Ivy’s Point Of View
After all the maids leave the room, I walk over to the tray that has been placed on the bedside table. I lift the silver cover from one of the plates, and the aroma of freshly fried hash browns hits my nostrils. I feel my mouth salivating.
I sit on the edge of the bed, and without bothering to take a fork, I pick up some hash browns between my fingers and shove them into my mouth. Two slices of toast are on another saucer, and I take one with my other hand and sink my teeth into the crispy bread.
I close my eyes and relish in the moment of bliss. It’s like I have never tasted toast before. This is plain old bread, yet it tastes like some aphrodisiac at this present moment. After clearing the food and fruit in most of the dishes on the tray, I wash it all down with a glass of pineapple juice.
I look down at my abdomen and chuckle. I look like I am already a few months pregnant. I know this isn’t possible. I might not know much about getting pregnant, but I am sure one doesn’t begin showing after one night. I just ate like a little pig. I enjoy eating without an audience because then I don’t have to worry about etiquette.
I slump back onto the mattress and lie facing upward. The movement of the sun rays on the ceiling is mesmerizing.
"I think we are on a first name basis now, baby." Chase’s words from last night echo in my mind. I smile. I, Ivy, am his ’baby.’ I giggle and the sound resonates in the empty room. Should I perhaps find a pet name for him too?
’Sweetie?’ I shake my head. That just sounds so cliché and old fashioned. I need something a bit unique. ’Love...?’ That is just jumping into dangerous territories. This is simply a duty and not love.
I close my eyes as I feel a lump form in my throat. This is hard. How am I to share all this with him without actually developing any feelings for him? Is it easy for him to just go along with this duty without developing any deeper emotions?
I struggle to take in a steadying breath. I think I am falling for Alpha Chase. This isn’t good. It isn’t part of this contract that I have to fulfill. I feel my mind drift into the dimness.
It seems my eyes were closed for just a minute before I feel someone shaking me. "My lady, you have to get ready for lunch."
I blink at Willa, trying to remember where I am. The light from outside is still shining with determined brightness. I must have drifted off to sleep.
"What time is it?" I ask her before adding groggily, "And I thought I told you to call me Ivy."
She shifts her weight to her other foot, and I can tell that my constant prodding for her to call me by my given name is making her uncomfortable.
I get up and walk to the mirror. Well, whatever makeup they are using sure holds up quite well. All I need to do is run a brush through my hair and put a touch of lip gloss on my lips before going to the dining room for lunch.
After a little touch-up, I walk down the long hallway toward the dining room. I wonder where Callie is. I suppose I will find her there.
When I walk into the dining room, everybody is already seated. I breathe in relief to see that none of the Alphas are around. It seems to be just a women’s affair. However, I don’t see Callie among the occupants of the room.
As my eyes dart around the room, they land on Marissa. She looks at me with pure disdain, but for some reason, I am not fazed. I meet her challenging eyes with my own unwavering stare. It seems like we are shooting silent daggers at each other with only our looks.
"Look who has decided to join us. If it isn’t the little for-hire breeder."
Great, more belittling words. I don’t expect any different. I am a nobody compared to her social class.
But, is it me or do the woman’s lips continue to look like duck’s lips each time she says a mean statement? Is she making that pose on purpose? If so, why isn’t anyone telling her it just makes her look super silly?
Talia waves at me from the left side of the table and pats the empty seat next to her. I smile and walk toward her. At least I won’t have to feel like the unpopular kid in high school who isn’t welcomed at anyone’s table. I can sit with Julian’s sister.
"Hey," she greets me as I settle next to her.
"Hi," I answer and return her smile.
"You look beautiful," she says, and I feel my cheeks begin to feel warm. Is this goddess really complimenting poor old me? My smile grows wider.
"I hear Alpha Chase is in a sour mood today. He even refused to eat his breakfast. Seems like something took away his appetite. It surely must have been something quite disgusting for him to not even be able to stomach his food. Something about last night. I wonder what it is that could have gotten him so flustered. The poor Alpha."
I turn around to face the speaker. My eyes meet Marissa’s mocking gaze. I feel my chest tighten. What is she talking about? Who told her about Alpha Chase?
"How would you know that?" Talia asks, echoing my very thoughts and questions.
"A maid overheard him talking to the other Alphas as they were having breakfast," Marissa answers coolly.
Talia tsks. "I thought you were intelligent and classy enough not to indulge in idle servant gossip."
Marissa flips her hair back. "It’s not idle gossip if it’s true. I saw him earlier, and he looked really pale. When I asked him if he was okay, he told me that his stomach wasn’t all right. He had been throwing up the little food he had been able to swallow. Said it was due to something he saw or tasted last night. I just wonder what it was that disgusted him so severely."
I know she is talking about my night with the Alpha. I have been under a very childish illusion that he actually enjoyed being with me last night.
How could I have been so wrong? I feel a warm hand covering mine. I turn to face Talia, who is looking at me and shaking her head slightly. I can see she means to comfort me, but I can’t help the pain that is now fizzing in my heart.
If Chase wasn’t satisfied, why did he have to tell the whole world and not just tell me? I can feel hot tears burn my eyelids. I try to swallow the lump in my throat and keep myself from breaking down in sobs. I can’t and won’t cry in front of Marissa. She will not get that satisfaction.
"Excuse me," I say in a hoarse whisper to Talia. I calmly push my chair back and quickly walk out of the dining room. As I reach the hallway, I feel a hot tear escape and roll down my cheek. I walk even faster toward my room.