Chapter 10: Jealousy

I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling as I got dressed, it felt like I wasn’t alone, but there was no one in the bathroom with me. So I cautiously entered the bedroom and looked around the room, noticing that I was still alone. I felt relieved but also a little crazy. Am I starting to lose it?

I walked over to the balcony doors, but they were locked, which ruined my plan of going outside and looking at the stars. So instead, I stared out the windows but couldn’t really see anything. I needed to get some sleep anyway, so I climbed into the bed and shut off the lights. I closed my eyes and tried to turn off my mind, but that was pointless, as the silence was daunting and caused my brain to race even more.

I tossed and turned, trying my hardest to get to sleep. After some time, I finally got comfortable and started to feel very sleepy. But, just as I was about to doze off, I heard footsteps and voices outside the bedroom door.

Being the nosy bitch I am, I quietly got out of bed and walked over to the door. As I got closer, I could hear the voices more clearly now; the one was Cain, and the other was a woman’s, it sounded familiar, but I couldn’t pinpoint it.

“I want her fucking gone, Cain.” The female angrily demanded.

“I don’t care what you want! You and I are no longer together and don’t forget Eve, I am your alpha, and I do not take orders from you.” He snarled in response.

So, he is talking with that bitch, Eve. Guess she wants me gone; just as much as I want to be gone from this place, at least we have one thing in common.

“How can you say that to me? After everything, we’ve been through together. I thought you loved me, Cain, and I am not trying to give you an order; I am simply trying to warn you. That bitch will only bring doom to this pack.” She tried to reason with him.

He groaned loudly. “Enough, Eve, I will not hear of this again. You and I are over; accept it!”

A quiet sob escaped her. “What if I don’t want to? I love you, Cain and I can’t just simply move on from that.” Her voice cracked a bit with her words.

“Listen, Eve; I loved you too at one point; I won’t lie about that. But when I met her, my mate, my feelings for you vanished. I have no control over that. You will always mean something to me, and I will always cherish our memories, but nothing more.” He was being sincere with her now but also firm as he tried to get his point across.

Suddenly, it went deadly silent. Then I heard faint sobbing and the sound of feet stomping. Guess she got the hint finally, and I chuckled internally. I also felt bad for her; what if it were the shoe on the other foot. I wouldn’t give up on someone I loved either.

I quickly leaped back into the bed, not wanting to get caught eavesdropping. The lock on the door clicked, and in entered, Captain Asshole. Once again, I pretended to be asleep. I could hear him shuffling around the room, and a moment later, he climbed into the bed but wasn’t as subtle about it this time; he just flopped onto the mattress. Cain seemed exhausted, and I got this overwhelming feeling of stress. I suddenly felt the need to comfort him and make his troubles disappear. I began to think of everything today, our argument, our heated exchange and I started to feel guilty, gross! But regardless of how I felt, I wanted to try and make things right, to ease his stress, even if it was just a little bit.

I rolled over onto my other side to face him and swallowed my pride. “I’m sorry for today.”

Cain sighed. “It’s fine.” He coldly replied.

“Ok. Well, goodnight Cain.” I guess I expected his response to be a little different, but I understood that he was irritated with me right now.

I rolled back over, facing away from him again; I didn’t know what else to say or do. This kind of thing was new territory for me, and I wasn’t the greatest person with feelings or expressing them.

“Goodnight, Freja.” He said with kindness.

At times he seemed like a gentle and kind man; other times, Cain seemed like an absolute monster; it was like a broken switch with him. But I guess I’ve also been the same way, but I have every right to be, don’t I?

As I lay there failing miserably to go to sleep, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I slightly looked over my shoulder and noticed Cain pull his hand back; what was he doing? I closed my eyes and finally felt sleep's heavy hand fall upon me, but just as I was dozing off, I could’ve sworn I heard Cain say he was sorry?

Cain’s POV:

I lay there, staring at her, thinking about today’s events. Things with Freja have been so damn complicated. I know who I am; I know my past and what I’ve done to her. I can’t change any of it, and I wouldn’t, but I want to build a future with her.

