As I led Ella into the grand dining hall, her dainty hand securely in mine, I could feel the warmth between us. She tensed whenever I had a chance to touch her, but I didn't care. It soothed me when I was near her and even more when we touched.
Entering the hall, we were met with curious stares from the pack members who preferred eating together rather than in their own homes. Most of them were unmated warriors and a few families attending dinner.
As they watched our movements, I simply shrugged it off; let them look. My heart raced with anticipation as I had been looking forward to this for awhile. I've been eager to spend time alone with Ella, I wanted to get to know her and deepen our friendship. Recognizing a certain emptiness within her that mirrored my own, I hope for her to see me more than just someone she got stuck with but someone she could trust.
To my right Ella sat, her eyes wandering around the opulent surroundings with a mixture of awe and nervousness. The flickering of the lantern light casted a soft glow on her delicate features, having me admire her beauty even more.
But just as I was sensing she was letting her walls down, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. My heart sank as my brother and Kyra entered the room, their presence disrupting my every fiber. I was certain that my brother and Kyra weren't going to attend tonight. He had found out somehow and made it his purpose to annoy me by bringing Kyra along. Kyra prefers to have her meals separate from the pack. She has never tried to humble herself. Ever since she became luna she thought she was above them.
I watched helplessly as Ella's demeanor shifted from relaxed to guarded in an instant. The tension between us was palpable as we exchanged forced pleasantries with my unexpected guests. I had to hold back my anger knowing the pack were watching. What I really wanted was to claw at his condescending face for ruining my night.
Despite Elrix behavior towards her, Ella remained composed. His insistent comments of her as my pet caused her discomfort evident on her face by the blush furiously appearing.
This was Elrix's way of getting a reaction from me, that's what he does. His behavior aimed to assert his dominance and manipulate my emotions. But I held back denying him the satisfaction of seeing me upset.
Abruptly, she excused herself from the table, leaving everyone stunned, including myself for not intervening sooner.
With a heavy heart, I watched her respectfully stand and push her chair in then walking towards the back of the hall in a secluded area. A pang of guilt surged through me as it was my fault she was enduring this mistreatment. She deserved so much better than this treatment from Elrix or anyone else.
Turning my gaze towards Elrix, I saw his smug grin, he was beaming with pride at causing such discomfort and pain. The sight of them together made my stomach churn even more than before. Sometimes I think she was the best thing that never happened to me because they truly deserve each other.
Unable to contain my anger, I blurted out, "Do you have to be such a heartless bastard? She's done nothing wrong."
Elrix's response was cold and dismissive. "She has no place here, especially not in a position of high rank, little brother. I don't want the pack to get the wrong idea." He continues while stuffing a forkful of meat into his mouth. Humans are not welcomed. Even with you becoming so infatuated with her."
"Why are you so interested in that human. From what I can see there's nothing special." Kyra adding her own venomous comment.
"That's none of your concern." I growled
My mind flashed to the image of me walking into my father's office. There, in vivid detail, they all came into view, my parents, Elrix and Kyra. My heart shattered into a million pieces at the sight of the woman, who was supposed to be my forever, nestled on my brother 's lap. Instantly, my eyes darted to her neck which was freshly marked as was his. The scene was surreal, a cruel reminder that my fated mate favored my brother, the Alpha over me. Finally, driving a knowing dagger right through my soul.
My attention was brought back by a growl from my brother who bore his teeth. "Watch your tone with your Luna. Do I have to remind you of your place." I cast a glance at Kyra, whose satisfied smile reflected my brother's possessive and dominant demeanor towards her. I couldn't win here so I let it go. I bowed my head to the manipulative bitch, my teeth clenched in frustration.
No sooner had I submitted than my gaze fell on my little human sitting alone in that secluded corner of the hall, looking down at her hands.
Then I noticed Amira making her way towards her through the crowd of onlookers, hoping to make things right. A sense of calm washed over me knowing that it was her rather than anyone else. I trusted Amira, she was complex to understand but she was loyal. No matter what obstacles came our way, we would always find solace in each other.
She didn't care about being judged, she did what she wanted and I respected and admired that about her. Amira was a lone wolf, scarred by the harshness of the world. She had lost her pack to hunters, leaving her to wander the vast forests alone. Desperation led her to seek shelter in the forsaken cabins on the mountain's edge. Then fate intervened when I discovered her, welcoming her into our pack where she emerged as one of our strongest she-wolf.
All the same, I couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment that lingered in my chest. I should have been there across from her at that table, supporting her. Shit! I asked her to come to dinner, no insisted, only to have her be belittled by Elrix.
The burden of my position as Beta weighed heavily upon me, its implications manifest in the watchful eyes of the Pack. Even if he was my brother, I had to respect his position as well as mine.
Amidst the murmurs in the hall, I found myself transfixed on Ella, her gaze cast down upon her plate. The vulnerability etched upon her face stirred within me a profound realization of the strength it must take for her to trust Amira or any wolf including myself. But I have noticed she had let her guard down just a little around me and the pups. It was a silent acknowledgment of a connection and understanding that was forming.
In that instant, everything else faded away - my brother's presence, Kyra's laughter - when Ella met my gaze. It was as if time stood still as we sat there our eyes communicating like a silent promise passing between us. I knew without a doubt that Ella was someone special - someone worth fighting for. And as we shared a comforting smile, my little human let down her guard, She started eating tentatively but after seeing there were no alternator motives. She gobbled it all down with a slight smile on her lips. I guess she was never given a chance to eat as much as she wanted. I can only imagine, seeing her thin frame, the ration of food she was given as a slave.
Watching her contentment filled my inner wolf with pride. We were elated to provide and comfort her.
It wasn't long before Kyra 's boredom set in and shortly they both departed, leaving me with the chance to approach Ella and Amira.
"Hey Beta Jonah, Amira greeted me playfully, "we were just getting to know each other." Her tone was teasing and inviting. 'She's a pretty cool human,' she continued. "I have to get going, but maybe we can hang again or I can teach you some self-defense moves." Intrigued by Amira's offer, Ella nodded eagerly.
"Or I can teach you,' I chimed in with a hint of pride. "After all, I taught her everything she knows."
Standing up and slapping my chest with a crooked smile, Amira retorted, 'Not everything, Beta.' Her playful challenge left us both amused.
As Amira's confident figure disappeared through the doorway of the dinner hall, I turned my attention to Ella, who remained seated, not sure what to do next.
With a determined voice, I spoke, "You ready? I can walk you back to your cabin." Ella's eyes met mine, and a faint smile played on her lips. She nodded slightly,
And with that I took my opportunity to grasp her hand leading her out the door. At that moment, a surge of warmth and tranquility coursed through me. The touch of her skin against mine sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a fire within me that had long been dormant. It was a connection that I had been yearning for, a connection that gave me and my wolf the assurance we had been desperately seeking all night.
Breaking the silence that had enveloped us during our walk back, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had wronged her and wanted to apologize.
I turned to her, my heart heavy with regret. "Listen, I just want to say that it wasn't my intention to have you mistreated or to parade you around as my pet. I'm truly sorry." A moment of silence passed before she finally looked up at me, her gaze meeting mine.
"You didn't have to do that,' she said softly. 'You know, standing up for me... at dinner." A small smile spread across my face, a glimmer of warmth flickering in her eyes.
"Well, friends stick up for each other, right?' I replied, trying to lighten the mood. A smirk played around the edges of her mouth.
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