The Alpha's Runaway Queen

Chapter 27 - Talk

Jasmine POV

I was drifting in and out of consciousness, barely aware of my surroundings. Every time I opened my eyes, it was only momentarily before the darkness pulled me back under. I had vague memories of being carried, of someone speaking softly to me, but the words were lost in my mind. My body felt heavy, and my thoughts were sluggish.

Then, one time, I woke up feeling notably better. I lay still, trying to piece together what had happened. Flashes of memories surfaced: Reagan’s face and his scent. My eyes flew wide open with the realization. Reagan. Was it really him? I glanced around the room and noticed that his scent was unmistakably strong.

I sat up slowly, my head spinning a little. How did I get back to my apartment? I looked down at myself, wondering if Reagan had changed my clothes. The thought made me feel a mix of embarrassment and something else I couldn’t quite name.

Before I could dwell on it further, the door opened, and Reagan walked in, carrying a tray of food. His face softened into a smile, the first real smile I’d seen from him since the whole ordeal began. The mate bond worked its magic as my heart pounded. I knew he could hear my heartbeat, but I couldn’t do anything about it.

Bridget danced in my head as Reagan stepped forward as if we had not experienced pain. It looked like she recovered well.

“Good morning,” he said gently as he set the tray beside me. “How are you feeling?

So, it was already the next day. I swallowed hard as I tried to push past the awkwardness. “Better, I think,” I croaked. I cleared my throat as I brushed my hair back with my fingers.

He sat down on the edge of the bed before handing me the glass of water from the bedside table. He then looked at me with concern and regret. “I’m so sorry, Jas. I should have listened to you early on. When I got back inside the room, you lay crumpled in the bed, shaking, and burning up.”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I would always have my potion ready but…” I paused as I almost said something about forgetting my heat because of the excitement of getting engaged.

Reagan took a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair. “I panicked. You were barely coherent. I asked where your apartment was, but you were speaking gibberish. So, I went through your bag and found a bill with your address on it.”

He paused, looking at me with an intensity that made my heart ache. “I carried you here, bathed you, found your potion, and gave it to you. Your temperature started to go down after that.”

I wasn’t able to speak. I didn’t know what to say.

He bathed me? Oh, my goddess!

I shook my head as my thoughts conflicted. We had more important issues on hand. While I was grateful for what Reagan did, I didn’t still know how I felt about him finding me.

He looked down, his jaw clenching. “I’m sorry, Jas. I’m sorry for how I treated you back in the hotel. Seeing you again after all this time…brought up a lot of emotions. I didn’t handle it well.” He then looked up and met my eyes. The vulnerability I saw there took my breath away. “I was so scared, Jasmine.” He took a deep breath before smiling again. “We have a lot to talk about. But for now, you need to rest and eat.”

I glanced at the tray of food and realized how hungry I was. “Thank you,” I whispered.

As I ate, he stayed by my side and watched over me. He said he had eaten already, so I did not insist anymore on sharing my food with him. Despite everything, the chaos in my mind, the pending talk between us, there was a sense of peace in the room. The mate bond was a powerful thing, and it was pulling us back together, whether we were ready for it or not.

After I finished eating, Reagan took the tray and set it aside. He sat back down, and for a moment, we just looked at each other. After a moment of silence, he said, “We need to talk, Jas. Really talk.”

I nodded, knowing this conversation was inevitable. “Okay.”

Reagan leaned forward with elbows on his knees and his eyes intense. “I have informed Uncle Brandon and Aunt Sarah that I’m with you now. They’re very happy. Anyway, you’ve done amazing things, Jasmine. I knew you would excel, but seeing all the photos of you and your certificates and diplomas…I’m so proud of you.” He waved at the framed photos and papers on one of my walls. I placed them there to remind me every time of my sacrifices.

A flush of warmth spread through me at his words. “Thanks. I graduated ahead of my peers, completed my residency, and I’m not doing a fellowship. It’s been a wild ride.” I didn’t know what to say about the information about my parents. I was afraid to ask questions.

“I always knew you’d achieve great things,” he said. His voice though had a tinge of sadness. “I just wished I could have been there with you. To celebrate all your achievements. We always celebrated together. Do you still remember?”

The weight of his words settled over us, a reminder of the years we had lost. “I remember. I missed you, too, you know. But we can’t change the past.”

He nodded with pain flickering in his eyes. “It’s not just about us. Your parents, the pack…everyone suffered when you left. They struggled, especially your parents. You could have sent a message. Anything. Something. To let us know you are still alive after all these years.”

