The sincerity in his tone brought a lump to my throat. I swallowed it down, my fingers tightening around his. "I know," I murmured. "But it's not that simple. Alaric is... complicated. He thinks he's protecting me, but sometimes it feels like he's just suffocating me."
Cory shifted, turning to face me more fully. "Then let me help. We'll figure this out together. I don't care what it takes or how stubborn your brother is. I know he is our Alpha. But you don't have to face this alone."
The way he looked at me at that moment made my heart ache. I smiled, leaning forward to press my forehead lightly against his. "You're too good for me, you know that?"
He chuckled, his breath warm against my skin. "Nah. You're just lucky I'm hopelessly in love with you."
My cheeks flushed at his words. Did he just admit that he loved me? Oh, my world! It meant so much to me!
I was about to respond when it hit me—a sudden, almost tangible shift in the air. The breeze seemed to still, the sounds of the schoolyard fading into an eerie quiet. My skin prickled as if someone were watching me.
I pulled back, my smile faltering as I glanced around. "Do you feel that?" I whispered.
Cory frowned, his hand tightening around mine. "Feel what?" He asked, also glancing around.
My gaze darted through the clearing, scanning the environment.
And then I saw him.
Alaric.
JASMINE
I was terrified. The silence in the car was unbearable.
I sat stiffly in the back seat, my hands clenched into fists on my lap as I stared out of the window.
Alaric was seated beside me, leaning back with his hands casually resting on his thighs, his jaw tight, and his expression carved from stone.
He hadn't said a word to me since he saw me with Cory. In fact, as soon as I saw him, he quietly walked away.
I least expected him at my school. I never knew he had something important to take care of there. I wouldn't have sat down in plain sight with Cory.
He had sent June home, and the poor girl couldn't even complain. She took it in good faith, promising to return next weekend.
Sometimes I wonder what she was still doing with a douchebag like my brother.
His silence was worse than anger, and it made my skin crawl. I dared a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, hoping for some clue as to what he was thinking, but his face betrayed nothing.
The driver navigated the convoy through the city streets that led to Alaric's estate. My nerves frayed.
Say something, Jasmine. Explain yourself. I kept chanting to myself. But no. I couldn't. Explaining myself would make me seem guilty. And I wasn't guilty of anything... was I?
I swallowed hard, my gaze fixed firmly on the passing scenery. My palms were sweaty, my heart pounding. The quiet was maddening, but I couldn't bring myself to speak first. I knew Alaric. If I said the wrong thing, his fury would ignite.
The car pulled into the driveway, and the convoy came to a smooth stop in front of the house. My chest tightened as I stared at the familiar building. I didn't want to go inside. The walls of that house would trap me with Alaric, with whatever punishment he was silently preparing.
The driver opened the door, and Alaric stepped out first. I followed, my legs feeling like lead as I climbed out and made my way up the stairs.
Alaric paused by his door, pulling out his key to unlock it. I didn't wait for him to say anything—he hadn't so far, so why would he start now? I continued walking toward my room, but before I could take another step, I felt his strong hand clamping around my arm.
I barely had time to gasp before he yanked me backward with a force that sent me stumbling into him. His grip was like iron, his fingers digging into my skin as he dragged me into his room.
"Alaric!" I managed to choke out, but he didn't respond.
The door slammed shut behind us. My back hit the wall, his towering frame blocking any escape. His face was inches from mine now, his forest-green eyes burning with an intensity that stole my breath.