Chapter Nine - Awkward Dinner

Arianna had barely gotten back to her book when the door flung open wildly. She didn't have time to guess as Loki's tall and intimidating frame was soon standing before her.

"Why? Why do you enjoy disobeying me?" He questioned simply, the anger apparent in his eyes.

She tried to sit up before explaining. "I wasn't trying to……….." She began her defense but was cut off quickly, he wasn't the least bit interested in what she had to say.

"How could you disobey me? If you want to play hard with me that's fine

but you should show some respect to me in public, I'm still the Alpha and no matter what, I command respect, especially from you." He said, his eyes holding a dark expression, she heaved and said nothing.

"I don't get what it is you're trying to prove by behaving like this but I'll let you know that I'm not a weakling, I won't keep running after you and pleading for you to accept me. I requested you come down for dinner and you had the nerve not only to refuse, you had the maid say it in front of everyone when you know full well that very esteemed members of the pack are present." He yelled, his anger intensifying every second.

"No I really didn't mean to cause you any disrespect I just…….." She tried to explain but his actions caused her to end her sentence in a gasp.

He carried her into his arms like she was weightless and threw her over his shoulder. "What are you doing? Put me down!" She demanded, her protests having little to no effect on him.

"I won't let you embarrass me in front of the pack members like that. Since you've chosen not to come down,I'll just have to bring you down myself. It's the least I can do for my darling mate." He said and walked out of the room with her.

"And let me warn you about something,

no one must ever find out that you rejected me. In front of everyone else, I'm your mate and Alpha, and you are to be my future Luna so you should act like one in front of everyone else. No one must ever find out that you rejected me and that you're only here for our deal because if they do,I'll have to punish you, is that clear?" He warned.

As much as she wanted to be defiant to him,she knew it wouldn't help her present situation. She always had to analyze her situation as long as she was staying here,so that she would know when to obey and when to defy.

She honestly hated how domineering this man was,he wasn't even trying to

pretend to be gentle with her. He was already treating her like he possessed her. Her mind just couldn't help but wonder how he would be in bed,would he be gentle or would he be as rough as he was right now?

She shook her head to drive away the nasty thoughts because she knew nothing of that sort would ever happen between them, she would make absolutely sure of it. She only belonged to Vanlentin and he would be the only one that she would allow to touch her,after they were married.

She hardly even realized when they arrived at the dining area and she winced silently in pain as he slammed her down hard on the dining table.

She looked around and saw how long the dining table was and it had about twenty chairs with people occupying most of them.

She looked away and tried to focus on anything else but the people that were seriously staring at her. They tried to ignore the fact that the Alpha had just sat a girl down on the dinning table in which they were all supposed to be having their meal.

"Alpha, we're glad you're back. We suppose this is soon to be Luna." Williams, his Beta said and the others nodded. It appeared they were all scared of Loki and Arianna knew that they all had reason to,this man was ruthless.

"Indeed you're right. This is Arianna, my mate and the future Luna of the Crystal Moon pack." Loki introduced and Arianna tried to manage a small smile, not enjoying the attention one bit.

"Alpha, if you don't mind me asking, which pack is she from? I certainly know that she's not from our pack." Bessie, Lilith's mum said.

"She's not from any pack, she's a human." Loki deadpanned, no trace of emotion in his voice. They were all shocked to hear it. Such had never happened in the history of their pack. It had been rumored to happen in other packs but this was the first time it was happening in their pack, and to the

Alpha of all people.

After waiting endlessly for his mate for years,it turned out that she was a human. They instantly disliked her and did not fail to show it in the mean stares they threw her way but they couldn't verbally express their discontentment due to the fear of what the Alpha would do but Lilith wasn't so fearful.

"Loki, I've watched you wait and search for five years for your mate and she ends up being a human? Why haven't you rejected?" Lilith asked,angered to no end that Loki was willing to dismiss their relationship and her feelings because of a human.

Loki glared at her but tried to maintain control. "Lilith it seems you've forgotten who you're talking to." Loki said, instantly reminding her that before they were friends, he was the Alpha.

"The Alpha." She stated simply not wanting to say anything that would worsen her case. "And is that any way to talk to the Alpha?" He questioned tactfully.

"No. I apologize Alpha, it was a slip of the tongue. I promise it won't happen ever again." Lilith apologized through gritted teeth,feeling so humiliated.

"And it better not." He warned. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, Arianna here though a human, is my mate and so I will take her as such. You can all see that she is lovely and beautiful and that's all the more reason why I love her.

 I will make her my Luna in a few months and until then,you all must respect and treat her like you would me. If anyone has an objection to my decision, you'd better speak now or I won't hear you out later." Raven said and everyone present maintained silence.

They knew that they could never go against the Alpha, even if they absolutely despised this human girl. Lilith on the other hand was so cross that she mercilessly butchered her food with a fork without eating it,she tried to blink away the tears that were gathering at the edge of her eyes. 

Her mother placed a hand on her hand that was on her lap,trying to give her daughter emotional support.

"Since no one has any objections, let's proceed with the dinner, shall we?" He gave the order and the others started eating in silence.

Arianna could swear she had never felt so tense in her life, she knew that tried as much as she had to avoid it,she had already made enemies at the table.

She was at least glad that the werewolves ate normal food.

She tried to get down from the table so she could sit on a chair but Loki stopped her. "Where do you think you're going to love?" He asked with a sly smile and she was surprised that she was the only one who noticed the sarcasm in his voice.

"I…. I just wanted to sit on the chair." She explained, feeling so awkward. "There's absolutely no need for that,you were tired and couldn't come down from your room so of course I won't let you stress by eating on your own,I'll feed you instead sweetheart." He said and she wanted to politely decline but the glare he shot at her shut the words up in her mind.

Just what was he trying to prove? That they were so much in love when the only thing that existed between them was angst?

She opened her mouth and he fed her a spoonful of brown soup. From the corner of her eyes,she could see the looks of disdain she was getting from the other pack members, especially the girl that Loki had scolded.

"I hope it isn't too hot,I can blow on it for you. It's delicious, yes?" Loki asked and Arianna glared at him.

She was now sure that he wasn't doing this for her,he was certainly doing this for show,to prove something to someone but she didn't know who and why.

A strand of her hair fell to her face and he lovingly pulled it back,tucking it behind her ear. "You're just so beautiful." He complimented, pretending like they were the only ones in the room and for Lilith, this was the last straw.

She tightened her grip on the knife, not realizing she had grabbed the wrong end and that the sharp blade was quickly cutting into her skin.

"Oh my gosh, Lilith you're hurt." Her mother said,alarmed and only then did she release her grip,letting the knife fall to the table.

Her hand was bleeding profusely but she didn't care,all she wanted to do at this moment was strangle that girl and permanently put an end to her,for stealing her Loki away from her.

Everyone else stood up from their chairs at the sight ,even Loki seemed to show concern and Arianna noticed this.

Lilith's dad ordered a maid to get the first aid box and she left quickly. When Arianna noticed that all the attention had been removed from her,she quietly slipped from the dining area and rushed back to her room, closing the door behind her and taking a deep breath.