The Alpha's Assassin

Ch. 2

I was glad to have somewhere silent to gather my thoughts. They've become so scattered recently, especially with my becoming head of the Alpha's Elite. I was glad the Alpha trusted my skills enough... but I don't know if I was truly ready to train and look after so many people. After all, my own upbringing had been more than rough. Don't get me wrong, I loved my parents to death. They were the ones who cared for me the most.

But, it was the old master. The oldest assassin the Alpha still had. He was an old man, with beady black eyes and a slippery smile. I went to train with him when I was 10, having been chosen by the Alpha for my already apparent fighting skills. He would always look at me in such ways that made my skin crawl. I hated how he looked at me, but I couldn't say anything because he hadn't done anything to me. I had no proof. He trained me harshly, pushing me to and past my limits. We wouldn't stop until I had everything perfect and I greatly improved. But every time I failed, he would nick me with the end of his knife in the center of my back, where no one would be able to see.

I learned very quickly to never show when I made a mistake. I quickly became the best warrior of the pack, trained to be the perfect killer. I take no pride in my ability to kill. In fact, it haunts me. Every time I finish a job, I don't get sleep for the next few days. Their faces and cries haunt me until I have to get up for the day. I toss and turn in my bed until I simply get up and go for a run. It clears my head and helps me to not think about anything at all.

I pause in my musings when an incredible scent fills my nostrils. It smells of a forest during a full moon. I don't even know what that means, but I immediately want more. I open my eyes and crouch into a defense position, ready to catch whoever has that smell. I look around me slowly, finding myself staring into crystal blue eyes. They sparkle like diamonds, making his face glow in an unnatural way.

I tear my eyes away from his own and they travel without me telling them to. His hair is a dark brown, almost black. His nose is smooth and straight, accentuating his high cheekbones and strong jawline. I feel like if I got close enough, it would cut me, just like his eyes would cut through my soul. I watch as his tongue swipes out and moistens his lips. I follow it, entranced. I quickly snap my eyes away and lower my face, not wanting to draw any attention to myself. I look around, relieved to see that there are very few students around this early, and none of them were paying any attention to us. I hadn't realized how close the man was able to get to me until I felt his breath on my neck.

I jumped and looked up, right back into those diamond blue eyes. He was wearing this infuriating smirk, staring right back down at me. I felt the challenge rise within me and straightened my back, raising an eyebrow and folding my arms.

"Couldn't help but notice you from across the room. What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the cheesy pick up line. I backed up a few steps and gave him a good look up and down. He was wearing all black, tight fitting clothes. His leather jacket was close to mine, but his skin was paler. It was, an almost chalky, white. His lips were full and round, a soft pink. He wore combat boots that exaggerated his already tall height. He gave off this dark and mysterious vibe, as though he cared about nothing and no one. His eyes gave away no emotions and his face was closed off. I could tell he was a player and made up my mind right then and there to not even bother with him.

I huffed through my nose and turned away, heading to my homeroom. I heard the guy follow behind me, but I didn't pay any attention to him, taking my usual seat in the back of the classroom. The room was still mostly empty, only the nerds and the teacher were present. I sighed and looked at the seat beside me, missing my best friend Kaylee. She was the Beta's daughter, but she didn't get along with him very well. She had become my best friend instead, coming with me everywhere and we eventually got along perfectly. She wasn't with me now because of my other best friend, Mark. Kaylee had found out that Mark was her mate when she'd had her 16th birthday a week ago, last Tuesday. They were in the 'mating home,' establishing and strengthening their mate bond. They were given about a month before they were expected to participate in society again. I never expected to find my mate though, not after what I've done.

I sighed and placed my head on my chin, deciding to stare out the window for the rest of the day, bored without my friends by my side. I was startled out of my daydreaming by someone sitting in the seat next to me, taking my best friend's spot. I turned to look and probably shoo away the offender when I was caught off guard by those diamond eyes. I gasped, not used to their silent fury. I realized I was staring at him and quickly resumed my position of looking out the window, pretending like I didn't care.

"My name's Kain. Will I have the pleasure of knowing yours?"

His voice was smooth and low, instantly calming my nerves and slowing my heartbeat to a relaxed pace. My eyes dipped closed almost instinctively, but I shook myself awake. I was going to ignore him, but some small voice in my head said to tell him my name and Kai agreed.

"It's Jasmine."

My own voice is low, almost too low to hear. Somehow, he hears it anyway and makes a small noise in the back of his throat, as though pleased by my answer. He nods and leans back to his seat, seemingly comfortable with leaving me alone for the rest of homeroom.