Klepto POV
I move around the kitchen frantically cleaning up after the grubby pack cook, George. Stealing a quick glance at him, I get a good look at the guy. His complexion is beat red as he practically screams out order after order to the staff.
Trying my best to keep from being under foot, I wipe, scrub, and organize my heart out. I'm positive that I'm going to have sweat stains on this shirt. I love this shirt!
"Too much salt, you idiot! Why on earth do I have to be stuck dealing with omegas who can't do squat! I need professionals and this is all I have to work with!" He rages, shoving a small omega boy to the side so he can try and salvage the ruined dish.
I send the kid a sympathetic smile to reassure him, but he acts like he doesn't see it. That's the hard truth of being the most hated person in the pack, my friends. I've learned to deal with it somehow.
Then the meals are being hauled off to the banquet hall. I slink back to the sink to finish up the dishes when a strong grip clamps down on the collar of my shirt, effectively tearing me backwards.
"Here, take this." George shoves a platter of green beans into my arms, jostling me. "Go! Now! Table 6!"
Shrugging off my surprise, I rush out of the kitchen. Rarely do I get to bring food to the actual events, Alpha Green doesn't want the pack to have to look at the "disgrace of a wolf" while they try to enjoy their meals... or something along those lines.
As per usual, the banquet hall is bustling with life and laughter. The dark navy curtains reflect the modest lantern light that fills the whole space with a soothing atmosphere, well maybe for most. Being surrounded by 300 pack members that glare at me tends to fill me with anxiety.
Dodging many wolves, I manage to locate table 6. As I draw closer, an overwhelming smell of spice body slams me. My breath leaves my lungs and my feet freeze as if they're suddenly sinking into cement.
I know that smell.
A pair of humor filled yellow eyes fixate on me, and as soon as they do the humor is gone, replaced with a strange emotion I can't place.
He's surrounded with an aura of deadly power, so strong and menacing that it burns my skin. His jaw is clenched, and the veins in his arms bulge out. I can't stop myself from staring at him like a woman possessed.
"Those smell scrumptious." A light voice calls, and my trance fades into nothingness. My eyes attach to the speaker, only to find another lycan. The blonde one with oddly permanent amused eyes the color of moss.
In fact all 4 of the lycans sit at the small table, each of them watching me closely. There are a few empty seats among them, it seems no one is brave enough to join them. It's not hard to figure out why.
I eventually catch on that he had been talking about the beans I'm holding, and I flush bright red. Bowing my head in shame and hurt, I stalk forward silently. As I place the platter filled with green beans in the middle of the table, someone touches my left wrist gently. I nearly jump out of my own skin.
The contact of just a few fingers sends a shockwave of emotion through me. A warmness spreads from his fingertips and up my arm. My body relishes in the simple gesture more than it should. I can't get used to this, I'll just be disappointed.
Finally I look at him. His eyebrows are scrunched up, his features displaying obvious curiosity and concern. Wait... concern? I thought he cared nothing for me.
"Why are you not eating with your pack?" His words are husky and quiet, and they send a ripple of joy through me. My mate has a sexy voice.
That's when I realize I am once again staring at him while he waits for an answer. I gulp, finding that words are hard to grasp right now.
"The help eats after the pack." I mumble.
Feeling him bristle should send a bout of fear into my bones, but it doesn't. The contact of our skin comforts me in a way I've never felt before. Despite his temper I feel unreasonably content.
He seems so mad that he can't speak. His glare bores into me, yet I know it's not me he's angry with somehow.
A throat clears, I turn to see blondie smiling sharply at me once more and I almost cringe away from him.
"Why don't you join us? I'm sure your dear old Alpha wouldn't mind if his lycan guests were the ones to invite you, hmm?" He pats a chair beside him pointedly, a wicked grin appearing on his face.
A growl came from my left, my mate doesn't want me to sit beside his friend. Blondie gets the message, and scoots a seat to his right so I can sit by my lycan.
My lycan? I am completely and utterly insane. No one can own a lycan.
"I really should be going. I'm very sorry to interrupt sir." The words I give him are curt and I try to break free of his intoxicating presence, but his fingers go from caressing to demanding. His hand wraps around my wrist firmly. I feel so powerless in his strong grip.
"Please. Sit. Eat. If only for a short while." He asks, and how can I say no when his yellow eyes plead with me? So, I sit, hoping I won't come to regret it later.
Suddenly a plate full of roast beef is in front of me, and I can feel my mouth watering. I haven't eaten since my muffin this morning, and that feels like a while eternity ago.
I look around the plate and notice peas and potatoes, and a big fluffy roll. Cautiously, I take a fork in my hand and stare at the plate. The last time I went to a pack dinner like this I was probably 6 years old.
"Please eat. I know you want to. You're looking at that food like you've been starved." I look up at him again because I can't actually stop myself from drinking in his appearance. He smiles grimly at me, motioning to the food with his hand.
Cutting off a piece of the meat, I carefully put it in my mouth and hold back a groan. I continue to eat another few pieces quietly, so used to trying to be invisible. The few times I glance at him his gaze shifts away quickly, avoiding eye contact.
