Hunted and Tormented

Chapter 5: That kind of mate

As Alpha Jem stormed out of the chamber, his Beta ordered for me to be taken to a guest room. My initial reaction was to resist since I was so surprised that I’d been upgraded, but my guards took it as a threat and took it on themselves to shove me roughly into my new cell. I wasn't about to start thinking Jem was warming up to me or anything, but I was utterly confused why he pulled me out of the cell. I thought he hated me.

He wouldn’t leave you down there knowing you’re his mate, my wolf said. He wouldn’t be able to stand it.

That didn’t necessarily make me feel better. It only brought more questions to mind.

As soon as the door was doubled locked behind me, I took in my surroundings. A door on my left led to the bathroom and through the open doorway I could see a slither of the bath. In the centre of the room up against the burgundy walls was a king-sized bed with crisp white sheets. Other various pieces of fine wooden furniture lined the walls. It looked like the perfect guest room. The only thing that ruined it was the guard scowling at me from across the room.

That and the bars on my window.

I looked over at my guard and grinned in delight. “Well if it isn't my favourite guard. I was wondering if I’d ever see you again.”

“Believe me the feeling wasn't mutual,” he replied and from then on he ignored me which of course left me thinking about Jem.

I just couldn’t seem to get him out of my head. Even though I’d rejected the bond since he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me, the need inside of me felt stronger. The burning urge to kiss his perfect mouth nearly made me sick as I attempted to convince myself – and my wolf – that no good would come from holding onto him.

Among others things, one thing I was quick to realise is that I wasn't allowed to leave this room and neither was my guard. My meals were brought to me and every time I found a chance to look through the door, I saw three bouncers manning the hall. My window was no help to my escape either because even if I did manage to rip the bars away without alerting my bodyguard, I wouldn’t make it across the stretch to the woods.

So I sat on my bed and read, knowing that I wouldn’t be leaving here with my life. Even if Jem’s wolf convinced him not to kill me, I would definitely be dragged back to this godforsaken room.

A couple of days after my hearing with the Pack, I began to feel restless. It was like I’d become more impatient than I already was. Every few minutes, I had to get up and move and I couldn’t focus on one thing for more than ten seconds. The only thing that could calm me down was thinking about Jem.

It was clear what was happening. My wolf and I were missing Jem. The urge for her to be claimed was becoming too much for my wolf and since our mate was Alpha that urge was a lot stronger. Werewolves had to claim or be claimed within forty-eight hours of meeting each other or there were side effects and it became too much.

“What’s your name?” I asked my guard as I tossed my fifth book off the bed.

He looked at me in a mixture of disbelief and caution. “Ben.”

I nodded. I didn’t want to push. All I wanted was to gain his trust so I at least had someone to talk to.

“Do you like reading?” he said suddenly. Completely taken by surprise, I just blinked at him. He gestured at the books dumped on the floor. “Well?”

I cleared my throat, looking away. “It passes the time.”

Raised voices became audible outside my door and a couple of threatening growls. Frowning, I climbed off the bed and made for the door, talking to my guard at the same time, “Hey, do you think everything’s okay out there?”