Chapter 6 Uncovered Truth

• RHEA
• One minute, he was staring at me with darkened eyes, the next, he was right in front of me, his eyes a fiery red. He strode closer to me and I moved backwards until my back hit the wall. I had no idea what he was going to do. I could have casted a spell or something. But, I'd been caught unawares. My heart was racing in my chest and he was so close, I could perceive his minty scent. "Jaden... could you back off now? Trust me, you don't want to kiss me because we won't be getting out of the basement until the thirtieth" I said and he blinked. Planting a hand on the wall, right beside my head, he nuzzled his face against the bare skin of the crook of my neck and let out a groan. "You smell so good."
• I shivered, trying not to let myself get carried away. I knew he would regret it thereafter and I didn't want that to happen. So, I kneed him in the groin. He doubled over with a groan, squeezing his eyes shut.
• "I'm really sorry... I didn't have any choice. You were going out of control," I squeaked when he glared at me. Cursing under his breath, he turned away from me. "Put on some clothes, woman!" He growled.
• "It wasn't my fault. You came in without a warning. Thanks for the food by the way. Do you want me to help you get rid of the pain? I can cast a spell..."
• He cut me off with a gruff voice.
• "No, thanks "
• Without saying anything else, he stormed up the stairs, not sparing me a glance. I blew out a breath and rubbed my forehead.
• "That was so close," I muttered.
• 'You can pretend all you want, but you actually wanted more, didn't you?' said the voice in my head.
• I frowned, realizing something. The voice didn't feel like it was based on my subconscious thought. Infact, it felt like there was someone else in my head. Someone I hadn't noticed until now.
• "Finally! I was waiting for you to grow some more bunch of brain cells and figure out that I actually exist!" the voice said and my frown deepened.
• "Wait a minute, who the hell are you?" I said out loud.
• Whoever she was, let out an irritated huff.
• "Gosh, for someone who thinks she's smart, you're so dumb"
• "What?!" I breathed, annoyed.
• "What? Did I hurt your feelings? That's exactly how I've been feeling since I started to coexist with you! How could you not have recognized my presence?!"
• "Hold up! Quit yelling in my head!" I snapped. She went quiet and I sighed.
• "You can introduce yourself now," I said, suddenly feeling drained.
• "My name is Crystal and I'm your wolf."
• My eyes widened as I processed what she'd just said. "Since when--"
• "Since yesterday"
• "But, you said--"
• "Yeah, yeah... just like you, I have a knack for exaggerating things"
• "How? I've been waiting for you since I was a little girl. Why did you take so long? I felt really lonely growing up alone" I told her and poked the corner of my mouth with my tongue.
• "I'm sorry. But, I couldn't come to you until the time was right"
• "What? I don't understand? What was so special about yesterday? It was the worst day of my life. I lost everything. Is that what you consider 'right time?'"
• "You are so clueless. Poor you. You'll figure it out soon, I hope" she stated.
• "Wait, if you know what's really going on? Why won't you tell me?"
• "Now, where's the fun in that?" She sassed and I rolled my eyes.
• ...
• Three long days passed in a blur. I realized I couldn't stay in doors for two weeks. I was bored as hell and my fingers were itching to commit theft. I alternated between meditating, sleeping, eating and watching TV. It wasn't fun.
• On the fourth day, I climbed halfway up the basement stairs and retreated to the basement. On the fifth day, I actually got to the door leading outside the basement. But, to my horror, it was locked. Deciding not to do anything funny, I went back to the basement and curled up on my bed. On the seventh day, I curled up on the couch, wondering what Jaden would be up to by that time. I had never witnessed an Alpha in rut, I didn't know what to think. It might also interest you to know that on the seventh day, I'd run out of food. I was desperate. Nevertheless, I knew I had troubled Jaden a lot and didn't want to add to his troubles. I stared at the photo tucked by the TV, recalling how the pillow had been thrown by an invisible force, the last time I'd held that photo in my hands. I could cast a spell to summon the ghost, but I didn't have the necessary materials to do so. I started to pace again, my stomach grumbling loudly. I ended up falling asleep on the floor.
• The whispers were what woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes, only to see Darryl and Klaus hovering over me with worry in their eyes.
• "Klaus? Darryl? What are you doing down here?" I asked, muffling my yawn.
