?Chapter 40:

“I’m not going to waste your time with pointless formalities today,” he said, turning to face me. “I’ll briefly introduce the new face sitting beside me.”

Right. I was sure my face was showing my strong urge not to roll my eyes. He could just skip that part entirely and avoid formalities in general. I scoffed. What was he going to introduce me as? I could only wonder. I wasn’t even sure of my purpose. So far, he hadn’t touched me, so the idea of being his mistress wasn’t really a choice. If I was his ve, I still didn’t know. Or maybe a prisoner?

That was more like it.

“This is Jasmine, the newest addition to our pack,” he said with a small smile on his face, his eyes now staring ahead of me.

With a loud bang against the table that sent cutlery ttering, the room erupted into a chorus of greetings and congrattions, the pack members vying for our attention. I smiled and nodded, trying to keep up with the flurry of introductions and well-wishes while my mind performed its little circus, as countless thoughts flew through my brain.

Pack member? Not like it wasn’t relieving to find out I wasn’t a ve, but I still preferred my own pack. I was very satisfied with my dad’s pack.

Breakfast began, and I found myself struggling to keep up. My anxiety didn’t let me appreciate the fine cuisine, and I picked at my food. The pack members were a lively bunch, their conversations fast-paced and loud, always ending with a roar ofughter I was still trying toe to terms with. Iughed and smiled, answering a few questions, trying my best to fit in, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider.

Ryder’s presence beside me was reassuring, his asional nces and small nudges making me feel more at ease. But deep down, I knew I had a lot to prove before I truly belonged here. It was always that way in packs.

Putting on a small smile as I sent polite nods across the room, I could feel the corners of my lips twitching from exhaustion. I’d been smiling for God knows how long, and to top it off, I was the least excited to smile.

Ryder’s voice cut in, his tone firm.

“I expect you all to make her feel wee and treat her with the same respect you show me, as she is mydy, and she will do the same.”

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Without thinking twice, my head spun so fast that my bun was no longer neatly piled on my head—some of it had fallen down. My cheeks suddenly flushed pink. I didn’t see thating, and blushing in front of heaven knows how many people was not my idea of fun. There were certainly more than twenty. The pack members began a fresh round of cheers and whistles, which sent me jerking, still getting used to it. Their enthusiasm was infectious, filled with testosterone. I found myself smiling shyly, wishing my hair had been let down; at least it would have hidden my face from their prying gazes.

If my little disy was observed, I couldn’t really say, as their faces held serious expressions while they paid rapt attention to hismanding voice. I sat rigidly, lost for words. Hell, I couldn’t even meet his fucking gaze.

If I’d told anyone I was at peace during breakfast, I would have been a bloody liar. My mind had been a tornado of thoughts. Pacing back and forth in my room, I was waiting for Ryder to walk in, just like he always did. As it was, he had a lot of exining to do. Not even that stupid smirk was going to stop me.

What did he mean by dy”? I asked myself, trying to make sense of him using that term. Who was ady to the Alpha? Or was it just a modest recement for mistress? And if I was hisdy, who was Isabel? Blubbering my lips, I slumped into my chair, gently dragging my hair away from my scalp.

My actions of despair stopped once I heard the door creak open. Even without looking up, I knew it was him. His cologne filled my nose as he inched closer, my heart skipping a beat as he walked in, his eyes locking onto mine.

Snapping my eyes open, I jumped from my seat.

“What did you mean by dy’? Is it just another word for whore? Couldn’t you have at least informed me that I’d now be a member of your pack instead of parading me like a trophy in front of all those Lycans?” The questions poured out of my mouth, all my thoughtsing to the surface.

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