I saw the desire flicker in Gareth’s eyes and I thought I had the upper hand. For once, he wasn’t in control. He looked at the way a man looked at a woman, not like so unwanted trespasser. Heat flooded between my legs. He had this effect on .
But the mont didn’t last.
Gareth straightened, his face hardening. That flicker of hunger disappeared, and in its place, cold authority took over.
“You’re playing a dangerous ga,” he said, voice calm but tight. “Do you want to lose this job?”
I blinked, my smirk vanishing.
He stepped closer—not as a man, but as the Lycan King. “Don’t forget I could fire you right now and tell Michelle you were trying to seduce . She’d believe it. And it would crush her, after she defended you so fervently minutes before.”
I froze. All thoughts of teasing shattered.
The thought of Michelle, hurt and angry, thinking I’d used her just to get close to her father made my stomach twist.
“I didn’t an—” I started, then stopped myself. I had ant it. I just didn’t think it through.
I looked away, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “That was out of line.”
He didn’t speak, but I could feel him watching .
“I’ll keep my distance,” I said. “And I’ll dress however you want. I’m here to teach Michelle, not cause more problems.”
He nodded once, curt. “Good. She likes you. Don’t make regret this.”
I swallowed my pride and nodded. “I won’t. She’s smart. She has a lot of potential.”
With that, he moved to the door and opened it. I walked out first, grateful for the fresh air in the hallway.
Michelle was waiting, arms crossed. The mont she saw , she lit up. “Finally! What took so long?”
“Your dad just wanted to talk,” I said, forcing a smile.
“About , right?” she grinned. “I’m important.”
Before I could answer, she grabbed my wrist and tugged toward the garden. “Co on! You said you’d teach that double knife throw!”
I laughed as I let her drag back outside.
For the next hour, things were easy. Peaceful, even. I showed her how to adjust her grip, how to control her breath before a throw, and how to focus on the target and not the distraction around it.
Michelle was a quick learner. She listened closely, asked good questions, and only rolled her eyes twice—an improvent from earlier.
She threw with all her heart. Wild and fierce. I saw myself in her.
When one of the blades landed near the edge of the target, she groaned. “Ugh, I missed.”
I smiled. “You’re improving. That’s what counts.”
Before she could try again, Butler Jones appeared by the garden entrance.
“Miss Michelle,” he said with a small bow, “Lady Isabella and her fiancé have just returned.”
My stomach dropped. Fiancé. I didn’t need to ask who. I already knew.
Michelle brightened. “Isa’s back? Yes!”
She turned to , eyes shining. “You have to et her!”
“I... actually, I should go,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Michelle blinked. “Why?”
“I have things to do,” I lied.
“You promised to stay for dinner!” she argued.
Guilt pulled at my chest. “I didn’t say tonight.”
“You’re being weird,” she said, frowning. “Isa’s great. She’ll love you. She’s really nice.”
It wasn’t Isa I was worried about. It was the man walking through the front doors with her.
The one who used to be mine. The one who ruined everything.
Michelle grabbed my hand tighter. “Co on, Jasmine. Just et her.”
I looked toward the house. And I knew I had no choice. Not if I wanted to keep Michelle’s trust and prove to Gareth and myself that I could handle this.
Even if it ant standing face-to-face with Elliot again.
Michelle dragged down the hallway so fast I nearly tripped. “Hurry! They’re in the living room already.”
I tugged lightly against her grip. “Michelle, really, I don’t—”
She turned and gave a sharp look. “You promised.”
I sighed and followed. There was no talking her out of it.
My heart pounded as we stepped into the living room. It was spacious and elegant, with tall windows letting in golden light, soft couches arranged around a glass coffee table, and fresh flowers on every side table. But I didn’t see any of it. My eyes locked on the three people inside.
Gareth, Elliot, and a beautiful woman who could only be Isabella.
My stomach twisted.
Elliot’s eyes widened the mont he saw . His mouth opened slightly, and his face went pale. For a second, he looked like he’d seen a ghost. And maybe, to him, I was.
I barely noticed Gareth moving until he was suddenly beside .
Michelle bead. “Look! I brought Jasmine!”
“Jasmine,” Isabella said, turning toward us with a warm smile. She looked so soft, so composed—her honey-brown hair falling gently past her shoulders, eyes bright and full of joy. She stepped closer, eyeing with curiosity.
Then, she gave Gareth a teasing smile. “So this is her, huh?”
My eyes went wide. “What?”
Isabella grinned. “Dad’s new mystery woman. Michelle likes her, and now he’s standing at her side like a guard dog. Should I be saying ‘welco to the family’?”
I choked. “No! I—’m not—”
Gareth cleared his throat loudly.
“I’m just the tutor,” I said quickly, forcing a laugh. “That’s all.”
Isabella tilted her head, amused. “That so?”
Elliot still hadn’t moved. He stood stiffly beside Isabella, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might crack. His eyes flicked between and Gareth, dark with—anger, maybe. Or worse... fear.
I avoided looking at him.
“I’m so glad to et you,” Isabella said, stepping forward and wrapping in a hug before I could react. I stiffened. But she was warm and sincere.
“I’m the one who spoke to you on the phone,” she said, pulling back. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you ca. Michelle’s been impossible lately, and you’re the first tutor she hasn’t sent running in ten minutes.”
I was speechless. Completely thrown by her kindness. She looked at like I belonged here, in her fancy living room.
It made my heart ache. She deserved better. Much, much better than the man standing silently beside her.
“She’s from Ashborne,” Michelle added proudly as she flopped down onto the couch. “The sa pack as Elliot!”
The second she said it, all eyes turned to . I froze in surprise.
Isabella’s smile didn’t fade, but I could see the curiosity flash in her eyes. “Really? That’s an interesting coincidence. Elliot, do you know her?”
I didn’t breathe. This was it. His chance to be honest. To tell her the truth—that we had history. That he rejected . He once wanted so badly that he marked , only to throw away the second sothing better ca along.
But Elliot just shook his head, calm as ever. “No. Doesn’t ring a bell.”
His voice was smooth and hollow. Like I was no one. My stomach dropped. He didn’t even glance at .
Michelle frowned, looking between us. “Huh. Weird. You guys are about the sa age. Shouldn’t you know each other from school? I thought everyone knew everyone in Ashborne. It’s not as big as Frostfang.”
I kept my face still. I couldn’t let it show that my heart cracked just a little and tears stung behind my eyes. I nodded once, forcing a small smile. “Ashborne isn’t as big as Frostfang, but it isn’t tiny either.”
Michelle frowned and raised an eyebrow at Elliot. “But you’re going to be the Alpha of Ashborne. How can you beco an alpha if you don’t rember your mbers?”
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