Potion?

CHAPTER 25- Potion?
HUNTER’S P. O. V.
The alarm blaring is driving me mad. “Baby, shut it off. We should be able to sleep in this morning.” I roll over looking for her. She isn’t there. I sat up in a panic. I don’t see her at all. I reach over and turn off her alarm. It’s all coming back to me. The fight, the rejection. Did she ever come back? Is she with someone else? I managed to get out of the bed and start looking around the room for any sign that she came back.
At first I didn’t see anything. Then I see her form curled up on her loveseat. Relief washes over me. She isn’t with someone else. Maybe she just saw me in bed and wasn’t ready to be there with me. At least she didn’t kick me out.
I kneel so that I am next to the couch. I want to reach out and touch her face, something just to feel her. She looks as if she has been crying the whole night. As if my heart could be broken even more, I feel it. She cried those tears for me. I am supposed to be making her happy and here I am making her spend her birthday crying. Over all, the impulses take over. I start brushing her hair out of her face. Leaning in, I plant soft kisses along her cheeks. Lastly I glide my lips along hers. She still seems asleep but her lips respond. My body cries for hers. I pull her close to me, deepening the kiss.
It seems she wasn’t completely awake at that point. Now, she is. Jasmine pushes me back. I feel the loss instantly.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” She growls at me.
“What do you mean? I have been here all night. I thought you knew.” I have landed on my ass. Fitting for how I feel.
“Why the hell would I know that? I didn’t sleep in that bed. I told you that I never wanted to see or hear from you again. So why the hell would I expect you to be here?” She has sat up. Glaring at me. That look alone is enough to send my heart plummeting. I need to get her to listen to me.
“Baby, I need to talk to you. You can’t honestly think…”
“I can think all I want. You are not the boss of me. Besides, we are done. I had a clear view of what was going on. I don’t need to think about what I saw. Now get out.”
This isn’t going to do. She has to listen to me. Instinct takes over. I lunged at her. I think I have the element of surprise on my side, that is the only thing that explains how I am able to pin her down. “Now, you are going to listen to me.”
“Get off of me.” She growls out.
“I don’t remember how I got there with Allison. I would never do that to you.”
“Really, that is what you are going with? I don’t remember. How dumb do you think I am? You told me you would stay mated to me so you wouldn’t be weak. I just didn’t know the lengths that you would take to not really be with me.” She is seething.
“I am telling the truth. I don’t remember how I got in that room. I was rinsing my face trying to calm down, because I was upset that you were dancing with those other Alphas. Then I was on my way back when I blacked out.”
“Are you saying this is my fault?” I think she is even angrier.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. My words are getting all jumbled.”
“Just get out.”
“Not until you listen.” She is fighting me. I think I might be losing my grip. My last chance is to appeal to the mate bond. I slam my lips into hers again. For a second I think it’s working, that is until she bites my bottom lip as hard as she can. Blood is flowing, not a pretty sight. She got what she wanted though. I pull back to grab my lip.
“Get out.” She pushes me off. I am on the floor again.
“Jasmine, I can’t. I need you.”
“What, you need me so you won’t be weak? Do I look like I care? Just accept the rejection and move on with your slut.” She stands and leaves me sprawled on the floor, locking herself in the bathroom. Clearly this did not go as I planned.
I’m going to let her cool down and then try again. Maybe if I get cleaned up, show her what she fell in love with. Yeah that should work.
JASMINE’S P. O. V.
What the hell is his game? He’s done. There is no going back. He’s weak, he will have to deal with it and move on. Why is he here kissing me? Why the hell is still trying? He is keeping that mate bond in place to mess with me.
I just need to clear it all away. I never even changed out of my dress last night. I take it off and drape it over the counter. I need to make sure that it gets cleaned. I think I see a little bit of blood on the front. Taking the burrett out of my hair I place it carefully on the counter. I am so glad that wasn’t ruined in my sleep, or the fight with Hunter this morning. Stepping into the shower I am just imagining that I am washing it all down the drain. I have a party later today. Breakfast and talk with an Alpha. Hunter needs to be far from my thoughts.
