2.

Jasper

"Tomorrow is the gathering, what are your plans?" my cousin, Chester broke the silence that prevailed in the room, pouring himself a glass of beer from the bottle laid out on the center table. We had settled back at my house after we were done with the meeting from the pack. I barely had time to rest if not now. Taking care of the office work and waiting for Bridget to finish her photo shoot so we could have time to ourselves.

The very first time I saw her, which was three years ago at the pack gathering together with her father, the prominent minister of defense of our pack, Williams and also my father's closest friend. I had fallen for her. I'd call it love at first sight. Not only due to the mate bond. Bridget is the type of woman I had dreamt to have as my mate and life partner. Ask me what made me fall for her, I won't be able to answer. I just loved everything about her. And I'm glad the feelings is mutual.

I took a sip of my drink before focusing my attention on Chester. "Are there any plans apart from the one we have prepared? Of course I will announce Bridget as my future Luna."

Chester leaned back in his chair. I didn't miss the sly smile that curved up his lips. "You're whipped Jasper. If you don't make Bridget your Luna, the whole Ember pack won't be at peace"

"You think it's that obvious?" I mused, trying to keep my tone light, though my thoughts were anything but. The chance of leading the pack with Bridget by my side was what I had been anticipating.

Chester's grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, it's beyond obvious, Jasper. You've got that look. The 'I'd move mountains for her' look."

I chuckled, though I knew he wasn't entirely wrong. Bridget had become my driving force and my strength. "You may have a point here. Bridget deserves a leader who's fully committed. She deserves someone like me" The thought of how I would declare her mine tomorrow excites me. I want the world to know the woman that had captured my heart. The woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with. My true Luna. I want the whole of the Ember pack to know that.

Chester's expression softened. "And I've seen the way she looks at you. Trust me, cousin, you two are a perfect match. Your parents would be proud."

As I stared into my drink, contemplating Chester's words, I couldn't help but acknowledge the depth of my feelings for Bridget. "Why not make it look like a proposal?" Chester suggested, clapping his hands together. I shot him a glare, about to respond when my phone rang.

"It's Bridget," I said, turning the phone toward Chester, who looked curious as ever.

"Seems like our future Luna can't get enough of you," he teased.

"Shut up, Chester. I don't have time for your goofy jokes," I grumbled before answering the call and bringing the phone to my ear.

"Hey, Bridget," I started, feeling my heart jump just from hearing her voice. Chester was right. I'm completely under her spell.

"Are you busy? Can we talk?" Her voice sounded kind of urgent and low, making me sit up a bit straighter. Even if I was busy, I'd make time for her.

"Nah, I'm free. Everything okay?" I asked, concern creeping into my tone.

"Meet me at home, our usual spot," she said, and the line went quiet. I stared at my phone, a puzzled look on my face.

"What did she say?" Chester asked. I finished my drink and got up, sliding the phone into my jeans pocket.

"She wants to see me. I'm out," Chester still looked curious, but I didn't really pay attention. I was curious too.

My car pulled into the big parking space at Bridget's father's house. The man's not just a big shot in the pack but also has loads of wealth from his businesses. Makes him a big name among werewolves and the humans world.

I caught sight of Bridget in the garden as I walked closer to their house. A smile spread across my face, and I wrapped my arms around her from behind. "Were you about to call me?" I whispered in her ear, noticing her phone in her hand.

Bridget's reaction was kinda of off, but I didn't really bother. She flashed me a smile. "Let me call the maid to get you something to drink"

I rested my hand around her shoulder. "I'm fine. I just had a drink with Chester."

Her eyes squinted on me and she sniffed my body. "At this hour of time?"

I shrugged in return putting a strand of her hair behind her ears. "So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked, ready to hear her out.

The coolness that was once on her face disappeared and was replaced by nervousness. I heaved out a sharp breath and then turned her to face me. "I get it, you're worried about tomorrow, right?" I said, squeezing her hand. I locked eyes with her, the woman who had taken over my heart, the woman I was dying to make mine. My Luna. My mate.

She stared back, and I could tell there was something on her mind. I leaned in, and my voice softened. "Don't worry, Bridget. I've got things under control. The pack stuff is all in check. No big problems."

"But-"

"No but. You tend to worry unnecessarily. By tomorrow you will have me all to yourself. You won't have to worry about me mating another woman" that earned a chuckle from her.

"Stop making it look like I'm the bad girlfriend here."

"You are not. By the time I declared you mine tomorrow, we'd be together for a lifetime." I held onto her hand, our eyes locked in the silent understanding. Tomorrow is a big day, but I wasn't worried. With Bridget by my side, everything felt right. And as we stood there, gazing at each other, I knew that whatever came our way, we'd face it together.

***

Preparations buzzed through the Ember pack like wildfire. My father, Alpha Leo, had extended invitations to folks from various packs to mark his business accomplishments. Betas, Gammas, Lycans, even Ministers—they were all on the guest list. And leading the distinguished guests was Bridget's father, the significant contributor to our pack's success.

I felt like I was floating, elated yet on edge. Bridget and I shared our feelings, that much I knew. But as the event neared, my nerves kicked in. I was determined to declare her mine in front of everyone, to show the world she was my Luna. Only my cousin Chester and Bridget herself were in on the secret.

