Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law

The sensations grew more painful with every passing minute. I curled up tighter on the bed, biting down hard on the corner of the pillow, trying to muffle the sob that broke through my throat. My chest hurt from crying too hard and from the pain inflicted by Elliot’s physical betrayal of our mate bond. I felt like I was being ripped apart from inside out.

Elliot.

He did it on purpose. He wanted me to suffer.

I knew it the second he looked me in the eye and whispered, “You are mine, Jasmine. You think you can walk away from me?” And then, just like that, he turned and walked straight into Isabella’s waiting arms—like I hadn’t mattered. Like everything we ever shared was just... disposable.

A broken sob escaped me, and I rolled onto my side, fists clenched against my chest. The mark on my neck was still throbbing faintly, a sick reminder of the bond I never wanted. A bond he used like a weapon.

I hated him. Hated how he manipulated me. How he used my father’s situation to corner me. How he smiled sweetly when he was lying through his teeth.

“I could make it all go away,” he had said, fingers brushing my chin like he was doing me a favor. “Your father walks free. Your mom gets medical care. All you have to do is remain mine, Jasmine. Just stop fighting it.”

Liar. Every word from his mouth was a trap.

I sat up weakly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. That’s when I saw it—Gareth’s coat, still on the floor from earlier. My breath hitched.

I reached for it slowly, fingers trembling. Elliot had touched it, yes—but as I lifted it closer, I realized his scent hadn’t stuck. No. What hit me was Gareth. Cedarwood. Musk. That subtle warmth reminded me of strength and safety.

I pressed the coat to my face, inhaling deeply. The ache in my chest started to ease, just a little. I curled back into the sheets, wrapping the fabric around me like an armor. I could almost hear his voice again. That calm, gruff tone. That quiet look in his eyes when he saw me—not just on the surface, but like he was really seeing me.