Chapter 7

Rain

Something about Jacks makes me uncomfortable, Cedric makes me nervous but if I had to choose to be alone with either of them, I would choose Cedric. Jacks waves his hand at me and I snap out of my thoughts "well look who's back, how are you doing human girl?" I decided to act normal. "I'm good, and you Jacks?" his grin goes wider, he stands up and walks toward me- meanwhile Cedric is busy with something and he had his back to us, Jacks stops beside me facing the opposite direction towards the open door- he looks at me and licks his lips as he looks me up and down then he leans in and whispers in my ear- "I would be a lot better if I would get the chance to hold you again in my arms baby" then he sniffs my neck and I jerk back with horror, what the hell does he mean AGAIN? When did he hold my body? When did he touch me, and where was Zevrus?

Jacks chuckles and heads outside the office- I stand there frozen with fear, I stare at the floor and try so hard to remember something, anything about what he said- but now I know there's an obvious threat. and it's simple- all I had to do was stay as close as I could to Cedric, he wouldn't dare come near me if Cedric's there. 

My thoughts are cut when Cedric clears his throat and turns around- "here is the map of the area, I marked the places we searched so far, only a few ones are still- are you okay?"

I snap my head up towards him, his face darkens "why are you frightened? I can smell your fear" I take a deep breath and shake my head "it's nothing- just worried about Zevrus". He studies me for a moment, then he nods once and turns back towards the map on the table "come look at this, I'm showing you the map because I need you to know where our compound is located and how far I would be in the next couple of days" my heart stops for a second and I feel the color drain from my face, I walk slowly towards him and the map , he continues explaining and pointing at areas that are located around the compound which is in the middle, I'm scared of what might happen next "um, Cedric, you said you are going- where are you going exactly?" he cocks a brow at me "well, to search for Zevrus" I close my eyes and put my hand on my forehead "but you said you sent two of your wolves to search for him and give him the message that I am here" Cedric leans on the table and crosses his arms "yes, but it doesn't stop here, we've been doing patrols and rounds around the area for a month now, as I showed you the northern areas are mostly covered, now we only have the southern areas to cover".

Suddenly I'm too tired of standing up, I take a seat next to the table and run a hand through my hair "okay, well how far are the northern areas? I mean how long will it take to cover them", Cedric takes a moment to think as he traces his finger across the map "about two to three weeks, it's an area with a huge radios". I stare at him with wide eyes – "you're going to leave for three weeks?" Cedric shakes his head "of course not, I'm only joining the others on the first two days- I can't leave the pack for longer" I exhale with a shudder, two days aren't going to be easy either but I'll take that instead of two weeks. Now I had to find a way to be out of Jacks' sight, but then an idea occurred to me "can I come along?" Cedric raises his eyebrows with surprise "what? Why?" then his expression settles into amusement "I'm starting to think that you'll miss me while I'm gone, what's wrong princess? Can't sit without being bitten and thrown around?" I blush so hard and bow my head- I hear him laugh, his laugh is actually adorable and it's the first time I see Cedric relaxed since I first met him- maybe he isn't that kind of a monster after all.

"you know- since you're my brother's mate and I'm going to see you around a lot now- I'm thinking maybe I should know your name" I raise my head and stare at him "you don't know my name? hasn't Zevrus told you?" he squinted his eyes and made a thoughtful face "hmmm, maybe he did and I just forgot, what's your name again?" I like the playfulness in his voice and movements and I feel more relaxed, I smile at him "I'm Rain". He studies my face for a second then he smiles back "nice name", I blush and look away, but then I see Jacks standing at the door – he has that creepy grin on his face again and he's leaning on the door frame while his gaze is fixed at me, how long has he been standing in there? "nice name indeed". Cedric stand straighter from his position "Jacks, good you're here- I wanted to talk to you, come sit down", Jacks comes inside and settles on the chair across mine, he slides further down and spreads his legs wide, I can't help but notice a bulge between his legs, when he catches my eye he gives me a wolfish grin and winks, I feel my face burning with embarrassment and I look away, all the while Cedric studies the map with his back to us, and I start to feel uncomfortable as I look away, because in the corner of my eye I can see Jacks staring at me.

Cedric finally moves and sits in the chair on the other side of the desk, I turn my face towards him and he lifts a brow at me "Rain? Is something wrong?" I put on my best fake smile and shake my head "no, nothing I just feel hot, that's all" Jacks chuckles "of course you do, I feel hot too", Cedric turns his gaze towards him and talks in a serious tone "Jacks, I would appreciate it if you keep your tongue to yourself, especially when you're around Rain. Now as my third in command and beta Zevrus is gone- I need you to know that I will be going with Cyprus and Jud on the first round towards the northern areas starting from tomorrow, I will be gone for two days- I need you to look after the pack while I'm gone, course you'll be staying in the house here with Rain, I need to know she's safe while I'm gone" at his words I feel my throat start to dry and I can't breathe well, Jacks nods at Cedric and looks at me "my pleasure", I start to struggle to breath and lean forward, Cedric stands up and comes near me "Rain, what's wrong? Take a breath, breathe- slowly" I look at Cedric and try to plead him to stay with my eyes, he looks at me confused and shakes his head, then he looks at Jacks "what's happening to her?" Jacks grins at me "maybe she's too excited for the next couple of days that are coming". He stands up and brushes his hair back "now if you'll excuse me alpha, I need to gather the guys and prepare them for the next couple of days" Cedric nods at him "you're dismissed".

When Jacks leaves the room I start to find my breath again, slowly I calm down and my heart beat returns to its normal rate, , I close my eyes and cover my face with my hands and I sigh- now what am I going to do? Cedric stands in front of me and studies me carefully "are you going to tell me what's wrong? Let me help". I contemplate telling him for a second, but I don't want him to baby sit me while his brother is alone out there even as we speak now, God knows where Zevrus is now- is he safe? He could be dying or suffering or worse- so I shake my head "it's nothing, really I'm okay Cedric" he shakes his head back "no' I know you're lying- are you scared of me?" 

"what?! No! not anymore, I trust you" I give him another fake smile, he narrows his eyes at me in disbelief "I know something's wrong and I'm gonna find out sooner or later" he sighs "for now let me show you where your room is, maybe you could freshen up and rest, you had a rough night". He walks towards my bag and picks it up from the floor, he loops it through his shoulder and gestures for me to come along. We walk outside the office and up the stairs towards a small hallway with multiple doors around on both sides, I guess they're guest rooms. "Which one do you want?" I think about taking the first one-the closest to the stairs, just in case I had to run or something goes wrong, I point at it and he nods and gestures for me towards the door "ladies first".