Katrina's POV
"Katrina," Shaun mentioned my name and whirled my attention away from the men whom had just introduced themselves.
"Yes," I answered, my expression completely blank regardless of the rush of emotions flowing through my system.
"From this moment on, you are no longer a member of this pack," Shaun made a declaration while Amanda was surprisingly quiet as she was positioned beside him across the desk.
"What?" I questioned in surprise despite the fact I already guessed what was to come, however I never thought I would be denounced from the pack.
"You heard him clearly Katrina," Amanda finally spoke just when I pointed out her silence. "Davos requested for you as a gift which is what we are giving him, or do you want the lives of many people to be stolen away by his wrath?"
"I never said a thing like that Amanda," I growled, finding it hard to hold my irritation.
"Then we have nothing more to discuss here," Amanda went on to say, provoking
Advisor Thomas and Beta Mathew to grant her a questioning glimpse which made her release a hesistant laugh.
"I'm simply hot wired with the tension and everything. Especially when the lives of my people are at stake," she murmured in a low tone, her eyes drooping as she feigned sadness. "Please try to understand."
"Ummm," Thomas cleared his throat, his hands joined behind his back as his long kaftan covered his form. "We do understand."
"King Davos can be ruthless and relentless whenever he wants something," Mathew informed, his expression neutral as he spoke and I could tell he was in no way lying. "This, nonetheless was not an exception."
"We appreciate your compliance to granting our request," Thomas smiled simply like someone who had just carried out a business transaction and for some reason I felt wary.
"Like it wasn't a threat," Shaun grunted and posed a fake grin as Mathew shifted his attention to him.
"Have a safe trip Katrina," Amanda mumbled, her voice sweet while her eyes held triumph and distaste all at once. "It's sad to see you go."
"I'll really miss you," Shaun added, his eyes raking my form as if for the last time while he strived to hide his disappointment.
"Go ahead and get your things ready," Thomas told, urging me in the direction of the door. I didn't move for some moments till he asked. "You do have things to pack right?"
"Rags I suppose," Amanda muttered, turning toward the wall as she uttered those words, hissing a moment later as Shaun must have pinched her done something to call her to order.
"She meant bags," Shaun corrected as if we were just fools who didn't hear anything. "Go ahead Katrina as they said. These men will be waiting for you."
"Okay," I spoke and whirled to the door, wrapping my fingers around it and making it open. Not uttering any other thing in response and strolled out of the room.
The guard at the door opened his mouth to ask me a question but paused as he caught sight of the men who exited after me. I sent him a message through my eyes that all was well and he remained mute while I trudged past him.
I ambled in the direction of the stairs and began my descent to the bottom floor, my footsteps faster than usual as I didn't want the men to catch up with me.
We reached the foot of the stairs and they were close on my heel. I quickly angled my body in their path and said. "Please wait here, I'll be out in a minute."
"Take your time," Thomas murmured kindly and nodded his head at me in a silent language for me to go ahead.
I traced my path to behind the staircase. I could sense their curious glances, rather I didn't dare whirl around to confirm and instead shoved the door of the small space which was my bedroom and entered.
"What are you doing here?" I queried in surprise as my vision met someone whom I didn't plan on seeing lounged on my bed.
"I've been waiting for you," Vanessa replied after she jumped in shock at my presence and the sound of my voice.
"Why so?" I implored, narrowing my lids in suspicion at her. We hadn't spoken in two days after the pressure on me and insults increased. I knew I didn't have any hard feelings toward her but that didn't mean I wasn't wary of her presence.
They said once bitten, twice shy. I had let her into my life once but she abandoned me at the height of it. I wasn't certain if I could give her a second chance.
"I heard Amanda and Shaun called you to his office," she explained in reply to my inquiry.
"And?" I interrogated.
"I waited for you in the hall," she revealed. "Minutes and an hour went by so I got worried and decided to come in and wait for you."
"Is anything the matter?" I raised a question.
"I got worried thinking something wrong must have happened to you," she mumbled in a quiet tone, her eyes on her fingers which were twisting the material of her uniform.
"It's good to see someone is worried about me," I blurted in all honesty.
"So what happened?" She implored, observing my body to check for any sign of bruises or whips.
"Nothing much," I replied, directing my footsteps to the small table. I picked up the small jewelry box there.
"I've been curious to find out what's in there," she uttered, eyes trained on me as I opened it.
"My mother's necklace," I said as I confirmed it was there and shut it back, moving to the bed.
"Oh," she let out and I bobbed my head in affirmation, taking another stroll to the wall where my only satchel was hung and threw it atop the mattress. "Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes," I answered, peering pointedly at her. "I've been denounced from the pack."
"What?" She clamored in query.
"Yes," I confirmed.