Chapter 210
Chapter 210:
“You misunderstand me, Isabel. This isn’t about harm for harm’s sake. Jasmine has always been… defiant, difficult. She doesn’t understand her place, and she’s endangering everything I’ve built.” Her words struck a chord, stirring the resentment that had festered within me for so long.
I stayed silent as she leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto mine.
“You’ve seen it yourself,” she continued, her tone almost conspiratorial. “She doesn’t belong here. She’s a threat—to you, to Ryder, to the entire pack p>
I wanted to deny it, to push back against her words, but the truth of them gnawed at me. Jasmine was a threat. She always had been. But Luna Anna’s sudden interest in aligning with me? That was unexpected.
“And you think I’d trust you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“Trust is earned,” she said smoothly. “And I intend to earn yours. But I need you to see that we have the same goal. You want Ryder. I want Jasmine out of the way. The path forward is clear p>
Her words lingered in the air, and I found myself drawn into her web despite my better judgment. Could she be trusted? Probably not. But her offer…
“What’s your plan?” I asked cautiously.
“Information,” she said, her voice steady. “You know her routines, her habits, her weaknesses. Feed that information to me, and I’ll handle the rest p>
Her confidence was unsettling, but there was no denying the allure of her proposition. Still, doubts lingered.
“And what happens if Ryder refuses to let her go?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “He loves her p>
Luna Anna scoffed, the sound sharp and derisive.
“Love is fleeting. Loyalty to the pack comes first, and Ryder knows that. Once Jasmine is out of the picture, his grief will fade. You’ll be there to comfort him, to guide him. He’ll see you as the Luna he should have chosen all along p>
Her words ignited something in me—a spark of hope, of possibility. Could it really be that simple? Could she deliver on her promise?
I studied her, searching for cracks in her façade, but she gave nothing away. Finally, I nodded, the spark of determination in my chest growing stronger.
The rest on gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝑜ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩺𝒸𝗈𝗺
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll help you. But if you betray me p>
She raised a hand, cutting me off.
“You have my word. This alliance is mutually beneficial, and I never break a promise when it serves my interests p>
Her words were calculated, but they were enough to sway me. For now. As she rose to her feet, pulling her cloak around her, I felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement. This was my chance to claim what was rightfully mine.
“I’ll be in touch,” she said over her shoulder, her voice low and confident. “Be ready p>
The door closed behind her, and I was left alone with the fire and my thoughts.
Luna Anna was dangerous, of that I had no doubt. But she was right about one thing: we shared a common enemy. And if working with her meant I could finally rid myself of Jasmine and take my rightful place at Ryder’s side, then so be it.
The game was on, and I intended to win.
Ryder’s POV
The chamber smelled faintly of pine and dew from the forest outside, as the chilly morning air filtered in. Only a small amount of light reached the room through the heavy draperies, giving everything a dim, subdued glow. Except for the steady cadence of her breathing on my chest and the occasional ruffle of the breeze outside, everything was quiet.
Jasmine.
She was curled up in my arms, her delicate frame pressed tightly against mine—just how I wanted it for the rest of our lives.