The dining hall's carved wolf sigils loomed like silent sentinels as I stepped inside, Lara a shadow at my side. My emerald gown, a defiant emblem of the Verdant Sect, clung to my frail frame, still weak from the starvation and collapse at our wedding.
Then I saw him, Elias, sprawled at the head of the long oak table, a silver goblet in hand, his dark eyes glinting with that infuriating cocky smile.
The Alpha who'd mocked my accusations of scraps, laughed when maids cleared the evidence, now sat where he'd never dined with me. My heart lurched, a cold shock rooting me to the stone floor.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice cutting through the hall's heavy air, sharp as a blade. Lara stiffened, her soft gasp swallowed by the silence.
Elias's brow arched, his smile sharpening like a predator's. "Whatever do you mean by that, wife?" His tone was lazy, teasing, but annoyance flickered in his emerald eyes, as if I'd dared to challenge his throne.
I lifted my chin, steadying the tremor in my chest. "Forgive me if you didn't hear me the first time, Alpha, but what are you doing here?"
He leaned forward, elbows on the table, his gaze locking onto mine like a trap. "I heard you perfectly well," he said, his voice low, edged with irritation. "And like I asked, whatever do you mean by that? What is the dining hall used for?"
I smiled, sharp and brittle, my anger flaring at his mockery. "Oh, dining, I presume, Alpha. Though I wouldn't know, given the slop your staff calls food when you're not playing benevolent lord."
His eyes narrowed, a muscle ticking in his jaw, but a spark of amusement betrayed him. "Careful, princess. That tongue could cut stone. Planning to argue all day, or will you sit and eat?"
The memory of his cruel laughter accusing me of lying about the scraps still burned like a brand. My starvation, my collapse, all to expose his Pack's cruelty, dismissed as a farce.
I walked towards the table and chose a chair four seats from his, the oak creaking as I sat, keeping a pointed distance. His mahogany scent curled around me, warm and maddening, stirring a heat I despised.
Elias smirked, leaning back, his goblet catching the sunlight. "What's this? Do you find me repulsive, wife?"
I met his gaze, my voice cool despite the flush creeping up my neck. "I think I should be the one asking you that, Alpha."
His smirk faltered, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "What makes you think that?"
I tilted my head, my smile cutting like glass. "More like, what wouldn't make me think that? Your absence from my table? Your laughter at my pain? Your Pack's warm gifts of stale bread and rotten fruit?"
He stiffened, his jaw tightening. "Can you not answer a question with a question?"
"My apologies, Alpha," I said, my tone dripping with false sweetness, "but clarity is wasted on those who prefer mockery to truth."
He opened his mouth, a retort ready, but paused as the doors creaked open.
Maids glided in, their steps silent, their faces a mask of deference I knew was false. Trays arrived, laden with roasted quail, fresh bread steaming with butter, vibrant berries, and a pitcher of golden juice,a feast far grander than anything since my arrival. My stomach rumbled, but fury surged hotter.
This was their game, playing perfect servants in Elias's presence, hiding the scraps they'd fed me when he wasn't watching.
The realization that to survive this Pack, to thwart Cynthia's schemes, I'd need Elias's favor burned.
The man whose scent was a dangerous pull, whose mockery grated my nerves. The man I loathe?
I picked up a silver fork, spearing a berry with deliberate calm. "A fine spread, Alpha," I said, my voice laced with venom. "Your staff must have exhausted themselves to impress you."
Elias chuckled, a low rumble that scraped my nerves. "You're welcome for the effort, princess. Though you'd probably complain even if I served you gold."
I took a bite, the berry's sweetness clashing with the sawdust memory of stale bread. "Gold wouldn't fill a stomach, Alpha. Nor would it erase the taste of your Pack's hospitality."
His eyes flashed, a mix of irritation and intrigue. "Relentless, aren't you? Most would be grateful for a meal like this."
"Grateful?" I set my fork down, my voice sharp. "For a fleeting show because you're here? Your Pack bows to you while sharpening knives for me."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping. "You're determined to paint me the villain, aren't you? After your little wedding performance, I'd think you'd tire of accusations."
My chest tightened, his mocking laughter from my chambers echoing. "A performance you laughed off because your maids are cleverer than you," I shot back, my voice fierce. "They smile for you, but I know their poison."
His smirk faded, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "You're a puzzle, Seraphina. Collapsing one moment and accusing my staff the next. What's your game?"
"My game?" I laughed, bitter and sharp. "Surviving your Pack, Alpha. A talent you wouldn't grasp."
He took a slow sip of his goblet, watching me over the rim. "Keep throwing barbs, and you'll find surviving me is the real challenge."
I speared a piece of quail, my smile cold. "A challenge I'm well equipped for, Alpha. Unlike your staff, I don't hide my truths."
His jaw twitched, but I pressed on, my voice steady. "You must enjoy this," I said, cutting a roll. "Watching your Pack play pretend while I choke on their lies."
He leaned back, his voice low. "And you must enjoy accusing me of sins I haven't committed. Quite the show."
"A show you direct," I countered, my fork clinking defiantly. "Or are you truly blind to your maids' games?"
His eyes darkened, but I held my ground. "If I'm blind, princess, it's because you cloud the truth with your theatrics."
I laughed, sharp and victorious. "Theatrics? No, Alpha. I simply speak what your Pack buries."
The maids moved silently, refilling juice, their eyes darting away when I looked. One lingered, her smile forced, she jerked when she touched me by mistake. She reacted like she had touched something repulsive. I wanted to react but decided
to focus on Elias's gaze. His mahogany scent pulled at me, a dangerous warmth clashing with my anger.
The meal dragged on, our bickering a dance of blades. "Your Pack's loyalty is selective," I said, slicing a berry. "Smiling for you, sneering at me."
"And your accusations are endless," he retorted, his voice tight. "You'd blame me for the moon's phases."
"Only if your maids served me its dust," I shot back, my smile cutting. "They're skilled at deception, Alpha. A pity you're not."
His hand paused on his goblet, a flicker of something anger in his eyes. The maids cleared his plates, their movements precise, their deference a mockery.
Elias stood, his frame towering, his gaze locked on mine. "Get ready," he said, his tone abrupt. "We're going into town today."
My fork clattered, shock freezing me.
Town? With him? "Why do I need to follow you into town?" I demanded, my voice sharp, masking the tremor of uncertainty.
He stepped closer, his scent overwhelming. "You're my wife now, princess. Did you forget?"
I rose, my chair scraping, defiance flaring. "That's not enough reason, Alpha."
His eyes narrowed, a challenge in his gaze. "Would you neglect your duty as my wife, then?"
I stepped toward him, my smile cutting like a blade. "I'm not one of your people, Alpha, and I have no reason to shy away from my duties. I'll be down in a minute."
His jaw tightened, a flash of surprise in his eyes, but I turned, striding toward the doors, Lara scurrying behind.