Chapter 11

Kat's POV

The pack house was buzzing with life this morning. People were coming and going, talking and laughing. No one seemed to notice me, and I was glad for it. I wasn’t ready for more awkward encounters.

After wandering a little and peeking into a few rooms like a lost puppy, I finally found the dining room.

I paused in the doorway, nervous.

The room was bright and full of life. Long tables stretched across the space, and pack members filled the seats, chatting and laughing like one big happy family. Some people looked around my age, others much older, probably warriors and elders of the pack.

The smell of food hit me again—warm pancakes stacked high, crispy bacon, golden scrambled eggs, bowls of fresh fruit, pastries that looked straight out of a bakery. My mouth watered instantly.

I stepped in quietly, hoping not to draw attention. No one even glanced at me, too busy with their own conversations.

I walked down the side of the room and found an empty chair toward the end of one table, far from the biggest group.

I sat down, feeling a little awkward but relieved that I could just blend into the background.

I reached for a plate and was about to serve myself when a sharp, mocking voice cut through the air, making me freeze.

"You can’t sit there."

I looked up slowly, my heart sinking.

It was her again—the blonde girl. She stood a few steps away, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.

Her blue eyes glittered with something nasty. Her tone was loud enough that people nearby stopped eating to watch.

I stayed frozen for a second, hoping she would go away if I just ignored her.

"Hello?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’m talking to you. Are you deaf or just stupid? You’re sitting in my seat."

I felt my cheeks burn with humiliation. I glanced around quickly. A few people were snickering, whispering to each other.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I had just gotten here. I needed to stay invisible.

"I’m sorry," I said softly, barely above a whisper. "I didn’t know. I’m new."

She let out a fake laugh, flipping her hair dramatically. "Of course you didn’t know," she sneered. "Freaks like you never know anything. Now get up before you embarrass yourself more than you already have."

The people closest to us laughed openly now. One boy even elbowed his friend, pointing at me like I was some joke.

I felt my heart break a little inside. My vision blurred with tears, but I blinked them away quickly. I wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not in front of them.

I stood up slowly, my chair scraping back with a loud screech that made everything feel even worse.

I didn’t say anything else. I didn’t trust my voice to hold steady.

I turned around so fast my chair scraped loudly against the floor, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get out of there.

I walked as fast as I could toward the door, almost running, but trying to keep it together.

I could feel it—feel all their eyes burning into my back, hear their snickering and whispering behind their hands.

It felt like every giggle, every mean little comment stuck to me like glue, making it even harder to breathe.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and my throat felt tight, like I might start crying at any second if I didn’t get out.

I clenched my fists at my sides and kept walking, faster and faster, my head down, my cheeks flaming hot with shame.

Every step I took felt heavy.

Like I was dragging my embarrassment with me.

Like all the horrible things they thought about me were clinging to me, refusing to let go.

I didn’t even notice where I was going. I just wanted to get away.

And then—bam!

I crashed into something solid and unmoving.

I gasped, stumbling back a few steps, feeling even more embarrassed now.

My eyes shot up and my breath caught in my throat.

It was Alpha Liam.

He was standing right there, looking down at me with those sharp, electric blue eyes.

He was wearing a simple black T-shirt and jeans, but he still somehow looked powerful, like he was someone important even if you didn’t know who he was.

His arms were crossed over his chest, and his jaw was tight, like he was holding something back.

For a split second—just a tiny moment—I thought I saw something different in his eyes.

Not anger.

Not annoyance.

But something... softer.

Worry, maybe?

Like he actually cared that I looked like a total mess.

But then, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

His face changed, like a door slamming shut.

His eyes went cold, his expression blank and unreadable.

It hurt more than it should have.

I swallowed hard, my throat burning.

"I-I'm sorry, Alpha," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.

I bowed my head quickly, trying to show respect, even though inside I just wanted to disappear.

I didn’t wait for him to say anything.

I didn’t wait for him to scold me or ask what was wrong.

I turned around and ran, my footsteps loud against the floor.

I didn’t care where I was going.

I just needed to get away from him.

Away from all of it.

As I rounded the corner, my vision blurred with tears I refused to let fall.

My chest ached, like someone was squeezing my heart.

Why did it hurt so much?

Why did seeing him look at me like I was nothing hurt even more than the laughter in the dining room?

I wiped my eyes roughly with the sleeve of my top, not caring if anyone saw me.

I just needed somewhere quiet.

Somewhere to be alone.

Somewhere I could fall apart without an audience.