"Jones,", Brandon welcomed gleefully, and a bald man stood up and hugged him, while Jenny hugged a Latina lady around her age. Ashly figured they had to be Jones and Jia Branson. She dragged her eyes away from them to a beautiful girl who bore a spot-on resemblance to Jia Branson. She seemed really happy to see Ashly as she waved at her. Ashly smiled back, regarding and turning her attention to a little boy dressed in a suit, seated next to her, who looked really uninterested, and Ashly felt him. After all, what would a kid like about a dinner where nothing that he considered fun happened? Her eyes then fell upon the one person whom she was so anxiously awaiting. Alex Branson, in all his glory, was seated right next to the kid, and he looked like he would be anywhere but here. He refused to look anywhere except the plate in front of him, but Ashly took note of his jet-black hair and his pale skin before she heard her name being called, and Ashly bowed down to Jones and Jia Branson. Ji

Ashly was good-looking; Alex will admit that. But his heart belonged to a blond-haired beauty whom he wanted to spend his entire life with. Maybe if he had met Ashly before he met Jasmine, everything would have turned out differently. He only hoped that Jasmine was willing to wait for him even after his marriage. He knew what to do; he would get married, yes, but once he was sure that the peace treaty between the packs wouldn't ever be affected, he had to get rid of Ashly. He didn't know how, but he would do it for his love. He didn't even know what was waiting for him at Jasmine Place, and he desperately wished it wasn't a breakup. He didn't know if he could take it. It would kill him if Jasmine ever left him. He soon reached the destination of his choice. He shifted back as his bones popped back into their original places. Jasmine's room was on the ground floor, and her room had a balcony that led right to the forest. Alex's feet carried her through the familiar path; he walked car

"What the hell, Alex?" His sister's voice boomed through the emptiness of his room as soon as she opened the door. "Where the hell have you been?" He groaned, sitting up on the bed. To be honest, he knew this conversation was due. He had returned in the wee hours of the morning from Jasmine Place and sneaked back into the house, being careful not to wake his parents or his sister. He knew Rose was going to lecture him on yesterday's events, and he wasn't really looking forward to it. He had a good time after leaving the Shadow Pack lands and felt at peace after spending the night with Jasmine. He was in a good mood, and he wanted to maintain it that way. "Nowhere,", he replied carelessly. "Nowhere?", she scoffed. "That's funny because I don't remember seeing you at home last night." Alex sighed, avoiding her eyes. "None of your business, Rose." Rose narrowed her gaze. "Did you...Did..." She closed her eyes, irritated. Alex was an even bigger idiot than she initially thought, if he

"Ashly, you look amazing." Monika said, staring at her sister, who was wearing a red, black-striped glittery long dress with a royal black sequined coat over it. She knew when Ashly picked out the dress that she was going to look amazing in it, but actually seeing her all ready for the big event brought tears to her eyes. "Of course, I do." Ashly laughed. "After all, you're the one who did my make-up." She smiled at her teary-eyed sister. She hugged her, gently shaking her head. "I love you, Ashly." "I love you too, Moni." Ashly gently patted her back. She pulled away, smiling at her and blinking away the tears before her makeup could be ruined. "Oh shit." She said as she noticed the time on the table clock in the tent assigned for Ashly in the gardens of Branson Manor. "Mom asked me to give this to someone before 4. It's half over already. Shit. shit." She pointed to the file that contained papers about the two-pack agreement and their peace treaty. "Moni, calm down." Ashly said

Alex wouldn't look at Ashly as he walked past her, down to their bedroom. "I'm going to another country for some packing business." "Of course you are! You always run to your problem, don't you? You spent our whole time outside when you couldn't give an answer. You call things off almost every fucking time when we want to talk to you, and no, that's still not enough time for you? What about Ashly, Alex? What about your mate?" Rose yelled through the tears pouring down her face as she watched her brother pack a bag of clothes quickly. She can hear Ashly sob from outside. "I just need time to think. Jasmine tries to help me sort things out, and I think I should go," Alex said, grabbing his toothbrush and throwing it in his bag. "I'm sorry," Alex mumbled to his sister, quickly walking out of the bedroom and down the hallway, not meeting Ashly's eyes. "Alex, Alex No, don't go; cancel your work; think about Ashly," Rose begged, following Alex down the hallway. "Please. Alex, stay here. T