JASMINE—
As I slowly open my eyes to see the morning sun that has crept into my room, I am hit with a rush of discomfort. My body feels heavy and sore, as if it has been put through a wringer. With Hades last night. It was worse than a wringer. Every muscle hurts, and my feet feel like heavy weights, weak and unwilling. I try to sit up, but even the slightest movement causes aches throughout my body. Throughout my three years of marriage, all I wanted from Hades was passionate love and more. Yes, I yearned for him as my husband, mate, and man. I've always wanted to have sex with him, but I never imagined it would be as vile and aggressive as it was last night. He had gone against my wishes, against my emotions, to sleep with me. It was horrible, his weight, the force he had used on me. That was no way I imagined sharing an intimate moment with my husband. As the thought of his burning flesh and movement crawls in from last night, flashes across my mind, I shudder. I can still feel his touches, it feels like a tattooed mark. I can still feel His heavy thrust and his cruel words penetrate the insides of my body and dance on my ear. I didn’t know Hades could be as aggressive at that. I never want to repeat last night. Tears start to stream down my eyes when the memory of waking up and finding myself in the bed of a stranger hit me. The last thing I remember was having my nose covered with a rag, and then I woke up to watch Hades throw a strange man into the wall. And I hate that trying to explain to him will be futile. A small knock comes on my door and my maid opens it before I can speak. “Luna” she calls lightly. “Enora” I don’t want to sound exactly as I feel. “How are you feeling?” She asks genuinely. I shrug. “There’s a soiree happening tonight” She begins. Another party. I am really not in the mood for one. “And?” My voice is weak. “Alpha Hades is attending and wants you to be his partner for it. He has ordered a dress that you are to wear and wants you to be hasty about it.” The words leave Enora's mouth but I just sigh. Of course. After such monstrous behavior last night, he still wants me to put on a pretty dress and act like his Luna. Enora takes a step forward. “And, Luna Jasmine,” she calls quietly. “Alpha Hades was in a hurry to leave, but he did not fail to let me pass this to you. That he is deeply sorry for what he did and would erase last night if he could. He made it clear that you’re the one he wants to be partnered up with.” My heart bangs out a warning feeling. I shake my head and conceal the tears that threaten to fall. If he regrets last night. Then he would have been the one to apologize to me, not send a message to Enora. It’s still not explainable how I ended up in another man’s bed. But incidents like that could make any married person go insane. But that doesn't give Hades the right to treat me in such a heinous way. When I don't reply, Enora chimes in. “Will you still attend the party Luna?” I turn to her. I want to say no, because I am deeply exhausted. But I am Silvermist's Luna and I have responsibilities that are not to be ignored. Missing a soiree when Hades is present will raise suspicion. And there's no greater than finding one's flaw than suspicion. “I'll be attending” My voice is almost quiet. “Then I’ll take my leave to get your dress ready” Enora says before leaving the room. I slowly walk out from my bed. Against all odds. Maybe there can still be a way I can prove to be the better wife he actually wants and just doesn't need; and not just someone he had an arranged marriage with, all because we were mated. But this marriage is already as exhausting as it gets. With my head out of the dense dark clouds. I meet Enora downstairs, who helps me prepare for the party. She moves quickly, and I'm clothed in no time, with my features enhanced and embellished with a few makeup and accessories. I arrive at the Hall with Enora as an escort who immediately returns home, leaving me to get the best welcome. I get a few hellos before straining my neck to search for Hades, ignoring every other thing around me. I have to be by his side. He needs nothing but the perfect Luna by his side. The party is lovely and the music tides around my mind, giving me every shade of distraction my ache is dwelling on. The faux smile against my lips is heavy and stretching further with every step I take. My body hurts, and my mind feels hazy. Hades knows the crazy amount of strength he acquires and still proceeded to forcefully make his way with me last night. It's a miracle how I'm still walking like nothing happened at all. My forced smile instantly falters, when I get to the end of the Hall and see Hades laughing with Alison beside him, with wine glasses in their hands. My step slows down and my stomach churns uncontrollably. Why are they together? Just when I thought I had finally found a way to override everything! My emotions instantly blindsided me. My breath hitches in my throat, and I struggle to keep the death-like aching in my chest in check. I feel like I am on the verge of unraveling. With my eyes still on them, Hades sees me and his lips stretch into