?Chapter 86:

“You think you’re clever, don’t you?” Isabelle hissed beside me, her voice icy and low. I had almost forgotten she was there.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference. “Whatever game you’re referring to, Isabelle, I’m not ying it.”

Isabelle’s smile twisted, and she inched closer, a creepy sensation crawling up my skin. “Oh, but you are. You’re ying the game of seduction, thinking you can steal Ryder’s attention from me.”

This was incredulous. Now I felt like one of those antagonist female characters in high school sis.

My gut twisted with annoyance. God, it was hard not to p her when she was getting on my nerves so much. “So I’m assuming you’ve been observant. I wouldn’t be jealous if I were you,” was my dry response.

Isabelle’s chuckle was low and mirthless.

“I’m not. You’re just a temporary distraction. I’m the future Luna, and it’s only a matter of time.”

My gaze broadened slightly, and my fingers clenched into a tight fist in myp. Her words struck like a punch. I’d heard that line so many times. Was I supposed to get used to it by now? Yes. But crap, I still felt a surge of anger and bit back myeback.

“When it happens, we’ll know who’ll be the jealous one,” she scoffed. I straightened my spine and turned to face Isabelle’s venomous re.

“I don’t care about your position or anything about your… pack,” I spat, my voice trembling. I wanted to add “ridiculous” to “pack” but thought better of it.

“I just want to leave this goddamn prison and escape all the drama.” Isabelle’s smile was slow and teasing.

“Drama?” She arched her brows, giving me a look that said she thought I was absurd. “You’re the one who created it, Jasmine. You hounded Ryder, throwing yourself at him like a desperate whore.”

That was it.

I could feel my blood boil, my neck steaming with heat while my face burned with anger, but I refused to back down.

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“That’s not true.” My voice was weak. I couldn’t even convince myself, let alone her.

Isabelle’s eyes sparkled with malice as she wiped her lips. “Oh, but it is. And now, you’re stuck here, watching as Ryder chooses me over you.” Ryder’s name hung in the air like a challenge.

“You’ll never be more than a breeder,” Isabelle sneered. “Your future is already decided. We Lycans have our own rules, little vixen. You’ll carry a child, feel the pain, and then watch as that child calls me ‘Mom.''”

Her words cut deep, slicing through my resolve. My fingers were now digging into my palms.

“You’ll be nothing but a vessel,” she continued, her voice dripping with venom. “A stranger to your own child. And I’ll be the one raising them, shaping their future.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

“You’re such a bitter bitch,” I whispered.

Isabelle’s smile grew wider. “I’m just honest. You’re a temporary distraction, Jasmine. Ryder will tire of you soon enough. He always does.”

Ryder’s voice echoed in my mind: “You’re mine.”

But was I? Or was I just a pawn in their twisted game? Why couldn’t he just be sweet or bitter? Why did he have to keep me guessing and confused?

Even Seraphina’s hopeful words couldn’t dull the ache I was feeling. It felt like empty, delusional fantasiespared to Isabelle’s threats. To think of it, Ryder had never imed Isabelle was irrelevant to him. He had never reassured me that her words weren’t true—not that I’d ever let him know how deeply her words got to me, but…

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