Sydney

I will ring her by her skinny little neck then rip her eyeballs out and shove them down her throat while tearing her heart out. After that, I will proceed to strangle Jaycen and his wolf. My wolf snapped, cynical as ever.

I bit the inside of my cheek trying hard not to expose my feelings of anger and jealousy. I had no clue how this supermodel looking women knew my mate, so I shouldn't be jumping to conclusions.

Nobody likes a possessive girlfriend and I would try not to be that clinging girl.

Deep, smooth breaths, I tell myself trying to keep a smile on my face.

"Long time no see, Stacy," Jaycen said sounding breathless. For the reason of why I didn't know. It could have been from the shock of just seeing her here or the shock of seeing stunning her.

Stacy had beautiful golden locks that looked like it was a rippling river of gold. She had wintery skin, in a good way. Her cheeks with a light pink blush and eyes of purple gems. Her eyes were to die for.

"Mind introducing us?" Terrence asked, thankfully saving me the trouble of doing so.

Not giving Jaycen the chance to speak she rose from her seat and practically glided across the floor to us.

She raised her flawless hand to greet him. "The name is Stacy. You see Jay the 'sin'" -she giggled so harmoniously I wanted to cry and cringe at the same time-"as I used to call him, him and I used to date when we were younger."

"Younger?" I asked not realizing I did so.

She turned to me smile not wavering. "When we were about thirteen or fourteen so it has been years since we last have seen each other"

My nails buried themself in my palms.

Well at least they haven't seen each other for a while, so we know she's not a 'thing'. My wolf reasoned.

But what if he sees her now-like he already has-and he realizes how freaking unlucky he got with us?

My wolf didn't answer.

"Err...okay. When was this? I think I may have remembered Jay dating someone so young?" Terrence asked.

Yes, I thought to myself, When was this?

Maybe Terrence doesn't remember because it wasn't a real thing! My wolf exclaimed.

Something ate at my stomach telling me that my wolf was being overly optimistic.

Jay's cheeks bloomed with reds of all shades across his cheeks.

Just keep calm, and wait for Jay to explain. Don't just jump to conclusions.

She leaned towards Terrence like she was going to tell him a secret, but just covered the side of her mouth from the other group of adults-there was four sitting at the table- who seemed to be whispering upon themselves.

"We lost our virginity to each other in a werewolf summer camp after he deranked poor Matty." She giggled girlishly.

Before any of us could say anything the adults at the table called us to join them, but they fell upon deaf ears.

I tried so damn hard to ignore the feeling of my heart dropping in my chest. My eyes watered, my nose stung, and it felt like a pear was stuck in my throat. Inside my head, my wolf was throbbing with anger.

The only thing that was keeping me together was the fact I would never cry in public with strangers in the room.

Bitting the tip of my tongue I thought to myself, Pay attention to what these people are saying. A distract will clear up the tears.

Jaycen moved to me, pain and worry pinched his eyebrows. Before he could touch me though, I sat myself at the table. Terrence joined one side and Jay the other.

Stacy resumed her previous position on the other side of Terrence.

I saw the group of strangers' mouths starting to move out of my peripheral vision, but I couldn't hear what they were saying despite how many times I tried to focus on them.

All I could think was from the first day that Jay took me out to his second secret place on the platform in the forest.

The story of the girl breaking his relationship with Mat and how this had to be that girl.

"Sydney," A voice called.

My head snapped up from staring at my hands.

An older gentleman with aging brown hair and a sharp jawline looked at me with a quirked eyebrow.

"Yes?" I asked softly.

"You are Jaycen's mate?" He requested.

I nodded and continued to say, "That's right."

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Stacy pale visibly.

Yes, he is my territory bitch My wolf mentally staked claim.

Though almost every fiber in me wanted to agree all I could think was, I gifted him one of the most fragile and insecure moments of my life, but he couldn't do the same.

Sure I may not have come along but he knew he going to have a mate...Did he not think that his mate was good enough to be given that? And why so young and why give it to her of all people?

My question was answered, "I am Robin and this is my daughter, Stacy. She is going to be the next Luna of our pack. I hope you don't mind but she will be accompanying us to almost shadow me."

I nodded and put up a facade of support. "That's great!"

On the inside, I was freaking out.

How was I supposed to stay sane in the same room with the women who took my mates virginity? The women who took what I should have been given?

I mentally scolded myself, knowing I was likely being jealous for no reason.

"Alright, so let's get down to business," Jaycen said from beside me.

"Yes,"

"How long has this kidnapping been going on?" Jay asked.

"Around two or three months."

"How many people have been taken?" He inquired further.

Robin thought, "Seventeen in total."

Jaycen nodded thoughtfully.

"All the same gender or rank?"

