Chapter 3

Jack's POV

When I scan the crowd again, I do not find Jenna anymore, with those bright green eyes that had been filled with so much trepidation and hope.

Pain suddenly slams into me, and I stagger back, shocked at its intensity.

Warm hands settles on my shoulders.

“Are you alright?” Violent asks, eyes filled with concern and care.

“I am alright.” I whisper, even though I am anything but. Violet doesn't look convinced, and those knowing eyes darken in suspicion.

I take her hands in mine and drop a light kiss on her wrist, her pulse jumping at the first brush of my lips against the smooth flesh. I look up through hooded eyes to watch her, enjoying the sight of blood that rushes to her cheeks.

“Trust me, there's nothing to worry about.”

Violet nods with a beaming smile, and I right myself to take her hands, leading her towards a further corner, slightly darker, to afford us more privacy.

“When you said you wanted to hold a feast tonight, I didn't know what to expect.” Violet admits.

“Well, I didn't want to wait another moment.” I lie.

“I am so happy to know that.” Violet sighs happily, her long, graceful fingers toying with the buttons of my old shirt.

“Can I tell you something?” She asks, those bright blue eyes snapping into mine.

I give her a smile and a nod to go ahead, wondering why I wasn't feeling the sort of fire I did in the pit of my stomach when I looked at Jenna. Or the strange desire and lust that had pounded my flesh when our eyes met.

“I have been in love with you for so long. I couldn't imagine anyone other than you as my soul mate,” she whispers, her eyes filled with love and joy.

Then this union must have been designed by the gods. I whisper, taking her hands again in mine and giving her wrist another kiss, this time, lingering for more than a few seconds.

Violet's pulse begins to beat erratically and her heart joins the unsteady beat. I watch her eyes, noting the desire in the depths of those eyes.

“I would like to kiss you right now. I murmur.”

“Then, by all means, go ahead.” She whispers back, her voice heavy with desire.

I pull Violet against me, her soft body meeting the hardness of mine. I waste no time in bringing my lips to hers and kissing her. She is all soft and smooth, and her lips remind me of cold mornings during the autumn.

Violet kisses me back with the same focus and zeal she puts into everything she does, and I am almost reeled back from the intensity of her kisses. I find myself breaking our bodily contact and taking a step back, desperate for air and respite.

Violet brings a hand to her lips, her eyes turning dreamy.

“It was even better than I had imagined.” She confesses, her voice thick with desire.

I give a nervous chuckle, fully aware that my wolf has shrunk to the deepest part of myself so that I can barely feel him. He hadn't even tried to be involved in this physical activity. I wonder just how long it'll take my wolf to fully accept this new reality. To accept Violet as our mate.

Discreetly, I allow my eyes to sweep across the hall, even though I can no longer feel Jenna's presence or smell her. I allow my eyes to wander the small crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

But when I don't, I turn to Violet, faking a smile for the first time and deciding to make an exit, suddenly feeling the incessant urge to be by myself.

“Can I attend to a few matters? I will come find you again.” I tell Violet, lifting her hands to my lips and dropping a kiss on her warm fingers.

“Of course, my love.” She smiles. Without another word, I make my way out the door, taking a deep cleansing breath and wondering why I feel so empty.

Even though the night had gone better than I'd expected, I hadn't thought I'd feel this emptiness that I do now. This dissatisfaction... I wonder whether I would have been happier if I had gone ahead and accepted Jenna as mine.

But I guess I would never find out because this has already been done. And a part of me hopes that the strong bond that I experienced with Jenna is broken. I don't feel the presence of my wolf as I make my way towards the building once more, and I grimace at the thought that they could still be sulking over what I have done.

I had made the right decision, hadn't I? Turning Jenna away was for the greater good of the pack. She might not see it now, but I know that one day, she'll understand, but as I turn into my chamber and rest on the chair, my mind spirals back in time, conjuring her pretty face out of the darkness of my heart.

Against all odds, I swat the thought of her out of my mind, and drop my head on the chair's backrest. I did the right thing, right? I ask no one but my subconscious mind. It seems to whisper back in affirmation.

Then why do I still feel this twerk? I ask again, shutting my eyes from the noise in my head.