Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law-Chapter 98: Relationship Status

[Jasmine's POV]

The limo pulled up to one of the most luxurious hotels I'd ever seen. The outside was decorated with twinkling lights and a banner that indicated the masquerade ball was being held here. There was a red carpet that led to the open doors of the grand entrance.

Elliot took Isabella's hand as they exited. Axel helped me out of the limo, and as soon as I stepped out, I was blinded by the flashing lights. Shocked, I put up my hand to protect my eyes. A bunch of people started to shout Isabella's name, and when my eyes adjusted, I realized that we were surrounded by reporters and paparazzi. My pulse quickened as they closed in on us with their cameras and recording devices, trying to get to the Lycan King's daughter.

"Who designed your dress, Isabella?" a man shouted.

"Who's that hunky man on your arm, Miss Laken?" a woman in the front shouted while she took pictures with her giant camera.

"That's her fiancé, Elliot! When's the wedding, Isabella?" another woman shouted even though she was only five feet away from Isabella.

Immediately, I took a step back, feeling intimidated.

But Isabella was used to handling them. All she did was give her best smile, wave, and walk on with Elliot on her arm.

Since they didn't get anything out of her, the vultures turned their cameras on Axel and me. I forgot that my date was almost as famous as his cousin.

"Axel Laken, what new art projects are you working on?" a man asked.

"Who's this girl on your arm?" a woman asked rudely. "I hope she's just a friend." Then, she winked at Axel.

"What's your name?" someone else right in front of me asked. "Who designed your dress? What's your relationship status with Axel Laken?" She thrust a recording device in my face.

I blinked and stuttered, not sure what to do.

Thankfully, Isabella grabbed my arm, smiling at the people surrounding us. "Come along, Jasmine. We don't want to be late for the gala." She leaned in closer and lowered her voice so only I could hear her. "Don't say anything to the reporters. They will twist whatever you say to make an attention-grabbing headline."

I nodded and gave her a grateful look. "Thank you."

Isabella and Elliot resumed walking. Axel and I followed close behind. I just smiled as I walked past the reporters, still shouting questions at us. Inside, I was thankful for the quiet. We followed the signs to the largest ballroom in the hotel. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The venue was decorated beautifully. My eyes were instantly drawn to the high ceiling that had to be at least a hundred feet tall. A sparkling chandelier was the only source of lighting, creating a dim, secret atmosphere to go with the theme. There was a large dance floor in the middle and tables scattered around the room. Already, the band on the stage was playing elegant, classical music.

Isabella steered Elliot off to a group of important-looking women to say hello. I walked over to the corner, intimidated by the crowd. My stomach filled with nerves, and despite my early confidence in this dress, I felt awkward because I didn't know anyone. Heck, even if I did happen to know someone here, I wouldn't recognize them because we were all wearing masks.

Axel grabbed two champagne flutes from a passing server and stood beside me.

"This is my first masquerade party," he said conversationally as he handed me one of the glasses.

"Really?" I asked and took a small sip of the bubbly drink. "That surprises me since you're a member of the Laken family."

Axel shrugged. "Shifter gatherings in Germany are more…toned down. We have a big family dinner where each pack brings their signature dish. It isn't like this. We don't aim to…impress each other and show off who has the most money. It's more about community and discussing how to better our packs."

I shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. It wasn't lost on me that I was wearing a three-million-dollar dress.

"I think I like Germany's idea of a get-together better," I mumbled around the rim of my champagne glass.

Axel shrugged again. "Honestly, that's more my dad's thing. I was always too busy painting to go to the dinners."

"Always the tortured artist?" I teased, giggling.

He winked. "You know it." He lifted his hand to touch my cheek, and I forced myself not to step away.

Thankfully, Isabella rushed over and gently grabbed my arm.

"Come on, Jasmine. I want to show you where we'll be sitting."

Axel shot his cousin an annoyed look, but she just stuck her tongue out at him.

My relief from being rescued by Isabella was short-lived as she led me over to a private table in the corner where Elliot was already sitting.

Great.

I'd rather sit anywhere else than with him—honestly, I'd rather wait in the limo than be in the same space as my ex-mate—but I had no choice.

I allowed Isabella to lead me to the table, knowing that it was going to be a long night.

***

Gareth sat in the passenger seat of his Rolls-Royce, staring at the paparazzi shouting his name, begging for him to get out of the car.

He sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. He was tired of these events. Tired of the balls and galas that seemed less like shifter unity and more for the elite to flaunt their wealth. Gareth really didn't want to get out of his car, but he didn't have much of a choice.

He wouldn't have bothered coming tonight if it weren't for his old friend Alpha Jameson. He was the Alpha of the Windhowl pack and the one to organize this event. Gareth had promised to attend to support him. Besides, he was the Lycan King. He had to at least show his face at an important event like this one.

Gareth's driver opened his car door, and as soon as he stepped out, reporters surrounded him. As the paparazzi blinded him with their cameras, reporters shouted invasive questions like who he was currently dating or his thoughts on a new controversial law that had just passed regarding border patrols.

He swept past the vultures, ignoring them. As soon as he entered the ballroom, many of the women in attendance tossed their hair and tried to catch his eye. Gareth even saw a few of them adjusting their dresses to expose more of their cleavage. All that did was get on his nerves even more. He ignored the gold diggers and surveyed the busy room. Even if he wasn't aware of it, he was searching for Jasmine.

In the corner of the room, he saw Axel at the bar ordering drinks, and his hands clenched into tight fists.

Jasmine had to be near her date.

Gareth looked past his nephew and spotted her at a table in the corner. She was sitting with Isabella, who was chatting enthusiastically, and Elliot, who was busy staring at Jasmine like she was a delicious meal that he wanted to consume.

Gareth's jaw clenched, and a quiet growl rumbled in his chest. Why was Elliot gazing at Jasmine? He should only have eyes for Isabella. Hadn't Gareth's warnings and threats made that clear yet?

But Gareth couldn't help but think that Jasmine was partly to blame for Elliot's staring. She shouldn't have worn such an attention-grabbing dress. What was she thinking? Did she purposely dress like that to piss him off? Gareth noticed that other men were staring at her with the same interest, and he wanted to rip their throats out.

Axel spotted Gareth. He picked up two glasses of an amber-colored liquid and headed over to his uncle with a grin. Gareth's eyes narrowed at his nephew, but he tried to keep his expression neutral.

"Hey, there," Axel greeted him. "Thanks again for scoring me an extra ticket so that I could bring Jasmine. Honestly, I think I'm in love with her." He stared at Jasmine, his eyes shining with emotion, and sighed wistfully.

Gareth froze, and his blood ran cold. He didn't think that his nephew was being dishonest about the depth of his feelings, but he knew how flighty Axel was, especially about women. He heard from his younger brother that Axel treated women like he did a new painting he was working on. He became obsessed and would devote all his time and energy to them. Then, when he was finished, he would move on to the next. This infatuation with Jasmine would run its course.

How could Jasmine not see through Axel? Was she really that foolish? Or was she so desperate to join a wealthy family that she could overlook Axel's faults?

Gareth clenched his jaw at the thought. He desperately needed a stiff drink to get through this night.