Once Abused. Now loved.
Chapter 48.
Rogue.
I had no reason to go cover-up. My blood could resist the venom in the rogue blood and that keeps me at an advantage above others. That's also the reason the rogues would slit my throat in a heartbeat if they could.
That's why I find it so hard to believe Jason was a rogue. The first thing on the bucket list of the rogues was to kill me. If Jason was really one of them, why hasn't he made a move? All these years together, he sure had the chance to harm me in a way. Why didn't he?
The evidence was right there. He was the coldest creature I've ever laid my eyes on. He killed my men. Those were proof enough that he was a rogue. But still, it just doesn't sink in that way.
“If he was really a rogue, why did he wait so long to show it?“ I voiced my confusion.
“Maybe he needed something to trigger that side of him. An emotional trigger, perhaps,“
Emotional trigger, you say? Hara? Shit!
Dr. Freya was very much covered up, with gloves, face shield, gown, headcover, and shoe cover. He was intent on lecturing Darius on the dangers of being in the same space with Jason without any form of protection.
They were getting so loud that it was becoming irritating.
“Could you two leave us alone for a minute? I need to talk to him,“ More than anything, I have to find out what he has done with my mate.
Like on cue, Jason emitted soft groans and slowly tugged at his hands.
“Ryder, don't. As much as you two were close, this isn't the Jason you used to know. Goddess knows what he might do to you if you get closer to him,“ Darius objected, standing in my way.
“Darius, you and I both know I'm immune to rogues,“ I stated, walking past him.
“Just kill him already, Man! He's a living threat and we've never let captured rogues stay alive this much!“
“He has my mate!“ I snapped, spinning around. ”Jason knows the whereabouts of Hara. I gotta talk to him about it,“
“In that state of mind, he's not gonna say anything. He's a rogue-gone-crazy. The best we should do is inject wolfsbane into his bloodstream, and watch him die the slow, painful death,”
“It's Jason, man. It's my fucking Beta we talking about right now. Killing him is not an option,”
“But Ryder–“
“It's not an option! Do you understand that or not?!“ I dead-panned. I was torn. Dejected. Killing Jason would hurt like hell, not something I'm willing to do. Rogue or not, Jason and I had a bond. Can't just kill him off.
“Yes, Ryder. I understand. I'm just concerned for you, that's all,“ Darius sighed.
He finally gave in and headed out with Dr. Freya. The soldiers who had him under surveillance left too. It was just Jason and me now.
I stalked the bed he lay on, watching his completely covered body. The only part of him that was free was his face.
His eyes flipped open and they were a blazing red, unlike the usual brown eyes. He began contorting, tugging harder at his cuffed hands. He flashed me a dead look, fighting to bare his fangs and probably attack.
But none of it worked. The dissolver in his bloodstream had tied down his abilities. Soon, he was weak from too much writhing and he gave up, collapsing back on the bed.
Watching him struck mixed emotions within me. There was anger, disgust, hurt, confusion, and anxiety. But mostly the hurt, from his betrayal. I might not have been one who was big on displaying emotions and gushing about the ones I care about. But in the little way I knew how, I showed him just how much I valued what we shared. I fucking trusted him with my life. This whole betrayal was a twist I didn't see coming.
”So you've been a rogue all this time, huh?“ I began, fighting down the emotions, but damn, it's hard.
He moaned, still twisting, and was looking the other way. He was like a different person, unrecognizable.
“Where's Hara?“ I demanded further.
“I don't know,“ He growled, clenching his hands in a fist.
“The hell you don't! You were supposed to bring her to the castle, bastard! What did you do with her?“
His growls were more guttural now, and he flashed me another dead glare. The Jason I used to know would never look at me like that. He said no words and looked away again.
“What was it Hara confided in you about? What did she tell you about her past mate?“ I was throwing questions at him, waiting impatiently for answers. He still said no words.
This was getting more frustrating and unbearable. The easier way would have been to tap into his mind. But rogues seal up their minds behind layers.
You can't easily access them. And if you try, you get your mind fucked-up. Just like hallucinations, they get full control of your mind. That's how rogues protect themselves against their enemies. That's what makes them more lethal.
I could make it through a few layers but I'll never get to his mind. Not even with all my powers and I might just end up getting my mind boggled.
This was useless. I needed to do something to make him realize he had to talk to me.
An idea struck me as I picked up a rod lying in the corner and aimed it at the railings of the bed. The rod came in contact with the railings with so much force that he jerked up.
“Where the hell is Hara?!“ I yelled, oozing with rage.
“I don't know!“ He flared back, fighting to bare his fangs. But they won't come out. “What am I? Her chaperon? Why would you come asking me about her?!“
“You took her, jerk! She was in your car. Where did you drop her off at? What the hell have you done to my mate?!“
“Go screw yourself!“ He yelled, with a howl. Jason would never act this way. Not to me. Never.
”What the fuck happened to you?” I mused, feeling drained all of a sudden.
”Maybe I got tired of sucking up your selfish ass. You have everything you wanted. Why couldn't you just let me have her?!“ He thundered, charging towards me but getting pulled back by his cuffed hands.
“What?“ I muttered, not wanting to believe what I just heard. He fell silent. He was doing a lot of ignoring today. “Do you have feelings for my Hara?” I added, hoping to spike up a reply.
”I met her first. She was the girl I was waiting for in the mating ball back in her pack. You had no right to claim that she was your mate!“ He seethed, pointing a finger at me.
I hadn't realized I was gawking until the loud thud of the door made me snap my mouth shut.
What the hell?! Is this Jason?!
“Give it a rest, Ryder. You won't get anything from him,“ Darius said. He just walked in with Dr. Freya. “Let's just go search for Hara,“
“Sure,“ I was still disoriented at what just happened. “Don't let him out of your sight. If he acts up, you call me.“ I said to Dr. Freya.
“Sure, have a nice day, Alpha.“
Leaving the room, I had just one thought in mind. I had to find Hara. For my peace of mind. And also because she was the only one who can tell me exactly what happened to Jason.