“You could say that,” Alf said.
“Most of the women who are present at events like the arena have a high status, usually because they're mates of a Pack Leader,” Nik explained. “They'll see you as a rival even when you aren't actually a mate, just a potential, even if you have no feelings in that respect,” he gave her a pointed look. “You don't want that attention. Not when you have no solid position. You'll be sniffed out by any male who thinks he has the balls to claim you.”
Jaz cringed. “Lovely...” she muttered facetiously.
“Trust me, you don't want to know how we think.”
Jaz flashed him a startled look.
“Yes, we all think that way; it doesn't mean we act on it. But here we're probably one of the most civilized Pack in this country. That aside, the arena is no place for anyone they can prey on.”
“I'm not a victim, or prey. I have a right to be there.”
Kelda dropped in, “I'm not being funny, Skin, but you're new to this Pack- this whole world- and they'll see you as a little puppy. A pretty untouched, unclaimed puppy. Because you care about Nik, you may as well be wearing a 'Pack Leader's pet' t-shirt. The fact that he'll definitely miss his 'pet' if someone decided to mess with it, it would be too much for some of them to resist.” She looked squarely at Jaz then glanced at everyone else. “I mean let's all face facts. We know what we're all thinking but won't say out loud. You both have feelings for each other.” She focused on Nik and Jaz.
Nik's glare from across the room shut Kelda up. If she'd carried on speaking, Jaz would have thrown the nearest thing at her instead.
“I'm sick of these rumours,” Jaz said. “I'm flattered you guys are concerned for me but it's really unnecessary. I don't know why I smell this way, but it isn't what you think.
“I've already told Swain and anyone else who asks me, and this is the last time I'm gonna say this... I don't love Nik. I care about him very much. And it's only natural. He was everything to my sister. They were in love, and because Lora and I had such a powerful connection, some of the bond she shared with Nik may have just rubbed off on me. So I've become close to him because of it. That might be what my scent is really saying. We're good friends, nothing more. And I want to be there for him. For Lora. I owe her that much.” Throughout her speech she avoided his eyes. Now she looked up into his face. “Please let me go.”
His jaw slid to one side, as if he was considering her request. But he simply said, “No. You stay.”
*
A few hours later...
Jaz dialled Nik's number after hovering her fingers over the buttons for the past half hour.
When he picked up he didn't speak.
She exhaled. “I get why you won't let me go, okay?”
“Okay,” he replied, not giving any inkling of what was going on inside his head.
She massaged her temple in irritation, resting the side of her face on her thumb and two fingers. “I just want to know something.” She waited for him to respond. He was silent so she continued. “Do they know about me?”
She heard him shift in his seat, making her wonder where he was. “I've done what I can to keep it hidden,” he said. “But they've been around you much more than I have. It makes sense that they would notice things. I don't know for sure, though.”
“Crap,” she sighed. “Well... what should we do?”
“The truth will come out eventually, Jasmine.”
She sat up straighter; the way he said her full name sent pleasant shivers down her spine.
“We'll just have to hold it off for as long as we can. But I'm not concerned about them. I think they will keep it secret.”
She nodded, pressing the phone closer to her ear.
“Whatever happens, I will always keep you safe.”
Jaz scowled, ignoring the tears that were watering her eyes. “What happens if you die in the arena? How will you protect me then?”
“I won't die.”
“You can't know that.” she retorted. “So you may as well stop worrying about me. I'll be fine.”
“I'll always worry. Alive or dead, I'll always worry about you.”
She couldn't find a response for that. The sensation of nails pressing, digging, into her chest was too distracting. “I've gotta go.” She hung up and chucked the phone onto the bed. Tears fell down her cheeks, pooling in the corners of her mouth.
She didn't sleep well that night; drifting in and out of slumber.
Dreaming of drowning in blood.
~Chapter 38 – Set~
Two days later...
Friday July 1st, Early Morning
Cabin No.2
The day of the duel came too soon.
It was set for midday but Jaz got up before six after giving up trying to sleep, only to find to her shock and fury that she had been put under official house arrest.