Friend or Foe
Jasmine's POV
The Alpha was standing at a small pond and koi fish could be seen moving around in it. He donned a nice, dark shirt and unrolled the sleeves until they reached his forearms. His long black hair caught the light nicely and his eyes reflected a silver-like color when I looked at him.
Cold. Calculating. But beautiful.
Without making a comment, Lena swiftly bowed and walked out of the room.
Aiden looked me up and down, curious about me, rather than looking at me with desire. He looked closely at the terms to decide if they were sharp enough to keep or if they should be thrown away.
"Jasmine," he called, speaking in a deep, soft and firm voice.
I stood in front of them and folded my arms,"I am Alpha Aiden." He introduced himself briefly.
"I appreciate the fact that you allowed me to stay with you." I thanked him though my voice was weak and barely audible.
He asked me to come and sit on the small bench by the water. I did, making sure to mask the uncomfortableness in my legs.
According to him, it wasn't out of kindness that he had taken in the guest.
I raised a brow. Of course not. He definitely wanted something from me.
He slightly turned his head and his silver eyes looked at her more closely. "You were barely alive. They found you alone on the northern part of the map. Badly injured. No pack scent. No identification. My wolves had strong reasons to not protect you."
"Then why didn't they?"
That was his reason, he did not want the incident to happen. "I was curious about your identity."
I didn't say a word.
His knees were crossed and he put his hands together. It seemed very calm of him, despite having all that power and responsibility.
"It has been several days since you have been unconscious," he told me. "However, I have managed to get some things from your possessions."
"What belongings?"
"A pouch. An old blade. The member shall also be wearing an amulet with the mark of the Silver moon pack.
I froze.
The Silver moon pack.
The name was like a ghost I had hoped to put behind me, carrying with it the secrets and pain of blood.
I noticed that as the light flickered in my eyes, he moved and looked at me more closely.
"So," he said. "Why is it that someone marked with a dead pack's symbol is discovered wounded in my territory?"
I didn't speak.
He stood gently and moved over to a rose bush, letting his fingers brush the sharp leaves. Five years back, your pack and mine were in a deadly battle. Slaughtered my people. Their territory burned. My survivors… barely nonexistent. But here I am, saving someone from their pack. How ironic."
"What happened in my past is none of your business, but I do appreciate you saving my life," I said at last.
With a faint smirk, he glanced to the left. "No, you don't. Yet, your life depends on me for you to scale through. So, I'm just asking, a bit of honesty would really help us out."
That made my blood stir. "Appreciated doesn't mean required."
He let out a muffled laugh that seemed full of amusement. "You're bold."
"I've earned the right."
This brought a grim expression to his face. He came closer and for a brief moment, I thought he might growl and show his teeth. Yet, he leaned closer and spoke softly.
"You enter my country, barely alive and think you can control me like a dog? I am protecting you, Jasmine, not believing in you."
"You did not have to protect me."
"You needed it," he snapped.
We remained quiet, the koi pond bubbling gently behind us.
It was then that I said, "I am not your enemy. Still, so many people have examined my past like it was nothing but a carcass. I survived. That's as much as I'm willing to reveal."
His eyes searched mine. I looked directly at him, not letting my gaze falter.
Then, he took in a big breath and stepped back. "Very well."
The tension eased a notch.
"Still, if anything dangerous is after you, like wolves, hunters or rogue packs, you will inform me. You enter my domain and bring danger, so it is my job to deal with the risk."
I gave a slight nod. "Understood."
He continued to study me for some time before finally moving away. She says that by tomorrow, you will feel strong enough to move around the grounds. I'll have someone escort you. Until then, rest. And eat."
Before I could thank him a second time, he stopped and said, "You look like someone who has lost all they had. I've come to see that when bad things happen to people like us, we often must choose to die broken or rise with enough strength to take down what damaged us."
I swallowed hard.
"But I would ask one question out of curiosity," he raised a brow at me.
"Ask away…"
"If your Alpha head, who I presume is Lucas, finds you here, should I keep you or give him to you without problems?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"How do I earn your trust so you can keep me here if he ever finds out about my presence?"
Alpha Aiden grinned slightly, then he left without answering my question. Our questions still hung in the air.
As he walked away, I sat down on the bench and watched the water again. They continued to circle peacefully, free of worry or thoughts. I envied them.
He was right.
I had lost everything.
The secret I didn't share with anyone was that being here was not only about my recovery.
I had something to finish here.
To make someone pay.
Alpha Aiden, though full of questions and cold logic, would be helpful in my problems.
Or stand in my way.