Heat flooded my cheeks when Jack caught me staring at him again. I tried to look away, but his deep laughter filled the corridor of the royal wing, warm and genuine in a way that made my wolf purr with pure contentment.
"Why are you blushing?" He pulled me close against his chest, his arms wrapping around my waist with possessive ease. The mate bond hummed between us, stronger each day. "I've always been yours and you are just so perfect for me."
His lips captured mine before I could respond. I melted into him completely, breathing in his intoxicating scent of pine and winter storms. My hands gripped his shirt tightly as the kiss deepened, making me forget we were standing in the middle of the hallway where any pack member could see us.
When we finally broke apart, I buried my face against the warm curve of his neck, embarrassed by how easily he affected me. His body radiated intense heat through the thin fabric of his royal tunic, and I found myself drawn to him all over again like the first time I had seen him in the throne room.
"You'll move into my chambers tonight," Jack said, his voice dropping to that commanding alpha tone that made my knees weak. "I want to see you first thing in the morning and the last person before closing my eyes to sleep. Understood?"
I kissed his jaw softly and nodded, unable to form coherent words. My wolf was already celebrating deep inside, ready to curl up in our mate's bed and never leave his side.
Jack had court matters to attend to, so I wandered through the castle alone, still feeling the ghost of his touch on my skin. The stone corridors echoed with the usual sounds of pack life. Guards nodded respectfully as I passed, and servants hurried about their duties.
I was heading toward the library when raised voices stopped me near the administrative wing. The door to one of the offices stood slightly ajar, and I recognized John's voice immediately. He was Jack's childhood friend and captain of the royal guard, though lately I had sensed tension between them.
"Why did you come to the castle? Didn't I tell you that I would call you?" John's voice held an edge I had never heard before.
"You left me no option." The female voice was unfamiliar, shaking slightly. "You wouldn't meet with me and when I tried reaching out through the mind link, you blocked me. This was the only way I could see you."
I knew I should walk away. This was clearly a private conversation. But something in the woman's desperate tone kept my feet rooted to the spot. I pressed myself against the wall, hidden in the shadows of the corridor.
"Why are you interested in seeing me or talking to me? We are not mates or anything. I am done with you. So what's the use of meeting with you again?" John's words were cold, brutal.
My stomach dropped. I had seen John with a pretty she-wolf a few months ago at pack gatherings. They had seemed close, always whispering together and disappearing into dark corners. Was this her?
"What did you say?" The woman's voice broke. "You said what?"
"I am done with you, Rosalinda. I don't want you anywhere near me again. Stay away from the castle. I will greatly appreciate it if you don't try to contact me or come to see me again. I have no feelings for you."
Silence stretched for several heartbeats. I could hear Rosalinda's ragged breathing even from the hallway.
"You said you loved me, John." Her voice was barely a whisper now. "You promised me everything and said you would die claiming me. What are you saying now?"
I felt sick. This was worse than I had imagined.
"Are you foolish enough to believe a wolf's words when he is in the heat of passion?" John laughed, harsh and mocking. "You think those words I said to you during our nights together were real? You're so naive, Rosalinda. How can you be so stupid to take those words seriously? None of them are true. I was excited that you were good in bed and you were my match in that regard. I don't even remember saying half of those things. But there's nothing a wolf won't say when he's with a woman who pleases him. Forget it. It wasn't real and I didn't mean a word of it."
My hand flew to my mouth, stifling a gasp. How could he say such cruel things? John had always seemed honorable, loyal to Jack and respectful to everyone in the pack. This side of him was monstrous.
"You are joking right?" Rosalinda's voice trembled violently. "John please tell me, are you joking?"
"Do I look like I'm joking? Every single word I said, I meant it." His voice rose with anger now. "I wasn't courting you, Rosalinda. You were one of my many diversions and since females are easily carried away by flatterings and sweet words, I said those things to you. It wasn't only you. I use the same words with others and like you, they all fell for it. I only do that to get you into my bed. And now that I've had you and gotten my fill, I'm done. So forget you know me. I have other interests now, your time has ended. Get out of my sight."
The sound of a heavy chair scraping harshly against stone made me jump. I should leave before someone discovered me eavesdropping, but I couldn't move. My heart ached for this woman I had never met.
"But what about our pup?" Rosalinda's whisper was so faint I almost missed it completely. "What about the baby I'm carrying?"
The blood drained from my face instantly. A pup. She was pregnant with John's child, and he had just thrown her away like she meant nothing.
The door suddenly flew open.