CHAPTER 38: QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

Jasper leaned back in his chair, the crackling from the fireplace the only noise in the room for now. For a long while, neither of us spoke. The words he had just confessed about Alpha Dawn erasing his childhood memory rang repeatedly in my head, pressing against my chest like a new burden I couldn’t lift.

I stared at him, still trying to process everything. The quiet crackle of the fire was the only sound between us.

He sighed eventually, breaking the silence. "You know," he began softly, his eyes distant, "people think I’m fearless. Reckless even. They think I’m so bold for daring to face the Alpha. They think I act the way I do because I don’t care. But the truth is..." He looked at me then, and his tone changed a lower one, more honest. "I’m scared of him, Bambi."

I blinked. "You’re scared of Alpha Dawn?"

He gave a half-hearted smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I don’t show it, but yes. Terrified, actually."

That admission startled me. Jasper—bold, sharp-tongued, confident Jasper—was afraid of his own brother?

He must have seen the disbelief on my face because he let out a quiet chuckle. "You think I’m too brave to be scared?"

"I just... I never thought you’d say that," I murmured.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Fear doesn’t mean weakness, love. It just means you understand the kind of monster you’re dealing with."

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.

Jasper continued, voice softer now. "I play along with him. Joke, tease, provoke... sometimes I even pretend like we’re equals. But deep down, I know the truth. Nobody is equal to Alpha Dawn. Not even me."

There was something about the way he said it so quietly, with a sort of painful acceptance that made my chest ache.

"I mess with him because it gives me the illusion of control," he added, a bitter smirk twisting his lips. "But I know better than anyone that control doesn’t exist where Dawn is concerned. He’s the kind of man who sees everything. Plans everything. He knows your next move before you even think it."

My hands tightened around the edge of the armrest. "Then why do you stay here?"

He looked at me, his silver ring glinting faintly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Because leaving would mean I lose. And I don’t plan on losing—not to him."

The words hit me like a cold brick. There was history between them. One I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. One I wasn’t sure I wanted to understand.

Jasper’s gaze softened slightly as he studied me. "Tell me something, Bambi."

"What?"

"Did he do something to you? Something that made you doubt his... genuineness?"

His voice was careful, almost cautious.

I hesitated, replaying last night in my mind. Everything came back in a flash. His confession about my memories, the way his voice broke when I confronted him, the sharp pain in his eyes before he walked out.

"No," I said quietly after a moment, denying blatantly. "He didn’t do anything. Not this time."

Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you look like you don’t trust him?"

I met his gaze, the words at the tip of my tongue. "Because I can’t. I just... can’t trust him, Jasper."

He didn’t reply. He just leaned back, eyes thoughtful, like he was trying to piece something together.

The silence stretched. I stared into the fire, watching the orange flames circle and twist around the wood. My heart felt heavier as if every truth I learned only opened the door to another lie.

A soft knock broke the quiet.

Jasper’s head turned toward the door, his expression hardening instantly. "Come in," he called out.

The door creaked open, and two figures slipped into the room. I recognized them immediately.

Christopher—the Pack’s advisor—tall, calm, always wearing that unreadable expression. And beside him, Celeste—Alpha Dawn’s foster cousin, beautiful and poised, her hair tied neatly behind her.

The sight of them made me straighten instinctively.

Christopher’s eyes swept over the room before landing on me. "Well, this is unexpected," he said lightly. "Bambi, in Jasper’s private library. Should I be concerned?"

Jasper smirked, lounging in his chair. "Since when did you start policing my visitors, Christopher?"

"I’m not," Christopher replied evenly. "I just find it unusual that our Alpha’s breeding mate is having a private conversation with his brother while he’s missing from the morning council meeting."

I froze. "He’s missing?"

Celeste stepped forward, folding her arms across her chest. Her voice was calm but sharp as she said, "He’s not missing, exactly. Just... different."

Jasper tilted his head. "Different how?"

Christopher shot her a warning look, but Celeste ignored it, her eyes moving to me instead. "You and Alpha Dawn fought, didn’t you?"

The bluntness of her question caught me off guard. "How do you know that?"

She smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Because I’ve known him for a while now. And in all these years, I’ve never seen him turn up at a meeting with rough hair, an unknotted tie, and a bitter mood."

Her gaze softened slightly, but there was a flash of curiosity there too.

Christopher sighed, stepping closer. "Celeste," he murmured, but she only shrugged.

Jasper’s eyes flickered between us, his jaw tightening slightly. He sensed the tension rising again.

I stared at Celeste, not sure of what to say.

Alpha Dawn—furious, unkempt, moody.

It wasn’t the image I wanted to picture, but I could see it perfectly. Because I knew him well enough now to know how he reacted when something or someone unsettled him.

And somehow, knowing that I was the reason behind his tardiness didn’t bring me satisfaction. It only brought confusion.

Christopher cleared his throat. "Whatever it is that happened," he said carefully, "I suggest it gets resolved soon. The Pack depends on his stability."

Jasper gave a low, dry laugh. "Good luck telling him that."

Celeste’s attention lingered on me for a moment longer than comfortable, "He may be a lot of things," she said softly, almost to herself, "but I’ve never seen him lose control over anyone... until you."

The words made my breath hitch.

Jasper’s smirk faded. He looked at me quietly, studying my face. "You really got under his skin, didn’t you?"

I didn’t answer.

Because I wasn’t sure if that was something to be proud of... or something to be afraid of.

And deep down, I feared I already knew which one it was.