Chapter 28 Chapter 28

Chapter 28 Chapter 28
_Anya’s POV_

I woke slowly to warmth.

For a few soft and peaceful seconds, I did not remember where I was. My body felt heavy with sleep and wrapped in heat. There was something firm and warm pressed behind me. A strong arm was draped around my waist, holding me close against a broad chest. My head was resting against something solid and beneath my cheek, I could hear the slow and steady beat of a heart.

My memories came back all at once and I remembered everything that had happened the night before. I remembered the attack, the masked men, the hands around my throat and Jacob bringing me to his room after saving me. Heat rushed to my face when I finally understood where I was. I was lying in Jacob’s bed.

And somehow during the night, I had ended up curled completely into his arms.

Maya purred happily inside me. We slept very well.

“Be quiet,” I muttered silently.

Jacob’s deep voice sounded near my ear. It was rough with sleep. “Talking to your wolf this early in the morning?”

I froze. Then I slowly tilted my head upward. He was awake.

His golden eyes were half-lidded with sleep, and a teasing smile curved across his lips as he looked down at me.

“You are awake,” I whispered.

“I have been awake for several minutes,” he said softly.

My eyes widened. “Several minutes?”

He nodded once. “I did not wish to move. You looked comfortable.”

My face burned hotter. I tried to sit up but his arm tightened around my waist.

“Where are you going?” he murmured.

“I should get up.”

“Why?”

“Because this is improper.”

He chuckled softly. “Improper?”

“Yes.”

“You were the one who invited me into the bed.”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“You were injured.”

His smile deepened. “So if I get injured again, I may sleep beside you?”

I stared at him in embarrassment while he looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“You are teasing me,” I accused.

“I am,” he admitted shamelessly.

I tried to pull away again but his hold remained firm.

“Jacob.”

“Yes?”

“We need to get up.”

He leaned closer until his forehead nearly touched mine. “Say please.”

I gaped at him. “You are impossible.”

“And yet you still trust me enough to sleep in my arms.”

That made my heart flutter. His expression softened immediately when he saw my face. His teasing faded into something warmer.

“You slept peacefully,” he murmured. “I am glad.”

I swallowed. “I felt safe.”

Something changed in his eyes.

His hand rose and brushed softly through my hair. “You are safe with me.”

Maya sighed dreamily. We like hearing that.

I smiled shyly.

Jacob finally loosened his hold and let me sit up. “Go get dressed. We will have breakfast and then I am taking you to the jeweler.”

My eyes lit up. “Today?”

“Yes. Today.”

I laughed softly. “You are very determined about this ring.”

“You have no idea.”

He gave me one last teasing smile before getting out of bed.

I hurried to prepare myself and soon we were downstairs having breakfast together. Jacob barely let me eat in peace because he kept staring at me with that same amused expression, and every time I asked what he was looking at, he would only smile and say, “My future Luna.”

By the time we left for town, my cheeks were still warm.

The jewelry shop was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Glass displays lined the walls. Diamonds and crystals sparkled beneath golden lights. Rings of every shape and style glittered from velvet cushions.

A well-dressed assistant hurried toward us the moment we entered.

“Alpha Jacob,” she greeted respectfully. “We are honored by your visit.”

Jacob nodded politely. “My fiancée is choosing her engagement ring today.”

The woman’s eyes widened with delight. “Of course. Right this way.”

She led us to a private section of the shop where the finest rings were displayed.

I stared in awe.

There were so many of them.

Some were simple and elegant. Others were large and extravagant. Some had clear diamonds while others held blue stones, pink gems or glowing white crystals.

Jacob stood beside me with one hand resting lightly against my back. “Take your time,” he murmured. “Choose the one you love.”

The assistant smiled brightly. “Would you like suggestions, Miss?”

“Yes, please,” I said nervously.

She began pulling out trays and showing me different styles while Jacob offered his own opinions.

“That one suits your hand,” he said while pointing to a delicate silver band.

“No, that one is prettier,” I argued softly.

He chuckled. “You are asking the wrong man. I think you would make any ring beautiful.”

The assistant laughed. “Alpha Jacob may be biased.”

“Very biased,” he agreed.

Eventually, one ring caught my eye. It was white gold with a large oval moonstone in the center surrounded by tiny diamonds. The stone shimmered with blue and silver beneath the light like moonlight trapped in crystal.

My breath caught. “It is beautiful,” I whispered.

Jacob looked at it, then at me. “Yes,” he said quietly. “It is.”

The assistant smiled knowingly. “Would you like to try it on?”

I nodded.

She slid it onto my finger.

It was stunning.

The moonstone glowed softly against my skin and the diamonds sparkled around it like stars.

Maya purred. That is the one.

I smiled helplessly. “I love it.”

Jacob did not hesitate. “Then that is the ring.”

The assistant checked the fit and frowned slightly. “It is a little loose. We will need to resize it.”

