Chapter One. Jaslyn “Sexy,” the unpleasant looking man said, his hand moving up and down my bare legs, while I pushed down the feeling of revulsion which crept up my throat. “You’ll fetch a lot of money. At least enough to recover the money I lost from your godforsaken father.” He spat, disgust dripping from his voice.It was a line I'd heard so many times, and one I loathed.“If you behave well, with any luck you'll end up with a rich Alpha who's willing to make you his toy,” he continued, moving around only to stop behind me. “Bring the black cuffs.” He ordered his underling.My body was weak to even protest as he changed my handcuffs and locked it. I hadn't eaten for days now, and though I didn't really need food, I needed blood. A were-vamp was a taboo in the werewolf race, and my father had detested me for it. Maybe that was why he hadn't hesitated to sell me out to slave traders in order to save his pack. I wasn't sure any of the slave traders knew I was a
Chapter Two. Zeeland I tried to focus on anything other than the woman who was seated right in front of me. I watched as her face alternated between different expressions, ignoring how much they stirred me.I'd come to Washington DC with the sole intention of picking a mate, if only to secure my position in the pack.The Alpha selection was in a few days time, and I had that much to convince the council that this woman was my mate. Else I'd lose the chance to become the Alpha.I clenched my fist. That wasn't an option.With just a glance at her back at the auction hall, I'd decided she was the one I wanted. And I was ready to pay anything to get her. I wasn't usually spontaneous, and my decision surprised even myself. I couldn't explain how I'd felt back then, but the moment I saw her, a foreign and overpowering sensation had engulfed me.As I took in her perfect alabaster skin, and blonde hair which had a healthy glow to it, I'd felt like running my hand thr
Chapter Three. Jaslyn.I staggered behind the walls, away from the bustle of the mating ceremony while hoping that no one would notice my absence. My legs felt weak, and my belly clenched so hard it was a surprise I didn't shriek.I needed to feed, and I had to do it before returning to that godforsaken party. The gown Zeeland had ordered me to wear wasn't aiding me as I walked. Instead, it seemed to slow me down. It was a high necked tulle gown that had a cinched waist, and belled down to my ankle. My cleavage was a little bit exposed, and I shivered in the cold.As a half-vampire, I wasn't supposed to feel the chilly weather, but I hadn't fed in days. Footsteps approached, and I crouched down, hoping that the garden would provide enough cover until I saw who it was. It turned out to be one of the servants. I felt bad as I reached out and pulled her into the shadows. As a rule, I didn't feed on poor people until it was an emergency. Well, this was an emerge
Chapter Four. ZeelandJaslyn's expression was grim and determined as she lifted the cup towards her lips. My heart raced fast, and just when she was about to drink from the poisoned wine, I barked, “Stop!”Arching an eyebrow at me but without saying a word, she lowered the cup.“You passed,” I said quietly.“Passed what?” She asked with obvious confusion.“The Luna's test,” A member of the council said from behind her. My face closed up at the sight of him, and his face wasn't better off.He'd supported my stepbrothers and had wanted one of them to become the Alpha. Of course he wasn't pleased that Jaslyn had passed the test to become the Luna, which had in turn cleared the passageway for me to become the Alpha.“Congratulations,” he was saying now, his eyes trained on me as if saying the battle wasn't over. I knew that of course, and was prepared for whatever was coming.I lifted my chin. “Thank you, Tyvera.” He grunted what passed either as a response or
Chapter Five. Jaslyn Different emotions filled my heart as I stomped outside. And hurt topped the list.As much as I tried to ignore it, I couldn't deny the fact that Zeeland viewed me as nothing more than an Omega who had no wolf.I shook my head in self-derision. What had I been expecting?He had made his position clear earlier today when he brought me over. Today? It sure felt like an eternity had passed.Zeeland had clearly told me that I was his fake-mate, nothing more and nothing less. He clearly had no intentions of changing his mind. So why did his words sting more than they should?Zeeland's wheelchair backed me as I came out into the open. His Beta was nowhere in sight, but I suspected that he was within close range.“You called for me,” I said a little too stiffly as I stood in front of him.His cold expression gave nothing away about what he was thinking, as he glanced at me. “Are you forgetting your position so soon?” He asked straightforward
Chapter Six. Jaslyn “Sorry,” I mumbled absentmindedly as the teacup fell off my hand and spilled its contents on the floor. “I’ll clean it up.”“You don't have to.” Zeeland said, biting into his croissant. It was the first sentence he'd uttered since we arrived at the dining hall. His stepbrothers had sour expressions on their faces.“She isn't even the Luna yet, she's still as good as an Omega.” Benoit spat, his eyes shooting lasers at me.I stared at him unfazed. “Now that I think of it, I don't have to clean it myself. Would you like to help out?” I asked with a sweet smile.Benoit's face alternated between purple and red, as he stabbed his finger at the empty air. “You-”“Oh, come on, It's just a teacup.” I gingerly picked up my pecan pie and bit on it slowly. I caught Zeeland's smirk, before he dipped his gaze.Armand was intently watching me with knitted brows. I'd been avoiding the brothers ever since my encounter on the night of the mating ceremony. And
Chapter Seven. Jaslyn “So weak,” one of the ladies beside me said. Her words were accompanied by snickers from the others.“So strong, yet your arm balance is so pathetic.” I retorted calmly. For the life of me, I couldn't engage in the swordfight they were currently practicing in. I learned my lesson after the first few trials when one of the women had nearly slashed down my shoulder. Yet I couldn't go back into the Fort.Zeeland's instructions were clear. I had to practice ahead if I ever hoped to beat the Lunas from other packs. The ladies that were currently engaging in a duel were Armand and Benoit's toys, and they'd done nothing but try to get under my skin. “I heard you were a slave before Zeeland bought you off,” one of them, a blonde, said giggling and looking at me mockingly. I didn't respond.“No wonder I've been perceiving an odd smell. I bet you can't wash off the smell of a slave no matter how hard you try.” Blondie continued, and my hands clenche
Chapter Eight. Jaslyn I hissed for the sixth time in a row as I flipped through the pages of the book I wasn't really reading. The words seemed to blur into each other, and my head was starting to ache. I crossed my legs together and leaned against the fluffy chair with another sigh. I was all alone in the large room I shared with Zeeland, and thankfully for me he wasn't around. He was prolly in the garden, North wing with Alyse. I tried to ignore the sharp pang of pain that shot around my heart with no success. After that time in his study, I'd caught Alyse giving me mocking and hateful stares. Surprisingly, I was affected by it even though I considered myself as thick skinned.For the past few days, I acted the real part of a fake-mate. Maybe the arrival of Alyse prompted Zeeland to put me in my place. And did I mind?Yes.Even though I wanted to deny it.The fact that Zeeland was a cripple didn't matter to me. He was well…good. “Uhhh, I'm going to go crazy