Chapter 12 – Taken by the Alpha

Jasmine's POV

The SUV's interior was dark and silent, except for the low hum of the engine as we sped through the empty streets.

Draven sat beside me in the backseat, his presence overwhelming, suffocating.

His hand rested on my thigh, fingers light but possessive, like he had no intention of letting me go.

I wanted to shove him away.

I wanted to scream.

But the way he looked at me—calm, unreadable, like he had already won—told me it wouldn't change anything.

Because in his mind, I was already his.

I turned to the window, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I had to think.

Had to figure out a way out of this.

Celeste hadn't stopped him. She had just let him take me.

And that terrified me more than anything.

Because if she, of all people, thought this was inevitable… what did that mean for me?

The SUV hit a smooth stretch of road, the city lights growing distant as we veered into dark, empty terrain.

I clenched my fists.

I was being taken away.

And no one was coming to stop it.

I swallowed hard, breaking the silence. "Where are you taking me?"

Draven didn't look at me.

"You'll see soon enough," he murmured.

His voice was calm, almost lazy, like he wasn't stealing me away from everything I had ever known.

I turned toward him sharply, fury burning through me. "You had no right to do this!"

His silver eyes finally met mine.

"And yet, here you are."

My breath hitched.

There was something dark and unshakable in his gaze—something that told me he had no regrets.

He wanted me.

And nothing in this world was going to stop him from having me.