17. Jesse

SEVENTEEN

JESSE

I curled my fists by my sides, my patience running thin as I waited for Ophelia to finally reveal herself. Every rustling leaf and snapping twig amplified the tension in the air as I could hear her moving stealthily through the dense forest. Finally, I saw her, and I was immediately struck by how different she looked. Her wild eyes bore into mine, and her mood hung in the air like a heavy cloud of doom. She was not in a good place, and that was written all over her. This would not be good.

“So, you’re here.” She shrugged and smirked. “I knew you would come. You can’t seem to keep away from me, can you?”

I rolled my eyes. “You told me to come. You knew I was coming.”

“For me,” she murmured as she circled around me. “Everything you do is for me.”

This was getting ridiculous. “Ophelia, until recently I haven’t seen you for years. I’ve had a life since then. I was married…”

“Because you had to be,” she snorted. “Because you wanted a baby and couldn’t have one with me. But I don’t want a baby, so we need to get rid of that girl.”

My God, she was really trying everything, wasn’t she? Giving me her all. Threatening Marie, trying to get rid of Belle… It was like she didn’t know me at all. I wanted to scream and yell about all of this, but I didn’t have any words. I wasn’t sure what to say, but I knew I had to tread carefully.

“Ophelia, what the hell are we doing here?” I threw my hands in the air in frustration. “Can we just get to the bottom of this now?”

“Jesse,” she hissed, her voice laced with desperation and a hint of madness. But thankfully it seemed like she might be telling me what I need to hear now. “You have two choices. Become my mate and let me take the place of Alpha Female or lose Marie for good.”

The weight of her words pressed down on me, and for a moment, I felt as though the world had come crashing down around me. I had known that Ophelia was dangerous, but I had never anticipated the depth of her obsession or the lengths she would go to achieve her desires. Wow, I didn’t think I was coming here for that .

“Ophelia, why don’t you go back to New York? Back to your pack.”

“My pack is no more.”

I knew because I’d heard her talking, but I was going to act like I didn’t know a thing. “Because of Hunters? That’s what rumors say.”

Her eyes flashed angrily. “You have heard rumors? Because they aren’t all true.”

“So, what is true? Please, help me understand. Explain it to me.”

“You don’t understand,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’ve lost everything, Jesse. My pack, my status, my future. I can’t go back to being a lone wolf. I need this, and I’ll do anything to get it. I want you . I have always wanted you. You were the one, right from the very start. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

My gaze flickered to Marie, who was now free from the ropes that had bound her. She stood there, a silent but resolute presence, her eyes locked on mine. I could see the fear in her eyes, but also the unyielding spirit that had drawn me to her in the first place.

I took a step closer to Ophelia, my voice low and filled with a dangerous edge. “You’ve lost your mind, Ophelia. I’ll never become your mate, and I’ll certainly never let you harm Marie.”

Ophelia’s face contorted with a mixture of anger and frustration, and for a moment, I feared that she might lash out. But then, something shifted in her expression, and she seemed to crumble under the weight of her own desperation. “I haven’t lost my mind. I just want you.”

I shook my head, struggling to comprehend the depths of her obsession. “What you’re asking for is impossible, Ophelia. Even if I were to give in to your demands, it would never bring back what you’ve lost. You can’t force someone to love you. We were young back then. We thought that each other was ‘the one’ but we were foolish. Life has shown me that now and I’m sure it’s shown you the same as well.”

As I spoke, I could see the tears welling up in Ophelia’s eyes, and I realized that her desperation had driven her to the brink of madness. But no matter how much I sympathized with her pain, I couldn’t let her manipulate me or put Marie in danger. I couldn’t let her speak about my daughter in the way she did.

“Ophelia, listen to me,” I said firmly, my voice unwavering despite the intensity of the situation. “We can’t be together. It’s over between us.”

Ophelia’s eyes filled with desperation as she pleaded, her words laced with a sense of urgency. “Jesse, you can’t do this to me. We’re meant to be together, destined by fate.”

