His Crimson Mate

"Gift"

(Janessa's POV)

I woke up to the sun just beginning to rise in the sky. I sighed at yet another restless night's sleep. I hated the way my heart ached after finding out Hadeon was betrothed to another. I mean, why should I care, right? He's an asshole and a villain in every sense of the word. Then why does it hurt so badly?

I quickly dressed and slipped out of my room. I no longer needed to sneak out of the window and I headed towards the woods so I could train. I haven't spoken to Hadeon since we returned yesterday morning, and I have been avoiding training with him also. I walked into the hallway and shut my bedroom door.

Once again, a faint scent of death reached my nose. What is that smell? This isn't the first time I have picked up on the odor. It is faint and mingled with other smells, but it is still unfamiliar and something deep within me stirred in a bad way. I traced the smell to my left at the end of the hallway but decided to head right toward the steps and my exit.

I walked outside and the chilly morning air nipped at my skin. I jogged for about twenty minutes before I came to a clearing and worked my body out for over an hour. I looked up at the morning sky, and by the look of the sun, it was nearing 7 am and time for me to head back to start my work shift.

In the distance, I heard a slight fluttering noise and then a soft thud. My ears picked up on it and I followed the sound quickly. I stood at the base of a tree looking down on a small injured bird. Its wing was bent in an unnatural manner and I could hear its heartbeat slowing because it was injured internally.

I leaned forward and lifted the little birdie into my hands. I could feel its tiny lifeforce course through me. I looked around and took in my surroundings, making sure no one was near. Feeling satisfied I was alone, I concentrated back on the bird. The lifeforce I felt coming from the palm of my hand, I began to pull at it and draw it into myself. I watch as I sucked the life out of the bird. Its faint chirps began to dwindle and I watched its body shrivel and dry up into nothing.

I knew that in a few more moments the bird would be dust in my hand. Right as I heard the final heartbeats of the dying bird, I relinquished its lifeforce. I quickly began to return it to the state I found it in. After I felt its essence completely leave my body, I pushed some of my own essence into the bird and immediately heard its heartbeat strengthen. Then its wing popped back into place and the bird stood in my hand, shaking its feathers after coming from the brink of death. I caressed the bird's head a few times before I lifted my hands and it flew away freely into the horizon.

I sighed at the freedom the little bird seemed to have that I never will. Always to be trapped as the Alpha's daughter or a Dark Angel. The small amount of energy I released quickly returned to my body. I hated my powers. To me they were worthless. In the heat of battle, I could easily destroy my enemies as well as save my friends with just one touch. The problem was I actually had to get close to them for it to work. While my mother could command a forest to bend to her every whim, I could suck the life from someone or return it just as easily.

I rarely use my "gift". That's why, even as an assassin, I prefer close combat with my blades. It feels more natural than sucking the life from people. No one but my immediate family knows of my powers. I was disgusted the first time I discovered them and vowed to never use them in a fight unless completely necessary.

I made my way back toward my bedroom. When I reached the door, I noticed that pungent smell of death again. I saw something move from the corner of my eye and I noticed a woman locking a door at the very end of the hall. The way the door was raised off the floor led me to believe it was an attic of some sort. As the woman passed me, that was when I gasped in realization. A vampire! I growled viciously at her and she looked at me as if just realizing I was present in the hallway. She hissed at me, showing her fangs, then nonchalantly sauntered down the hall.

The smell of vampires reek, but her smell was muddled with that of wolves, which causes me to believe she lives amongst us. Especially with how comfortably she is just walking around, but why is she up on the Alpha's floor? I wanted to ask Hadeon about the vampire who ran loose through his pack but I wasn't speaking to him and had no intentions of doing so. I have to get my head in the game. Just a few more weeks and I will rid the world of this miserable pack for good! With those thoughts, I quickly put on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt and exited my bedroom for my laundry shift.

(Hadeon's POV)

Two nights ago was by far the best night of my life. I thought Janessa would have run back to me last night or even this morning, but I haven't seen her since we returned yesterday morning. I'm not too stupid to know it has something to do with Cami. I am frustrated I didn't tell Janessa about her sooner, but honestly, while I was caught up in the moment, Cami never crossed my mind. It's not like it matters though. It's not like Janessa will ever be my Luna, but I need her body more than I'd like to admit.

I thought sleeping with her would stop her from consuming my mind, but somehow it has worsened. Zeus is acting like a needy pup and he doesn't know what else to do but to track her down and tie her to a bedpost. Why hasn't she come to see me? Is she not as desperate as I am?

"Alpha, pay attention!" Lucas shouted through our mindlink, bringing me back to the situation at hand. I was currently in my office with my Beta and Gamma, as well as my dad and his former Beta, d**k. I looked over at my dad who was glaring daggers at me and I realized I was once again lost in thought during an important meeting. I see why my dad looks down on the mate bond. It's a weakness and a distraction. I need to get a grip!

"So what do you say, boy?" my father says to me while irritated. I know he knows I wasn't paying attention. "He wants to know if you agree that it's best to leave two days in advance of the Death Moon," Lucas mind links me, bailing me out as usual. "I think that's a great idea. That way we will already be there with no problems," I responded confidently.

"Good. Then we can get rid of this Crimson Wolf and live the lives we are supposed to live once and for all," my father snarled. My heart dropped in my stomach at the thought of getting rid of or sacrificing Janessa. "Never!" Zeus growled in my mind, and I let out a breath of frustration.

