?Chapter 141:

Ryder exhaled, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. His expression softened, regret shadowing his eyes. “I was waiting for the right moment. I wanted you to feel the significance of it, to understand its connection to us, and not just think of it as… jewelry.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. If I’d known the ne held that kind of importance, there’s no way in hell I would’ve let it slip out of my hands—not even for a second. The thought of Jason, who didn’t understand a thing about our world, holding it right now made my blood run cold.

I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice calm even as I felt the full weight of the situation bearing down on me. “That’s… that’s incredible, Ryder. I mean, I knew it was special, but I had no idea…”

A part of me wanted to scream, to kick myself for not prying more information out of him about the damn thing. Of all the reckless things I’d done, this one had to top the list. The whole time, I’d thought it was just a thoughtful gift—a symbol of his affection. But no, it was more like a sacred relic, practically a piece of his family’s legacy.

At that moment, the breeze seemed to grow colder, realization sinking into my bones. I had zero idea where the ne might be. And if Ryder ever found out…

No, I couldn’t even let myself go there. Ryder’s pride in me wearing it, his belief in mymitment to him, made this situation feel even worse.

A huge silence fell between us, my thoughts darting toward the ne. Ryder’s thumb brushed over my cheek in a gesture that was bothforting and torturous at the same time.

“I want you to have it close, Jasmine,” he murmured. “It represents us. It was always meant to be worn by my mate.”

Oh damn. Damn. Damn. I wasn’t his mate, but yet he gifted me with it. How messed up was this?

I clenched my fists, forcing a smile and hoping he couldn’t hear the frantic beating of my heart. “Of course, Ryder. It means the world to me. I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t ever take it off unless I had to.” Lies!

He kissed me then, slow and gentle, as if he sensed the unease in me but couldn’t ce it. “Good,” he whispered against my lips. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to it.”

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I swallowed hard, fighting back the panic building inside. If only he knew. If only he had the faintest idea of the mess I’d gotten myself into.

“Nothing’s going to happen to it,” I said, lying through my teeth, even though I felt the weight of my mistake suffocating me. “I promise.”

Oh damn it! I couldn’t believe I was promising now…

He might have believed me now, but for how long would he keep believing me?

Jasmine’s POV

No, no, no, no… The word repeated itself in my head, looping until it drowned out every other thought. My chest felt tight, my mind a whirlwind. Damn Jason!

My hands moved up to my chest, absentmindedly tracing the bare spot where the ne usuallyy. I let out a shaky sigh, my fingers tangling through my hair. The guilt over that ne was choking me. I couldn’t even look Ryder in the eyes anymore. I made sure we spent as little time together as possible—I didn’t need him noticing its absence. So far, he’d asked twice, and each time I’d deflected. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but I’d seen his gaze linger on my corbone, his brow furrowing slightly as he seemed to search for answers I was too afraid to give. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him I’d lost something so important.

As for Jason… I’d tried reaching him countless times already. And every missed call, every silent minute only heightened the dread twisting inside me. How much longer could I dodge Ryder’s questions?

Gritting my teeth, I dialed Jason’s number again, cursing him under my breath as I listened to the empty ringing for what felt like the hundredth time today. Frustration boiled in my veins, and I’d snapped at Seraphina over something minor earlier. Now, guilt added to the cocktail of emotions gnawing at me. I nced at the glowing screen and barely resisted the urge to hurl my phone against the wall as it rang for the tenth—no, twentieth—time with still no answer.

“Damn you, Jason!” I hissed, my voice sharp. “Screw you!” I shouted at my phone before throwing it onto my pillow. I pressed my palms into my face, trying to calm myself, when I heard footsteps approaching. With unshed tears threatening to spill, I lifted my head and found Ryder standing in the doorway, his gaze piercing through me.

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