I shook my head, my resolve firm. “No, Ophelia. Our past is just that–the past. Things have changed, and I can’t be with you. It’s not what I want, and it’s not what’s best for me, Marie, or Belle. I keep trying to tell you this. I don’t know why you can’t hear me when I say that.”

Her pleas grew more frantic, and her eyes welled up with tears. “Please, Jesse, don’t leave me alone. I need you. We can make it work. I’ll do anything.”

I knew I had to stand my ground, for Marie, for my daughter, and for our safety. “Ophelia, it’s time to let go. This isn’t healthy for either of us and I can’t stay with you. It’s over.” I turned my gaze back to Marie, my heart aching for her. “Marie, we’re getting out of here. It’s time to end this.”

With renewed determination, I took a step toward Marie, past Ophelia, ready to confront whatever madness she might unleash in her desperate bid to make me her mate. But I knew one thing for certain–I would do whatever it took to protect Marie and ensure that Ophelia’s reign of terror came to an end.

My gaze remained fixed on Ophelia as I walked, her face a contorted mask of desperation and madness. But the sadness in her face halted me in my tracks for just a second. There was a time when I loved and cared about her. If I could help her so this didn’t happen to anyone else, I would.

“Ophelia,” I began, my voice filled with a mixture of anger and sorrow, “you need help. Whatever has driven you to this point, it’s clear that you’re not thinking rationally.”

Ophelia’s eyes flickered with a momentary spark of vulnerability, but it was quickly replaced by defiance. She shook her head, her words coming out in a frantic rush. “You don’t understand, Jesse. I had to do it. They were going to cast me out. I couldn’t go back to being a lone wolf.”

I felt a deep sense of sadness for Ophelia, recognizing the desperation that had driven her to commit such a heinous act. But her actions had consequences, and I couldn’t ignore the magnitude of her betrayal.

“Betraying your pack, Ophelia,” I said, my voice firm and unwavering, “that’s an unforgivable act. You’re a kinslayer.”

The weight of those words hung heavy in the air, and Ophelia’s eyes widened with a mix of shock and realization. She had been so consumed by her obsession with me and her desire for power that she hadn’t fully grasped the gravity of her actions.

“I had no choice,” she muttered, her voice trembling.

“You always had a choice,” I replied, my tone unyielding. “You could have sought help, talked to your pack, found another path. But you chose to betray them, and now you have to face the consequences.”

Ophelia’s shoulders slumped, and for a moment, she looked defeated. It was clear that the reality of her actions was sinking in, and she was beginning to understand the depths of her betrayal.

I turned my attention back to Marie, who had been silently watching the confrontation unfold. Her eyes met mine, and I could see the fear and relief in her gaze. We were both aware that this was far from over and that Ophelia’s desperation made her unpredictable and dangerous. I wanted her to believe this was done, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

I nodded toward the Range Rover, which thankfully Lissa had brought with her and turned back to Ophelia. Whatever it took, I was determined to ensure that justice was served, not only for the sake of Ophelia’s victims but also for the sake of the woman I loved.

However, Ophelia was quick to react. She saw my nod and snapped. With a feral snarl, she launched herself at Marie, catching Lissa off guard as she tried to run interference. In a blur of motion, Ophelia knocked Lissa out temporarily, causing her to shift back into human form and slump to the ground.

Marie, on the other hand, managed to reach the shelter of the Range Rover just in time. She scrambled inside, probably surging forward with fear and adrenaline. I could see her frantic movements as she searched for something, likely the car keys.

I couldn’t waste any more time with Ophelia. She was dangerous, and I needed to ensure that no one else got hurt. Ophelia had made the one choice I didn’t want to make for me. With a determined growl, I lunged at Ophelia, aiming to distract her and buy Marie the time she needed to start the vehicle.

