Being home was a mixture of comfort and discomfort. I was happy to be home but the other pack members were less enthusiastic about my return. My father's pack was the largest in the country and while there were smaller packs, they all looked to my father for guidance. Our pack was compiled of feline ferals, like Victor, canine ferals, like my family, and assorted others. Maddie had been part of the pack, her parents were canine ferals, but to their dismay she wasn't a feral. While she was still a mutant, she wasn't a total outcast but when I was dismissed, she left of her own accord. I sent up a silent prayer that she was safe and wished for some contact so I knew she was okay.
My mind was too active to allow me to sleep so I wandered to the kitchen to find a snack. There were fresh strawberries in the refrigerator, thanks to Christien who knew they were my favorite. Rinsing them only took a few minutes and soon enough, I was all set with my snack.
"I thought I heard someone in here." Jack's voice made me jump as he entered the kitchen.
"Sorry. Did I wake you?" I swallowed the berry in my mouth and licked my lips free of the juice. "I couldn't sleep."
"So you came to my kitchen?" Jack asked good naturedly as he plucked a strawberry from my bowl.
"Seeing as how I'm your pupil, I thought it'd be all right if I borrowed it for a little while." Jack disappeared inside the pantry for a moment, emerging with a bag of chocolate. About ten minutes later, we had a bowl of melted chocolate to dip our strawberries into. "How'd you end up here?"
"You get right to the point, don't you?" Jack smiled sideways at me as he dipped a piece of fruit then popped it into his mouth. Licking some chocolate off his fingers, he said, "My mate decided she wanted someone better than a mutt so she rejected me."
"I'm sorry." He dipped another berry and chewed it slowly then swallowed.
"It's all right. If she can't accept all of me, then she shouldn't get to have any of me." Jack shrugged.
"How have you not-"
"Gone crazy?" He raised an eyebrow at me. "It's because I'm half human. The man lets me move on and not..."
"That's lucky." I replied, tossing a berry stem into the trash. When I glanced at him, I saw a smile teasing his lips when I caught him staring at me. He extended a hand and I felt his thumb brush against the corner of my mouth, taking a detour to brush my lips with the digit while holding my gaze. My cheeks burned and I pulled away slightly, clearing my throat.
"What about you?"
"There's nothing special about me. Haven't you heard? I'm an abomination." I said evenly.
"You're wrong." Jack said softly. "You shine more brightly than anyone else here, Charlotte. It was the first thing I noticed when I saw you."
Normally, I hated my given name but when he said it, I didn't mind as much. The way he was looking at me made my stomach flip and I changed the subject. "How far do your feral abilities go?"
"I have better eyesight and reflexes." Jack answered. "Strength and I can heal quicker than a full blooded human but slower than a full feral. And my sense of smell is heightened of course."
"That must be nice to have." I said. "I can imagine it'd be helpful to be able to smell an enemy or prey from a distance."
"Normally, yes." Jack admitted. "But at the moment it's a bit torturous."
"Why? What do you smell?" I glanced around, trying to see what could be causing a problem for him.
"Strawberries and chocolate." Jack leaned toward me slightly and sniffed the air around me. "You smell like cinnamon cider."
"Is that bad?" I asked nervously, not having tasted that particular type of cider before.
"It's my favorite." Jack smiled at me. We were closer than we should have been and if Victor hadn't crossed my mind at that moment, I would have let him kiss me. As it happened, I remembered how Victor reacted when someone hurt me and I didn't want to imagine what would happen if Jack kissed me.
"I can't." I whispered, his lips a few mere centimeters away. Instead of giving him a reason, I exited the kitchen quickly and escaped to my room. I made a straight shot for the shower and turned on the water, stepping in with my clothes on. If anybody caught Jack's scent on me in the morning, it'd ask questions I didn't want to answer. Especially since I knew that our scents were mixed with my attraction to him and I didn't want to risk it.
