When the Sparks Die

Chapter 2

Ashley’s POV

The next day, I managed to leave the office earlier than usual.

At exactly 6:05, I stepped out into the cool evening air, taking in the scent of the forest that surrounded the territory. As I made my way toward the bus stop, a familiar scent hit me—Jared’s. His sleek black SUV was parked at the edge of the lot, and I saw him leaning against it, his piercing eyes tracking my every move.

I gripped the strap of my bag tighter and kept walking, pretending not to notice him. The bus stop was just past the tree line, and if I could make it there, I knew I’d be able to avoid him—at least for now.

“Ashley!” Jared called, his voice carrying through the clearing.

I quickened my pace, my heart racing. I didn’t want to deal with this right now. After everything that had happened the night before, the last thing I needed was to hear his excuses.

I cut across the lawn, knowing he wouldn’t drive through the rough terrain in his prized car.

For the last 24 hours, he had bombarded me with messages on every social media platform, apologizing, begging to explain. He even sent a delivery wolf with two bouquets of roses and a note pleading for me to call him. I ignored every single one.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Jared again. I silenced the call and hurried toward the bus stop.

Just as I reached it, Jared’s SUV roared to life. He revved the engine and tore down the path, slamming into the brick fence that separated the pack office from the street. The front of his car was smashed, but he didn’t stop. He was aiming for the bus.

“Drive! Please, he’s stalking me!” I shouted at the driver as I climbed aboard the bus.

The driver nodded, his eyes wide with alarm, and quickly shut the door just as Jared’s car skidded to a halt beside us. The bus jolted forward, leaving Jared pounding on his car as he watched us speed away.

I sank into my seat, covering my face with my hands. If Jared wanted Sara, he could have her. I was done. No more lies, no more excuses. I was also Tired.

---

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at my apartment complex.

The scent of pine and rain from the nearby woods was stronger here, comforting in a way that nothing else could be right now.

I glanced around nervously, expecting Jared to have followed the bus. We had lost him at the second stop, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t find me.

As I reached the stairs, my stomach dropped. Jared was standing right outside my door, a smirk on his face. His eyes gleamed, and I could sense the faint stir of dominance in the air—his wolf pushing against mine.

“Thought you could outrun me, huh?” his smirk, becoming more pronounced.

“Leave me alone, Jared. Or I’ll—”

“Or you’ll what?” Jared stepped closer, flexing his chest, knowing full well how much it used to affect me. His eyes flickered gold for a moment—his wolf was surfacing, his dominance brushing against mine like a challenge.

I turned away from him, covering my face. “I don’t want to see you.”

Jared’s hand grasped my wrist, pulling it away from my face. “Why weren’t you answering my calls?” His voice was softer now, almost pleading.

“I thought you were busy with work. Or should I say, with Sara?” I tried to sound indifferent, but my voice wavered slightly as I fumbled for my keys.

He towered over me, his wolf stirring in frustration. “About yesterday—”

“I’m not interested,” I cut him off, pushing past him toward my door. “I’ve got work to do.”

Jared blocked my path, positioning himself in front of the keypad to my apartment. “I’m trying to make up for it. Let me explain.”

“Sorry, but birthdays only come once a year. You missed your chance.” I swiped at the keypad, but his hand was already there, preventing me from entering.

“I’m sorry, alright? I got you something.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond bracelet, fastening it around my wrist. The cool metal sent a shiver up my arm, but it did nothing to soothe the anger burning inside me.

“I wanted to take you out for dinner tonight. Make things right.”

I almost considered it. My fridge was practically empty, and the thought of a nice meal was tempting. But the memory of him with Sara—laughing, leaning against her, while I sat alone on my birthday—flashed in my mind.

“Where?” I asked, my voice guarded.

Jared smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s Kimberly’s birthday. You know her. We’ll be around friends.”

I shrugged off his arm. “Friends? Will Sara be there?” I spat her name, unable to mask the bitterness.

He sighed, his jaw tightening. “Ashley, not everything is about Sara. This is Kimberly’s night. Can we just—”

“I think we should reschedule,” I interrupted, my patience wearing thin. He couldn’t make time for my birthday, but he expected me to drop everything for his friend’s? What did he take me for?

Jared’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist firmly. His strength was undeniable, but I refused to back down.

“We can’t reschedule,” he growled softly, his wolf just beneath the surface. “Do you understand how busy I am?”

I glared at him, fury bubbling up inside, did he think I also wasn’t busy.

I didn’t want to go, but I knew Jared wouldn’t let this go until I agreed. I thought about it and reluctantly nodded.

“Fine. But this doesn’t change anything.”

---

The dinner was held on the ground floor of one of Jared’s father’s restaurants. It was an upscale place, all sleek wood and soft lighting.

The moment we walked in, I knew I was out of place. Everyone was dressed in formal attire, and I was still in my work clothes, looking like I had just stumbled out of a meeting.

As soon as we entered, the room fell silent. All eyes were on us—on me, really. It was painfully obvious that I didn’t belong here. I could feel the tension in the air, and I knew why. It wasn’t just Kimberly’s birthday; it felt like Sara and Jared’s engagement party, and I was the unwelcome guest.

“Oh, you made it!” Sara’s voice cut through the murmur of the crowd. She stood, gliding over to Jared and hugging him tightly, as if I weren’t even there.

I pulled my hand from Jared’s, expecting him to pull away from her, to say something—anything—but he didn’t. He just stood there, letting her hold him.

Kimberly, ever the hostess, smiled at me awkwardly. “There’s just one seat left,” she said, gesturing to the far end of the table.

Sara turned, flashing me a fake smile. “We can always squeeze in another chair for Ashley. Right, Jared?”

Without waiting for my response, she pulled Jared across the room to sit beside her, leaving me to sit at the very end of the table, next to two strangers who barely acknowledged my presence.

I could feel eyes on me, waiting for me to react, to say something. But what was there to say? This wasn’t just a dinner. This was a show—Sara’s show—and I was the audience.

To break the tension, I raised my glass. “Cheers to the birthday girl,” I said, forcing a smile.

There were a few murmurs of agreement, and soon the conversations around the table resumed. But I couldn’t focus on any of it. My eyes were fixed on Jared and Sara, sitting side by side. Every laugh, every shared glance felt like a dagger to my chest.

At one point, Sara leaned over and fed Jared a bite from her plate, her fingers brushing against his lips. I clenched my fists under the table, my wolf stirring with rage.

Kimberly must have noticed my glare because she turned to Sara, whispering something. Sara glanced over at me; her eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Oh, right,” she said, loud enough for the whole table to hear. “I should thank you, Ashley, for yesterday.”

I stared at her; my fork frozen in mid-air. “For what?”

“Lending me your boyfriend, of course.” Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were venomous. “The fireworks were incredible. I hope you’re not too upset about it?”

Every eye in the room was on me again, waiting for my response.