HOWLING HEART ( Bitten by Fate)

Chapter Three

Jasper's POV

I never expected this to happen, especially not now. Just as I was about to sit down, my doctor, John, walked in—my bestie.

"Good morning, Jasper. How are you?" he asked, looking at me with concern. I couldn't find the words to respond.

"It's about Alexa, isn't it?" he said, reading my expression. Of course, he could tell. My frustration over Alexa's disappearance was written all over my face.

With her absence, there's a strange sense of emptiness, but it also gives me space to breathe. Yet, the wolf inside me is restless, craving to tear apart whoever is responsible for her disappearance.

"Tell me, John, how did this happen? How did I end up mating with someone other than my true mate?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration and confusion.

John approached me, guiding me to sit down as he began examining me—starting with my eyes, nose, and mouth. His frown deepened, and I gave him a questioning look.

"Someone used hypnotism on you, buddy. As a witch, I can confirm it. Can you recall how it happened?" he inquired.

"That night, after the last hunting season, I was at home. I heard noises and thought it was Alexa coming to visit, but it was Olivia, her best friend," I paused, taking a deep breath.

"I was caught off guard. Why was she here? Was Alexa hurt? That's what I thought until she came closer to me, and that's when it all happened," I explained.

"It's confirmed then, you were hypnotized. What do you plan to do about it? If you want Alexa back, you'll need to take action, right?" John suggested.

"John. That woman needs to leave this pack before she causes more harm," I declared, rising to my feet.

Immediately, I instructed my guards to gather the pack, utilizing the telepathic communication we share as werewolves.

Soon, everyone assembled, and there she was—Olivia. I struggled to keep my composure, resisting the urge to lash out at her.

Olivia's POV

Gathering here this early was unexpected. I smiled as I looked at Jasper as handsome as ever. The dream of becoming a luna is fast approaching and I love it. Now that she's no longer here he is mine. Mine alone.

Just then he starts talking. "I gathered you all here to give everyone your warning on warning about what will happen to you if you try to hypnotize me into sleeping with you."

Just then a larger murmur came in everyone surprised. I was too, why was he even bringing this up here in front of many people? I was shocked.

Till I heard my name.

"I Ban Olivia from our pack. Henceforth she no longer, she's in our pack and will never be. Escort her out."

It was all a dream unbelievable was he joking, everyone looked at me. I could see the disappointment on their face, some hatred and some envy. I looked at Jasper.

"You're making a big mistake by chasing me out of this pack," I shouted for everyone to hear, my voice trembling with anger and frustration.

"Yeah, I will make you pay, all of you, especially you, Jasper. I hate you, Alexa, so much," I continued, my words laced with venom.

"You are the reason she left me. You made her think I was willingly betraying her with you. You don't deserve to be alive. I'd love to kill you, Olivia, but I respect the fact that you were once part of our pack," Jasper retorted, his voice low but filled with suppressed rage. I could sense his beast ready to pounce, his

eyes burning with fury.

"Now leave and never show your face here again," he commanded his words cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade.

I felt the weight of their laughter and mockery as I turned to leave, my heart filled with bitterness and resentment.

"I promise you, Alexa, I will be your nightmare. I will make you pay. I will end you myself," I muttered to myself, my steps heavy with anger and despair as I left, refusing to look back.

Meanwhile, Alexa, who had just met her mother, was grappling with conflicting emotions. She listened as her mother spoke about Jasper not being her true mate, but she couldn't shake the doubt gnawing at her heart. She wanted to believe Jasper, to trust in their love, but the betrayal she witnessed lingered like a dark cloud overhead.

As I sat down to contemplate what had transpired, I couldn't help but wonder if Olivia had acted out of misguided emotions. Perhaps she didn't mean to hurt me intentionally. The thought of Jasper betraying me tore at my soul, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of trust that remained between us.

Just then, Shirley joined me, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my emotions. She looked at me, silently urging me to share what was weighing on my heart.

"I think maybe Olivia didn't do it intentionally. Maybe she was swayed by her emotions," I confessed, searching for reassurance in her eyes.

"This topic again. You're so innocent, yet so naive, Alexa. Can't you see she used you to get to your man?" Shirley remarked, her tone tinged with frustration.

"It can't be true," I protested, unwilling to accept the harsh truth staring me in the face.

Just then, my mother intervened, her gentle voice offering solace and support. "Alexa, maybe she didn't mean to hurt you that way. Whatever you decide, remember that your feelings are valid. Stay strong, my dear," she advised her words a soothing balm to my troubled soul.

