Chapter 7
Jasper's POV
I stalked away from Lina in the garden with my mind in knots.
She couldn't have meant it. Not really.
This had to be about Sophie. She'd found out about the engagement and was lashing out in jealousy. That was all.
Lina had always been devoted to me. There was no way she would truly walk away after all these years.
You're wrong.
Orion's voice cut through my thoughts, low and certain.
She's hurt. More than you're willing to admit.
I scoffed inwardly. She's emotional. She'll calm down.
No. His growl sharpened. You pushed her too far. You chose Sophie again and again, and Lina felt every second of it.
My jaw locked. This isn't about feelings. Sophie is necessary for the pack.
Then stay focused on Sophie, Orion shot back coldly. Because if Lina leaves now, she won't come back this time.
Irritation flared hot in my chest. You're overreacting.
And you're in denial.
Silence stretched between us, suffocating and sharp.
I exhaled and slammed the mental door between us shut.
Enough. I don't need your judgment.
I stepped into the Lockwood Pack House, Orion's words still echoing in my mind—
"Jasper!"
My mother's sharp voice cut through my thoughts, halting me in the middle of the hall.
Luna Elena's face was tight with disapproval. "Where have you been? The Alpha Laurent called twice asking about the engagement announcement details."
I shrugged, moving past her toward the stairs. "Just taking care of some personal business."
"Would this 'personal business' happen to involve Lina Ward?" she demanded, following me. "Because if so, I need to remind you that you're an engaged wolf, Jasper. Your union with Sophie Laurent will strengthen both our packs."
"I know my responsibilities, Mother," I said coolly.
She grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop and face her. "Do you? Because Sophie is your future mate, not that orphan girl. It's time you maintained appropriate distance from Lina."
I didn't respond, which seemed to frustrate her further.
"Fine," she sighed dramatically, pulling out her phone. "If you won't handle this properly, I will."
Before I could stop her, she was dialing Lina's number, putting it on speaker deliberately so I could hear.
"Hello, Luna Elena," Lina's voice sounded steadier than I expected after our confrontation.
"Lina, dear," my mother's voice dripped with false warmth. "I'm calling about Jasper and Sophie's official engagement celebration next Saturday. As someone who's practically family, we would love for you to attend."
There was a brief silence, and I found myself holding my breath.
"Of course," Lina finally replied, her tone perfectly composed. "I wouldn't miss it."
Something twisted in my gut. This wasn't the response I'd anticipated. Where was the hurt, the jealousy, the desperation?
My mother ended the call with a satisfied smile. "See? Lina understands her place. Now you need to do the same."
I tried to mask my irritation. "Is that all?"
"Actually, no," she continued, looking thoughtful. "We should consider finding a suitable match for Lina as well. The Wilson Pack has that nice young Beta who's looking to settle down. Or perhaps someone from the Highland Pack?"
"You want to arrange a mating for Lina?" I growled, unable to contain my displeasure.
My mother's eyes narrowed knowingly. "What's the matter, Jasper? Surely you don't object to Lina finding happiness with someone else? Since you're committed to Sophie, of course."
I glared at her, caught in my own contradiction. The thought of Lina with another wolf made my blood boil, yet I couldn't admit that without undermining my engagement to Sophie.
"Lina can do whatever she wants," I finally said, pushing past my mother and heading upstairs.
But as I slammed my bedroom door behind me, Orion's voice rang with mockery in my head. "Looks like someone hit a nerve."
A violent surge of rage tore through me. "Shut the hell up."
The thought of Lina with another male made me want to tear something apart. She belonged with me - even if I couldn't fully claim her right now. Somehow, I'd make her understand that.
She'd come around. She always did.
Lina's POV
"Lina?" Chloe's gentle voice came from behind me. I felt her arm wrap around my shoulders. "Hey, what happened?"
I couldn't speak through my sobs, so she just held me until my breathing steadied.
"That absolute jerk, Jasper," she muttered, correctly guessing who had caused my breakdown. "What did he say to you?"
I wiped my eyes, suddenly embarrassed. "Nothing I shouldn't have expected. He tried to poison what you and your father have done for me."
