Chapter 29 - I have to go
1261 Words
Jasmine POV
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on my apartment’s modern decor. I sat at the kitchen table, nursing a cup of coffee, my thoughts were going around the events of the past few days. My heart was still in turmoil from the argument with Sean that morning, and Reagan’s kiss haunted me, a reminder of our bond. Just as I was beginning to think the rest of my time off from the hospital might offer a respite, a knock on the door shattered the fragile calm.
I was kind of hoping it was Sean, who came back to say how wrong he was. He already apologized for what he did and said, but I think they weren’t enough. Yes, I was a fool to hope it was him. But who else would visit me in my apartment?
I opened the door to find Reagan standing there with a grave expression. My heart sank as I sensed that whatever he had to say wouldn’t be good news. The heck with the mate bond! I could feel what he felt!
“Jasmine,” he said with tension in his voice. “We need to talk.”
“If it’s about the mate bond again, can we take a rest, please? I’m still not ready to talk about it. I’m tired at the moment.”
“No. No, it’s not that. Something else. Can we talk inside? I’m not sure if this is something we can talk about out here.” He looked around the hall as if he was on a mission.
I sighed as I stepped aside to let him in and my mind raced with possibilities. Reagan had always been the strong, silent type, but at that moment there was a weight in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. We moved to the living room, and I gestured for him to sit.
“What would you like to drink? Coffee, tea, juice?” I asked as I stepped away, going toward the kitchen.
“There’s no need. Come and sit here. We are on a tight schedule,” he said with urgency.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
However, instead of asking me, he sniffed the air, knots forming on his forehead. “What is that? Did something burn in here?”
“Nothing burned here. Well, not that I know of. Probably from the other apartments.” I also sniffed and all I could smell was Reagan. It made me want to sit on his lap and bury my face on his neck.
“The f**k, Jas,” he exclaimed.
I didn’t know my eyes closed involuntarily. I opened them in surprise.
“What?” I asked in surprise. “I said nothing burned here. I did not cook and had food delivered earlier.
“Not that. Your arousal. I can smell it.” His eyes turned dark as he licked his lips.
“Me? No.” I crossed my legs as if it would help my case. “What made you come here?” I asked again to redirect the topic.”
Reagan shook his head as his eyes returned to its normal shade. He took a deep breath before speaking. “There’s been an attack outside the borders. Your grandmother and uncle…they were killed.”
The world went upside down on me, and I gripped the edge of the couch to steady myself. “What? How? When?”
“Just a couple of hours ago,” he replied with sorrow in his voice. “They were ambushed outside the pack lands. We don’t know who did it yet, but it was…brutal.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I blinked them back, trying to process the shock and grief that washed over me. My grandmother had been a pillar of strength, a guiding force in my life. And my uncle, though stern, had always been there for me. He was one of the greatest warriors in the pack. The thought of never seeing them again, of them being taken so violently, was unbearable.
“How did that happen? Uncle Arren? He couldn’t be that person. Perhaps it’s another warrior or anyone. Anyone but him. How could it happen? He’s strong and capable of taking down more than a few werewolves. He could take grandma and escape.” I was still in denial and hoped the news brought to me was all fake. “Reagan, if you want me to go home with you, I will go for a visit. You don’t have to make up stories. This is so bad.”
“I’m afraid I’m not making up stories, Jas. No one else could bring the news to you, so you have to deal with me. I’m so sorry, Jas.”
“I need to go back,” I said. My voice was firm despite the tremor in it. “I need to be there.”
Reagan nodded. “I thought you’d say that. I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. My mind already shifted to what needed to be done. “I need to take a leave from work. This isn’t something I can just walk away from.”
“Do what you have to do. We can leave this evening. I can stay here until you are ready.” He started working on his phone.
Inside my bedroom, I spent the next hour making calls, explaining the situation to my superiors at the hospital. They were understanding, granting me up to fifteen days of leave. However, the conversation left me feeling hollow. My career had been everything to me. It gave me stability in a world that often felt chaotic. But then, the weight of my responsibilities to my pack and my family felt even greater.
After securing my leave, it was time to call Sean. I would have visited him at his studio, but I didn’t want to see him just yet.
“Sean,” I said when he picked up my call.
“What is it now, Jasmine?” His voice was cold.
I was surprised with how he answered. He was still angry when he was the one who did something wrong. Swallowing my pride, I explained why I called.
“I have to go back to the Royal Pack,” I said, bracing myself for his reaction. “My grandmother and uncle were murdered. I need to be there.”
His answer was with anger and disbelief. “You’re going with him, aren’t you? With Reagan?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “But this isn’t about him–it’s about my family.”
“I don’t care,” he snapped. “You’re mine, Jasmine. You belong here with me.”
“This isn’t about choosing between you and Reagan,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “This is about my family. They need me.”
“And what about me?” he demanded. “Don’t I need you too?”
“Sean, this isn’t fair,” I pleaded. “I’m not abandoning you. I just need to be there for a while.”
“I won’t let you go. You’re not leaving with him, Jas.”
“I’m not asking for your permission,” I said with a firm voice. “I have to do this.”
“You’re making a mistake,” he growled. “You’re going to regret this.”
“Maybe,” I said. “But I have to go.”
- Writer