• They stared at me with relief on their faces. "We were afraid something had happened to you. You sleep like the dead" Darryl commented and I let out a sigh, pushing myself up to a sitting position.
• "Gosh, this place is a mess" Klaus said as he took in the sight of the days old emptied boxes of pizzas, bags of chips and wrappers littered on the floor. "I was going to clean them up. I'm so hungry" I groaned and Darryl chuckled.
• "Come on, let's get you out of here. You look like you need some fresh air and some good food" he added.
• "I'd like that. You guys are supposed to be in rut..." I frowned. They both exchanged amused glances and my frown deepened.
• "Did I say something funny?" I asked and Klaus sighed.
• "No, you didn't. An alpha undergoes rut for seven days. But, Betas and Gammas actually don't experience rut"
• "Oh...But, Jaden told me..."
• "He was just messing with you. Besides, Jaden is asleep at the moment," Darryl told me, a smile playing on his lips.
• "Oh... Is it over already?..."
• "For this month, yeah" he responded.
• "Does it...hurt?" I asked and they both laughed.
• "You should ask Jaden when you see him," Klaus suggested and I scoffed. I rose to my feet and followed them out of the basement.
• "You can freshen up in there. That's your new room." Darryl stated when we stopped in front of one of the rooms, upstairs.
• "Really?" I asked, surprised.
• "Does Jaden approve of this?" I probed.
• "He personally asked us to take you to your new room," Darryl stated.
• Klaus handed me a white polythene bag. "Jaden also wants to apologise for his unpleasant behavior seven days ago, whatever that means," he said and I opened the bag, only to find a big cup of ice cream in it. It was also vanilla flavored, my favorite.
• "By the look on your face, I'm guessing... he's forgiven?" Klaus stated and I shrugged.
• "To be honest, I was never mad at him in the first place. Either way, I appreciate this. He's just too kind," I said and pushed the door open. My jaw dropped when I took in the sight of the well furnished room.
• "Holy Shit," I gasped and Darryl snorted.
• "For some reason, Jaden is very generous to you. You should enjoy it while it lasts"
• "Thanks guys, I'll like to freshen up now," I said and shut the door. I exhaled slowly and wrapped my hair into a bun. This was it. I was certain that any moment from that point, I would once again encounter Jaden. I was grateful. I figured I had to make him know how grateful I was.
• After I'd showered and gotten dressed in a black hoodie and a pair of grey sweats, I made breakfast and ate with Darryl and Klaus.
• "So, how long does Jaden usually sleep after...you know..."
• Darryl coughed into his closed fist and Klaus rolled his eyes at his reaction.
• "It varies. But, I don't think he's going to wake up anytime soon. He's out like a light," he told me and I nodded slowly.
• There was no tension between us. We all sat in the large sitting room. Klaus was texting someone and Darryl was playing a game on his phone. I stared at the large TV screen, trying to ignore the 'itch' in my fingers. It was a miracle I hadn't stolen anything yet. At noon, Trisha visited. There was a frigid tension between the both of us. I could feel her staring at me when she thought I wasn't watching her. It was annoying. I wanted her to throw a pillow or yell at me. Anything, but stare at me.
• "Jaden's not awake yet?" She asked Klaus who grunted in response. "Why on Earth is she still here?" I heard her whisper to Darryl who flipped her off and continued playing his games.
• Just when I parted my lips to say something, I heard footsteps heading downstairs. We all looked up. Sure enough, Jaden was descending the stairs. He was wearing a loose black shirt and a pair of track pants. He headed straight for the kitchen, probably to pour himself a glass of water or get himself some food.
• He ascended the stairs after some minutes. As soon as he disappeared from sight, Darryl, Trisha and Klaus went upstairs one after the other. Weirdly, I felt left out. So, I sneaked upstairs and followed the sound of their voices to what seemed to be Jaden's study. I didn't come close enough, knowing that they would sense my presence if I did. With my heightened senses, I could hear them completely.
• "You're kidding, right? There's no way that woman downstairs is your mate."
• "She has a name, Trisha," Jaden said, coldly.
• "Wow, this is why you're so generous to her. But, why haven't you told her?" Darryl asked and Jaden sighed.
• "I have doubts, Darryl."
• I stiffened, feeling like my heart was going to explode in my chest.
• 'I am Jaden's mate?!' I thought, shocked by the truth I'd just uncovered.