Once I think I am clear headed enough I get out of the shower wrapping my hair and body up in towels. Before stepping out of the bathroom I poke my head out to make sure that Hunter has left. Thankfully he has. Getting dressed will be far easier now. I need to look nice today. It is a new day. I found a skirt and blouse. The skirt is black about knee length, it flows out from the waist. The blouse buttons up in the front, short sleeve and yellow. I remember fondly how this is Nick’s favorite color. Maybe I should have just stayed with the human. I know that wouldn’t have worked either, so I shake off that thought. I find my black flats and call the outfit done. Placing my hair in a spiral bun, making it look like I took at least some effort. I call it done.
As I am descending the stairs I can hear yelling from the Beta floor but I don’t stop. It is none of my business. I try not to spare a thought, there are one or two that sneak on in. But I focus on the event at hand. I have plans with an Alpha.
HUNTER’S P. O. V.
When I step out of the shower and am dressed. I am barged in by my mother and father. They don’t even knock. The scowl on my mother’s face is enough to keep my mouth shut. “What the hell did you do? We heard from the Alpha this morning that Jasmine rejected you.”
“Mom, I don’t know what happened.”
My father growls at me. “Bull shit Hunter. She wouldn’t have just rejected you for no reason.”
“She had a reason, but I don’t know how it happened. I swear dad. I don’t remember how I got there. She found me in the library with Allison, it was a compromising situation.” I am trying to be delicate for my mother’s sake. The look she is giving me is enough to feel ashamed.
On second thought, the look she gives me is enough to kill me. “Oh, Hunter. I am so disappointed in you.”
My father growls again. “Of all the stupid shit you have done to that girl, this has to be the lowest. I don’t blame her for rejecting you.”
“Dad, I swear it’s blank. I don’t know what happened. I need help. There has to be some way of finding out what happened. I have no intention ever to be with Allison.”
“I find that hard to believe. There have been plenty of times you were neck deep with that girl. I am doubting that Jasmine believes you either. I don’t get it. You had a perfect mate. You threw her away for trash.” He sneers when he says trash, clearly that is all he thinks of Allison.
“I have to find someone to believe me. I can’t lose Jasmine.”
My father puts up his hands to stop me. “It’s too late. She received a proposal last night from an Alpha. Who do you think she is going to pick? An Alpha who will care for her or a cheating mate?”
“She hasn’t accepted has she?” Panic, utter panic, that is all I feel right now. I can’t lose her. I need time to prove my innocence.
“No, but it makes sense. If you were in her shoes, who would you choose?” He has a point.
My mother is sobbing a little right now. “I can hardly look at you.”
“It’s not too late if she hasn’t accepted. I need to clear my name. I am telling you that I had no control over that situation and I need to prove it.”
I go to push past my father, but he stops me. “The Alpha wanted to know exactly what happened, so after breakfast this morning he is reviewing the security cameras for that room. I will be with him. If I see anything to warrant what you say, then I will help you. If I don’t, you are out of the pack house. I will not subject that girl to you any further. She has been through enough in her life.”
“I am telling you dad. You will. There has to be something. I didn’t go into that room willingly.”
“Leave her alone for now.” He growls at me.
“If you were me, would you?” I growl back. “If I leave her alone, I could lose her.”
“As far as I can see, you already have. You are going to be lucky just to clear your name.” He gives me one final growl before he leaves the room with a very disappointed mother behind him. If they don’t believe me, then how will I ever convince Jasmine.
Bound and determined I head down to breakfast. I have to keep trying. Even if it is in vain at least I gave it my all. As soon as I enter the dining hall, I know I have my work cut out for me. At the head of the table with my Alpha is Jasmine. Next to her is seated that baby of the Alpha’s and next to him is the Alpha himself. They look like they are having a meal as a family. Smiles on all their faces. I just stand in the doorway. I don’t even know what to do. I can’t just step in the middle of that, in front of the whole pack.
I watch as she plays with the pup. She keeps smiling at him and making silly faces. She should be doing that with our pups, not someone else’s. If she picked him, would she even have pups with him? Could she really be happy with him? Some guy she just met, who just up and proposes to her. Does he even want her, or is it just to have a bigger pack? Too many damn questions, when she should just be mine.
