How To Lose Your Billionaire Alpha Husband In 365 Days (Or Less)!-Chapter 40: Acute Body Stress...

AIDEN’S POV

"Jasmine!"

She fell suddenly, as if something snapped inside her, but I managed to catch her before she hit the ground. Her skin felt like ice, her breath was shallow, and her body shook in my arms like she had just touched something electrifying.

Chaos erupted behind me.

Gasps. Whispers. Murmurs like storm winds tearing through silk.

"Move!" I barked. "Someone get a healer. Now!"

The host, Alpha Roderick from Silverthorn, stepped forward, raising his hand to quiet the other guest around him. His powerful voice echoed through the room.

"Everyone, remain calm. The Luna has merely taken ill. My healers are already en route."

"She wasn’t ill until he touched her," I growled, my eyes zeroing in on Marcus Kane.

Marcus stood a few feet away, arms crossed, gaze impassive, but his smugness was gone.

"What did you do to her?" I demanded in a low and deadly voice.

"I danced with her," Marcus said, spreading his hands. "You saw it yourself."

"That’s not all you did," I took a threatening step forward. "You said something."

He met my eyes coolly. "She asked questions. I answered. Don’t blame me because your Luna is fragile."

I saw red. "Call her fragile again, and I’ll rip your tongue out and feed it to your wolves."

Marcellus stepped between us. "Enough. This is not the place for bloodshed."

I snarled, stepping forward.

"Alpha," Elena appeared at my side, her hand reaching out like she had any right.

I spun on her. "Back. Off."

She flinched. "I’m just—"

"Don’t say it," I snapped. "Just stay away."

My wolf growled in approval. "She’s ours. Ours to protect. To tear them apart for if they ever touch her again."

"Easy, Ace. Later."

"No. Now. They saw her fall. They saw us break. She is mine. Ours."

"She’s unconscious, and I need you focused, not feral."

I turned away from the two of them, ignoring Marcus’s smug stare and Elena’s wide-eyed silence. Jasmine needed me. Not revenge. Not politics. Her.

Roderick stepped closer. "Bring her this way. The guest suite is quiet and private. My healer will meet us there."

I nodded tightly. "Thank you."

—

Jasmine lay still on the velvet-sheeted bed, her skin pale against the dark blue of the guest room.

The healer, a woman named Sera with sun-kissed hair and wise eyes, worked quickly, checking her pulse, whispering over her, and running fingers aglow with golden energy along her limbs.

"She’s under acute body stress," Sera said, finally stepping back. "Whatever she experienced, it shocked her system. Her bond is... strained, not broken. And her scar is pulsing with residual power."

"Scar?" I asked. "What kind of power?"

Sera frowned. "Not one I’ve seen in years. Alpha, she needs rest. Tonight. Don’t force answers before her body can recover."

I clenched my jaw. "I’m taking her home."

Sera nodded, gathering her tools. "Do that. But gently. I’ve placed her in a deep sleep to allow her body to relax."

I stepped into the hallway and pulled out my phone.

"Kaiden," I said the second he picked up, "get Alara to the mansion. Now."

"Alara?"

"Yeah, Jasmine is ill."

"What happened to—"

"Just do it. I’ll explain when I get there."

"Understood, Alpha."

I hung up and turned back to Roderick, who waited by the suite doors.

"My deepest thanks," I said.

Roderick clapped my shoulder. "You stayed calm, even if it was close. That really matters. Just be safe, Aiden."

—

I carried Jasmine bridal-style out to the car. The night air kissed her cheeks, but she didn’t stir.

"I’ve got you," I murmured, more to myself than her. "You’re safe now, sweetheart."

Her head lolled softly against my chest, and something sharp lodged in my throat.

I laid her in the backseat, then slid in beside her, gently lifting her head to rest in my lap. My fingers brushed her hair aside. She looked... peaceful and exhausted.

"You should’ve broken something in him."

"That wouldn’t have helped her."

"He knows something. There was something in the way he looked at her..."

"I know. And whatever it is, I don’t think she’s ready for it."

My fingers brushed along the line of her jaw.

"She’s not ready for the truth," I whispered aloud. "But it’s coming."

—

When we arrived, Kaiden was already waiting outside the mansion, dressed down in a black hoodie and dark jeans. His expression darkened when he saw Jasmine.

"Alpha—"

"She passed out. Magical overload or something. Alara’s on her way?"

"Ten minutes out."

"Good. Come in."

I carried her upstairs. My room was dim, the windows open, and the scent of cedar and fresh linen in the air.

I laid her on the bed like she might break—so gently it hurt.

Kaiden lingered in the doorway. "Do I need to increase security?"

"Triple it. Anyone who comes near this property without clearance, shoot first, ask after."

He gave a tight nod and vanished.

Jasmine still hadn’t stirred. Her lips were parted slightly, chest rising and falling slowly. Her gown was exquisite—but far too tight to sleep in.

I hesitated.

She needs rest. Help her. Carefully.

"I know," I muttered hoarsely.

I carefully started to unfasten the hidden clasps on her dress. I tried not to look at her breasts as the velvet slipped down her shoulders, but... gods.

She wasn’t just beautiful. She was lethal in the way beauty becomes when you know you can never own it, only hope to be chosen by it.

I swallowed hard, refusing to let my hands shake.

Once she was free of the gown, I pulled one of my shirts over her. It hung loose, brushing her knees.

"I’ve always wanted to see you in one of these," I whispered, brushing a knuckle down her cheek.

Alara arrived moments later, her aura already glowing with moonlight. Her eyes scanned Jasmine and narrowed with concern.

"She’s been touched by prophecy," Alara murmured. "That scar... It’s not dormant anymore."

"Tell me what’s happening."

"Not yet." She glanced at me. "You’re running on fumes. Your bond’s flaring like wildfire. Get some rest, Alpha."

"I need—"

"You need to be whole when she wakes. Tomorrow. We’ll talk then."

I nodded reluctantly. "Thank you, Alara."

She bowed slightly. "Goodnight, Alpha."

Once the door shut, I exhaled and turned back to the bed.

Jasmine slept still, brow slightly furrowed.

I walked to the bathroom, took off my clothes, and stepped under the cold shower. The shock of the cold brought me back to reality, reminding me that I was human, not just filled with anger and instinct.

When I returned, I put on some soft black sweatpants and a loose shirt. I climbed into bed next to her and tucked the comforter around us both.

She didn’t wake up as I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close, but I could feel her body relax just a bit.

Her head fit beneath my chin. Her breath warmed my throat. And for the first time in hours, my heartbeat began to settle.

Mine.

Yes.

Mate.

Ours.

I closed my eyes.

She didn’t just unravel me.

She made me want to be better, to fight harder, to give her the world—even when it tried to take her from me.

I held her tighter.

And I swore to the gods—no one would ever touch her again.