"They were all male, but nothing above a Delta."

"Do you have any scented clues left behind or anything that can give us an idea of where they have been taken to?"

Robin thought on this and shooking his head after making meaningful eye contact with Stacy.

"They were all taken from their patrolling posts and dragged away, but eventually it looks like they are lifted and carried away, and usually crossed some body of water and we would lose the scent."

This seemed to disappoint Jay but he nodded, "Alright, we will talk more about this tomorrow, seeing as we can't do much till the morning." Jaycen said.

Robin nodded taking inventory of the time. He instinctually stretched with a yawn after seeing the late hour.

"Yes, it is late. Stacy, will you show them to their rooms, Dear?" Robin's politely asked his daughter.

A smile bloomed on her face, "Yes, Dad." She turned to the three of us and sweetly, "If you'll follow me."

Rising out of our chairs Jaycen tried to help me up, but I continued to ignore him.

You're adding fuel to the fire Sydney. Can't hold him accountable for a time when you didn't even know him.

A rumble from my wolf in my mind said otherwise.

Following Terrence and Stacy out of the room, I pushed to Terrence's side feeling best with him for now.

"You alright?" Asked Terrence through my mind.

It was weird because often I only heard Jay in my head, though I knew on a few other occurrences I had been able to reach out to others.

"As alright as you can be meeting the girl who took your mates virginity," I replied pointedly.

He nodded seeming to relate to the situation, "Well I'm here for you when you need it. I mean after all we are going to be best friends by the end of this trip because Jay told me pretty much never to leave your side through our whole stay here."

I smiled and tried not to chuckle. "Well, that sounds great Mr. Terrence. I'm happy not to be alone in this creepy place."

It was true. Looking around this place gave me the creeps. The red wallpaper lining the hall was tacky just like the rest of the house. The absence of anything personal and the dark eerie color pallet showed me none of this pack seemed to be interested in art or any color theory.

"Ditto," Terrence agreed, his eyes sliding across the width of the hallway.

"Our house aid will bring in your bags and I will make sure they park your care off to the side and lock it up." Stacy said as sweet as honey.

The three of us remained quiet as she led us up a spiraling stairwell of beautiful stone and black metal. So far the only beauty outside the exterior of the house. I filed behind her with Terrence behind me and then Jay.

"Well okay then..." She said in response to our silence.

Terrence and Jay fumbled to state their appreciation.

As we turned off the stairs to proceed into another dark hallway, a hard form smashed into me.

Before I could tumble back down the stairs five hands found me.

I opened my eyes to see Terrence had a hand on my wrist, Jay's hands were on my waist, and lastly, a boy about my age held both of my hands with a death grip.

My eyes snapped up to meet the stranger's purple eyes.

"Wow there, are you alright? I didn't see you from around the corner." He said concern leaking from his voice.

Something about him seemed strange. Off. I didn't know if it was his long hair that brushed against his shoulders or the seeming tick in his jaw just something was off about him.

I opened my mouth to speak but Jaycen spoke first.

"Yeah, well you watch where you're going. You could have seriously injured her, Mutt." He growled out.

The man's face turned bitter towards Jaycen.

"Ohhh," The stranger drew out an crossed his arms as a smirk lit up his smile, "you must be the all mighty future Alpha who took Stacy's been talking about these past days."

Stacy giggled like she had just been told the sweetest of jokes.

My fists ball as I thought of how pleasant it would be to ring her neck.

"My name is Jaycen, and you will call me so," Jay said firmly.

"Well Jaycen-"

"Alpha Jaycen that is." Jay corrected.

The stranger's eyes narrowed on him. "You better stay away from my sister." He threatened, pointing a finger at Jay menacingly.

Can nobody here see me standing right fucking here?! I am his mate! Not this freaking whore who wears her sex life on her sleeve!

I immediately regretted thinking the rude words but it did seem like she wore her sex status on her sleeve.

Hey! I bet you he will say that right now, that he doesn't need the bitch because he has us and we can pleasure him to no ends. My wolf said trying to cheer me up.

I pondered on that for a moment. The thought of that gave me hope but I really didn't want to give myself false hope nor did I want to be assessed by my sexual prowess, if you could even call what I had that.

"I am happily mated!" Jaycen bellowed.

Take that! My wolf thought smug.

I was trying hard not to smirk at that.

The mans' eyes snapped to me and he studied me long and hard. "The name's, Simon. Let me know if you need anything while you're staying here with us. Now I really must be going."

Before any of us could say anything he disappeared down the stairs we just came up.

Now that was strange.

"Sorry about him. Simon is my little brother, protective as he is he comes off as my big brother." Stacy gesturing for us to follow her along as though what happened didn't just occur.

