Chapter 198
Chapter 198:
Kade groaned. “That’s not a plan. That’s procrastination p>
“Shut up,” I snapped. “Do you want her dead? No? Then let me handle this p>
I’d been an Alpha for years—strong, tactical, and smart. But where did that leave me now? I couldn’t even think straight.
Time was ticking, and yet, I hadn’t made one fucking decision. My gaze met Jasmine’s through the glass. Her eyes—wide, terrified—were locked on mine, pleading.
Fuck this!
I could feel the pain. Ace was roaring inside me. Anger pummeled through me. I’d rather die than watch her look at me like that, helpless, without doing anything.
Think. Ryder, fucking think! I yelled at myself.
My head was a mess of thoughts, clouded with what-ifs…
And then something changed. Something happened.
It was subtle at first. Her trembling stopped, her posture straightened, and an unmistakable fire flickered in her eyes.
Wait… What’s going on? I wanted to move, but Ace’s voice kept me calm.
“Don’t move, and watch, douchebag,” he growled, and I stilled.
Well, isn’t this surprising, coming from someone who’s wanted me to act all along.
Ace growled approvingly. “That’s our Luna p>
“What’s the matter, Alpha?” the rogue leader taunted. “Don’t want to risk your precious mate? I’d hand over the pack papers if I were you p>
I gritted my teeth. “You think taking me hostage in my own territory makes you strong?” I shot back. “No. It makes you a coward p>
I needed to buy time. I needed to get him distracted—to buy Jasmine time for whatever she was planning.
The man’s smug grin faltered for a moment, but before he could respond, Jasmine moved.
𝙇ⲁ𝓉𝖊𝓼𝓉 с𝖍ⲁρ𝓉𝗲𝓇𝓈
Fast.
Faster than I’d ever seen her move before.
She twisted out of his grasp, grabbing his wrist with a strength that startled even me. The knife hit the ground with a sharp clang, and for a moment, everything stopped.
Her eyes were burning red. By the Goddess, she was superb. She was… Wait… Jasmine isn’t an Omega, and Omegas don’t freaking possess such power.
And then Layla—her wolf—took over.
Her transformation wasn’t like the others. It was explosive, raw, and utterly breathtaking. Jasmine had never shifted before on a battleground, but Layla was magnificent—sleek, powerful, and radiating untamed energy. She was everything and more than the last time she shifted.
The rogue leader stumbled back, his confidence shattered as Jasmine growled, a sound that made even my warriors flinch.
“That’s my girl,” I muttered, a proud smirk tugging at my lips.
Ace howled with joy. “She’s a fighter. Our fighter p>
The rogues hesitated, clearly reevaluating their odds now that Jasmine was free and furious. The tables had turned, and they knew it.
Jasmine pounced on the leader, her claws slashing across his chest. He cried out, stumbling into a display of ceramic vases that shattered on impact.
“Oops,” she said mockingly, her voice dripping with sass. “You break it, you buy it p>
The room erupted into chaos. My warriors took the distraction as their cue, storming into the gallery and engaging the rogues in combat.