Chloe's eyes flashed with anger. "That's so typical of him. Always manipulating, always trying to control the narrative." She helped me to my feet. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up. Dad's still on his call, but I'm starving. How about we grab dinner before heading home?"
I nodded gratefully, allowing her to lead me back toward the cars. Chloe's unwavering support was exactly what I needed.
After dinner at a cozy diner in town, we drove to the Storm Pack House. Unlike the Lockwood compound where I'd grown up, the Storm territory felt welcoming rather than intimidating. Pack members nodded respectfully as we passed, some even greeting me with genuine warmth.
Once in Chloe's wing of the house, we settled in her entertainment room with mugs of hot chocolate.
"So," she began casually, "are you going to tell me what really happened with Jasper in the garden?"
I sighed, curling deeper into the plush sofa. "He tried to convince me that you and Adrian only befriended me because I'm 'easily controlled.' That everything you've done was part of some calculated plan."
"What?" Chloe's outrage was immediate and fierce. "That's complete bullshit! I befriended you because you saved my life and you're awesome. Dad got you the lodge because..." she hesitated slightly, "well, because he cares about you."
My phone rang before I could respond. I pulled it from my pocket and felt my stomach drop at the caller ID.
"It's Luna Elena," I told Chloe.
She grimaced. "You don't have to answer it."
But I did anyway, putting on my most composed voice. When Luna Elena invited me to Jasper and Sophie's engagement celebration, I accepted without hesitation.
It wasn't even difficult — whatever feelings I'd once had for Jasper had been thoroughly extinguished by his behavior today.
After I hung up, Chloe stared at me with wide eyes. "You're actually going to that train wreck?"
I shrugged. "Why not? The Lockwoods raised me. It would look strange if I didn't go."
"But..." she seemed confused by my calm demeanor. "Aren't you upset about him marrying someone else?"
"I'm upset that he lied to me for years," I clarified. "But watching him marry Sophie is actually a relief. At least then I'll know he can't hurt me anymore."
Chloe studied me for a long moment. "You're one badass bitch, you know that?" She grinned. "Fine. If you're going, at least take Dad as your plus one. Can you imagine Jasper's face?"
I nearly choked on my hot chocolate. "Adrian? No way. He'd never agree to that."
"Are you kidding? He'd love it! Any chance to show up another Alpha's son is like catnip to these dominance-obsessed wolves." She glanced at her watch suddenly. "Oh, shoot, I need to go. I have a study date with Travis in twenty minutes."
She stood up, brushing cookie crumbs from her jeans. "Are you sure you'll be okay alone?"
"I'll be fine," I assured her. "Go ace your biology."
Chloe grabbed her backpack, then paused at the door. "Are you really not going to bring Dad to the engagement party? It would be the ultimate power move."
I shook my head firmly. "Your father has better things to do than play games with the Lockwoods."
Chloe looked like she wanted to argue but thought better of it. "Alright, I'll be back late. Don't wait up!"
After she left, I wandered to the guest suite Adrian had assigned me. It was beautiful and spacious - far nicer than my small room at the Lockwood house - but I still felt like a visitor here.
I was about to run a bath when I heard the front door open and close, followed by unsteady footsteps in the hallway. The Omega servants had all gone home; the Pack House was completely empty.
My heart jumped into my throat. Was someone breaking in? No, that was impossible—this was the Storm Pack house, the most secure territory in the region.
Still, something felt off. I moved cautiously toward my bedroom door, positioning myself behind it. If someone was foolish enough to intrude, they'd get more than they bargained for. I might not be a wolf, but I wasn't defenseless.
The door swung open suddenly, and I tensed, ready to strike—only to have a large body stumble forward and nearly collapse into my arms.
The scent of whiskey and pine hit me before I recognized who it was.
"Alpha Adrian?" I moved to support him, shocked by the state he was in.
He looked up, his normally sharp eyes slightly unfocused.
"Are you ashamed of me, Lina?" he asked suddenly, his voice vulnerable in a way I'd never heard before.