I spared Jaycen a glance-which he met with begging eyes-before walking with Terrence who waited for me to come along. He stood close enough to give me sympathy but not enough to raise a growl from Jaycen.

Terrence somehow seemed to understand that I needed to be with someone right now and that someone discluded Jaycen.

We followed Stacy down a series of halls and it was about the sixth hall from my count that we finally came to a stop.

"For the mates...unless you don't want to share a room?" Stacy said, her perfect eyebrow rose in question.

"Separate would be appreciated," I said so quickly I didn't realize that I had said it in the first place.

I tried not to kick myself and instead thought maybe I should have stayed silent so to put forth a strong from to her, but nevertheless, the words were out in the world.

For once my wolf didn't speak against me as she too had mixed feeling on the situation.

Her face pinched a little. "Ahh...Well, the only rooms we have available are a couple and a single."

In this giant place, you can't find three singles?

As much as I didn't want to have to deal with Jaycen I couldn't be selfish and put Terrence out of a good night's sleep. "Then in that case-"

"It's fine. It'll be like old times, Buddy." Terrence said throwing his arm around Jay's shoulders.

"Go collect your thoughts and relax. I'll be fine," Terrence advised me.

Before Jaycen or I could say anything to object to anything about what was going on, Stacy was practically dragging me from them and threw me into a room three doors down.

"If you need anything, pick up the phone and press two."

I mumbled a 'thank you' not exactly in a thanking mood.

She flashed me a smile and closed the door, leaving me to my angry and hurt thoughts.

Looking around the room I found a pair of sleepwear on my bed much like an extravagant hotel. It was an oversized pair of blue silk pants and a button-up shirt. Running my hands over them they felt so soft.

I grabbed the clothes and found a bathroom connected to my room.

My eyes landed on the bathtub and I deemed a bath was in order.

Turning on the water I peeled off my clothes and waited for the tub to fill. I found a hair tie in my pocket and pulled my hair into a bun to keep my hair dry.

There was a knock on my door so I quickly grabbed the fluffy white towel from the rack and wrapped it around my body and turned off the water. Walking out I opened the door and peeked through the sliver seeing it was a man in a suit just like the butler, but he was younger and emitted a vibe that had my neck hairs on end.

"Your bags ma'am.'" He offered showing the bags that Jay packed for us.

I wanted to ask him to come back, but I knew that was rude so I opened the door and let him in.

"You can set them at the end of the bed there please," I pointed to the spot.

He nodded and set them down and left.

"Thank you," I said as he exited.

He gave a small smile that didn't reach his eyes and left.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I closed the door then returned to the bathroom and turned the backwater on.

Once filled, I twisted the tub faucet off, relishing in the heat wafering from the water. I folded my towel then lowered myself into the beautiful tub.

I sighed in pleasure letting my skin soak.

My eyes closed and I only let myself think happy peaceful thoughts.

What are my next photoshoot plans? I think Emily said they would be getting a new dog soon, so maybe a pet shoot? Does that help a portfolio for college?

After a few minutes, I realized I had dozed off when what sounded like my door opening startled me.

I sat up and leaned out of the tub to peer through the bathroom door to see the door to my room was closed just as I had left it.

You're just hearing things.

By the time I got out, it was already past eleven-thirty. I brushed my hair and teeth with my stuff from the bag that had been brought up. Then, I turned off the lights and climbed into the nice warm bed savoring in the hotel like quality of the bedding.

Maybe this is where the art money went to instead. Maybe I can't fault them for the creepiness elsewhere.

I closed my eyes and hoped sleep would whisk me away but of course, it didn't.

What made Jaycen turn to being a player? I don't understand really. I have never had the desire just to hop in bed with every man I see.

...It's a part of his DNA. That's just how being part wolf is. My wolf said trying to defend her mate, but she didn't sound like she believed it very much herself.

Do you think he's slept with someone ever since we got together? I asked her.

Heavens no!

If it's part of his nature how so? I inquired.

There was a pause. Because we would have felt it. Because we are connected through our bond we would have felt it...

Our conversation was interrupted by a squeak and I held my breath.

When this happens in the horror films I loved watching with my friends at my side, we all know what happens next. The stupid dog or cat runs in and we all think everything's all good till the gullible girl gets up to close the door behind the furry creature and that's when the psychopath guts her.

Only I didn't bring a furry friend with me.

Well, technically Jay and Terrence...

The door continued to open and due to the lack of lighting it appeared that no one was there, but the heavy breathing told me there was.

Maybe it's just Jay coming to beg for mercy. My wolf's voice was much less concerned than me which greatly concerned me as she was supposed to be our preditor half.

"Sydney?" A male voice called.

That male voice was not Jaycen's.

☽✣☾

EDITED JULY 5 2020