CHAPTER 5 : SHUT THE FUCK UP!

VALERIA

    Gesturing my finger at myself, wondering why she didn't ask Ruby, Eleanor or Maya to serve Alpha Nickolas.

"Is something wrong?" Miss Sophie asked, and I shook my head. 

"It's an opportunity to serve Alpha Nickolas, and I trust you can do this."

"Oh, Eve, where are you?" I cried out within me, looking around and then at the door, hoping that she would walk in.

Sluggishly, I walked over to where Miss Sophie was serving the food.

"Take this and serve," pointing at the tray.

Patting my hair, "I know why you're scared... just ignore them and do your job. Okay? That way, you would make them believe that you are now a great lady." Miss Sophie consoled me as I nibbled on my lower lip.

Placing the recipes prepared into the trolley, including the mushroom soup prepared for Alpha Nickolas.

Pushing the trolley out of the kitchen as I headed to the banquet hall.

'You can do this!'

Getting to the entrance, I signalled the guards who were on standby, nodding their heads, and they pushed the doors open.

Laughter and giggling filled the hall as the sound of the orchestra playing in the background soothed my soul.

"Here I go," I whispered to myself, my palms clutching tight to the trolley as I pushed it into the hall.

Swallowing hard as the noise reduced, I could feel people's eyes on me, making my throat dry. From the corners of my eyes, I saw Eleanor and Maya serving some guests.

Alpha Nickolas' table was just far in front of me, so I didn't stress myself out to locate him. I swallowed hard when I saw Emilia sitting beside him.

My eyes met with my fathers', but he instantly looked away, ignoring me like I didn't exist.

Clearing his throat, "So how are you doing, Nickolas?" Sam asked, clasping his palms together in front of his face.

I stopped the trolley not far from the table. My hands trembled as I clutched onto the tray filled with dishes for his subordinates. 

Forcing a smile on my face as I began to serve them. Looking up, Emilia's eyes bored into mine, but I looked away.

Scratching his beards, "I'm grateful to your daughter for saving my life," Alpha Nickolas stared at Emilia.

I paused at my pace, then waved it off.

Carefully, but as fast as I could, I placed the scalloped rice, sautéed zucchini and squash, butternut squash, creamed peas, roasted quail, bacon, stuffed peppers, Italian cheese bread, and black beans on the table.

Alpha Nickolas was the only one I hadn't attended yet. Waking to the trolley, a deep voice engulfed the hall.

"Are you okay? You look pale," Alpha Nickolas asked.

I paused, turning around as I gestured my finger at myself. Everyone's eyes were on me... Emilia's gaze was pulling daggers into my soul.

"Me? I'm fine. I appreciate your care." I swiftly bowed my head.

Carefully, I carried the palette filled with Alpha Nickolas dishes.

I could feel his eyes on me as I placed his meal in front of him. I felt uncomfortable.

"Alpha Nickolas promised to reward me, so I decided to be his mate." Emilia jerked her head in the direction of Alpha Nickolas.

Stunned by Emilia's words. I clutched the platter to my chest. Taking a few steps back, standing beside the trolley.

I jerked my head backward, staring at the chandelier, trying to hold back my tears.

Chuckling dryly, "I said I would reward you, and I never asked for your opinion on how I plan to reward you," Alpha Nickolas held his finger up to his lips.

Emilia's shoulders sagged.

Ragnor, a member of the older Epsilon, cleared his throat. "Mmh, Sam I think it's better you educate your daughter on this. She shouldn't be dining with us," putting a spoonful of cheese into his mouth.

I watched my father as he remained silent for a while.

A smile quirked up on his lips. "I apologise for my daughter's mischievous attitude. Emilia just happened to have a liking for Nickolas... she even awaited his return."

Magnus, another member of the older Epsilon, slammed his fist on the table. 

"Alpha Nickolas has just returned, and your daughter couldn't think of anything else other than a mate, a mate?" throwing his hands in the air. "I can't believe this,"

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Alpha Nickolas tilt his head every given moment to catch a glimpse of me.

"Nickolas should tell us what he thinks, not you guys," Sam sipped from his glass.

Magnus and Ragnor cleared their throats, directing their attention to Alpha Nickolas, who I was sure wasn't listening to their conversation.

Emilia clenched her fist, staring at Alpha Nickolas. I felt very uncomfortable, but I couldn't leave.

A fake smile plastered on Emilia's lips, glaring at me, she slipped her fingers into Alpha Nickolas hands, enclosing their hands.

Alpha Nickolas looked up at her, "Why are you holding me?" A thin line appeared between his brows as he released his hands from hers.

Emilia tucked some strands of hair behind her ear, "I was just saying that I want to be your mate," staring beautifully at him.

Alpha Nickolas cleared his throat, gulping down the entire glass of wine, "You heard Magnus and Ragnor," his voice menacing.

