“Why are you here, Jake?” she asked.
I didn’t answer right away. I was too busy looking at her.
Her long curls spilled over one shoulder. Her makeup was sharp enough to kill. That one-shoulder dress hugged her waist like it was made for her. I’d seen her in training gear and casual clothes countless times, but this? This was different.
I couldn’t help it. My eyes lingered.
Then, it hit me – her call going unanswered.
Deanna always used to answer my calls immediately; she never missed them.
I asked, “What’s with your phone being off?”
She laughed, but it wasn’t the sweet kind. It was sharp and bitter. “Why do you care? You didn’t care when I got kidnapped. You were off dealing with Peggie’s ceremony. So, here’s the deal, Jake – we’re done.”
The words hit me hard.
I scowled. “If I hadn’t stepped in, Jillian would’ve chewed you up and spit you out. You’ve got plenty of fight when it’s me you’re talking to, Deanna, but with Mistbane Pack? You roll over.”
She smiled then. It wasn’t the warm kind; it was more the kind that made you think she might just stab you with it. “Oh, right. Thanks for helping me back there. Five years of loving you, Jake. Let’s call that my breakup fee.”
That one stung.
Yet, I didn’t buy it for a second.
I thought, She’s not really dumping me. No chance. She needs me to keep her parents in line.
This is just her way of getting back at me. She’s furious about Peggie.
I took a step closer, my voice softer. “You’ve been freezing me out for days, and even staged a fake kidnapping. Fine, I won’t argue. Peggie’s ceremony was her last wish. If it matters, I’ll make ours bigger – loud enough for the pack to talk about for years.”
I’d already given ground. Now it was her turn to bend.
So, I stood there, calm as stone, waiting for her to crack.
Deanna’s POV:
Look at you, Jake. That tone, that face – like you’re some kind of savior swooping in to fix everything.
It’s almost funny, really.
I’ve stood by you for five long years, and you still don’t have the faintest clue who I am.
You actually believe I faked a kidnapping just to get your attention? What a joke.
It struck me hard – five years with this man were completely wasted.
I backed away, my heels edging dangerously close to the pool. Being near him felt unbearable right now.
“Jake,” I shot back, my voice sharp enough to cut, “do you really think tossing me a fancier ceremony is going to fix this? You think I’ll just sit around and wait like before?”
I let out a bitter laugh. “I’m done. Honestly, I hope you and Peggie get stuck together for life. Forget your fake little ceremonies – why not just make it official?”
His jaw tightened, his tone low and rough. “Deanna, enough. I’m done playing games. Say what you want, and it’s yours. Just this once.”
Before I could fire back again, something flickered in the corner of my eye.
Oh, look at that. Peggie. Perfect timing.
Draped in white like some delicate little dove, she glided into the place. That faint trace of her Dualborn scent – human tangled with wolf – was so subtle you’d miss it if you weren’t paying attention.
I almost smiled.
“Jake,” I told him quietly, “I’m not asking for anything. Just one thing – choose me. Right here. Right now. No hesitation. Do that, and maybe we can start over.”
Then, Peggie was there, closing the distance between us.
She looked pale, though the breeze still played with her flawless hair. Not a single strand out of place, her makeup picture-perfect.
“Jake.” Her voice came out soft, trembling. Then her gaze slid to me, and she let out a strained, “Deanna.”
Jake’s brows knitted. “What are you doing here?”
Peggie bit her lip, lowering her gaze just enough to look helpless. “I… I came to apologize to Deanna about the ceremony. I didn’t know the Mistbane Pack is hosting a celebration tonight.”
I nearly snorted. Say sorry? Please. I hardly ever set foot in this pack, and now you just magically show up?
Nice try, Peggie. You flashed that invitation on purpose. Don’t pretend this isn’t exactly what you planned.
Kathryn arrived then, two maids trailing her like shadows.
