CHAPTER SEVEN

It’s dark when I step outside, but I make sure not to make a sound.

My face is still swollen, and I feel scared of even breathing.

However, as I step outside the mansion, no one stirs.

Heart pounding, I wrap the shawl around me, tighter, and slip into the direction of the town. I may be eighteen, but my wolf has not yet emerged.

I know where the Alpha’s office is and despite how tired I am after the two-hour journey into the town, my heart lightens with hope when I see the light in his office is still on.

Heart in my mouth, I scurry over and knock on the door.

When no one responds, I knock harder, my hands shaking with fear, as I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting someone to follow me.

It’s then that the door suddenly opens, and a tall man is standing in the doorway. For a moment, I squint as the light from the door nearly blinds me and then my vision clears.

He’s a tall man, clean shaven and handsome with golden eyes, which are usually the mark of an Alpha. He’s quite handsome but definitely way older than me.

“Yes?”

I jolt at the sound of his voice and then quickly unwrap the scarf from around my face, “Are you Jason, the pack Alpha?”

The man looks amused as he studies me, “I am.”

Then the amusement vanishes from his face when his eyes light up in recognition. His voice turns soft, “Danielle, right?”

I nod, bobbing my head up and down, “I-”

“Come in,” He takes my wrist without prompting and drags me inside.

I wince at the rough motion and when he turns around, the smile slips from his face as he takes in the sight of my face, “What happened to you?”

My mouth turns dry even as I want to tell him what happened.

“I-” My hands are sweating, and I snatch my wrist back from him, rubbing my hands together, “S-So, you’re really the Alpha?”

Jason studies me, “Yes, I am. Now, what happened to your face?”

My hands are trembling so much that I don’t know what to do with them, “I - They hit me. T-they hit me because they thought I did something because Ne-”

My sentence comes to a halt as I remember that Ness is one of the Alpha’s potential future mates. What if he gets angry at me instead?

Swallowing, I continue, choosing my words, more carefully, “They thought I did something bad when I didn’t, and Vivian hit me, and the servants lied although they know the truth and I want to go home and -”

Tears are spilling over my throbbing cheeks as I blubber through the last part, “I want my dad.”

A strange expression crosses Jason’s face, “Vivian raised a hand on you?”

His voice is suddenly deep and cold, terrifying in a way that has the hair on the back of my neck rising.

Suddenly, without knowing why, I feel frightened for Vivian.

“Come here,” He leads me into his office which is a lavish looking place with a plush carpet and black and white decor. He sits me down on a comfortable three-seater before bringing over a first aid box.

“Sit still,” He murmurs.

His touch is gentle as he dabs at the swollen skin with an alcohol scented swab, “Did it just happen right now?”

“No,” I try not to move. “Late afternoon.”

His hand stills and his voice is a little strange, “It hasn’t healed?”

I feel a little embarrassed, “I’m not had my transformation yet. I still have a few weeks.”

“Oh,” He smiles again but this time there is an odd tinge to it. I also feel that he’s unnecessarily close to me right now, but it could my own nervous state of mind.

“Vivian had no right to touch you,” he says, angry again.

Having somebody angry on my behalf is a comforting thought, especially now, after being trapped in a house under people who look at me with disapproving eyes.

I feel my eyes burn as I feel safe for the first time in a very long time.

“Alph-”

“Call me Jason,” He sounds slightly amused. “No one calls me Alpha.”

My cheeks feel heated when I mutter, “Sorry, Jason.”

When he beams at me, I feel a little overwhelmed. All Alphas are usually very charismatic, their personalities drawing in their pack. As compared to the Alpha of the pack I grew up in, Jason seems easier going and relaxed and his gentle demeanor makes me want to tell him everything.

He sets down the first aid kit, having cleaned the cuts, “Now tell me what happened. Why did Vivian put her hands on you?”

Despite the kind look on his face, I can see the hardness in eyes.

I open my mouth to tell him about what Ness said and did, but then I remember that Ness is one of his potential mates. What if he get angry with me if I say anything about her?

“Cameron doesn’t want me,” I finally say, hesitantly, not meeting his gaze. “A lot of people resent me for coming into this pack as Cameron’s mate.”

“Is Vivian one of them?” Jason’s voice is cold.

I’m silent before nodding.

“Has anyone else tried to say anything to you?” His voice is dark.

I want to tell him everything, but I don’t know if he’ll believe. I don’t know if this kindness is a facade.

Just as it had been with Vivian.

“I want to go back home,” I mumble. “I’m not happy here and Cameron hasn’t even given me the mating mark.”

When Jason doesn’t say anything, I continue, babbling on, terrified of going back to the mansion, “I want to return to my pack. Tonight. I can’t stay in that house any longer. I w-won’t.”

His hand tightens on my shoulder, “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”

When I meet his gaze, once again, a shiver crawls down my spine, fear gripping my by the throat.

This time the fear is for me.