Elena stared at her as though Aurelia owed her money.
Well…
technically what Aurelia owed her was a wedding.
The girl sat at the Alpha’s right, exactly where the Luna was supposed to be.
Her cold blue eyes followed Aurelia’s every movement as though she were some strange anomaly that had wandered into their home.
She wasn’t the only one staring.
The rest of the pack watched her just as openly.
To them, she wasn’t the mother of their Alpha’s heir.
She was the suspicious outsider who had ruined his future.
But Aurelia ignored every single one of them.
With her head held high, she made her way to an empty seat.
It certainly wasn’t hers to take, but she took it anyway.
Diane and Clover settled beside her, their backs straight and their expressions carefully composed despite the tension hanging over the room.
Moments later, Darius entered.
Everyone rose to their feet and bowed their heads in respect.
Aurelia remained seated.
He was their Alpha.
Not hers.
The silence stretched only until breakfast was served.
Soon the soft clink of cutlery echoed through the dining hall, blending with the quiet murmur of whispered gossip.
“When will you be leaving?”
Aurelia looked up.
Aurelia’s head turned sharply toward Elena, surprise flashing across her face.
A slow smile curved Aurelia’s lips.
“Will you throw me out if I say forever, Luna?”
The smile on Elena’s face never wavered.
“I suppose that depends on how long you intend to overstay your welcome.”
A few of the warriors lowered their gazes, pretending to focus on their meals.
The atmosphere around the table grew noticeably heavier.
Aurelia picked up her spoon as though the conversation bored her.
“I wasn’t aware I had worn out my welcome already.” She tilted her head thoughtfully.
“I haven’t even finished breakfast.”
A muffled snort came from somewhere further down the table.
It was quickly silenced.
Elena’s fingers tightened ever so slightly around her cup before relaxing again.
“My father has been kind enough to allow you shelter after…” She paused delicately, as if searching for the right words.
“…the unfortunate events of yesterday.”
“Our father?” Aurelia corrected with an innocent blink.
“I was under the impression this was Alpha Darius’s pack.”
The room fell quiet again.
Elena’s smile finally faltered.
Aurelia reached for a slice of bread, spreading butter over it with maddening slowness.
“I do appreciate the hospitality, though.” She took a bite before adding, “Even if the welcome has been rather…
frosty.”
Diane coughed into her fist and Clover suddenly became very interested in the food on her plate. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Across the table Aurelia saw the Beta’s shoulders shaking suspiciously.
Elena inhaled slowly.
“You certainly have a way with words, Priestess.”
“I’ve been told.”
“I only hope your stay here is as brief as your manners.”
Aurelia hummed thoughtfully.
“I hope your patience lasts longer than your engagement.”
The sound of metal striking porcelain rang through the hall, a servant had dropped a fork.
Every eye darted between the two women.
At the head of the table, Darius slowly set his cup down.
“Aurelia.” His voice wasn’t loud but it carried weight.
She looked at him over the rim of her cup.
“Yes, Alpha?”
“I’d like one peaceful meal.”
She offered him the sweetest smile she could manage.
“So would I.”
Then she took another bite of her breakfast as though she hadn’t just thrown oil onto an already raging fire.
____
Sorry for the short chapter guys but keep going the story is not over yet!
check it out