Chapter 15 Chapter Fifteen

Chapter 15 Chapter Fifteen
Jaslyn 

I was in a fairly sour mood tonight. It was the night when the lower packs were coming to pay homage or whatever it was that Dmitri had told me. Yesterday afternoon had gone well indeed and I could still picture how epic the manager's face had looked like, in my mind. Reeta's hadn't been any different too. I'd gotten the dress like I said I would, and now it lay on my bed alongside its black tiara and my favorite cologne.

I had a queer habit of pairing up my perfume according to my mood. The one I was using tonight was in a purple bottle, and was a combination of pleasant seductive fragrances. 

As for the reason why I was in a sour mood, Alyse was the culprit. For whatever reason, she'd convinced Zeeland to make me join the servants in their daily chores. I'd overheard them when I had gone over to deliver a message to him from one of the council members. My heart had gone cold when I heard him tell her that she should remain patient until after the competition. I'd known all along that Zeeland had no interest in me whatsoever. But hearing him say it, hearing him talk about me just like he would a stranger had made me upset. Without accomplishing what had brought me there, I turned back and left. 

Now, slowly and slowly, the plan to run away was brewing in my mind. I wondered why I hadn't thought of it since I arrived. The answer was at the back of my mind of course. I was in awe of Zeeland. And now, I wasn't anymore.

“Well, it is what it is.” I murmured and packed my blonde hair into a ponytail before carefully putting on my dress. I gasped when I took a glance at my reflection in the mirror. That day at the clothes store, I'd seen how good I looked in the dress. But I hadn't paid so much attention to details. Now I did. And I took in all of them in appreciation.

A knock came at the door just then.

“Come in,” I slightly raised my voice and called out.

A maid sauntered in, stood at a close distance and bowed. “I’m here to help you dress up.”

A few hours later, we were done with it. “Thank you.” I smiled.

I could hear gay voices as I advanced towards the large celebration hall at the South wing of the Fort. I'd never explored this part, but as I looked around now, I noticed how regal and distinguished it was. It gave off every bit of royalty vibe. The guards at the entrance opened the doors to the hall, and I walked in slowly. My eyes found Zeeland immediately. It was hard not to. Even as a cripple, on his wheelchair, he stood out among the several guests.

Tables had been arranged to seat four, and far up at the head table, were important members of Zen pack and that included Armand and Benoit. Worse luck for me. 

Unsure of where to sit, I hesitated until I noticed Zeeland gesturing at me. Alyse wasn't seated close to him, and I spotted her a few chairs away giving me cold glares. 

I went over to take a seat beside Zeeland. His passive face gave nothing away, but I couldn't help noticing how good he looked tonight. He was dressed in a black tuxedo suit and black pants to match. His hair lay down in spikes slightly touching his forehead as usual. His gaze held mine briefly, and I looked away quickly. 

To hide my nervousness, I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing server, and chugged it down in one gulp almost making me choke.

Yes, I was angry. But it was more at myself than Zeeland, after all he hadn't even done anything out of the ordinary. Everything he'd done so far were within reason. It wasn't like I was expecting him to begin liking me after giving me his Black card to buy an expensive dress, even after he told me that I was nothing but a slave to him. And that was why I was angry. I'd led myself to believe that maybe, just maybe he had a little bit of interest in me. 

I gave myself a mental shake, and willed myself to stop upsetting myself with those kind of thoughts. 

I went through most of the party in a daze. I hadn't known there were so many packs in Europe, and before tonight, I only knew thirty. But tonight, I counted more than a hundred packs that came to pay homage. Each pack's Alpha was accompanied by a Beta and two members. Soon, I got bored and decided to excuse myself.

Zeeland turned his head sharply towards me when I tried to stand up. Completely ignoring the Alpha at his front, he fixed me with a stare. “Where are you going to?”

“To get some fresh air. I'll be back as soon as possible.” And without waiting for his response, I hurried out of the hall. I could deal with the consequences of walking out on him later, but if I didn't get out of the hall in seconds, I was quite sure I might faint.

As expected, the cool air on my body was pleasant. I spread out my arms and inhaled deeply.

Just then, a car pulled over at the Fort's big parking lot. I hadn't even heard it drive in because I was lost in my thoughts. Feeling that the car looked familiar, and wondering where I'd seen it before, I peered closely at the occupants. I couldn't see them clearly, but when they fully got out, a loud gasp escaped my throat. My lips quivered and I looked around suddenly wishing I had teleporting powers.

And that was because coming out of the car a few paces away, dressed to impressed as always, were my father and stepbrother. 

I backed them quickly, spotting a corner where I could take to avoid them. 

“Jaslyn,” my father's voice halted me right in my tracks. His voice was full of the same scorn as years back.

Reluctantly, I went over.

“Hi, Father. Zander.” I greeted just as coldly.

My father's eyes narrowed, and he turned to his son. “Go on, I'll be right behind you.”

Zander regarded me with a look of contempt for a moment, before he went away.

“What are you doing here?” My father asked me straightforwardly.