Chapter 57 FIFTY-SEVEN
Jao kept his distance from the house where Jasper frequently went. With Derrick preoccupied with his own scheme to destroy the Wolfgangs, Jao was free to focus on his surveillance.
When Jasper stepped out of the house, Jao took it as a signal to check who was inside. Jao had memorized all of Jasper's subordinates routines. Jasper may have thought that Jao had stopped tracking him after the attack on the Crescent Stone Pack, but Jao never did.
Jao wasn’t just following orders—he was pursuing something deeper, something personal. Because three days ago, Jasper met and told his wife something, and it was the last straw for Jao. He had to act.
After reporting to Derrick, Jao went home, but when he entered the house, no one was around. He checked the kitchen, the rooms, and even the backyard, but Celine and their son were nowhere to be found.
Jao went back inside and sat on the couch, turning on the television. A few minutes later, Celine arrived, tears streaming down her face while carrying their son in her arms. Alarmed, Jao stood up and rushed toward her.
"What happened?" he asked, pulling Celine closer to him. Celine sobbed and leaned into him.
"It's Jasper," she whispered. "I... I bumped into him at the convenience store," she added, stuttering.
"And? What did he do?" Jao asked while caressing his wife's back.
"He suddenly asked me how my aunt was," she answered, crying loudly. "Jao, I was so afraid that I couldn't reply. H-how does he know?" she added, trembling. Jao cursed.
"Damn it," he said. "Can you contact your auntie?" he added and looked at her. Celine shook her head.
"She's not answering me," Celine said, crying her eyes out. Jao felt his blood run cold. Celine's aunt was the only way for his family to escape the pack. What if Jasper had killed her? What if he was too late?
"Call her again. Don't stop," he said with authority. Celine nodded. Jao took their son and watched as Celine picked up her phone and started calling her aunt. As they looked at each other, Celine's worry deepened with every ring. When the call finally connected, she felt a wave of relief.
"Auntie!" she exclaimed. "Yes, Auntie. I'm fine...yes, I talk to him about it. I'll see you very soon, Auntie," she added and ended the call. Celine's lips trembled as she ran into her husband's arms with their child squeezed in between.
"She's fine, Jao. The plan will go on," she whispered, her voice calm despite the worry in her eyes. Jao kissed the top of her head gently, trying to comfort her.
"It'll be fine," he said quietly, his resolve hardening. He wouldn't allow Jasper to continue manipulating him and threatening his family. This had gone too far, and Jao was done holding back. Enough was enough—it was time to put an end to it, no matter what it took.
Jao waited for the moment when two of Jasper's subordinates left the house to do their drugs. He swiftly moved and entered through the backdoor. Inside, he saw a few werewolves laughing and playing cards. Discreetly, he made his way toward the room where the woman was held and slipped in unnoticed.
The room was dimly lit. He approached the woman, who jolted awake.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice raspy.
"Shh, I’m here to help you, but you need to stay quiet," Jao said, kneeling in front of her. His eyes widened when he saw her face. He recognized her—it was the woman who had been with the young Alpha of the Crescent Stone Pack!
"Please help me," Brienne cried. "Please... I'm begging you," she added, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I can't get you out alone, but I’ll send someone to rescue you," Jao said. "You need to stay strong and wait, okay?" he added.
"No... no, you have to take me with you. I can’t stay here anymore," Brienne said, her voice trembling as she whimpered.
"Miss, I promise I’ll have someone save you," Jao said. "Please, trust me," he added. Hearing the approaching footsteps, Jao immediately hid. A man entered the room and looked around. Brienne bowed her head and bit her bottom lip. The man then left, locking the door behind him. Jao returned and touched Brienne's shoulder.
"I'll be back, Miss, I promise," he said. Before leaving the house, he took a picture of Brienne—he needed proof. He swiftly escaped and ran back to his car. He needed to tell Raven everything. Raven was the only one who could help him.
Jao returned to the Red Moon Pack after getting rid of the scent. He walked as if he hadn’t just infiltrated Jasper's hideout. Jao went about his routine and reported back to the Alpha, where he saw Jasper comfortably sitting on the couch.
"Sir," he greeted. Jasper looked at him, nodded in acknowledgment, and waved his hand dismissively. Jao walked away and went to the Alpha’s office. After reporting everything, he started to leave, but Jasper stopped him.
"Jao," he said. Jao froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Did Jasper know what he had done?
"What is it, sir?" he asked, keeping his voice steady despite his rising anxiety.
"You reported about the drugs, didn’t you?" Jasper said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I need you to deliver twenty kilograms of it in the place I will tell you," he added.
"Twenty?" Jao's eyes widened. "Sir, that's impossible. Alpha Derrick will question me—and worse, punish me," he added. Jasper’s smirk deepened as he leaned in slightly.
"Jao, I found out something interesting," he said casually. Jao’s hands clenched into fists, his pulse quickening.
"Your wife," Jasper said. "Has been secretly contacting her aunt. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that a direct violation of my father’s rules?" he added. Jao’s throat tightened. He swallowed hard, his mind racing. Jasper stepped closer, placing a hand on Jao’s shoulder.
"If you don’t want me sharing this little secret with my father, you’ll have the drugs ready in three days," he said, his tone cold. Then, with a mocking glance, he added, "You love your wife and child, don’t you?" he added.
Jasper turned and walked away, leaving Jao standing there, trembling with anger and helplessness. His fists shook at his sides as he fought the urge to lash out. He knew Jasper had him cornered. For his family’s safety, he had no choice but to obey—for now, until he has told Raven everything.