Chapter 17: Not Yours Anymore
I barely had time to take off my shoes before my mom stood from the couch, her eyes blazing.
“I can’t believe you, Jasmine,” she snapped, voice trembling with anger.
I blinked, stunned. “What... what did I do?”
“You know exactly what you did,” she hissed. “Going around seducing the Lycan King like that. Throwing yourself at him to save your father? I didn’t raise you to be that kind of girl.”
I stared at her, mouth falling open. “Wait—what?”
“I just spoke with Elliot,” she said, folding her arms like she had just won some imaginary argument. “He told me everything. He said Gareth Laken took you out on some fancy date after you begged him to help your father.”
My heart dropped. “He said what?”
“He’s worried sick about you,” she went on, ignoring me. “He said you’re acting out, making reckless decisions, getting involved with powerful men who could destroy you.”
My fists clenched at my sides. “He’s lying.”
Mom scoffed. “Why would he lie, Jasmine? He loves you.”
“No, Mom. He doesn’t.” I looked her in the eye. “He wants me to quit university and become his mistress. That’s what he offered me.”