The lost mate
Chapter 62: A new deal

Chapter 62: A new deal

Luna Liana stormed into Alpha Jackson’s office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as she entered without so much as a knock. Jackson’s dark eyes snapped to her, a flash of anger sparking within them as he rose from behind his desk.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Jackson growled, his voice low but seething. "You broke the deal, Liana. I was going to take care of it, and you—"

She cut him off with a sharp glare, stepping closer with an air of command that matched his own Alpha presence. "You failed to handle your end of the bargain, Jackson. That’s why we’re in this situation."

Jackson’s jaw tightened, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "I was going to take care of that half-breed, but you meddled. Now Damien’s all wrapped up in her again, and I’m the one left cleaning up this mess."

Liana’s eyes flashed dangerously as she stepped even closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You think you can pin this on me? You’re the one who didn’t get rid of her in time. And don’t you dare forget, Jackson, the only reason the council isn’t breathing down your neck about your little side business—the trafficking, the illegal slave trading—is because of me." Her words were ice, cutting through the air like a blade.

He knew exactly what she was capable of, and while his temper flared, his survival instincts kicked in.

"You think you can threaten me?" he spat. "You have your secrets, Liana, but don’t think I don’t have mine on you."

Liana’s lips twisted into a cold smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. "Oh, I’m well aware of that. But let’s be very clear—I’ve kept the council off your back all this time. You, Jackson, owe your freedom to me."

Jackson growled under his breath, but the anger in his eyes dimmed slightly as he clenched his fists in frustration. "And now what? We’re supposed to just sit around and let that half-breed and her kid run free? That child—" He cut himself off as Liana’s hand shot out, gripping his neck with surprising strength, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Mind your tongue," she hissed, her nails digging slightly into his skin. "That boy is my grandson. Whether or not he becomes the heir is another matter entirely, but if you so much as touch a hair on his head, I will destroy you." Her words were laced with venom, and Jackson, for the first time, felt a chill crawl down his spine.

Liana’s grip tightened for a second before she released him, shoving him back slightly as she stepped away, her composure returning.

Jackson straightened, rubbing his neck but wisely saying nothing.

"So, what’s the plan now?" He finally asked, his voice less aggressive, more controlled.

Liana smoothed the front of her dress, regaining her icy composure. "We’ll prove Annie is unworthy of Damien," she said, her voice cool and measured. "I’ve already gotten reports from the omegas. Damien and Annie are sleeping separately. There’s distance between them, cracks in their bond. It won’t be hard to widen those cracks and break them completely."

Jackson leant back against his desk, arms crossed, as he processed her words. "And once she’s out of the picture?"

"Once Annie is out of the way," Liana continued smoothly, "Jessica will step in. She’s a strong candidate for Luna, and the pack will accept her far more readily than a half-breed like Annie."

Jackson nodded slowly, the tension in his body easing. "And what about Damien?"

Liana’s eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint in her gaze. "Damien may be stubborn, but he’s not immune to reason. Once he sees Annie as a weakness, he’ll understand that she can’t be his mate. We’ll guide him in the right direction."

Jackson frowned. "And if he doesn’t?"

Liana’s smile turned cold again. "Then we’ll make sure he has no other choice. For now, we need patience. Play along, Jackson."

"And what about the kid ?"

She shot him a sharp look.

"The child will stay with the pack. He is my blood. Jessica does not have to worry about him. In fact, she should be grateful. You know how hard it is for the chosen mates to produce offspring."

Jackson nodded. The true mates had higher chances of producing offspring than chosen mates. And in case Jessica failed to produce offspring, the child would be the next in line to inherit the pack.

"This child will be a blessing to her, even if she doesn’t realise it yet." Liana added.

Jackson exhaled, frustration still simmering beneath the surface, but he knew Liana was right. This game had shifted, and he couldn’t afford to act rashly. Not with her grandson now in the mix.

"All right," he said at last. "I’ll play along—for now. But if this blows up, don’t think for a second that I won’t protect myself."

Liana gave him one final, icy look before turning on her heel. "Just remember, Jackson," she said over her shoulder as she made her way to the door. "I’ve already saved you once. Don’t make me regret it."

And with that, she left, leaving Alpha Jackson to stew in his own bitter frustration.

**********************************

Annie woke to the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through the curtains. The scent of something sweet filled the air, stirring her senses. She blinked, groggy but curious. Blueberries, something warm and familiar. Pancakes?

She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes as the sound of soft laughter reached her ears. Her heart warmed at the sound of Ryan’s giggles mixed with a low, steady voice that could only belong to Damien. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming. Damien in the kitchen? Cooking?

Annie pushed the covers off and padded down the hallway, her bare feet silent against the wooden floor. As she reached the small kitchen, she paused in the doorway, her lips quirking into a smile at the sight before her.

Damien, the Alpha prince himself, was standing at the stove, flipping pancakes with a practiced ease. Next to him, Ryan sat on a stool, gripping a spoon as he stirred a bowl of batter, his face lit up with concentration and joy. Flour dusted the counter, and blueberries dotted the surface.

Annie folded her arms across her chest, leaning against the doorframe as she watched them in quiet amusement. Damien cooking?

Ryan noticed her first, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Mommy! Look! We’re making blueberry pancakes!"

Annie chuckled softly, stepping into the kitchen. "I see that."

Ryan beamed, his small chest puffing out with pride. "Daddy’s teaching me! He knows how to make them really good!"

Annie raised an eyebrow at Damien, who was in the process of flipping another pancake with surprising skill.

"I didn’t know you could cook," she said, her voice laced with playful disbelief.

Damien turned, raising an eyebrow as he held up a perfectly golden pancake on the spatula. "What? You thought I just had servants feed me grapes all day?"

Annie shrugged playfully. "It crossed my mind. Spoiled Alpha prince and all."

"I’m full of surprises," he replied, setting another golden pancake onto the growing stack. "Ryan told me he likes blueberry pancakes, so I thought I’d show him how it’s done."

Annie smiled, a small warmth blossoming in her chest as she watched them together.

Damien turned off the stove, he then placed a pancake on a plate and held it out to her. "Go on. Taste it."

Annie eyed the pancake with mock suspicion before picking it up. She took a bite and froze, the flavors melting in her mouth.

"Well?" Damien asked, leaning forward with an exaggerated look of anticipation.

Annie chewed slowly, pretending to think it over. "Hmm... It’s... It’s... wonderful," she finally admitted.

Damien gave her a triumphant smirk as he slid another pancake onto Ryan’s plate. "Told you."

They settled around the kitchen island, digging into their pancakes. Annie found herself laughing more than she had in a long time, even as flour covered nearly every surface of the kitchen, and Ryan gleefully made a mess with syrup.

Just as Damien was playfully nudging a plate of pancakes her way, a knock echoed from the front door. Damien, without skipping a beat, called out, "Come in!"

Annie’s laughter faded when the door opened, and in walked Luna Liana.