“Ms. Pearson,” she spoke briskly, “tonight is an important night for the Mistbane Pack. If this isn’t urgent, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Peggie didn’t even flinch.
Instead, she turned those wide, tear-glossed eyes up at Jake. “Jake, am I in the way? I swear I had no idea it was Mistbane Pack’s founding anniversary. I wouldn’t have come if I’d known. I’m so sorry.”
I folded my arms, smirking. Showtime. Let’s see how far she takes this.
Kathryn’s patience snapped. “Guards! Show Ms. Pearson out!”
The guards stepped forward, but one sharp glare from Jake froze them in place. That Alpha presence slammed down like a storm, thick enough to choke the air. None of them dared move. They backed off in an instant.
He turned to Peggie. “You don’t look well. I’ll ask the driver to take you back to the hospital, okay?”
Peggie’s eyes went wide, glistening with perfectly timed tears. Not a single word of protest. Instead, she turned those fragile little eyes on me, voice trembling.
“Deanna, please don’t be mad at Jake. My heart’s failing… I don’t know how much time I’ve got. That ceremony was the only thing I wanted. I can’t stand seeing you two at odds because of me. Please, tell me what I can do to make you forgive me.”
God, she was good. That act could melt stone, but too bad I’m immune.
Even though I was over Jake, I could never forget the crap Peggie had dragged me through.
She had sent me 999 texts. I could still picture each of them as if it were yesterday.
‘Deanna, Jake loves me. You’ll always be second best.’
‘Jake stayed with me again. Guess that says it all.’
The memory burned hotter than the sun.
I smiled, slow and sharp.
“Alright, take a dive into the pool. Do that, and we’re good,” I replied, my tone sugar-sweet.
Gasps erupted around us. Guests were starting to gather, whispers spreading like wildfire.
Jake’s face darkened, his voice low and sharp. “Deanna! I’m the one who agreed to the ceremony. If you’re mad, aim it at me! Why drag her into this?”
I looked straight at him, calm and steady. “Oh? Now you’re worried about her? Then stop feeding me lies that make me think you still care.”
…
Peggie’s POV:
The pool shimmered under the lights, and I didn’t hesitate.
Weak? Sure. Dualborn heart, not exactly perfect, but I’ve been fine lately. It doesn’t matter. It’s summer, the water’s warm, and I can swim.
This is nothing to me.
A slow, confident thought slipped in. And Deanna? She has no idea she’s handing me the perfect chance. Jake’s going to hate her for this.
I murmured, “I’ll do it, Jake. If this will stop Deanna from being angry at you, I’ll jump.”
Then I drew a breath and launched myself forward.
Splash.
Water exploded everywhere.
A voice shouted from the crowd, “Is she drowning? She’s sick, right? What if she dies?”
Jake didn’t even hesitate. He dove in like a bullet, slicing through the water.
He reached me in seconds, strong arms wrapping around me as he hauled me to the edge.
When we finally climbed out, I coughed and gasped for air, trembling.
My voice cracked, tears blurring my vision. “Jake… I… I was so scared I’d lost you for good.”
He draped a towel around me and lifted me like I weighed nothing.
As he moved past Deanna, his voice came out like ice. “Deanna, I never thought you’d sink this low. Peggie’s sick – she could’ve died. You crossed a line.”
He didn’t even look back.
Deanna’s voice rang out behind us, cold and final. “Don’t say I didn’t give you one last chance, Jake. We’re done.”
For a split second, he paused.
I instantly pressed my face to his chest, soft and trembling. “Jake… my heart… it hurts. I can’t breathe.”
That was it. He kept moving without another word.
I let my lips curl into a satisfied smile, hidden against his shirt.
Deanna’s POV:
That whole mess brought the party to an early, awkward end.
Not long after, I got summoned to the family hall.
Philip was pacing back and forth, shoulders tight, hands clasped behind him like he was holding himself back from blowing up. His Alpha presence filled the room, heavy enough to make the air feel thick.
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