Chapter 8

• After making sure that Jasmine's food has been served, Nicolai excused himself from the dining room, saying he's got an urgent matter that he needs to take care of, but he promised her that he'll be back in time to take her to the hospital.
• Jasmine didn't want him to leave her all alone, but she doesn't even know how to say the words, so all she could do was to helplessly watch him leave.
• Thankfully, there weren't anyone else in the dinning room except for her, and that alone was enough to make her feel a little bit relaxed. The aroma of the food filled the air, causing her stomach to grumble. Since she was already salivating due to the sumptuous meals in front of her, Jasmine hurriedly picked her cutlery and digged into the food.
• While she was busy devouring the dishes in front of her, an unknown voice interrupted her.
• "So you're the one I've been hearing about."
• Jasmine sharply turned to see an unknown lady standing at the door way. She exuded elegance, her refined features and impeccable style commanding attention. Every detail, from her attire to her demeanor, whispered refinement and poise.
• Jasmine swallowed the food in her mouth, confusion written all over her face.
• The lady walked to dining table and took a sit opposite her. She stared at Jasmine for a while, then she scoffed. "I guess there's nothing for me to worry about after all. There really isn't much to see here." She said, adding to Jasmine's confusion.
• "Excuse me?" Jasmine whispered.
• "Wow! You can talk." The lady chuckled. "Words has it that you don't even speak." She added. "Anyways, it's a good thing you can speak, at least you and I can have a little conversation." She smiled.
• Jasmine could already tell that the lady sitting in front of her doesn't mean well at all. "But I don't even know you." She replied.
• "Oh don't worry, you'll find out right now." The lady smirked. "The name's Cruella, and I'm Nicolai's woman."
• Jasmine furrowed her brows in confusion. "What?"
• Cruella's voice seethed with malice as she sneered, "I have no idea why Nicolai brought you to the pack, it's very unlikely of him to bring a whore home, most especially one from another pack!"
• "I'm sorry, but I'm not a whore." Jasmine defended.
• "Really? But that's what everyone calls you. You really should hear the things people say about you." Cruella replied. "Anyways, I have no idea how long Nicolai plans to keep you here, but I've come to warn you to not even dare try to get attached with him because he's mine and mine alone. He'll obviously dump you once he's done with you and your service, and what I expect from you is to quietly leave the same way you came, otherwise there's going to be serious issues between the both of us, and I'm sure you don't want that." She threatened. "Trust me darling, you really wouldn't want to get on my bad side because I can very much be your worst nightmare."
• "I...I have no idea why you've come here to threaten me. You don't even know me, and I have absolutely no idea who you are." Jasmine replied in disbelief.
• "Wow, I'm impressed. You can string together sentences. Who would have thought?'' Cruella replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you need me to spell the words out to you?"
• "Nicolai is mine, and I want you to stay the hell away from him. If he's done using you, then I suggest you leave!" She ordered, then she stood up. "I'll be watching you." She said before leaving.
• Jasmine was super confused about the whole incident. "Nicolai's woman? He has someone else?" She muttered to herself.
• Jasmine shook her head. "Why am I even concerned about all this? It shouldn't bother me if he has another woman. It's not like I'm willing to accept the mate bond. Stephan has definitely thought me a huge lesson about mates, and I shouldn't be surprised if Nicolai has someone else." She said to herself. "But shouldn't he have told me if he had someone else? After all he's My...." She trailed off. "Don't even dare say that word Jasmine. Your top priority should be your baby and no one else.'' She rubbed her belly with so much affection.
• Jasmine heaved a deep breath, she looked at the food, and suddenly she doesn't even feel like eating anymore. She pushed the food aside, stood up from her chair and went back to her room.
• When Nicolai returned, he met the maids clearing the table. He asked about Jasmine, and one replied that Jasmine wasn't there when they came to clear the table.
• "Alright, I'll go see if she's in her room." He said and went upstairs to Jasmine's room.
• "Jasmine, are you in there?" Nicolai asked while gently knocking on her door.
• "Coming." He heard Jasmine's reply from inside, and waited until she came to open the door.
• "Hey, how are you?" Nicolai asked on seeing her.
• "I'm fine, thanks for the meal."
• "It's nothing. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you had enough, for err...you and the baby."
• "Sure.'' Jasmine replied. She wanted to ask him about Cruella, but she decides against it, and thought to just let things be. She doesn't care if he's with Cruella, and since he hasn't mentioned her, she'll just let it be, and if he eventually talks about her and says he's going to reject her, then she'll simply accept her fate and move on with her life. If Stephan's rejection couldn't kill her, why should Nicolai's rejection be any different. Pain is something she's too familiar with.
• "Hey, Jasmine." Nicolai held her arm, bringing her back to reality.
• "Huh?" Jasmine flinched when she felt his touch, and he instantly withdrew his hand.
• "I'm sorry to have startled you, it's just...I've been calling to you for a while, but you seem to be lost in your thought. Is anything the matter? You know you can talk to me about anything."
• Jasmine shook her head. "I'm sorry, nothing's wrong." She lied.
• "Are you sure?" Nicolai asked, and she confirmed that she was okay.
• "Alright then, I'll go put on some new clothes and come get you. It's time to go see the doctor."
• "Alright, just call me when you're done."
• Nicolai turned to leave but she called him, and he stopped dead in his track.
• "Yeah?" He turned to her.
• "Thank you for this, I really appreciate it."
• "It's fine, you don't have to thank me." Nicolai replied, then he went into his room.
• Jasmine slowly closed her door, her back against the wood as she let out a gentle sigh. Nicolai seemed perfect, but she couldn't shake the fear that he might turn out like Stephan; charming at first, then controlling and cruel. She hoped he doesn't turn out to be anything like that devil.