Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve


Jaslyn 

I led the unsuspecting maid into an abandoned storage room in the corner of the passageway. My belly was already grumbling and the intense pain of neglecting to feed for an entire day was telling on me. I let her lean against me completely docile, before gently sinking my fangs into the side of her neck. I was careful not to take too much but just enough to tide me for two hours. Three, if I was lucky.

Yesterday had been a busy day for me, courtesy of Alyse who'd made it her life job to torture me as much as she could. She taunted me every chance she got, and always in the presence of Zeeland. I'd already gotten used to it although it hurt like hell. Especially whenever Zeeland sided with her. 

I wiped off the memory of what just happened from the maid's mind and sent her on her way.

“What are you doing here?” A feminine voice asked from behind me, making me jump. It was Alyse, standing at the doorway, her eyes glistening with suspicion. She looked around the dusty storage room and back to me.

“I do not answer to you, Alyse.” I replied quietly and made to leave.

She blocked my way just like I knew she would. Daughterofabitch.

“Move out of my way, please.” I requested, while inwardly debating if it'd be a good idea to have a quick drink from her neck now that she had presented herself easily to me. I didn't call her here after all, so there'd be no pinch on my conscience. I eyed her neck hungrily before regretfully moving my gaze away. 

“I saw a maid come out from this room,” Alyse began, without moving out of the way.

“And?” I frowned, crossing my arms.

“She looked confused, flustered even. What happened here?” The suspicion in her voice was evident.

I straightened. Alyse was shorter than me by a few inches, and seeing that, her scowl deepened.

“Like I said, Alyse, I do not answer to you.” My voice subconsciously lowered to a whisper. 

She flared up, rage flashing in her eyes. “Don’t ever call me by my name, you slave. You aren't fit.” She warned, pushing me back with her hand.

I stumbled a little, more from the dizziness I was feeling than from the strength of her push.

“Move out of the way, Alyse.” I ordered, deliberately calling her name yet again.

Her face contorted into an ugly mask as she fully stepped into the room.

“You think you're all that, aren't you? The only reason why you were chosen as a fake-mate was because I was away on a trip. Consider yourself lucky, and enjoy it while it lasts. I'm Zeeland's mate, and I'm very sure of that. During the next full moon and mating ceremony, I'll be chosen by the Moon goddess. You'll see that.” With each word, the fury on her face mounted.

I bit down on my lower lip hard, before I sidestepped her and hurried out of the room before she could upset me further.

Luckily for me, there was no one in Zeeland's room. This wasn't how I'd planned on celebrating my twenty-fourth birthday at all. I chewed the insides of my lip; a bad habit I did whenever I was greatly upset.

Alyse’s words had gotten to me in a way I hadn't expected.

“You’re pathetic, girl.” I murmured in self-derision, wiping the tear that slipped down the side of my cheek. 

It was already sunset, and with any luck I might have a good birthday after all. I rose slowly with only one location in mind.

The library.

I shut the door close behind me, and walked down slowly the well decorated hallway. According to the servants, or what I'd read from their minds, decorations were only set up whenever there was a celebration coming up. None of them knew what the upcoming celebration was though.

I slowed down as I came upon my most admired paintings in the Fort. That wasn't true though, since I hadn't really explored other wings. The paintings that lined the wall were that of every Alpha that'd ruled Zen pack, from the founding Alpha to an empty frame. I assumed it was reserved for the incumbent Alpha. Within me, I already saw Zeeland as the Alpha even though the council was yet to pronounce him as one.

I shook my head roughly. I already resolved not to think of him, if I could help it. And I was already failing woefully. 

A few moments later, I arrived at the library. I'd never met anyone there ever since I began frequenting the beautiful library, and today wasn't any different. I breathed in the smell of books deeply before going over to make myself a cup of coffee.

After having an inward fight on the genre to select, and picking fantasy, I finally settled down on the soft couch to read. I heard a sudden noise just seconds into reading and jerked up suddenly. I was the only one present in the library, I was certain of that. Concluding that it might've been a stray book that's fallen off the shelf, I reluctantly stood up to check. The noise came again, this time more loudly than the first. I frowned and traced the source.

A black and golden huge shelf greeted my sight, and I gasped a little when I noticed that there was actually a back section. I followed the path cautiously, and rounded up to a beautiful reading section. My footsteps were muffled by the soft rug.

A few steps away from me was the source of the noise. He was comfortably seated on a large reading chair, deeply engrossed in a book. His wheelchair sat idly by the side. His blue hair lay down in spikes down his forehead, and I stood at a spot completely mesmerized by the sight. He didn't notice me, and I was glad. So much for not wanting to think about him.

There I was, hiding behind a bookshelf, ogling at Zeeland like an idiot. This was one of those moments when I wished I could read his mind, or maybe control him.

My heart picked up speed at the thought of controlling him. Maybe if I could, I'd make him kiss me till I was breathless and we were both panting for breath.

I let myself watch him for a few minutes, before turning to leave. I moved so quickly that I unintentionally struck my toe against the bottom shelf. I winced, and turned to see if Zeeland had been distracted by the noise. 

He had.

He was now staring at me with uninterested eyes before lowering them to his book once more.  

“Sorry,” I whispered while crouching to rub on the hurting toe.

“Will you stay there all day?” He asked in response.

“W-what?” I stuttered.

“Come over.” He didn't raise his gaze at me but I found myself obeying his command almost like he had. I hovered a few paces away from him, and I couldn't help the sudden gasp that escaped my mouth when he leaned forward and pulled me closer.

“Have you been following me?” He asked in a steel-like voice.

I narrowed my eyes, all fear vanishing from my body. “Don’t be ridiculous, Alpha Zeeland.”

He regarded me for a moment before pushing me back onto a chair that I hadn't noticed at first. Then he went back to reading, completely ignoring my presence.

I considered telling him that it was my birthday, but brushed off the idea almost immediately. There was no use for it. 

“Tell me about yourself.” He suddenly said.

I'd concluded that he had no intention of speaking to me again, and I was startled by his words. 

Instead of responding, my eyes landed for the very first time on the book he was reading. 

“I’ve read that book.” I chuckled.

He frowned. “That’s impossible. It's the limited edition, and there are only three copies that's been published.” He argued with much conviction. 

I shook my head. “Mine is the limited edition too, and I found it in an old drawer in my dad's room. I read that book when I was ten, Alpha Zeeland.” I rose and went over to peer at it closely.

“Told you. This is the book.” I smirked.

I didn't notice how close we were until I tried to straighten. I bumped against his shoulder, and fell across his sturdy body. Afraid that I'd hurt his knees, I tried to get up quickly.

“Don’t move, Jas.” His breath made my skin tingle, and I almost closed my eyes in pleasure. He smelt so clean, and the fragrance of the lit scented candle clung onto his body. It was a pleasant combination.

I sat completely still in his arms, his eyes holding mine. He lowered his eyes down to my lips and back to my eyes, then repeated the motion. The tension mounted, and I suddenly forgot how to breathe normally. 

My chest rose and fell, as his lips hovered just inches away from mine. I closed my eyes in anticipation.

How much I'd dreamt of this moment, I couldn't recall. All I wanted right then was his lips locked with mine.

“Leave.” His cold voice startled me and pulled me harshly from my fantasy. My eyes whipped open to meet his. 

Unfeeling, they were.

“I’m sorry, A-Alpha,

” I stuttered as I pushed off his body.

“Jaslyn?” He called out calmly as I hurried away. 

I turned back. 

“If you say a word of what happened here to Alyse, you'll regret it.” He warned.

I nodded and rushed out.