-0-
Every year my father hosted a ball and banquet for the other packs in the country. It was a gesture of solidarity and showed that even though we were more powerful and wealthier than the other packs. The party would be catered with the best food and the best music. As a child, I hadn't been allowed to attend but as Victor's mate it would be expected. Christien arrived early in the day with a royal blue gown that I suspected that he had talked Mother into letting me have something other than black in my wardrobe. Part of the etiquette training that had been taught in my earlier education was ballroom dancing which left me fully prepared for this event. Mother hoped that Victor would return in time for the party, having left the pack almost a week ago, and that the other Alphas would meet the next in line for our pack. In his absence, I would have to do.
The gown had a squared neckline and long sleeves, the deep blue bringing out the color of my eyes. The skirt made a rustling noise as I walked, flowing from my hips. I left my hair down around my neck, knowing that if I left my neck bared it would be construed as a sign of weakness. Mother had dropped off a necklace that had belonged to my grandmother. It was a choker made of black lace with a large sapphire dangling from it. The necklace would symbolize a leash of sorts, a demonstration that I was mated and 'under control' while the large gem would acknowledge the fact that I came from a wealthy pack. The high heeled shoes that I would wear had four inch heels, giving me a taller height than the females, but also remaining shorter than the males. Every aspect of my appearance was carefully orchestrated to reveal no weakness.
My place was at the head table with my parents and brother. I kept my shaking hands hidden under the table and Christien took my right hand in his, squeezing it encouragingly. Father stood to make a toast. "Dearest brothers and sisters, it is my great pleasure to welcome you into my home. Take advantage of our hospitality and eat and drink your fill. Indulge in the pleasures you wish but keep a low profile to the public please. We do not need the media alerted to our vast influence."
There was scattered laughter and he smiled before continuing. "I'd like to present my daughter, Charlotte who combined with her mate, Victor Creed, will be the next leaders of our pack. Get to know her and let her learn from you. For now, however, we must first enjoy our meal."
I spied Jack several tables over, returning the smile he threw my way. He picked up his mug in a small toast and I picked up my own, sipping the liquid inside. It tasted very strongly of cinnamon and it pulled another smile from my lips. I ate nervously and was actually relieved when the dancing started. In a mansion full of tempermental males, only the unclaimed or unmated danced with the opposite sex. As part of my duties, however, I was expected to dance with all who wantedto be my partner. I suffered through several disgusting males and their dancing abilities before Jack asked for a dance.
"You looked like you needed rescuing." He chuckled as he lead me around the dance floor in time with the waltz that was playing.
"I did. I've never been to one of these things before." I replied quickly. "These men are animals."
Jack threw his head back and laughed loudly, drawing the stares of several of our guests. "It's a good thing you have your wits about you tonight, Charlotte."
"I'm surprised you were invited tonight." I told him, ignoring the way he was smiling at me.
"It's a symbol of unity." Jack said. "Your father had no choice."
I caught a female staring at Jack as we passed and brought it to his attention.
"I'm not interested." He said without looking at her.
"You should be. She's beautiful." I said. "And a member of the southern territories. She could give you quite the social standing."
"I appreciate your concern for my social standing, but I'm afraid there's already a woman who's captured my interest."
The dance ended, saving me from having to reply, when he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "If she shares my affections, have her meet me on the grounds once the guests have gone."
He pulled away and bowed politely, leaving me with his invitation. I reclaimed my seat and pondered the request. Going to him would be a surefire way of ruining both of our lives. Victor would kill him and if he didn't kill me, I would be cast out again. I had read stories of true love and I believed that when you found it, your heart always knew before your head did. I felt nothing except lust for Victor but Jack could give me love. It was expected to become the next Alpha female of this pack. Meeting him would ruin that as well. I took another sip of my drink and firmly made my decision. I wasn't going to meet him. Was I?
A/N: Thanks to those of you who have added this story to the alerts and favorites list. A big thank you to my reviewers, OptimusPrimegirl and SleepiPanda. You guys rock and this chapter is dedicated to you. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and leave a review on your way out. :)