JASMINE'S CLAIM: THE ROYAL TRIPLETS AND THEIR MATE.

Chapter 13

~Jasmine ~

We finally ordered pizza when we settled back into the dorm. Tomorrow will be our first lecture but today we have to prepare.

The warmth of the box on my lap and the soft sounds of some romantic comedy on Freya's IPad were enough to keep the walls of my mind from caving in.

Freya sat cross-legged on her bed, a slice of pizza in one hand and a remote in the other, pretending to be deeply invested in the plot.

We were both faking it.

Every few minutes, I’d catch her glancing at me, her eyes full of the kind of worry and concern for me. After the run-in with Cecily and Diana we were just quiet

Just then,a sharp, firm knock at the door made us both jump. The pizza box nearly slid off my knees.

My first thought was Cecily. She probably found out which room was mine and came to finish the job of making me feel like garbage. I stood up, ready to face her as my hands balled into fists by my side. If she wanted a fight, I was ready to give her one, maybe cause a commotion in school.

I yanked the door open, a sharp remark sitting right on the tip of my tongue.

But it wasn't Cecily.

It was Caspian.

He looked even taller in the narrow dorm hallway, his head nearly brushing the top of the doorframe.

He was wearing a simple white t-shirt that made his tanned skin look darker, and those honey-colored eyes were searching my face with an intensity that made my breath hitch

He didn't look like the cocky guy from the club. He looked... anxious.

"Jasmine. Can we talk?"

I stood there, frozen. Every instinct I had was telling me to slam the door, but my body had other plans. A pull so strong it felt like my heart was leaning toward him made me hesitate. I stepped back,

"Come in."

Freya was off the bed in a second, her eyes darting between us. She grabbed her phone and her cardigan from the chair.

"I was actually just headed to the library to... check on a thing. Take your time, guys."

She gave my shoulder a quick, supportive squeeze as she slipped past him into the hall.

The door clicked shut, and suddenly, my dorm room felt very, very small.

Caspian didn't move at first. He stood near the door, his gaze scanning the room, the posters, the messy textbooks, the half-eaten pizza. It felt like he was trying to memorize the pieces of my life.

"I'm surprised you followed me here," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "Are you that bent on rejecting me so soon? Did you come all this way just to get it over with?"

He flinched, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion.

"Reject you? Why on earth would you think I’d do that?"

"Because that’s what happens, isn't it?

Caspian took a step closer, and the air around him felt electric.

"I came because you ran. I came because I needed to make sure you were okay. Jasmine, look at me. I would never reject you. You’re my mate. My wolf has been howling since the moment I saw you in that club. The idea of rejecting you is like the idea of stopping my own heart."

"You... you wouldn't?"

"Never." He shook his head, his expression softening. "But I’m concerned. You’re acting so weird, Jasmine. Can’t you sense the bond? Can't you feel the pull? It’s like a physical rope between us, and it’s pulling me so hard I can barely stand it.

I looked away, staring at the flickering Ipad screen.

"I’ve been rejected before, Caspian. By a guy who was supposed to be my destiny. He threw me away in front of everyone I knew. I didn't think anyone would ever want me again, let alone... three of you."

I finally looked back at him, the confusion boiling into me. "How is that even possible? I’ve never heard of anything like this."

Caspian let out a long sigh as he ran a hand through his hair.

"To be honest? I’m surprised. My brothers and I... we’ve never shared a girl. We usually have completely different tastes. Lucien well he hasn't been in a relationship before he's waiting for his mate. Kalean usually doesn't like anyone at all it's just s*x to him, And me? Well, I’ve had my share of distractions. But we’ve never, ever gone for the same girl."

"Yeah," I muttered, a bitter taste in my mouth. "I noticed. You go for the prettiest girls in the room. The blondes at the club looked like models. You guys are handsome, rich, and probably the most powerful influential guys on this campus. Why would the universe give you someone like me?"

Caspian stepped closer.

"I’ve been with girls, Jasmine. I won't lie to you. I’ve lived a certain way, and I’m no saint. But not a single one of them, not one is as beautiful as my mate. You are everything I didn't know I was looking for. I don't know what’s going through my brothers' heads right now, but I know mine. I am not rejecting you. Ever."

I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears I didn't want to shed. It sounded too good to be true. It sounded like a dream I was going to wake up from.

"I don't believe you."

"Then let me show you."