Between The Lines

JADEN
Was I really going to do what she'd asked? She'd sounded so sure that I was going to show up in the dining room and have dinner with her. I wondered what motive she had in mind, especially since she was more complicated than I thought. Or maybe, she wasn't. Maybe, this was her personality. A part of me wanted to know her and the other part of me? Not so much. My stomach grumbled and I let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.
'Come on, Jaden. It's clear that you're starving. It can't be so bad to hang out with our mate. Mother Selene wouldn't have made a mistake in choosing her as our mate' Tarus stated and I leaned back on my seat, rubbing my jaw. He had a point there.
'You can't be afraid of losing her. You're no longer a weak nineteen year old werewolf. You are a demon wolf and you are more than capable of protecting your mate' Tarus added.
He was right. Deep down, I wasn't scared. I'd made myself believe that I was avoiding starting a relationship with Rhea because I was afraid that I was going to lose her just like I'd lost Sheila.
The truth was that, the thought of replacing Sheila with Rhea just didn't sit well with me. I'd mourned her death for quite a long time. But, since her killers were still alive, I felt like I hadn't given her the justice she deserved.
I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. I might be more powerful than my brother, but I also knew I had to be careful when dealing with him. He had always been the foxy type. That's mostly the reason why our father was never fond of him.
My stomach grumbled again and I slammed my hand on my desk.
"Damn it," I hissed and rose to my feet. I left my study, trying not to think of the possibilities of things that could happen if I was going to hang out with Rhea.
When I got to the dining room, I was greeted by the sight of the well arranged table. She had prepared the food and the aroma made me salivate. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had such a meal.
"You're finally here. I've been waiting for you" Rhea said, giving me a...sweet smile?
She was wearing a dark blue dress that highlighted her curves. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had little make up on her face. She approached me and placed a hand on my bicep.
"I'm glad you decided to show up," she said and drew out a chair. Then, she gestured at the chair.
"You can have your seat. I didn't poison or spike the food, you know" she told me when she saw that I was hesitating. Raising a brow, I lowered myself onto the chair. She grinned at me and went to sit down directly opposite me.
"These are from my mother's recipe book," she said and I stared at her, surprised. She didn't seem like the homey type.
Nevertheless, I understood that she was quite unpredictable. I watched her as she ate, wondering what else she could do.
'She's perfect for us, don't you think?' Tarus said. I couldn't argue with him.
Rhea was different...and maybe that was a good thing. "Not many people know this. But... I'm an orphan," she said and my eyes widened.
That explained why she didn't have a pack or clan. It also explained why she'd seemed so unhappy when Klaus had asked her about her pack.
"How did they die?" I asked cautiously and she shrugged.
"Long story short, my mother's twin sister was envious of my mother because she was more powerful than her. She killed my dad and mum. She also tried to kill me, but I escaped," she told me.
I stiffened in my chair. It seemed like we both had some things in common.
"Now, you seek revenge?" I probed and she nodded, taking hold of the lotus necklace pendant around her neck.
"Aye, I do" she said.
"What about you? What's your story, Alpha Jaden?" She asked, her gaze locked with mine.
"What is this? You're a witch. You can as well cast a spell and figure it out" I told her and she smiled.
"That would have been easier. But, I just want to hear it from you. You're the only one who would listen to me. I find it easier to talk to you. It might be because of the mate bond. But, that doesn't matter to me. I just want to know you, Jaden"
Folding my arms across my chest, I leaned back on my seat, giving her a scrutinizing stare.
"I don't know what to believe, Rhea. First of all, you were determined to make me regret bringing you into my home. Now, you want to be friends with me? Is this a joke? Are you playing games with me, right now?" I asked and she sighed.
"I know you are sceptical about me. But, my intentions are true, I swear"
I raised a brow, still not buying it. Did she really think I was that easy?
...
RHEA
I was getting frustrated. The fact that Jaden was so sceptical about me was making things harder for me. I knew I had to come up with a different approach.
