Chapter 12

His eyes moved.

From me.

To Drex.

Back to me.

Then Drex again.

If I thought his grey eyes was cold before..—well that is nothing compared to this one. I could feel goosebumps around my body and I moved back, trying to blend with the background.

Thankfully, it didn't last long as he faced Drex now "Is it ready," he said.

Drex nodded. "Yes—Almost, Alpha. Just need to—" I couldn't blame him for stammering. If looks could kill, Drex will probably be six feet under the ground now. That's how hard the Alpha stare was.

"You said it was ready."

Drex froze for half a second before correcting himself. "Yes It is. I'm Sorry."

Kaelith looked at him once more, like he was still deciding whether to say something else. He didn't. He just turned and walked out, same way he came in.

The door clicked softly behind him.

No one said anything for a few seconds.

Drex didn't move at first. Then he exhaled and turned back to the tray, rubbing the side of his neck awkwardly.

"What was that?" he muttered.

I didn't answer. My mind was a spiral, wondering what it is we did so wrong. But then again, the Alpha doesn't need much reason to hate my existence... after all I am from an enemy pack.

He looked over at me. "He doesn't usually speak like that. At least not to us."

"He's probably just tense." Zett unfreeze... literally, resuming what he was doing earlier

Drex gave him a look. "You weren't under that intensifying glare. It looked like he was trying to unend me."

" But it was kind of hot anyway ". He chuckled, dusting his hands on his pink apron.

I did the same, maybe subconsciously from watching me but my mind was elsewhere. There's no doubt that I fear this Alpha....maybe even more than Alpha Bastian. I can easily predict Alpha Bastian actiona but with him....

And not to talk of the way my heart seems to seize in his presence and how I am overly aware of his eyes following my every move.

He didn't look at me like I was in trouble. But I always felt like I'd done something anyway.

Drex started placing the cutlery again, quieter now. The other chefs didn't speak again. Everyone was just trying to act like it didn't happen.

I stepped closer and helped him with the glasses. My hand brushed his by mistake, and I moved it away quickly. I didn't want another scene.

______

The courier creaked softly as I pushed it into the dining room

I could see four people seated but I didn't let my eyes dwell on them at all. In moonbeam pack, avoiding eye contact won't bring unnecessary attention to me.

Drex had already run me through the setup—Alpha Kaelith always sat at the head of the table. Gamma Demi on his left. Beta Ryan to his right, which meant his mate was probably the one seated beside him.

I kept my eyes on the floor still.

The room was quiet, but not tense. My steps were steady, hands already moving as I opened the top cover of the courier.

I started unloading the plates, one by one. Not too slow. Not rushed. Just right. Don't fumble. Don't spill. I keep repeating the mantra on my head.

I didn't lift my gaze, not even once. Not even when I felt the weight of his eyes on my, prickling through my skin. I knew it was him. You didn't need to be a seer to know when Alpha Kaelith was looking at you. It was like your skin knew before your eyes did.

I set another dish down in front of the Gamma, then moved to the right side of the table.

Beta Ryan's spot.

Then the next plate—

That's when a small hand reached out and touched mine.

My fingers stopped mid-motion.

I looked up, confused.

And there she was.

The girl I shared a cell with. The one that was badly injured.

For a second, I just stared at her like I was seeing a ghost. She looked so different to my relief .Healthier. Clean. No bruises. Her hair was braided neatly down the sides of her face. She had on soft brown clothes. She doesn't look scared anymore...tho timid.

And she was smiling at me.

It wasn't wide. Just a small curve of her lips like she was surprised I was real. Like she didn't think she'd see me again either.

I smiled back —genuine big smie that came from my heart. I was so relieved she was ok...and looking healthy. I always wondered what became of her ..if she was really taken to the infirmary that day. I thought I'd never see her again...

Then I slipped my hand away and placed the dish in front of her.

I have a lot of questions...a lot but I can't talk to her now so I went back to focusing on the food.

Especially since I felt all eyes boring into me...wow...what a great way to avoid attention, Elyssa.