I notice a few wolves look my way and whisper away with each other. I am sure the story has gotten around. As I watch on, I don’t notice that Jay has come up behind me until he speaks. “She is not pleased. I can’t say I can get her to listen. I know you love her, but this might be one of those times when you can’t win.”
“Jay, I have to win. She is my life, without her I have nothing.” He just pats me on the shoulder and moves on. As it stands, my only friend is a vampire. No one in this pack is going to take my side.
JASMINE’S P. O. V.
Eli is so cute. He is definitely the center of attention. He has managed the impossible, putting a smile on my face this morning. He is laughing and giggling at a face that I made to him when Christian smiles at me. “He likes you.”
“I like him too.” I smile back. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Hunter. My senses are still focused on him no matter how much I wish they weren’t. It takes some effort but I ignore him.
Christian sees that we have finished eating and Eli is just playing at this point. “I think we should make our way outside. Let this little guy burn off some of this energy.” He goes to lift Eli out of the chair, but he pulls away from him and raises his hands to me. Christian laughs, “Dissed by my own son, for a pretty girl. That’s cold.”
I laugh too. “Yeah, I hate to break it to you, but he’s cuter.” I picked up Eli.
He smiles. “Since he is my spitting image I would say that you think I am attractive there Jasmine.”
“I wouldn’t go getting a big head about it. Just because you think something is cute doesn’t mean that you are going to buy it.” We take Eli out to the playground set up for the wolf pups. He takes right to it. He is definitely not a shy boy. We keep a close eye on him while he plays with the other pups.
“So what would make you buy it?” He turns to me. I can’t help but laugh, the way he worded it sounded funny.
“I don’t really know. A connection. Someone I think I could be comfortable with. It’s a lot to consider. I didn’t think about it too much before because of the mate bond, but now that I have to, it seems like a lot to grasp.” I scrunch up my face in thought. I really am thinking about it. Christian doesn’t make me feel like an obligation. He makes me feel wanted. I am just not ready to jump in yet. I watch as Eli slides down the little slide, landing with a plop on his bottom. Gets up and dusts himself off and goes again.
“I know what you mean. I thought I was going to be with my mate for the rest of my life. When she died giving birth to Eli, I didn’t know what to do with myself. Let alone him. She was supposed to help me. She knew what to do all the time. I was lost. I pulled things together the best that I could. Then last year I was in a meeting with your father and he was talking about you. I couldn’t help but be intrigued. He made you sound perfect. I have to say he didn’t over sell.” Christian smiled at me. “So tell me something you hate.”
The abrupt change made me laugh, “Uh, besides Allison. Um, I would have to say, lies. There is nothing I can stand less than lies. I can usually be pretty easy going but that is where I draw the line.”
“Same here. Although not the Allison part. I hardly know her past the introduction last night. She did not impress.” This earned him an extra big smile.
HUNTER’S P. O. V.
I knock on the Alpha’s door. I know I am the last one that he wants to see at this point, but I have to know what he found on that video. I didn’t even know we had cameras in the pack house, which shows how much I have paid attention.
There is a gruff, “Come in, Hunter.” coming through the door. Well, at least he knows it is me. He isn’t barring me from the room so that is a good sign.
When I open, I see my father sitting next to the Alpha. They are both looking at a laptop. Clearly they are still reviewing the video. I take a seat in front of the desk. The Alpha leans back in his chair and glares at me. “You know when I first heard that my daughter rejected you, I wanted to rip your body to shreds. I didn’t even know what really happened. After I watched the video the first time, I wasn’t changing my mind. I think I was more inclined to kill you. I have watched it a couple of times with your father, especially after he told me that you have no memory of the events and I would have to say that, I am starting to believe you.”
Relief washes over me. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. Alpha, I love Jasmine, I wouldn’t do anything to harm her. I feel like death walking right now.”
“I can imagine. The problem is, the video still looks like you met this girl for some tryst. You have to look at the little details to even see anything resembling restraint. I am not so sure this is going to convince Jasmine. It looks really damning. Allison sure worked this out well.”
My face fell again. Is there no hope then?
