Valko-Zeke

Chapter 8

It didn't take much for the boys to persuade me into taking the first few sips of that sweet and heavenly red wine. The need to unwind after all the stress and trauma from both getting sent to prison and being made to fight the old man Valentino was far too great for me to turn down a few glasses. I felt myself being able to relax for the first time in a while, trusting that Zeke and Bellamy would be keeping an eye out for me should anyone try anything funny.

It was such a strange reality that I felt more relaxed and at ease right now inside this prison than I did in my old life in the pack. I attribute this feeling to this idea I have of my mate watching over me from above like a guardian angel.

My mood began to sway as I began thinking about how far away Zeke was. Even though he was just upstairs, to me it felt like he was worlds away. I had never thought of myself as a romantic. In fact, I had never really thought much about my mate before this at all. It wasn't until I saw his face and he said that word. That moment was when I began envisioning us together and yearning to be near him.

"Amalia?" I heard a voice behind me call. I twirled around and saw Jack approaching me. He reached over and grabbed the wine from my hand and set it on the table beside us.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, irritated. But he didn't acknowledge it. Instead, he grabbed my hand and placed it on his shoulder while placing the other in his grasp.

"Don's say a word, just dance with me." He insisted. I reluctantly complied, my gaze shifting upwards, wondering if he was watching.

I knew what Jack was trying to do, but I wasn't sure how to let him down easily. It was important that I kept our secret and maintained a good relationship with Jack at the same time. I can only hope he won't be petty about this.

"You mean the f*****g world to me, do you know that?" Jack confessed, and I smelt a strong tinge of whiskey tainting his breath. I crinkled my nose at the potency of it.

"Jack, I-"

He interrupted me, "I know you don't feel the same way. You're probably waiting for your mate, right?"

I nodded and smiled, and he just shook his head, laughing painfully. "We aren't going to find our mates if we're locked in here."

I let that sink in. Jack was right, he probably wouldn't find his mate. But, I found mine, and I know this crush of his is only because he thinks I'm his only chance. If only I could tell him.

"Every f*****g day, I wish you were mine- every single goddamned day.” Jack expressed drunkenly. "Why not just give me a chance?"

"Jack," I said, pulling away and gesturing for him to sit down. He followed me. "Listen, if we were together, it would be because we're settling for less than our perfect match. Because we lost hope. There is someone out there dreaming of you and dying to meet you. Don't just give up on her."

He shook his head again, "I wish you were my mate, Amalia."

I blushed awkwardly, "I'm so flattered, but it's just because I'm the only girl here."

He shook his head, "No it's really you. I'm sorry. I just had to tell you how I feel." He lay his drunken head on my shoulder and seemed to be breathing my scent in.

I shuffled awkwardly, and began to wish this encounter would soon be over.

"You doing okay, Amalia?" I heard Bellamy ask from behind us both. I turned to grimace at him, my eyes pleading for help.

"Oh f**k off, Bellamy," Jack groaned.

"Come on, I think it's time you headed back to your cell." Bellamy instructed. He pulled me away from Jack, causing Jack's face to fall forward and plant onto the table.

I backed out of the way, nervous to see Jack's reaction. He looked up at Bellamy, his face red with anger, and launched his body forward in an instant. The moment he launched at Bellamy, I was pushed out of the way by the force of his speed. My head clanked against the medal table as I fell down.

"Shit." I groaned and rubbed the spot where I bumped my head. I sat up, my head pounding, as I watched as the two wolves fought mercilessly and tirelessly. My instincts swiftly kicked in and I rolled out the way as they barreled passed me. I jogged back out of the area to protect myself from the claws and snarling bites. They showed no signs of slowing down. I knew having drinks in the prison would only end badly. Soon enough, I saw another pair of wolves begin fighting and so on.

In my drunken and tipsy state of mind, I hardly even thought about what I was doing. Tears streamed down my face as I exited the room and went up the stairwell, the echoing sound of clanks and yelps blasting throughout the halls as I left. My legs kept on walking without me and I ran all the way up ten flights of stairs just to escape the chaos...