Chapter 249
Chapter 249:
Ryder’s pov
The sun crept through the windows, its soft rays painting the walls with streaks of gold. For the first time in days, the light didn’t feel like a cruel joke. It wasn’t mocking me; it wasn’t a reminder that time kept moving while Jasmine lay still. Because now, she was awake.
Her soft breathing filled the room, a reminder that she’s alive. Ace growled happily. We didn’t lose her. You know that happiness when you think you’ve eaten your last candy, only to dip your hand into your pocket and find more?
Her fingers were still curled around mine, a lifeline that held me in place. I hadn’t let go of her hand all night. I didn’t dare. After everything, it felt like if I let go, she might slip away again, and I couldn’t survive that. Not again.
Jasmine shifted slightly, her eyes fluttering open. They were still weary, haunted by shadows of the past, but they were clear. They were hers. She looked at me with a small, tentative smile, and something inside my chest loosened. The weight of fear finally lifted, if just a little.
“Morning,” she whispered, her voice soft and raw, like she was still getting used to speaking.
“Morning,” I murmured back, brushing my thumb across the back of her hand. I leaned in closer, searching her face for any sign of pain. “How do you feel p>
“Tired. Sore. Like I got run over by a freight train p>
A wry smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. That sass—that spark—was still there. It was buried beneath layers of exhaustion and trauma, but it hadn’t been extinguished. And damn if that didn’t give me hope.
Before I could say anything else, a knock at the door interrupted the fragile moment. The door creaked open, and Kade poked his head in, his eyes flicking between us. He gave a small, relieved smile.
“Ryder, Enzo’s here p>
My heart clenched. Right. The DNA results. The thing that should’ve felt monumental, earth-shattering. But now? After almost losing Jasmine, after watching her fight for her life, the truth about her past felt like background noise I couldn’t fully tune into.
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Jasmine stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“Enzo?” Her voice was cautious, unsure.
I squeezed her hand. “Yeah. He… he thinks you’re his sister. The DNA results came back p>
Her brow furrowed, confusion and anxiety clouding her face. I could see the gears turning in her mind, trying to process it all. I leaned in closer, my voice low and steady.
“You don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” I told her. “You can tell him to screw off if you want p>
Her lips twitched, a ghost of a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind p>
The door opened wider, and Enzo stepped in, his tall frame filling the doorway. He was dressed in his usual leather jacket and jeans, looking every bit the Alpha of his pack. But today, there was something different in his eyes. They weren’t just sharp or calculating; they were softer, almost… vulnerable. He looked at Jasmine with a mix of hesitation, hope, and disbelief, like he was afraid she might disappear if he blinked.
Kade followed behind, giving me a quick nod before leaning against the wall, arms crossed. His presence was steadying. A silent reminder that whatever happened, we weren’t in this alone.
Enzo took a deep breath, his jaw tightening. He looked at me first, like he needed permission to speak to Jasmine. I gave a short nod. This wasn’t my moment to control.