Kai eventually went away, leaving me in my room alone to finally give her comments time to sink in. She said that Alpha would treat me compassionately, which perplexed me. It went against all I was taught, everything I understood, and the environment I was raised in. Alpha was ruthless and icy, exhibiting no sympathy or affection for anybody who came into conflict with them and actively working against them. I had to walk around my room while my mind clung to every word Kai uttered since it was the opposite of how I usually operate.
It wasn't that I didn't trust her; after all we had been through, she would never lie to me. Just understanding it was challenging. As I paced, I kept track of my steps, a neurotic habit I developed when shackled to a tree and forced to do nothing except loop about. I discovered that the floorboard three degrees from the foot of my bed made a creaking sound when it was stepped on, which temporarily eased my mind as I fell off in thinking.
After a time, my stomach began to grumble, nearly frightening me since I was used to the calm and hearing such a loud noise. I grimaced. I haven't eaten properly in days. Sure, Alpha's parents gave me a dish of food for being rudely interrupted. I thought about the scenario when that food dish was placed before me. If I tried to eat the food, they would either become angry and grab it from me, throwing me to the ground, shouting at me, or telling me I didn't deserve food. They may, on the other hand, take offense at the fact that I declined the dinner they offered and be penalized as a result.
I want to get out of here. I'm still ashamed of the little prank I pulled on Cole at the Alpha's house. Cole was talking about me as Luna as we left home, and I couldn't help but nod my head in agreement. Imagine me attempting to control a group of hundreds of people as I can hardly handle being in a room with more than three people. But Kai either didn't hear, or she didn't want to mention that her companion was insulting me behind my back.
Another loud grumble came from my stomach, but this time, it was accompanied by pain in my lower abdomen. I had to walk downstairs and pass through the dining room, where others were eating since I had to eat.
I sadly left my room without bothering to put on shoes since they would create too much noise. Tiptoeing down the stairs, I made no sound with my bare feet or soft footfall. Just down the hall, light conversation and laughing could be heard. They made hand motions and threw their heads back to giggle as their shadows danced over the wooden floor. I ran by the open archway while ducking my head, attempting to blend into the background.
"Megan." The sound of his rich voice caused me to halt in my tracks. I was pretty near. "Why don't you come and join us?" There was quiet across the whole space. I didn't want to at all. I like to be out in the woods on a hunting expedition, running in the soft moonlight in my wolf form. He repeated himself as though he could feel my reluctance. "Please." He nearly seemed to be pleading with me to remain.
I turned to the right and moved slowly toward the table while keeping my head down. All eyes were on me, but I pretended not to see them by keeping my gaze fixed on the ground. The seat I occupied most recently, closest to the Alpha, was the only vacant one. Although I didn't see him get out of the chair or see him get up, I could sense his presence as I sat down. As he pulled my chair in for me, his fingertips caressed my bare arms. I waited for him to sit down again and murmured a faint "Thank you," but he didn't. He continued to loom over me and intimidate me from behind for a little while. Then he turned and left.
As I sat there with my head down and my eyes fixed on the placemat, the small talk started again. I soon discovered that no plate or utensils had been placed before me since they hadn't anticipated my arrival.
Alpha returned, but he didn't have a plate, just a fork. Was I not planning to dine here this evening? He sat again and carefully pulled the dish in front of me nearer me so it would rest on the table between us. He gave me a loving grin and held out the fork as I looked up at him in shock and bewilderment. He urged us to communicate. I waited for him to take the first mouthful before slowly snatching the fork away. Alphas always eat first. He eventually decided what he wanted first, and I caught a glimpse of him reaching for the plate out of the corner of my eye. He again moved the platter a bit closer to me but didn't reach for anything.
I glanced around the dish with my peripheral vision and saw other items I had never had before, including a roast, mashed potatoes, fruits, and a few other things. But I saw a strawberry, a bright red. I once had one, but it wasn't ripe; it was primarily green. I leaned out and took it off the platter without immediately eating it. Alpha gazed at me with a broader grin and glittering eyes as I waited for it to be swatted out of my palm.
I took a little mouthful of it after bringing it to my lips. My tongue was covered in sweetness, as well as the fruit's cooling juice. It quickly became one of my favorite foods. I licked the extra liquid from my lips as I saw Alpha reach out and take a roasting.
Picking items from the dish that we both desired, we continued until our plate was empty. Someone was chopping a cherry and whipped cream-topped dessert as they reached for it. The room was filled with the sound of breaking glass when the first piece was served. I leaped about and immediately got up. The drink was covering a big rock that was lying on the ground. One window was broken, letting in a mixture of the clean aroma of nature and the odor of decaying flesh and rouges.
Blake, Nathan, and Tobias were ordered to grab the other warrior and alert the group. The rest of you find that criminal and stop him from escaping. I knelt and removed the pebble off the tile floor as Alpha commanded. I flipped it over after the glass on top of it dropped to the ground. A little piece of paper was attached to the back with tape.
It stated, "We'll get you back. -G." I was unaware that everyone had left the room to follow instructions. The pack was alerted by a howl that someone had entered their area.
"Megan, be careful." When Alpha approached, he gently grabbed my wrist and pulled it toward him. I was unaware that glass had slashed my flesh when it fell on me and the ground. My feet were also covered in wounds, and blood ran down my arm, staining my shirt and pouring down them. You've been harmed. He took the rock from me and held my hand with his other hand. I'll help you get cleaned up.