4

~Lexia

"Listen, you shouldn't be here," Grayson insisted, glancing around as if someone might see him talking to a negligible such as me. I roll my eyes, brushing past him, only to be followed closely.

He grabs my arm, forcing me to give him my full attention. "You could at least tell me why you're here."

I narrow my eyes at him. What business is it of his what I do? Sure, it's obvious I am not wanted here, where Alpha's mingle with other high bloods, or richer families. That is my backstory; the daughter of a rich businessman who lives in the hills of the Discipline Pack. That way, no one would question my eye colour iconic to my original Pack.

But my back story doesn't work with Grayson. He knows who I am, and what hatred I have toward Alpha's. He knows I am a risk, so any excuse I can conjure up is sure to be useless.

"Why I am here, is none of your business," I snap, narrowing my eyes on the hand still firmly clutching my arm. His gloves are similar to what other men here wear. It is uncommon for unmated males to go without wearing gloves to parties like these, especially Alpha's. This is mainly because parties like these are for men and women to let loose and party without worry of finding their mate.

Rich people are strange.

"It is, if you're conspiring against one of us," Grayson says, obvious referring to the Alpha's in here. By the look in his eyes, he doesn't want to believe the words he says, but he is totally correct in his assumptions. I am here for Alpha Noah of the Harmony Pack.

I nod down to his hand on my arm. "I think you should let me go..."

Looking at his hand, I suddenly notice something glint around his finger, through the thin fabric of his glove. Is that a ring? My eyes widened...silver.

"Why the hell are you wearing a silver ring?" I question. Silver burns, a lot. Isn't he in pain right now? I would be able to feel the effects of it on my arm as he presses it against my skin, had he not been wearing gloves.

He swallows. "I-"

"Just let me go," I insist again, desperate to get away from him and his ring.

"Lexia," he says, his voice thick with warning. I twist my arm from his loosened grip, taking a step back.

"Don't come near me ever again," I growl. "And consider your offer declined."

It felt good to turn around and walk away from him with my departing words. Even though his angered gaze on my back was heavy, and I might regret making enemies with an Alpha, it still felt exhilarating.

I weave my way past dancing bodies, trying to find the outskirts so I could breathe properly.

"Hello Blondie, what brings you here?"

I cringe, the slurred sound of a drunken idiot making me pause. But not just any drunken idiot...A Love Pack idiot. You can tell, their accents are as strong as their bedroom desires.

"Malik," I mutter sourly, knowing those glassy blue eyes from anywhere.

"As much as I love you in that dress, I would love it more to see you out of it," Malik says, his mouth tilting into a suggestive smile. Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms over my chest.

There is no way I am in the mood for his romantic tendencies. Unmated Love Pack members are the worst...

"Aren't there plenty of drunk, unmated girls for you to seduce elsewhere?" I question, setting my voice into a bored tone so he would get the hint that I am not interested in whatever he is offering.

"I've never been with a girl from the Discipline Pack. Are they as wild as I hear?" Malik asked, taking a shaky step closer to me.

The way he looks at me, through strands of ruffled brown hair suddenly makes me nervous. He is serious, and by the way his hand twitches slightly by his side, it is obvious he is itching to get his hands on someone, and I happen to be the closest.

"You should go Malik, I'm not interested," I caution. He only chuckles, taking yet another step closer, which I match back.

"Lexia, we should be going," a smooth, caressing voice utters from behind me. I don't even have to bother turning around to know it is Jasper.

Malik looks blandly at Jasper, who stands behind me. No flicker of recognition sparks in his eyes, as if he doesn't realise he is staring at the long lost Alpha of Devotion. Maybe he is just too drunk...

"You're her date?" Malik questions, finally taking a step backward. The relief that I feel is overwhelming. As is the want to turn and thank Jasper. Sure, Malik would have been on the floor holding his privates had he advanced any closer, but another failed relationship with an Alpha wouldn't be good.

Jasper must have nodded, as he grabbed my hand, and Malik backed off. All of a sudden, as if he spotted another lone girl to prowl on, Malik disappeared into the crowd. Or maybe he was intimidated by Jasper.

"Thank you," I say, as I turn around, facing Jasper. Despite the heat in the room, Jasper looks fresher than anyone else in the entire room.

"You look hot. Come and get a drink," Jasper says, nodding his head toward the bar. A drink of water doesn't sound terrible right now, especially with the heat in here, and the clinginess of my dress.

Together we walk to the bar, taking a seat where Jasper offers a glass of water that was already sitting there. Nervously, I take a sip. Tastes like water. Is water.

"He wanted you, badly," Jasper mutters, his back facing the bar as he stares out into the crowd. "He isn't the only one..."

"Don't tell me you only saved me from Malik as a way to get in my pants," I say sardonically, gladly joking, although Jasper seems to take it very seriously.

"I'm not interested in you Lexia. Especially not with your mate here."

His words spark and interest in me, that I force myself to quell. I'm not allowed to want my mate, I've told myself that. But still, the mention of the word has be curious, especially since he is apparently an Alpha.

"And your mate?"

Jaspers eyes shadow, and instantly I know the subject is a little shady. "We aren't together."

"Why not?" I should really shut up.

"She doesn't believe I exist."

I bite back another question. By the look on Jasper's face, he isn't too happy about the thought of his mate. Is that why he is here? To take his mind off her? I mean, he was hanging out with two girls earlier...

"Malik didn't notice me," Jasper stated, bringing the subject up that I had been meaning to ask.

I take another sip of my water. "Why not?"

Jasper shrugs, but his reason is obviously being held back. He seems to enjoy doing this; bringing up relevant questions, only to drop them seconds later without an answer. All these loose ties are making me nervous.

"How do you know my name?" I decide to ask, internally crossing my fingers that maybe he wouldn't confuse me with his elusive ways.

He tilts his head, as I stare at him over the rim of my glass.

"It's not that hard to learn someone's name," he muses.

My jaw clenched, and I set my drink down. I suppose he's right, but why would he go out of his way to find out my name when him and I hadn't met until an hour ago? Surely he didn't know I existed until I tapped on his back. 

I was about to bring up my valid argument, when he cut me off with his own words.

"What you should be worried about, is why I know you truly don't want a mate," Jasper added.

My heart skipped a beat.

"You're scared of whoever he might be. But you're mainly scared that he will abandon you like your sisters mate did when she was killed by those men..."

Then my heart stopped completely.

His words burned into the truth that surrounded them. He's right. He is so right, and it makes me sick. Because no one knows.

I've never told anyone that in my life...

"How do you know?" I question, my voice shaky and unsure.

Jasper leaned forward in his seat, a slight smile of wicked knowledge etched into his face. He truly isn't normal.

He reaches out his arm, and with the tip of his index finger, he taps on my temple.

"Because you told me."