The Alpha's Runaway Queen

Chapter 3 - Find another one

Reagan POV

Summer vacation was supposed to be a time for fun and relaxation, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that my life had changed significantly since graduation. As the future Alpha King, I was thrust into a whirlwind of responsibilities, studies, and travel. The freedom I had once known was now a distant memory, replaced by accounting, business, and public administration lessons.

One morning, I was hunched over a thick ledger in my study, struggling to make sense of the financial statements in front of me. My head was pounding from all the numbers.

“Reagan, you need a break,” Jasmine’s voice came from the doorway. She leaned against the frame, her eyes full of concern.

I looked up and smiled weakly. “I wish I could, Jas. But there’s so much to learn, and I can’t afford to fall behind.”

She walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder. I saw her cringed when she looked at what I was doing. “You’ve been at this for hours. Come on, let’s take a walk. Clear your head.”

I sighed, not that I was complaining. However, Jas was right. I needed a break. “Alright, just a short one.”

As we strolled through the palace gardens, the fresh air and vibrant colors helped to ease my tension. Jasmine chatted about the latest book she was reading, and for a moment, I forgot about my mounting responsibilities.

“So, what’s the story this time?” I asked, genuinely interested.

“It’s about a warrior princess who has to save her kingdom from an ancient curse,” Jasmine replied with her eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Sounds intense. Maybe you could lend me the book when you’re done,” I said, trying to keep the conversation light.

Jasmine coughed at what I said. “It’s not your type of book to read.”

“What? Why? It sounds like a great read.” Suddenly, the truth hit me on why Jasmine was suddenly adamant about not lending me her book. “I see now.” I teased her with a smile. “This is one of your porn books.”

“What? No!” she exclaimed. “Well, if you really want, if you can find the time to read it between all your lessons and work, then you can borrow the book.”

Our peaceful moment was interrupted by the arrival of my dad. “Reagan. Jasmine. There you are. We need to leave for the Silver Moon pack in an hour. Make sure you’re ready.”

“Wait. Me, too, Uncle Sam? I wasn’t aware of it.” Jas looked at my dad, confused.

“Well, we have just decided moments ago. Your parents already know. It’s summer and since you two can’t be away from each other, it’s better that we take you, too. It will also do you good, seeing how other packs are,” Dad replied.

Dad had a point. Seeing Jas was still in her shock mode, I nodded to Dad and said, “Yes, Dad. I’ll be ready.”

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“Ready for an adventure, Jas?” I asked, slinging a bag over my shoulder.

“Absolutely,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “I can’t wait to see new places and meet new people.”

As we set off, the mood was high. Jasmine chatted non-stop about all the things she wanted to see and do. As she talked, I couldn’t help but stare at her.

Jasmine was a walking contradiction of fierce strength and delicate beauty. Her brunette hair cascaded in waves down her back, catching the sunlight in a way that made it shimmer like polished mahogany. Her skin was kissed by the sun, a warm tan that spoke of countless hours spent outdoors, training and pushing her limits.

Her body was a testament to her dedication. Lean and fit, her muscles sculpted from rigorous physical training, each movement showcasing the power and control she had over her form. Yet, despite her athletic build, she had curves in all the right places–soft and alluring, a perfect balance to her otherwise hard-earned physique. It was impossible not to notice how seamlessly her strength blended with her femininity.

Her face was a portrait of innocence, with soft features that could have belonged to an angel. But it was her eyes that truly captivated and intimidated everyone. They were a deep, mesmerizing shade of hazel, capable of looking right through a person. When she was angry, those eyes could kill–sharp and piercing, leaving no doubt about the intensity of her emotions. It was no wonder that so many guys had a crush on her, drawn to her unique mix of strength and vulnerability, but they were also wary. Jasmine had a way of commanding respect without saying a word, a presence that made even the bravest of men think twice before crossing her.

Every time I looked at her, I was struck by how perfectly she embodied the wild, untamed spirit of our pack. Jasmine was more than just beautiful–she was a force of nature, a living paradox that kept my heart racing and my mind endlessly fascinated.

Yes, I was also crushing on her. It was my secret to keep and bury in case things go south. As we all knew, the Moon Goddess gifted us with our fated mates. I was nearing eighteen and would find my mate. It would be the best gift to have Jasmine as my fated mate, but whoever the Moon Goddess would give me, I would still be grateful.

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The days turned into weeks, and Jasmine’s initial excitement began to fade. The constant travel, the endless meetings, and the heavy discussions about alliances and pack politics took their toll.

One evening, as we were resting after a long day of travel, Jasmine slumped down next to me on the bed. We were in my hotel room, which was adjacent to hers.

“How are you holding up?” I asked with concern.

“It’s a lot more exhausting than I expected,” she admitted. “I thought it would be more…exciting.”

I nodded, understanding her sentiment. “It’s not all fun and games, unfortunately. But you’re doing great, Jas. Don’t take it too seriously. You have no obligations, at least for now. Just hang in there.”

The next day, we arrived at the Crimson Moon pack. Alpha Marcus, the pack’s alpha, greeted us warmly. As we entered the grand hall for the first round of meetings, I noticed Jasmine’s eyes darting around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

The meeting dragged on for hours, with discussions about territorial disputes and resource sharing. Jasmine sat quietly beside me, her earlier excitement now replaced with a look of fatigue and boredom.