I looked at her, grateful for her understanding, yet torn by the conflicting emotions swirling within me. Despite Shirley's warning, I clung to the hope that Olivia's betrayal was not as malicious as it seemed.

Just then, my phone rang, interrupting the somber atmosphere. Shirley hurried to fetch it, and as I glanced at the screen, I saw an unknown number flashing.

I hesitated before answering, feeling a strange sense of apprehension creeping over me. With trembling fingers, I brought the phone to my ear, the voice on the other end sending shivers down my spine.

"Alexa," the voice called out, its familiarity sending my mind reeling, trying to place it amidst the chaos of my thoughts.

"Alexa," the voice repeated, snapping me back to the present. I glanced at Mum and then at Shirley, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Please, who is this?" I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty and fear.

"Alexa, dear, it's me, your mother. I've been searching for you all these years," the voice replied, sending a jolt of shock through my body. My hand froze, and the phone slipped from my grasp, the call abruptly ending.

Nora looked at me, concern etched on her face, as she asked me what was wrong.

"Tell me, who are you, Nora?" I demanded, my voice tinged with fear as I pushed her away, my mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions.

Nora saw that I wasn't backing down, and she approached me, dropping to her knees before me. "I am your aunt, Alexa. Your mother couldn't come because of some matters in the pack. Trust me, I lied to you so you wouldn't ask for her too much and put yourself in trouble," she confessed, her tears streaming down her face as she met my gaze.

I looked at her, torn between disbelief and acceptance. Could she be telling the truth? I struggled to make sense of it all, the weight of her words heavy on my heart.

"Now that she's called you, I guess she wanted to hear your voice or talk to you about something. You need to rest and not overthink," Nora urged, her voice gentle yet firm.

I nodded, trying to process everything, grateful for the semblance of family I had found in Nora, Mum, Dad, and Shirley.

"Okay, I believe you. But I do need to see my mum," I said, still wary of her, my mind reeling with unanswered questions.

"Yes, you will," Nora assured me, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and concern.

"But first, there's someone I want to see," I declared, determination fueling my resolve as I left them both behind, my steps quick and purposeful.

Taking the telephone, I dialed a number, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for him to pick up.

"Hello, who's this?" he answered, his voice echoing through the line.

"It's me, Alexa. I want us to meet up, Jasper. I want to give you a listening ear. Do you have time?" I asked, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging within me.

There was a long pause before he answered, his voice filled with gratitude and longing. "Yes, I will. Thank you, Alexa. You don't know how much I've missed you and—"

I cut him off, unable to bear the weight of his words. "I will hang up now. Goodbye," I said, ending the call before he could say more.

As I hung up, tears welled up in my eyes, the turmoil of emotions threatening to engulf me. Why couldn't I trust anything or anyone but Shirley?

The next day, I went to the woods where Jasper and I had agreed to meet.

"Alexa, where have you been? I was going crazy. I've missed you so much, my love," Jasper exclaimed, his words washing over me like a balm to my soul.

I melted at his words, his touch igniting a spark of warmth within me. His presence, his scent—everything about him felt familiar, comforting, and achingly beautiful.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't betray you; she hypnotized me," Jasper confessed, his words piercing through the haze of confusion clouding my mind. I stared at him in shock, unable to comprehend how Olivia could have done such a thing.

Jasper continued to speak, revealing the truth behind the events that had unfolded. Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened, feeling a surge of shame and regret for doubting him so quickly.

Nora's words echoed in my head, "Jasper isn't your real mate," and I looked at him, torn between the truth and my heart's desires.

Unable to bear the weight of my secret any longer, I forced a smile and spoke softly, "I forgive you, but I need time to think. So much has happened lately."

With those words, I turned and walked away, the weight of uncertainty heavy on my shoulders.

As I reached home, Nora enveloped me in a warm embrace, her presence a source of comfort amid my turmoil.

"I know you're sad, but don't worry. Things will be fine. I found someone in my pack. His name is Nathan, and he's your true mate," Nora revealed, her words sending a jolt of surprise through me.

"What?" I exclaimed, my mind racing with questions and doubts

What did you tell him?" I asked Nora, my voice trembling with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

"He's a good guy, Alexa. And you're pregnant. You need a man by your side, your mate. Don't you want that?" Nora asked, her eyes filled with hope and reassurance.

I looked at her, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotions flooding through me. Could it be true? Was Nathan really my true mate? And a child on the way, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.