After the meeting was completed, I could feel Zeus' anxiety. "See mate now!" Zeus growled. I stopped Lucas before he left my office. "Luc, go find Janessa and bring her here," I told him before I quickly mind-linked an Omega. The Omega made it to my office first, "A-Alpha," he stuttered nervously before making a slight bow. I rolled my eyes at how weak Omegas are.

We waited patiently before Janessa finally showed up. She walked in hesitantly and I was immediately entranced by her beauty. She only had on a pair of ripped jeans and a black T-shirt. She looked like she had been working all morning in the laundry room, but she was still by far the most beautiful female I'd ever laid eyes on. With her full curves, attractive features, and messy bun. Suddenly, Janessa cleared her throat and I realized I had been staring. "Uhh, how can I help you?" she asked, sounding slightly irritated.

"Janessa, I want you to meet... uh, what's your name again?" I asked the Omega. "David, A-Alpha" he responded nervously. "Yes, I want you to meet David. He will be spearheading the building of the homes. He has spent countless years doing construction and he has put together a team. I have also taken the recommendations you gave Lucas and we will be working with other packs for materials," I explained. I was kind of proud of myself and I was hoping she was proud of me too. Not that I really care what she thinks.

"Umm, wow. Okay, that was faster than I had expected. When do they start?" she asked me. "A-actually, m-most of the materials have begun to be delivered, and everyone is ready to start immediately. We have the blueprints of where the first houses will be built. W-we just needed the green light to begin," the Omega responded while looking at the floor.

"Oh, wow! Great! Can you show me?" Janessa asked excitedly and the Omega nodded in agreement before leaving my office. Janessa quickly followed behind him without even sparing me a second glance. Zeus howled in my mind at being ignored and I quickly exited my office, following closely behind them.

Once outside, the Omega took us about a ten-minute walk through the pack to a large piece of land that Janessa designated as the spot for the first homes to be built. I looked around and saw lots of stone, concrete, steel, brick, and sand lying about. As well as a few different types of trucks to haul the materials. I was impressed.

"You know you don't have to sit around and act interested," Janessa whispered to me while we watched everyone begin working. There were at least fifty wolves who volunteered for the job, but Janessa insisted we pay them, much to my annoyance. "Whose acting? I am genuinely interested in what is being built on my pack's land," I told her as I watched in awe at how everyone quickly came together.

"Here let me help you with that," Janessa said to an Omega who was struggling to move some materials. Janessa never ceases to amaze me with how selfless she can be. I noticed her chatting with a few Omegas as well as some of my warriors. When did she get so chummy with everyone?

"Help her!" Zeus cried in my mind, bringing me back to reality. I quickly began to grab materials and pile them near the worksite like I saw Janessa doing. After about two hours of non-stop work, I stopped and looked around. Proud of the work I have contributed to. I noticed Janessa walking away and I quickly followed behind her.

Janessa walked back to the packhouse and straight to the kitchen. I immediately heard her barking out commands. "I need at least sixty sandwiches, bags of chips, and drinks for the workers outside who are building the houses. Once you are done, mindlink everyone to come to eat on the front lawn," she says before everyone jumps to work and she begins to leave again.

She brushes past me in the foyer and I quickly grab her arm before she escapes. "Not so fast," I say through gritted teeth as I grip her elbow. "What the hell do you want," she snaps as she rips her arm from my grasp. Zeus whines in my mind at her hostility. "Can we talk in private, please?" I all but begged her.

She looks like she's about to protest but gives up and signals for me to lead the way. I decided not to push my luck and lock her in my room as I wanted, so I opted to take her down the hall to my office. Once inside, I quickly locked the door and stalked over to her like prey.

"So what do you wa-" she was cut off by me slamming her back against the bookshelf and pinning her arms above her head. I leaned forward and deeply took in her enticing scent of grapefruit and lavender. The smell of her arousal hit me next and I began to fight for dominance with Zeus. I leaned forward and ran my nose up and down her neck and watched as goosebumps appeared on her delicate skin.

I had a quick vision of sinking my teeth into her silky skin and marking her, but I quickly pushed those thoughts from my mind. I knew it was nothing but Zeus wanting to claim what was his. "Why haven't you come to me?" I growled lowly into her ear. She scoffed and rolled her eyes as she tried to thrash her wrists from my grip.

I tightened my grip on her and waited for her answer. "Who the hell do you think you are for me to come to you? You didn't come to me either!" she spat with an angry fire in her eyes. I loved that fire in her eyes, but the Alpha in me wasn't impressed with her tone.

"Watch your mouth before I strip you bare and lean you over my desk," I growled as I pressed my body against hers. I felt a sharp pain in my nuts and quickly let go of her wrists as I hunched over in pain. Did she... Did she just knee me in my family jewels? Her leg went up again, but this time I caught it.

"Get your disgusting hands off me!" Janessa screamed, and for some reason I obeyed. I was shocked by the anger in her tone, but what shocked me more was the hint of what I could only perceive as pain. "What do you want from me?" I asked her desperately. I needed her in my bed, in my arms, and her hating me like this was counterproductive.

"Nothing you can give me, I assure you," she said through gritted teeth as she brushed past me and exited my office. I ran my hand down my face in frustration. Damn, I had to do something. We only had a few weeks left and I had to use her body as much as I could until then. Now that I have had a taste, I'm pretty sure I am addicted. I knew what I had to do though. For once in my life, I had to put my pride aside and kiss some ass, if only for a little while.