A pang of guilt hit me. “I–I didn’t mean to–I didn’t mean for them to suffer. My place in the pack had been suffocating me. The pack life wasn’t for me, Reagan, so I had to go. I didn’t want to stay put in one place all my life. It was an honor to be your beta, but then I felt suffocated. The responsibilities and everything were taking a toll on me. It was a life I didn’t want for myself. I was sure no one would understand and if I said anything, I would just be pulled back and make me feel guilty for even thinking of what I was thinking. I’m so sorry. I admit, though, I was wrong for not contacting you, my parents, or anyone for that matter. There was a time I wanted to reach out, but I kept delaying. I was afraid to show up, ashamed to show up.”

We sat in heavy silence for a moment before she decided to rip off the Band-Aid. “There’s something more you have to know, Ray. I’m engaged to get married.”

His head snapped up with hurt in his eyes. “I know. You told me. I wished it was untrue, but I saw some men's hygiene kit in the bathroom. He smells like trouble to me, Jas.” He looked at me deeply with his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. I was sure he wanted to say something, but he was hesitating. After a few more seconds, he spoke. “Were you…did you?”

“His name is Sean,” I said softly, not minding his words. “He’s been good to me.”

Reagan’s jaw tightened. “Break it off.”

I blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. “Reagan, it’s not that simple. I love him. My life is here now.”

He leaned closer, his alpha aura emanating from him. “You love him? What about me? You and I are mates, Jas. Fated mates. I was born for you, and you were born for me. That bond is unbreakable. You can’t just ignore it.”

“I’m not ignoring it,” I shot back. “But I’ve built a life here. I love Sean, and it wouldn’t be fair to just throw that away.”

“Fair? So, you’re just going to throw what we have? I was here first, Jas.” He pointed to my chest. “What about us? What about our bond?”

Pain crept inside my heart. “I have always thought you already have a family of your own, Reagan. I have moved on. You need to accept that.” It hurt so much to say the words, but I had to do it. It was a quick decision, but I knew it was the right one. “Reject me if you want.” I closed my eyes to prepare myself for the pain.

“I won’t give up on us.” I heard him say.

I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me with intensity. I would have burned right then and there. Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was in my bag, which was just beside my bed. I took my phone and answered, seeing the call was from the hospital. I was relieved by the distraction. “Dr. Jasmine speaking.”

“Hi, Dr. Jasmine, we’re just checking in. How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling much better, thank you. Yes, I can pick up the afternoon shift,” I said. I was desperate to avoid more of the conversation I was having with Reagan.

“Oh! We were–”

“Excellent. See you this afternoon.”

I hung up and stood as I avoided Reagan’s piercing gaze. “I need to get ready for work.”

“Are you up to a shift?” he asked.

“I’m already behind. I pick up a hundred hours a week,” I replied.

He stood as well, not backing down. “I’ll drive you.”

“Reagan, that’s not necessary—”

“I insist,” he cut me off with a tone that left no room for argument.

I went inside my bathroom and went to do my business. I noticed Sean’s things were missing–his bath wash, shampoo, and toothbrush among other things, including his shaver! I growled lowly, something I had never done in a long time.

I had not said anything, but Reagan shouted, “Yes, I took all his things and threw them away. I’m here now.”

Not wanting to give him the satisfaction, I threw him out of my bedroom, glaring at him. I dressed up and went to make myself a sandwich to bring to work.

We drove in silence, the weight of the unresolved conversation hanging heavy between us. When we arrived at the hospital, he pulled into a parking spot and turned to me.

“Jas, I know you have your life here, but please, don’t shut me out. I’ll stay. I’m not going anywhere. Let’s continue our talk when you’re free.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

As I reached for the door handle, Reagan’s hand shot out, gripping my arm gently. I turned to face him, and before I could react, he leaned in and kissed me. The world seemed to stop as his lips met mine, the mate bond flaring to life, sending electric shocks through my entire body. It was not a smack, but a slow, hot, and deliberate kiss. My mind screamed at me to pull away, but my heart and body betrayed me. I responded to the kiss with a fierce, pent-up longing.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathless, our faces inches apart. His eyes searched mine. “Think about what I said,” he whispered.

I nodded as I could not form any words. My mind was in chaos. I stepped out of the car and walked into the hospital with my heart pounding and my emotions in turmoil once again. As the doors closed behind me, I touched my lips. They were still tingling from Reagan’s kiss, and I wondered how I would ever be able to face Sean–or myself–again.