a warm smile. How can he smile at me in such a manner! “Jasmine,” He calls and it causes me to freeze. He takes excuses from the people around him and walks up to me. “I have been waiting for you.” His words are gentle and serene. His smile is so soft I feel like I am about to go crazy. How can one go from such a ferocious beast to a tender person in hours. How dare he? I want to cry but I can't. All my life, all I've ever yearned from Hades was love, warm and tender. I've always wanted him to look at me like I am the only woman that matters to him with lips of devotion and genuineness. smile at me with his irises drowning of immense love for me. But now. I do not even recognize the man in front of me. He gently rests his hand at the small of my back and he leads me to the guests he’s been talking to, where Alison is too. I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but Alison looks a bit shocked to see me. Or is she worried that I wasn’t able to leave last night? After all her effort. I’ll find a way to make it up to her after this party. Hades’ hands tightens around my waist and his smile is so tipsy but careful, it doesn’t feel like the same touch from last night. “Luna Jasmine, you’re here” Xander, one of Hades trusted acquaintance comments and I pass him a smile. “You can’t expect me to come to parties like this without my Jasmine” Hades’ adds, pulling me closer to his side and causing the entire guest around us to smile. I glance at Alison and a smile is also staining her lips. “Luna jasmine, you look absolutely breathtaking” One of the guests randomly comments, taking me by surprise. I turn to her , about to thank her when Hades speaks before me. “Of course she’s beautiful. She’s my wife” Hades looks like he’s over the moon and I feel my heart fall into my stomach. Hades turns to me. “Sometimes I want to hide you and keep you to myself where no prying eyes can see you and make comments like this” He carefully tucks some strands of my hair behind my ear and flashes of last night's penetration strikes my mind. Hades' words cause the people around us to laugh, expressing admiration and I try to press on a flustered smile. If only they know how different Hades can be. This moment makes me want to scream until I am fine again. Or just take a leap and go out of existence. I am being used to make Him appear perfect. It is so aching that I am about to go crazy. A waiter carrying a tray of shots suddenly passes by and gets stopped by Hades. “Would you care for anything jasmine?” Hades takes me by my hand. Before I can utter my declination. Alison’s loud voice takes over. “Oh, it wouldn’t be safe for Jasmine to drink, what if she ends up in another man's bed again and gets fucked for the second time.” As if on cue. The music stops playing and everyone stops abruptly to turn their head towards our direction. Alison gasps and covers her mouth, seeing the chaos she had caused. As everyone’s eyes dance on us, I can feel my face burning with shame. The entire hall is quiet and everyone is looking at me. I want to speak but my voice catches in my throat. The room starts to spin and I just want nothing but to die at the moment. -*—JASMINE“Luna Jasmine is cheating on Alpha Hades? What a slut!”“Luna Jasmine is a cheater?”“Such a disgusting act!”I freeze, my body paralyzed with shock, as if time itself has come to a standstill. My breath catches in my throat, choking me, making my head spin with dizziness. My heart races like a runaway horse, pounding in my chest, threatening to burst free. The grand hall has devolved into chaos. The entire guest is shocked and their murmurs that fill the air are not soft whispers but loud, angry mutterings that are echoing through the place like a rasping sound of hatefulness. “On the outside she seemed so perfect. But on the inside she’s a dirty little slut”“I can’t believe I used to look up to her.”“What a slut”My heart skips a beat when my ears decide to pick more than one person speaking.I look around the grand hall and I am met with a gaze of disgust from the other pack members. They’re not even trying to hide how disgusting they find me. Their once soft eyes
—JASMINE My body feels tight and numb and so is my throat. I haven’t said a word since Hades’ and I left the party. My heart is completely disrupted and I don’t know how to feel. Whatever I feel is beyond sadness and despair. Well, any living Luna in my shoes would have shattered completely if their entire pack members pointed fingers at them and slutshamed her. As we step into Hades’ room, he gently guides me towards his bed and urges my body to take a seat. I take a seat and watch as he moves swiftly around the room before disappearing into the bathroom. He comes out seconds later with a damp towel and as he squats down to match my seated height. He starts to carefully wipe the wine stain on my skin and dress. I flinch when the cold towel touches me, giving away how shocked I still am. Hades pauses to give me a look before continuing with his action. The room is quiet, with just the sound of Hades’ breathing and the towel moving around my dress hovering around the place.
