The Mafia Alpha's Hired Bride

Chapter 7

Jace disappearance stole the breath straight from Deeya's lungs. Anxiety gnawed at her mind, conjuring the worst possible images if Jace shifted into his wolf form out there and someone saw him... their entire world could collapse.

"What's going on?"

The deep voice came from behind her. Deeya spun around. Jasper stood in the doorway, shoulders squared, staring at her with sharp, suspicious eyes.

"Are you worried about your son?" he asked flatly.

"Of course I am! He's only seven years old!" Deeya shot back, her tone defensive.

"I thought he was smart. I'm sure he's fine," Jasper said casually.

But his words only made her more restless. Deeya paced the room, her heart pounding like a war drum.

"Please find him... I'm really worried," she finally said, her voice laced with pleading.

Jasper stared at her for a moment, then nodded. He picked up one of Jace's small shirts from the bed, lifted it to his nose, and inhaled.

"W-what are you doing?" Deeya asked, stunned.

Jasper didn't answer. He merely gave her a brief glance. "Follow me."

They pushed through a narrow trail leading to a clearing deep in the woods. Deeya's breath came in ragged gasps, her chest tight with dread. And there Jace.

But her relief died instantly. In front of Jace stood a massive, ferocious wolf, its growl aimed directly at Jasper.

"Jace, what are you—"

Deeya's words cut off.

Right before her eyes, Jasper's body convulsed... then expanded, thick black fur erupting across his skin, his jaw elongating, fangs glinting as they caught the light. His pupils narrowed into vertical slits—the gaze of a predator.

His growl exploded through the clearing, powerful enough to send leaves raining down from the trees. The vicious wolf in front of them answered with a sharp snarl of its own.

In a flash, they lunged at each other. Their movements were fast, brutal, slamming against the earth and tearing through the air. But Jasper's strength was clearly superior, forcing his opponent backward.

"Dear God... Jasper is a werewolf?!"

Deeya could barely breathe.

"Daddy! Don't hurt Nathan! He's my friend!" Jace screamed.

Jasper's movements halted.

"I'm not your daddy, kid!" His voice was deep, heavy, and terrifying.

Jace just grinned mischievously. "Okay, Daddy."

Jasper growled in annoyance, but deep in his chest, there was something he refused to acknowledge—a flicker of warmth.

Jace walked over to the wolf Jasper had been fighting and stroked its fur. "Nathan, you can go now. I'll explain everything to Daddy."

The wolf licked Jace's cheek, then bolted away into the trees.

Deeya pressed her hands to her face, utterly bewildered. "Oh my God... what kind of situation is this?"

---

Several hours later...

Jasper, newly returned to his human form, sat on a park bench beside Deeya. Evening was settling in, and the scent of damp earth mingled with fallen leaves filled the air. Deeya had been silent for a long while, her eyes distant, trying to digest everything she had just heard from the man beside her.

"So..." her voice finally broke through, quiet but thick with tension. "You want to marry me because I'm your mate? And by marrying me, you get the chance to defeat your brother and become the next Alpha of your pack... The Rabid?"

Jasper leaned back casually, staring straight ahead. "Yes. That was my father's position—Alpha wolf of our pack."

Deeya shook her head slowly, her breath unsteady. "This is... insane."

Jasper turned to her, his brow furrowing. "Relax, woman."

Deeya stared at him with disbelief. "But... I thought only adult werewolves could shift? Jace is only six years old, but he can already transform into a wolf."

Jasper leaned forward slightly, his tone turning serious. "That's exactly why I said it's nearly impossible."

Deeya fixed him with a demanding stare. "So what's wrong with Jace?"

"I don't know," Jasper answered with a shrug. "But I'm certain he's truly unique... maybe he can change our history."

Jasper then looked over at Jace, who was now curled up in Deeya's arms, looking sweet and innocent. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but his words were cold. "Kid, you've been making friends with a bastard."

Jace lifted his face. "You mean Nathan? He's my friend."

"Bastards don't make friends," Jasper said, his voice flat. "They only submit to those stronger than them."

Jace just blinked, as if he didn't understand. "I was just helping him take down some vampires."

Deeya froze. "What did you say? Vampires??"

"Don't worry, Mommy," Jace answered with a smile. "Daddy and I will protect you."

Jasper stared at the boy for a long moment, shock flickering across his features, then his gaze snapped sharply to Deeya. "Who is Jace's real father?"

Deeya fell silent for a moment before answering quietly, "Honestly, I don't know. I lost all my memories... around the time I found out I was pregnant, eight years ago."

Jasper went rigid. "Did you just say... eight years ago?"

"Yes. Why?"

Jasper's gaze shifted back and forth between Deeya and Jace. Then, without warning, he said, "I want to reconsider our deal. I'll declare to the pack that Jace is my son."

"What?!" Deeya shrieked.

"I can give you another five million dollars," Jasper said calmly.

Deeya looked at him with a piercing stare. "Wait. This isn't about money."

