The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 65: Want To Know A Secret?

But as I fished for the key, I couldn't seem to find it. Panic stirred within my chest as I patted down my pockets again, searching.

“What the heck?!” I groaned when I didn't find it.

My heart sank as the realization hit me – they were gone.

Breathing deeply to calm hoping against hope that I had perhaps dropped the keys somewhere along my shift. But there are no keys around. My car stood silent while rain clouds gathered ominously above. Maybe I left it in the locker room earlier.

With a resigned sigh, I accepted my fate. It's not like I have a key to the shop anyway.

“At least I have a phone to call Percival” I whispered to myself, hoping to find positivity in my afternoon.

Walking home was my only option tonight. I tightened the hood of my jacket around my face as the first droplets of rain began to fall. The rain started as a gentle drizzle, but it turned into a full-fledged storm within moments. The cold raindrops pelted against my skin, soaking me through in seconds.

“Damn it”

Quickening my pace, I splashed through the growing puddles, aiming for the forest path to reach my cabin faster. The urge to shift into my wolf clawed at me, but the fear of being spotted held me back.

Suddenly, the sound of an approaching car reached my ears. A black sedan pulled up, screeching to a halt, and Jake's face appeared in the window.

“Jake?”

"Need a ride?" he asked, a half-smile on his lips.

"Sure," I blurted, trying to sound composed despite my drenched state.

Who could blame me?

As I squeezed into the car, rainwater splattered, but Jake immediately cranked up the heater.

“You're a lifesaver, you know that?” I said, peeling off my soaked jacket and shirt, revealing my sports bra underneath. Thankfully, I was prepared.

In the corner of my eyes, I caught Jake shifting in his seat, averting his gaze. I smirked, enjoying his cute reaction.

He cleared his throat. “Here,” he said, offering me his gray jacket, ears turning red.

“Thanks,” I said, slipping it on. “So, what brings you out to this part of the forest?”

My gaze flickered to his fidgeting fingers on the wheel. He seemed nervous.

“I actually wanted to see you,” he finally admitted.

I raised a brow, intrigued. “See me? Why?”

“Have you heard the rumors that the Werewolf Council would visit here?”

I nodded, “Yeah. Sammy told me”

“Everyone in the pack was talking about it. Well, mostly because we don't like them”

“Really?”

He let out a sigh, “We know that some of them saw us—Lycans as a threat”

I can remember the words of Nicholas that some of the members of the Werewolf Council wanted to overthrow him. So, his plan of wanting them out as soon as possible might be partly because he wants to protect his people.

“Well, technically, Lycans are a threat to normal shifters,” I said bluntly.

He chuckled, shaking his head, “Well, those old geezers viewed ‘threat’ differently. We and our beasts sense something off with some of them”

“In every hierarchy, there are always a few who want to take hold of most of the power and control. I think that is always the plot for the higher-ups” I replied, my gaze distant.

As the rain drummed against the car's roof, Jake suddenly stopped the car in the middle of the woods. Darkness already filled the dense forest and only the headlights were the only source of light.

“Why did you stop?”

He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, handing it over.

"What's this?"

I unfolded the soggy paper. It revealed a rough sketch that looked like a territory with random markings. “Is this….”

I unfolded the soggy paper, revealing a rough sketch resembling a territory with scattered markings. “Is this….”

Jake let out a bitter chuckle, "Consider it your survival guide. It's the layout of the Moonstone Pack's territory. The markings indicate motion-censored areas and mines, mostly near the borders. The sea is heavily guarded, so I recommend heading to the main gate. There’s a human town a few miles away.”

My eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? Are you serious?"

That is something I didn't expect.

"Absolutely serious”

“Why would you give me the layout of your territory? Don't you forget that I am a mistress of your Alpha?”

He met my gaze with a sad smile, “I know. I perfectly know it but I want you to be happy. And every time I saw you with Alpha, you seemed heartbroken every time”

My hold on the paper tightened. I guess I can't mask my emotions that well huh? Maybe my touch as Veilios had gone after these years.

“Just ignore me, Jake. If anyone knows that you gave me this, Nicholas—I mean your Alpha would punish you. I escape once—”

He cut me off, “And you failed the first time”

“Why…..why would you risk being hurt by doing this?” I can't help but ask, silently praying he will not say the reason I have in mind.

With a sigh and a clenched jaw, he replied, “Would you believe if I said I like you? And if you manage to escape and be free from being the Alpha’s mistress, I wanted to meet you outside of our pack”

This is the most painful confession I’ve heard partly because I wished Jake was my mate. But reality would laugh at me for wishing that.

I turned away, a bitter smile forming on my lips, “Want to know a secret, Jake?” a bitter smile crossed my lips, “I can't escape your Alpha. No matter where am I, whoever I meet, whether I am confined here or not, I cannot escape him. Death would only give me that freedom”

He frowned, genuine curiosity along with pain dancing in his eyes, “Why?”

I bit my lip, gathering the strength to reveal what I'd kept hidden.

“Because... he is my mate. Nicholas was my mate.”

“Wh-what?” Jake breathed.

“I am Nicholas Gavner Acworth’s mate.”