“However, I think I can prove it. It is going to take time.” He turns the laptop around so that I can see the screen. He points to Allison and something that she is holding. “You see this here. It looks like a perfume bottle. I am pretty sure it is a potion. It is triggered by scent. She sprays it at least three times in the video. If we can get that bottle then we can prove she used a spell on you. I have already sent someone to collect all the perfume bottles from her room. I have to send the bottles to the council to have them verify that a spell was used.”
“How long do you think that is going to take?” I watch as he pulls the laptop back. Yeah, that did not look good at all. I have been in similar situations with Allison before, that would have ended with full on cheating if Jasmine didn’t come in.
“I talked to the council and they said that it will take at least three weeks. They said it could be more if there are too many bottles. I didn’t have an exact count for them. They said they have been a little backlogged on spells at the moment. It’s the best that we can do at the moment.” He doesn’t look at me, he doesn’t want to see my disappointment. As it is I feel like I am going to die hearing these words.
Anger is boiling inside me. I have nothing else. “In three weeks she could be engaged to that guy. She is out there right now, bonding with him and his kid.” I point outside to emphasize my point.
“I understand Hunter, there isn’t much else we can do. I will talk to her. I suggest you don’t give up hope. Keep trying. Oh, before I forget.” He pulls out something out of his desk drawer and hands it over to me. It’s the ring that I gave Jasmine. “I found it on the Library floor this morning. I am sure she will want it back later on.”
“That is if I can get her back.” I take the ring and put it in my pocket. Now it hurts to look at the damn thing.
“Right.” He gives me a pitying look. “I have asked Jayden to help keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t do anything too reckless. I know my daughter and when she is hurt she makes bad decisions. I just hope that she thinks before she accepts any proposals. So far she has told him that she needs time to make a decision. Hopefully it is enough time for us to prove that you are a victim.”
“That is a lot to hope for, but hell it is more than what I had when I woke up this morning.” I sigh in defeat.
My father finally says something. “Son, it will work itself out. You will see.”
“I wish I had your confidence dad. Right now I feel like my life was ripped away from me and there is not a damn thing I can do about it.” I glided my tongue along my bottom lip that she bit this morning. It is still tender. “Are there any clues as to what kind of spell she used?”
“We are thinking it’s a desire spell. When you smell the potion it makes you desire the person attributed to it. That would explain why she pulled you into an isolated room before spraying it. She wanted you specifically. The spell didn’t seem strong enough to be really directed at you. It was a general spell. But of course it was strong enough for the desired effect.” The Alpha answered.
“What am I supposed to do until the council has some news?” They know what I mean. There is no way I can be away from her.
“Just do the best you can son. This isn’t something that we have happen everyday. It is going to take time and patience on your part.” My father answers.
There was a knock on the door. “Come in.” The Alpha called in Matthew, a pack member that is a little older than me, not too much, but enough that I have never taken the time to get to know him. He is carrying two boxes.
The Alpha looks discouraged. “That many?”
Matthew simply nods. “This one here is one that she was trying to hide. No guarantees it’s the one we are looking for though. It could just be the one she likes the most.” He passes over a perfume bottle with a purple puffy thing on it. I have no idea what it is called. Unfortunately the video wasn’t in color so we can’t even narrow down the bottles that way.
“Well, at least it is a place to start. Thank you Matthew. Put the boxes on the couch there.” He indicates a couch that is pushed off to the side. Matthew does as he says and then leaves the office. “This is more than I thought. I really hope the council can get through this fast enough.” He is shaking his head, not really talking to anyone, just stating facts.
My heart falls even more. How can I convince Jasmine without the proof?
UNKNOWN P. O. V.
My spy comes running into my office. “Last night the mate bond was broken. The Beta was found with another she-wolf.”
I am pleased. Not that she is hurt, that is terrible, but that means that the way is clear for me. I just need to give her time to greve. “Anything else?”
“Well, another Alpha has asked to marry her.”
I growl and slam my fist down on my desk. He can not take her from me. I have to step up the plan. “What did she say?”
“She said she needed time to consider.”
“Good, that gives me time as well. Keep a close eye on her, let me know if anything changes.”
“Yes sir.” She nods and rushes out of my office. I will have to reward her handsomely when this is all done. She actually does a very good job for someone who is not used to this work.
The next phase of my plan is going to have to go into effect now. No time to wait.