Chapter 3

Jacksons P.O.V

“Tisha… that other girl called her Tisha so…fitting”

“We shouldn’t have left, we should have stayed,” my wolf Silver says his voice deep and gravelly in my head clawing at my thoughts. He’s been relentless since we left.

I grip the steering wheel harder, the leather creaking under my fingers. My eyes narrow on the road ahead, but the image of her keeps creeping in. Black curly hair, soft like sunlight filtering through leaves. She didn’t belong there, yet she moved like she was part of that wild place. It made no sense.

“She’s nobody.” I push the thought away, but Silver doesn’t relent.

“She’s something. You felt it. We both did. Find her.”

I shake my head, trying to focus. The streets pass in a blur as I speed past the outskirts of blackwood territory. With every few seconds, the memory of her flashes through my mind—her delicate fingers reaching for those flowers like there was no care in the world. The scent of the pine, earth and wildflowers still clings to my senses.

“You’re obsessed. You don’t even know her. We don’t have time for this” I say trying to shake silver off my back.

“She smelled… different. Like home. She’s important.”

I grit my teeth, forcing my thoughts back to reality. There's no time for this. I have responsibilities—real ones. But even as I try to reason with myself, Silvers words keep crawling under my skin.

The house comes into view, and as I pull up to the driveway, Devon is already waiting for me. He spots the car and jogs over, his usual eager energy bouncing in his step.

“Finally, you’re back,” Devon says, relief spilling into his voice. “Everyone’s been looking for you. Especially for the ceremony tonight.”

I roll my eyes, killing the engine. “I’m sure they’ll survive a few more hours without me.”

Devon doesn’t take the hint, though. “The mating ceremony is a big deal, Jackson. People are wondering why you haven’t shown any interest. Word’s spreading.”

“Because she’s not there. She’s somewhere else”  Silvers voice is more insistent now, growling low in my chest.

“Shut up”.I push the door open and step out, trying to shake him off.

Devon looks at me, confused, but he continues. “You know, people are talking. They're expecting you to make some kind of move tonight. Alpha Damien even asked about you directly.”

The mention of Damien stirs something bitter in me. I can’t stand the thought of playing nice with him, but I’ll have to. Blackwood’s been a pain in my side for months now, and if this ceremony is the only way to keep things calm, I’ll show up. Barely.

“Relax, Devon. I’ll be there. I’ve got it covered.”

Silver growls low in my chewst his frustration growing but he says nothing.

“Today, you’ll be heading to the Crown Casino and Golden Hotels for the annual review.

I hear Devon drum my schedule for the day and all I do is will myself to listen. Shifting from the obvious growing obsession I am having for Tisha- “There’s also a meeting with the President of Jewels and Pearls—discuss expansion plans, but no partnership. Lastly, the Blackwood Pack’s mating ceremony is tonight by ten.”

I nod. “Got it. Send Jason to handle the meeting. Make sure he shuts down the partnership idea. And tell Angela to prep the jet for Vegas. I’ll be ready in an hour. Oh, and breakfast—I’m starving.” I toss the orders over my shoulder, leaving Devon to handle the rest as I take the stairs two at a time to my room.

Vegas. Another day, another duty. Being the most powerful alpha in the U.S. has its perks, sure. But the weight? That never goes away.

Seven years ago rogues tore through our pack, killing my parents,and leaving me as one of the youngest alpha to take control in the chaos. My father had been a good man, too good. It made him weak his kindness the very reason he got him killed.

With Devon and a few loyal soldiers, I rebuilt. The Blackwood Pack became untouchable—my reputation forged in violence, my power uncontested.

Seven years later, the world fears me. Some say I’ve been cursed by the moon goddess and denied a mate because of the blood on my hands. Others whisper that I’m too monstrous, too scarred for a mate. Devon feeds those rumors—fear and mystery, the perfect combination to control.

Pulling up to the service entrance of the casino, I spot Angela. She’s leaning against the doorframe, tablet in hand, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

“You don’t age, do you?” she quips, that familiar teasing lilt in her voice.

“And you’re still as irritating as ever,” I shoot back, falling into step beside her as we head into the casino. Angela’s been with me from the start—through the blood, the grief, the empire-building. Where I ruled with force, she built with finesse. Her eye for detail turned every casino, every hotel, into a masterpiece. The Crown Casino? Her magnum opus—golden and gleaming, a beacon of our dominance in Vegas.

“As the most powerful man in the country, you’ve got a shitty way of showing it,” Angela says, her tone shifting to annoyance. “Where’s Devon? You should never be out in the open without backup.”

“He’s handling a situation at one of the other casinos. He’ll be here soon. Let’s get this over with. The sooner I’m done, the sooner I’m out of your hair.”

The day blurs by—meetings, inspections, everything running smoothly under Angela’s watchful eye. The business is thriving, as always. It’s a well-oiled machine, but it takes constant attention to keep it that way.

“Thanks, Angela. Come by the house this weekend. You’ve been working too hard.”

She smirks. “If you add a couple more zeros to my paycheck, maybe I’ll take that vacation I’ve been dreaming of.”

I chuckle. “You pay yourself anyway. Get a Chanel bag or something.”

Her face lights up at the suggestion, and I can’t help but smile at how easy it is for her mate to lift her spirits. It’s a reminder of what I don’t have. What I’ve been denied.

We say our goodbyes, and I give her one last glance before sliding into the Aston Martin. The drive back to the hangar is quiet, my thoughts churning. Devon is already waiting by the jet when I arrive.

"Ready?" he asks, watching me closely.

I nod, but the weight of the day hangs heavy.