fanqie novel
Chapter 13
Jasper’s POV
It’s been years since Daphne screamed that she rejected me as her mate and Alpha in front of the whole pack. Yet, her voice still echoed in my head like a relentless ghost, haunting me every single night. And to think I had a chance, even after everything. I was arrogant.
I waited for her at my father’s office, heart racing, rehearsing every word I would say to make things right. Maybe if I just explained, she’d understand. But she coldly shut me down. I made a few more attempts, and every time, it was a failure.
And, seeing Damon hang around her after she rejected me was its own form of punishment. He was always nearby, a shadow of everything I should’ve been for her. At first, I convinced myself it was nothing. He was a high–ranking wolf, after all. But the way he looked at her–it wasn’t just professional. It was longing, and she didn’t push him away. She never pushed him away. It hurt to see the woman who was meant to be mine slowly slipping through my fingers, even though I had already lost her.
The worst moment was when I caught Briana hurling Daphne insults. It was like I was being slapped by my stupidity. I tried to win her back again, but I was turned down before I could even speak to her. Then, I saw them–Damon and Daphne–outside the training grounds. He was laughing, leaning in a little too close, and she… she was smiling, relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen in years. It was a smile that had once should have been mine, and Damon earned it without breaking a
sweat.
I could only watch, rooted to the spot. That should’ve been me. I should’ve been the one she smiled at, the one she trained with, the one she leaned on. But I wasn’t. I blew my chance the moment I put Briana first. And having to watch another man flirt with Daphne was like having salt rubbed into a wound that would never heal.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
1 was a mess for the following months since she left. I had no idea what to do with my life. That was when we received a request from the
Jasper’s POV
It’s been years since Daphne screamed that she rejected me as her mate and Alpha in front of the whole pack. Yet, her voice still echoed in my head like a relentless ghost, haunting me every single night. And to think I had a chance, even after everything. I was arrogant.
I waited for her at my father’s office, heart racing, rehearsing every word I would say to make things right. Maybe if I just explained, she’d understand. But she coldly shut me down. I made a few more attempts, and every time, it was a failure.
And, seeing Damon hang around her after she rejected me was its own form of punishment. He was always nearby, a shadow of everything I should’ve been for her. At first, I convinced myself it was nothing. He was a high–ranking wolf, after all. But the way he looked at her—it wasn’t just professional. It was longing, and she didn’t push him away. She never pushed him away. It hurt to see the woman who was meant to be mine slowly slipping through my fingers, even though I had already lost her.
The worst moment was when I caught Briana hurling Daphne insults. It was like I was being slapped by my stupidity. I tried to win her back again, but I was turned down before I could even speak to her. Then, I saw them—Damon and Daphne–outside the training grounds. He was laughing, leaning in a little too close, and she… she was smiling, relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen in years. It was a smile that had once should have been mine, and Damon earned it without breaking a sweat.
I could only watch, rooted to the spot. That should’ve been me. I should’ve been the one she smiled at, the one she trained with, the one she leaned on. But I wasn’t. I blew my chance the moment I put Briana first. And having to watch another man flirt with Daphne was like having salt rubbed into a wound that would never heal.
I was a mess for the following months since she left. I had no idea what to do with my life. That was when we received a request from the knights to mobilize. I picked a random territory to help, not thinking I would meet Daphne again in such a chaotic way.
Damon’s team handled most of the heavy lifting, but when I saw Daphne fighting off a dozen rogues to protect the survivors, something snapped inside me. I couldn’t stand by and let her get hurt. I didn’t think twice. I charged in, took down the rogue lunging at her, and stood by her side. For a moment, as we fought together, I felt the bond we once shared flicker between us. It was like old times.
But then, as we stumbled back into safety, my heart pounded for a different reason. The words were right there.
‘I’m sorry. I love you. Please, give me a chance.‘
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I looked at her, bruised but still standing strong, and I realized I was a coward. I couldn’t bring myself to ask for a second chance, even though I wanted to. I
chickened out, yet again, just like I did when I let Briana come between us.
Now, at present, I found myself at the palace, visiting Jake. I’d stayed away from Daphne, mostly for my own sanity. But fate was cruel, and when I arrived, I saw her again—this time in the arms of Damon. From a distance, I watched them laughing together, heads close as if the world around them didn’t matter.
She was happy. Truly happy. Damon wasn’t just her mate. He was the other half of her soul. He treated her with the respect I should‘ ve shown her from the start. And it burned–a slow, gnawing ache that settled deep in my chest. I couldn’t look away. Part of me dreamed I was that man beside her, while another part of me knew this was what I deserved.
Jake caught me watching them. He had that knowing look in his eyes, like he could see straight through me, past the facade I’d built up since Daphne walked away. He didn’t say much, just rested a hand on my shoulder and asked, “You alright, man?”
The words hung in the air between us. I forced a smile, though it felt hollow. “I’m fine,” I lied, the taste bitter on my tongue.
As Jake led me into the palace, my heart ached with the weight of everything I had lost.