CHAPTER 455: PREGNANT WITH PUP

The silence in the room stretched long and sharp, like the edge of a blade.

Jasmine’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart thudded so loud it echoed in her ears. Every muscle in her body clenched at his words.

He knew.

He knew she was pregnant.

How did he even know?

Her stomach was still well concealed in her cloak and even if you took off her cloak you still wouldn’t easily see it from her dress.

The Alpha’s hand still held her chin, gently, almost reverently, but the look in his eyes was anything but soft.

It was sharp. Calculating. Like he had just unearthed something far more valuable than he had expected.

"Yes a child," he repeated in a quiet voice, though everyone could hear. "Not many would’ve noticed. But I’ve been around enough wolves and carried enough secrets to recognize one when I see it.

Jasmine swallowed the rising lump in her throat. She was exposed.

Vulnerable. Cornered in a stranger’s den, surrounded by guards, with no one to protect her.

And worse, now she was no longer just a potential threat, she was leverage.

"If you had taken your time to be more gently Leviathan, you would have known." He said.

Leviathan stepped forward, stammering. "I... I didn’t know, my lord. She never said anything."

The Alpha’s eyes never left hers. "Of course she didn’t. She is smarter than that." He turned slightly, still crouched in front of Jasmine, and said without even glancing back. "Leave us. All of you."

A pause.

No one moved.

"Now."

Chairs scraped back. Footsteps shuffled. Leviathan lingered for a breath too long until the Alpha shot him a look that made even that brute flinch and retreat like a scolded pup.

Then it was just the two of them.

And the silence.

Jasmine felt a tremor in her fingers. Her body wanted to run, but there was nowhere to go.

Why did he want to be alone with her?

What did he want from her?

So many scenarios why was racing through her mind.

He finally let go of her chin and stood, giving her space, but not freedom.

He walked back towards his seat and said. "You may rise."

Before he sat down.

Jasmine was still dumbfounded and unsure how to ask.

Then he gently motioned his hand for her rise and she finally did.

"My men said you are from the West Bank Pack. It was a lie." he said plainly.

Jasmine stared up at him, forcing steel into her voice. "I never said I was."

"You did," he smiled faintly. "Just not directly. You said you were traveling through. Seeing your mother. You gave just enough detail to sound plausible, but not enough to be true. What are you traveling through this woods for?"

"My pregnancy." She said. "I’m staying with my mother to give birth."

He rose a brow. "And your mate?"

"I don’t have a mate." She said. That part was not a lie. Then she chipped in. "Not anymore. He died a few months back in a raid. My motor is the only family I have."

"How sad." He said with a shake of his head. "I can’t imagine the agony yoy must be going through."

Jasmine rubbed her arms in anxiety.

"I don’t know who you are," he said. "Not yet. But I can smell loyalty on you. Something about the way you moved through the market, the way your eyes watched the guards. We are having issues here and there so you would have to forgive me for how my wolves reacted to you."

"I’ll send you off on your way." He said. Jasmine couldn’t believe her luck until he added. "If you tell me who the Alpha of the West Bank pack is."

Jasmine froze.

"Your mother lives there." He said wisely. "There is no way you don’t know who the Alpha is. So tell me."

Jasmine felt her chest tighten.

She had no idea who he was.

The silence hung in the air and Jasmine knew she was made.

He walked to a nearby table and poured himself a drink. "You’re here for Xaden aren’t you?"

Jasmine felt a stab in her throat.

She said nothing.

He didn’t press. "Doesn’t matter," he said after a sip. "I can see it in your eyes. You came for him."

She knew there was no point in arguing.

No point in lying anymore.

He was too smart for that.

Jasmine’s hands clenched into fists by her sides. "Where is he?"

The Alpha turned to face her. "Alive. For now."

That "for now" sat heavy in her chest.

"I didn’t have him killed," he added with a lift of his brow. "Not because I’m merciful. But because I’ve been waiting for you."

Her blood ran cold.

"What?"

"I thought maybe I’d catch a spy. Or a traitor. But instead, I got you." He tilted his head. "And you... you are something else entirely."

He approached again, slower this time, more careful. Like a hunter circling prey he wasn’t sure how dangerous it was yet.

"There’s power in you," he said, studying her face. "Old power. I haven’t felt it in years. And now you show up here, carrying a child... right when everything begins to fall apart."

Jasmine’s breath was shallow.

She had no idea what the devil he meant by old power.

He definitely had her mistaken for someone else.

"You want Xaden?" he asked.

She nodded once, despite the dread coiling in her gut.

"Then here’s the deal." He stepped so close she could feel the heat from his body. "You will stay here. You will be my guest. You will rest, eat, bathe. And you will not try to escape. In return, I will not harm you or your child. And maybe, just maybe, I will let you see him."

Jasmine stared at him in disbelief. "And if I refuse?"

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Then I’ll send your pretty head back to your pack in a basket. After I make sure you give birth."

Her stomach twisted.

"You think you’re brave, and you might be," he said softly. "But you’re in my territory now. You’ll learn quickly that nothing happens here without my permission."

Then he stepped back and clapped twice. The doors opened instantly.

"Take her to the south wing," he ordered. "Make sure she’s comfortable. And watched."

Jasmine didn’t move.

"Oh," he added, glancing over his shoulder. "And Jasmine... if you try to run... I’ll find that boy you’re hiding."

Her heart stopped.

He knew.

She turned pale as the guards approached. She didn’t resist, couldn’t. Her legs moved on their own as they led her away.

Because now, she wasn’t just trying to save Xaden.

She was trying to protect everyone.