Chapter 22

LUXURIA.

The tension in the room was stifling.

Shikta sat across from me at the long dining table, her fingers delicately tracing the rim of her goblet.

The morning sun rays caught her smug expression, and I could feel the weight of her gaze on me like a snake poised to strike.

It was strange. This is my first time sitting in the dining hall of the Wild Wolf pack. If I were to choose, I'd prefer to eat alone in the confines of my chamber.

Besides, of all his mistresses, why had he chosen me to eat with them?

The dining seemed to be for high-ranking pack members alone - The Beta, Gamma, Shikta, three other men who I have never seen, and of course, the Alpha.

Alpha Parthe wasn't there for breakfast yet, and I sincerely wished he wouldn't be joining us.

I haven't recovered from last night's experience. The shame. Desire. Torment. And dismissal.

He left me craving more. And I hated it.

He didn't even care to ask how I was faring after locking me up in that unforgiving dungeon.

Although a healer attended to my wounds before I went to see him. I guess that's the best he could do for me.

I wonder why the injury was taking so long to heal. It's not usually like this for wolves. Unless a poisonous object was used to stab a wolf.

I still dread what might have happened to me that night. But who could I ask?

Nobody.

They all overlooked it as if I wasn't important.

Of course, I'm not important to any of them. Not even to my so-called mate.

Shikta's eyes never strayed from me, and the deliberate nature of her gaze made my skin crawl. It was clear that she had no intention of making this morning's meal a pleasant one. I could sense the malicious pleasure she derived from my discomfort.

She seemed kind and calm, but I knew it was all a deceit. People like this are never kind.

"Luxuria," Shikta called, her tone laced with insidious sweetness, "I trust you're finding everything to your liking?"

I forced a smile, though it felt like a painful stretch of my lips. "Yes, thank you."

"I'm glad you are settling in well." Her smile was too practiced to deceive me. I have learned better from Rella and Kaya.

Rella...

My mind drifted to Kahel. I wonder how he was faring. Throughout my time in the dungeon, I thought about him and his betrayal.

It hurts me. This was a man I loved so much and had envisaged spending my life with.

Shikta's voice pulled me out of my thought, "Don't hesitate to let me know if you ever need anything," She said, and if I didn't have trust issues, I would have fallen for the sincerity in her words.

"Thank you," I nodded when my gaze met with my new friend.

Zendaya.

She had been so kind to me. Always bringing more food than I deserved while I was languishing in the dungeon.

I smiled at her, and she returned the smile. She wasn't part of those eating at the table. She was serving us the meal along with other maids.

As Zendaya set my plate before me, I mumbled a 'thank you' and prepared to dig in. That's when I caught a whiff of the familiar scent I had hoped never to encounter today.

Alpha Parthe.

His entrance was nothing short of a grand display of dominance and grace. He strode into the dining hall, flanked by two guards.

Alpha Parthe was the epitome of controlled power. His build was intimidating, every muscle defined beneath his dark robe, which clung to his frame with a perfect fit.

His sharp, penetrating gaze locked onto me the moment he entered. I could feel his eyes raking over my body with an intensity that made me flush with discomfort.

The bare expanse of my cleavage, revealed by the neckline of my dress, seemed to draw his scrutiny more than anything else.

The way he looked at me made me feel exposed.

He came to a stop at the head of the table, his presence alone demanding silence. The other pack members fell silent, their eyes darting between Parthe and me, waiting for what was to come.

It seems they all knew how to read their Alpha's every expression.

"Luxuria," he called calmly, "you’re not needed here.”

His words were like a cold slap, stinging with a clarity that left me confused and embarrassed. I could feel the color rising in my cheeks, a flush of humiliation that I couldn’t control.

The eyes of the pack members felt like they were boring into me, adding to my sense of disgrace.

I could swear I saw a smirk on Shikta's face.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words struggled to come.

"Why? The maid said you asked me to come here," I defended like a little child, feeling stupid.

"I changed my mind. You'll have your meal in your chamber." Parthe replied, taking a seat beside Shikta, who placed a hand on his thigh possessively.

My stomach twisted at the sight, and memories of last night came flooding in.

What joy does this monster derive in humiliating me?

I felt the burn in my veins. The anger coursed through me. I felt the urge to rip out Shikta's heart and see her blood pooling at my feet.

I craved her blood. Her screams of agony. I craved it all. But I had to tame this beast rising within me. Otherwise, I'd end up killing someone before I stop myself.

I stood up, "I didn't want to be here either. I thought it was a necessity." I said, hiding my disappointment as I stepped away from the table.

He didn't know he was doing me a favor.

"Have the maids bring your food to your chamber," Parthe said.

What did he care?

"No, Alpha. I am not hungry." I politely declined.

This was my well-being, but why did Shikta feel even more disappointed that I didn't want to eat my food?

Why the expression on her face?

"I insist, Luxuria. You can't starve," Shikta finally aired out her opinion, and I couldn't help but furrow my brows in confusion.

"No, Shikta. I'm fine. Thank you for your care," With that, I walked out immediately.