Chapter Three

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 emergency.

I reached into her mind, and calmed her fear, and soon she stood docile in my arms, completely blank-faced. I wasted no time in locating her veins before sinking my fangs into it.

Warm blood gushed into my mouth, and I closed my eyes briefly savoring the taste. Her blood didn't taste nice like others, but at that moment I didn't mind.

I pulled away quickly in fear that I might have drunk too much. I wasn't wrong. She was pale, and her body shook slightly. 

“Sorry,” I whispered apologetically, and injected the thoughts of pleasure into her mind. She wouldn't remember what happened, rather she'd think she was a little bit sick, and that was why she was so pale.

I watched as she staggered away, not feeling even a bit satiated. But the clenching pain had lessened.

I was about to return to the party before Zeeland would come looking for me, when I suddenly heard low voices from behind the walls. I frowned, and leaned in closer to hear what they were saying.

Judging from the gruff tone of their voices, they were males. 

“She seems to be his mate. We cannot let that happen.” One's voice floated clearly through the night.

“What do you suggest we do? Once the council agrees, there'd be nothing to stop him.” His partner's voice sounded oddly familiar.

My brain set to work, trying to recall where I'd heard it from.

“Nothing? You're so naïve, Brother. The only way to stop him is to eliminate him, and his so-called mate.” The former said again, and I froze.

“But he's a cripple. Surely, there's no need to go through that much trouble?” His partner asked, hesitation lacing his voice.

Fuck.

I jerked with realization. They were talking about Zeeland and…me.

I didn't even think, I just turned around, and rushed straight towards the party. I barely got far when a hand struck the back of my neck. I moaned, and fell limply to the floor.

Tears stung my eyes. I hadn't felt so much heartache. Not even when I was sold out to slave traders by my own father. But here I was, worried about my own captor. How twisted was that?

“Who else, but our soon-to-be Luna?” The moonlight cast light on his face as he hovered above me. His partner joined him.

I could see them clearly now.

Armand and Benoit. Zeeland stepbrothers.

                         ★★

Cold water splashed on my face, pulling me back into reality. I looked around weakly, wondering how I'd passed out. The events of the past few hours floated into my mind.

I'd been abducted.

My hands were tied, and the floor beneath my bottom felt hard, brooking no doubt in my mind that this was probably a deserted cave. Armand stood beside me, his face beaming.

Bastard.

Benoit walked in moments later, a triumphant smile on his face.

“Finally awake?” Benoit asked. He had jet black hair, which flowed down to his shoulders. Other than his dirty personality, he was good-looking, and would have made tons of money as a model if he wanted.

“Let me go.” I ordered, or tried to, as my voice came out as squeaky as a mouse. I bit my lips in frustration.

“Don’t even dream about it. We're going to give you pleasure, Jaslyn. But don't fret, you'll enjoy it.” Armand grinned, his hand going down to his groin. 

I let out a disgusted sound. “In your dreams.” I spat.

It wouldn't be hard to control their minds, and make them free me. But I needed blood. And I couldn't risk feeding from both of them alternately while controlling their minds. 

I'd kept my identity as a hybrid hidden for so long to let myself slip just like that. Instead, I tried to stall.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked with a pained effort. The belly-clenching was back, and with more force than normal.

“You have no idea, do you? Or maybe you do,” Benoit said, crouching down and placing us on eye level. “You overheard our conversation after all.” He smirked.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” I insisted, trying to ignore his pulsing veins, and the urge to feed off him.

I swallowed hard, and turned my head away.

“Bitch!” Pain exploded in my head, as Armand struck me hard. My head fell limply to the side, and raw rage fueled within me. 

“I’m going to enjoy fucking you, and then killing you. And before you ask, Zeeland thinks you ran away. I intend to see how you will convince him otherwise. He's as furious as hell.” He grinned again, adding to my rage.

“Let me go this instant.” I ordered. Thankfully, my voice sounded steady this time.

The sound of unbuckling echoed in the cave, as Benoit pulled down his trousers. He drew close to me, and freed his cock. 

“Open,” he grunted.

I pursed my lips, my chest heaving.

He slapped me hard, and tried forcing my mouth open.

“There’s no use resisting, Jaslyn. At this moment, Zeeland is about to drink his poisoned wine. He'd probably be dead before tomorrow. With any luck, we might make you our personal toy.” Armand laughed triumphantly.

That did it. I finally lost it.

I reached out into their minds with a lot of effort, and forced them to a spot. They froze, their faces blank as I worked my hands out of the ropes binding them. And then I grabbed Benoit and pushed my fangs into his neck, drawing as much blood as possible. I pushed him to the floor, and pulled Armand close. 

Once I was done, I wiped the memory off their minds. The only thing they'd remember the next day would be the memory of me escaping.

With that being done, I turned and raced towards the Fort hoping I'll get there before Zeeland drank his poisoned wine.

The guards manning the entrance were about rushing forward to block my entrance, but I reached into their minds, and made them let me through.

I spotted Zeeland the moment I rushed in. He was dressed in a designer suit, his short blue hair complimenting his so-handsome-it-hurt face. My heart did that little flip again, and I wondered how I could think about kissing him in such a dire situation as this.

He had an annoyed look on his face as he was about to lift the glass to his lips.

“No!” I shrieked without thinking, dashing forward. 

Luckily, my shriek halted his action.

“Don’t. The wine is poisoned.” I stood in front of his table, my heart racing.

He merely glanced at me with disinterest. 

“And how can you prove that?” He asked calmly.

Taken aback by his question, I was tongue-tied for a moment. 

“I-I-” My words trailed off. 

I was aware that everyone's attention was now focused on us, and sweat coated my back.

He held out his glass of wine towards me, his eyes emotionless. “I presume you discovered that there's no way out of the Fort, and that's why you're back and trying to win my good graces, isn't it?”

“I didn't try to run away. I was-” I paused.

“Jaslyn Laural, you're an Omega. An ordinary werewolf. Since you claim that this wine is poisoned, why don't you have a sip?” There was no hint of warmth in his voice at all.

My heart raced faster than it did the day I discovered I didn't have an inner wolf. 

“I can't.” I whispered.

“You can't? Make your choice then. Drink the wine, or risk losing your life.” He shrugged.

“I’m trying to save you.” I insisted. There was no wa

y I could tell him what I overheard, and what'd transpired between me and his brothers without risking revealing my identity.

“Are you? Then prove it. Drink the wine.” He deadpanned.

I hesitated. Suddenly, a steel-like determination filled me as I reached out for the wine.

And then I slowly lifted it towards my lips.