With a deep breath, I pulled on my attire, a mix of excitement and anxiety twirling within me. A text to Bridget confirmed I was ready and urged her not to worry. I couldn't resist adding a touch of cheesy affection, telling her I loved her. I was eager to see her, to feel her presence by my side.

The sound of drums reverberated, a signal that the event was commencing. Taking one final calming breath, I steeled myself and walked towards the pack hall. This was it—the moment I had been waiting for, the one where I would make Bridget my Luna for all to see.

Entering the pack hall, I found it alive with people from all ranks, mingling and celebrating together. My father, Alpha Leo, stood there, deep in conversation with Bridget's father, exchanging hearty laughs with the guests. I imagined the joy on my father's face when he discover the revelation I had planned. He had been wanting me to settle down with my Luna, to take the reins of the Ember pack. Soon, his wish would be granted.

As I made my way through the crowd, Chester appeared, giving me a knowing grin. "Went all out, huh? New outfit and everything?" he teased, clearly amused. I didn't respond, my attention fixed on a breathtaking sight a few miles away—Bridget, the woman who held my heart in her hands.

Her presence seemed to radiate a light that outshone everything else. My thoughts faded into the background as I gazed at her, my love, my everything. The surrounding chatter and celebrations seemed distant compared to the pull she had on me. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the chance to claim her as mine, and I couldn't wait to make it official.

I made my way over to her, my heart racing as I closed the distance. She looked stunning, a vision in the midst of the celebration. A hug was all it took for everything else to fade away. "You look so beautiful," I whispered, my voice soft and genuine. "I can't wait for you to be mine."

Glancing briefly at our fathers, who were still deep in conversation, a sense of pride surged within me. "Our parents would be so proud," I said, my words carrying the weight of our shared journey.

Bridget looked up at me, and her eyes held a hint of something she wanted to say. "Jasper I-" But before she could, an announcement from the stage stole our attention. My father's voice rang out, requesting Bridget and me to come forward for a special task. With a reassuring squeeze of her hand, I led her to the stage, ready to fulfill whatever role my father had in mind.

After the gift presentation, I seized the moment to express my gratitude. "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, the ones who've supported the Ember pack and my father. Your presence here means the world to us." I paused, briefly acknowledging Bridget's father with a nod. His contribution had been immense, and I wanted him to know that.

As the selected members received their gifts, I felt the weight of anticipation settle within me. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the chance to make a public declaration. With my heart racing, I turned towards Bridget, love shimmering in my eyes.

Stepping closer to the microphone, I began, my voice steady yet filled with emotion. "I want to take this moment to share something important, something I've been planning and anticipating." My gaze fixed on Bridget, our connection a beacon of strength.

I continued each word carrying my sincerity. "I've found my mate, the woman I want as my partner, someone who will share the responsibility of leading this pack with me." I held her gaze, certain our souls were in harmony, ready to embark on this journey together. "I'm proud to introduce Bridget Williams as my mate and the future Luna of the Ember pack."

A breathless pause followed, as I waited for her reaction. I yearned for her smile, for that confirmation that our feelings were mutual. But her words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, sending shockwaves through the crowd. "No."

Confusion crashed over me, and I had to fight to find my voice. "What do you mean?" I managed to ask, the crowd's gasps echoing around us.

Bridget's expression held a mixture of sadness and determination. "Jasper, I can't be everything you want," she said, her words echoing in the silence. My heart sank, my mind racing to comprehend her words.

"What are you saying, Bridget? We love each other" I pressed, desperation coloring my tone. The world around us seemed to blur as her next words hit me like a lightning bolt.

"Love? That's your silly illusion Jasper. I'm not your mate!" she shouted, her words slicing through the air. The crowd's shocked murmur only heightened the fire gathering inside me. I staggered back, stunned, as the truth unraveled before me.

Pain, confusion, and disbelief churned within me, creating a tempest that threatened to consume everything I knew. The world seemed to spin off-kilter, leaving me grappling for a lifeline amid the crashing reality. The woman I had loved, the one who had filled my dreams with shared tomorrows, shattered it all in a single, earth-shattering moment. The weight of her revelation pressed upon me, a burden I hadn't been ready to bear.

And then, Bridget's voice carried her words like a cruel wind. "I don't love you," she said, and each syllable was like a knife twisting in my chest. "I was only going along for the sake of our time together and because of our parents. But I can't be with someone who is too clingy and acts like a lovesick puppy. You need to forget about me."

I felt like the world had suddenly been loaded onto my head, an unbearable weight that threatened to crush me. My head spun, my vision blurring as the ground seemed to drop away beneath me. Bridget turned to leave but I couldn't bare to see her walk away. I still had the hope. I grabbed her from the waist and pull her back only for me to feel a sharp pain on my cheeks. She slapped me. "I hate you! Don't you get it! You're nothing but a worthless fool Jasper. Get that in that empty skull of yours!" I couldn't believe my ears. I saw a different woman in front of me. The hatred burning in her eyes.

"I, Bridget William, reject you as my mate because you're always worthless to my heart"

The room spun, and I felt my heart ripping apart.

The finality of Bridget's words echoed in my ears, like a mournful dirge. And then she turned and left the stage, walking away from me, leaving me exposed and broken in front of everyone. Humiliation and devastation mingled, forming a storm that raged within me. I clutched my chest as if to hold the shattered pieces of my heart together, feeling a raw emptiness that seemed impossible to bear.