Chapter 7

Nalya

I took steps towards the high table. Ella and Nate smiled at me while the Prince's gaze was relentless. Next to him, Juliana was glaring at me. I could tell she disliked me. I didn't know the others, however, they were just as intimidating.

"So, this is the rogue," A man said, the corner of his lips curling into a smile.

"Keep your dirty claws away from her, Kendrick," Ella warned. Kendrick winked at me, and I gasped.

"Why don't you eat with us," Ella said. Before I could reject her offer, Juliana did it for me.

"No, Hellen, she's not one of us, and it's improper," she tried to sound calm, but the vein on her temple told me she wasn't.

"No, Ella. Please excuse me," I bowed and left the room in haste, but it wasn't my day today. I tripped and almost fell but someone caught me. I slowly locked eyes with my savior. He was tall with brown hair and sharp features.

"Hello, there," his voice was a breathless whisper.

"I'm so sorry," I said, standing up straight.

"It's alright," he caressed my cheek in comfort, seeing how panicked I was. A loud growl resounded from Prince Rhaegar that made me squeal and cover my ears. The stranger was almost holding me protectively now, and I felt a choking sensation with chest pains.

"D- don't touch me," I stuttered. I struggled in his grasp, trying to pull away. When he released me, I stumbled and he caught me, this time by my wrist. He let me go slowly, all while observing my face.

"I won't hurt you,"

"Alpha Thorn, what are you doing in my pack?" Rhaegar approached us. Everyone stopped eating.

"She's shaking. Why is she scared?" Alpha Thorn asked. The Alpha Prince spared me a glance, and I saw unknown emotions in his eyes.

"Are you alright,"

"Yes," I bowed my head and turned on my heels, almost running away from there.

I ran straight to the garden, inhaling as much air as I could in my lungs. I had intense fear when that Alpha touched me.

I was sweating despite the cool weather and feeling out of breath.

"What's wrong with you?" a smooth voice asked. I turned around to see the Alpha prince. His expression was stoic, so I didn't know what to think.

I walked paces from him.

"I asked you a question," his voice was rough. I blinked several times, trying to exhale softly through my nose.

"I'm sorry about what happened in the hall," I said.

"You look unwell,"

"Hmm, I'm not used to the environment and weather. Excuse me," I rushed back inside, going to the laundry room. I stayed there, folding clothes and ironing.

Later, I went to the staff dining room. This one was smaller than the hall. I went to the buffet and picked what I wanted to eat. One of the ladies there said I was too skinny and needed meat on my flesh so she put so much food. I was grateful that she treated me with kindness. I stood around, looking for Azura, but I didn't spot her. She must have knocked off.

"Hey!" Roman waved enthusiastically. I went to his table.

"Hi, Roma," I sat in front of him. He removed his headphones from his ears and smiled.

"What's up, Nalya,"

I shook my head and started to eat.

"I heard you caused a ruckus in the hall. What happened?"

"I was ill," I answered.

"Did you see a doctor?"

"No,"

"Oh, you should. The pack infirmary isn't far from here,"

I continued to eat while he drank his smoothie.

"I didn't know you were a staff member," I said.

"Hm,"

Roma told me all the cool things I should do or try while I'm here.

"So, did you graduate high school? Rogues do have schools, right?" he asked casually.

"Yes, but I was homeschooled,"

"That must have sucked," he said,

"It did," My stepmother was always yelling or calling me stupid.

"I'm done eating. I'll go to my room," I stood up.

"Don't you get bored in your room?"

"There's nothing to do," I said.

"Come to the basketball court with me. You can watch me practice,"

I was hesitant, but he was right. There was nothing to do, so I agreed.

Roman was seventeen years- old and a high school senior who loved rap music and basketball.

"Do you practice every day?"

"Yes, I want to play in the NBA," he told me. I didn't know much about basketball, but one could make money just by playing it. What a great sport.

The pack house had a basketball court that doubled as a tennis court next to a pool.

"Nalya, do you play any sports?" He asked, and I shook my head no.

"We should find you one," he said.

"Oh ok,"

He gave me his headphones and phone to hold while he went to get changed. I found a spot to sit. Roma was back.

"What time is your team coming?" I asked.

"They are practicing in the public court. I didn't want to join them today," he shrugged.

"Oh ok,"

"You sure say that a lot," he laughed,

"What?"

"Oh ok," he imitated my low voice. He looked at me for a long before saying;

"I feel like I've seen you before you came to this pack. I just don't know where," he said, deep in thought.

"I doubt that," I said. " I've never left the rogue town before this,"

"Maybe you have a doppelganger. How cool would that be?" he laughed.

"Creepy," I scowled.

Roma started his practice, I watched until I was bored, and he played music through his headphones.

"I don't like any of it!" I shouted, hoping he'd hear me. He stopped and came to me, crouching to my level and removing the headphones.

"You know I'm not wearing any headphones, right!" he shouted.

"Oh- I thought you couldn't hear me because my music was loud!"

he laughed and taught me how to change the music to the soft I wanted.

It was already late when we left the court, and Roma was complaining about hunger.

"I'm sure you will find some food,"

"Aren't you eating?" he asked.

"No, I'm still full,"

We got into the house, and his peers whistled and cheered.

"Behave, all of you. Nalya is just a friend," he said. I smiled.

"Am I your friend, Roma?"

"You have such a cute smile, so yeah, and smile often,"

I nodded eagerly, happy that I had my first friend here. I gave him back his headphones and bid him good night.

Reaching my room, I inhaled the strong fragrance lingering in the air. Did someone enter this room while I was away?

Brushing it off, I got a towel and went to refresh. I got in warm covers and switched off the night lamp. Tomorrow morning I was to clean the Alpha Prince's room as it said on my timetable, then I'll be free for the entire afternoon till dinner time when I will have to serve again. I was dreading all that.