Charlotte POV
It was all my plan—to teach her a lesson. I laid the traps, baited her with every move, and watched her fall into them, just as I intended. She made the first hit, just like I wanted. Everything was going according to my design. Then the fight began.
Her fighting skills surprised me. Anna had always been resilient, but the way she moved,fluid yet fierce made my original plan to overpower her feel almost foolish. I thought I'd be able to take her down easily, but it turned into something real. Her fists flew like they were fueled by every injustice she'd ever felt, and her canines flashed with each growl that left her throat. It wasn't just a fight anymore—it was a storm.
Still, I was stronger. I was trained. No matter how good she was, I had the upper hand. Or so I believed.
But then... everything changed.
A sudden sluggishness took over my limbs. My movements slowed, vision blurred. It was unnatural. That's when realization struck like lightning, wolf's bane. I stumbled, breath shortening. The world tilted. I felt the strength drain from me like sand slipping through clenched fingers. My body crashed to the ground like a mighty tree felled by a single, poisoned strike.
Then darkness.
"Charlotte!" A voice pulled me out of the void. I snapped my eyes open, breath sharp and shallow. Jasper. His face hovered over mine, brows furrowed with worry. For a moment, I wasn't sure where I was. The walls were familiar, the bed softer than I remembered.
I tried to speak, but my throat was dry and my chest heaved. Sweat drenched my skin, my clothes clinging like they had just been pulled from water.
"Did you have a bad nightmare?" he asked, his tone careful, his hand resting lightly on mine.
I stared at him, disoriented. My breathing struggled to steady.
He stood and walked to the nightstand, returning with a glass of water. "Here. Sip slowly."
I drank, each gulp grounding me more in the present. The water was cool and calming, and when the glass was empty, I leaned back into the pillows.
"More like a flashback," I finally said. "I just recalled the fight that landed me here."
"Ohh," he exhaled, expression unreadable.
I narrowed my eyes. "You're not saying anything. I just told you it was your chosen mate who used wolf's bane on me, and all you can say is ohh?"
He looked down, breathing deeply. That silence,the same silence he always hid behind when he didn't want to confront the truth.
"Of course. What was I expecting? That you'd have her punished? That you'd care?" I snapped. "Maybe you should go ahead and plan your wedding now that she's proven to be no different from you."
He flinched. That, at least, gave me a sliver of satisfaction.
"She's on the run," he said finally, voice low. "And I assure you, she will face punishment when she's found."
I scoffed, turning away from him. "Empty words."
"Charlotte, I didn't ask for any of this," he said quietly.
"No, you didn't. But you allowed it to happen. That's just as bad."
He was silent again.
"Can you give me some space? I really don't appreciate your presence. I'm not bedridden—I can take care of myself."
"You'll have to bear my presence, Charlotte," he said evenly. "Because I'm not leaving this room."
I let out a sharp breath, jaw tight. Anger boiled just beneath the surface.
"Fine. Then at least sit on the chair over there. I want to stand. If you don't mind," I added with mock sweetness.
He didn't respond, only moved to the far end of the bed.
I pushed myself up. My body protested. My bones ached as if a battle still raged within them. I slumped back, heat flushing my cheeks. Humiliation gnawed at me. I tried again, this time with more force, but collapsed with a loud thud.
The third time, I rose—legs trembling, hands gripping the bedpost like a lifeline. Every nerve felt as though it was firing against my will.
"It wouldn't be that bad to ask for help, you know," he said from across the room, a smug undertone dancing in his voice.
"I clearly don't need your help," I bit back, trying to take a step. My legs buckled slightly. I caught myself.
"That's the opposite of what your body's saying," he replied, already moving.
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could, his arms were around me_strong, steady. He lifted me with ease.
I hated how safe I felt.
"You don't have to do this," I murmured, pushing lightly at his chest.
"Yes, I do," he said softly. "You're not just anyone, Charlotte."
I looked away, jaw clenched. "You have a funny way of showing it."
"I never stopped caring," he added, and I could hear the weight of truth behind his voice. "Even when everything fell apart. Even when we fought like enemies."
"Don't play the victim now, Jasper. You had your choices. You made them."
"And I'm trying to live with them. But you're not making it easy."
"Why should I? You left me to rot while she poisoned me."
"That's not fair," he snapped suddenly, voice sharp. "I didn't know what she planned. I didn't know she was capable of that."
"Then you didn't know her at all," I replied coldly.
His eyes dropped for a moment before lifting again. There was a storm behind them now.
"I know I messed up. But I'm here now, trying to make things right."
"A little too late, don't you think?"
"Maybe," he said. "But I'm not giving up on you. Not now."
His arms tightened around me. I was still too weak to resist, and maybe, deep down, I didn't want to. But my pride wouldn't let me admit that.
"This is what you want, right?" I hissed, trying to wriggle out of his grip. "It's obviously your plan—yours and your mate's—to render me vulnerable."
He didn't answer. His silence said everything.