The Alpha's Runaway Queen

Chapter 7 - Been kissed

Jasmine POV

The party was in full swing, but Reagan and I slipped out, unnoticed, seeking the quiet refuge of the palace gardens. The night air was cool and refreshing. It was a welcome contrast to the lively warmth inside. We walked side by side, the moonlight casting a gentle glow on the path ahead.

“So, how’s work been treating you?” I asked, glancing up at Reagan. His broad shoulders and confident stride always made me feel safe.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It's been pretty toxic, honestly. But at the end of the day, I get a lot of fulfillment from it. Helping people, and making a difference…is worth the stress.”

I nodded, understanding the weight of his responsibilities. “You’re doing an amazing job, Reagan. Everyone looks up to you.”

He chuckled, a sound that made my heart flutter. “Thanks, Jas. I appreciate that.” He paused for a moment, then added with a grin, “You know, I can’t wait until you’re eighteen and have your first shift. And who knows, maybe you’ll meet your mate then.”

My stomach tightened at the thought, but I forced a smile. “Yeah, it’ll be…interesting.”

Reagan stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. “Hey, I got you something.” He pulled a small, elegantly wrapped box from his pocket and handed it to me. “Happy birthday, Jas.”

I took the box, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. “You didn’t have to.”

“Of course I did,” he said softly. “It’s your birthday.”

I carefully unwrapped the box, revealing a delicate white gold bracelet adorned with tiny charms that represented different aspects of our lives–a wolf for our pack and a book for our shared love of stories.

“Why is there a key and a heart?” I asked, confused.

“Because you hold the key to my heart,” he answered in a teasing voice.

I punched Reagan lightly on his arm, making him laugh. He took the bracelet from my hand and put it on my wrist. After which, I raised my arm close to my face. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.

“I wanted you to have something to remind you of us, of everything we shared and everything that’s yet to come.” Reagan smiled as he took my lifted hand.

I thought Reagan would just look closely at the bracelet, but what he did next surprised me. He kissed the back of my hand, staring back at me while he did. It took seconds before he separated his lips from my skin.

As I caught myself breathless, I didn’t know what to say next. The kiss was so intimate, and his gaze was not something I could disregard. That was my best friend and he just put my emotions in a muddle.

Emotions swirling in my chest, I could only breathe out a small thanks. “Thank you. Reagan. This means so much to me. I’ll treasure it forever.”

He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. However, It was getting really cold, though inside I was feeling so warm. Reagan took his coat off and placed it on my back. He gave me a quick hug and then said, “Jas, you mean a lot to me. I just want you to be happy, no matter what.”

For a moment, we stood there, the world around us fading away. In that instant, it was just the two of us, connected by years of friendship and something deeper, something unspoken. The garden seemed to hold its breath, the night waiting in suspense.

Finally, Reagan broke the silence with a teasing grin. “So, are you ready to head back in and face the chaos?”

I laughed, the tension easing. “Only if you promise to save me another dance.”

“Only one? I can dance with you the whole night!” he exclaimed, offering his arm. “Let’s go and make some more memories.”

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Reagan POV

The journey to Jasmine’s birthday had been anything but smooth. After juggling responsibilities to free up three days, I was ready to board my flight home on Friday afternoon. But everything seemed to conspire against me. First, there were flight delays that stretched my patience thin. My anxiety mounted with each passing hour, the universe seemingly placing obstacle after obstacle in my path.

With my phone battery drained and no charger or power bank in sight, I was cut off from the world. Every charging station was occupied, adding to my frustration. I slumped into a chair, feeling both humbled and isolated. I was used to having everything at my disposal–assistants, conveniences, luxuries–but there I was, just another traveler stuck in limbo.

“Conri, I could really use some of your calm right now,” I muttered internally. My wolf, ever the steady presence in my mind, responded with a reassuring growl.

“Patience, Reagan. We’ll get there.”

Hours later, when I finally boarded the plane, my anxiety shifted to excitement and fear. I wanted to see Jasmine so badly, but a part of me was terrified of what it might mean. Since my eighteenth birthday and my first shift, I had wondered if Jasmine was my mate. The thought excited and terrified me in equal measure.

