?Chapter 142:

“Jasmine,” his deep voice jolted me. “Are you okay?” His eyes scanned the room, lingering on my phone. I knew he’d heard me shouting.

I forced a quick smile, scrambling forposure. “Yeah, I’m fine. You, uh—you look bothered.”

Moving quickly, I scooted to the pillow and pushed the phone behind my back, trying to appear nonchnt. But Ryder’s expression had already hardened, a suspicious glint in his eyes.

Ignoring his intense stare, I forced a bright smile and stepped closer to him, reaching out. “Is everything okay with the pack?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

Ryder narrowed his eyes, cutting straight through my flimsy facade. “Jasmine,” he said slowly, his voice low, “who were you calling just now?”

“N-no one,” I stammered. “I was just, uh… checking the weather.” The excuse sounded weak, even to my own ears.

His eyebrows shot up. “Checking the weather? At seven o’clock?” He held out his hand, palm up. “Hand over the damn phone.”

My heart plummeted. Caught, with no escape. I reluctantly ced the phone in his hand, feeling like a child caught red-handed.

Ryder’s eyes scanned the screen, his gaze sharpening as he took in the name on the call history. “Jason?” The name sounded bitter on his tongue, his jaw tightening. “Jason?” His gaze snapped back to mine, anger ring in his eyes. “Were you really talking to Jason?”

I shrugged, trying to downy it, but Ryder’s frown deepened, his gaze hard as stone. “You know, Jaz, it’d be a lot easier if you’d just tell me the truth.”

My heart beat elerated. This was the first time he was calling me Jaz, and not his “Baby Vixen” or “Vixen.”

“I didn’t want to bother you,” I stammered, feeling helpless, shifting on my bare feet.

“Didn’t want to bother me? That’s the best you cane up with?” He let out a mirthlessugh, his eyes narrowing further. “After lying to me this whole time?”

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His words cut deep, and I felt my knees weaken. It was worse than I’d feared.

“A few days ago,” Ryder continued, his voice dangerously calm, “I heard that Jason was in my pack’s territory. I assumed it was just a friendly visit. But now, with all this secrecy?” His gaze dropped back to the screen in his hand, then returned to me, his anger hardening into something more chilling. “I’m starting to wonder if I can ever trust you.”

Panic squeezed my heart. My mind immediately jumped to his informant. Seraphina. I’d made her swear she’d stay quiet about Jason, but what did I expect? She was, after all, loyal to Ryder above anyone.

“Ryder, I—”

“NO more excuses, Jasmine.” His tone was cutting, each word sharp and precise. “I want the truth. Right now.” His stare was relentless, and tears burned in my eyes, my throat constricting painfully.

With a deep breath, I let the words tumble out, no longer able to hold back. “Jason came to see me,” I admitted. “He’s… he’s in debt, Ryder. He asked for my help, and the only thing I could think to give him was my ne.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “I didn’t know it was that valuable. I swear, I didn’t. Not until you told me.”

Ryder’s expression darkened, his jaw set. “The ne?” His voice was low, each word filled with betrayal. “You lied to me about that?”

I nodded, my hands shaking as tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “Why, Jaz?” His voice cracked slightly, his fists clenching. “Why would you keep this from me?”

“I was scared,” I confessed, my voice barely audible. “Jason… he said things. About us. About our rtionship. And I didn’t know what to believe.”

“So instead of talking to me,” he said, his voice rising, “you went behind my back, lied to my face, and let this… this Jason drag you into his mess?” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration radiating off him. “How long were you nning on lying to me, Jasmine? Another week? A month?”

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