One Night Stand: Entangled With A Playboy Alpha

05.

Jasmine

I should've known what I was getting myself into when I allowed myself to get involved with Lucian. I shouldn't have attended Jake's wedding in the first place. None of this would have happened. I wouldn't have gotten drunk and ended up getting pregnant.

But then again, getting pregnant isn't a bad thing. Without it, humans wouldn't be born. It's just that I followed the wrong path. I was on my knees while my mother ranted on me. She cursed at me, slapped me across the face, and called me all sorts of names. She even mocked me for not having a mate.

Yes, I don't have a mate. Not because of anything, but because Jake rejected me. "I don't know what kind of person you are. How do you expect me to face my friends, huh?" she sneered.

I kept my head down, not daring to say anything that would further fuel the fire. "They will definitely mock me for allowing a grown woman to get pregnant illegitimately," she continued.

"But mother, it wasn't my fault. I didn't know it would lead to this."

"Shut that dirty mouth of yours!" she seethed. "When you opened your legs for him, you didn't think about this happening. You didn't think about getting pregnant. Your foolishness caused this. We have nothing to do with it. You should be glad he wants to marry you even after this. I'm sure he's marrying you for the baby, not for you. You don't deserve any man's love." I couldn't believe my own mother could wish me harm. Tears rolled down my face. "Why do you hate me so much, mother?" I muffled out, unable to comprehend her words.

"Do you want to know why I hate you?" she asked, stepping closer.

"Because you lack common sense. Sometimes I wonder if my real daughter was switched at the hospital," she continued.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You—"

"No, I don't regret giving birth to you. I'm not that heartless. But what I want you to do is think smart," she pointed at her head. "Think about it. Your father is going to call Lucian and tell him we've given our consent."

"No, mother, please don't force me to marry him. My life is going to be so difficult," I pleaded.

"Isn't your life already difficult? Isn't ours difficult? You have nowhere else to go except to be with Lucian. We can't take care of you when we have our own problems," she said firmly.

I felt lost and helpless. Tears continued to stream down my face. My mother's words echoed in my head, her hurtful words. Didn't they see my worth?

I cried and cried until I couldn't shed any more tears. I ended up sitting on the floor, staring into space. My phone interrupted my thoughts with my best friend Willow's name on the screen. As soon as I answered, I burst into tears. "I'm in trouble, Willow."

"What happened? What kind of trouble?" Willow asked urgently. I proceeded to tell her everything—the wedding, the one-night stand, and the unexpected marriage proposal.

"Oh my God, Jasmine. How did all this happen? Where are you now? Are you okay?" Her voice was filled with concern.

"Just come over," I pleaded, needing her presence desperately.

"Alright. I'll be there in thirty minutes," she reassured me, and the line went silent. I sat there, waiting anxiously for Willow to arrive.

After forty long minutes, my bedroom door swung open, and Willow walked in. "Jasmine," she simply said, not needing any words. She wrapped her arms around me, and I finally let the tears flow.

"Everything is going to be alright," Willow assured me, even though I knew it was far from being alright. After a while, I pulled away from the hug, and Willow sat down beside me.

"Listen, don't even try to blame yourself. I know that's what you're thinking. I understand this isn't what you and Lucian expected, but we don't have any other way out. I'm sure he'll take responsibility," Willow said, trying to offer some reassurance.

"You're sure? How can you be so sure? He's a complete stranger, Willow. I don't know anything about him," I replied, my voice filled with uncertainty.

Willow took a sharp breath, her expression serious. "Just give it a chance, Jasmine. Your parents will never let you go if you don't take the first step."

"Are you sure I can do it?" I asked, seeking reassurance once again. She nodded her head and patted me on the back. We talked for a while longer before Willow urged me to go talk to my mother.

My mother and father were seated, engrossed in their discussion about who knows what—probably my wedding. I cleared my throat to make my presence known. "What?" my mother snapped harshly, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I accept his proposal," I managed to say in one breath. Their faces snapped towards me, and a smile spread across my mother's lips. "You have no choice anyway. We've already spoken to Lucian. He and his people will come tomorrow. So be ready," she said dismissively, turning her attention back to the phone.

I quietly made my way back to my room. It was done. My life was about to change, whether for better or for worse. Who knows what lies ahead?

The tension in my heart grew as Lucian and his people discussed with my parents about the alliance. Throughout the conversation, Lucian maintained a smile on his face. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was really thinking.

“Mr. Smith, we don’t require much from you. We will provide everything that is needed. And there will be no ceremony. When the time for the coronation ceremony comes, you will be notified,” Lucian’s father explained.

I couldn’t care less about ceremonies. Whether there’s one or not, it doesn’t matter to me.

“Thank you, Mr. Blackwell. We are truly honored. What matters most is the alliance. We hope it will bring great opportunities to their lives,” my father responded, putting on a fake smile.

I could see right through their pretense. Their smiles were all just for show. “Since everything is settled, shall we head out then?” Lucian’s father suggested. They all stood up, but I remained seated, lost in my thoughts. My mother nudged me lightly to get my attention.

“Um… Why don’t you guys go ahead? She’ll be out in a few minutes,” my mother fake grinned. I could feel Lucian’s gaze burning through my skull. As soon as the door closed behind them, my mother started speaking.

“Listen, I need to be clear with you. I don’t want you to act foolishly in the Castletown pack. Did you hear what Lucian’s father said? He will take care of everything. That means we’ll benefit from it too. This is an opportunity for your life and ours to improve. If you become the Luna of the Castletown pack, we won’t have to worry about poverty anymore,” my mother grinned. I raised my head, feeling a surge of strength.

“I’m not marrying him to sell my pride and dignity. I only agreed for the sake of the baby and nothing else. You and father can think whatever you want, but I won’t let your greed influence me.” I didn’t wait for her response. I sprinted away, feeling rage burning inside me.

As I approached them, my father was already walking away, leaving only Lucian and me. “Oh, she’s here,” my father said, acknowledging my presence. He patted Lucian on the shoulder and gave me a brief look before departing. Not even a single word to his own daughter? I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, determined not to let tears escape my eyes.

“Shall we?” Lucian’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I shot him a defiant look, making it clear that I wouldn’t be easily won over.

The journey to Castletown commenced in silence, and I turned my face towards the window, avoiding eye contact with him. “Aren’t you happy?” his voice broke the silence. I swiftly turned my face towards him, a scowl forming on my lips. “Do I look happy to you? Just focus on driving, please,” I replied curtly. I was about to turn back around when he spoke again, causing my eyes to widen. “You know I’m doing this for the baby, right?”

I clenched my jaw, trying to contain my frustration. “So, what does that mean?” I asked, furrowing my brows.

“It means we’re only going to be together because of the baby. Nothing more. I had to play along,” he explained.

“Even if you don’t say it, I can see through your fake facade. And you don’t have to tell me—I know your motives. But let me make one thing clear to you: I will not allow you to take advantage of the baby growing inside me, nor will I let your pack members do the same.”