The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 176: Another Presence

Jessamyn took a deep breath, forcing herself to meet the wolf’s gaze. "He’s not thinking the same as you, is he?" she let out a dry laugh.

The wolf remained silent, his eyes reflecting the moonlight with a mysterious depth.

Jessamyn’s thoughts raced, trying to piece together the tangled emotions she felt. Jerrick had never shown any qualms about being with a woman he didn’t love. But if he felt the same intense, confusing emotions she did, it was an entirely different matter. She understood him more than she wanted to admit.

Yeah... It is not under our control. He’s probably bewildered by it just like I am.

"He could have taken just anyone as his bride..." she said, her voice trailing off as she tried to make sense of it.

Jerrick didn’t seem the type to be burdened by responsibility. He didn’t have to take responsibility for her. Even if they had this strange connection, he could have married another woman and sent her away. Whatever this thing was between them, it wouldn’t persist if they were far apart.

*Click*

Jessamyn heard a twig snap from the same direction she had heard it earlier. She looked intently towards the sound, trying to make sense of it. A wave of dread spread through her. The air grew heavy, and once again, even the insects fell silent.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she strained her ears, every fiber of her being on high alert. Her breath caught in her throat, a chill running down her spine. She felt the unmistakable sensation of being watched, an invisible presence lurking just beyond the edge of the clearing.

And whoever that was watching them—they weren’t happy.

"You’re blaming him for that?" the wolf asked, in his usual jovial tone.

Jessamyn’s eyes widened. "You didn’t hear that?" She pointed in the direction and asked the wolf.

"Hear what?" The white wolf looked at her with an enlightened smile.

"The sound of... Do you not feel another presence here?" she asked. She sure felt it. It was dread-inducing.

"Another?" The wolf looked around, his ears perked up. "I have better hearing than normal and an intuition to sense danger. I don’t feel anything..."

"Are you sure?" Jessamyn almost stood up to go check in the direction. There was nothing out of the ordinary, but she had a feeling that someone was there. Her chest felt heavy, making it hard for her to breathe.

As if someone released the tension, the heaviness in the air lifted out of nowhere. She could breathe again; the wind rustled, and the bugs chirped. Jessamyn felt a sense of relief wash over her.

"Are you dodging my question?" the wolf asked.

"Did you really not feel it?" Jessamyn asked again. It was so real; she could feel the presence physically. There was no way she imagined it. How could that be?

"No," the wolf replied curtly.

Jessamyn blinked and stared in that direction for some time. Whatever she felt, it was not there anymore. She turned back to the wolf, a mixture of frustration and resolve in her eyes.

"I do not blame him..." she said, looking at the wolf. "It’s just... He’s not honest, and with my history with him, I cannot allow myself to trust him again... I’ve lost a child, he’s lost a child... He could have chosen better, is what I’m saying..."

The wolf stared at her silently, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. "I asked you if you’d give him an heir," he repeated, his tone somber this time.

Jessamyn bowed her head and fiddled with her fingers. "It’s my duty to provide him with an heir."

"Duty," the wolf echoed.

Jessamyn’s heart ached with the weight of that word. It was more than just a sense of responsibility; it was a burden. She had tried to be strong, to protect herself from the vulnerability, but here she was, facing the reality of her emotions.

"I know what you’re thinking," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But it’s not just duty. It’s fear. Fear of losing again, fear of being hurt. I don’t know if I can survive that again."

The wolf’s eyes softened, his gaze filled with compassion. "Fear is a powerful force, I know... At least, you don’t have to handle a cruel mother-in-law this time..."

Jessamyn nodded and wiped the corner of her eyes as she took in a deep breath. "True..." she chuckled. She would have expected a woman to say those words to her, not the grand duke. He was a weird person.

But she was glad he said that. He too must have heard about her mother-in-law’s cruelty through the rumors.

"Unless you count Imogen, whose presence is still alive there..." Jessamyn mumbled.

The wolf looked at her in a pondering silence. "He too has his fair share of struggles... Imogen won’t be one of them, I promise."

Jessamyn had no hope that it would be the case. She let out a deep breath. "I should find a way to get used to Jerrick... And Jerrick... What is he to you, truly?"

The white wolf stared into the distance silently, hesitating for some time, as if choosing his words carefully. "Jerrick is more than a friend, I can say. He is a part of the destiny that binds us all. I want to protect him. His future is intertwined with the fate of many, including yours."

Jessamyn’s heart skipped a beat. "Including mine?"

"Yes," the wolf said softly. "You and Jerrick are linked in ways you have yet to understand. Your fates are intertwined, and the choices you make will shape not only your destinies but also the destiny of those around you."

She stood there, absorbing the weight of his words. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the silence thick with the promise of what was to come. "What do you mean?" she asked. He seemed to know more than her.

"If I say anything more, Jerrick will kill me," he chuckled.

"You can be killed?" Jessamyn raised her brows. "But how? Silver doesn’t affect you and you heal faster. How can one kill you?"

"Are you curious to learn?" The wolf tilted his head with a playful smile.

"Yes," Jessamyn nodded enthusiastically.

"As if I’ll tell you!" The wolf scoffed, and Jessamyn let out a deep breath. She understood why he didn’t trust her with his secret.

"I was just curious, nothing more," she said, truthfully. "You can keep your secret."

Jessamyn talked to the wolf for some time and then excused herself. As she walked back, she felt that presence once more, following her. She stopped and turned to face it.

"Show yourself!" she said, fisting her hands. Her heart raced and her chest was heavy. It was not fear, that much she knew. It was something entirely different and one she couldn’t understand.

"What do you want with me?"