I take a small bite from my roll and reach for my drink of water when the blonde one reaches out his hand for me to shake.
"Ace." He says simply, I glance at his smile and relaxed posture. I sense sincerity in his introduction, and find myself stretching out my own hand to shake his.
"Klepto." I say, but it comes out softly. His face shows his confusion, and he asks the question I knew he would.
"Klepto?"
"Klepto." I repeat, shrugging my shoulders. I glance up to see the largest of the lycans staring at me. His dreadlocks pass the tabletop, his dark purple eyes stern and yet he has a slight smile on his face.
"That's Hyrum. He might seem scary but he's a teddy bear.... most of the time anyway." Ace rambles, then sticks a thumb to the left, motioning towards the other blond lycan.
"Then there's my big brother, Reid. A bit of a pain, but you learn to love him." It was clear that Reid did not like his little sibling's evaluation. He glowers at Ace.
"And of course, our dutiful captain, Ezra." I very cautiously look over to see my mate. He watches me, nodding his head ever so slightly while his clean shaven jaw clenches. I smiled at him, trying to be brave in the face of my fear.
"It's nice to meet you." I say, then add a quick, "all of you." I don't want to be perceived as rude, when I'm in fact very concentrated on the auburn haired lycan sitting right beside me.
His lips twitch before turning up slightly at the corners. His small smile is thoughtful and my heart stutters inside my chest. Our tiny moment is torched to ash by the hand that clamps on my shoulder.
"Gentlemen, do you mind if I speak with my daughter for a quick second?" I watch as Ezra's features flip to thunderous in a second.
"Why?" He asks my father, his stern voice suddenly defensive.
"There are private... family matters to discuss. I won't steal her too long." I know my father is providing a master facade, I don't even have to look to know. He most likely has a big smile showing off his white teeth, his gray eyes warm and inviting.
Ezra is about to protest when I speak up.
"It's fine. I'm sure dad will make it quick. I'll be right back." I say it even though I know I won't be back, the lie spoken to my mate causes an awful taste to fill my mouth, almost as I if I've eaten something rotten.
My smile and calm words seem to smooth everything over, so I stand and followed my father to the edge of the room.
"Who do you think you are? Sitting and eating with a band of lycans? Chatting with them? You're not allowed to sit with your own pack, and yet you have the bravery to pull something like this? What will the Alpha say when he finds out?" He demands, his tight grip cutting into my arm.
A strong glare smears his handsome face into something horrific. He is so very different than I remember him being as a small pup, before my mental illness appeared to destroy it all.
I recall the way he would hoist me onto his shoulders, tickle me, sing me to sleep. The way he would brag about the only child that finally resembled him. Now he hates me just as much as everyone else.
"I'm sorry sir. They asked me to." I reply, looking down at my feet. His sudden scoff makes me flinch.
"Right. Even if it's true you know how people will react. You have to be more careful, Klepto. Your mother is watching. She's always watching." I play my part, ducking my head and pretending to be the little submissive omega he expects me to be. I mumble an apology when in reality I'm boiling inside.
My own blood turning on me, telling me I need to stay in line. One day I will prove them all wrong, every last one of them. They will regret the way they've treated me.
Seemingly satisfied, he lets me go, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Go back there and apologize, then it's back to work, missy." I nod silently, turning around and making my way back to my mate. Heat floods my face as it flushes red in embarrassment and anger.
I'm already mortified before a word even crosses my lips.
All eyes at the table are on me as I push in my chair and pick up my plate. Tears start to form in my eyes but I don't let them spill.
"Are you alright?" Ezra demands. I nod.
"I plead that you pardon my interruption of your meal, gentlemen. Please excuse me, I need to return to the kitchen. Have a nice evening." They look at me with confused and somewhat appalled expressions.
"There's nothing to forgive. Is this what your father had to talk to you about?" Ezra asks, his voice suddenly softening. I shake my head.
I curtsy and turn around quickly. I need to get out of here as soon as possible before I break down and embarrass myself further.
Then he stands, towering over me, blocking my way out. He glares down at me. When a tear slips down my face, the mean look softens somewhat.
"Stay. You don't need to listen to him." He says, and I shake my head as another tear rolls down my cheek.
"Please. Just let me go." I whisper, he looks surprised and angry and apprehensive all at the same time. Finally, he steps out of the way.
I rush past him, clutching the dirty dish in my hands tightly. I want to throw it at someone. Someone I hate. Anyone will do.
My family and Alpha's lectures are going to keep pushing me farther and farther away from my mate, I just know it. At this rate, I will never be able to get to know him at all. He'll surely leave me here, abandon me to be trampled on by my pack.
The thought stops me dead in my tracks right outside the kitchen.
If Ezra doesn't accept me as his mate, I will be trapped here forever. My siblings will find their mates, move away to start families, all while I remain in the same house. Eventually I'll be all alone with my parents. Alone with their scrutiny and their hatred.
I nearly collapse as it slowly dawns on me. My whole future is in Ezra's hands.
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