Chapter 12 Trust

Jasmine

It’s been ten days since I was taken away from home. I’m beginning to adapt to my situation, but I miss Mom and home very much.

I feel Alek has loosened up around me. He kept the door unlocked since he gave me the phone. I don’t know if he’s beginning to trust me that I won’t escape or if he’s testing me, but I’m not going to abuse that trust, if there’s any.

Anyhow, I’m enjoying my little freedom.

I talk to Mom every day over the phone. I text her and send a video as often as I can to assure her that I’m fine.

“So, how about Mr. Voyslav?”

“What about him?” I look at Mom on the phone screen. “Don’t keep your face so close, Mom. I can only see your nose,” I joke.

“Is he treating you right? Or is there something going on between you and him? It can’t be happening, honey. He’s dangerous.”

“I know, Mom.” I walk through footpaths into the woods.

Two days ago, Alek took me with him for a walk. His men started to allow me to get out of the house since then.

I also want to familiarize myself with the territory, just in case.

“And?”

“Well, I’m not locked up in a cage. He gave me a phone. I eat good food. I sleep in a good bed, so yeah.”

Mom frowns. She knows I’m hiding something from her. “I know you’re still hurt because of what happened.”

“Mom.” I look at her. “When I was taken, and he didn’t do anything, I realized he didn’t really care. I wasted years of my life believing that he cared about his pack members, that he wanted me to be his Luna. When I got here, I realized I didn’t even love him. I don’t even miss him. I’m glad he’s married to Danya. They belong together, and I deserve better than a man who drowns in debts. How’s Danya, by the way?”

“She’s with Liam in his house. I only saw her twice since the wedding. Will you tell me if you’re not okay? And please, don’t fall for that man’s charm. Liam said he’s a leader of a dangerous group.”

I roll my eyes. “I wonder how he knew that and how he got involved.”

“Honey, he’s still the alpha.”

“Well, I’d rather go rogue. He has no bones in his body. Did you hear what Danya said amidst the chaos?” I glare at the screen. “And let me remind you, Mom. I’m here because of that asshole.”

“Jasmine.” She chides me, glaring back before she looks around to make sure no one hears what I say.

“I’m just saying, and if he won’t pay this man in the next twenty days, he will return and bring me back cold in a plastic bag.”

Mom gasps, eyes welling with tears.

“I’m sorry.” I realize what I said is dark and too brutal for her to hear. “I don’t mean it. I mean, I don’t know. Anyway, I love you, Mom. Talk to you soon.”

“I love you, honey. Call me, okay?”

“Love you, too. Bye.” Just as I end the call, I yelp as I’m lifted off the ground. “Put me down, Alek! Now.”

Instead of doing what I said, he crashes his lips on mine, kissing me hard and passionately. I tangle my fingers into his hair as I kiss him back with the same fervor.

When we break the kiss, I’m breathing hard. “You’re sweaty.”

With humor in his eyes, he puts me back on my feet. “You like me when I’m sweaty.”

“Not from running, dude.”

“I see.” He spanks my ass and goes on running.

“Hey! That’s not nice.”

“You can spank me if you can catch me.”

“Right.” I cross my arms over my chest as I watch the tree line, and his back is gone.

Under the tree, I sit down and scroll through my I*******m account. Danya posted their wedding photos a day after that incident. Of course, without me in it. Even in the family photo, I’m not there, and she even covers my face.

“Bitch.”

“Who’s bitch?”

I smile as I look at him. “Danya.” I show him the family photo with my face covered with a template.

“Wow. She really is insecure and envies you.” He gives my phone back. What I like about him, he never checks my phone.

I roll my eyes. “She’s the darling of the pack, now the luna. She’s tall, beautiful, blonde—”

“You should give yourself a little credit, Jasmine. You have no idea how beautiful you are, way more beautiful than her, don’t you?” He kisses my lips. “So, why did you tell your mom that I would bring you back cold in a plastic bag?”

I laugh. “I’m sorry, but you shouldn’t be eavesdropping.”

“Werewolf’s ear, Khrysanya.”

I smile, cupping his face. “Well, Liam said you’re a dangerous person.”

“That’s the first thing he said right about me,” he simply says. He’s not even upset or angry. “I know what I am.”

I look at him. “Why don’t you shift and run? Is this like a pack thing that only members can see your wolf for your own safety?”

He swallows, and pain crosses his eyes.

Grasping his hand, I swallow hard, too. My stomach lurches at the thought of him losing his wolf. “Wait. Oh, Goddess. I’m sorry. How?”

“I was nineteen when I settled an old score. I didn’t know his wife was a half-witch. She cursed me for killing her husband.” I feel like he doesn’t share it often. I can feel the struggle through his voice.

I stare at him in horror.

“I did not kill her, but she still hates me. She cursed to punish me and make sure I suffer. She wouldn’t undo it even if I offered her a million dollars.”

“So, how are you going to get your wolf back? It’s been more than a decade, Alek. Is that even possible?”

“When I meet the terms of her curse.”

I’m still confused, but I didn’t pry further. Squeezing his hand, I say, “I’m so sorry. I wish I could help, but I, myself, am wolfless.”

“You’re already helping, Khrysanya. Do you feel your wolf inside you, but you can’t wolf out?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I can feel something is blocking me from within. If it’s the trauma, I have a therapist, and I still can’t shift.”

“Have you tried meditation?”

“Meditation, hypnosis, or maybe I’m cursed too.”

“Have you consulted a witch?”

“No.” I purse my lips as jealousy twists my stomach, watching his men run in their wolf forms.

“Maybe we should. I know a witch, but only if you’re willing to.”

“I’m good.” I breathe deeply. “Sometimes, I wanted to give up, and maybe I’m born to be a human.”

“I’m sorry, Jasmine, but if you want to see a witch and check what’s wrong with you, I’m here. I’ll take you to her.” He scoops me and puts me on his lap, stroking my back.

“Thanks.” Before I can kiss him, his men pass in their shorts, sweaty, all fit as if they sleep in the gym, but that’s their werewolf DNA.

“Eyes here, Jasmine.” He groans.

Hiding my smile, I look at him. “Now, who’s jealous?”

“Yes, I’m fucking jealous when you look at them like a hungry lion.” He sends me a dark glare and says something in Russian.

“I suppose that’s a swear word.” I cup his face, forcing him to look at me. “I certainly didn’t look at them like I wanted them for lunch. I’m jealous of their DNA that they can eat a whole cow and won’t grow folds or their ass gets bigger.” I raise my arm. “I don’t have muscles.”

“I like the way you are. You’re perfect. I don’t want you to change anything in your body just to please a man.” My heart thuds at his words, and he seems to know what to say or what I want to hear.

“Are you sure you don’t need to wear glasses?” I chuckle nervously as my mom’s words echo in my head.

He runs his finger on my nose and on my cheeks. “They can bring me one million tall blonde women like Danya. I’m still going to pick one brunette, and it’s you.”