Chapter 4- Stranger Danger

'What an annoying guest!', Jo thought to herself as she walked back to the kitchen. Not only does he wander off in a foreign pack alone but also insulted her cooking skills. Royal guards and generals were bursting with ego and pride as always. It's a no-brainer that she hated them with a passion.

Jo finally walked back into the kitchen and saw her frustrated friend running around barking orders.

'Polly, you need to slow down a little or else you are going to make all the omegas cry with your tone', Jo calmed her friend.

Polly took a deep breath as she massaged her temples with her right hand, ''I have just been told that the royal visit has been extended for a week. They were only supposed to be staying one night and now this. I have to get all the rooms ready and assign more omegas. Its total chaos. I know you wanted Lucy to rest but I really need more hands on deck'.

'Alright fine. But as long as you assign Lucy with me, we should be fine', Jo replied to her friend who was watching her with great curiosity.

'Jo, what's going on between you two?', Polly asked, raising her eyebrows.

'Nothing why'?'', she replied with a nervous tone. ''Is something wrong?''

''Well, just be careful around her. I know you only joined the pack a couple of years ago. But she has been known to be cursed since she was a pup. She killed her own mother for crying out loud. So keep an eye out, okay?'', Polly spoke with caution.

Jo nodded and curtsied before her friend dramatically, ''Of course, my lady'.

'Yeah yeah'', Polly rolled her eyes as they both chuckled and dived back into the chaos of the kitchen work.

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~Next morning~

''Good morning Jo!'', Lucy's bubbly voice woke her up. Jo groaned through her sleepiness as she tried to open her stingy eyes.

''I brought some tea for you'', Lucy said, setting a small tea tray next to her bedside.

''Aww, Lucy. This gesture is so incredibly sweet. But please you don't have to do this for me again', Jo replied with a genuine smile plastered across her face.

''Ah okay. I had never shared a room before, let alone have a friend. Not that we are friends. But what I mean is we are both looking for freedom, I mean we are on the same side and..'', Lucy said, all flustered, making Jo crackle.

''We are friends!', she declared happily, and Lucy stopped her speech as her blue eyes grew bigger.

''Really?''

''Yes'', Jo confirmed again as Lucy came crashing in for a hug. After giving a few pats on her back, Jo heard some quiet sniffles.

'These are tears of happiness, I promise'', Lucy quickly reassured her.

'It better be!''

''By the way, Polly left ages ago and told me about the extended stay of the royal visitors. She said we have been assigned to serve a general in the left wing of the mansion''. Lucy informed Jo and she realized she had slept in because last night's dinner went on past midnight. Bloody royal guards, doing whatever as they please

''Thanks for letting me know. Did Polly mention anything about Jayden?', she asked, to which Lucy shook her head sideways.

''I think I might be summoned after the royal generals and guards leave. But for now I will try to avoid Alpha Jayden's sight''.

''Hmm, that is probably wise for now', Jo agreed as she sipped some sweet hot tea. It tasted like pure bliss.

''Let's get this day started!'

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'I am pretty sure this is it'', Lucy said quizzically with her hands cupping her chin. She had her blonde hair tied in a bun neatly. After taking a nice clean shower yesterday, her hair was now at least bearable to look at.

'Yep, the end room of the left wing for General D.Castiel. We are here'', Jo uttered, her tone hiding a hint of annoyance. For moon goddess' sake, she could not take on more condescending behavior of the royals! And to think they were assigned to serve a general! Generals are higher in rank than the guards and warriors and are rumored to be as strong as pack Alphas even.

It was weird for werewolves to even assign generals, but the Alpha king and Luna Queen had so many packs under their reigns. ''Guess it must be hard keeping a tab on everyone?'', Jo thought to herself.

''Should we knock first?', Lucy's voice distracted Jo's train of thoughts.

''Sure, go for it''.

*knock knock*

There was no answer at the door. After Lucy tried several more times, she gave up.

''That prick might not even be up yet, probably hung over from last night'', Jo retorted, rolling her eyes and recollecting the hectic dinner last night.

''This prick just went out for his morning run'', a voice came from behind the girls.

Jo turned to see the stranger from yesterday standing before them in jogger pants. He was wearing a thin vest and anyone could see his rock hard abs protruding from the shirt.

Jo's eyes uncomfortably lingered around his body while Lucy kept her head down.

"Greetings General'', Lucy's weak voice finally broke the silence. ''My name is Lucy and this is Jolene, we will be serving you during your stay in the Dark Slayer pack''.

''Jolene?'', the stranger tasted her name in his mouth and smiled daringly at her.

Jo stared back at the general with equal dare and refused to look away. The general continued to look at Jolene impressed, his aura had no effect on her while the girl next to her was already cowering in fear.

''Well ladies, please call me Dante. I don't like being addressed by any other title or names'', Dante lazily said, giving his sweaty hair a shuffle, his dark locks falling on his perfect face. Jo's heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze again, the fiery golden eyes. Why was it so mesmerizing? His eyes alone made her feel a hundred different things at the same time, while the sight of Jayden never did anything to her. And she had known that Jayden was her mate for a couple of years. This was all so weird.

''Okay ladies, I am heading into my room for a shower. You both are free to go'', Dante gave them a perfect smile and walked past them to enter his room. Jo inhaled his woody lavender smell as he passed and it was already too intoxicating for her.

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Once Dante was inside, he slumped on to one of the leathery cushion chair. His wolf, Theo was going crazy and this had never happened before. He was confused as well. Theo sensed their mate's scent coming from both of the girls. The scent was weak and vague but definitely there.

What exactly was going on? And who exactly is his mate? He needed to know.