It's Unfair

**BLANCA**
Thirty minutes have gone by and there's still no sign of Max. I've tried to keep myself from pacing back and forth by the window, but it's just not possible. Although I know it's ridiculous, I'm worried for him. He seemed wild and out of control when he left. Racing out of here as if he knew he was on a path to destruction.
If I'm being honest, *everything* he's done so far this morning has been pretty wild.
*He tried to kiss me!*
*He genuinely tried!*
My entire body buzzes at the memory of it. The way he caged me against the wall, the glowing fire in his eyes when he looked at me, the *feel* of his teeth on my skin...the feel of his skin in my *hand*. My face burns with contentment when I remember the pure deliciousness of what he did to my body. *Oh my Goddess, that was magical.* I don't think anything has *ever* felt like that. In fact, I'm sure it hasn't. He seemed really happy to do it to me and I think he enjoyed what I did to him as well.
*He wants me.*
*But not as his mate.*
A painful breath tumbles out of me when I get to that part. Cyrus says he just needs time to realize - whatever that means - but I don't think that's it. He is the *Alpha* and not just any Alpha...he is an Alpha with more dominant energy than ten Alpha's put together. So if he *really* wanted me - in the way that I want him - couldn't he simply use his power to *force* the rest of the pack into submission?
I mean, how can he as passionate as he was this morning - begging me - making me promise that I'll never leave him - and at the same time *refuse* to do the one thing to ensure that I never do?
*Maybe he's playing with me. Maybe he's the same way with every woman he has in his bed.*
Women like Fionna.
*I wonder if he's slept with her before. The way he has with me.*
If he has - or if he *does* - I don't know if I'll be able to keep my promise. If I have to watch them fall for each other, I might go certifiably insane.
"I really *wanted* that kiss though," I admit to myself, bringing a hand to my lips as I gaze out the very window I'm trying to avoid.
*Where did he go? To punish Frank?*
"Blanca!"
"Yikes!" I screech, spinning around to come face to face with Jared. He looks amazing, dressed in dress slacks and a button down shirt. With his sleeves rolled up part way, exposing his glorious forearms to the world. "You scared me!"
"Sorry, Blanca," he says smoothly, flashing his most charming of smiles. He gazes over my shoulder at the open window and his eyebrows draw together in worry. "Where is he?"
I shrug, worrying my lip nervously. "He didn't tell me where he was going. Only that I should wait for you."
Jared nods, his dark eyes combing over me in slow appraisal, heating when they fall over each of my curves. "I suppose he means for me to show you to the kitchens then."
I nod in answer, gazing down at my simple blue dress. "Is there something else I'm supposed to wear?"
Jared smiles and reaches out his hand. "Yeah. Come on. I'll take you to my room and you can use the shower there. The one you are supposed to use is the same one assigned to the Omegas, and it is overrun at the time in the morning. Besides, I'd prefer to keep you safe."
"Thank you, Beta Jared," I reply, taking his hand and feeling lucky for the second time in two days.
"Please *only* call me Jared," he says seriously, tugging on my hand slightly as he leads me toward the *private* exit that Max showed me yesterday. "We're going this way so that no one knows which room you came from. Fionna is here and if she finds out you stayed the night with Max, she'll make your life a living hell."
"Fionna?" I ask, feigning nonchalance. "Is that Ma-the Alpha's girlfriend?"
Jared chuckles, completely oblivious to the small catch in my voice and the almost insurmountable sadness that creeps in. "Yup."
With that one little word I feel my heart crack. I don't know *why* it does, it's not like I wasn't prepared to hear such things. In fact, I totally expected it, but it hurt anyway. *So much* more than I expected it would. It's as if I can feel it in my throat...the pain. A burning, festering, rot of despair, with cruel fingers and an iron grip, that have wrapped themselves around my airway and are making it hard for me to breathe.
"Her father's the Alpha of the Autumn Moon Pack. Her brother Jericho is a good friend of ours and will be the next Alpha. Fionna was always Robert's first pick for Luna, but not because she's especially qualified," Jared adds on.
Actually, he was probably talking this entire time, but I only just started listening again.
Allowing myself a sad smile of mourning for my hopes and dreams, I place myself back in the cell of my heart. The cold, horribly lonely hell that *forced* me to turn off my emotions. So far though, that hasn't been working. Even now, my chest thumps with pain and we're almost to the bottom of the stairwell when I stumble. A yelp of shock wrenches the air as I fly forward past Jared's shoulders and prepare for impact.
*Oh my God! These stairs are marble!*
I clamp my eyes shut so that I don't have to watch my blood run when I land, but my descent is suddenly interrupted by none other than Beta Jared. He catches me against his chest effortlessly and I gasp as his strong arms close around my waist, anchoring me to him while he stares down at me with worried eyes.
"Goddess, Blanca," he gushes, staring down at me, his handsome face hovering only a few inches above mine. "Are you alright?"
*Nope. No I am not.*
"Y-yes. I-I am fine," I stammer, wincing at the fear in my voice.
"You're not," Jared states observantly. "You're shaking."
"Right. Well, I *will* be fine," I promise him, noticing for the first time that I've got his shoulders in a death grip. *Both* of my hands are wrinkling his shirt and my nails have sunk pretty deep into his flesh. "S-sorry," I say, releasing him.
Jared smirks, pulling me in closer. "Don't be sorry, Blanca. You are welcome to put your hands on me anytime you like."
*Oh my.*
My cheeks heat with flame at his words and again, I think of what my second chance mate might be like. The one I hope to gain when Max finally rejects me. *I would hope for someone like Jared.* The astonishing realization that *Max was right* isn't lost on me and I have to wonder how he *knew* that when *I* didn't. The fact that my chest is heaving wildly and is pressed up against Jared's hard, chiseled frame, causes his gaze to travel downward...past my lips and then lower.
"I hate this, Blanca," he whispers, his eyes shooting back up to my mouth.
"Hate this? Me?"
Jared shakes his head vehemently. "No. Not you. This whole *slave* thing. You are much too good for it. It's unfair." He growls, "Maybe I can talk to Max about-" he cuts off, his eyes locking somewhere on my throat. "What the hell?" he hisses, before his eyes widen in shock and anger blazes from his eyes. "That son-of-a-bitch. He took advantage of you last night, didn't he?"
*What? What the heck is he talking about?*