“We both know how we feel for each other. We both feel the desire, the attraction, and the urges. We can’t deny that we are meant to be mates,” Jake said.
“You don’t know that,” Jazz said, shaking her head.
Jake started to walk towards her and when he reached her, he slowly leaned over. He placed a single finger under her chin and whispered, “Look into my eyes, Jazz.”
Jazz swallowed as she tried to act immune to his charms. The second his skin touched hers, she felt a wave of emotions running through her body. Her heartbeat increased as her senses overloaded. She could smell him and feel him; where his skin touched hers, she could feel a pleasant burning sensation.
“Look into my eyes,” Jake ordered, and Jazz finally did. She was instantly lost in the ocean of his eyes, overtaken by the feelings they ignited in her. The bear inside her growled as raw, carnal urges ran through her veins.
Through his eyes, she could sense his soul, which seemed familiar. As if she was being reunited with a long lost part of her soul. She swallowed as she stared deep into his eyes. She wanted to deny it. She wanted to say that she felt nothing for him, whatsoever. Yet, she knew she couldn’t. Her bear roared within her, and she knew it was because she was looking into the eyes of her mate.
“Say it,” Jake ordered. “Look into my eyes and deny that you don’t feel for me like a mate would.”
“I don’t,” Jazz tried to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Jake removed his finger and turned around.
“If you want nothing to do with me, then just let me know,” he said, his voice soft. “But don’t deny what our souls feel for each other. Don’t deny your mate.”
With that he walked out, leaving Jazz sitting on the bed alone, an emotional turmoil raging through her.
Chapter 15
Jake
“From what our investigations have revealed, it seems that the man we were up against, is a wizard,” Edward, one of Jake’s best detectives, said. “He took procession of General Zao’s body and apparently suffocated him from the inside. The autopsy also revealed multiple internal injuries that contributed to his death.”
“If this wizard has the power to just possess anyone, then he can possess any one of us,” Elder Vince, one of the oldest members of the council, said.
“I have looked into the books we have in the library and even talked to a few magicians and wizards. It seems that they can’t just possess anyone. The soul that they possess has to already be corrupt and filled with darkness for them to take over. The person’s own will must be involved in it,” Edward said. “I think that General Zao was already thinking about revenge when the wizard contacted him.”
“Nevertheless,” Branson, another one of the senior members, said, “this wizard is clearly very powerful. We cannot take this threat lightly.”
“It seems that he hired people initially to steal the ruby. He apparently thought that he could get to it without having to be directly involved. He tried first with Jasmine, but when that didn’t work, he hired the mercenary,” Edward said, looking into his files. “Once we tightened the security and completely changed everything about it, he realized that there was no way to get someone inside. He had to resort to getting some inside help. I don’t know how he discovered Zao or how he figured out that Zao was morally corrupted, but he did, and that is who he chose.”
“We cannot let this carry on, Jake,” Branson said. “As the leader, you have to take a stand. We can’t just sit here and wait for the wizard to attack again.”
“I am doing everything I can,” Jake said. “This is my clan, Branson. I would do everything in my power to keep it safe.”
“It doesn’t seem like it,” Elder Vince said. “There have already been three attempts to steal it within just one month. Soldiers were grievously injured, and a few even died in one of them. A portion of the mansion was set on fire, which is still undergoing repair.”
“I am aware of all that has been going on,” Jake said, rubbing his eyes. “I assure you I am doing my best to track down this wizard and protect my clan!”
“I certainly hope so,” Branson said, frowning. “Something like this would have never happened during your father’s era.”
“You also would have your head chopped off if you questioned him as you are questioning me,” Jake said, glaring at him.
Branson paled but glared back at Jake.
“I respect you, Branson. I need you to be with me, not against me,” Jake said, tactfully. He knew he couldn't afford to anger the council members. He might be the alpha male, but there were only so many mutinies he could afford.
“Alright,” Branson said, after a while. “For now, I am with you. Do not disappoint us again, Jake.”
∞∞∞
Jake sighed, sitting down on his bed. It had been a long, hard day for him. The council had really grilled him for failing to protect the ruby and the clan. The thing that bothered him the most though, was the constant comparison with his father.
There was a knock on his door, and he sighed once again.