As the plane touched down, I was eager to finally be able to make my way to the palace. I was so worried that Jasmine’s dinner party would already be finished by the time I arrived. When I got home, I felt uneasy. The halls seemed deserted, and I wondered if the dinner was indeed already over. The thought sent a pang of disappointment through me. I had fought through so much just to be there, and the idea of missing Jasmine’s special moment was crushing.

Just then, two passing staff members caught sight of me.

“Young Alpha,” they greeted as they bowed their heads. They were about to go when I called them back.

“Is the dinner party over?” I asked.

One of them smiled. “No, not yet, Young Alpha. The party's still going on in the big room at the end of the hallway.” She then pointed to the east wing.

“Thank you.” I sighed in relief.

I quickly made my way down the hall, my excitement growing with every step. As I neared the room, I could hear the faint strains of music and laughter. I stepped inside and immediately spotted Jasmine. She was on the dance floor, looking mesmerizing. But my heart sank as I saw her in the arms of another man.

A low growl threatened to escape my throat, but I managed to suppress it. Then I realized it was Luis she was dancing with, not a stranger. The immediate jealousy eased slightly, but it didn’t dispel the rush of emotions flooding through me. My heart pounded, my body reacting to her scent–cinnamon, sweet and intoxicating. It overpowered everything else in the room, making me heave and crave her presence even more.

“Mate!” Conri, my wolf, roared in my head. I wanted to cry out in joy, to shout my gratitude to the Moon Goddess for answering my prayers. But I knew I had to keep calm. Jasmine wasn’t eighteen yet. If I revealed the bond prematurely, it could break.

“Calm down, Conri. We can’t tell her yet. We have to wait,” I reminded him.

People around us started to notice my presence. My mother approached quietly, encouraging me to approach the birthday girl.

“Go to her,” she whispered, giving my arm a gentle squeeze.

I nodded as I caught Luis’ eye.

“Luis, can I cut in?” I mindlinked him.

Luis kept his face straight as he looked at Jasmine. “Of course. Take your position near my back. I’ll twirl Jas then you make your entrance.”

“Great. Thanks, bro.” I took steps to line myself up near his back, thankful for the people dancing around them for keeping me hidden from Jasmine’s sight.

Luis twirled Jasmine gracefully, and as she spun, I took Luis’ place. Jasmine’s eyes widened as she faced me, then suddenly, tears started to spill.

I tried to comfort her while dancing. I held her close, trying to convey my apology through the gentle sway of our movements. The guilt gnawed at me, and I knew I needed to make it right. Guiding her out to the palace gardens, I sought a moment of solitude away from the party. The cool night air and the glow of the moon created an intimate atmosphere for us. My heart pounded with longing, the urge to kiss her almost busting my self-control. Instead, I handed her the gift I had carefully chosen, a symbol of my feelings that I couldn’t yet fully express. I spoke softly, telling her how much she meant to me. My words were sincere, but I was careful not to reveal too much. After a few more moments alone, we walked back inside with the promise of more dances and more memories to create.

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Jasmine POV

It was a night to remember. Everyone who mattered most to me was gathered in one place. Reagan’s arrival, though late, added a special touch that made my heart swell with happiness.

As soon as the party ended, Tania, Kaia, and I retreated to Kaia’s bedroom for our sleepover. We stayed up, talking about everything that had happened, reliving each moment with laughter.

“I can’t believe you live like this all the time, “Tania said, her eyes wide with wonder. She was talking about the werewolf lifestyle. “The nature, training, everything!”

Kaia laughed, “It does have its perks.”

We all laughed, sharing stories and gossiping about the events of the day. Tania was especially taken with Reagan’s birthday gift to me. It was so perfect, showing how thoughtful Reagan was.

“You really hit the jackpot with Reagan,” Tania teased, nudging me. “That guy is a keeper.”

“May I just remind you that he is not my mate.” I smiled a bit.

“Not yet. You never know. He had not met his mate yet and you are not yet eighteen,” Kaia said, yawning at the end.

I could only shake my head, not really wanting to think more of it and be sad at the end.

As the night wore on, we eventually settled down. Tania fell asleep first with soft snores. However, sleep eluded me. I picked up my phone and scrolled through social media, stumbling upon photos from the dinner. One, in particular, caught my eye–a candid shot of Reagan and me, our smiles were up to our ears. He was looking at me with such tenderness making my heart skip a beat. Without a second thought, I saved the photo as my wallpaper. Eventually, exhaustion won, and I drifted off to sleep.

