Chapter 55

Chapter 55
 Jasmine’s POV:
  Do I feel fulfilled? Hell yes!
 More than ever.
  Everything I’ve been working toward is finally falling into place, and the rush of it has me grinning like an idiot. With a smile tugging at my lips, I stride straight to the packhouse bar where I know Zoe is waiting.
  The door swings open, and the second I step inside, she abandons her phone and looks up.
  “Luna Jasmine!”
  Pride swells in me at the sound of it. I glide over, sink into the chair across from her, and toss my hair back with a little flourish.
  “What’s up, Zoe?”
  “Oh, I should be asking you that, Jasmine.” She leans in, eyeing me curiously. “What’s with the smile? You don’t usually beam this hard.”
  I let out a loud laugh, because she’s right. Smiles aren’t really my thing. But after what just happened, after finally seeing my plans move forward, the thrill I’ve been starving for has come crashing back full force.
  I managed to get through to Stefano a couple of months ago, told him everything…about the virus, how his son nearly died, and how Anika stepped in to heal the pack. How he also needed to come take Neo away from this pack. 
 His only response?
  “Fúck off.”
  That was it. The rage that bubbled inside me was almost unbearable. If I really wanted Hunter all to myself, Neo had to be out of the picture. I thought about killing him more times than I can count, but every time my conscience pulled me back. And the worst part? His father doesn’t even give a damn about him.
 Only for him to come back for Neo today.
  “Come on, Jasmine! Spill it already,” Zoe purrs, her ugly eyes glinting with that sweetness that makes my skin crawl.
  Honestly, I shouldn’t even be friends with her. She’s sly and manipulative. Probably even smarter than me. But that’s exactly why I keep her close. She’s a tool, one I can use to get everything I want.
  “Nothing major,” I say, grinning as I lean forward and pour myself a drink. “Just excited that my biggest problem is finally about to disappear.”
  Her eyes widen. “W-who? B-Beatrice?”
  “Who else?” My lips curl into a wicked smirk. I tip the glass back, swallow it all in one go, and slam it onto the table. “She’s a thorn in my side, and it’s about time she’s gone.”
  Zoe nods slowly. “Yeah, I know. But… what exactly are you planning to do to her?”
  “Planning?” I let out a laugh, shaking my head like she’s being ridiculous. “Sweetheart, there’s no ‘planning.’ I’ve already been at it. For the past two weeks, I’ve been slipping wolfsbane into her meals.”
  Her eyes widen in horror. “W–wolfsbane?”
  “Of course.” 
 “Oh my god, that’s…”
 “Awesome!” I finish for her. My gaze flickers sideways before locking back onto hers, a sly smile tugging at my lips. “Actually, I managed to catch a glimpse earlier—just in time to see her collapse in Hunter’s study. You should’ve seen the scene, Zoe. Hunter and that foolish brother of his scrambling, panic written all over their faces, while blood poured out of her mouth. Gods, it was a beautiful mess.”
  Zoe swallows hard and just nods. Not nearly as thrilled as I expected.
  I know that look.
  Is she.. wait, is she silently judging me?
  “What?” I snap. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
  “N-nothing,” she stammers, scratching the back of her neck. “I just… I mean, isn’t this a bit much? She could die any second.”
  “That’s the whole point.” 
 “Seriously?”
 “That’s what I want, Zoe.” I say. “Don’t tell me you’re actually feeling sorry for her. You, of all people, know how badly she’s treated me. Don’t go soft now. Save your pity for someone who deserves it.”
  She scratches the back of her neck. “I..m sorry.”
  “Good.” I roll my eyes, leaning back and crossing my legs with a satisfied smirk. . “All I want now is to finally have Hunter to myself—especially now that Neo’s almost out of the picture. But… I.. I can feel it, Zoe.”
 “Feel what?”
 “He’s going to divorce me soon. And then, throw me out like trash.”
  She only laughs and shakes her head. “Don’t be so paranoid, Jasmine.”
  “I’m not! know Hunter,” I sigh. “I’ve been with him long enough to predict his every move. And right now, I’d bet my life that his next move is to cut me off completely. Kick me out of his house and his life.” I run a hand through my hair, frustration buzzing in my chest. 
 My head spins, the same way it always does whenever I think about it.
  It’s been worse since he found out Anika’s been marked by Matteo. I should be happy about it, but I’m not. 
 It makes me sick. 
 Hunter’s been acting… different. Obsessed, even. Staring at her pictures all day. Whispering her name in his sleep while I’m lying right next to him. 
 It’s driving me insane.
  “Why don’t you get pregnant for him, then?” Zoe’s voice slices clean through my spiraling thoughts.
  I snap my head back to her. “Huh?”
 “I said, come up with a pregnancy. Not too hard, right?”
  “Of course, it is. You know damn well he hasn’t touched me in forever. How the hell am I supposed to pull that-"
  “Oh, come on, Jasmine!” Her tone sharpens, her eyes narrowing on me. “You’re smarter than that. He doesn’t need to be the father, does he? All you need is a real pregnancy! That alone will trap him. He won’t dare chase you out once you’re carrying a child.”
  “Okay? But he… he won’t sleep with me. He’ll figure it out—”
  “Ugh, please,” Zoe cuts me off before rolling her eyes. “That’s the easiest part. Slip something into his drink, lure him into bed, and by morning you make it look like he’s the one who couldn’t keep his hands off you.”
  My jaw drops, then a slow grin spreads across my face. “Oh my god, Zoe… that’s actually brilliant. So fücking smart!”
  “Told ya!” She just laughs in pride before taking a slow sip from her drink. 
 And in that moment, I know that, just like always, I can always count on her. 
  “In fact…” I murmur, grabbing my phone off the table.
  Zoe tilts her head, watching me curiously. “What’s that about?”
  “Nothing much,” I say, my lips curling into a sly smile as my thumbs fly across the screen. “Just reaching out for a little help… from my aunt.”
  Her brows shoot up. “Wait, the one in the MoonShadow Pack? The one you haven’t spoken to in ages?”
  “Yup. That one.”
  Zoe only nods, falling silent after that.
  I don’t push her. 
 Instead, I scroll through my contacts, my finger pausing when I spot the number I haven’t touched in years. My heart gives a little jolt, and for a moment I just stare at it. 
 Then, with a wicked grin, I press the call button.
  It rings once.
  Twice.
  And then—
  “J… Jasmine?”
  “Oh yes, it’s me. Hello to you too,” I purr, smirking to myself. “It’s nice hearing your voice again, my darling Aunt Leah.”