Emotions are greatest tool

~

JeonJa

~

Me and that green haired guy were eating lamb skewers in one corner while the mass of people around were busy chatting... like it was the only thing they were born to do. Talk.

As we both silently ate, I wondered who my neighbor was. He was paler than usual, a sickly pale, yet his glow was rich, like an ice prince. Yes... he was like a prince. Unbothered, undisturbed by anything.

I am sure if I would gave him a pillow, he would fall asleep instantly. He looked that tired for reasons unknown.

When he was finished with his plate, he put it on the table next to him, silently, too silently.

If I wasn't staring at him constantly I wouldn't have known when he did his move, and it was enough to threaten me. I had sharp ears, and I was a good fighter, it should have been easy for me to hear him. Every action had some noise to it, a vibration, and from his, I heard nothing, felt nothing.

Woah.

"How did you do that?"

I wasn't ashamed to ask, my curiosity and thirst for power never held me back. Pride was there, but not so much that I wouldn't be curious.

He looked at me, his dark eyes shining through. "What do you mean."

"How did you keep your plate so silently, it was like there was no vibration to it. If I hadn't been watching you I wouldn't even have noticed."

"And why would you even notice such things. It is insensible."

I shook my head, looking at him, "No, it isn't, it helps keep track of things."

He hummed, and stared ahead lazily at the crowd, his eyes dazed. I wondered what he was thinking.

"Who are you?" I asked him. If he wasn't going to tell me how he did his plate move, I would just ask him something else. I wasn't talkative, but I wanted to speak to him. It was a sudden urge to mingle, to connect.

"I am Min."

"Good, I am JeonJa."

When he heard my name he blinked.

"What?"

"What."

"You blinked." I pointed out.

"And you don't?" he asked me. He maintained the monotone, but I could hear his mocking undertone.

I flushed. Shit.

"Everyone blinks, but you react very subtly." Why was he making me nervous, it was uncanny.

"Hm."

"Hm," I copied him, but even if it annoyed him, he didn't show it.

A while passed and all I knew about the stranger was his name. But I had to say, he was beautiful, otherworldly.

I had seen him quirk up his lips into a half smile earlier, but it was gone so soon I thought I was going delusional.

What was peculiar about him was his scent. I couldn't tell what he was. And that was crossing the threshold of creepy.

"Are you an alpha?" It seemed safe to ask, plus he was intimidating in a way which appeared as if he was stiff, but actually he was very relaxed. If that was possible.

He sighed, not looking at me. "Why do you want to know."

"Can't I?"

"No."

"Okay." I felt like a child now, and for the first time my mind was in shambles. I was running my brain to pick out his class, when it wasn't even looking possible to do so. What was a person like him doing here.

"Why are you here?"

"Why do you want to know."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Can't I?"

"No."

Argh, I knew he would answer in negative, but I had hoped he would at least talk to me.

Alright, let's take it slow. He just offered me his food for a taste, that's it. There was no need to stick around any more, why was I even trying. This wasn't me.

I had just started to get up when he pulled me back physically, making me sit with him unnecessarily. It startled me. "What?"

He didn't say anything, but his eyes were settled on some old coots sitting around an eight seater just a few meters away from us. There were total five of them and all were busy smoking. Was it even allowed in such crowded places, think not.

I thought about asking Min the same question again, why he held me back when he wasn't going to converse, but the conversation between the old coots stilled my nerves.

"... you said you weren't going to sell it, why did you?"

"I told you before, it wasn't of use anymore."

The men laughed, "Already? You just bought it last year."

The bald old coot snickered, how ugly. "I am a bit... rough."

Gross.

I knew what they were talking about now. Omegas were really just collateral. It still surprised me how naive I was when young, thinking I would do farming. I would just have been taken away by force and sold to a slave house if I was still around the village.

I ignored the pang of sadness that settled within me, now wasn't the time to go all emotional.

I still sometimes wondered how my parents could have sons who were worlds apart. One alpha and one omega. It was like a damned fairy tale.

I hadn't realized when I started to extrude my dominating aura, but a hand on my shoulder held me in place. Min was clearly not as affected by them as me, he was good at keeping his head cool. "Calm down JeonJa, this is a founder's party, entertaining guests is Jackson's job, not yours."

I settled some after hearing his soothing voice, but the old coots in front of me really hit me where it hurt. "Look at them laughing about it, damn b*tches."

"So what, they are just like everyone else, at least mostly."

"Then why did you held me back." I asked him with aggravation. If I hadn't heard such things, I wouldn't be in such foul temper.

"You want to learn something new?" he asked me nonchalantly, almost inertly.