Morning came too soon. My body clock had me up before everyone else. I lay there for a moment, savoring the quiet before the day’s activities began. Kaia was the first to stir, heading to the bathroom, and I followed shortly after, gently waking Tania.

“Come on, sleepyhead,” I whispered. “Time for more man-watching.”

Tania groaned but then perked up at the mention of watching the werewolf training. We quickly got ready and headed out, but not before I made a quick detour. I wanted to check on Reagan and see if he was awake. I knocked softly on his door and waited a few seconds before I knocked again. There was no answer, so I tried turning the doorknob. It opened! I peeked in to find him still asleep. Quietly, I slipped inside and lay down beside him, watching him for a moment.

“Wake up,” I whispered softly, but he didn’t stir. It was unusual for Reagan to sleep that late, but he was probably exhausted from the trip.

Just as I was about to leave, his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back onto the bed. Reagan had been awake the whole time! “Stay,” he murmured. “Just a little longer.”

“Reagan!” I exclaimed softly, trying to sound annoyed but failing.

“Calm down,” he murmured. “I just want more alone time with you since I’ll be leaving after lunch.

He spooned me, and I could feel his morning wood pressed against my butt. My mind went wild with lustful thoughts from my romance books. Should I push my butt back? Grind? Ask if I could take a look? Touch? I forced myself to stop the dirty thoughts and asked, “Do you want to go on a hike and visit our hill for breakfast?”

He liked the idea, so he got up, washed, and dressed. We went to the kitchen first and asked for a breakfast picnic. While the kitchen staff prepared it, we headed to the clearing. Tania was having a great time trying the squat-jump-pushup exercise, doing it wrong, and kept falling, making us all laugh. Reagan stepped in to teach Tania the right way, but she still fell, too tired to continue. I knew she would have muscle aches later, so I thought of getting us a massage.

I told Kaia and Tania about the picnic, but Tania declined as she was already too tired to walk. Kaia declined as well, saying she was not in the mood for a picnic. I knew too well that she just declined so Tania would not be left alone.

“That’s okay. More food for us,” Reagan whispered when I felt sad the two girls wouldn’t be coming with us. I jabbed my elbow in his ribs but eventually laughed at his words.

A palace staff member brought our picnic to the clearing and Reagan and I started our hike. I talked about my classes and how much I’d progressed in potion-making. I hoped to develop medicines to help humans with certain illnesses. Reagan listened quietly, his eyes focused on me.

“You’ve really found your passion,” he said. “Have you thought about pursuing further studies? You’d make a great chemist or doctor.”

“I don’t know,” I replied. “Studying to be a doctor takes years, and I have to start training for my beta duties right after senior high school.” The thought made me sad.

Sensing my change in mood, Reagan asked gently, “Is something wrong?”

“No,” I said quickly. Changing the topic, I asked him questions about his work. Reagan did most of the talking for the rest of our picnic. As we were heading back to the palace, Reagan slowed down.

“I don’t know when I’ll see you again,” he admitted. “I may not come home for Christmas or your graduation. Still not sure though. My focus is to finish the training program as soon as I can so I can be at your eighteenth birthday and stay here after. No more going away. I plan to squeeze the remaining fourteen months of training into twelve months. Please bear with me. It’s just one year.”

I nodded in understanding, feeling a lump in my throat. He hugged me tightly, swaying me slightly. I thought he was going to just pinch my chin, but his fingers stayed. He then lowered his head. For a moment it was our usual cheek-to-cheek kiss, but our lips overlapped. His lips lingered for a few seconds before he pulled back.

“Take care of yourself, okay?” he said softly.

I nodded, my heart racing. “I will. Thank you for spending breakfast with me.”

When we got back inside the palace, I found Kaia and Tania taking a nap, so I stayed with Reagan in his office. While he worked, I read a book on my phone.

Time ticked by and it was already lunch. Perhaps it was just me, but the atmosphere was a bit tense, a sad reminder that Reagan would be leaving soon. His parents gave him their last instructions. I wanted to take him to the airport but didn’t want to leave Tania alone. The send-off was heartbreaking.

“Don’t cry,” Reagan whispered, hugging me tightly. “You can visit me anytime, wherever I may be.”

“I know,” I said, trying to hold back my tears. “Be safe.”

He kissed my forehead and left. I stood there, watching until he was out of sight, already counting the days until his return.