Chapter 8 The Lesser Evil

• Eloisa’s POV
• I opened my eyes to the soft sound of breathing beside me. A smile emerged from my lips, watching Jack sleep soundly. I couldn’t take my eyes off his godly face. I never thought I’d admire a werewolf like this.
• “Those lips,” I swallowed, staring at his slightly parted lips.
• Memories of last night played in my head. I couldn’t say it was the best night ever but I would always remember that moment. How would I even forget?
• My body felt heavy as if gravity had doubled overnight. Every muscle was aching with a dull, persistent, and endless throb. I winced in pain when I tried moving my legs, a searing and intense pain radiating from my swollen thing.
• “I don’t know if it’s a good thing being alive,” I muttered, staring at the ceiling, utterly dejected.
• “Good morning.”
• I turned my gaze to the man next to me… The one I’ve given my first. His tousled hair fell perfectly, framing a face that was made to match his features. His eyes peeking through his hair, still heavy with sleep, slowly opened, revealing a pair of glowing orbs, shimmering like liquid gold.
• Jack smiled, his arm encircling my waist. “Did you sleep well?”
• Seriously, who wouldn’t sleep like a log after that strenuous activity last night?
• “I think I did. My body feels hurt though,” I replied, surprised at how normal our conversation was.
• Yesterday, he wouldn’t even look at me and even wanted to kill me. But last night, he seemed to change. I wasn’t sure why, but I hoped he remained like this whatever the reason.
• Jack snuggled his head on my shoulder, inhaling my scent. “You smell very nice,” he said and started planting feathery kisses on my skin.
• At first, I didn’t mind, but when his hand moved down to my ass, I put my hand on his face. “Please, stop. It’s morning,” I said, hinting to him that doing it when the sun was up would be too bold.
• Jack furrowed his brow. “So? There’s only the two of us here,” he retorted, pouting his lips.
• If I wasn’t looking at him right now, I would never think that he could make such an expression. “You weren’t like this yesterday,” I blurted out, unable to keep my thoughts to myself. “What changed your mind?”
• Jack stared at my eyes. His lips slowly curled in a smile. “Last night was the best night ever,” he admitted, caressing my cheek. “I thought it would be disgusting mating with a human, but doing it with you was the best thing I ever did,” he continued, tracing my lips with his thumb.
• His bluntness astounded me. He could have lied about it, but he chose to be honest with what he truly felt… Wait, why did I assume he was being honest?
• I averted my gaze from him for a moment. It was never my plan to submit to him or anyone else. Dustin proved that they could always change their mind and order for my death… Werewolves were like that, and I shouldn’t forget how they hunted and slaved my kind.
• “What’s in your mind?” Jack asked, holding my chin. “Look at me,” he demanded. “What’s troubling you?”
• I blinked and mustered the courage to ask about my fate after serving him. “Will you kill me?” My heartbeat became erratic as I waited for his response. Although Dustin said he was going to save me, I couldn’t just trust his words.
• “Why would I do that?” Jack frowned, his expression turning dark. “You’re coming with me,” he said before getting out of bed.
• “Where?” I asked, wincing at the pain while trying to get up. “Aw!” A groan slipped from my lips as I dragged my body, following Jack who was picking up our robes.
• “Don’t push yourself too hard. Just stay in bed,” he said, pushing me down.
• Jack grabbed the sheet and covered me with it. “Don’t let others see you naked. Only I can enjoy this view,” he mumbled and kissed my forehead. “Wait for me here. I’ll tell the others we’re leaving.”
• I grabbed his hand before he could get away. “Where to?” my voice cracked.
• Jack turned to me and smiled. “Home,” he replied and headed to the door.
• I let out a sigh when Jack left. A surge of relief coursed through my nerves as I hugged the pillow next to me. Jack seemed better compared to Dustin. He could be impatient most of the time but he would at least ask for my opinion. Nevertheless, I should keep my guard up.
• “You’re alive,” a familiar voice spoke, followed by gentle footsteps nearing me.
• My gaze drifted to the man whose eyes narrowed into a fierce glare. Dustin clenched his jaw as he yanked me out of the bed with a firm grip, exposing my nakedness before his scrutinizing eyes.
• “Let’s go. We’re going home,” he said, pulling me close to his chest. “Good job for staying alive,” Dustin complimented, caressing my face with the back of his hand.
• I groaned when a sharp pain stretched throughout my thighs after moving my lower body forcefully. “Leave me alone,” I grumbled, glaring at him. My hands covered my chest while I desperately closed my thighs together.
• Dustin stared at me blankly and sighed. “You don’t have to hide everything when someone else has already seen you naked,” he commented, grabbing the sheet and throwing it over me.
• “I’m taking you home, Eloisa. You didn’t forget about our deal, did you? Now that you’re done serving that guy, you’re free to leave this place. I’ll take you home if you have nowhere else to go,” he added, wrapping me with the covers and holding my chin up, tilting his head forward.
• “Get away from her.” Suddenly, a huge hand got in between our faces, blocking Dustin before he could inch closer.
• I looked at Jack who just returned, his expression was dark as he snatched me away from Dustin’s grip. “She’s not going anywhere with you. I’ll take her home,” he said, stressing every word.
• Dustin frowned for a moment before shaking his head. “I made a deal with her, Jack. You can’t kill this woman,” he mumbled, grabbing my other hand and pulling me back to his side.
• “Ah!” I cried, feeling my body ripping into two. My legs were already shaking while trying to maintain my balance standing up, yet these two decided to play tug-of-war with me in the middle.
• Jack grabbed Dustin’s hand that was holding mine to remove the latter’s grip on me. “Who says I’m going to kill her? You brought her as my present so I’ll have to thank you for that. However, there’s no taking back what you’ve already given away.
• Dustin stared at me coldly. “How about we ask for her opinion? Where do you want to go, Eloisa?”
• All of a sudden, they wanted me to decide for myself. None of the two was a better option.
• Dustin was willing to throw me at someone’s bed despite promising to keep me safe. He was the type to risk everything for the sake of his goal and he succeeded in keeping Jack alive and under control using me and my body.
• Jack, on the other hand, wasn’t any better either. He would ask for my opinion, yes, but it wouldn’t stop him from doing what he wanted.
• The two alphas were just the same predator and I was their prey. No matter who I chose, there was no guarantee I’d live freely. I just have to pick the one who had a reason for keeping me alive, not just because he felt like it.
• “She doesn’t have to choose,” Jack growled, hiding me behind him. “She’s mine to begin with so back off, Dustin.”
• “No,” Dustin argued, grabbing my arm and tugging me in his direction. “She needs to choose,” he insisted.
• Their gazes focused on me, waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath, my lips were shaking at the sudden pressure they put me in.
• “I…”
• Before I could utter another word, the door burst open, and a bloody figure stepped into the room, leaving us all in shock.