Without sparing me a glance, Isabelle turned away, scampering off immediately, leaving me alone with Ryder. Rolling my eyes, I lazily turned around to face him. He looked relaxed in a pair of black sweatpants and a grey shirt, his hands dipped into its pockets.
He didn’t say a word, only staring at me with those ocean eyes, an intensity that made goosebumps spread down my neck. Pulling his hands out of his pockets, he pulled out a card. It was dark and unlike anything I’d seen. Stretching it toward me, I stared at it suspiciously before taking it.
“There’s a dinner party tonight,” he said, his voice not giving away the slightest hint of how he felt, as if I hadn’t slapped him a few days ago, as if everything was perfect. I watched his features, trying to read his expression, but it remained neutral and gentle. “This is my card. I figured you wouldn’t have much in your closet, so tell Seraphina to take you out and get you some nice dresses.”
My thumb caressed the plastic card, and I could only stare at him. Maybe if I kept staring, he would say something. He’d heard parts of our conversation, yet he wasn’t clearing the air. Neither was he admitting anything. And now, instead of an apology or explanation, he was going to act like nothing mattered, like everything was fine? After what Isabelle had just revealed?
“Others?” I spat out, my gaze narrowing questioningly at him. If he was going to ignore the elephant in the garden, well, I wasn’t.
Furrowing his brows, his tongue swept over his teeth, his eyes moving to the screen of his watch before glancing at me with a blank stare, his expression dismissive. “I have really important things to attend to. Make sure you get the dress soon,” he said, and then he walked off, leaving me staring daggers at him while I brewed with anger. The fuck! Thank God Isabelle was gone, or she would have laughed her head off at how he’d ignored me.
Watching him go, my mind raced with questions. What was going on? Why was he acting like this? And what did she mean by “others”? I felt like I was drowning in confusion and frustration. No one was willing to give me real answers, and the one person who should have done so was acting like he was on his damn period.
My gaze flickered to the card in my hand, feeling a surge of anger. Did he really think a fancy dress and a dinner party would make everything okay? I shoved the card into my pocket, a sense of determination flooding over me. I was going to get some answers, no matter what it took.
A small smile formed on my lips. I was going to buy the most expensive outfit with this card-my own little revenge.
Jasmine’s POV
I had barely taken a step from where I stood after Ryder left when Isabelle reappeared, just like the busy bee that she was. Her sudden presence made me wonder if she’d been eavesdropping on our conversation. Her cat-like green eyes were slanted as she stared directly at my hands.
“I don’t think that card was meant for someone like you,” she said, her gaze shamelessly flicking over my hands, eyes flashing with greed. “In fact, you should hand it over.”
I chuckled. For real? Hand it over? What was I? A naive little girl who would obey her every goddamn order? Or her servant?
Her tone was commanding, her Roman nose tilted up as if she was too good to even breathe the same air as me.
I blinked, stunned by her audacity. Was she serious? I turned my head slightly, looking around to see if maybe she was talking to someone else. Nope. It was me she was addressing. The nerve of this girl. Maybe it was because I was a werewolf and she was a Lycan, or maybe because I had no one backing me up-but the insult was crystal clear. Did she really think she could just bully me? Stephanie had tried, and failed miserably. And Isabelle? She was even further from succeeding. Glancing at her slightly shorter frame, I realized the only thing she had over me was her Lycan status.
“Excuse me?” I let out a sharp, bitter laugh, my voice rising in pitch. “You must be joking.” My eyes met hers challengingly.
“The card, Jasmine,” Isabelle repeated, extending her hand like she was some queen expecting tribute. “Ryder meant it for me,” she added, her pride practically dripping off her words.
I gave her a slow once-over, my stomach churning with disgust. If she were a man, I’d say she had balls, I thought, suppressing a smirk.
“Oh, really?” I said, my tone overly thoughtful as a plan started forming in my mind. If she wanted the card that badly, I’d make her work for it.