"You don't want to be friends?" I said and he looked away.
"I've never had real friends. I just thought...." I lowered my gaze, tears filling my eyes. It wasn't entirely a lie. I had friends during highschool, but we never clicked well enough. The tears in my eyes were fake though.
"Rhea... you don't have to try so hard to get a real friend" he said and I met his gaze, searching his eyes. He was already giving in, I knew.
"So, what do you say? Friends?" I said and he snorted, amused.
"You really mean it" he said and I shrugged.
"I'm not as bad as you think, Jaden"
....
After my dinner with Jaden, he told me he was going to the pack house to attend to something. When I asked him to take me with him, he refused. Once again, I was all alone in his house. The only difference was that I was sitting on the couch in the sitting room, trying to focus on the TV show I was watching. The urge to go out was almost overwhelming because I was so bored. I tried. Believe me, I tried. But, the urge was stronger. I took a shower and got dressed. Then, I left the house. I was determined not to steal from anyone. All I wanted to do was take a walk to clear my head. Besides, Jaden hadn't asked me to remain indoors.
Dressed in a black hoodie and black sweatpants, I left the house and went down the street. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my sweats to keep myself from taking anything from anyone. Soon, the sky darkened and the moon appeared. I sighed, my gaze rooted to the ground. My life felt like it wasn't mine anymore. I had no clue about what I was doing. Nothing seemed right these days. I wanted to get my life back, but it sounded really difficult. How do I even begin?
'You can just let our Alpha claim us. That way, you'll have a home and a family' Crystal said and I scowled.
"I don't want to. He doesn't want me, Crystal" I mumbled.
'What if he actually wants you?'
I smirked.
'Then, I'll be the one to claim him' I breathed.
'You're something else, woman' Crystal huffed.
My feet came to a halt and I gazed at the moon. Surely, the moon goddess knew what she was doing. But, why would she give me an Alpha who doesn't want me?
I scoffed, disliking the feeling of vulnerability.
I decided to make my way back to Jaden's home. While I walked, I nearly bumped into a young man who had earpods in his ears. He walked away but continued to occasionally stare at my ass. It was annoying. I wanted to slam his head against the wall.
Clenching my fists, I continued to walk. I noticed two women having a conversation in front of an ornamental store. I froze when I recognized the woman. She looked just like my mother.
Raven black hair and startling blue eyes, a slim nose and plump lips. She was tall and always had what seemed to be a permanent scowl on her face. She was wearing a white dress and a hat on her well styled hair. I could recognize that hat anywhere. She turned to look at me, her eyes widening.
"Morgana," I hissed and she went pale.
"R-Rhea. You're alive," she gasped and I stalked towards her, rage welling up inside me. I was seeing red. My magic was buzzing beneath my skin, preparing to be released. Just before I could get to her, she transformed into a black raven and flew away. A hand touched my shoulder and I turned around, baring my teeth at whosoever it was. My frown faded when I saw that Jaden was looking at me with a strange look in his eyes.
"Are you sure you've never shifted?" He asked.
"What?" I breathed, my frown returning.
"Not even once?" He asked, a look of disbelief on his face.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the dark alley which seemed to be desserted.
"What was that for?" I hissed. He pointed at my mouth.
"You have fangs," he said and pointed at my hands.
"And very impressive claws" he added and I brought my hands to my line of vision, my eyes widening.
He was right about my claws. They were protruding from my flesh.
"What made you so upset?" He asked.
"I saw the woman who murdered my parents," I told him and he frowned.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Didn't you see her? She was standing by the ornamental store, wearing a white dress and a white hat," I said and his frown deepened.
"Rhea, there was no one there."
"What?" I breathed, confused.
"I was watching you. Infact, I was following you. I saw you stop and stare at the ornamental store. Then..." He said and pointed at my hands.
"This happened," he stated.
"You should be careful. You could've revealed yourself to..."
I was no longer listening. Jaden was supposed to have seen her. Was I hallucinating?