Chapter 31: Wolf Test

JADE

I didn't sleep at all. Multiple thoughts ran through my head.

Was Zen Hyson truly a wolf?

It was easy to detect the scents on Diana Yvette.

Ellie had wolf scent on her after she returned from the wine bar and the only person she had come in contact with was the strange bully. His scent was all over her. He was the only one with such strong scent among the people at the bar.

Not just him though. The guy with Zen also emitted a strong scent.

I creased my forehead with the tips of my fingers. Goddess, I was confused.

If Zen wasn't a werewolf, then why were the people I've encountered with him, wolves?

It was easy to uncover their identities because I could smell them but dealing with Zen was different. And the reason for that is simply because whenever I'm around him, I only get his unique scent of cedarwood and bergamot filling my nostrils.

The wind blew outside, making hollow sounds as it moved through the trees.

I stood up and walked to the window. The moon was out, full and bright.

Another question needed answering.

What if he was a wolf? That meant he knew I was his mate.

Plus, it would explain a lot of things. Like when he gave me the job, when he payed for my hospital bills, all the times he saved me.

I didn't know if I was happy or angry.

I've always wanted to fulfill things on my own merits not from someone's favours. Zen would surely be doing me favours if I was his mate.

Then again, if he knew I was his mate, why the indifferent attitude towards me. He's been all cold and hot at the same time.

I needed to know. My eyes fell on my trinket box.

Mom had given me a silver ring. If he was a wolf, the silver will burn him. All I need is for him to hold the ring.

~

My plan was all set. But I never thought it'd be hard to face him after all that happened last night.

The accusing look he gave me last night was haunting me as I walked to his office.

I rolled the ring in my hand, confirming its presence.

'No worries, you can do this Jade.'

Even as I kept repeating it in my head, the reassurance didn't help.

My hands merely reached out for the doorknob when the door opened. Diana was just leaving.

She regarded me with a pitiful look. I gulped. It meant she knew what happened and that she also knew what was waiting for me inside the office.

"I..."

She stopped me by placing a hand on my shoulder then nodding at the office.

My fists clenched to unclench, nails digging into my palms.

Zen was as usual, seated on his chair, eyes focused on his laptop. He made no attempt to show that he knew I had come in.

"Sir." I stopped in front of his table.

"Miss Alfonso, get to work."

Not even a good morning? Did I piss him off that bad?

I sat at my desk, glancing up once in a while at my boss. He was always typing whenever I looked.  He was also avoiding talking to me.

I felt my guilt go over triple fold.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I stood up, marching straight to him.

"Sir, I know you're mad at me. It's about what happened last night, correct?"

"And why would I be angry at you?" He looked up, cold blue eyes piercing through my body.

"Well, it's fair to say, you've rescued me from three perverts in the last four days. Paired with the reason why I left my former job, I'm sure you think the worst of me right now. You must think I'm some poor bimbo who goes around attracting trouble just so she'd get a bit of attention." The words were out of my throat. I played with my fingers nervously.

Moments of thick silence passed slowly in the office. Zen's long, intent stare wasn't helping with my anxiety. It was suffocating me.

"Do you know, I shouldn't care what you do with your life? But somehow, you manage to get into trouble. How will you always get help? Huh? Tell me, I always come to your rescue, what if I'm not there? Who'd save you"

"Mr Hyson,"

"Miss Alfonso, you are careless and have no regards for your own safety. It's annoying because you can't even protect yourself. Do you know how guilty I'd feel if anything happens to you?" He asked with his voice slighting rising.

I dropped my head. I wanted to cry. He was scolding me over issues I had no control over.

"It's not my fault." I said quietly. "I don't ask them to come after me. Heck, I always try to avoid such people but they just keep coming."

"Then take more drastic measures. Avoid places where you'd have to run into them. Learn basic defense skills. Learn to fight back, not just struggle in vain!"

I gasped, looking up. He was raising his voice at me. I knew he was angry but not this furious.

My hand flew to my forehead as I felt it. My feet wobbled me backwards. I couldn't keep balance.

"Miss Alfonso?"

My steps were shaky. I could fall any moment.

Suddenly, before I could hit the floor, Zen was up from his seat and had speeded over to catch me.

First test marked. He was fast.

"Are you fine?" He asked, looking into my eyes.

I was so lost in that ocean of blue, I almost forgot the plan.

"Sir, I feel weak. It's because you... Oh gosh!" I fell back in his arms. The ring I dropped made a clink sound as it hit the floor.

"What was that?" He looked down. His keen ears were alert.

"Oh no." I cried, pushing myself from his hold. "My ring. Mom will kill me if I lose it." I crouched down, searching for my ring.

Zen bent after me. "You shouldn't be looking for the ring in your state. What if you faint?" He said, pulling me up.

"But the ring, it's my mother's. I can't lose it. She'll hate me." My acting skills were good. His gaze softened towards me.

"Then stay here. I'll help you look for it."

I stood straight, waiting for him. Can't believe my plan was working.

Suddenly, Zen cursed. It was muttered under his breath but I heard him.

"Sir, did you say something?" I asked, looking over.

Zen stood up. "No. Here's your ring."

He was holding it. My eyes glanced at the silver in his hands then went back to scan his face.

There wasn't a flinch or twist of muscles on his handsome face.

It's impossible. The slightest contact with silver burns any wolf regardless of rank or power.

No Jade, stop.

The truth was here in front of me but I didn't want to believe it. He didn't burn or throw the ring away on first contact.

"Uh... Thanks." I replied stretching out a hand to get my ring back.

I was surprised when Zen took my hand and turned it over.

"Here. Keep it safe." He placed it in my hand.

I stared at the ring. It was only by luck that my drifting stare caught sight of the round red mark on his palm.

My breath hitched.

Zen Hyson is a wolf.