I didn't reply to him. Although I think he knew the answer already, as he gave me a gummy smile for the first time, and it looked genuine. "Come with me, but be silent about it."

I just nodded and followed him as he went past the crowd almost like a shadow, so light on his feet and so nimble, he dodged all the hindrances like a pro. From someone looking as inactive and lazy as him, I hadn't expected such precision and ductility.

Impressed by his moves, I kept my eyes on him and went along. For my ears and nose couldn't catch up to him, only my sight was helpful.

Soon we were outside the ballroom and walking along the gardens. At night it looked so peaceful, somber in a sense.

"Why are we here?" I asked him quizzically.

"To lure that man out, the bald one."

"How?" It was a big question.

"Easy, you will be the decoy."

"Huh?"

He didn't reply to me, just waited around.

I was confused, what was he even trying to pull.

Soon, he clutched my arm and dragged me right in front of a clearance, the breeze colder than ever. I shivered slightly, since I wasn't wearing anything warm underneath my blazer and shirt. But it wasn't uncomfortable, just drafty.

"Wait here, I will be around."

And then he was gone, so quick and silent, I lost him in the bushes. F*ck.

Was he trying to prank me? I hope not, because I was already irritated beyond belief, today didn't seem like my day. Who would have thought I would be prancing around in rich suit, attending a party of some guy, the same day I beat up his pack...?

It was more work than just threatening and killing like a rogue. Tough.

I waited for a while and the wind picked up at the same time my rage did. What the heck was this Min planning. And was he trying to make fun of me? I had been standing for quite some time now.

I just started the first syllable of his name when I heard footsteps approaching me. Even in the moonlight I could see the bald head of that slave f*cker.

When he came closer, I felt him smile cheekily. "JeonJa the new pack member I assume."

I didn't reply back, feeling the need to choke him struggling within me. What had Min done, leaving a predator with his prey. Of course I was the predator, duh.

"You are an omega if I am correct."

"So?" I asked bluntly, not even hiding my intolerance to his presence.

"Oh don't feel offended, I was just asking. It is very strange that Jackson brought you to his pack. He wasn't into omega before, but even I couldn't deny your allure, you are different. Like you could really fight back when-"

"I don't talk to perverts, leave."

He stifled his chuckle, "So you heard."

A thick pause later, he moved towards me, his hands stretching as if he could touch me, but he didn't, much to my relief. "What do you want old man?"

"You."

I wanted to laugh at him, trying to decipher what stupid dream he slept through, how ignorant could he be?

"I am not a product you could buy. Stop goofing around like an idiot. Even a child has more sense than you."

He looked offended. Good.

"You can't speak to me like that, I have so much power and money with me that I can easily buy you right now. Even if Jackson is revered to, he is still a small pebble in the stream, he can't fight against the flood." He spouted similar nonsense many did when talking to an omega. Cute.

I smirked, "Really, then let me tell you something assh*le."

He frowned.

"A pebble still remains even after the flood, so don't whimper out of the race when you lose. Because even if you buy Jackson, you can't buy me. The reason why his brothers aren't here isn't because of some border complications."

Take that Jackson, you really shouldn't have exposed me.

I smirked and he paled when he registered my hint. So not bothering to hide anymore, I unleashed my worst dominating trick I had in my arsenal.

The condensing aura around me actually turned the grass into ice crystals and the once clear night sky enveloped with dark clouds, appearing out of nowhere.

The static in the air stiffened the life itself, and a curse alike veil settled on to the male in front of me.

I watched as his eyes turned white with fear, and a foul smell hit my nose as he peed his pants. I could hear his thundering heart beat close to leaping out of his chest. He was that stricken.

Good, he deserved it.

I didn't even want to imagine what his slave/slaves must have gone through, the humiliation was the least of their concerns.

"P-Pardon m-me," he said, falling down on his knees with tears in his eyes. It was the same result the rest of my enemies faced when they really angered me.

"Pardon?" I snickered, "Why is that? Weren't you going to buy me?"

He made a stricken sound in the back of his throat, as icy cold darkness starting to numb him, almost all the light lamps around us were out, as if appreciating my element.

Elemental control and such things weren't a common attribute, sure, alphas demonstrated it quite a lot to impress people around them, but the degree of control varied with each person and also what element they controlled.

Shadows were a part of the ancestral history, its saga was recited almost nowhere. It was an art so old, only tablets and scrolls of old spoke about it.

And how I got my hands on it?

It's a story for another time.

Focusing back on the pathetic little coot, I marveled what punishment he should receive. And I had to be quick, or else the others inside would try to Interrupt me.

My instincts pondered on the location of Min, but for the most part, I was just busy coming up with torture schemes.

"I have decided."

