Chapter 47
Chapter 47:
“Just stay in your room, Jasmine. Please.” It seemed like he was already tired of me. No one’s words had ever left an impact on me like his did; a pang of hurt spread through my chest at his words.
I took a deep breath and sipped my wine, my fingers tapping expectantly against the wooden table. I was still looking forward to seeing Jasmine, the excitement growing in my chest like a child on Christmas Eve. I wanted to introduce her to the important personalities in the pack… My body tensed as her scent filled the room.
Raising my eyes slowly, I was too stunned to move or say anything. Managing to remain composed, I traced her features slowly with my gaze. The dress had a lot of details, yet it was beautiful on her, hugging her waist and hips before flaring into a short train. She looked like a fucking Luna… I could feel pride swelling in my chest.
Flustered and nervous, her eyes darted about. Sensing her tension, I beckoned her forward with a subtle nod.
But she didn’t move; her feet remained rooted to the spot. Normally, I would have been irritated, but I knew the impression Lycans gave off, especially the ones gathered around my table.
I nodded again.
This time, she didn’t appear nervous. No, she remained rooted to the floor, a defiant look on her small face. Seraphina, wide-eyed, warned her in hushed tones, but she shook her head. The murmurs were steadily increasing, and I was already losing my patience.
“No,” she said loudly, and a hush followed.
“What game is she playing now?” Ace hissed.
“This stubbornness is going to land her in trouble with me,” he warned, his voice heavy with anger and impatience.
The room fell silent, all eyes on her. A few glanced back at me. Clenching my jaw, I sent her a cold stare meant to convey my message, but either she didn’t get the memo, or she was being stupidly stubborn. She jutted her chin forward, putting on the bravest face she could muster. I knew she was waiting for me to make the next move, expecting something dramatic.
I scoffed.
Waiting for what seemed like an eternity, I folded my arms and leaned back against my chair. I wasn’t going to budge. As annoying as it was, I was somewhat amused.
gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.k𝗈𝗺 – 𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝒶𝓽 𝖠𝖳
Frustrated and tired, she gathered her gown and turned to head back toward the entrance, ignoring Seraphina’s pleading gaze. I was done with this stupid game.
Just as she was about to turn fully, I cleared my throat.
“Stop there,” I said aloud, my voice vibrating and echoing through the room, silencing it completely.
She turned slowly to face me, lowering her eyes. It was no surprise when everyone gave her pitiful looks. She’d gone against the order of a Lycan Alpha. That alone was enough for me to send her to the grave, but she was a woman…
Gingerly, I got up from my seat, the scraping sound of my chair against the floor the only noise in the room. I fixed my eyes intently on her, taking steady strides toward her.
She parted her lips as if to say something, but when her eyes fell on me, she folded her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Her heeled feet tapped slowly against the floor as she sent me a cold look.
Despite her high-heeled sandals, I still towered over her. We were only a few inches apart, close enough to hear each other’s breath. Moving my hand to her chin, I tilted it up slightly with a single finger, my thumb gently running over her soft lips in slow, circular motions. Slightly parted, they puckered invitingly. Before I could think twice, I bent my head and kissed her lips. If it were a different time and place, I would have kissed her longer, but the occasion demanded otherwise.
Her eyes remained shut for a second, and when they opened, the defiance was gone. “Don’t defy my orders again,” I whispered, my voice low and husky.
Her shoes were clearly uncomfortable since she almost tripped as we walked toward the table, hand in hand. The stares of over thirty pack members followed us with so much interest that Jasmine leaned closer to me. If she’d been uncomfortable before, her discomfort nearly made her choke on her drink when I introduced her to the pack as my lady.