Chapter 17

Shawn won't give up. He shouts my name over and over, voice hoarse, lips cracked and bleeding. Finally, the den's gate creaks open.

I stand inside, my expression cold. "Shawn, you got the wrong she-wolf. Let's leave it at that. We're both settled now—let it go."

His eyes are red, desperate, as he lunges forward. "No, Leah! I know the truth now—it was you who saved me, not Quinn!" He holds up a tattered handkerchief, trembling. "This is yours, right? The jasmine… you embroidered it!"

My gaze flickers, but I keep my voice steady. "Does it matter?"

"Come back with me!" he begs, almost broken. "I'll unbind Quinn. You're the one I should've bound myself to!"

I shake my head. "Shawn, what's done is done."

I turn to leave, but he explodes, shoving past the guards and rushing inside. "Leah! You can't do this to me!" He grabs my wrist. "You're mine!"

"Shawn, you're not welcome here." Jason's icy voice cuts through from behind.

Shawn sneers. "Jason, I'm here for Leah. Stay out of it!"

Jason steps forward, seizing Shawn's wrist with a grip that could crush bone. "She's my mate now. Keep this up, and I won't be polite."

Shawn winces, releasing me, but he's not done. He draws his sword, aiming it at Jason. "Then I'll kill you!"

The blade flashes. My heart stops, and without thinking, I throw myself in front of Jason.

A sharp pain tears through my shoulder, blood soaking my clothes.

"Leah!" Jason and Shawn shout at once.

Jason catches me, his eyes blazing with murderous rage. Shawn freezes, staring at his bloodied sword in disbelief. "I… I didn't mean to…" he stammers.

Jason's fury erupts. He draws his blade and drives it into Shawn's gut. "Get out!" he roars.

Shawn groans, stumbling back, blood seeping through his fingers. Guards drag him away.

Jason scoops me up, rushing inside, his voice low and shaking. "Get the healer! Now!"

My wound isn't too deep, but Jason stays by my bedside, never leaving. "Jason…" I murmur, opening my eyes weakly.

He takes my hand, voice rough. "I'm here."

I see the tension in his jaw. "I'm okay," I say softly. "Don't worry."

His eyes darken, thumb brushing my hand. "Why'd you step in?"

I pause, then whisper, "I didn't want you hurt."

His throat bobs, and he pulls me closer. "Same here."

I drift off, and he stays, his gaze fixed on my pale face, brow furrowed. His hand hovers over my cheek, hesitating, before lightly touching my hair, careful not to wake me.

After that day, Jason grows quieter. Beyond his military duties, he spends most of his time in my courtyard, often just watching from a distance.

A few days later, my wound's healed enough for me to move around. I'm basking in the courtyard sun when a familiar figure is led in—Quinn, dressed in plain clothes, her face painted with just the right amount of concern.

"Sister," she says, dipping slightly. "I heard you were hurt. I came all the way from Belmor Town to check on you."

I see through her act but keep my face neutral. "Thanks for the concern. I'm fine."

"Good." She flashes a faint smile. "I was wrong before, sister. You're big-hearted—forgive me?"

Her eyes glisten with crocodile tears. "I see you're happy now, with Jason doting on you. I'm relieved."

I shrug. "The past is past."

Her smile falters at my coolness, but she presses on, sweeter than ever. "Sister, let's walk by the lake. I've got some things I need to say."

I hesitate, then nod.

The lake breeze is chilly, stirring our hair. Quinn links her arm with mine, overly familiar. "Isn't this water so clear?" she coos.

"What's your point?" I ask flatly.

She leans in, voice sharp. "What spell did you cast on Shawn to keep him hung up on you?"

I laugh softly, unbothered. "If you've got nothing real to say, I'm heading back."

"I'm pregnant!" she snaps. "And you're still trying to steal him?"

"Steal?" My voice is calm, unshaken. "I want him as far from me as possible."

A flicker of malice crosses her eyes. "Really? Then why keep stringing him along? If you were gone, would he finally forget you?"

Before I can respond, she shoves me hard. I plunge into the icy lake, the cold swallowing me whole, water flooding my nose, choking me. I thrash, trying to surface, as Quinn's venomous voice echoes from the shore. "Why do you get to live so well? Shawn's mine—everything good should be mine!"

My vision blurs, consciousness slipping, when a figure dives in like an arrow, slicing through the water. Jason. He pulls me into his arms, swimming desperately to shore.