At this moment, I wanted to hold her and finish what we had started. I wanted to fuck her into the mattress, claiming her and her body, till she screamed my name breathlessly. I wanted to give her an orgasm she would never forget; I wanted to mark her and make her mine.

I reached my hand out towards her, wanting to touch her, but quickly pulled it back as Freja stilled and looked over her shoulder at me. I didn’t need her thinking I was an even bigger creep.

I began thinking about that vile bloodsucker with who Freja had encountered. What the fuck did he want with her? And how did he get onto my territory so easily? He must be working with someone in my pack, but who? I need to be more careful and keep a closer eye on Freja; I can’t lose her; it would tear me apart if I did. I looked at her again and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

My head began to hurt from everything, and sleep was not in my future, Fuck I needed a drink.

Realizing Freja was asleep, I quietly got out of bed and decided to go to my office for a drink. I left the bedroom door open just a little, so I wouldn’t wake her by closing the door. I needed to clear my head, and a good stiff drink would surely do the trick.

Freja POV:

I was running, dodging obstacles in my way; blood and sweat poured down my face. It’s the same dream again, and I can only focus on escaping, but why? And from who? I continued to run, but my legs were becoming weak, and I couldn’t feel or hear my wolf; it was like she was gone! But how? This meant I couldn’t shift and give myself an advantage; I was trapped in my human form, in my weak form.

I kept running as fast as my legs would take me, my lungs were burning, and the air was depleting from me. Finally, I stopped, needing to catch my breath. I looked around me and saw no one and heard nothing. Thinking I was safe for a few moments, I inspected my body, looking for cuts, bruises or anything. I had some bruising throughout my whole body, some cuts and scrapes here and there. But as my hands roamed my body, I felt two puncture marks on the lower part of my neck. It was hard to determine as I couldn’t see, but they felt like bite marks. Fuck! What the hell is going on. I stopped my inspection as I heard a branch snap to my right, then my left, I could hear shuffling within the trees, but I couldn’t see anything.

“Who’s out there?” I shouted into the forest.

No response, but whoever was there was getting closer to me.

“I’m warning you! You are picking a fight with the wrong person.” My heart was thumping in my chest now.

Still no response. However, I saw those red, beady eyes lingering within the trees again as I stood there.

“Who the fuck are you? And what do you want from me?”

The figure came out from the shadows. “Who I am, is not important. But who you are, is what’s important, and I want…to taste you.” He grinned wickedly.

Suddenly, the man leapt forward and once again, the last thing I saw was sharp teeth bearing down on me.

I woke in a panic again, unable to catch my breath, my chest heaving, my heart racing, and soaked in sweat. Why do I keep having this same nightmare? What does it mean? I got out of the bed and went into the bathroom to splash some water on my face, hoping it would help to calm me down.

After finishing, I returned to the bedroom, only to notice that the bed was empty. Where is Cain? I looked around the room and checked the closet, but he was nowhere to be found. That’s when I noticed the bedroom door was slightly open, I walked towards it and looked out, but no one was around.

I walked out into the hall, wanting to find Cain. But, after that nightmare, I didn’t want to be alone. I looked towards both ends of the hall; both were dark and quiet. However, I could see a dim flicker of light coming from under one of the doors at the end of the hallway on my right. So I started to walk down the hall and towards the light. This place was a bit creepy at night, very dark and way too fucking quiet.

As I neared the door, I got a sense of familiarity, then realized it was Cain’s office. So I pushed the door open and peered inside. Cain was sitting in a chair next to the fireplace, and he held a small glass with a brown liquid in one hand.

Cain didn’t move or even look my way. “What do you want?” He asked in a semi-slurred voice.

So, he heard my noisy ass, so much for sleuthing, and he has been drinking.

I bit the inside of my lip. “Sorry to bother you. I woke up, and you weren’t there; I just wanted to see where you were.” I lied, not wanting him to know that I was currently being a big baby.

He wrinkled his nose. “What do you care where I am?” He spat.

