You Can Come

Lady Jasmine POV

After tucking Dragana in, I motioned for Beta Artemis to leave. I could say he wanted to linger. The handsome Beta clearly had eyes for Dragana, but I was in no mode to entertain the puppy love he may or may not had. I could tell he was unmated, but I also knew she was not his fated mate. “Perhaps he wants her as a chosen mate”, my Lycan Calipso was rationalizing. Caliphso was a wise creature, up to a point. I had a very close relationship with my Lycan – we trusted one another. However, I knew, as the world knew that nobody should piss her off. Cali, as my father affectionately called her was ruthless and blood thirsty. Once unleashed, there was no stopping her. Nobody, not even the King himself could call her off – he knew that too and it was our little secret. Nobody else knew Cali was uncontrollable.
Walking with Beta Art, I saw him deep in thoughts. “I have a favor to ask, Lady Jasmine”, he said, shadows going over his face. I just nodded, not uttering the word waiting for him to proceed. I could sense and see that this was a difficult conversation – a big favor – a big ask. “I want to come with you, I want to join Dragana”, he said fast – almost as if he did not spit the words out, he’d lack the courage to do so.. “My warriors are more then equipped to protect us, until we reach the neutral lands – from there we will take a plane to Father’s palace”, I said, even though I knew that escorting us was not his intent. However, I wanted him to come out and speak plainly. Averting his gaze, he stopped in the tracks, and went down on one knee. “Princess Jasmine, I humbly ask you allow me to come with Dragana, not escort you out. I am a warrior, I can be of service, I will make my way – just please allow me to come”..
Oh, the puppy is in love I thought to myself, almost feeling sorry for him. “Does your Alpha know?” Is he ok with you leaving? You are his Beta, his second in command, essential for the pack”, I retorted, not wanting to start the conversation on his motivation.. “He does not know – I was going to tell him tonight?”.. “Don’t you mean ASK him???”.. I was not sure how Alpha King will react, but I knew for a fact that he will not be pleased. “Please” he continued pleading, now lifting his head looking at me directly.. “You are in love?”, I simply said.. Look of recognition came over his face, he blushed.. “She is not your fated mate, you know that, right?’, I said.. He went pale and simply nodded. “I still love her, and I want to protect her”.
“Does she know, I asked?”.. “No”, he replied averting his gaze and clenching his jaw… “What if she does not want you??? What if she rejects you?? Are you willing to uproot your whole life on a possibility of MAYBE???”, I said bluntly.. “My family are either married or married with children.. I only have loyalty to Alpha King and the pack for the sake of my love and duty for Roman.. But now.. “.. he trailed off.. “Now that he has found his mate, you feel, this is your chance?”, I said arching my eyebrow. “Lady Jasmine, I am able warrior, I can be an asset to King’s army as well”, he continued.
I was weighing my options. If Dragana wanted him, I was not going to stand in her way. My goal was to help her, to remind her who she is and eventually reveal she was my kin. I wanted to give her freedom she never had and that included a freedom to do what she wanted in her love life, in her life in general. I wanted her to learn, be the powerful being she is, and to be happy. I thought of all years she was without training, without any idea whom and what she is, and about all that dormant power within her. I was looking forward to have her continue our line, the line so powerful and important – yet she had no idea about it.. My thoughts were all over – and I was wondering how to make this the best possible situation for her.. Thinking about it and thinking about taking her to a strange new place in my Kingdom, whether she accepted Beta Art or not, may help with her transition as he will be familiar face. “If Alpha King agrees to let you go, you can come”.. evident sigh of relief washed over him.. “But, I am not making him release you Beta Art – that is on you”.. He nodded still on his knee.. “Now get up, we need to finalize everything and talk to him”, I said walking to the packhouse.