Chapter Thirty FourJack's POVThe days pass by in a blur of activities that begins to feel monotonous. I settle scores between packmates and organise hunting to ensure that we have enough meals stored away for winter.But none of those activities seem fun anymore, even the sheer act of spending time with Violet leaves me feeling empty. As the days continue to go by, I begin to experience a level of sadness that I cannot shake. I begin to long for so much more than just the daily hunts and settling scores. I find myself wondering about Jenna and the kind of life she lives now. Because I have a certain conviction that she had somewhat lived. And the fact that a young woman, whom I barely knew, could consume my thoughts like this makes me want to smash my head against something.It's Violet that I should be thinking about. It is she whom I should desire, but why isn't that so? Why do I still think about the young woman that I had rejected? This morning, I am filled with the same str
Chapter Thirty Five Jack's POV“I just want us to go back to how we were. It feels like agreeing to be your mate changed things.” She sobs against my shoulder. Guilt tears through me, and I shut my eyes, trying to tamp down the feelings of pain that rams through me. “I am very sorry, Violet.”Violet sniffles and pushes away from me, wiping the last of her tears and meeting my eyes, which are now red-rimmed. “I know that you're sorry, Jack. But what really changed? I need to know.”I shake my head slowly at her, turning away to look into the distance, lost in thoughts. Violet was right, something had really changed. And although I could not deny that Jenna's departure from the park had been the genesis of this change, I couldn't tell Violet so. I felt a lot different now. The activities that used to hold so much meaning for me no longer did. And sometimes I knew that these recent feelings had less to do with Jenna's absence in the pack but more to do with my state of mind. I had
Chapter Thirty SixJenna's POVZephyr joins us a moment later, clad in a beautiful robe that draws attention to the tight muscles of his shoulders and the broadness of his chest.“Sorry for keeping you waiting.” Zephyr apologises as he takes his seat. He looks different, with a shaven jaw and hair perfectly brushed back. I watch him smile in Veronica's direction, his eyes lingering on hers for a few more seconds. You demanded our presence. Veronica speaks as if she's conversing with a complete stranger, not her alpha, the same man she had conspired with to deceive me.I can't help but wonder whether anything had happened between them. The tension in the room is palpable. “Yes, yes. I've asked you to come here because we need to discuss something important.”“Then by all means, let's.” Veronica encourages. The alpha turns towards me, and my heart gives a start. He looks at me with a whisper of a smile on his face and a regret in his eyes. “I would like to apologise first to you, J
Chapter Thirty-SevenJenna's POV“Veronica is right.” Zephyr voices finally. He doesn't get up and move towards me like Veronica did, but his eyes convey his pity. “It's his loss. You're exceptionally beautiful, any man would be lucky to have you.”Even though they're right, I know that deep down, sometimes what truly matters isn't the physical traits of people, but what they carry within. I wasn't strong and agile, and so I was unfit to be the alpha's mate. Jack had chosen the woman who possessed these qualities to be his mate. While I had been rejected, left to wither... “Thank you.” I mutter. “But I think his rejection made me realise that sometimes people look past our physical qualities.”“A lot of men usually reject their mate because they feel she's not as attractive as they would have wanted. Women, for a lot of men, are like prized possessions, kept for gazing, just like we do some items we loot from war.”Zephyr picks up his glass and dangles it in the air for emphasis.
Chapter Thirty EightJack's POVViolet’s words are my final undoing. With a groan, I tear the clothes off her body, enjoying the gasp that falls from her puckered lips.Arousal pumps through me as I grab her again, pulling her against my body and allowing her to feel the evidence of my arousal.“Oh Jack.” She moans, “I have imagined this for so long... “ She whispers against my ear, her breathing laboured, skin damp with sweat.I won't lie and say that I have imagined this with Violet, because I have not. I have never imagined possessing her like this, touching her and watching her unfold in my arms. But in this moment, I do. I do want Violet with every fibre of my being. I want to soak myself in her essence, drown myself in her moistness. I kiss Violet again, allowing her to taste the extent of my desire for her. I move my lips to her neck and bite the delicate skin, enjoying the low moan that falls from her lips. Violet slides against my body, as if she's in need of more. And I w
Chapter Thirty NineVeronica's POVYou're right. I agree, realising how insightful the young woman is. Even though she is just a young adult, she'd had to grow up really quickly. What with the death of her papa and how she'd lost her mom at birth.She had turned out really okay, and her mate was really foolish to have let such a spectacular woman go. What she lacked in physical strength, she made up for intellectually. Jenna was a beautiful woman with intriguing layers. I was certain that there was more to her than met the eye. And I wished that she was more open. I sincerely desired to learn everything there was to know about her. I wanted to ask her about her mate to know what it had felt like for her. I wanted to know why I was feeling so conflicted about my feelings for Zephyr and my own chosen mate. I expected the bond with my mate to surpass the physical attraction I felt for Zephyr. So, why wasn't that so? “Veronica?” Jenna's inquisitive voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I
Chapter FortyJenna's POV “I will continue to teach you to fight.” Veronica says, her eyes never leaving mine.“Thank you.” I swallow hard as gratitude fills me. I don't know how my life would have turned out if I had not met Veronica. Perhaps the gods were truly directing my steps.“You're already learning so quickly.” Veronica tells me. “Sooner or later, you'll have my back on the ground.” She turns to give me a wan smile, and I smile back. “Thank you so much, Veronica. I would have been able to do very little without you.”Veronica gives me a side hug. “Let's go back. It's getting cold out here, and we haven't had dinner.”I nod my consent and follow Veronica back inside. We eat in silence as I think about the earlier events of the day. I think about Zephyr's offer and the strange tension that had existed between Zephyr and Veronica. Suddenly, I am curious about Veronica and her mate. She had said very little about him, and I had yet to meet him. “Something on your mind?” Veron
Chapter Forty OneJenna's POVVeronica looks at me with eyes full of wonder.“You're such a young woman, but so wise in thinking.”I blush at Veronica's compliment and, without dropping her hands, say.“You reminded me about how amazing I am. I want you to know that you're an amazing woman, as well as a good one. You've housed me, clothed me and fed me. Taking a lover for yourself isn't a really horrible thing to do, and choosing to reject someone you cannot bring yourself to love isn't bad.”“It's never happened here, you know.” Veronica says as she steps away from me towards the door.#What never has?”“The rejection. We take the mates fate has chosen for us very seriously.”“So, you'd rather live with him and become unhappy.”“I don't think being with him would make me unhappy.” Veronica confides.We're outside now, and like always, the evening twilight casts a golden glow on everything. Despite being in this environment for the past few days, I still can't get over how wondrous th