The Newbreeder

Chapter 32

Amaya

We put the shifter and the others we had been able to detain in one of the holding cells, hoping that when Christian came, he would be able to get information out of him. I sent the guards to get some rest while Jordan and I talked with Jasper and the others. Jordan and I followed Jasper, Elijah, and Jacob to what used to be Jasper's father's office. Jasper went behind the desk, and Jordan and I stood in front of it, waiting for him to start talking.

Jasper looked different. I knew it had only been three months — I, myself, felt different — but there was something heavy in the way Jasper looked. His once-sparkling eyes were dull, and a five o'clock shadow aged him. He didn't seem to sleep much.

"What is the importance of the wolf that's in my cell right now?" Jasper asked. I don't think he had looked at Jordan once since we'd entered the room.

"He has—" Jordan started.

"I was talking to Amaya," Jasper said, staring down Jordan. I was taken aback by his tone. Jasper sounded jealous for no reason. I was no longer his mate or his wife; Jordan was also a friend and nothing more.

I stepped slightly in front of Jordan to get Jasper's attention. Jasper turned his head and stared at me. "He has important information that we need to get to someone," I told him, leaving no room for questioning in my voice.

"Who?" Jasper asked, seeming worried.

"We can't tell you," Jordan said, looking Jasper in the eye as if challenging him. Jordan the warrior, challenging Jasper the Alpha — a disaster in the making.

"What did you say?" Jasper demanded, rising from his chair. Jacob and Elijah began to move closer.

"I said it is classified, and a civilian doesn't need to know," Jordan said, staying where he stood.

"I am the Alpha of the strongest pack, and you will treat me as such before I show you how much of a civilian I am," Jasper said, truly upset now.

"That may have meant something when you were mated to the princess, but now you are just a sad excuse for an alpha," Jordan replied, shrugging as if everyone already knew.

Jasper used his shifter speed to get in front of Jordan's face, but I was quicker and moved between the two men. Jasper's eyes turned a bright hazel while Jordan's became a bright brown. The toxic masculinity swirling between them made me feel sick.

"Jordan, stand down. Now!" I ordered. His eyes returned to their normal color, and he looked down at me. I had used my commander's authority to snap him out of his anger.

"Go check on the others and prepare for bed. Now!" I commanded. Jordan gave Jasper one last look before leaving the room. Once the door closed, I turned to Jasper, furious. I was so close to him that I was an inch from his chest. I had to crane my neck up to meet his gaze, but that didn't make me bow.

"What the hell was that? You provoked him for what, dominance?" I yelled. Jasper lowered his head and stared at me. He didn't say anything, just looked. I felt familiar feelings returning: the need for him to be touching me, the pull of his scent, the residue of being his mate.

"Elijah and Jacob, give us the room," Jasper said. I looked over his shoulder and saw them frozen in their spots.

"Jas, are you—"

"Now," Jasper interrupted Jacob, never taking his eyes off me.

A minute later, they left. Just Jasper and I remained, standing too close. I turned away from him to catch a breath that wasn't shared with him.

"Did you sleep with him?" Jasper asked in a low tone. I spun and looked at him. Not only did he have the audacity to ask, but he also looked hurt.

"No. I haven't slept with him, nor did I plan on it," I stated. He dropped his shoulders in relief.

"Is that why you were an ass to him?" I asked.

"Yes. I was an ass to him because I thought you slept with him. I was upset that you came running into my pack from what I can only imagine was danger. Then I hear you came with a warrior who smells like you, like he's intimately had you. And lastly, he's acting like your own personal bodyguard, reminding me that I no longer know you on an intimate level. Princess," he said. I could tell he was fighting the urge to come up to me — to hold me — just like I was with him.

"I actually prefer Commander to Princess," I joked as I took a single step forward. Jasper had turned his back and walked to his desk, leaning against it as I continued. "First, Jordan is under my command, so if you have a problem with him, come to me. That goes for everyone under my command. Secondly, Jordan is my sparring partner and has been for a while. We work well together; it makes sense that my scent is on him. He is also not the first or only person who will act protective over me — I am a princess and a commander. My positions come with security." I watched as he absorbed these facts.

Jasper opened his mouth to say something when the door opened. I turned to see Chloe enter, looking every bit her new status — a powerful Luna. She wore a black, floor-length cocktail dress with long sleeves, her hair pulled into a perfect ponytail, and her makeup done to make her look like a goddess. She smiled and walked straight to Jasper, not even acknowledging me. She leaned in to kiss Jasper on the lips, but he turned his head at the last moment. Chloe still kissed his cheek before turning to me with a giant smile.

"Amaya, what a surprise to have you visit our pack," Chloe said, as if addressing a diplomatic visitor rather than the woman whose mate she had just kissed. I controlled my emotions because, in one way or another, I was a diplomatic visitor. I was representing the crown and the guard, so I had to play at her games.

"Thank you for welcoming not only me and my guard but also our prisoner. And just as I was telling Alpha Jasper, we won't be here long." I kept my voice professional; all the media training the palace gave me was coming in handy. Jasper stared at me with a look I couldn't decipher. Chloe started talking before I could think much about it.

"Well, it seems you like to just bring trouble whenever you come here," she said as a joke, laughing to herself. "I hope the rooms are to your liking for you and the guard. I haven't been up to much cleaning lately." She placed her hands on her stomach and held them there as if she were pregnant. I masked my emotions and turned to Jasper, hoping he would deny it, but he just continued to look at the ground.

"I thank you on behalf of all my warriors. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go check on my prisoner." I turned and walked out of the office.

Jasper had changed. The Jasper I knew would never have let Chloe speak for him; he would have corrected her if she insinuated something untrue. He would have fought — unless he had nothing left to fight for.

I went to the building where they held prisoners: rogues, threats to the pack, and anyone else they deemed dangerous. I walked past the cells until I reached the last one that held the only person I needed to talk to. Jordan stood in front of the gate, staring into it with his arms crossed.

"How's the pouting alpha?" he asked without looking up.

"Don't start. What are you doing down here?" I asked.

"I wanted to see what I could get out of him," he answered.

"And?"

"Nothing. He won't even look at me," he said. I turned to see the now-shifted man facing the brick wall. He wore a pair of pants, likely given to him. He had long white hair that reached his shoulders, pale skin, and was muscular for someone who appeared older.

"Who are you?" I asked. Silence.

"What are you planning against the kingdom?" I asked. Silence again.

Jordan turned to me. "He isn't going to tell us anything. Let's go question someone else," he said, starting to walk away.

"The long-lost princess," the man said. He stood and turned to face us; his eyes were grey, and he had a white beard.

"Who are you?" I asked again. He cracked a smile that left me uneasy.

"You fell into your power quickly. A princess Newbreeder. An outcast with a crown." I frowned.

"You don't know anything about me," I said.

"We know more than any of you know. When we attack, it'll be too late for you."

"We?" I questioned. The man turned back to the brick wall, refusing to speak further. Now more than ever, I needed to know what the rogues were planning.