Charlotte s POV
"For?" I asked, obviously confused as to why he would want people to see us holding hands and walking out of the hospital like some happily mated couple. The audacity this man carries amazes me every single time.
"Do I need a reason to hold my mate?" He asked, his face creased in frustration, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. His brows furrowed together, and for a second, I could sense the genuine irritation dancing behind his eyes. But his frustration only fueled the laughter bubbling in my throat.
I couldn't hold it back—the ridiculousness of it all, his boldness, his constant need to claim me publicly as though we're some fairy-tale lovebirds. The laughter burst out of me, rich and full, echoing around the room as I stood up.
"I don't need your public deceit, and I'm better off this way. Thanks for your gesture, anyways." I said sharply as I walked out of the room, my footsteps determined, my head held high, leaving him drowning in his thoughts. Most times, his audacity marvels the hell out of me—the nerve, the sheer nerve, always trying to control the narrative.
I wasn't even three steps out of the room before I caught his scent trailing behind me. That addictive, woodsy scent that always seems to cloud my senses in the most inconvenient ways. I kept my eyes forward, ignoring the way his presence crawled over my skin like static.
As I approached the elevator, I could feel the stares burning into my back. Too many eyes fixed on me like I was some walking headline. If there were any possible way I could magically be ten feet away from him right now, I would've done it in a heartbeat.
The private elevator door slid open, sleek and quiet, but I walked right past it to the public elevator instead. Let them wonder. Let them gossip. I wasn't about to hand the crowd more reasons to twist stories or fuel unnecessary rumors.
"Good morning," I greeted politely to the lady who walked into the elevator with me. Her sharp eyes darted to mine, her expression blank, as though I had grown horns or suddenly sprouted wings on my head. She didn't utter a word, just stood there, staring like I was a puzzle she couldn't solve.
Behind me, I noticed the two ladies who had been chatting moments before go silent the minute I stepped in. Their whispered conversation cut off like a broken wire, their curious eyes trailing over me.
As the elevator door slid shut, I caught sight of Jasper lingering near the private elevator. His eyes stayed pinned to me, unreadable and steady, like I was the only thing in his line of vision. I smirked lightly as the door closed, shutting him—and all the stares—out.
The silence inside the elevator was surprisingly refreshing, a rare moment of peace after all the chaos. The hum of the elevator was the only sound as the floors passed. After a few minutes, the doors opened to the ground floor, and I stepped out, adjusting my shirt casually.
The first thing I saw was Jasper striding towards a car, his gait confident as always, like the world revolved around his damn footsteps. Without wasting time, I trailed behind him immediately, my eyes narrowed in curiosity.
"You should probably join the public transport as well. What are you doing here?" He asked coolly, throwing a glance over his shoulder, his voice laced with amusement.
I rolled my eyes dramatically and walked to the passenger's side of the car, opening the door and settling in without offering him the satisfaction of a reply.
Jasper joined me, sliding into the driver's seat with that same irritating calmness, his tall frame taking up more space than necessary. Moments later, the driver opened the door, bowed slightly in respect to his Alpha, then slipped into the car to drive us off.
The ride was silent, and honestly, I appreciated it. No snide remarks, no controlling lectures—just quiet. I leaned my head against the window, watching the world blur past, the cool natural breeze sneaking in and caressing my skin, refreshing me more than I expected.
After a while, we approached the mansion gates. The guards stationed outside reacted quickly, opening the heavy doors without delay, their heads bowed respectfully. The car rolled in smoothly, gliding to a stop in front of the main mansion doors.
The driver exited first, walking over to Jasper's side, opening the door for him like some personal butler. But I wasn't about to stand there waiting for assistance. I reached for my door, pushed it open, and climbed out, my steps quick and unapologetic.
Without wasting a second, I walked straight into the mansion, ignoring the faint sound of Jasper's footsteps trailing behind me.
"Where are you heading to?" Jasper's voice broke the short silence as he caught up, his long strides matching mine effortlessly.
"To the training ground." I replied sharply, quickening my pace even more. I've been off the field for days now, my muscles aching for action. It felt like a part of me had been buried alive, and I needed to bring her back to life—fast.
"And who authorized that?" His question halted me instantly, the weight of his words hitting me like a slap. My heart skipped slightly, my eyes narrowing in disbelief.
His tone wasn't playful—it carried authority. An irritating, arrogant reminder of how much power he thinks he holds. I turned to him, my head tilting, eyes wide with confusion and offense.
"What did you just say?" I asked, my voice sharp, laced with shock. I must've heard wrong.
But he wasn't backing down. He took a few slow steps towards me, his presence heavy, eyes locked on mine, unwavering.
"I said, who authorized you to step out of this house today?" He repeated, each word crisp, clear, and dripping with superiority.
A sharp laugh escaped my lips, low and mocking. His audacity never fails to astound me. This… this was laughable.
"Do I need your stupid authorization to step out?" I snapped, my voice rising, my chest burning with irritation. "You should probably get one thing straight. I am not your subject, neither am I your employee."
I took a bold step closer, my head tilting defiantly, my pulse racing but my expression unwavering.
"It should sink in your head—you can't order me around. You can never do that. Not when I'm still breathing."
But he only smirked, arrogant and composed, closing the already small gap between us, his presence electrifying, the mate bond humming beneath my skin.
"You should probably study this environment well, my love." He started, his deep voice laced with warning, his eyes fixed on mine. His lips hovered dangerously close to my forehead, his tall frame towering over me, his height advantage impossible to ignore.
"This is the Crystal Moon Pack, not your father's pack. I speak, and it stands."