Shadows Of Doubt

Jasper's POV

The dim light of my study cast long shadows across the room as I poured myself a glass of bourbon. The liquid burned down my throat, but it did nothing to quench the fire I had felt since I left Mia's room.

Damn her.

I couldn't stop thinking about her, the way her lips trembled as she avoided my kiss. Her scent lingered on my skin—a maddening blend of the forest and something darker, something I couldn’t place. It wasn't perfume like she claimed. No. I know the smell of deception, and it clung to her like a second skin.

I set the glass down as my thoughts spiraled back to the previous night. It was nothing like I'd ever experience. For someone who prided himself on control, I'd be utterly undone by her.

Mia was fire and softness all at once, a contraction that had captivated me in ways I didn't expect. It was not just the physical connection—though it had been the best I’d ever had— it was the way she looked at me, the quiet defiance in her eyes even as she surrendered.

For the first time in forever, I had been gentle.

It was unlike me. I don't do tenderness. I took what I wanted, leaving my partners sated but emotionally unscathed. But with her, with Mia, everything was different. Totally different.

My mind replayed every detail of our conversation. Her excuses about the forest smell were flimsy at best. “Woodland Breeze”? I wasn’t an idiot. She was hiding something from me. Then a dark thought crossed my mind, one I didn't entertain but simply couldn't ignore.

What if she was working with my enemies?

It made sense, in a twisted way. Her reluctance, her sudden disappearance, the strange aura around her lately—it all pointed down to betrayal. My mind raced with anger as I connected the dots together.

I couldn't let my guard down, not with the stakes as high as they were. If Mia was a threat, I needed to know.

Reaching for my phone, I dialled Jayden. He picked up on the second ring.

"Boss."

"I need you to keep an eye on Mia," I said, my voice cold and detached. "She's been acting strange. I want to know where she goes, who she talks to and what she does when I'm not around."

Jayden hesitated. "You think she's — "

"I don't want to think, Jayden," I interrupted sharply. "But I'm not taking chances. Report to me directly and be discreet."

"Yes sir," Jayden replied without further questions.

I ended the call, setting the phone down. My jaw tightened as I stared at the shadows of the room.

Mia was a mystery I couldn’t afford to ignore, and mysteries were dangerous in my world, not even now that I'm speculating that my father is still alive. She had awakened something in me—a rare and dangerous vulnerability—and now I needed to find out if she would be my salvation or my undoing.

And if I sense the tiniest hint of betrayal— I won't hesitate to remind her who she belonged to, even though I wanted her, not just her body but all of her.

Jayden's POV

I had my orders. Jasper’s sharp tone earlier were clear enough—keep an eye on Mia. Something about her didn't sit right with him, and now it was my job to figure out what it was.

Still I couldn't help to feel a hint of guilt as I approached Mia's room. She has been through hell, being forced into Jasper's dangerous games. Her success in today's mission was undeniable and even I had to admit that she had exceeded all expectations.

Carrying a neatly wrapped box, I knocked on her door. Her eyes widened with surprise as she stared at me, before shifting back into her usual guarded expression.

"This is for you," I said holding out the gift. She hesitated, her gaze flickering between me and the box.

"Why?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Call it a reward,” I replied with a small smirk. “You’ve done well. Take it and enjoy yourself for once.”

Mia took the box, her fingers brushing against me, the little action sent a thrill through me as I felt my heart skip a beat. Still by the door, she opened it cautiously, revealing a silk gown and a collection of luxurious skin care and makeup products. Her face softened for a split second before her usual walls went back up.

"Thank you," she said in a genuine tone.

I gave a curt nod, and a polite smile before walking away.

When it was dark, I lingered in the shadows of the mansion's corridors, watching from the huge window as Mia paced around her room. She seemed restless, her movements erratic. My instincts told me she was hiding something.

Sure enough, just after midnight, she slipped out of her room, dressed in dark clothing, and clutching a small bag. I followed her, my footsteps silent against the marble floor.

Mia moved with purpose, sneaking out of the mansion and into the dense forest that surrounded it. I kept my distance, careful not to alert her, trailing behind as she moved deeper into the forest.

She moved with her head held high, her steps almost confident, as though she were searching for something. The darkness and towering trees that loomed around her seemed insignificant, as if she belonged to this place.

When she stopped abruptly, I ducked behind a tree, my breath shallow. I watched her in stunned silence as her human form melted away replaced by a sleek golden-brown wolf with glowing amber eyes. Her transformation seamless,  her movements fluid as she stretched and began to ran round the clearing.

My heart pounded in my chest. This is what Jasper had sensed, that made him suspicious. Mia wasn’t just human—she was a werewolf.

I waited until she shifted back, and there she stood, completely naked. Her silhouette was breathtaking, every curve perfectly placed, radiating an allure I couldn’t ignore. Something deep inside me screamed that this was wrong, that I should look away. But my body betrayed me, and my eyes remained fixed on her,

She reached for a small blanket in the bag she carried, and use it to cover her trembling form. It was then that I stepped out from the shadows.

"Mia," I called out, my voice steady but firm. She froze at the sound of my voice, before turning around. Her wide amber eyes locking into mine as fear flickered on her face, clutching the blanket tighter around herself.

"Jayden," she called, her voice shaky. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same," I stepped closer to her. "I followed you. Jasper was right—there’s more to you than you’ve been letting on."

She looked at me, her gaze darting as if searching for an escape. "You don't understand."

"Then make me understand," I said firmly, though the panic in her eyes tugged something at me.

She hesitated, her breathing shallow. "I didn't want this," she said, her voice breaking. "I didn’t ask for any of it. I’ve been hiding this the whole time, trying to pretend it wasn’t real. Please, Jayden, you can’t tell Jasper."

"You think I can keep this from him," I countered, my voice sharp. "He already suspects you. If I don’t tell him—"

"Then I'm dead," she said, her voice raw with desperation as she stepped closer. "And my mom.... her treatment. You know Jasper can be....." Her voice trailed off as tears welled up in her eyes.

For a moment, I said nothing, the wright of her words settling in. Mis wasn't just scared—she was terrified. And for a good reason.

"You think I won't protect you?" I said, my voice softer now.

Her gaze snapped at me, flicking with hope. "You'll keep this between us?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I had being caught between two worlds. One, that I want to protect and the other, that I want to remain loyal to. "I can’t make promises, Mia. But I’ll hold off telling him for now. On one condition."

"What condition?"

"You'll tell me everything. No more lies or hiding anything."

Mia hesistated for a moment, before nodding. "Fine," she whispered. "I'll tell you everything."

I nodded, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. I wasn’t sure why I was doing this—why I was risking Jasper’s wrath for her.

But the answer stirred uneasily in the depths of my chest, something I wasn’t ready to face yet.