Mesmerised by the Alpha

Chapter 10. Secrets and Threats

The rest of the day passed in a blur of tasks and phone calls, but Jasmine found herself replaying the afternoon over and over in her mind.

Theo had dropped her off at the hotel after their lunch, and the drive back had been easy, relaxed—even playful. They’d laughed more than once, shared cheeky glances, and found themselves falling into a rhythm that felt… natural. Too natural, maybe. Jasmine couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this comfortable with someone so quickly. It was both exhilarating and unnerving.

She wondered if it had something to do with everything that had happened over the past year—her mother’s illness, the breakup, moving here. Was she clinging to the first sign of comfort too eagerly? She didn’t want to mistake attraction for something deeper just because she was emotionally frayed.

As she stood in front of the mirror, brushing through her hair, she made a quiet promise to herself: slow down. Dial it back. Act cool.

Throwing on a slightly oversized Guns N' Roses t-shirt and a pair of workout leggings, she headed downstairs toward the dining room. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation—she hadn’t had anything since lunch, and the promise of dinner was drawing her in like a beacon.

The dining room was softly lit and already humming with the low murmur of conversation. Daryl and Jordan were seated near the far end, talking animatedly and laughing about something she couldn’t quite catch. When they spotted her, they waved her over.

“Jasmine!” Jordan called. “Come sit—we were just placing bets on how many pies Daryl's going to eat tonight.”

Dana’s head popped out from the kitchen window, her cheeks flushed and a tea towel slung over one shoulder. “Chicken pies tonight—proper comfort food. Mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, cabbage, the works.”

Daryl looked positively gleeful. “My favourite. You’ve outdone yourself, Dana.”

Jasmine laughed and slid into the seat beside Jordan. The room gradually began to fill as others joined—Kaci plopped down next to Jasmine, her eyes lighting up when she saw the shirt.

“No way! Guns N' Roses?” she said, grinning. “Obsessed. I saw them live in Glasgow last year.”

Jasmine smiled. “You’re kidding. I’ve always wanted to go.”

Kaci clutched her heart. “Next time, we’re going together.”

George arrived next, followed closely by Stella, who made a point of sitting across from Jasmine and ignoring her presence entirely. Nate and a few of the renovation crew trailed in after, taking seats further down the table. Paul leaned over from the bar, waving a cocktail shaker in the air.

“Right—new creation tonight, folks. Black cherry and basil spritzers. Taste testers needed.”

He distributed them enthusiastically, and even Jasmine had to admit it was delicious—sharp, sweet, and refreshing. Conversation buzzed around the room as plates of golden pie, buttery mash and steaming vegetables were passed down the table.

Halfway through dinner, Daryl leaned over, his voice low. “Just a heads up. Jordan and I will be heading out in about a week or so. We’re almost done with the security installs—just need to reinforce a few fences around the back perimeter.”

Jasmine blinked. “Wait, you’re leaving? I thought you were staying on through winter.”

Daryl gave a half-smile. “Nah, I only work here during the open season. Once we’re done, it’s skeleton staff until spring. You’ve got the hotel phone—full access to the security system, remember? If anything goes wrong, you can always ring me. Plus, there’s the security office if you lose your phone.”

Jordan nodded. “He’s not joking, by the way. Man lives in that office.”

Jasmine laughed weakly, but felt a twinge of unease. She’d grown used to having Daryl’s steady presence around.

George chimed in between bites of pie. “I’ll be wrapping up soon too—just need to sort a few trees near the boundary, plant some bulbs. But I’m local, so I can pop in if needed.”

“Well,” Stella drawled, picking at her food, “looks like the guy candy’s leaving us. Shame. All we’ll be left with is a slob.”

The table went quiet for a beat too long.

Jasmine’s jaw tensed. “Big place like this, Stella. Don’t worry—I’ll be sure to stay out of your way. I know you can’t stand being around me either.”

Dana, bless her, quickly tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but Jasmine had already lost her appetite. She stood, brushing off her hands.

“I think I’m going to skip dessert tonight. Thanks, Dana—dinner was amazing.”

She made her way back to her room, changing into her swimwear and grabbing a towel. The springs were calling to her, and she was more than ready to soak away the awkward tension of dinner. As she walked past her window, she paused—there, just beyond the treeline, stood the black wolf.

It stared straight up at her window, silent and still.

For some unfathomable reason, Jasmine lifted her hand and waved at it. Almost immediately, she shook her head, muttering, “i***t. It’s a wolf, not a neighbour.”

She threw on a hoodie and headed downstairs. The corridor was quieter than usual, echoing faintly under her bare feet as she made her way toward the hidden entrance to the hot springs. Just as she rounded one of the side halls, she stopped short.

Voices.

She crept forward slowly, peering around the corner.

The man who’d been watching her at the baths before—the wiry construction worker—was standing in a shadowed alcove, half-hidden from view. He was arguing with a woman. Jasmine narrowed her eyes, trying to make out the voice.

“I told you she doesn’t know anything,” the man was saying.

“Then make sure she doesn’t,” the woman hissed back.

Jasmine stepped quietly onto the stone step, trying to edge closer—but it creaked underfoot.

The woman snapped her head up.

Valerie.

Her face twisted in annoyance the moment she saw Jasmine, but she didn’t say a word. She turned on her heel and disappeared down the corridor, her heels tapping sharply against the floor.

Jasmine stood frozen for a moment, heart thudding. As she turned to make her way toward the springs, a rough hand suddenly clamped around her arm.

It was the construction worker.

“Don’t say a word,” he growled under his breath, his face inches from hers. “You didn’t see me, you didn’t hear anything. Understand?”

His grip tightened, the threat clear in his eyes.

Jasmine yanked her arm free, adrenaline surging. She didn’t reply—she didn’t trust her voice not to shake. Instead, she turned sharply on her heel and walked away, keeping her pace steady, refusing to look back.

With every step toward the springs, she prayed he wasn’t following.