After the Malefica attack, I was in a daze as Jakayla led me to my quarters. The adrenaline from the chaotic scene in the hall had left me drained, and my limbs felt heavy. Jakayla's presence was a comforting in the midst of everything going on.
She gently guided me to the bed and helped me sit down, her concern evident in her eyes as she looked at me.
"You need to rest, Una," She said, her voice soothing. "The shock must have been overwhelming."
I nodded weakly, my voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."
"Why do you care so much for me?" You barely know me," I croaked, putting a halt to her movement out of the bedroom. She stayed in place, thinking of how to respond to my question. After some seconds, she turned around and smiled softly, her expression kind and understanding as she clasped my hands.
"I know exactly what you are, and that gives me enough details on how your life must have been growing up. I don't need to know you in order to care," She explained and my eyes clouded with tears, overwhelmed by her compassion.
Maybe it was a family thing, except for Jaxon though. I still think he's an ass.
Speaking of Jaxon....
"Where did your brother and Anthony go? And I still don't understand why I was brought here." I said honestly, and her nostrils flared in disbelief.
"He still hasn't told you?" She snapped, obviously not intending to direct her anger at me.
"Tell me what?" I asked, puzzled at what I was to be told. Without another word, Jakayla left the room, leaving my question unanswered and my thoughts a chaotic mess.
I lay down on the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress beneath me. The events of the evening replayed in my mind, each moment etched into my memory with vivid clarity.
The Malefica's attack today had been a horrible interruption of the events this pack was enjoying. Why did it choose to come today? And why did it attack me instead?
I thought of Zane and his Lycan. The connection we had shared...its intensity.
As I lay there, I couldn't deny the complexity of my emotions. Fear, curiosity, mostly fear. The questions remained. Why had I been singled out? What was the nature of the connection between the Zane and me? He was a jerk, and a seemingly cold person, even his Lycan shared the same coldness.
The room was quiet, the only sound being the gentle hum of the air conditioning and I knew that I needed to find answers.
I gently pushed myself off the bed, slipping into my slides, and I left the bedroom. I could hear a few noises outside, like people were arguing as I left the house. There was a gathering a few meters from my quarters, and they all looked very angry, pointing fingers towards my quarters.
From nowhere, something caught my attention. It was a unique sensation and a captivating scent, a blend of musk and wood. It called out to me, pulling me closer, and it was coming from the forest.
I slipped deeper into the forest, driven by an unwavering determination to discover the source of that potent scent, eager to understand the irresistible allure it held. The ground rustled with each step as I pressed forward, gradually picking up my pace until I found myself sprinting toward the alluring fragrance.
As I approached a small stream, the scent grew even stronger, compelling me to climb a massive nearby rock. From this elevated perspective, I eagerly inhaled the air, trying to discern why the scent had suddenly disappeared.
In an unexpected twist, a menacing growl echoed through the forest. When I looked down, I was met with the sight of a massive, pure white furball lurking beneath me.
My heart pounded in my chest as I recognized the creature beneath me. It was no ordinary beast; it was Zane. His pure white fur and commanding presence left no room for doubt. Zane was the origin of the scent??? Was this some cruel joke?
The low growl continued, a deep and menacing sound that reverberated through the forest. The Lycan's hazel yes bore into mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His growl was a warning, a clear message that I had intruded upon his territory, and his dominance over this realm was undisputed.
I knew that my every move had to be cautious and deliberate. I dared not make any sudden gestures that might provoke the Lycan. Instead, I slowly raised my hands in a placating gesture, showing that I meant no harm.
"Hello," I said softly. "I mean no harm. I have no intention of challenging your authority here."
The Lycan's growl persisted, but it seemed to waver slightly, as if he were considering my words.
He was clearly the source of the scent, and the Lycan snarled at me before standing up and darting behind a long mahogany tree. A few cracks were heard, and I could tell that he had just shifted back to his human form.
Zane emerged from where the Lycan had gone, clad in a pair of grey joggers and nothing else, his muscular chest on full display. There was irritation in his eyes, and as he walked closer to me, my breath hitched, the mouthwatering scent getting closer and closer.
"Does he have a name?" I asked sheepishly, referring to the Lycan and Zane nodded his head.
"Rex," He responded.
"What do you want?" He suddenly asked, tilting his head in a funny manner as if he was studying me.
"Why am I here? Why did you kidnap me?" I started, folding her arms, and he let out a scoff.
"Kidnapped you? You were running from your pack, weren't you?" He asked, as if he figured me out in less than a second. A knot formed in my throat and I swallowed.
"That doesn't answer my question," I retorted and Zane responded with a subtle gesture, biting his lower lip before running his tongue over it.
"We're mates," He declared and it was like the world just shifted from beneath my feet.
Mates?!