Chapter 8
Nina's POV
A sharp knock startled me awake, yanking me from a surprisingly deep sleep. I frowned my face, missing where I was before the knock arrived. For a moment, I lay still, completely disoriented as I tried to piece together the fragments of my thoughts.
It then dawned on me that I was no longer at my pack, but at this new pack where everyone treated me with disdain and hatred. How did I even sleep comfortably? My body probably gave up under the weight of exhaustion from the journey.
The knock came again, making me groan in irritation. "Luna," a female voice called from the other side of the door. "The alpha has asked for your prescence for breakfast at the dining hall."
I sat up quickly, sleep vanishing from my body. "I'll be there shortly," I replied, my voice hoarse. I heard her receding footsteps which was followed by silence.
I sighed, rising from the bed, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My dark hair was disheveled, and dark lingered under my eyes, the heavy and droopy eye bags didn't help out all. I looked like someone who didn't belong here, someone out of place. Splashing cold water on my face, I pushed the thought away.
By the time I reached the dining hall, my nerves were on edge. My heart thumped and I walked slowly to extend the time I'll get there.
The moment I stepped in, the conversations halted. Every head turned toward me, and I felt the weight of their gazes. Some of the elder's faces were familiar from the time they spent in the pack but even at that, they all looked at me with disdain. They didn't even try to hide it.
A servant guided me to an empty seat, right next to Dwayne. His shoulders stiffened when I sat down, and his jaw clenched in visible irritation. He didn't even bother hiding his distaste and focused solely on the food before him.
"Good morning," I said quietly, though I knew I wouldn't get a reply.
Dwayne glanced at me briefly, his icy eyes piercing through me, before returning to his food without a word.
At the head of the table, Alpha Kael sat, his aura was undeniable and screamed command. It was rule not to eat before the head of the pack does, so everyone waited on their forks and waited for Alpha Kael to take the first bite. Once he did, everyone digged in.
"Dwayne," Kael said after taking a bite of his meal, "how is the situation with the rogues at the north gate progressing?"
Dwayne straightened in his chair, his tone rigid but respectful. "The surplus has been managed, Alpha. Security at the northern border has been tightened, and patrols have been doubled. There hasn't been any new activity since the last report."
Kael nodded approvingly. "Good. Continue to monitor it closely. We can't afford any surprises like the last time."
I couldn't understand a thing that was being said so I focused on the food in front of me, but the aroma from the food tickled my nostrils and repulsed me. Each bite felt like a chore, and I had to force myself to swallow. My stomach grumbled and bile rose up my throat but I forced myself to remain calm, folding my hands into fist underneath the table.
"Nina, are you alright? You haven't touched your food much. Is the food not to your liking?" Louise, who sat opposite me, asked and everyone turned to look at me..
"I'm fine," I said quickly, not liking a bit of the attention. "Just a bit of motion sickness from the journey yesterday."
Louise nodded, though her brow remained furrowed. Dwayne, sitting beside me, didn't so much as glance in my direction.
Just as I thought I might make it through the meal unnoticed, Louise turned to Dwayne with a question I had been dreading. "Dwayne, have you finalized the plans for the Luna welcome party? I've been waiting for your approval to start organizing it."
The entire table stopped eating at once and held onto their forks as they waited for Dwayne's reply. Dwayne placed his fork down and looked up, his expression cold. "Do whatever you want," he said flatly. "Keep it as basic and minimal as possible. After all, this werewolf here isn't welcome."
My face burned with embarrassment as murmurs rippled through the room. Dwayne pushed back his chair and stood, his movements abrupt. "If you'll excuse me," he muttered before leaving the hall without another word.
I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, not wanting to meet the eyes of the elders seated at the table. My hands trembled slightly, but I clenched them into fists, forcing myself to stay calm.
Alpha Kael cleared his throat, and the room fell silent once more. "I apologize for Dwayne's behavior," he said, his voice steady but tinged with disappointment. "You are very welcome here, Nina. Let me assure you, your Luna welcome ball will be the most lavish event of the century."
His words caught me off guard, and I looked up to find his piercing blue eyes fixed on me. I didn't expect his kindness towards me. Not even in the slightest. I was speechless.
"Thank you, Alpha Kael," I said quickly before it would be too rude to respond.
He nodded his head.
The meal continued, but I barely touched my food. The nausea hadn't subsided. Alpha Kael made eye contact with me and I felt a flicker of something pass in his eyes before he turned them away from me. It was weird, as if he knew all my secrets. My hands instinctively went up to my stomach.
After breakfast, Louise approached me with a warm smile. "Still up for the tour?" she asked.
I nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I think it'll help."
She linked her arm with mine as we walked out of the hall. "Good," she said brightly. "I'll show you everything you need to know, and maybe you'll start to feel more at home."
I responded with a small smile. I planned on using this means to get as much info as I could on Dwayne. She said she was his bestfriend so I was sure she knew the real reason why Dwayne was acting this way towards me. I needed to
find out fast and find a solution before he notices I was pregnant!