Mesmerised by the Alpha

Chapter 21. Kisses and Confrontations

The rest of the day drifted by in a blur of nothing. I read a few chapters of a book I wasn’t really paying attention to, spent an hour aimlessly on the treadmill, and had a nap I didn’t even mean to take. In between, I answered the occasional guest call and ignored two texts from Theo. I didn’t even open them—just let them sit there like unopened letters from someone I used to know.

I’d made my decision. Whatever he had with Stella, he could crack on with it. I wasn’t about to play second fiddle to someone who treated everything like a game.

Dinner time eventually rolled around, and I forced myself to change into something that didn’t scream “I’ve spent all day in bed.” A quick brush of my hair, a dab of mascara, and I made my way down to the bar.

Paul was already setting up a salad bar when I arrived. He looked up and grinned. “Evening, Jasmine. You want a drink?”

“God, yes,” I said, sliding onto a stool. “Anything cold.”

He poured me a glass of white wine and slid it over. “Dana and I’ve been on our feet all day. We’re prepping and freezing meals ahead of the winter. You never know when the snow might cut us off.”

“You should’ve shouted,” I said, taking a grateful sip. “I’ve done nothing all day. Could’ve lent a hand.”

A voice behind me cut in. “Isn’t that what you do most of the time anyway?”

I didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was. I rolled my eyes and forced a smile. “Evening, Stella.”

She smirked, pulling her hair aside dramatically to reveal a fresh hickey on her collarbone. “And here’s me thinking you said I couldn’t get Theo.”

I didn’t rise to it. Just stared at her for a beat before sighing. “You know what, Stella? I don’t care who you get. But if you keep working through the male population like this, the only thing you’re gonna get is an STI.”

Her jaw dropped, and I took that as my cue to leave the bar, sliding off the stool and walking over to the main dining area.

Jordan had just walked in and joined me at a table. “Alright?” he asked, eyeing me closely. “You look like someone just kicked your puppy.”

“It’s nothing. Just Stella trying to get under my skin.”

He leaned in conspiratorially. “Wanna hear something weird?”

I perked up. “Always.”

He grinned. “So, I went back to the garage earlier, yeah? Nick’s bike—it’s gone.”

“What?”

“Gone. Just vanished. Daryl and I asked around—no one saw anything. No one heard anything either.”

I frowned. “Maybe he came back and took it?”

“That’s what I thought,” came Daryl’s voice as he slid into the seat beside us. “But I checked the CCTV. He’s not on it. No sign of him anywhere near the place.”

The three of us sat in silence for a moment, a prickle of unease running between us.

Eventually, the others began to filter in. Kaci arrived with George, both smiling, and I waved them over.

“You feeling better?” I asked Kaci as she sat.

“Much. I missed you lot.”

George turned to me. “You been checking your phone?”

“Yeah?” I said, puzzled. “Haven’t seen anything from you.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Not me. Theo’s been trying to reach you. He was worried.”

I shrugged. “Nothing to worry about.”

George raised an eyebrow but let it drop as Paul and Dana emerged from the kitchen, arms full of plates.

“Sorry about dinner tonight,” Dana called out. “Nothing fancy—just roast chicken and salad bar. We’re knackered.”

"As long as the beers are still flowing," Nate called from across the room, "I’m not complaining!"

Everyone laughed, the tension lifting. We dug in, and the food, while simple, was comforting.

Afterwards, Jordan nudged me. “Fancy a few games in the rec room?”

I was about to say yes when Nate appeared. “Hey, you still owe me that drink, remember?”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, alright. Might pop by after, Jordan.”

“No worries,” Jordan said, giving me a little wave as he wandered off.

Nate grinned and grabbed a bottle of white from behind the bar. “Come on.”

He led me outside into the courtyard. The evening air was cool but not cold, the last traces of summer clinging to the breeze. He gestured to a two-seater swing bench nestled in the corner, and I followed.

