Chapter 5

Jack's POV

There is still no sign of Jenna anywhere, and even though I try to ignore my wolf's whining, I feel her absence keenly.

Suddenly, I miss those green eyes that had followed me everywhere tonight. Those large innocent eyes that had been filled with so much longing earlier tonight. So much longing, desire and hope.

I had looked her in the eyes and squashed that hope because I had needed her to understand the impossibility of us being together. I had needed to make a favourable decision for the pack.

If what I'd done had been for the safety of the pack and for the good of everyone, why did I feel so empty? Why was this sadness and longing for Jenna refusing to go away?

I couldn't talk to my beta about this; I had already lied to him. And I couldn't bear the shame of going to him now with the truth.

He would reproach me for it and could trust me less... I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let anyone see me as weak. It could be used against me. I had to learn to live with the decisions I had taken.

“Little lady, go home. I have told you the alpha is indisposed.”

“But I really need to talk to him.” A female voice begs the people who stand guard outside my home.

This wouldn't be the first time a woman has come to offer herself to me and beg me to take her as their mate. My guards have always been able to handle the situation, and as always, I'd let them handle it.

“The alpha has chosen a mate already and is no longer available for anything you might offer.”

“You don't understand. I don't want the alpha as my mate! My friend is missing, and we have to find her.”

My ears perk up, and I rouse from the bed before I realise I am even doing that. A few seconds later, I am right in front of a young woman with wild brown eyes and a heaving bosom.

“Who is missing?” I ask her. Even though I can guess who is.

For a moment, her eyes light up, and her gaze runs over me, her eyes registering fear.

“Why is she not talking?” I ask my guards impatiently, my wolf becoming restless.

My guards take one look at my face and look away very quickly.

“I'm sorry, my alpha, Sav murmurs. I think she is just nervous where you're concerned. You don't look very much like yourself right now.”

Understanding what he means, I shut my eyes and try to control my powers.

“Young lady, tell me who is missing right now.” I command. “You are wasting my time, and I do not appreciate that.”

“I am sorry, Alpha.” The young lady cries. “My friend Jenna is missing. She begins to talk, her voice infused with fear and urgency.

“One second she was with me, and the next, she wasn't.” She continues to explain, as if my command had unglued her tongue from the roof of her mouth.

Jenna was missing?

That explains why I had felt her absence intensely. That emptiness I'd experienced in her absence had been more physical than emotional. Even though I had rejected her as my mate, we still shared a bond that I couldn't completely wrap my head around.

“When was the last time she was seen?” I ask, as I begin to descend the stairs, my guards and the young lady following suit.

“While we were at the feast. She was right beside me. Then a minute later, she wasn't. She wasn't exactly herself today and had acted quite a bit strangely.”

The young lady says as she worries her lips between her teeth. I could tell that she was genuinely worried about her friend, and her confusion as to why her friend had suddenly left the gathering without any plausible explanation lent credence to the fact that Jenna had done as I had commanded.

She had told no one.

“We need to find her.” I turn to address the guards behind me as we begin the hurried search.

“What about me?” The young lady asks.

I had completely forgotten that she was still here, fueled only by the desire to find Jenna and to ensure her safety.

“You need to go back to your trunda. It is not very safe out there.”

“But my friend is missing, I won't sit down and do nothing.”

“That is exactly what you will do.” I turn to tell her, irritation causing the beginnings of anger within me. “You are delaying this search, and I will not have another second of that. Get home right now before I make you.”

My voice is low and deadly, and even though my eyes are locked on that of Jenna's friend, I do not use my powers of compulsion on her. I don't need to, because, without another word, she whirls around and begins to walk away.

I breathe a sigh of relief, because even though I had been blessed with the power of compulsion as the alpha, I hated to use it on my people. I hated when they were at my mercy, under my will and command, their own free will having been snapped up by me.

So I only used my powers when it was absolutely necessary. And I am glad that tonight it didn't have to get that.

Suddenly, a hand lands on my forearm, and I turn to find the bright eyes of the young lady on me.

“You will let me know as soon as you find her, won't you? You might be as scary as the devil himself, but if you don't find my friend before something horrific happens, I swear to the gods—”

“I will find Jenna, alright?” I assure the young lady, picking up her warm hands and dropping them by her side. And when we do, we will bring her to you.”

“I trust that you will, Alpha. Thank you.” She answers, her tone meek again. And with that, she moves completely away.

We watch her disappear into the darkness.

“Feisty little lady.” Sav murmurs, his tone tinged with something akin to admiration.

“We have to find her, and we have to find her quickly.”

“But where do we start?” John asks.

“The cave.” I answer without thinking. “Let's start there.”