Chapter 722 I think it’s time for us to mark each other

Seraphine caught up to Jasmine just before her fingers could close the cafeteria door. The massive room stretched empty and silent under the low lights, every trace of the evening meal already cleared away.

This was the all-pack cafeteria, yet the private section tucked in the back remained reserved for leaders alone. Jasmine’s hand had barely brushed the wood when Seraphine’s palm shot out flat against it, holding the door open with firm insistence.

“Jasmine, we need to talk.”

The quiet command cracked whatever thin shell of composure Jasmine still carried. Her knees buckled hard.

The full weight of everything she had done, the public rejection, the shattered bond, the love she could never claim, crashed down across her shoulders at once.

Her body folded toward the floor as if the ground itself had opened to swallow her. Seraphine moved faster than thought, catching her by both arms before she could collapse, and pulled her straight into a fierce, unyielding embrace.

“It’s fine. You did the right thing.”

The words washed over Jasmine like cool water poured across a burning wound.

She clung to Seraphine with desperate strength, fingers digging deep into the fabric of her shirt until the material bunched tight in her fists.

Tears fell freely now, hot and endless, soaking into Seraphine’s shoulder while her whole body shook with the force of them. When she finally managed to pull back, she wiped at her face with hands that trembled so badly she could barely control them.

“But I hurt Alpha Jasper.”

Seraphine’s expression softened at once. Deep understanding filled her eyes and gentled every line of her face.

“He would find his second chance mate eventually. It was better for you to reject him cleanly than keep disappointing him day after day.” She tilted her head, studying Jasmine’s tear-streaked features with quiet intensity. “But tell me the truth. Is this because you want to remain in this pack?”

Jasmine shook her head hard. A fresh wave of tears spilled down her cheeks and dripped from her chin.

“I so badly never wanted to leave this pack. It felt like the first real home I ever had. But I realized too late how much I love Kael. We worked side by side every single day, and my heart still reaches for him the moment I wake up. Don’t get me wrong, Sera. I respect his choice completely. All I want now is to be far away from here.”

Seraphine’s heart sank like a heavy stone dropped into deep water. The realization hit her hard and left a hollow ache behind her ribs. This was never about Jasmine clinging to Grimroot. She had fallen for Kael deeply and completely, and now she was paying the full price for that love.

Jasmine nodded, her jaw tightening with hard-won resolve even as tears continued to fall.

“Yes, Sera. I want to be away from everything for a while. I realized that all my life I’ve been terrified of being alone again. After our time in Paris, I finally understood that being alone is different from being lonely. As a lone wolf I was lonely every single day. This time I want to be alone so I can do something that belongs only to me. I’m sure I’ll be able to get over Kael once I have that space.”

Seraphine forced a smile even while her own chest ached for Jasmine.

“You don’t have to leave because of Kael. He’ll be leaving for the Western Tribe soon enough.” It was a harsh reality but both Seraphine and Voren had to accept it.

“I know.” Jasmine’s voice came out steadier now, stronger, though the emotion still roughened the edges. “But I still want to do something for myself. Thanks to Liah I found my real passion. At first I wanted to be like you in every way. I gave up because your skills sit so far above anything I could reach in a short time. Hacking isn’t something someone learns overnight. Same with stocks. Same with the way you lead. But modeling? I did it once and felt something light up inside me. I know I could do better if someone gave me the real chance.”

Seraphine pulled back just enough to look at her. A genuine smile spread across her face, warm and proud.

“If modeling is what you want to do, then I’ll talk to Liah right now. You both already had it in the plan anyway.”

Jasmine wiped away the last of her tears and managed a small, grateful smile of her own. “Thank you, Sera.”

Seraphine reached out through the mindlink without hesitation. Within minutes Liah appeared in the doorway of the private section. Seraphine explained everything in a rapid rush of words, leaving nothing out.

Liah’s expression moved from deep concern to sharp determination. She pulled out her phone, dialed Elodie, and switched into smooth French the moment the line connected.

“Jasmine is coming. Give her a full makeover and sign her up for the magazine photoshoots and every runway contract you can land. I’ll pay you myself to train her properly.”

Elodie’s bright laugh crackled through the speaker. “The redhead? I was just afraid to tell you that fashion houses have already sent requests for her. And for that whole team you showcased on the runway.”

Liah’s lips curved into a satisfied, almost fierce smile. “Well, only Jasmine is available now. Receive her at the airport the second she lands.”

“Well noted.”

Liah ended the call and turned back to Jasmine, her voice firm and warm at once.

“Elodie can handle the rest. But if you face any challenge at all, you call me immediately, okay?”

Jasmine surged forward and wrapped her arms around Liah, squeezing tight enough to leave no space between them.

“Thank you very much. I never thought you’d still help me after rejecting your brother.”

Liah pulled away dismissively, a soft smile curling the corner of her lips. “Mate bonds are the moon goddess’s job. Your fear should be with her, not me.”

“I’ll call the chopper then. Once you arrive in New York you take the jet and call me the moment you land,” Seraphine said and she typed something on her phone.

Jasmine felt lighter now, the crushing weight that had sat on her chest easing just a little with every word of support.

“I will never forget all the help you two are giving me.” Her phone beeped sharply. She glanced down and her eyes went wide with pure shock.

“Two million? For what?”

Seraphine shrugged one shoulder and tucked her own phone back into her pocket with quiet finality.

“It’s just something small to ensure you don’t lack anything while you’re out there.”

“But I have all my pack salary saved up,” Jasmine protested, still staring at the screen. Seraphine’s shrug only deepened, gentle and unyielding. “More is always better.”

Jasmine left to take care of a few final things before boarding the chopper an hour later.

As the aircraft lifted into the dark sky, she pressed her forehead against the cold glass and watched the pack grounds shrink beneath her until they became nothing more than scattered lights. This was the first time she was leaving completely alone. The first time she was choosing a path that belonged only to her.

Seraphine and Liah returned to the main pack grounds together. Seraphine found Voren near the edge of the training fields and informed him in a steady voice, “Jasmine won’t be around for a while.”

Voren smiled, a warm and easy expression that softened the usual hardness of his features.

“I was thinking of sending her on a vacation myself, but as always you are ahead of me.”

Seraphine shook her head and explained everything in full detail, watching Voren’s expression move from quiet curiosity to open surprise and then to something softer and more understanding.

“I’m glad she’s making better choices for herself now,” he murmured. “Paris will give her an entirely new side of life to explore.”

He pulled Seraphine into his arms without warning. His voice dropped low and intimate against her ear, warm breath brushing her skin.

“I think it’s time for us to mark each other.”