Chapter 0489

Typical Theodore, falling for that kind of trick. I couldn't really blame him though. If her story had been true, I would've helped too.

"So Levi just stumbled upon you?" I asked.

"Yes," Jasmine mumbled. "He made me believe we were mates. But I knew it was all lies."

"Where did he find you?"

*Running through dense woods. I had to escape, I had no choice...

"But you knew nothing about Lycans?" Crestwood City residents knew about Lycans. Seraphina had told me that much - it was where they killed Zachary's brother.

"What does that matter?" She frowned.

"Just curious."

She shook her head at me. "Not until he told me. Everyone smells identical. Then he took everything from me. Locked me up, injected me with something."

"No." Evelyn scowled. I glanced at Evelyn who was shaking her head. "No, you said he chanted a spell over you." *He did after the injection."

"But Alexander asked if you'd been drugged and you said no." Evelyn pressed.

"I thought you meant pills or something." Jasmine muttered.

"Evelyn," I hated what I was about to ask, but I needed Charlotte away from what was coming. "Can you take Charlotte back to the house with you?"

I kept the gun pressed to Jasmine's temple as Evelyn led Charlotte away. "You don't have to do this!" Jasmine whispered.

"Normally I wouldn't, but I'm giving you one final chance to tell the truth."

"Luc." Alexander muttered behind me. "Lower the weapon. Athena wants to speak with Jasmine."

"She's lying."

"Maybe so, but Athena still wants to talk to her. And I know you respect Athena's requests."

I slowly lowered the gun in frustration, watching Jasmine breathe a sigh of relief.

"How is Athena?" I asked. I'd watched them rush her across the grounds to the medical center. I thought the twins might have been putting too much strain on her body.

"She's stable. Just needed fluids and nutrition."

"The twins?"

He paused, surprised I'd asked. "They're fine too."

"She's pregnant?" Jasmine muttered.

"Yes. Feeling guilty about lying now?" I asked.

She remained silent.

"Jasmine, come with me." Alexander instructed. I watched her walk toward him. She kept tossing her hair over her shoulder, giving me one final glance as they headed toward the pack hospital.

I should go inside to Hannah, but I needed to check on my daughter's safety first.

Knocking on the door, Evelyn answered. Her body tensed slightly. "She's in there." She pulled the door wider and stepped aside. My eyes caught the unicorn sticker on her hand.

"She likes you?"

"Seems so." She muttered, briefly smiling at the sticker.

"Charlotte?"

"In here Daddy!" She called out.

I entered to find the room transformed with sheets and blankets. Charlotte peeked out. "Do you like my fort? Evie made it for me."

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Evelyn standing back, cautious. "You seem different."

"Not sure you'd believe me even if I explained, but Dakota has helped me understand many things. Still is."

"Or maybe with Levi gone, you're finally free to be who you were meant to be."

I followed her to the kitchen as she offered me a drink. Her soul was healing. Not fully there yet, but getting closer.

"You like Zachary, don't you?" I asked.

"He's been kind to me. Didn't have to let me stay here. Didn't have to lend me his clothes. Didn't have to do anything."

"You know that's not what I meant."

She placed her hands on the counter, tilting her head back. "He's mated to someone else. Nothing I can do about that."

"Sometimes the mate bond isn't for everyone."

"What do you mean?"

"Not every couple is together because of a bond. Obviously it's better that way most of the time. But not always. Some people choose each other because they fall in love."

"Why tell me this? You hate me. I know you came to check if your daughter was safe around me."

"Because I recognize when someone is trying to turn their life around."