He Told Me to Swim, I Bought the Island

“You all know how much Diana dislikes me being around Aidan.”

The thoughts of others in the Pack flooded in, a clamor of voices. “Aidan, that mate of yours is just too much. Can’t you get a new one? What does she do all day besides being so cold and possessive?”

“Exactly! If Jasmine wanted to steal her position, she wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“You’re the Alpha of the Amberwood Pack. She should be on her knees thanking the Moon Goddess for becoming your mate. What’s with all the tantrums?”

“Aidan, you need a mate from a noble bloodline. Someone from a backwater pack like her is beneath you.”

“Can’t you be a bit tougher? Is the entire Pack supposed to wait for her? Who does she think she is?”

Aidan Amberwood’s voice turned cold. “Diana, stop throwing a fit. We can’t all waste our time waiting for you. Besides, everyone came to the island early today to prepare your birthday party. Can’t you be a little more understanding?”

I asked softly, “Then how do I get to the island?”

From the other end of the link, Jasmine’s voice was all delicate innocence. “I heard your mate has a very strong body. How about swimming across the channel to the island? That short distance should be nothing for her, right?”

Aidan Amberwood let out a soft chuckle. “You’re a devious one,” he chuckled softly, before his voice turned to ice in the link. “Just swim over. Don’t you have to do endurance training every day anyway? Consider this your daily drill.”

“We’ll be waiting for you on the island. Don’t be late and make my Pack wait.” With that, he cut the connection.

In the Pack-Link, they were still reveling—selfies on the new yacht, celebrating with mead, images of everyone in their light party attire. And there was a picture of Jasmine standing at the helm of the yacht, with Aidan behind her, his palm on the small of her back, guiding her as she steered it for the first time.

Ten minutes later, Jasmine sent a message in the link: “Whoever secretly recorded that, delete it now! This will only cause trouble if Diana sees it.”

“Then she’ll just go crying to Aidan again. Honestly, you guys… she’s just not like us. She can’t take a joke. You know Aidan and I are innocent, but she might twist it.”

Then she sent a private message to me. “Diana, please don’t misunderstand. That picture was just a matter of angles. Aidan was only teaching me how to steer a yacht. It’s all my fault for being curious and wanting to learn.”

Now I finally understood what a master manipulator looked like.

I sent back a nonchalant thought. “It’s fine. If you don’t mind being tainted by another she-wolf’s Alpha, why should I care? It’s no skin off my back.”

The moment my words appeared, a dead silence fell over the link. Then, Aidan’s thoughts exploded like a clap of thunder, his rage irrepressible. “Diana, how could you say something so vile? Have you no decency?”

“Jasmine and I are just friends! I was only teaching her how to handle the yacht. Everyone was learning seriously. Only a filthy mind like yours would twist it into something ugly. What do you mean, tainted?”

“Apologize to Jasmine. Right now.”

“Do you have any idea how hurtful your words are? Jasmine is pale and shaking. Your words have completely rattled her. I never thought you could be so vulgar.”

“I am so disappointed in you.”

Aidan’s thoughts were public, and his Pack members joined in, attacking me. “Diana, are you sick? What right do you have to talk about Jasmine like that? A she-wolf like you isn’t even worthy of licking Jasmine’s paws.”

“And to think the Alpha invited us all to celebrate with you. What a thankless bitch.”

I sneered. “Celebrate with me? The yacht is named after Jasmine. Don’t try to disgust me with that lie.”