Ophelia and I clashed, our bodies colliding with a resounding impact. It was a fierce battle, with claws and teeth bared as we fought for dominance. Despite Ophelia’s desperation, she possessed considerable strength and skill, making her a formidable opponent. But all I knew for sure was that I couldn’t let her get to Marie. I had to protect the woman I loved at all costs. With every ounce of strength and determination, I fought to keep Ophelia occupied and away from the Range Rover.

Inside the vehicle, Marie’s hands shook as she finally located the car keys. She inserted them into the ignition and turned the engine on. The roar of the Range Rover’s powerful engine filled the air, drowning out the sounds of our struggle.

With the vehicle running, Marie wasted no time. She slammed her foot on the gas pedal and sped away from the chaotic scene, leaving Ophelia and me behind in the dust.

I knew Ophelia wouldn’t give up easily, and our confrontation was far from over. But for now, Marie was safe, and that was all that mattered. As the Range Rover disappeared into the distance, I braced myself for the next phase of our battle with Ophelia, determined to bring her to justice and put an end to the threat she posed.

The rest of the Pack had joined the fray, their presence forming a protective circle around Ophelia and me. I could feel their unwavering support and solidarity, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this difficult moment.

Ophelia’s desperation had escalated, and she now stood at the center of our group, her eyes darting between the wolves who surrounded her. She seemed torn between her desires and the realization that the pack was united against her.

Ed, my most trusted friend and second in command, stepped forward, his imposing figure making it clear that we meant business. “Ophelia, it’s time to let this go. Jesse’s made his decision, and you need to respect that.”

She turned to Ed, her face contorted with a mix of anger and sorrow. “You don’t understand. We’re meant to be together. It’s destiny.”

But Big Ed was unwavering. “Destiny doesn’t give anyone the right to hurt or threaten others. It’s time to move on. Whatever you’ve done, we can let it all go if you just leave and choose a better path. This isn’t the way forward for you.”

The tension in the air was palpable, and I prayed that Ophelia would finally see reason and choose a different path.

“No,” she snarled back. “I don’t want to explain myself to you. You wouldn’t understand true love.”

“I’m married,” Big Ed sneered.

“So then, you should understand.”

“I’m married to someone who actually wants to be with me, Ophelia. That’s the difference, here. I didn’t force anyone into anything.”

I quickly assessed the situation and knew I had to confront Ophelia alone. She was unpredictable and dangerous, and I didn’t want any of my pack members to get hurt in the process. They didn’t want to go, but they had to.

“Ed, take Lissa and get everyone to safety,” I commanded, my voice firm and resolute. He couldn’t ignore a command like this from his alpha, however much he might want to. “Find Marie, as well. I need to know that she’s safe.”

As the pack members rushed to assist Lissa, I turned my full attention back to Ophelia. She was a formidable adversary, fueled by desperation and irrationality. Our previous relationship added an extra layer of complexity to the situation, but I couldn’t let that cloud my judgment. Ophelia was a kinslayer, and she posed a grave threat not only to our Pack but to anyone who crossed her path. She was a killer, and she didn’t show any sign of slowing down. No other hiker needed to cross paths with her and end up dead.

I squared my shoulders and approached Ophelia with a determined stride. Her eyes were wild and filled with a manic intensity as she sized me up. Her obsession with me had driven her to commit unspeakable acts, and I knew that I had to put an end to her reign of terror.

“Ophelia,” I said firmly, locking eyes with her, “you need help. What you’ve done is unforgivable, and there’s no going back. But if you surrender now, we can get you the help you need. You don’t have to continue down this path of destruction. You don’t have to keep killing. None of this needs to keep happening.”

Ophelia’s response was a low growl, and she crouched, preparing to launch herself at me once more. She extended her claws and bared her teeth in a feral snarl. She seemed beyond reason, lost in a world of her own making.

I braced myself for another confrontation with Ophelia, knowing that this time, it might be the final showdown. The safety of our Pack and the people we cared about depended on me putting an end to her rampage. Once and for all.