—JASMINE I’ve been stuck under the covers by his side like glue since my bicker with Alison, her crocodile tears still fresh in my mind. Hades has kept me captive, refusing to let me budge an inch.His threat still hangs over me like a dark cloud.I am his and even if I am to die, I’ll die by his hand?The words still make me shudder.The silence between us is oppressive, and it makes my skin crawl.I want to leave this room. But I can’t, not until he agrees to do so.“Stop staring at me and go to bed.. it’s late already, or are you planning to escape me this time?” His voice seethes.“I want to sleep in my own room, on my own bed” I mumble, making a big shift.“I know you’re thinking of nothing but an escape plan”“I’m not. I just want—“You’re staying here tonight. “ His dominating voice covers mine. “And that is final”He gets close to me and brushes the strands of hair that covers my face.“And besides. We’re married, couples share the same fuckin bed” He’s talking about marri
—JASMINE Hades sits beside me and dispatches an omega to fetch ointment for my injured wound. The omega swiftly returns, and Hades tends to my wound, cleaning it with a cloth before applying the ointment with precision.“Next time when I tell you to remain by my side, you listen to me. You know how much I hate dumb women” he snarlsI swallow hard, remaining silent, and observe him intently as he tends to my wound. His words may be harsh and unsettling, but they contradict the gentle care with which he applies the ointment, his touch surprisingly soft and considerate.As he continues to tend to my wound, my tension subsides, and I feel a sense of relief wash over me. I know somewhere in there he still cares about me.He gently lifts my leg and props it up, his focus on applying more ointment, his care and attention sparking a sense of solace in me.Now, I don't regret my decision to save the child, even though it meant getting hurt. It was all worth it, because in the end, I get to be
—JASMINE Hades’ voice causes, both Wayne and I to flinch.Hades’ presence is always an aura of either dominance or violence. And this time around it is the two of them with a pinch of livid touch to the brim of it.“I just asked! What the bloody hell is going on here?” He rages.Wayne immediately rushes the bandage to cover my wound before getting on his feet, and standing beside me.“ Alpha Hades, I was only trying to help Luna Jasm—Wayne find his entire body pushed and tossed to the ground before he can finish his words.I gasp.“Get away from my wife you pig!” Hades spits.I get on my feet and step in front of Wayne before Hades’ can try and harm him in an unthinkable way again.“Hades stop, please!” I spread out my hands to entirely block his path.“Wayne was truly only helping me to stop my bleeding with—“Be quiet!” Hades hisses. “I do not need any explanation from a shameless and brazen woman like you! You know nothing!” He growls.“What?” My chest tightens.“You heard me!” H
—JASMINE I wake up the hour the Sun has set. I’ve simply lost track of time. My body is exhausted and my limbs are sore, especially in between my legs. Under my feet feels like a nightmare and I feel empty on the inside. I gently sit up and the memory of yesterday with Hades and I seeps into me. I am tired. I honestly never want to relive that moment again. It hurts so bad and this is the second time it is happening to me I really want to be done with this marriage and everything in it The door to my room echoes Enora’s familiar knock, before she opens the door and walks in with a tray of water. “Luna, Jasmine” her voice is soft and gentle, as she sits at the edge of my bed and carefully hands me the warm water. “How do you feel?” She asks I just breathe out a tired sigh, and taking a sip out of the water “Luna Jasmine?” She calls gently again. “You’ve slept for an entire day, I don’t think it’s healthy to keep staying in bed. You’re isolating yourself.” I am too exhaust
—HADES I gently scoop up Alison and cradle her in my hand, carefully walking her away from the pool and back into the house. Her violent trembling is deeply concerning and fills me with worry. Jasmine! Such an irresponsible being and always putting Alison in harm, taking out her frustrations on this innocent woman.“I’m cold” Alison shivers, clutching her arms around her body tighter and walking into the shade of mine.“It’s okay” I say coolly as I finally make it into the house.“Get us a towel immediately!” I thunder the instant we step inside, my voice echoing through the hallway as I swiftly scan the room, my eyes locking onto the startled faces of the servants. "Now!" I emphasize, my urgency prompting them to spring into action, their footsteps hurrying across the floor as they scramble to fetch a towel with all due haste.Enora is the first to approach us with a towel and I immediately place the towel over Alison’s body before taking her to the guest room.“It’s okay now, y
—JASMINE I wake up to meet Maple hospital’s white ceiling above my eyes, and as I slowly sit up,I glance down at my hands, noticing they're covered in band-aids and a bandage wraps around my injured foot. An IV tube trails from my hand, connecting me to a fluid bag suspended above. I wince at how sore my body feels and go on to lie down on my back again.I recall last night and release a heavy sigh.I’m glad my injuries are being treated. If Wayne hadn’t shown up it would’ve been worse for me.I’d rather be here than go back home.I don’t want anything to do with Alison and her two-faced ways.I lay on the bed in silence until a soft knock on the ward room door breaks the silence, and I slowly sit up, my heart beating slightly faster. My mind races with possibilities - who could it be? Hades? I can't shake the thought of him from my mind. With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, I fix my gaze on the door as it creaks open, my eyes straining to see who's on the other side.