During a break, I pulled her aside. “Jas, if this is too much for you, you don’t have to stay. You can rest or explore the grounds.”

She shook her head. “No, Reagan. I’m here to support you, I just didn’t realize how…intense it would be.”

I squeezed her hand, grateful for her presence. “I appreciate it. But don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

As the meetings resumed, I saw Jasmine’s gaze wander. It was clear that the endless talks and political maneuvering were wearing her down. That evening, we were invited to a formal dinner with the Crimson Moon pack’s leaders. Jasmine put on a brave face, but I could see the strain in her eyes.

“Jasmine, you look lovely,” Luna Seraphine, the pack’s Luna, complimented her as we sat down.

“Thank you,” Jasmine replied politely. “This is all very…impressive.”

Throughout the dinner, Jasmine tried to engage in the conversations, but it was evident that her heart wasn’t in it.

After we retreated to our quarters, I checked on Jasmine. She opened her door when I knocked, and then she turned her back to me and collapsed onto the bed, covering her face with her hands. “I don’t know how you do it, Reagan. This is so overwhelming.”

I sat beside her, rubbing her back soothingly. “It’s not easy, Jas. But it’s part of the responsibility. I didn’t realize how tough it would be for you.”

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with frustration. “I wanted to be here for you, to support you. But I feel so out of place.”

I took her hands in mine. “You’re doing more than enough. Just having you here means a lot to me. But if it’s too much, it’s okay to step back.”

She sighed, leaning into my shoulder. “I just need to find a way to balance it. I want to be there for you, but I also need to take care of myself.”

“Do whatever you feel is best for you, Jas. I just want you to feel better,” I said.

“Thanks, Ray-ray.” She looked up at me with a tight smile.

The next morning, as we prepared for another round of meetings, Jasmine looked better than the previous day.

“I’m going to explore the grounds today,” she announced. “I need a break from the meetings.”

I nodded, relieved that she was taking steps to look after herself. “That sounds like a good idea. Enjoy yourself, Jas.”

As we delved back into the discussion with Alpha Marcus and his council, my mind kept drifting to Jasmine. I hoped she was finding some peace away from the politics and tension.

Later that day, during a break, I stepped outside to find her. She was in the pack’s clinic tending to a toddler. She looked happy as she placed a bandage over the child’s wound on the leg. She even waved and blew a kiss at the child when the child left with her parents.

She looked up, her smile widening as I approached.

“How’s it going in there?” she asked, setting the first aid kit aside.

“Same old,” I replied, sitting next to her. “How about you? Feeling better?”

“Uh, yes. The nurse was busy with something else, so I treated the kid’s wound,” she explained even though I didn’t ask. “I feel much better.”

As the days went by, Jasmine found her own rhythm. She would join the meetings when she felt up to it, but also took time for herself, exploring and engaging with the pack members in her own way.

Our journey continued, visiting pack after pack. By the end of the summer, we returned home, exhausted but enriched by our experiences.

“Bummer. Only a week left before you leave for the academy,” I groaned. Jas and I were hanging out in the pool late in the afternoon. It was a good thing, our parents gave us a reprieve from doing work. We truly needed the break.

Jasmine sighed, mirroring my dejection. “I know. And look,” she said, showing me the calendar on her phone. The dates were a blur of commitments and deadlines. “I won’t be able to attend your birthday. So you get to have your first shift and meet your mate without me.” Her voice wavered, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Also, I won’t be able to come home on my birthday. It will be in the middle of the term. Ugh! I hate this life. Why do we have to attend boarding schools?”

I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, trying to infuse some comfort into the moment. “I hate it too, Jas. I wanted us to have this summer, to really hang out, not just work.”

She leaned into me. “We did everything except what we planned. It sucks.”

Our parting that day was laced with unspoken sorrow, a shared understanding that things were changing faster than we could keep up with. Little did I know, the next day’s news would turn our world even faster.

“Reagan, we need to talk,” my father said, popping up in my office, his knock coming in too late. Mom was with him, nodding, her expression unusually serious.

“What’s up?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light.

“We’ve decided it’s time for you to get some hands-on training in the city,” Dad began. “You’ll be co-managing the businesses with the current managers and, in between, traveling around the covens. Your mother wants to establish stronger connections with the covens.”

It was a shock because this was never done in the history of our pack. Well, of course, I was only the third generation in the pack to have magical powers. “How long will this take?” I asked.

“Approximately eighteen to twenty-four months,” Mom replied.

My heart sank. Nearly two years away from the pack, from everything familiar, especially Jasmine.

I readily accepted the task. There was nothing I could do about it, anyway. It was my parents’ way of making sure I was ready to be alpha king when the time came.

I met Jasmine later that day, her face lighting up when she saw me. However, as I shared the news, her smile faded, replaced by a look of sheer belief.

“Two years?” she whispered. “That’s so long. You won’t be here when I turn eighteen.”

“Hey. I’ll make sure I’ll be here. I’ll finish the training program right away, and be here for your eighteenth birthday,” I told her calmly. “It’s not that bad. We still get to spend the holidays together. You can come and visit me during school breaks. After you graduate, you can come and stay with me.”

“As if that is possible, Ray. You know how toxic the training is here.” Jasmine’s next words were something I never expected for her to say. “The beta position is too much for me. Maybe you should find another one.”