Chapter 37- Jasmine

Lucien Volkov:

Her shocked expression kept replaying in my head, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Yeah, I know I was acting like a fool.

I had started ruling the kingdom at a young age and had a fair share of women in my life. But I was never a fuckboy and waited patiently for my mate.

For me, Arabella was never my mate. She was only a murderer’s sister, and then she became a murder suspect.

But now, gradually, she was doing something that no other woman had managed to do. She was tearing down every wall I had built around my heart.

The way she responded to my innocent kisses that were never meant to be innocent, I knew she was never touched by a man. After kissing her goodnight, I stayed there staring at her face that grew more crimson with each passing second. It was all the proof I needed that she was still awake.

She was scared of me, and I couldn’t blame her. The last time I brought her to my room, I had to drag her back to the Omega quarters in the presence of everyone.

Due to the rogue attack, the council had decided to postpone the meeting and the gala. But I was still skeptical about that attack.

It was clear that someone from inside the palace was involved. My mother was adamant that it was Arabella, but now I didn’t agree with it anymore.

The girl was here on our twenty-four-seven watch, and it was next to impossible for a girl like her to pull off an attack.

With a sigh, I shifted my attention to the file placed on my desk. I wanted to finish the remaining paperwork as quickly as possible. I couldn’t wait to get back to the hospital and meet... her.

Just when I signed the last document, a knock echoed through my office.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Amy peeked inside, "Hey."

A faint smile tugged at my lips. Thank Goddess, she looked much better now, "Amy," I replied.

She walked in without waiting for an invitation and dropped into the chair opposite my desk, "I’ve heard you’ve buried yourself in work already, along with those hospital visits," she teased me.

I smirked, "Perks of being a king, I guess."

She looked around the office before raising an eyebrow, "Your office is still the same. The way you’ve been busy lately, I swear, Lucien, one day you’ll replace your bed with this desk."

"That’s a good idea, actually. I’ll consider it."

She chuckled at that before silence settled between us. For a moment, she simply studied me as her smile faded into curiosity.

"What is it?" I asked her.

"Can I ask you something..." She hesitated for a moment, avoiding eye contact. I still gestured for her to continue. I knew where this conversation was going.

"It’s about Arabella."

I leaned back into my seat and drummed my fingers against the desk, "What about her? You know her, Amy. I brought her because..."

"No, Lucien," she raised her hand, "Who is she... to you? We all know she is a murderer’s sister. Yet everyone saw how your beast brought her here safely. Mother says you killed a worker in the royal farms..."

Instead of answering, I bit my inner cheek.

"I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable... it was never my intention." She rolled her lips between her teeth, "I know Mum can be unreasonable at times..."

"Come on, Amy. She is always unreasonable. Let’s not go there. As far as Arabella is concerned... I’ve ordered a thorough investigation. Brad is helping me with it. Once I reach somewhere, I’ll bring everything out in the open."

She nodded in understanding, but I could see that tiny trace of worry on her face.

"Lucien..." she said, staring at the edge of the desk, "Are you two involved romantically?"

I didn’t say anything to her. Romantically?

There was no I love you between us. No proper kiss. Though I so wanted to crush those plump lips, but...

"Lucien!" she waved to get my attention.

"No... we’re not romantically involved, Amy..." I said while pausing after every word. But she was my sister, the one who had been closest to me.

"Are you lying, Lucien?"

A muscle ticked in my jaw, "I don’t think I owe you an explanation, Amy."

The words came out colder than I had intended. Amy stared at me for a long second before letting out a quiet sigh, "You’re getting defensive."

I didn’t answer that.

"Why don’t you tell her that Arabella is our mate?" my beast gave a slight nudge, but I suppressed it.

"Every time that girl is mentioned, your guard goes up. You never reacted like this, brother."

"Enough, Amy," I snapped the file shut and set it aside a little harder than intended, "You can leave now."

"Not until you answer me honestly," her voice remained calm.

"I said enough!" I slapped the desk. She looked at me for a few moments and then shook her head.

"Whatever this is... I hope it doesn’t affect Jasmine."

My brows knitted together, "Excuse me?"

"She has been waiting for you for the last two years, Lucien," Amy sighed, "Don’t forget, she’s my friend."

I remained silent. Whatever crap she was uttering had nothing to do with Arabella. Once her innocence was proved, I would send her away, and that would be the end of it. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

"When the time comes..." Amy looked at me, "I’ll stand beside her. Beside Jasmine."

Something inside me snapped as I got up from my seat. I needed to go back to the hospital and be with her.

"Then go ahead," I said, picking up my jacket, "Stand beside her. But nobody decides my future except me," My alpha aura slipped into my voice without me realizing it.

Amy blinked because this was not the answer she was expecting. Whenever she brought up Jasmine, I always teased her or brushed the topic aside. But not today.

"I’m the one who’ll choose who stands beside me. No one else."

Amy was now chewing her lower lip as a bitter smile crossed her face, "What is going on, brother? Is she this important to you?"

Is Arabella important to me? I asked myself.

Hell yeah. She is.

I left my office without another word. Being my favorite sister didn’t mean Amy could meddle in my personal affairs.