Ok, he is drunk and in a pissy mood. Maybe I should just leave before either one of us loses our temper and shit only gets worse.

“I don’t care.” I huffed and crossed my arms.

“Then why are you here, Freja?” Cain still wasn’t looking at me, just staring into his glass.

I threw my hands in the air. “Never mind, forget it. I’m going back to bed.” I really didn’t want to get into another argument with him; I didn’t have the strength for it.

He grunted and stood from his chair. “Wait, I’m sorry. Come join me, please?” Cain was finally looking at me now, and his expression was almost pleading.

I contemplated his offer; as much as I didn’t want to, I also could use a drink to settle my nerves.

I pursed my lips. “Fine, only if I can have a drink.” I bargained with him.

He pointed towards the wet bar. “Help yourself.” Cain then flopped, lazily back in his chair. What is wrong with him?

I walked over to the bar, poured myself a whiskey glass, then walked over and sat in the chair opposite Cain.

Cain stared at me intently for a moment. “Why are you awake?” He asked.

I took a soothing sip of my drink. “Nightmare.” I shrugged, not wanting to relive the daunting dream.

He cocked his head. “Do you have them often?”

“Sometimes, but these nightmares have been different,” I said truthfully.

His brows scrunched together. “What do you mean different?”

“It’s been the same one, pretty much, and they just seem so……real.” I stared into my glass, watching the liquid slosh around as I reminisced about the dream.

Cain raised a brow. “What do you mean by real?”

I closed my eyes. “Can we please talk about something else? I’m trying to forget the nightmare, not relive it.”

He straightened himself a bit. “No, I want you to tell me why they feel so real, and then we will discuss something different,” Cain said in an Alpha tone.

I closed my eyes and exhaled heavily, knowing if I fought against him, it would turn into an argument, and I just didn’t have it in me right now to fight with him.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. “It doesn’t feel like a dream; everything is so vivid and…real. I can’t explain it, but the dream feels like a peek into the future.” I told him truthfully, it was an odd feeling, but I felt it in my bones.

Cain tore his gaze from mine and looked into the fire, watching intently as the flames danced around.

“Perhaps it is. Maybe your seeing into the future to a specific day and time so you know what to do when that time comes.” He said in a dark and calm voice.

I drank in his words, their truth hitting me like a punch to the gut. I looked at the floor and slowly nodded my head. “Maybe, I guess only time will tell. Now, why are you in here, at this time of night?” I asked him curiously.

“I couldn’t sleep, kept tossing and turning, and I didn’t want to wake you, so I came in here,” Cain told me as he took another sip of his drink.

I pursed my lips. “Oh, I see. How come you couldn’t sleep?”

“Just a lot on my mind.” He said in a low tone.

“Like what? Eve?” I asked, with jealously lacing my tone.

Cain snorted. “No, not Eve. I’ll take it you heard our conversation earlier? Do I detect a hint of jealously?” He smiled cockily.

I waved him off. “Pfft, jealous? No, I don’t think so.” Ok, the way I just said that was weird and a little obvious.

He chuckled. “If you say so, my love.” Cain then chugged the rest of his drink and went to stand up but plopped right back in his chair.

I laughed, maybe a bit too much, causing him to scowl at me, which made me laugh even more.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. Ok, maybe I did. But I think you’ve had too much to drink.”

Cain wagged his finger at me. “No, I haven’t had enough to drink. You’ve had too much to drink.” His words were slurred, and his cheeks were flushed now.

I pursed my lips and shook my head at him. “Yea, ok there, buddy, you keep telling yourself that.

Maybe we should get back to bed.” I suggested.

He pouted, “But I don’t want to.” Cain said in a child-like manner.

I stood from my chair and walked towards him, taking his drink. “Well, too bad, you big baby. It’s time for night, nights.”

Cain rolled his eyes. “Fine! Party pooper.” He said as he stuck his tongue out at me.

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? You are so childish,” I said while shaking my head at the large man-baby before me. I had never seen this side of him, and to be honest, I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than the other side.

Cain snorted. “Me? I’m not childish; you are!” He then roared with laughter, something I wasn’t used to with him but loved hearing.

