Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law
Chapter 14: Slipping Through His Fingers

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Slipping Through His Fingers

There was a long awkward pause. I almost smiled at how Elliot seemed to be dumbfounded by Michelle’s innocent question. She was still a child, so she missed the way her father’s sharp eyes darted between Elliot and I.

Michelle shrugged and added with a grin, “Well, when I become Lycan King, I’ll remember everybody.”

The tension cracked slightly as a few chuckles broke out around the room. Even I couldn’t help the small laugh that slipped out as I saw Michelle’s proud look. Isabella went to ruffle her sister’s hair. “Of course you will! In future, I’ll be running Ashborne with Elliot, you’ll have to help Dad run Frostfang.”

I felt a pang in my heart at the reminder that Isabella would be my Luna.

Elliot laughed too, but it sounded forced to me. “That’s why I need your sister with me - she will make me a better Alpha. Sorry Michelle, and Jasmine. I hope you’re not upset because of this.”

I smiled back politely, meeting his eyes evenly. “It’s alright. I’m used to being forgotten.”

Gareth’s gaze snapped to me again, sharp as a blade.

He didn’t say anything for a second. Just studied me like he was trying to figure out what I would do.

Then he turned to Elliot and Isabella with a tight smile. “So, how’s the wedding planning going? I imagine things are moving smoothly—since you’re both clearly in love and have no secrets with each other.”

I swear the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

Isabella laughed softly, her face pinking in delight. She didn’t catch the edge in her father’s words. “We’ve started shortlisting venues. I want something open and natural. Maybe near the riverbank. And Elliot wants what I want. Isn’t that right, darling?”

Everyone turned to Elliot, but he didn’t respond right away. His jaw ticked, and his fingers curled into his slacks like he was holding back from snapping.

“Elliot?” Isabella prompted.

“Of course,” Elliot finally said, his voice a little tight. “Isabella is my priority. Everything’s going perfectly.”

“Good,” Gareth replied. “Because I wouldn’t want anything or anyone interfering with this wedding.”

I swallowed, keeping my head down even though every nerve in my body buzzed. Gareth had just thrown the sharpest warning possible, and he did it with a calm, icy tone that didn’t leave room for argument.

There was another long silence as Elliot nodded at the implicit warning in Gareth’s words, his smile splintering at the sides.

I wasn’t sure if I should be thankful or scared. Technically, his warning also applied to me.

The air became lighter as Isabella reached for Elliot’s hand and smiled sweetly.

“I found the perfect designer for my dress. We’re getting it customized with Frostfang embroidery—traditional, but a little modern too.”

“That sounds lovely,” I murmured, trying to keep my voice steady.

“And look at this,” she added, holding out her wrist like an excited little girl. “Elliot got me this last week.”

I looked. And for a second, I couldn’t breathe.

It was that bracelet.

The one I had stared at through the boutique window so many times. Delicate silver threads were woven like vines, with tiny crystal leaves that shimmered under the light. Elegant. Classy. Expensive. I’d never said I wanted it out loud, but Elliot knew. He’d caught me looking at it once, and I remember what he said.

“Maybe one day. When the time is right.”

Back then, I thought he meant when we got engaged. I thought I would be the one wearing that bracelet.

But here it was—on another woman’s wrist. Given freely and openly.

Isabella held it out toward me. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It is,” I said, forcing a smile. “He has good taste.”

Elliot met my eyes. And for a second, he smirked. He knew what that bracelet meant to me. This was just another way to twist the knife.

My stomach twisted.

Gareth gave a firm nod. “I’m glad to see you’ve got your priorities straight, Elliot. That’s what Ashborne needs as an Alpha.”

Elliot didn’t miss a beat. “I love Isabella more than life itself.”

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. She blushed, smiling shyly as I looked away.

I clenched my jaw, holding the smile on my face like a mask. My wolf growled quietly, her pain mirroring mine.

Elliot’s POV

Elliot watched Jasmine out of the corner of his eye, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. She hadn’t reacted much to the bracelet—at least not openly—but he saw it.

The flash of pain in her eyes. The way her smile tightened. The silence.

It was exactly what he wanted.

He had bought that bracelet because of her. The same exact one she used to stare at in the boutique window. The one she once touched like it was too precious for her fingers. Back then, he told her it was too soon. That she should wait.

She had waited. And now it was on Isabella’s wrist.

He thought it would break her.

But it didn’t.

Instead, Jasmine stood there, calm and composed, playing the perfect little tutor with that fake smile on her face. Like she didn’t care. Like she had already moved on.

The idea made his blood boil.

He’d done everything. Sabotaged her name in the employment network. Blacklisted her through every business under his control. He paid good money to make sure no one would ever hire her again. She was supposed to crawl back to him. She was supposed to need him.

But somehow... She was now tutoring his future sister-in-law.

How the hell had she pulled this off?

“I think I’ll head home now,” Jasmine said softly, standing up to leave.

Michelle immediately clung to her side. “Do you have to?”

“I’ll be back soon,” she promised. “You still owe me a knife lesson.”

“Promise?” the girl asked, her pout already forming.

Jasmine grinned. “Promise.”

Isabella smiled warmly, clearly pleased. “It’s so good to see her getting along with someone again.”

Then to everyone’s surprise, Gareth rose from his chair. “I’ll send you home.”

“That’s not necessary,” Jasmine answered, “I can go back myself.”

“I decide what is necessary,” Gareth retorted, but there was no heat behind it. He got up and waited for Jasmine at the door. “Consider it an apology for my earlier outburst.”

“Dad, are you driving Jasmine personally?” Isabella asked, pleased delight colouring her tone. Michelle was similarly surprised, her eyes darting between her father and Jasmine.

“Yes. Is there an issue?” Gareth asked, raising an eyebrow. “I actually do have a driving license.”

“But you must be too busy -“ Elliot said weakly, only for his words to die at the cold expression on Gareth’s face. He could only gulp as his hands tightened into fists at his sides.

“I am not as busy as you, since you have a wedding to plan,” Gareth said pointedly, and Jasmine deliberately didn’t look at him. “Isn’t that right, Isabella?”

Isabella clapped her hands. “That’s right! Jasmine, you’re definitely invited to my wedding.”

Jasmine gave an awkward laugh and nod in response. Gareth cleared his throat, his hand hovering at the small of her back, wordlessly escorting her out of the house. As they left, Isabella let out a happy giggle.

But Elliot stood frozen, his stomach churning with rage.

Gareth Laken, his father-in-law, liked Jasmine.

His fists clenched so hard that his knuckles cracked, attracting Isabella’s attention.

“You okay?” Isabella asked, lightly touching his arm.

“Yeah,” he said, pasting a smile on his face. “I was just... surprised that your father is so welcoming. He never drove us anywhere.”

“I know!” Isabella beamed. She whispered to him, “Maybe this proves he’ll finally move on.”

That was what Elliot was afraid of.

Because if Gareth had feelings for Jasmine, if Gareth believed her, and started seeing her as more than just a hired tutor—then all of his plans were for naught. He could kiss his Alpha position goodbye.

Elliot couldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t.

It was time to pay Jasmine’s mother a visit.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.