Mesmerised by the Alpha

Chapter 30. Silent Agreements

The rain hadn’t stopped. It battered relentlessly against my window like it had something to prove. I hadn’t slept much—again. My dreams were wild things, snarling and shifting in the dark. Wolves. Always wolves. I kept jolting awake with the phantom sound of growls echoing in my ears.

I sat up, clutching my knees to my chest for a moment. Then it hit me.

Dana.

She hadn’t so much as flinched last night—not when she saw me with a bloody, battered wolf in tow, nor when she distracted everyone long enough for me to get her out. She didn’t ask questions. Didn’t even look surprised. Just helped, like it was second nature.

Maybe it was time I asked a few questions of my own.

One thing I knew for certain—Dana could be trusted. That instinct had only grown stronger. At some point today, I’d get her alone. And I’d get answers.

I threw on some workout gear, tying my hair into a loose braid. My trainer, Dean had told me to keep up with self-defence, and honestly? I enjoyed it. More than I thought I would. Besides, something told me it might save my life one day.

The mirror didn’t lie. I looked exhausted—dark smudges beneath my eyes and a faint line of worry etched between my brows. Still, I forced on a smile and made my way down to the bar, acting as casual as I could manage.

By now, someone must’ve noticed the missing wolf. Whoever had been behind those twisted experiments in the lab would’ve discovered the empty cage. I half expected to find someone waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs—ready with questions I wasn’t prepared to answer.

But the bar was quiet.

Kaci and George were sat together, sharing a pot of coffee. I paused in the doorway, the corners of my mouth lifting into a small smile. It was almost… sweet. Kaci—tall, lithe, with cropped hair and a cutting sense of style—always looked like she’d stepped out of a fashion editorial. But her confidence was paper-thin. You could see it if you looked closely. George, on the other hand—strong, solid, no-nonsense—was like a rock. Maybe the kind she needed.

I made myself an Earl Grey and checked the time. 5:30am. No wonder it was still so quiet—most were probably sleeping off the drama from last night.

“Are you going to just stand there?” George called over, his grin lighting up the room. “Come on, Jasmine. Join us.”

I slid into the booth beside them, cradling my tea between both hands. George filled me in on the tree that had blocked the road—apparently, it had taken nearly everyone to help dismantle it. “But hey, now we’ve got enough firewood to last the winter,” he said with a wink.

Kaci let out a soft laugh, agreeing that it was lucky no one got hurt. She glanced over at me. “Did you help with the clean-up? I didn’t see you out there—I was looking for you.”

Before I could answer, Dana strode in like a seasoned performer balancing three steaming plates of full English breakfasts. She placed one in front of each of us with a smile, and, without missing a beat, replied, “I asked Jasmine to help clear up after dinner—Paul had already gone to help with the tree.”

I nodded quickly. “Yeah. Sorry I missed it. Dana needed a hand.”

Dana gave me a fond little stroke over my braid. “You’re a gem, love.”

I smiled, trying not to feel guilty.

We ate in companionable silence. My stomach had been in knots all morning, but the warm food helped. Eventually, I excused myself and wandered behind the bar, finding Dana alone restocking the drinks fridge.

“Got a minute?” I asked under my breath.

Dana didn’t look up. She merely mouthed, not now – come before dinner, then flicked her eyes discreetly toward the others still eating.

Message received. I gave a slight nod and slipped away, grabbing my coat and heading for Elmridge.

Elmridge’s gym was busier than usual when I walked in. I stretched quietly, trying to focus—but something was off. Everyone kept smiling at me, whispering behind cupped hands. It wasn’t malicious. If anything, it felt... admiring?

Weird.

Nora practically bounced into the room, wrapping me in a hug. “Hey, superstar,” she teased.

“What’s going on?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “Why is everyone looking at me like I’ve grown an extra head?”

“They’re just happy. You’re sort of... inspiring,” she said vaguely, brushing it off.

Before I could ask more, Dean clapped his hands for attention. “Right, class! You’ve all been doing well, so today we’re stepping it up. We’ve got a special guest joining us.”

The door creaked behind me.

I felt the change instantly. The energy in the room shifted like static electricity crackling through the air. Whispers died. Everyone moved as if on cue, forming neat rows. It felt military. Serious.

Then I saw him.

Theo.

He shook Dean’s hand, clapping him on the back before turning to face the room.

Our eyes met—and my traitorous body betrayed me instantly. Heat flooded my cheeks. He looked... unfairly good. Skin-tight black T-shirt, every muscle on show, tattoos winding across his forearms. His legs were powerful, grounded. I hated the way my thoughts spiralled. Wondered things I had no business wondering.

And then—his nostrils flared slightly. His eyes darkened, just for a second.

He knew.

A girl giggled nearby. Theo’s head snapped in her direction, a low growl rumbling from his chest. My heart stuttered. The sound wasn’t entirely human—something primal laced beneath it. And, to my dismay, it turned me on.

I thought about walking out. But something rooted me to the floor.

Theo addressed the class, explaining today’s session would be partner-based drills, rotating every ten minutes. I ended up starting with Nora, thankfully. We circled one another, and I surprised her with how much I’d retained.

Midway through our third round, Theo and Dean wandered over. Theo watched silently, then murmured, “Guard up, Jasmine. Watch your left foot.”

I nodded, focusing harder than ever.

The rest of the class flew by. By the end, I was buzzing. Dean praised everyone and told us that next time we’d start working on more offensive techniques—punches, blocks, strikes. I told him we had equipment back at the hotel, and I’d practise there.

I spotted Theo speaking to a few teenage boys, giving them tips. He really was a good teacher.

As I slipped outside, Nora appeared beside me. “Fancy a coffee?”

“I’d love to, but today’s manic,” I sighed. “I’ve got archive boxes to move, visitors to manage. Maybe tomorrow?”

She agreed, and we hugged goodbye.

I was almost at my car when I heard footsteps behind me.

Theo.

He jogged up, casually leaning against my door, blocking my exit.

I tried to be polite. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he said, eyes searching mine. “Got time to talk?”

I shook my head. “I’m swamped. And, honestly, I think it’s best if we keep our distance.”

He frowned. “Jasmine, I’m not a player.”

“Really? Stella’s hickey says otherwise.”

He sighed, eyes closing briefly. “I bumped into her on a run. I was hoping to bump into you instead. I ran off, tried to ditch her. She clung on. I told her I wasn’t interested. Told her there was someone else I liked.”

My breath caught. “You said that?”

He nodded. “I told her it’s you. That I'm not interested in anybody else.”

My heart fluttered wildly. The puzzle pieces shifted. It all made sense—Stella’s hostility, her smug looks. The jealousy.

I believed him.

“I’m sorry I overreacted,” I whispered.

Theo smiled, a small, sad thing. “Don’t apologise. You had every reason.”

I glanced at my watch. “I’ve really got to go.”

He stepped aside. “Then go. But just so you know—I meant every word.”

Back at the hotel, I showered quickly and got dressed for the day ahead.

Time to wear the mask. Play it cool. Keep suspicion away from me.

But my heart? It was anything but calm.

It was storming louder than the rain outside.