How To Lose Your Billionaire Alpha Husband In 365 Days (Or Less)!-Chapter 68: Heightened Senses...

JASMINE’S POV

I woke up slowly, as if I was coming back from a deep dream that I couldn’t quite remember. All I could feel was a strange and powerful sensation still wrapped around me.

Everything felt... sharper.

The light coming through the curtains was more than just bright; it felt alive. It cast golden patterns on the walls that sparkled whenever I blinked. The sheets against my skin were incredibly soft, like sleeping on clouds.

I could hear a clock ticking softly in the hallway, but even closer, I heard a heartbeat—steady and strong, a sound I recognised.

My body ached, but it wasn’t the deep, dragging pain I remembered from before.

This was something different... like my muscles had been stretched beyond their limits and were now knitting themselves back together into something... new.

I exhaled, then blinked a few times, letting the blurry ceiling overhead resolve into sharp lines.

And then I turned my head.

Aiden was in the armchair beside the bed, his tall frame folded forward, elbows braced on his knees. He looked like he hadn’t moved in hours.

His eyes locked on me the moment I shifted, and the expression on his face made my breath catch. It was relief, yes, but mixed with guilt, worry, and something that almost looked like awe.

"Hey," he said softly. His voice was hoarse. "You’re awake."

I swallowed, trying to speak. My throat felt dry and scratchy. "What... happened?"

"You completed the ritual," he said, sitting up straighter. "It was intense. You levitated. The seal shattered. You passed out. Hard."

"Is that why my body feels like it got hit by a truck and then reversed over?"

He gave a small, crooked smile. "Yeah. That tracks."

Before I could ask more, the door creaked open, and Alara stepped inside, balancing a small tray in her hands. Her silver braid was pinned back tightly, but a few strands had escaped, framing her sharp cheekbones.

"She’s awake?" she asked in a brisk tone, tinged with warmth.

"She’s awake," Aiden confirmed, still watching me like I might dissolve if he blinked.

Alara moved to my side with the efficiency of someone who’d done this a hundred times. "How do you feel?"

I hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Tired. Strong. Confused."

"Good," she said with a nod. "That’s expected. You’ll be adjusting for a while. Your senses will sharpen. Your emotions may spike unexpectedly. And your wolf is starting to wake. You’ll feel it soon, if you haven’t already."

I looked down at my hands, flexing them slowly. The skin seemed to hum faintly, as if it were remembering how to hold its form. "I already do."

Alara gently touched my wrist, checking my pulse. Her fingers hovered briefly above my forearm, where a soft golden glow pulsed faintly beneath the skin. "You’re stabilising well. But don’t overdo it. Your body’s changed. Let it settle."

I nodded.

My head felt clearer now, like fog was lifting in slow curls. Aiden reached out to help me sit up, but I held up a hand.

"I can do it."

He backed off immediately, though his eyes didn’t leave me.

Alara handed me the tray: toast, scrambled eggs, and cut fruit... like a fruit salad. The moment I caught the scent, my stomach growled audibly.

"You haven’t eaten in over twelve hours," she said. "Your system needs fuel to regenerate. Eat."

I didn’t argue. I picked up the fork and took a bite. The eggs tasted better than they should have, fluffy, rich, real. Even the fruit burst with flavour like it had been plucked at sunrise.

Aiden lingered awkwardly beside the bed. "Do you need anything? Water? More pillows?"

"No," I said, sharper than I meant to.

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t press it. He simply nodded, retreating into silence again.

Alara gave me a small, knowing smile. "You’re safe now, Jasmine. You can relax. Trust your instincts. They’ll serve you better than we can." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Thanks," I murmured.

She turned to Aiden. "Let her rest after her meal. Don’t smother her."

He nodded once, silently.

Alara swept out, the door clicking shut behind her. I finished eating slowly, more out of habit than hunger. Aiden was still standing there, radiating concern.

"You can stop staring," I said, keeping my tone flat.

"I’m not staring."

"You’re hovering."

"I’m making sure you’re okay."

"I’m not," I admitted. "But I’m not dying either, so... all good."

His mouth opened, then closed again. "I’m sorry."

"I know."

He looked like he wanted to say something else... maybe ten somethings, but I slid the tray aside and moved to stand.

"Bathroom?"

He pointed to the door on the right. "Clean towels are already in there."

I passed him without touching. My steps were slower than usual, but steady. My limbs no longer felt like lead; they felt... different. Like I had to relearn the language of my own body.

Inside the bathroom, I shut the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment. My reflection drew me in before I could stop myself.

I stared.

My eyes were still brown, but no, not quite. A glimmer of silver shimmered beneath the surface like starlight beneath murky water.

My skin glowed faintly, as though something beneath it had been kindled to life. My hair had more shine, more weight. I looked... rebooted. Not different. More.

I turned on the shower, stripped slowly and stepped in.

The water was warm, soothing. But even beneath it, I could still feel that low hum of energy beneath my skin, like a new heartbeat in sync with my own.

Then it hit me.

A sharp jolt, like a lightning bolt up my spine, radiating outward.

I gasped, bracing against the tile wall. "Okay... what the hell—"

Pressure rolled through me, not quite pain, but not pleasant either. My fingertips burned. My jaw tightened.

I looked down and saw claws.

Actual claws.

"Oh god."

I stumbled back from the spray, heart pounding. In the fogged mirror, my reflection stared back, unrecognisable. My ears were elongated, tapering into sharper points. My eyes were glowing pure, molten silver. My canines had lengthened into something not quite human.

And then, in my head, a voice. "Well, well. About time you woke up."