CHAPTER 25

JASMINES POV

I sat in that crowd for almost two hours pondering on Caine’s words. It sounded like an invitation to treat, one which could lead me into trouble. But it was a nice offer, yet one I could not accept because he was dating my best friend.

After hours of sitting and watching, my babe was finally called.

I climbed the stage, the spotlight on me as Alpha Morgan gave the second microphone to me. He asked me questions that I had seen In the leaflet which Caine gave me.

We were six questions down, the crowd cheering with every correct answer I had until the last.

“Every pack needs a new leader the old one is gone. Who amongst my sons do you think has that in him?”

I truer to understand the nature of the question as the silence in the hall grew. It sounded tricky, but we all knew the answer.

“Caine,”

“And why?” He threw a second question, staring at me closely.

“He…urm. He’s strong, carries everyone along, protective, and…”

“And not because you love him?” Alpha Morgan said with a smile. The audience burst into a roar, some laughing while others booing him. He gestured for me to return to my seat after picking a paper from the stony bowls on the stage.

We were to wait until the revealing time, and when that time came, I opened my paper.

“Alyssa?” I said under my breath, my breath hitching in my throat as I looked up, towards the grand stage. The coaches were climbing up, standing beside their names. And soon, the students who passed were called to stand beside their coaches.

“Who’s on your paper,” Dave crept up from behind, attempting to peep into mine.

“Alyssa, yours?”

He showed me instead of saying it. I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my jealousy and anger.

“Of course, you’d be on his team. What position then?” I asked as we climbed up the stage with the rest of the students who passed.

“Defense,” he answered, looking excited. We parted ways, and I took my stand behind Alyssa, the tall, pretty lady whose face was stitched into a smile.

“That is it for tonight. To the rest of you, good luck on your next trials,” the occasion finally came to an end, with the sound of music filling the air for the after-party. Alyssa led us to a corner of the hall, standing in our midst as we circled her.

“Hi, I’m Alyssa, and I will be your coach from today henceforth. We are stationed at the diners, working to support the community and at the same time, we’d be having our skill classes every day. Training starts tomorrow from the diners. An email will be sent to you assigning you to various diners. Until then, have a lovely night,” she said, waving as left with some curious students.

“She’s pretty isn’t she?” A boy said, walking to my side. I recognized him.

“Eric from the woods,”

“And the girl who cried wolf. I have a feeling we’ll get along pretty well,” he said, reaching for a handshake. I folded my hands, leaning to the side, and just stared at him.

“Eric, join the rest,” Caine walked up from my back, sending Eric away.

“I didn’t need to be saved,” I muttered under my breath. Caine said nothing until Eric was out of sight.

“I know you might be mad because you expected me to be your coach and things didn’t…”

“Mad?” I cut him short. “Alyssa looks good. I’d rather be on her side than be with someone I’ll keep fighting every hour,” I defended my feelings, making me chuckle. He looked cute, the way his dimples sank as his lips parted, revealing his white set.

“Yeah? You think? “ he said. He reached for my hand but I moved away from his attempt to hold me. “Are you scared of me, Jasmine?”

“Why should I be?”

“Then please let’s hang out this once,”

****

First.., I’m pretty.

Then…he says please.

He goes ahead to ask for a time together…to hang out.

To crown it all, he’s been saying really funny things and complimenting me since we arrived at the diner.

I’d barely touched my food after the order came because I was completely lost in my world of thoughts.

Caine was being sweet, a typical red flag.

“Did you hear me?” His voice reached for my attention.

“Oh…yeah,” I forced a smile.

“Then what’s the answer?” He asked, sending my smile crawling behind my cheeks. “You know what, never mind. You’re probably still overwhelmed by tonight’s activities,” he said before digging back into his food.

“What are you playing at…Caine?” I just had to ask. He stopped chewing and shifted his gaze to me.

“What…do you mean?”

“This?” I said, gesturing around the table. “Last I remember you never wanted to see be seen around me…the looser,”

“Things change…people change. I changed…” he hesitated, leaning back in a way that revealed the line of his chest from his unbuttoned shirt. “And so did you, Jasmine,” he said.

His phone beeped, and mine did almost immediately. It was an email from Alyssa.

“I was assigned to Maria’s diner,” I said, feeling a relief course through my veins. At least I know someone there and wouldn’t have to do so much work.

“Great, but there’s an emergency back at home,” he said, pushing away from his chair and grabbing the keys.

“What’s wrong?”

“Lucy. She’s stopped breathing,”

******