Chapter Five

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 straightforwardly, his voice sending chills that had nothing to do with the cold, down my spine.

I shook my head.

“Having issues with your voice?” He taunted.

“No. And no, I haven't forgotten my position as your fake-mate and an Omega who has no inner wolf.” The words were out before I could stop them.

Zeeland's eyes narrowed. “Good. From now on, you'll only do what I tell you. Remember, I rescued you from those slave traders.”

I opened my mouth to refute but he beat me to it.

“Ever heard of the Inter-pack Alpha-Luna competition?” He asked, making whatever I was about to say vanish from my head like a wisp of smoke.

I had. My father had spoken about it more than once. And whenever he did, he always had a look filled with longing, admiration and fear. He'd always said the competition was for stronger packs that ours couldn't ever hope to contend with.

The Zen pack was a powerful one, so maybe it participated in the competition too.

“I have.” I said in response to his question.

He nodded. “The competition is in a few months time, and as my Luna, I expect-” He was saying when I cut through his words, my voice panicky and my eyes widened.

“What are you talking about? I'm an Omega, you said it yourself. How in goddess's name do you want me to compete with experienced Lunas?” I asked.

I wasn't exactly afraid of competing. Nah, I was afraid of no one. I was afraid that I might lose control, and accidentally reveal the fact that I was a hybrid.

If that happened, I might be banished from the werewolf race forever, or worse still, beheaded.

No. There was no way I was participating in the competition. Even if I was forced.

Zeeland was closely watching me as I descended from my temporary panic mode.

“You have no say in this, Jaslyn. Awaken your werewolf in a few weeks time, and you might have a chance at winning.” He advised, his tone making it sound like an order instead.

“And if I don't?” I countered.

“Then I'll have to kill you myself. Other women are readily available for me to take my pick from and appoint as my Luna.” He sneered.

I watched as Dmitri came out of the shadows where I'd suspected he was from the start, and rolled Zeeland away.

My head suddenly felt woozy, and my stomach squeezed with the hunger for blood. I'd already fed tonight, and wasn't going to risk my luck twice. I glanced at the dark forest behind the west wing of the Fort. I'd been surprised when I heard them referring to the large castle-like buildings as the Zen Fort, rather than pack house.

The forest was illuminated by the moonlight, and seemed like the perfect place to release my anger and tension. Anger at Zeeland, and tension at what'd happen during the competition.

I began heading towards it with purpose. I couldn't shift into a wolf, but I could run fast. Faster than any mortal in fact.

Dry leaves crunched beneath my heels as I advanced deeper into the forest. Once in, I took off the heels and kept it to the side, marking the area so I'd come back for it. I stood straight and packed my hair into a bun. Taking a deep breath, I took off.

The dress hindered my movement at first, but I didn't mind. It wasn't like there was anyone watching anyway. As I ran past the trees which were turning into a blur as I doubled my pace, Zeeland's words flowed through my head.

After my eighteenth birthday, I hadn't tried to awaken my wolf. I doubted I had one anyway. Maybe my Vampire genes were more powerful than the werewolf's, and had therefore eliminated my inner wolf. It was the only explanation I had for why I didn't have an inner wolf even as I was about to turn twenty-four in a few days' time.

A sharp sound caught my ear, and I subconsciously slowed down. Something was moving through the trees. A coyote perhaps. Or maybe night insects. Or maybe it was my imagination.

My attention suddenly shifted to the sharp pain that stabbed through my legs. I'd stumped my toe on a protruding edge of a tree lying idly by. I was in need of blood, and couldn't afford to lose the one I already had. Cursing beneath my breath, I crouched down and glanced at the wounded toe. It didn't hurt me as much as the blood flowing out of it did.

“Need help with that?” A warm masculine voice said, making me jerk my head towards the direction I thought it'd come from.

So I hadn't been imagining something moving through the trees after all. A chuckle followed the sudden silence, and a tall figure emerged from behind a tree.

He advanced towards me calmly, and crouched down at my feet.

“You’re hurt,” he said, his face knitted into a frown as he lowered his hand towards my injured toe which I jerked away.

Speaking of face, the man was beautiful. His skin was pale, like it hadn't been kissed by the Sun before. I couldn't see his eyes clearly, but I could bet they were breathtaking. The man wasn't as gorgeous as my Zeeland, but beautiful all the same. Consternation filled my face at the realization of what I'd insinuated.

Zeeland wasn't mine, and why the hell was I comparing both men?

“Who are you?” I asked, when I finally found my voice.

He didn't respond immediately, and when he finally did, I was taken aback. He stared directly into my eyes, and something stirred inside me. I couldn't place what it was, but it felt like a bond. No, it was in fact stronger than that. My body began humming. It was as if it recognized who the stranger was, even though I didn't. I didn't move my gaze away, and instead stared at him.

He finally smiled, and my heart skipped a beat. In a flash, he was behind me, his movement faster than a blink. I gasped.

“How did you-”

My words died on a gasp as his cold hand brushed against my neck, pulling down my hair and letting it cascade down my shoulders.

Cold. Literally.

His touch felt like ice, that I couldn't help shuddering.

“You should always leave your hair down. It's more beautiful that way.” He was now back at my front. I was beginning to get dizzy at how fast he moved. I always prided myself on being super fast, but this man was inhumanely and insanely fast.

“What are you?” I whispered.

He straightened. “Someone who wouldn't hurt you.”

I knew he wasn't a werewolf. I didn't know how, but I just felt it.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he jerked his head to the side.

“See you soon, Jaslyn. We have company.” And with that, he was gone just as suddenly as he'd come.

Jaslyn.

He'd called me by my name. Screwing my forehead trying to remember when I'd told him, I couldn't recall anything. I hadn't told him. He knew me.

He'd called my name with the familiarity of someone who'd known me for a long time. The chills which ran down my spine this time had everything to do with fear.

I stood up just as Dmitri emerged.

“The Alpha requests your presence.” He said.

I nodded.

Minutes later, as I followed him out of the forest my heels strapped on, my head was filled with the thoughts of the pale skinned stranger with a hot accent and fast speed.

The stranger who knew my name.

And tried as I could, I couldn't shake off the feeling of familiarity which he'd spiked in me. Nor the sensation I felt as his hand had brushed against my skin.