Dipping my hand into the pocket of my sweater, I pulled out the card slowly. I stretched my hand toward her, but at the last second, I waved it high in the air, just out of her reach. I couldn’t help but feel a smug satisfaction, towering over her.
My gaze met hers, mocking her height, and she fumed.
“If you’re as special as you say, wouldn’t Ryder have given you the card himself?” I taunted, the truth of my words settling in. Confidence surged through me. I was right.
Isabelle’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a tight line as her face flushed with anger. “You think you know your place?” she scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder and stepping closer. “You think you can take what’s mine?” Her face twisted into a scowl, but I held my ground, unbothered.
“Oh, I know exactly where I stand,” I shot back, my tone cutting. “And I know Ryder trusts me. If he didn’t, I wouldn’t be the one holding this card, now would I?”
Her laughter was cold and humorless, her eyes brimming with hatred. “You wouldn’t dare try me,” she hissed. “You’re nobody. This pack? It’s mine. I’ve spent years earning my place. Do you really think anyone’s going to take kindly to some nobody like you making threats in my territory?”
Her words sent a shiver down my spine, but I swallowed hard, refusing to let her see any weakness. “I’m not afraid of you, Isabelle,” I said, my voice firm, unyielding. “And I’m certainly not going anywhere.”
I saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes, despite the fury she tried to mask. She knew what the card represented. Ryder’s trust. And right now, I had it. For now, that gave me the upper hand. For now, I reminded myself.
“I’d rather throw pearls to swine than waste any more time with you,” I said, my voice dripping with disdain as I clicked my tongue and gave her a long, mocking look.
With that, I turned on my heel, leaving her seething in my wake. The card-though I knew it was important-was something I intended to return to Ryder as soon as possible. I couldn’t afford to get tangled in whatever game Isabelle was playing.
It didn’t take long to spot Seraphina near the garden, close to the entrance of the pack house. She looked up as I approached, her eyes widening as if she could sense the tension still clinging to me.
“You look upset, miss,” she said softly, concern etched across her face. “What happened?”
I relayed the whole encounter with Isabelle, watching as Seraphina’s eyes grew wider with each passing detail, particularly when I mentioned the black card.
“Ryder’s black card?” she whispered, her eyes darting around like she was afraid someone would overhear. “He’s never given that to anyone-not even Isabelle.”
“Really?” I asked, a smug smile spreading across my face as satisfaction replaced the loneliness that had crept in earlier. No wonder she was so pressed.
But then Seraphina’s words truly sank in. Ryder had never given the card to anyone… until me.
I could feel my cheeks heat up as a blush crept in. Was this his way of apologizing? Or was it more than that? A gesture to show I was special to him? A small flutter stirred in my chest, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it all meant. Was Ryder truly interested in me? Or was I just a pawn in another one of his confusing games? His actions were always so cryptic.
I glanced down at the black card in my hand-it gleamed under the light, bold and imposing, just like its owner. Clutching it tightly, I tucked it back into my pocket and patted it for reassurance.
No matter what was happening, one thing was certain: I was going to make the most of this card. And I wasn’t about to let anyone, especially Isabelle, get in my way.
Even though I was an alpha’s daughter, I’d never shopped in designer stores. Determined to have a taste of wealth before the end of my lucky streak, I walked into one of the stores with my chin high, Seraphina beside me, the warm sunlight kissing my skin as I stepped out of the car.
The store was exactly what I expected: bright LED lights, nude-painted walls, and a deep pink plush carpet in the center. A U-shaped couch faced the racks of clothing that lined the walls. A saleslady-Frieda, according to her name tag-glided over to greet us, her overly bright smile showing off a set of perfect white teeth.
“Welcome, ma’am! How can I help you find the perfect selection today?” she chirped, her voice annoyingly bubbly-such a refreshing change from Isabelle’s usual venom.
“I’m not sure yet,” I replied, my lips pursing as I scanned the racks. “I’m open to suggestions.” I shrugged nonchalantly.
Frieda nodded like a bobblehead. “Let me show you some of our newest arrivals!” she announced, waving her hand with a flourish.
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