"Sam, you should rather teach your daughter some manners. I promised to reward her, and I'll send my reward to her tomorrow," Alpha Nickolas assured and Emilia's throat tightened.

Sam got up from his chair, bowing his head slightly. "Please don't take her words to heart... rather, give her a chance." He pleaded.

Gritting her teeth, "No father!" Emilia spat.

"Why won't he take me as a mate?"

The hall became quiet, all attention diverted to the Alpha's table. People were murmuring while some laughed. Some were curious about what was going on.

"I saved him last night! I spent the night out with him... Treated him even brought food and medication for him later on, yet he doesn't want to make me his mate?" Emilia fumed. "Is it that hard for him to accept me as his mate? No girl in this pack will do what I did for him... I am the perfect woman for him!"

Alpha Nickolas looked around the hall, disgusted by Emilia's rude behaviour. 

"Stop there young lady!"

Clearing his throat, he stood up from his chair.

"You..." Pointing his finger at her. "How dare you? Huh?"

He shut his eyes as he took a deep breath.

Turning his direction to Sam, "I never expected to be involved in this. Sam, get your daughter out of here before I order the guards to throw her into the dungeon."

Emilia gasped, falling back on her chair. "Alpha Nickolas," Emilia called, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sam's head dropped, his gaze on his toes. 

Alpha Nickolas stepped out of the table, heading to the podium. 

"I greet you all," he began, and the crowd cheered at him.

"It's been three years since I left this pack to seek protection for us, and I'm glad to announce to you all that you do not have to be scared of anything anymore." Alpha Nickolas spoke confidently.

"Returning back here, I was attacked..." he paused abruptly, the crowd gasping while some mumbled.

Taking a deep breath and gesturing his hand at Emilia, "But I'm grateful to Emilia, who saved me regardless of how hectic it was. I would forever appreciate what she has done for me, and I will reward her greatly."

The crowd applauded and I whimpered.

"I almost lost my life... right now I'm not stable, but I stepped out to have fun with you all. I'll be going back to my chambers now... that doesn't mean the party is going to end." 

"It's just getting started. So make sure you eat to your fullest and have fun in as many ways as you can," a smile plastered on his lips, rounding up his speech.

The crowd applauded him as he stepped down from the podium. Emilia slumped on her chair. 

Alpha Nickolas' looked ahead as he strolled out of the hall.

Stepping out of his chair, he walked towards Emilia. 

"You need to go home... I'll talk to him." Sam promised.

"I'm not leaving till the party is done!" Emilia spat, tugging her fingers into her hair.

I was still standing there, Magnus and Ragnor had already left. The same went for some young Epsilons, Sam had left as well, It was just myself and Emilia.

Taking a few steps closer to her, "Emilia, please, you need to leave now so I can clear this up," clasping my palms together in front of my face.

Glaring at me from head to toe, she grabbed my hands, dragging me through the hallway. "Emilia, I'm working right now! Why would you disrupt that?" I hastened my steps as she began to walk faster.

I could hear the murmurings of people as their eyes were pinned on us. I hated this. I hated that Emilia was back in my life, so I hid my face.

"What's going on?" I heard a woman whisper to a man beside her.

The man sighed, "Don't you know that girl, Beta Sam's daughter? She's always good at making a scene." He shook his head as the woman's palm flew to her lips.

Emilia pushed me into the restroom. "What the hell is wrong with you, Emilia?" I yelled, clutching my wrist.

She grabbed a handful of my hair. Writhing in pain, I bent over, holding on to her hands as I tried to release her hold on me.

"Who do you think you are? Huh? I saw the way he stared at you... I saw how you seduced him while serving him the soup." Her gaze darted to the toilet.

"I told you... I warned you to stay away from him."

My lashes fluttered. 

"But I was only doing my job. I didn't seduce him... you know there's no way Alpha Nickolas would like a fat ass like me, and moreover, you said he would never have anything to do with omega's, especially me."

Emilia's voice was piercing, and her eyes flashed with fury. "Shut the fuck up! Your mother was a slut, and that was how she stole my father from my mother," Pausing in between her words as my eyes widened. 

"Now you want to take the man I love so much from me? Huh?"

"How could you say that to me?" my voice barely above a whisper as my face twisted in shame and pain.

Pulling my hair forcefully this time, "I said shut the fuck up!" she yelled louder.

Grabbing my hair, I bent over, she yanked the toilet cover open, pushing me as my long, curly hair cascaded into the toilet bowl. 

Pushing my head further inside, she yanked her head backward with disgust all over her face, it stunk so bad that I almost threw up.

Unable to take it anymore, I grabbed her hands, trying to release myself, but I couldn't, and just then the restroom door flung open.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Emilia quickly let go of my hair. "Actually, I..."