Chapter 7

Jasper’s POV

I don’t even know why I decided to go back and sort through the trash. Finally, I found the paper, and the envelope which was addressed to me.

Confused as to why a letter for me was in the trash, tore it open and its content was in Freya’s handwriting. Even though her scent was faint, I could still smell it and my wolf stirred within me.

"Jasper, if you're reading this, it means you’ve found the truth which i couldn't bring myself to say out loud. I may have already lost you to her, but I need you to know—I never betrayed you. Everything they said about me wasn't true."

I felt like I was being punched in the gut as my eyes ran from one side of the paper to the other. My wolf stirred within me.

"I loved you, even when you wouldn’t look at me. I waited, hoping you'd see the truth, but you didn't. You believed her. I hope one day you realize I was only ever trying to protect you."

My wolf snapped inside me, furious and pacing like a caged beast. Not at Freya but at my stupid self.

I felt sick and stupid. I hit myself severally on the head like that would undo every hurtful word that I had said to her. The heartbreak I had made her suffer.

How did I let this happen? How did I not see the truth for what it truly was?

My phone that was in my pocket kept ringing, I knew it was from the meeting. At this point, I didn't care about anything else.

Why the hell was this in the trash? That wasn't the main question. Who threw it in the trash?

And just like that, her name rang in my head—Mia. She was the only one who could do something like this.

I couldn’t think nor could I sit down. The meeting I had to attend was no longer important to me. All I needed were answers. I needed to see her face when I asked.

I didn’t even bother to take the car. I walked very fast and was angry. My blood boiling as the streets blurred past me. The letter in my pocket was a reminder of how stupid I had been.

By the time I reached the house, my fists were clenched at my sides. The door was unlocked.

And the first thing I heard was Mia’s voice—laughing with someone over the phone.

I just stood by the door, and that’s when I heard her clearly.

“…I made it look like she ruined my birthday party,” she said, chuckling on the phone. “Jasper totally bought it. I mean, come on, she never stood a chance. I made sure he spent the whole weekend with me instead.”

I couldn’t move. My breath seized when I heard those words. I had to place an arm on the wall in order to support myself.

“She was so desperate,” Mia went on, still laughing. “Then she left the pack and poof—problem solved. He never even questioned it. God, I’m so good at scheming.”

My jaw clenched so hard. Rage curled in my gut like a storm waiting to unleash itself.

I stormed into the room and Mia turned, surprised and scared to see me. The color drained from her face as soon as our eyes met.

“Jasper…” she whispered. “Honey, I didn’t know you were—”

“Is it true?” My voice came out low and sharp.

She blinked. “What… what do you mean?”

I pulled the letter from my pocket and threw it on the table. “Is it true!” I yelled, chest heaving. "What did you do?"

She began to shake with fear.

“You framed her?” I walked towards her. “You lied to me? You made me think Freya was the villain this whole time—is it true?”

Mia stammered, backing up a bit, out of harm's way. “I… I didn’t mean—Jasper, please, just let me explain—”

“You threw away her letter,” I cut her off. “You made sure I never saw it. You made sure I hated her when you were the one behind everything.”

“I was scared!” she cried. “You were falling for her, and she’s not your mate—I am!”

“I don’t care about the bond anymore!” I snapped. “Freya was the one that was there for me when everything was falling apart. Where was my supposed mate when I couldn’t breathe?

"Jasper, please." She begged.

"When I didn’t even know who I was anymore—she was the one who stayed. You were nowhere to be found.”

“But I’m here now,” she said softly, stepping closer. “We can start again, Jasper. I made a mistake. I know that. But we can fix this together.”

“No." I yelled. “I’m not making the same mistake again,” I said, voice steady. “I let you manipulate me. I let you turn me against someone who loved me selflessly. But I see you now for who you truly are."

Tears filled her eyes. Bullshit! All crocodile tears. “Jasper—”

“I, Alpha Jasper of the Silverstone Pack,” I said coldly, “reject you, Mia, as my mate today, right here right now.”

She gasped, like I’d struck her hard across the face. The bond snapped between us like a whip—something ancient and spiritual shattering inside.

“I don’t ever want to see your face again.”

“Please,” she sobbed, falling to her knees. “Don’t do this—”

But I was already walking away, out of the door and away from her.

Away from the lies, the manipulation… the guilt that tore at my heart.

My heart felt like it was being shattered into pieces. Every step hurt, but I didn’t stop.

I’d turned my back on the only person who ever saw me for who I really was. And now I had to find her.

Even if she would never forgive me. Even if she was not going to talk to me.

I had to try.