“That is fine,” Jacob said.

She nodded. “We can take her measurements now.”

As she prepared the sizing tools, my eyes wandered around the store.

That was when I noticed her.

An old woman stood several feet away near another display counter. She looked strange enough that she drew my attention at once.

Her grey hair was wild and tangled around her shoulders. Her clothes were layered and worn, covered in beads, feathers and strange silver charms. Her wrinkled hands clutched a pouch tied to her waist and her eyes were sharp despite her age.

She was arguing with another assistant.

“I told you,” the woman snapped. “I need the moonstone crystal. A loose crystal which is pure and untouched.”

The assistant looked uncomfortable. “Madam, we do not sell loose stones. Only jewelry.”

The woman huffed irritably. Then suddenly she turned. Her gaze landed directly on me. Every hair on my body stood up.

She pointed a shaking finger at me. “You.”

My breath caught. The entire room seemed to go still. Her eyes widened with something like horror.

“You are in grave danger,” she said.

My heart stopped.

“What?” I whispered.

The woman rushed toward me before anyone could stop her. She grabbed both my hands with shocking strength. Her grip hurt. Then her eyes rolled white....completely white.

There were no pupils...no iris....just white.

I gasped.

The old woman’s voice changed. It became deeper and stranger. “You are not like the others. You are powerful and special. That is why he wants to harm you.”

My heart pounded violently. “What are you talking about?” I whispered.

She tightened her grip painfully. “You are blinded by trust and cannot see the truth!” she cried. “Run! Run before it is too late!”

“Enough!” Jacob surged forward.

He grabbed her wrists and tore her hands from mine. “Get away from her!”

The woman fought him wildly. “She must run!” she screamed. “She must leave before the blood moon rises! Before he destroys her!”

Jacob stepped in front of me protectively.

“What kind of madness is this?” he snapped at the staff.

The assistant looked horrified. “I am so sorry, Alpha! We do not know how she got in here. Security!”

Two guards rushed forward immediately and seized the woman. She kept fighting even as they dragged her backward. Her white eyes locked onto mine one last time.

“Do not trust what smiles at you in the dark!” she screamed. “Run while you still can!”

Then they dragged her outside. Silence filled the shop. My hands were shaking. My chest rose and fell too fast.

Jacob turned to me immediately. “Are you alright?”

“I...” My voice trembled. “What did she mean?”

He gently took my hands. “Nothing.”

“But she..."

“She was clearly mad,” he said firmly. “A disturbed old woman rambling nonsense.”

“She knew something.”

“No. She was guessing and trying to frighten you.”

I swallowed hard. “Her eyes...”

“Some trick,” he said dismissively. “Or perhaps she is a seer who has lost her mind.”

That made me blink. “A seer?”

“They exist,” he admitted. “But many are unstable. Their visions often drive them mad. Do not let her words trouble you.”

The assistant returned nervously. “We deeply apologize, Alpha. We will ensure she is never allowed near the premises again.”

Jacob nodded curtly. “See that you do.”

She turned to me carefully. “We have your ring size now, Miss. The resizing will take a few days. We will notify Alpha Jacob the moment it is complete.”

Jacob handed over payment without even glancing at the total.

My eyes widened. “That much?”

He looked amused. “Do not worry about the price.”

“That ring cost a fortune.”

“You are worth far more than that.”

My cheeks warmed.

He took the receipt and then guided me from the store. But even as we left, I could not stop thinking about the old woman.

The ride back should have been peaceful. Jacob tried to distract me with conversation.

He asked whether I wanted the ballroom decorated with more blue flowers or white flowers. He asked if I preferred soft candlelight around the hall or more crystal decorations to make everything sparkle. He teased me lightly about how nervous I would look when he finally placed the ring on my finger in front of everyone.

I answered when I could. I smiled when he expected me to. But my mind kept drifting back.

“You are quiet again,” Jacob said softly after a while.

I looked at him. “Do you truly think she was mad?”

“Yes.”

“What if she was not?”

He sighed and took my hand. “Anya, listen to me. Strange women make strange prophecies every day. It means nothing.”

“But what if...”

He squeezed my hand gently.

“Look at me.”

I did.

His blue eyes held mine steadily. “No one will harm you. Not while I breathe.”

My heart softened.

“I promise you that old woman’s words were meaningless. You are safe.”

I wanted to believe him.

I truly did.

And yet...

As the car drove back toward the mansion, her words echoed over and over in my mind.

"You are blinded by trust and cannot see the truth."

I stared out the window. My reflection was faint in the glass. Jacob kept talking softly beside me. He was trying to make me smile.

But I barely heard him.

Because no matter how hard I tried....I could not stop wondering what that woman had meant.

And why, despite Jacob’s reassurance...

A cold feeling had settled deep in my chest.

Something was coming.

I could feel it.