The Alpha's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 687

Chapter 687: THE LOCKED WOLF

The dining chamber was quiet in a way that felt intentional.

Not empty.

Not cold. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

But reverent.

A long oval table carved from pale wood sat beneath a ceiling of softly glowing stone. Vines threaded gently along the walls, blooming with small white flowers that released a faint, calming scent.

Lanterns of crystal hovered above the table, casting a warm golden light that made everything feel... safe.

I was not used to safe.

I sat across from Aiden, my hands resting on my stomach, fingers unconsciously circling slow patterns as servants moved silently around us.

They placed plates before me, food I had always seen but rarely ate. Roasted meats glazed with herbs, soft bread that smelled like honey and grain, bowls of steaming vegetables kissed with spices that made my mouth water despite myself.

Aiden watched me carefully as I picked up my fork.

"Do you like it?" he asked gently.

I took a small bite, chewed slowly.

"It’s... okay," I said honestly.

Not because it wasn’t good, it was, but because my chest felt too tight to enjoy anything fully.

The hunger had all of a sudden disappeared.

He smiled faintly, not offended. "You sound exactly like your mother when she was overwhelmed."

My grip on the fork tightened.

I swallowed.

"I didn’t come here just to eat," I said quietly.

"I know," he replied just as softly.

Silence stretched between us for a moment, thick with all the things I didn’t know how to say.

Then I lifted my head. "When can I go back for Otto?"

Aiden blinked, clearly not expecting that so soon.

"Otto?" he repeated.

"Yes," I said, a little sharper than intended. "My friend. The one your people... weren’t exactly kind to."

His brows drew together immediately. "They hurt him?"

"They chained him in silver," I said flatly. "He was screaming."

Something dark flashed across Aiden’s face. Anger, sharp and fast.

"I’m sorry," he said at once. "That should not have happened. He was perceived as a threat, but that does not excuse cruelty."

I exhaled slowly. "I just want to bring him here. He doesn’t deserve to be left alone. He saved my life more times than I can count."

Aiden nodded once. "He will be fine back in the other world. I gave strict orders. No harm will come to him."

That didn’t fully soothe me, but I nodded anyway.

Then his gaze dropped briefly, deliberately to my stomach.

"And this Otto..." he said carefully. "Is he the father of my grandchild?"

"What?" I blurted, choking slightly. "No. No, absolutely not."

He raised a brow. "You sound very certain."

"Because I am," I said quickly. "We don’t have that kind of relationship. He’s just he’s my friend. A very close one."

"A friend who stayed," Aiden observed.

I paused.

"Yes," I admitted quietly. "When I had no one. When everyone else either betrayed me or wanted me dead."

Something softened in his expression.

"And the father?" he asked. "I expect that these are qualities he would posses."

My jaw tightened.

"I don’t want to talk about that."

The temperature in the room seemed to dip just slightly.

"If he hurt you Jasmine I swear...." Aiden began, voice turning dangerous.

"No," I cut in firmly. "He didn’t. And I don’t want you dealing with anyone on my behalf."

"I came here to survive."

He stilled.

"I need to know how to shift," I said. "I need to know how to save my child."

Aiden’s gaze sharpened.

"And that is what I would like to explain to you. You are not unshifted," he said firmly.

I blinked. "What?"

"The powerful wolves here have already sensed it," he explained. "You have a wolf. Your mother was a fierce wolf and so am I. Why would you be unshifted."

My heart pounded violently. "Then why can’t I feel it?"

"Because it is locked," he said.

The word echoed in my mind.

Locked.

"What does that mean?" I whispered.

"It means," he said gravely, "that your royal blood suppressed your other powers. Blood like yours carries immense weight. It presses down on everything else."

"But," he continued, voice darkening, "someone interfered. Someone sealed your wolf deliberately."

My stomach churned.

"Why?" I asked hoarsely.

"To weaken you," he replied. "To make you suffer. To ensure you would never claim what was yours."

My hands shook.

"The prophecy could never be wrong," Aiden said softly. "You are powerful, Jasmine. Far more than you know."

I stared at him, the weight of his words crashing over me.

Someone had done this to me.

This revelation made me furious.

I had had enemies even before I was born