet comforting. That emotion was anger. I had gone through several emotions since being thrown into the cabin. The first was pain. Literal pain from the injuries I had sustained while being rough handled and treated like a criminal, and emotional pain from all that I had gone through. The second was shock because I could not believe that it was all really happening. I wished I was evil enough to have done what I was accused of but I was not. The next was
Jasmine’s POV. As soon as the door to the study slammed shut behind me, I breathed a sign of relief. I could feel my aching shoulders relax and felt such ease being away from the scorching gaze of the Alpha. Looking forward to where Luke now stood with a teasing glint in his hazel eyes, no doubt seeing my relief, I felt my shoulders tense once again. The fact that the Alpha was more scary didn’t mean I wasn’t still scared of Luke. “Believe me when I say you have less to fear from me”, he said as if reading my mind. “I will not hurt you if you do not give me a reason to”, he added turning away from me to start walking down a hallway. Since he was the only one I could somewhat trust to not harm me as long as I behaved, I hurried after him, making sure to walk behind him with my eyes downcast to avoid the stares from any werewolves we came across. He led me out the way we had come and into the gaze of the fully risen Sun. He took the opposite path from the woods and led me dow
Jasmine’s POV. Just as Luke had said, a red haired woman had come to fetch me before night fall. A knock on the door pulled me from the arms of the peaceful sleep I had been in. It took a moment to gather my thoughts and remember where I was when I finally opened my eyes. Biting down on a groan, I brought my aching body to a sitting position, then pushed myself to stand and make my way to the door. I opened it to see a pretty red haired woman with freckled cheeks standing before me with a smile. She looked to be a bit older than me and her smiling brown eyes showed a warmth I was not familiar with receiving. “My name is Lena”, she said. “It’s short for Elena. May I come in?” She asked almost immediately and it took me a moment to respond. “Yes, you may”, I said, opening the door wider to let her in. I was still in a state between shock and disbelief and automatically shut the door after she made her way in. It was as I turned around to look at her that I noticed sh
Jasmine’s POV. Elena’s warmth had a way of wrapping itself around one and making them feel safe. That was how I felt from the moment I had met her. And that was why I confided in her about things I had never told anyone, even if we had just met. While she tended to my wounds, we talked. I told her a little more about my life at Blackmoon pack and she was more angry at the treatment I had been dealt before sympathizing with my plight. Then she began to tell me about her pack. It was called the Midnight Wolves Pack and it was a big one. As she spoke, I could hear the pride in her voice when she talked about her pack, especially her Alpha. It was clear that the scary Alpha, or Alpha Regan, as Elena had informed me, was highly respected and admired from the way she spoke of him. She shared that after the attack that had killed most of their pack members, including their former Alpha and Luna several years ago, Alpha Regan had been the one to restore the pack to its full
Jasmine’s POV Life at the Midnight Wolves pack was nothing short of a dream for me. For the first time, I was treated like everyone else. For the first time, I had a friend and people who looked happy with my presence. I was happy. I had begun helping out at the healing house with Lena, Nana and two other werewolves. Elena had insisted that I called her Lena like her friends and family did. I had assisted in tending to minor wounds and watched closely to learn all that I could. After all, I didn’t know when the scary Alpha would decide that I was no longer useful. After I had once helped stitch the injured arm of a werewolf, Nana had declared that I had a talent for stitching and so, I had started helping out with stitching the wounds of the patients that visited the healing house. While working there, I noticed that there was something a little strange about Nana. I had noticed her chanting what I believed to be spells from time to time whil
Regan’s POV Even though it had all happened right before me, I was having a hard time understanding what had just occurred. “How could you, Regan?” I heard Nana voice her disappointment once more, her eyes shooting daggers at me and mirroring the disappointment in her tone. Before I could even open my mouth to reply, both she and Lena had whisked away the unconscious she-wolf in haste. As my study door banged loudly after them, I voiced out the thought that was running through my mind. “What, in the name of the Moon Goddess just happened?” I asked aloud to no one in particular but still turned my confused gaze to meet Luke’s equally confused gaze. His frown of confusion he was spotting was gradually clearing as something close to understanding began to take its place. I turned back to look at the spot where she had once laid in pain and thought hard even as I slowly began to comprehend the situation. For a moment, I had forgotten that she was not like the usual werewolv
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