The old man looked at me fearfully, wondering what I was about to do to him, must me horrifying to do the guesswork, because his pitiful trembling told me so.

I glowered at him with a sinister smile and stepped forward like a crouching predator, he didn't even have the nerve to shift, he was that terrified.

Bringing my left claw up, I touched his forehead and just a little nick cut his skin. It was so minor, even after inspection it could be passed over as nothing.

And then I left him, not bothering to see what he was doing, but hearing his fluctuating heartbeat, I was sure he was not doing good.

I was to enter the palace plaza when a hand shot out towards me and patted my back. I noted it was Min, walking as if he owned the place. Much like a monarch.

"And where were you, weren't you going to teach me something."

"I already did."

"Seriously?" I snarled, not in the mood for his games. Jackson had done enough of that earlier.

But Min just nodded. And it was not an answer I wanted.

So I stopped walking, turned to face him as he did the same. I could still not pick out his scent, nor his presence. It was curious. "You didn't teach me anything, you vanished."

He nodded again, "I just found a perfect opportunity to use you for my purposes, and you did what I wanted without hesitation."

"And how did you even make that old coot follow me?"

"You are in heat, your scent was all over the place. And lecherous old men like him think with their d*cks, of course he followed you out, seeing the opportunity."

I coughed, "Don't go delusional, I always smell this strong, you don't want to know what happens during my heat."

And it was for the first time Min looked taken aback, as if I just trampled on his wisdom. How old was he even, he looked young appearance wise, but his attitude reflected an old man's. An aristocratic old man's at that.

I wished his grace for my self, even if it was not possible for me, I was a street rag who rarely practiced any manners or etiquette. Social norms were pure dump for me.

"Then you must attract a lot of attention even when not trying."

I took quick offense, "You thought I was trying to win over that fool?"

Min shook his head, "No, during the heat episodes, any person turns hormonal and unconsciously releases extra pheromones, which leads to their behavioral change and a more sexual touch to their movement."

"So you thought I was in my heat thus seeing my sensual moves he would follow me out. And that is what you wanted to teach me." I said sarcastically, feeling irritated.

"Not really, but the way you walk is attractive and also you are exceptionally good looking. You also give off a tantalizing scent.... as if in heat, now I know that isn't the case, but... it's very bizarre."

"So you just decided to use me," I deadpanned.

"I did use you, but did you feel used?"

No. "Yes," I told him.

"Sure," he humored, "but that is one way of being creative with your plan, you can take benefit from others and at the same time gain their respect and trust in return. It also allows you to make more contact with the crowd and bond." He paused, thinking, "Just working alone will someday get you killed. I saw the drama queens and you getting touchy, and if you keep going like that, all aloof and savage, you will get yourself killed. Have more sense than just walking head straight into a trap, those tramps might be weak, but they use their opportunities."

"I don't respect or trust you," I ignored the rest of his so called lesson, "I will trust you when you tell me who you really are and what you are doing here. No person is interested in targeting old men just because they f*ck omega slaves."

"I was assigned to assassinate him, and now the mission is complete."

"How did you even know it would go as you planned."

His lips quirked strangely, as if he was trying to smile but failing miserably. "His eyes were always following you, since the minute you were introduced by Jackson. Men like him have kinks for guys like you. Looking all innocent."

"I am not innocent, where the hell you invented that notion from."

"Despite your murderous aura and threatening gaze, you are yet to be affected by true darkness, you are not cunning nor evil, what is keeping you from truly giving in to your nature is beyond me, but you fight for a cause and that makes you more solid."

This made me pause, "What do you mean?"

He didn't speak for a while as he kept staring at me, but soon it got weird and I just looked away, cursing internally at my skittish behavior.

"That right there," he pointed out, "You still have humane emotions."

I wanted to say I had no emotions, only anger and darkness marked my way, but that wasn't true. The reason emotions were my weakness was because I felt them, even now. No matter how much I tried to turn myself into a cold punk, but I just couldn't. I even tried darkness as my element just to forget about emotions, but it still didn't vanquish.

Yes I had a goal, but emotions weren't necessary for it. And living my life like this was better than drowning in emotions which could get triggered by anything. It hadn't taken me long to understand that a happy life was just a daydream, nothing more.

I knew I had to defeat the ultimate alpha, for that I needed every inch of focus and dedication I could muster, but...

"I don't want these feelings, emotions make me weak."

There was a tense pause, and I felt as if I had done something wrong by saying that.

"I don't get you," he told me at last, "your emotions are your greatest tool, and yet you want to get rid of them. How foolish."

I just gaped at him as he walked away, but he was wrong to call me foolish... why did he say that?

Emotions weren't my greatest tool. He was wrong.