Once we sat, he pulled a faux-fur throw over our laps and poured the wine. “Can’t say I’m not a gentleman,” he said, handing me a glass.

I smiled, taking a sip. The stars above were sharp and bright, scattered across the dark velvet of the sky.

“So,” Nate said, glancing sideways. “You settling in alright?”

“I am,” I said honestly. “It’s… peaceful here. Aside from the odd bit of drama.”

He chuckled. “You mean Stella?”

“And Nick,” I added. “But mostly, yeah.”

“Well, I think it’s good having you around. You’re like a breath of fresh air.”

I snorted. “No one’s ever called me chirpy before.”

Nate laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and for a second, I noticed how green they were. Warm. Familiar. There was something boyish about him when he laughed.

We talked easily, the wine loosening our tongues. I asked him about his family.

“Just me and my mum, really. But she passed a few years ago. I ended up here not long after.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “That’s… familiar.”

We shared a quiet moment, bonded in grief. Then he leaned in—and kissed me.

I froze for a heartbeat, then kissed him back.

But as soon as we pulled apart, I knew it was a mistake. Whatever it was I felt, it wasn’t right.

Before I could say anything, a low growl shattered the quiet.

We both turned.

At the edge of the courtyard stood the black wolf.

Its eyes were fixed on us, lips curled back to reveal sharp white teeth. It was the same one from the woods—I just knew it.

Nate stood, grabbing the empty wine bottle and raising it like a weapon. “Come on then!”

“What are you doing?” I hissed, standing. “Get inside!”

But he ignored me, stepping forward like he wanted a fight. The wolf snarled.

“Jasmine?” George’s voice called behind us. He stepped outside, froze, and swore under his breath.

The wolf’s eyes flicked to George, then back to Nate. A moment passed, tense and electric—then it turned and darted into the woods.

Nate took off after it, shouting. I stood there, stunned.

George came to my side. “What kind of i***t tries to square up to a wild animal?”

I shook my head. “I… I don’t think it would have hurt me. It didn’t feel threatening. Just angry.”

George gave me a look. “Probably angry ‘cause Nate’s mates keep laying traps all over the woods.”

My mind flashed back to the trap I found. I hadn’t told anyone about it. Until now.

Nate emerged from the trees, breathing hard and empty-handed. “Gone,” he muttered.

George shook his head. “You’re lucky it didn’t rip your arm off.”

As we stepped back inside, Nate turned to me, his expression a mix of regret and lingering tension.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what got into me—must’ve been the adrenaline or something. That was reckless. Stupid, really.”

I nodded, still slightly shaken. “It’s alright… just don’t go squaring up to wild animals again, okay?”

He managed a small, sheepish smile. “Noted. I think I’m going to call it an early night.” Without waiting for a reply, he headed off down the corridor, disappearing from view.

I turned to George, who lingered by the entrance, arms loosely folded, his gaze thoughtful.

“What made you come looking for me?” I asked gently.

He blinked, as if pulled from his own thoughts. “Oh. Right. I just… wanted to apologise, for earlier. Asking about Theo. I only brought it up because he asked me to check in on you. But I won’t get in the middle again.”

I sighed. “It’s okay, George. I know you meant well. But there’s nothing to worry about. I don’t want to talk to Theo anymore. He’s clearly into Stella—and from the looks of that hickey, they’re definitely hooking up.”

George’s brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t say anything.

“Well,” I added, offering a tired smile, “goodnight.”

He nodded, though once again his attention seemed far away, eyes fixed on something I couldn’t see. I gave up trying to hold his focus and left him to it, heading quietly upstairs to my room.

Once inside, I sank onto the bed with a heavy sigh. What a day. Gossip, wolves, unwanted kisses… and whatever it was that passed between Theo and Stella, I didn’t want to think about anymore.

I stretched out, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, I told myself. Tomorrow had better be easier than today.