Chapter 13
Ella Whitmore
I stood before the mirror, staring at my reflection.
It was dinner time, and Kael sent two maids to get me dressed.
I guess they get dressed for meals here.
The door creaked open, and Kael walked in.
The two maids took a step back, then bowed to him before leaving quietly.
He stood behind me, his eyes roaming my body. It was uncomfortable, yet soothing.
I turned to him and said, "I'm ready,"
His eyes roamed my body one more time, and without a word, he closed the distance between us, moving his hand to my waist.
He pulled me close, my breath catching in my throat as my body pressed into his.
Our eyes locked, his hand moving down my back, then stopped on my waist.
I swallowed hard, my fingers fisting on his chest.
My eyes dropped to his lips, a strong invisible force pulling me in… One I couldn't fight.
I leaned into him, my fingers tightening on his chest, my heart pulsing in my ears. But just before I reached his lips, he pulled back.
I cursed silently.
He lifted his hand to my hand. A small thread stuck between his fingers, "you had this on your cloth,"
My lips parted, but no words came out… I just nodded.
"You look… beautiful," he said almost in a whisper, as if that was hard to say. I hated to admit how good it made me feel.
"Thank you,"
"Shall we?" He held out his hand to me, and I took it quietly.
My grip tightened on Kael, chest pounding hard as we approached the communal dining hall.
As we approached, noise echoed behind the walls, but it all faded into silence the moment we walked in.
If I was right, all the pack members were gathered in the hall, eating.
Their heads turn in our direction, focusing on me with that same hostile look on their faces… One that was obviously warming me that I didn't belong here.
As we walked past them, I could hear their whispers… talking down on me. I was a mere weak human who didn't belong here.
They were right. If I could, I would really get out of this place.
My legs stilled as the lady from days ago approached me with a mug of coffee.
Kael paused too.
Right… She's Elena. Kael told me that she's one of the strongest werewolves in the Pack, hence she's very important to them.
She kept her face straight, as if she didn't see me. Then she bumped into me, emptying the coffee on my body.
I yelped as the coffee burned my skin, silence followed, all eyes on us.
"Ella…" Kael's voice tore through the atmosphere with terror as he quickly held me in his arms.
"Are you okay?"
I managed to nod my head.
He straightened up, facing Elena. His eyes flashed gold, his lips parted as he snarled almost silently.
Elena backed away, fear creeping up her face.
Before Kael could react, Giselle, the physician, appeared, standing between Kael and Elena.
She didn't say anything. She just shot Elena a glare, and she backed away.
Giselle turned to me with an apologetic look on her face, "it must've hurt you. Let me help with that," she took out a handkerchief and started cleaning my dress.
Kael finally calmed down, but he didn't stop glaring at Elena even though she'd gone to sit far away from us.
Everyone stared at me with anger in their faces… as if I was the bad guy here. Like they didn't see what Elena did to me earlier.
We finally settled in, and a maid came to serve us.
I didn't touch my food. I just stared around uncomfortably, drowning in their stares.
My attention was drawn back to Kael as he suddenly handed me a peeled shrimp.
"Eat this,"
My eyes met his, locking for a moment before I took it from him, muttering a 'thank you'.
His face softened, but he didn't smile.
Again, they stared at me with anger… As if I was taking their alpha's attention from them.
If Kael wasn't here, perhaps they would've torn me apart already.
Storm stood, calling everyone's attention.
I didn't know if this was normal for them, but he gave a long speech about the pack… Its loyalty, and their bloodline, hinting on werewolves having nothing to do with humans.
His eyes were fixed on me the whole time… as if he was passing the message especially to me.
After dinner, I walked back to the house quietly with Kael.
"Good night," my voice cracked into a whisper as we paused in front of the guestroom.
Kael's eyes lit up for a moment, like he had something to say.
I waited, but he said nothing. Instead, he whispered a 'good night'.
"Hmm… Good night,"
I stiffened the moment I stepped into the guestroom, my breath catching in my throat at the sight that welcomed me.
Dead roses covered my bed and pillow. Back and withered.
My body trembled as fear washed over me.
My eyes flicked to the note on the bed, and I swallowed hard before approaching the bed.
LEAVE WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
The words were written with red paint that looked like blood.
Wait! It didn't look like blood… It was blood.
My hands shook, heart pulsing in my ears.
My eyes flicked to the door… Locked. But am I really safe here?
I need to find a way to get out of here. There has to be a way to leave. I'll be dead sooner or later if I stay here…