Jasper s POV
Thankfully I was able to tell Grace not to say a word to her when she was walking in here, I don't want her health to deteriorate the more. She must have sensed what I did that's why she didn't bother asking Grace a thing.
I keep wondering Anna's reason for using a wolf bane on her, she could have really sent Charlotte to her early grave and had that been the case I would never have forgiven her. Infact, I will trace her down to her father's room and have her face the consequences of her actions, being an Alpha's daughter won't save her from that .
Right now, I have to take care of Charlotte, she has to be back on her feet before the D-Day,even if it takes me acting all caring, I will do that.
I only wanted to be a good husband to her just this once, but then, just as she has always been, she objected to my moves even before I could start.
"Charlotte, when did it become a crime to take care of my own mate?" I inquired, withdrawing my hand from her hair, my voice heavy with both longing and irritation.
"Mate! Oh, you just realized that I am your mate? Please, keep that pathetic speech to yourself." She burst out, voice sharp like shattered glass. Her words didn't falter, not for a moment.
It wasn't just rejection. It was fury. And heartbreak. The worst part? She wasn't wrong.
"I am doing what I'm supposed to do. You're my responsibility—" I began again, trying to find the right tone, the right words.
"Jasper, you won't want us going down that line of speech, you know," she interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper this time, but tired—so tired—as she turned to the other side of the bed.
I stood still for a few seconds, letting her words settle in my chest like stones. The silence between us stretched painfully.
I turned and walked toward the window, my hands clenched behind me. Let her rest. She needed it more than I did. Still, the sting of her resistance throbbed in my chest.
Why would I ever expect Charlotte to act like every other lady out there? She's different—bold, fierce, untamed. A warrior in every sense of the word. Her spirit was fire, and here I was, foolishly trying to hold it in my bare hands. Well… I will tame her. Not through force, but patience. It's only a matter of time before she starts to dance to my tone.
The night was calm, moonlight spilling across the floor like a silvery stream. My thoughts were just beginning to quiet when a sharp voice cut into my mind.
"My Alpha, we found your staff." Grey's voice mind-linked to me immediately, snapping my focus.
"Where did you find it, and in whose possession?" I demanded, turning away from the window.
"We found it in the possession of a young omega."
"A child?" My brows furrowed. "Where are you now?"
"In the dungeon."
Anger surged through me, sudden and hot. I didn't speak another word. I stormed out, the air around me shifting with my pace.
In the parking lot, I pressed the remote. My car roared to life like it knew I didn't have time for delays. I opened the door, got in, and gripped the wheel hard. My heart thundered.
I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than it seemed.
By the time I reached the dungeon, the guards were already lined up in formation. They bowed their heads.
I didn't return their greetings.
My boots echoed loudly as I stepped in. The dungeon was cold—stone and steel and secrets. I spotted Grey first, standing stiffly at the far end. My eyes quickly scanned the room until I saw him: the boy.
He was tied to a pillar, small and trembling. His clothes were torn, and his skin was bruised. His hair was matted to his forehead with sweat or blood—I couldn't tell.
"Greetings, my Alpha," voices echoed around me. I gave a slight nod and walked forward.
"What's your name?" I asked, crouching slightly, trying to meet him at his level.
His eyes barely opened as he looked up at me. His lips quivered.
"I-It's Kain," he stammered. His voice cracked like it hadn't been used in days.
"Who asked you to do it?" I asked, staring into his bloodshot eyes.
He looked down, his shoulders curling inward. He said nothing.
"You do understand the seriousness of this, don't you?" I pressed. "You took something sacred—something powerful. I don't believe for a second you acted alone."
Still, silence.
"Look at me!" I barked.
He flinched, then slowly raised his eyes.
"They must have threatened you not to say a word. You shouldn't be afraid. I am the Alpha. I will protect you. Trust me," I said again, quieter now, gentler. "So tell me, who sent you?"
His lip trembled, his throat moved, but no words came. His eyes welled with tears that clung to his lashes.
"I... I can't," he whispered.
"You can," I insisted, my voice dropping to a low growl. "You just won't. There's a difference."
Tension filled the room like smoke. Even Grey took a step back.
"I will slit your throat if you don't talk. I said who sent you!" I snapped. "I just need a name. And trust me, you will leave a fulfilled life. You'll not only save yourself but your family as well."
Still, he avoided my gaze.
"No one sent me," he finally whispered. "I saw the staff while helping my mom clean, and I took it."
My eyes narrowed.
"For the very last time, who sent you?" I asked, my voice lower now, dangerous. I grabbed his chin roughly, forcing him to meet my gaze.
And there it was—defiance. In his bruised, broken face, he looked me in the eyes. And he didn't flinch.
That was all I needed to see.
Without a second thought, I snapped off his throat.
"Clean up this mess," I ordered as I walked out of the dungeon.