Chapter 34 34
Jasper's POV:
Honestly, the reason I had gone to Amelia’s door last night was because I was tired of her being here. Tired of her voice echoing through the halls, tired of the way the servants whispered about her cooking, tired of the way Denary looked at her when he thought no one was watching.
I hated her for slipping under his skin so easily because now, Denary had already started having feelings for her; it was obvious in the concern that crept into his eyes when he warned her about her injured hands, in the way he had eaten her food and actually complimented it. He kept calling my worries a bluff, insisting he was only pretending for the sake of the alliance, but I knew better.
The more you pretend to feel something, the more you tend to actually start feeling it so she had already started growing on him and very soon, he would be head over heels, and then he would start making stupid decisions, decisions that could cost us everything.
That was why I had wanted to tell her the truth last night. I wanted her to spiral, to snap, and do something reckless that would force Denary’s hand so that he would have no other choice but to kill her. Then we could get on with our other plans without this distraction hanging over us.
Besides, she wasn’t really that relevant to us anyway, he wanted to keep her by his side to use her against Killian, but we could still take Killian down without her. Plus, we weren't even certain that Killian would give up his plans for her? If anything, it was really time for us to have her killed so we could focus on the next phase because her being alive was just going to ruin our entire plan.
“Tch!” I scoffed aloud, then I took a deep breath, trying to force the tension out of my shoulders as I covered myself properly with the blanket, turned onto my side, then onto my back again but sleep refused to come.
I kept twisting and turning, the sheets tangling around my legs because I was honestly really worried about Denary. He was my Alpha, my friend since we were boys running through the training fields with wooden swords. I had sworn to protect not just his body, but his future, and his legacy so letting Amelia stay was like watching a slow poison drip into his veins.
Every kind word, every concerned glance from him chipped away at the cold resolve we needed to survive the coming storms.
The hours dragged on and I punched the pillow, flipped it over, and stared at the wall. By the time the first gray light of dawn crept through the window, I gave up. I threw the blankets aside and rose, muscles stiff from the sleepless night. Then I bathed quickly in the copper tub, the cold water shocking my skin awake. I dressed in my usual training leathers, strapped on my boots, and stepped out of the room.
The hallway was still quiet, most of the household not yet stirring.
My role as Beta was to assist Denary in every way and train the pack guards when he could not and Denary was rarely around for the daily drills because most of the time he was locked in his study, handling pack matters, or traveling between allied packs to sort out alliances and soothe old grudges.
Letting out a sigh, I made my way down the long hall, boots echoing softly. As I rounded the corner near the servants’ staircase, I collided with someone and a small gasp escaped her. I looked down and saw it was Mei, Amelia’s maid. She was carrying a tiny pot that smelt fragrant so the impact made her stumble backward, the pot tilting dangerously.
Instinct took over as I caught her waist with one arm and pulled her into me to steady her, my other hand shooting out to right the pot before anything spilled. For a moment we were pressed close and her wide eyes locked onto mine. She stared up at me, lips slightly parted, as if searching for something in my face.
‘Why is she looking at me so deeply?’ The question flickered through my mind as I released her abruptly and stepped back, letting my hands fall to my sides.
“Thank you ” She breathed, cheeks flushing. “Thank you, Beta Jasper.”
I didn’t answer, I just walked past her without another glance, jaw tight, continuing down the hall. Her grateful words faded behind me as I had no time for servants’ flustered thanks, especially not one tied to Amelia.
I descended the main staircase to the living room floor. The great hall was still dim, morning light just beginning to spill through the tall windows. I was about to head toward the entrance when a voice called my name.
“Beta Jasper.” I turned to see Jasmine standing near the arched doorway that led to the smaller sitting room. She wore a deep red gown that clung to her figure, her hair pinned up with jeweled combs. She looked every inch the polished lady, but I knew better. I let my gaze travel from her head to her feet, assessing, then offered a slight bow.
“Lady Jasmine.” I greeted coldly and she inclined her head. “Good morning.”
“Is there something you need?” I asked. “Yes.” She replied, stepping closer. “I would like to talk to you.”
“Sure, go ahead.” I said and she glanced around the empty hall, then lowered her voice. “I would prefer to talk in private.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “There is no one around, so you can talk to me here.” Jasmine hesitated, clearly displeased, but she came closer anyway until only a few feet separated us and her perfume wafted toward me.
“Why exactly did Denary bring Amelia back after he failed the war?” She asked, eyes sharp. “What is her relevance?” I studied her for a while then I responded. “Honestly, this isn’t a conversation we should be having, this type of conversation should be had between you and Denary himself.”
With that, I bowed my head once more and stepped past her toward the entrance but I could feel her stare burning into my back. As I pushed open the heavy outer door and stepped outside, I glanced back over my shoulder to see Jasmine was still standing there, lips pressed into a thin line.
Honestly, I wouldn't want Denary to end up with Amelia because of their past but putting their past aside, Amelia was a hundred times better than Jasmine, who didn't even care about Denary and only just wanted to win him over as some sort of trophy because of a stupid dare she made with her friends to get Denary for herself as children.
‘So it's either Denary stays away from both women or chooses one but at the end of the day, the current Amelia is better than Jasmine would ever be.’ The words tasted bitter even as I spoke them to myself, then I turned away and strode toward the training grounds, the distant clash of swords already ringing through the air.
The sun was rising higher now, painting the fields in gold as I rolled my shoulders, cracked my neck, and pushed all thoughts of women, alliances, and dangerous feelings aside because there was work to do.