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The sharp banging at the gate startled me awake. Who could be causing such a commotion this early?
“Mauve! Open this gate! Don’t make me rip it off its hinges!”
‘Oh, god. It sounds like Jester,‘ my wolf whimpered.
Panic gripped me as I scrambled out of bed. I peeked through the window to confirm what I already knew. There he stood, a towering shadow against the dim light of dawn. I considered ignoring him, but his fist hit the gate again, and this time it rattled violently. My neighbors, who were humans who lived in simple, peaceful lives, might wake up and come to investigate. I couldn’t risk it!
Reluctantly, I opened the door but didn’t unlatch the gate “What are you doing here. Jester? You’re causing a
Realizing he wasn’t bluffing. I fumbled with the lock and pushed the gate open. The moment he stepped inside, his demeanor shifted. The anger in his eyes evaporated, replaced by a disturbingly calm expression. His shoulders relaxed, and he looked at me as if I were the only person in the world.
“What are you doing here? How did you even find me?” I demanded, crossing my arms
Jester smiled, an eerie tenderness in his eyes. “Everything is possible for a man in love. Tell me, Mauve, why did you resign? I won’t accept it. You will go back
I let out a bitter chuckle. “You may be disturbingly rich and powerful now, but you can’t force me to stay in a job
There are no laws for that, Jester. Plus, you harassed me! What did you expect? Now leave!”
He didn’t react immediately. Instead, he looked around the small yard, his lip curling in disdain. “How do you even live like this? This place is smaller than I expected. My Luna doesn’t deserve a pathetic place like this Come on. Pack your things. Or better yet, don’t bother. I’ll buy you new things.”
“Enough, Jester,” I snapped. “Have you lost your mind? I resigned because I want nothing to do with you. So what makes you think I’d willingly go anywhere with you? And for your information, this place you call ‘pathetic‘ is my
sanctuary. It’s where I feel safe.”
Jester’s eyes darkened, and his calm facade cracked. His hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly. “Why are your acting like this? Is it because of that jerk who picked you up the other night? Is he inside now? Does he know you
already have a mate?”
He gestured toward my front door, his claws extending slightly “Submit to me, little wolf!”
“Stop it, Jester!” I growled, my wolf’s anger bubbling to the surface. I even gasped as she peered through my
eyes.
He faltered, stepping back as confusion spread across his face. He growled low, trying to exert dominance. “Why
can’t make
I you submit?”
A deep, commanding voice answered from behind him “Because Mauve has already submitted to me.”
Both Jester and I turned toward the gate. There stood Elias. He held the spare key I had given him days ago, twirling it casually before slipping it into his pocket. His sharp eyes quickly scanned me for any signs of harm before settling on Jester with a cold, steely gaze.
Jester’s fury flared. *This is the one you’re proud of?” he sneered, pointing a clawed finger at Elias.
Elias remained calm. “Leave now, voluntarily. You won’t like what happens if I have to make you.”
Jester chuckled darkly. “You remind me of someone I once hanged upside down at my pack’s gates. I suggest you leave if you don’t want the same fate. This conversation is between me and my wife.”
Elias didn’t flinch. “You mean ex–wife?” he corrected smoothly, stepping toward me. His arm slid around my waist, pulling me close. Before I could react, he kissed my cheek softly and said, “Are you ready, love? Today’s the day you move into the palace.”
I stared at him in shock, but his voice sounded in my head through our mindlink. “Just go with it if you want to get rid of him.”
Catching on, I nodded quickly and managed a small smile. “Oh, yes, love. I’m ready. In fact, I resigned from Shadowpine just so I could start this new chapter with you.”
Elias’s gaze flickered briefly in surprise, but he quickly masked it. Through the mindlink, he asked, “You resigned?”
“Yes, thanks to my ex–mate!” I replied bitterly.
Jester, oblivious to the silent exchange, sneered. “And who are you, exactly? What palace are you talking about?”
I turned to him, intertwining my fingers with Elias’s. I flinched slightly when Elias gave my hand an affectionate
squeeze. Whether it was part of the act or genuine, I couldn’t tell. “This is King Elias Redwood, the Alpha King of the North. You should bow to him.”
Jester froze for a moment before breaking into laughter. “Oh, Mauve, you didn’t have to try so hard. I’ve already reclaimed the southern region. I’m technically the Alpha of Alphas down here. You don’t need this musclehead.”
I groaned in frustration. “Will you shut up, Jester? Every word out of your mouth makes me regret standing here even more Fine. If you don’t want to leave, we’ll leave. Let’s go, hun.”
As Elias and I turned to leave, Jester’s anger boiled over. He lunged forward, claws extended toward Elias’s neck. “I’ll rip your head off and display it on my pack’s gates!”
But Elias moved faster. He spun, catching Jester’s wrist mid–swing. With one fluid motion, Elias twisted his arm and leaned in, his voice a thunderous growl. “You have no claim on Mauve. If you don’t want your head mounted at your pack’s gates instead of mine, back the fuck off!”
The immense power of Elias’s voice sent shockwaves through the air. Jester stumbled, his knees giving out as he collapsed to the ground. His eyes were wide with shock and fear, his claws retracting as his body trembled.
Elias released him and turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, still shaken but grateful. As Jester struggled to his feet, Elias shot him one last glare. “This is your only warning. Stay away from her.”
Elias guided me out of the gate, his hand never leaving mine. Behind us, Jester’s furious growl echoed, but he didn’t follow. I realized this wasn’t the first time he’d protected me.
