Autumn stared at him in disbelief. "Really? You'll let me go if that's what I want?"
Jacob paused for a moment, as if wrestling with himself. "Yes," he said finally. "But you have to promise to really open your heart for these three days. Give me a fair chance."
Autumn felt a glimmer of hope. If Jacob was really going to let her go after three days, maybe she could survive. She would just have to pretend to open up, while secretly finding a way to make sure he kept his promise.
“Okay,” Autumn said finally. “Three days. I’ll try.”
Jacob’s smile widened, a mixture of relief and joy. “You won’t regret it, Autumn. I’ll make you fall in love with me all over again.”
He released her hand and stood, holding out his hand. “Let’s take a walk in the garden tonight. The full moon is beautiful tonight.”
Autumn took his hand hesitantly, and Jacob led her out of the room toward the back door of the house that led out into the expansive garden.
The night air felt cool on Autumn’s skin. The full moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a silvery glow on the stone path they walked along.
“This garden was designed specifically for your taste,” Jacob said, pointing to the various flowers planted along the path. “Lavender, white roses, and of course, clovers just like your name.”
Autumn looked around in awe. The park was beautiful, with a marble fountain in the center and wooden benches in strategic corners. In the distance, she could see the silver shimmer of the lake Jacob had mentioned earlier.
"It's... stunning," she admitted honestly.
Jacob smiled, leading her to one of the benches that overlooked the lake. They sat side by side, close enough for Autumn to feel his warmth, but not so close that it was uncomfortable.
"We used to spend nights like this," Jacob recalled. "Sitting under the full moon, talking about our future, about the children we would have."
Autumn felt a lump in her throat. They had once talked so optimistically about the future two sons and a daughter, a big house with a big yard for them to play in, and of course, their positions as Alpha and Luna who would wisely lead the pack.
"It all seems so long ago," Autumn whispered.
Jacob turned his head, looking at her with a gaze that penetrated deep into her soul. "It doesn't have to be that way. We can still have it all, Autumn. All our dreams."
He slowly raised his hand, brushing away the hair that had fallen over Autumn's face. The light touch made Autumn tremble, not from fear, but from the memory of Jacob's soft hand.
"What happened to us, Jacob?" Autumn asked softly, the words spilling out uncontrollably. "How did we go from being a loving couple to... this?"
Jacob stared up at the starry sky above them, his expression lost in thought. "Maybe we changed too quickly. I lost my father, then suddenly had to take over the responsibilities of being alpha. I wasn't ready, Autumn. But I couldn't show it. I couldn't look weak."
"You don't have to act strong around me," Autumn said. "I should be someone you can count on, not someone you avoid."
"I know. And that was my biggest mistake." Jacob sighed heavily. "I started to believe that power was everything. That showing mercy was weakness. I became a version of myself I didn't even recognize."
Autumn hadn't expected to hear such an admission from Jacob. She had always thought he was oblivious to the changes in himself.
"Then what changed?" she asked carefully. "Why are you suddenly willing to admit all this?"
Jacob looked at her, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Losing you made me realize what really matters. Six months without you was the longest and hardest time of my life, Autumn."
He took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm not asking for us to go back to a time when everything was perfect. I'm just asking for a chance to prove that I can be the man you deserve again."
Autumn stared at their intertwined hands. Part of her wanted to believe, wanted to give it a chance. But another part of her kept reminding her of how Jacob had gotten her here with the kidnapping and the threats.
“I don’t know, Jacob,” she said honestly. “It all happened so fast.”
Jacob nodded in understanding. “You’re right. That’s why I’m giving you three days. Three days to see that I’m serious.”
He stood, still holding Autumn’s hand. “It’s getting late. We should go back inside. You must be tired.”
Autumn nodded and followed her back down the path to the house. Her mind raced for the duration of the short walk. Had Jacob really changed? Or was this just another manipulative ploy?
When they arrived back at Autumn’s room, Jacob paused in the doorway, not going inside.
“I hope we had a good dinner,” he said.
“Yes, thank you,” Autumn replied politely, though with a stiff tone.
Jacob smiled thinly. “I’ll show you around the property tomorrow. There are a few places I think you’ll like.”
Autumn just nodded, unsure of how to respond.
“Good night, Autumn,” Jacob finally said. He leaned in, and before she could react, his lips were on her forehead in a light kiss that made her heart skip a beat.
Jacob stepped back, his eyes meeting Autumn’s for a moment before he turned and walked away.
“The door…is it unlocked?” Autumn asked hesitantly, half-hopefully.
Jacob paused, looking over his shoulder. "No, it's not locked. You're free to roam around the house. But as I said, there's no point in trying to get out. The property is heavily guarded." He smiled. "Have a good rest."
After Jacob left, Autumn closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes, trying to process everything that had happened today.
Slowly, she walked to the large window that was covered with curtains. Pulling it aside, she saw a view of the dark forest that stretched as far as the eye could see.
She opened the window, feeling the cool night air. Even though the window could be opened, she was on the second floor which was quite high. Jumping from here without preparation could be fatal.
Her gaze swept the courtyard, and she saw several figures moving in the darkness of the guards, of course. Jacob wasn't kidding when he said this place was heavily guarded.
Autumn turned around, examining the room more closely this time. It was a spacious room with a king-size bed, a large wardrobe, a dressing table, a comfortable sofa near the fireplace, and a luxurious en suite bathroom.
Jacob had planned everything so carefully. He had probably prepared this room long before he found Autumn.
Exhaustion began to attack her body. Reluctantly, Autumn opened her wardrobe and found a selection of sleepwear. She chose the most revealing one light blue silk pajamas.
After changing and removing her makeup, Autumn lay down on the incredibly comfortable bed. Although her body was tired, her mind was still awake, concocting various escape scenarios.