"Then what do you want?"

Deeya gazed down at Jace in her arms, then looked back up at Jasper. "I want you to treat him like your own son... and teach him how to live as a werewolf. How to protect himself."

Jace nodded enthusiastically. "Daddy will teach me really well. Right, Daddy?"

Jasper looked at Deeya, then at the boy, and gave a short nod. "Fine. I agree."

Deeya smiled with satisfaction. "Good. We're going to make a strong team, sir."

Jasper stood. "Now, come with me to my place. That tiny apartment of yours... is truly unbearable."

---

Jasper parked his car in the courtyard of a magnificent villa that stood arrogantly in the middle of a sprawling estate. The moment the car door opened, Deeya froze, her eyes sweeping over every corner of the view before her.

"Wow..." her breath caught in her throat. "You have a swimming pool and gardens this huge! Your living room..." she turned toward the grand main building with its enormous glass windows, "...is three times bigger than the place Jace and I live in."

Jasper only responded with a curt nod. He stepped inside first, then dropped onto a plush sofa, picking up a stack of files from the low table in front of him. Meanwhile, Deeya walked in slowly, awestruck and slightly awkward in such a luxurious space.

Suddenly, something struck her. "Wait... where's Jace?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.

Jasper glanced at her briefly, calm as ever. "I had Nick take him to the garden. Some pack members will be arriving soon, and I don't want them seeing Jace right now."

Deeya was slightly taken aback. "Pack members?" She remembered the reverent gazes of the people they had passed when entering the villa grounds. "They all seemed... so respectful toward you. Are they werewolves too?"

Jasper poured a drink into a crystal glass, raising a thin eyebrow. "That's right. They're all wolves from The Rabid pack. We usually stay at our headquarters, but my home is in Portland. I have to be here for business matters."

"Wow," Deeya repeated, this time more quietly.

"Don't be so shocked. You need to learn to adapt," Jasper replied flatly.

Before Deeya could respond, a voice sounded from outside. "I heard Jasper found his mate. That's incredible."

The door swung open roughly. A tall, broad-shouldered man strode in without permission. His dominant aura filled the entire room.

"Derek," Jasper said, rising to his feet. Deeya stood up beside him.

Derek's gaze immediately locked onto her. "Jasper, is she your mate?" he asked, his tone unable to hide his curiosity, or perhaps his skepticism.

"Yes," Jasper answered curtly.

Derek's eyes roamed over Deeya from head to toe, then his lips curled into a contemptuous sneer. "A lowly human. She's not worthy of you. Dressed like a whore... even a filthy bastard would be better than her."

Deeya clenched her fists, her blood boiling. Damn it... he's belittling me right in front of Jasper? No. I'm not staying silent.

She reached for Jasper's waist, wrapping her arm around him tightly, then fixed Derek with a crooked smile. "Oh my, Jasper... I can't believe he just insulted you like that."

Derek frowned. "Stop talking nonsense, b***h! When did I insult Jasper?"

Deeya stroked her hair casually, but her eyes were cold and piercing. "Really? The Moon Goddess chose me to be Jasper's mate, and you just said I'm not even better than a bastard? So what you're really saying is... Jasper can't even compete with a bastard?"

Derek's face went pale. "I-I... I didn't say that! Jasper, that's not what I meant—"

Jasper, who had been silent until now, rubbed his wrist slowly, his eyes sweeping over Derek with icy disdain. "Deeya is right. Insulting my mate is the same as insulting me. And you did it right in front of my face."

A small thrill of victory rushed through Deeya's chest. Oh my God... even though I dragged Jasper into it, it feels amazing that he's defending me.

Jasper waved his hand. Two men behind Derek immediately stepped forward. "Get him out of here. I don't want to see him in my territory again."

"Jasper! You can't just do this! My father is the most respected elder in this pack!" Derek struggled.

"Doesn't apply to you," Jasper shot back coldly.

Deeya smiled with deep satisfaction as Derek was dragged out. But Jasper's gaze quickly returned to her. He pulled her closer, the space between them nearly nonexistent.

"Don't think I did that for you, woman," he said flatly. "I've been planning to get rid of Derek for a long time. He's been sabotaging my business."

"Of course, sir. I know that," Deeya answered, half-challenging.

Jasper pinched her chin, staring deep into her eyes. "Don't flatter me. I know you're just using me."

"That's a cruel thing to say," Deeya replied sweetly. Her hand slid up to his chest, her eyes glinting mischievously. "There isn't a woman alive who doesn't admire a powerful man. Besides... I'm your mate, aren't I?"

Jasper caught her hand, his brow furrowing as he stared at the clothes she was wearing. "As much as I hate what Derek said... he reminded me of something."

"What?" Deeya asked.

"Starting tomorrow, you're going to undergo some serious changes."

"Changes... like what?" Deeya's voice was soft, but her eyes were wary.

Jasper smiled faintly, but it was cold. "You'll find out soon enough."