CHAPTER FOURTEEN: ANNOUNCEMENT

SAGE'S POV

It had been two days since that dumb incident in the kitchen, and I kept catching myself thinking about it at the worst times.

The way Dante had caught me when I almost fell, how his arms felt strong and warm around me, the way my body had reacted even though my mind screamed at me to push him away. To get as far from him as possible.

I hated how those memories kept popping up when I was trying to relax or when I was alone in my room. So much it made me want to touch myself, groan in pleasure.

A part of me felt like it was all going to fade after a good orgasm but the noble part of me refused to cum to someone so annoying and selfish.

"Ugh," I groaned, shaking my head in hopes that it would finally push that forbidden memory away.

As if fate was trying to give me a bit of hope, Crystal puked her hair through a small gap she had made.

“Breakfast time, sleepyhead. You coming or are you going to stay in bed all day?”

I nodded excitedly. I was getting used to the gourmet meals here. The food was always perfect, hot, and there was so much of it that it felt almost ridiculous.

I stood up quickly and followed her out of the room, glad for the distraction.

Crystal wrapped her arm around mine, unlike me who had a habit of waking up and getting dressed she was still in her pyjamas.

"So how was your job hunting?" I muttered as we took the second flight of stairs. Crystal has decided she wanted to get a new job in the pack but for some reason, it wasn't going as she planned.

"I don't want to talk about it. Everyone's being so fucking weird," She complained rolling her eyes. "Everything feels so closed off and they look at me like I am an outsider. It is frustrating.”

"It would be better if you came with me though." I looked away knowing where this was going.

The last thing I needed was to be around pack wolves who would probably probe and even spread rumours.

Crystal laughed softly but did not push the topic. We kept walking until we reached the dining hall. The table was already set just like always but what got my attention were the extra pairs of plates.

A maid rushed towards the table dropping a bowl of focaccia bread and just as she turned around to leave I grabbed her arm.

“Sorry but do we have extra company?” I asked, even though deep down I already knew the answer.

The maid smiled politely and answered without hesitation. “Alpha Dante and Beta Cade. They have been working since about two in the morning, and should be joining you any minute now.”

My eyes widened and almost immediately my body started acting weird again. My stomach flipped and that warm, annoying feeling spread through my chest and lower.

"Are you okay? Your face looks like you ate raw chicken," She joked as we took our seats. Her eyes searched mine for an answer and just as I opened my mouth to speak, his scent filled the room.

That familiar mix of mild coffee and cinnamon hit me hard and I felt my pulse jump. I froze as Dante and Cade walked in and took their seats at the table without saying much.

Crystal was the first to serve herself, and I followed acting like I had no almost kissed my enemy a few days ago.

We were more than fifteen minutes into eating when Cade finally broke the silence.

"I heard from someone at the pack house. Have you been job hunting Crystal? He asked with his brown eyes holding a fond look unlike the rest of his face. It looked just as cold as Dante's.

“Yeah, I've been trying. No luck unfortunately," She replied, pulling her hair into a bun.

Their conversation continued while I continued to play with my food switching from possible job places to movies and food.

While they chatted happily about snacks and plot twists, Dante and I ate in complete silence.

The tension between us felt thick enough to cut with a knife. I kept my eyes on my plate and tried to focus on the taste of the food, but it was hard with him sitting right there.

I cleared my plate about to leave when Dante cleared his throat. It was a minor reaction but coming from him it was more than enough to have me pause.

Probably noticing my reaction, Crystal pushed to but Cade kept eating like nothing was happening, which told me he already knew exactly what was going on.

Dante looked at me calmly, like this was the most normal request in the world. “You need to pick a date so my designer can come and get your measurements.”

“Measurements for what?” I blinked, still very confused.

"A small event is coming up in less than two weeks and I've decided to introduce you there."

I froze for a second and my confusion only shifted to rage. "What? Why? That was never an agreement."

"It was," Dante muttered, shrugging as he picked up a piece of bread. "Cade could send the contract to your room if you need to read it again."

"I'm not going to do it."

Crystal and Cade both stood up at the same time, clearly wanting to escape the fight that was about to explode. “We should give you two some space,” Crystal said quickly, grabbing her plate.

“Sit down,” I yelled at them before I could stop myself. They both sat back down immediately, looking uncomfortable and awkward.

I turned back to Dante, my hands shaking with anger. “I am not doing that. I am not going to any ball where you parade me around like some trophy.”

Dante's eyes met mine, not an emotion in them. “Dare me and see what happens.”

Before I could reply, he pushed his chair back and left the table without another word. Cade did the same, flashing me a sorry smile before he stormed off.

'Goddess I'm going to kill him.' I thought as I stared at the table my vision was blurring. I could not even look at the food anymore.

This was all some sort of wicked plan to have me trapped here. Taking a deep breath, I wiped the tears off my face, staring at the chair he had been on.

Wishing more than anything that I could punch him right in his stupid, calm face.