Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen

Zeeland

Her eyes were wide open, and mine narrowed. “What do you think you're doing?” I asked, my eyes unintentionally lowering down to her exposed breasts through the see-through night clothes she was dressed in.

“N-nothing,” she stuttered. “I thought I heard you mumble something.”

I forced my eyes away from the view of her breasts and to her face again. From our angle, she was pressed against my sides. Her excuse was a lame one since I hadn't been sleeping. I'd heard her when she suddenly awoke, and while I'd been worried, I didn't open my eyes to see what the problem was. And Raven had been giving me a hard time about it.

When she suddenly leaned close to me, I thought I'd explode with the burst of my nerves. Throughout the time at the party, I had done my best to ignore her. But it'd been a futile attempt. I was aware of everything that had to do with her. And oh, how beautiful she looked in that dress of hers. And her perfume was so intoxicating, that it made ignoring her almost impossible.

I couldn't guess what she had wanted to do when she leaned close to me just now, but I had an idea it wasn't anything good.

Now, she was trying to avoid my stare, her face flaming red.

“Do you think seducing me will do you any good? Alyse is my woman, and you aren't any way as good as her.” I harrumphed.

Anger clouded her eyes. “I wasn't trying to seduce you, Alpha Zeeland. If you don't mind, I'd like to go back to sleep now.” She tried to pull her hand away.

But I wasn't going to let it rest so easily. I suddenly pulled her down so she was directly above my body. Her breath quickened, and she tried to pull away.

“You are an Omega, Jaslyn. My slave, and you will be forever indebted to me. Whatever ideas you have in your head should undergo some change.” I said without any hint of warmth. She blanched, and a foreign expression, one I'd never seen on her face before, suddenly framed it- her face.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, her tone indifferent.

“Good,” I nodded, and let go of her. She slid off my body, gave some space and lay on her side her back facing me.

‘Our mate hates us now, thanks to you.’ Raven spat, venom lacing his tone.

‘Well, she should. At the next full moon, you'll see that Alyse is our true mate.’ I argued with conviction.

‘Have you ever felt as attracted to Alyse, as you are to Jaslyn?’ He shot back.

I didn't hesitate. ‘Maybe I should just fuck her. My cock wants her, but I don't.’ I refuted.

‘You’re making a huge mistake, Zee.’ And with that, he went silent.

I tried not to think about his words, tried not to think that Jaslyn was just behind me, while I sought sleep.

I awoke the next morning to find Alyse sitting beside me with a wide smile. Jaslyn was gone. I ignored the slight pang of longing in my chest, as I enveloped Alyse in a hug.

“The others are waiting. Have you decided if I can come along?” She asked, the smile still on her face.

I rubbed on my head groggily. “You can.”

Armand and Benoit had grumpy looks on their faces as I went down to the dining hall with Alyse as company. But then, they were always grumpy I ignored them. I couldn't help but notice that Jaslyn wasn't present. I briefly wondered if she was avoiding me, but I pushed the thought away. So what if she was avoiding me? It wouldn't change a thing.

The car was already waiting. Alyse got in first, then Dmitri helped me off the wheelchair and onto the seat. We slowly drove out through the gates, my car first, then Armand and Benoit's.

My stomach was clenched as it always whenever we went to pay homage to our parents. I hated how seeing their graves always reminded me of how gruesome their deaths had been. And everyday that passed since then, I blamed myself for escaping death. I had also been in the car, so why had I survived?

It made me hate myself, and even hate the perpetrators- whoever they were- even more.

Alyse's warm hand clasped mine comfortingly and I flashed her a grateful smile. We pulled over at the entrance into the graveyard an hour later. In respect of his position as the Alpha, my parents grave had been specially created for them only. I didn't if I felt better or worse at the thought of it.

“Let’s go.” Alyse whispered. She got out quickly, pulled out my wheelchair from the car boot and helped me onto it.

Armand and Benoit had already got out and were ahead of us, holding bouquets of flowers in hand. Alyse held some too.

Alyse waited to the side as Dmitri rolled me over. I carefully placed the flowers on the cemented floor, and straightened my upper body.

“I haven't failed you, Father,” I began with a low voice that even Alyse who was standing nearby couldn't hear. “I’ll get the culprit soon. That's a promise.”

On the ride back home, I remained silent and only managed a few smiles with Alyse.

“Are you fine, Zee?” Alyse asked, breaking the silence.

I nodded. “Yes, I am.”

She kissed me lightly on the lips, and pulled away. My brows furrowed. I hadn't felt a single spark, and a tiny part of me wondered if Raven was right about Jaslyn.

I waved the thought away. I couldn't see it happening. Even if the moon goddess decided to be funny, and made Jaslyn my mate, I'd reject her. I could always choose my mate myself. And Alyse was simply made for that position.

Deciding not to let such minor thoughts bother me, I leaned comfortably against the car seat and closed my eyes.

“The Alpha of Fourth Gavvy is here,” Dmitri informed me, as he helped me out of the car and into the Fort. “He wants to talk about the competition.

I smiled. Alpha Casxius was newly appointed just like I was, and while we weren't best friends, we were close enough.

“Where is he?” I asked my Beta.

He didn't need to respond however, as a voice answered for him. “Right here. You should pray that I forget about this treatment of me, so I won't beat you in the competition.” Alpha Casxius laughed. He was a tall man with twinkling eyes and dark hair that was always held up in a ponytail. He was dressed formally as usual. I'd once teased him about it, and he'd brushed it off telling me that he felt more confident if he was dressed in a suit.

“Casxius, good to see you too.” I chuckled. I gestured at Dmitri to take us to the study.

“You haven't changed since I last saw you. And congratulations, too.” Casxius said as he sat on the chair opposite mine. A table separated us.

“Neither have you. So, about the competition,” Eager to finish off the conversation, and get some rest, I began.

“Where do you propose we host it?”

I gave my suggestion and hours later, deep into our conversation, he glanced sharply at his wristwatch.

“I’m afraid I have to get going now.” He rose to his feet. I stretched out my hand to shake his.

He shook it firmly with a broad smile. “See you soon, Zeeland.”

“Yeah, soon.” I replied, and frowned when I heard some sharp voices from outside the door.

Alpha Casxius left without further delay, and Dmitri came into my study with a grim look on his face.

“What is it?” I questioned.

He took a quick breath. “Your stepmother is back.”

My face closed up. “When did she arrive?”

“She was here even before we came back from the graveyard. We hadn't noticed because she went straight to the North wing.” He reported.

“I see.” I mumbled with a glint in my eyes. My stepmother was one of my suspects involved in the death of my parents. She hated me and didn't bother to hide it. Her coming back from wherever it was she'd been to, wasn't any good at all.

But I'd already pretended to be weak enough. Now, they were all going to get a taste of their own medicine.

“Where is she now?” I asked my Beta.

“In the lower living room.” He replied.

I nodded. “Take me over to her.” I ordered.

As we went down the stairs, I schooled my features into an indifferent one. Even from afar, I could hear her voice; fake and disgusting as always.

I saw her immediately I entered. She was as slender as I remembered, her hair down in an elegant line as always. She still looked young and elegant. Any attempt to go through the exterior was

where all those softness ended. My stepmother was the epitome of evil itself, I was sure of that. It was no surprise that her children turned out just like she was.

Her gaze met mine. “Hello, Zeeland.”

“Hello, Mother.” I returned coldly.