Jason rose from his knee, his movements stiff as his mind struggled to catch up with the whirlwind of revelations. His jaw tightened as he met Sam’s piercing golden gaze. Jason clenched his fists at his sides, forcing himself to keep his voice steady, though the tension in his tone betrayed him.
“Your Majesty, there must be a mistake,” Jason began, his words measured but rushed. “I own Eva. She’s mine.”
Sam tilted his head slightly, a flicker of disdain crossing his sharp features. His golden eyes seemed to glow brighter as he took a step forward, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. The faint smirk on his lips carried the promise of destruction.
“And yet,” Sam said, his voice calm but laced with an edge sharp enough to cut, “you rejected her. Humiliated her. In front of everyone. You had your chance, and you threw it away. Wolves like you don’t deserve a mate.”
Jason’s throat tightened, the words striking him like a blow. He opened his mouth to respond, to defend himself, but before he could speak, Jessica’s voice sliced through the tension like a blade.
“What the hell are you saying, Jason?” she sneered, stepping forward with her usual air of superiority. Her golden hair was disheveled from the earlier interruption, but her confidence hadn’t wavered. “You didn’t want that wolfless freak, did you? Don’t tell me you’re actually—”
“Shut up!” Jason snapped, his voice booming through the room like a thunderclap.
Jessica froze, her eyes widening in shock as she stumbled back a step. The sneer vanished from her face, replaced by an expression of disbelief. Jason had never spoken to her like that, and the sudden shift in his demeanor left her reeling.
Sam watched the exchange with faint amusement, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smirk. But his gaze never left Jason, his focus sharp and unwavering. “It doesn’t matter what you want,” Sam said, his tone dismissive and firm, as if Jason’s feelings were irrelevant. “I wasn’t asking for your permission. Eva is mine, and I’m taking her today.”
Jason’s fists clenched tighter, his body trembling with barely contained fury. His wolf surged beneath the surface, its growl echoing in his mind as it demanded he take action. He stepped forward, his jaw set as he glared at Sam.
“You don’t understand,” Jason growled, his voice low and dangerous. “She belongs to me.”
Sam raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider as he let out a soft chuckle. The sound was more menacing than amused, a warning that radiated power and confidence. “Not anymore,” he said simply.
Sam took another step forward, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud. The air seemed to grow heavier, charged with an unseen force that made even Jessica shrink back in fear. His golden eyes burned as he stared Jason down, daring him to make a move.
“But,” Sam continued, his voice steady and commanding, “if you think you can take her from me, go ahead. Try. Let’s see what happens to you.”