Alphas' Proud Mate novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88 Right Into My Trap
Suddenly, Jack’s eyes flash—a brilliant shade of —his jaw tensing as his gaze unfocuses for a moment.

Someone’s mindlinking him.

I tilt my head. “What is it?”

He blinks, then exhales. “Fury. He says Jasmine wants to see us. They’re on their way to the house now.”

My heart skips with a jolt of joy, and a grin spreads across my face. “Jasmine?” I breathe, already turning back toward the forest path. “Gods, I’ve missed her. I can’t believe she’s finally free of that bastard.”

We start walking, feet brushing through the underbrush, the scent of pine and damp soil thick in the air.

Curiosity gnaws at me. “How… how did she break the bond with Khoas?” I ask carefully, my voice soft.

Jack’s shoulders stiffen slightly. He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “She had to lose her wolf.”

I stop mid-step. “She—” My voice catches. “She gave up her wolf?”

He nods, lips pressing into a thin line. “It was the only way. Dark magic. She was losing herself and would’ve rather died than remain bonded to him for another second. She chose herself… but the price—” He trails off. He doesn’t have to finish.

A pang of grief stabs my chest. I swallow hard. “Khoas isn’t dead… is he?”

Jack’s smirk returns, cold and razor-sharp. “No. Not yet. But he’s going to live a very long time—chained in a pit so dark and deep, he’ll wish for death every single day. He’ll pay for what he did to Jasmine and you. Slowly.”

“Good.” My voice is cold. “Death is too merciful for him.”

We reach the house, stepping up onto the porch just as the front door swings open. And then I smell it—cinnamon and moonstone.

Jasmine.

The second I see her—standing in the middle of the living room, her arm still looped through Fury’s—we both freeze. Then we bolt toward each other.

“Jas!” I throw my arms around her, holding her tight, but careful. Her frame is lighter now, her energy softer… almost human.

“I missed you so much,” she whispers against my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Kali. For what he did to you… for everything.”

I pull back and hold her face gently. “No. Don’t do that. None of this was your fault. I’m just glad you’re free of him. You’re glowing, Jas. You look… like you again.”

Her smile trembles, and I know she hears the truth in my voice. But before I can say more, Fury suddenly straightens beside us, nose twitching. His expression darkens as he slowly sniffs the air, then starts scratching at his nose like it’s bothering him.

Jack narrows his eyes. “What’s up with you?”

Fury’s gaze sweeps the room, sharp and disturbed. “It almost smells like… Lady Celestia was here.”

That immediately gets all our attention. She was his ex-mate, after all.

Jack scoffs, arms folding across his chest. “There’s no fucking way she would dare come into my pack—let alone my house.”

But Fury shrugs, his brows still furrowed. “You’re not Alpha anymore. The patrols are weak, and let’s not forget—she is the Alpha King’s daughter. That gives her more access than we’d like to admit.”

Jack clenches his jaw. “Still. She wouldn’t be that stupid.”

I step forward, resting my hand on his arm, a slow smirk curling my lips. “Oh, I think she did come. Masked her scent.”

Jack turns to me, eyes narrowing. “You think?”

I nod. “She’s desperate. I told you—she’d go crawling to your uncle the moment things started slipping through her fingers. And I guarantee he told her there was only one way to secure her position.”

Fury tilts his head. “What way?”

I meet his gaze. “By taking my necklace.”

Jasmine gasps beside me. “The same necklace you showed me? The one that looks exactly like the Alpha Queen’s?”

“Yes,” I confirm softly. “That one.”

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