Chapter 5: To prevent making thy enemy.

(Haisley’s point of view)

I grumbled at the food before me; a plate of lukewarm mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables and steaks lying on the table. I could barely contain my emotions, stabbing at the food with my fork like it had personally offended me.

I had lost my appetite and was absent-minded. It has been completely lost for a long time now, despite the grumbling my stomach sometimes eluded. I wanted to refuse eating, but I couldn’t risk leaving the dining room without at least pretending to eat. The last thing I needed was another scolding from Headmistress Clara for “wasting the resources of the pack,”

I growled in annoyance, glaring daggers at the food. I could feel eyes watching me, piercing like a sword, making me want to stare at her, but I refused, knowing what she’d do.

She sat just across the table, her laughter ringing out like wind chimes, light and melodic, but to my ears, sounded like a screeching rabbit, grating on my last nerves.

“I-I can’t…” she laughed once more, completely out of breath as she held her stomach. Her golden curls bounced as she recounted another one of her nonsensical tales to other maids of the gemstone packhouse, their giggles blending into the oppressive hum the room emitted.

She turned to stare at my barely untouched food as I shoved a forkful of food into my mouth. It was almost tasteless, the blandness of it making my stomach churn as I wanted to vomit. “Quit grumbling. You look like you’re plotting to murder that poor potato.”

And I was.

It was empty, and not the meal I wanted to eat. Not one of my cravings.

I ignored her, refusing to respond and keeping my gaze locked on my plate of food, and proceeded to shove another forkful of food into my mouth.

“Still the silent type, huh?” Erica pressed, her voice laced with amusement. She approached me, sitting just adjacent to me. “Let me guess—thinking about him again?”

Her words made my eyes widen, a jolt going through me, but I tried my best to mask it with another forkful of food, pretending her words didn’t hit home once again.

“Oh come on, Haisley, don’t be like that.” Erica teased, slowly tapping her nails against the table as she turned to the other maids who were staring silently at us. “Everyone knows you’ve got a soft spot for—“

“Okay, That’s enough.” I stormed the table with my fist, my voice coming out sharper than I intended, and silencing her mid-sentence.

Silence engulfed the room.

The whole table was quieter than usual and even the maids that were eating stopped to stare at me. They exchanged glances, but I couldn’t focus on them. I focused instead on Erica, her brows raised and, instead of an annoyed expression, I saw a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Well, well,” she drawled, leaning back in her chair and a proud expression on her face. “Looks like I got the cat out of the bag and struck a nerve.”

I glared daggers at her, clenching my fork tighter. My knuckles turned white because of how tight I was holding it, fighting the urge to react.

But I knew that was exactly what she wanted—a rise from me, some proof that her teasing held merits and infuriated me.

What she doesn’t know is that she wouldn’t get it. I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

Not here.

Not before everyone.

I relaxed back on my chair, feigning disinterest. “One thing you never understand is that not everyone has the luxury of wasting their energy on gossip, Erica,” I said finally, making the cold and anger in my voice palpable. “Some of us, the reasonable ones at least, have actual work to do.”

Erica’s smirk faltered, and a flash of annoyance graced her eyes. She grimaced, tapping on my arms after tossing her hair over her shoulder with a light laugh.

“Touché, Haisley. Touché.”

Their chatter resumed as they continued their gossip, but the tension never faded, lingering, heavy, and suffocating. I angrily forced another bite into my mouth, struggling as Erica’s words echoed over and over in my mind.

Thinking about him again?

Never.

I’m never letting any man into my life again. They’ve hurt me too much.

First Scott, and then Alpha Kayden.

All of them are Alphas and with their problems.

And now, another Alpha is showing interest in me, and most of all, Alpha Lula’s brother.

“Maybe he will take her as his mistress,” I heard the whisper of one of the maids, and turned to see them all staring at me.

Erica smirked my way, her eyes holding jealousy. I never knew why she hated me from the moment I arrived in the pack, but one thing was for certain; I shall not be stepped on by her or anyone.

I dropped the food, ignoring whatever the headmistress wanted to say about leaving wasting food, and stormed out of the dining room, one meant for maids.

I arrived at the garden, the sweet smell of flowers wafting into my nostrils and I let out a sigh of contentment.

This is just what I needed.

The peace I hadn’t been granted since my parents and brother were involved in that accident.

Are they fine now?

Did Uncle use the two million dollars generated after selling me to give to the hospital for the expensive surgery, or did he spend the money?

No! Aunt Mollie wouldn’t let that happen, right? I massaged my temples, feeling the creeping headache from thinking and worrying too much.

It’s been almost two months now, and I haven’t heard anything from outside the pack. I was free here, but I felt more like a prisoner.

And now, there was the problem of Alpha Lula’s brother.

I hadn’t asked for his attention. Hell, I wanted nothing to do with Alphas anymore. From what I’ve experienced, they were all the same in every kind—power-hungry, deceitful, and incapable of seeing anything beyond their ambitions.

Alpha Scott and Kayden had proven that to me well enough.

A rustling sound snapped me out of my thoughts. My body tensed, every nerve on edge. I turned sharply to the source of noise, scanning the shadows of the garden, but there was…nothing.

I exhaled shakily, closing my eyes. My tiredness is getting to me yet again.

“You really shouldn’t be out here alone, Haisley.” A deep voice said from behind me, familiar and dangerous, making my last skip.

I knew that voice.

I slowly turned around, and there he was—emerging from the shadows of the garden, his tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular body exposed for all to admire.

His presence was strangely comforting, much to my dismay.

Alpha Luka.