Chapter 367
Chapter 367:
Jasmine’s POV
The day had been a whirlwind already, and I wasn’t sure I had the emotional bandwidth to deal with Isabelle’s apology. But when Ryder told me she had requested to see me, I decided to face it head-on. Not for her, necessarily, but for myself. Holding onto old grudges didn’t serve anyone—not me, not her, and definitely not this pack.
Still, as I sat in the living room waiting for her, my nerves prickled. Layla, my ever-snarky wolf, surprised me with an uncharacteristic gentleness.
“She’s been through a lot,” Layla murmured. “Doesn’t mean she’s innocent, but maybe… maybe she deserves a second chance p>
“You feeling alright?” I teased, mentally poking at her. “Where’s the Layla who called her a ‘wannabe Luna with delusions of grandeur p>
“She was,” Layla said with a snort. “But even I can see when someone’s broken. And she’s trying, Jasmine. That’s worth something, isn’t it p>
I sighed, leaning back into the cushions as I rubbed my belly absentmindedly. Layla was right. Isabelle had been cruel in the past, but she wasn’t the same woman who once sneered at me from across the packhouse. The loss of her family, her place in the pack, and even her dignity had humbled her in ways no one could ignore.
When she walked into the room, I could see it immediately. Her shoulders were hunched, her usually sharp eyes downcast. She didn’t have the air of someone who demanded attention anymore; she looked like someone who was just trying to get through the day.
“Jasmine,” she began, her voice soft and tentative. “Thank you for seeing me p>
I nodded, motioning for her to sit down. She hesitated but eventually took a seat on the edge of the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.
“I—I wanted to apologize,” she said, her voice cracking slightly. “For everything. The way I treated you, the things I said… I was wrong. And I’m so sorry p>
For a moment, I didn’t respond. Part of me wanted to be petty, to make her squirm a little longer. But Layla nudged me gently, and I knew better.
“I don’t hold grudges, Isabelle,” I said finally. Her head shot up, surprise flickering across her face. “What’s done is done. We can’t change the past, but we can decide what we do from here on out p>
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Her eyes filled with tears, and she quickly looked away, blinking them back. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Stand up,” I said, rising from my seat. She looked at me, confused, but obeyed. When she was standing, I reached out and took her hands in mine. “You’ve been through a lot, Isabelle. And while I can’t undo the pain you’ve felt, I can give you a fresh start. You deserve that p>
Her lip quivered, and for a second, I thought she was going to break down completely. But then she straightened, a spark of hope lighting in her eyes.
“Ryder,” I said, turning to where he stood quietly by the door, watching us. “Give her another chance. This pack needs strong women, and right now, I don’t have enough help p>
Ryder’s brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded. “If that’s what you want, Jasmine p>
“It is,” I said firmly.