I raised a brow. “Come on, let’s go, big guy.” I couldn’t help but smile at his behaviour.

I reached my hand out for him to grab so that I could help him out of the chair. Unfortunately, Cain gripped my hand a bit too tightly and stood on his two shaky legs. Before I knew it, we both went crashing down on the floor, with him landing on top of me.

I sucked in a sharp breath “Omg, you are so fucking heavy.” I grunted, trying to gasp for air.

His nose wrinkled. “What are you saying, that I’m fat?” Cain pouted and batted his lashes.

“No, you moron. You are just really big and heavy. Especially compared to me. Come on, get off me.” I pleaded as it was getting hard to breathe.

“What if I don’t want to? I like the situation we are in.” He grinned like the devil he was.

“Cain, please, I can’t breathe,” I said shakily.

He positioned himself, so he was hovering just above me and no longer crushing me.

I inhaled large gulps of air. “Holy shit, thank you. Now, all the way off, please?” I told him while raising a brow.

His grin widened. “No, I like this.” His eyes slowly roamed over my body. “Me on top of you and you underneath of me.” Cain’s eyes turned a shade darker as they bore into my own.

“Cain, we need to get some sleep,” I said sweetly, hoping it would help.

Now he is being a dick head and knows I’m defenceless against him.

“Well, I need something else right now.” His tone was laced with arousal.

My eyes widened as I felt something firm jab my leg; of course, he is hard. How can I get myself out of this situation? At the same time, though, I wanted him just as bad; I craved him.

His expression became severe. “Freja, I know that all of this is not ideal, and you truly dislike the situation you are in, that things have been more than rough, confusing and stressful. But, please know, I’m sorry, this isn’t how I wanted things to go when I met my mate.” Cain’s face looked strained, and I could tell he was being honest.

“Then why did you rip me from my family? Why didn’t you give me a choice?” I asked calmly, hoping to get the answers I so desperately needed.

Cain sighed heavily. “When I first saw you, I knew you were my mate. I had to have you; the urge to claim you as mine was so great, it was painful. I also knew you wouldn’t come with me any other way, being the daughter of my enemy and all. I felt I had no other choice. If you refuse me, I’ll die a slow and painful death, which would put my pack at risk, and that is something I will never be willing to do; I am their Alpha.” He said proudly.

To a certain degree, everything he said made sense, but I still didn’t like it. However, I did admire his love and the duty he felt towards his people; it told me something about him, something I never thought possible for Cain.

“I understand all of that, but it still doesn’t make it right. I’ve lost everything and everyone I’ve ever known and loved. Within a split second, I was torn away, I wasn’t given a choice, and I was forced to go with someone, who I was taught my whole life, is a monster from the depths of hell. The stories I’ve heard about you gave people nightmares.”

Cain sucked in a deep breath. “Because they are true, I won’t lie to you. I’ve done questionable things as an Alpha. But everything I’ve done was for my pack and their safety. I will always do what is necessary to ensure their survival and safety, no matter the outcome. I truly am sorry for everything. I hope with time; you’ll give me a chance to show you the real me, not the Alpha me.” Cain brushed a lock of hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with his thumb. I liked the honest side of him, the side that communicated with me. I understood his decisions and actions.

I smiled. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

Cain stared deep into my eyes as he slowly leaned down, his lips hovering just above mine; he paused for a moment and then captured my lips with his, kissing me softly and sweetly.

He was still propped up on his elbows, but his hands were holding my face while his thumbs caressed my cheeks. I pulled my arms out from under him, wrapped them around his neck and pulled him into me, closer to me. The kiss became more profound and more passionate as the light of the fire danced around us.

The smell of arousal lingered heavily in the air. Cain began kissing my jawline, teasingly moving down my neck; he nibbled and tugged on my skin near my marking spot. His other hand started to glide along my sensitive skin, slowly creeping down my chest, before he clasped my breast in his hand, gently squeezing and pinching my erect nipple and causing me to moan with delight. Just as I did, I felt his thick, hard cock, twitch against my leg.