Chapter 13 – The Alpha’s Claim

(Jasmine's POV)

The SUV came to a smooth stop in front of the same mansion where the ball had been held.

But tonight, it was silent.

No music.

No guests.

No golden glow spilling from the ballroom.

Just darkness.

A cold, empty version of the place I had been just hours ago.

Draven stepped out first, his towering presence suffocating even in the open air.

I hesitated.

Then—the door beside me swung open.

Two men stood there, grinning.

I recognized them immediately.

I had seen them at the ball, lurking in the background, always near Draven.

But now?

Now, they weren't just watching.

They were waiting.

The first one—dark hair, piercing green eyes, lean but powerful—arched a brow.

"Look who finally arrived," he mused, crossing his arms.

I scowled. "Who are you?"

The dark-haired one smirked. "The welcoming committee."

The blond one snorted. "A very exclusive one."

I rolled my eyes. "I mean your names."

The dark-haired one let out a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me."

The blond one nudged him. "You deserved that one."

Then, turning to me, he extended a hand. "Elias."

I hesitated before shaking it.

The dark-haired one grinned. "Kade."

I folded my arms. "And what exactly are you two supposed to be?"

Kade smirked. "We work for Draven."

Elias chuckled. "More like we tolerate Draven."

Draven sighed. "Enough."

Elias raised his hands in surrender. "Relax, Alpha. We're just making her feel at home."

I stiffened.

Home?

Draven grabbed my wrist and led me inside.

I threw one last glare at Kade and Elias.

They grinned.

And I had a feeling they were going to be a problem.

Draven led me through the silent, empty halls.

Without the ball's distractions, the place felt twice as intimidating.

The dining hall.

The training rooms.

A library that looked like it belonged in an ancient castle.

Everything about this place screamed power, wealth, and secrecy.

Then, finally—we stopped in front of a door.

Draven pushed it open.

"This is your room," he said.

I stepped inside.

It was huge.

A king-sized bed with dark sheets.

A fireplace.

A balcony overlooking the forest.

Everything in it was beautiful.

Everything about it felt too carefully planned.

Like a cage designed to make you forget you were trapped.

I turned to him, folding my arms. "And yours?"

He nodded toward the room next to mine.

My stomach twisted.

Of course.

I exhaled slowly, then met his gaze.

"You think this will change anything?" I asked, voice sharp.

Draven tilted his head slightly. "I don't expect you to accept this overnight."

I took a step forward, my anger barely contained.

"Let me make something clear," I said, voice steady. "I don't care what you think you want from me. I will find a way out of here. I will be free from this place. From you."

Draven's expression remained unreadable.

I wasn't done.

"I thought tonight was fate," I admitted. "I thought, maybe, if we met again, I'd take the time to actually get to know you. But you took that choice away from me. And I will never forget that."

His silver eyes darkened.

He took a step closer, closing the distance between us until his heat wrapped around me, suffocating.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

Then, in a voice so low it sent a shiver through me, he said—

"There will come a time when leaving is the last thing you want."

I clenched my jaw.

Draven's hand brushed the side of my face, slow, deliberate.

A shiver ran down my spine.

I swallowed hard, but I refused to let him see my fear.

I lifted my chin.

"That day will never come," I whispered.

Draven's smirk was slow, confident.

"We'll see, little flower."

I hated him.

Hated the way his voice coiled around my ribs, sinking deep.

Hated that my pulse betrayed me.

Hated that for the briefest moment… I wondered if he was right.