Chapter 10

ARABELLA

They threw glances at each other. The old woman remained firm but the younger ones looked like they were considering my offer.

I looked at the old woman and pouted. “I feel uncomfortable eating while you’re just watching me,”

“Then we will leave, Lady Sienna,”

Shit! No! That’s not what I meant. I stood in panic and held the old woman’s hand but she pulled her hand gently and hid it behind her.

“My hands are not clean, Lady Sienna,”

I felt my chest tighten when I heard those words. They shouldn’t see themselves this way. Rankings exist in Blood Fang Pack but omegas never treat themselves like this.

Yes, they do serve those who are in high rankings but they have their rights and were never treated like they don’t hold any value.

“I am Alpha Lucien’s mate, her soon-to-be wife, and the next Queen of the Kingdom. Rejecting my offer means rejecting Alpha Lucien, isn’t it?”

I don’t want to impose the power that I hold. I don’t want them to think that I am above them but if it is the only way to make them eat with me, then I don’t have any choice.

The old woman glanced at the younger ones. She gave them a nod and the next thing I knew we were happily eating together.

Now the food tastes even better. I will never understand anyone who eats while someone watches them with a growling stomach. I don’t think I could chew my food if I were put in that position.

“What’s happening here?” Lucien’s voice echoed in the dining hall.

The omegas stood up in panic but I gestured for them to stay seated. I smiled at them before I rose from my seat.

I walked towards Lucien who was eyeing me sharply. He looks at me like I committed a grave crime when I just shared a meal with his helpers.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he hissed the moment I got close.

I didn’t respond. I passed by him and headed outside. Lucien followed me, his heavy footsteps enveloping my ear.

When we reached the garden I turned to face him. The dim light coming from a lamp post allows me to see the darkness in his eyes.

He looks mad but I won’t let him intimidate me. I folded my arms on my chest and raised my eyebrows at him. “What?”

His jaw ticked. He was probably murdering me inside his head. I know I always get into his nerves and I somehow like it. If I ended up dying in his hands at least, I pissed him off.

“Why did you share a meal with the omegas?” he asked through gritted teeth.

I sighed. “What’s wrong with that? Foods are meant to be shared,”

“And you intend to act like this inside the palace? Act like a fucking saint and dismantle the ranking?”

I can’t help but let out a sarcastic laugh. “I just shared a meal with the omegas Lucien. Why are you making a big deal out of it?!”

“Alpha Lucien,” he corrected, voice thick with cold authority.

I don’t feel intimidated by anyone. Leading the Blood Fang Pack for years and taking the responsibility of being a Luna and an Alpha at the same time toughened me. I shouldn’t feel intimidated especially by the Alphas. I don’t want them to see me as a weak woman who can’t lead a pack but standing in front of Lucien with seething anger shaken up my tough demeanor.

I cleared my throat and kept my head high even though my knees were already wobbling from our distance.

“What will you do now?” I asked, forcing my voice to steady. “You will punish me for treating everyone as my equal?”

He took another step, closing the gap between us. I felt his warmth travel on my skin…and after hours of being gone, I felt Aurora’s presence again.

“You’re hard to tame aren’t you? For a rogue whom I can easily discard you don’t seem to hold any fear?”

Because I am not a rogue asshole. I led a pack for years and led the war to protect our territory. I am good at hiding my fear, Lucien.

If only I could say those words to his face.

“You still need me,” I bravely spoke. “You can’t kill me yet so why would I be scar—“

Before I could finish what I was about to say, Lucien grabbed my throat and dug his claws into my neck.

I can’t….

I-I c’can’t breathe…

A-Aurora…

I felt my eyes burn as if any minute they would pop out.

My lungs started to beg for air but there’s nothing coming in.

I tried to hold his wrist to unwrap his fingers that were caging my neck but my hold slipped off.

My vision turned hazy but before I could be thrown into the pit of darkness my body fell to the ground. I weakly held my neck to suppress the blood while I slowly lifted my head to look at Lucien who didn’t seem to regret what he did.

He will really kill me. It wasn’t just a threat. He was really capable of killing me.

You were wrong, Aurora. The mate bond won’t save us.

“It’s not like I can’t kill you at any moment, rogue. I simply choose not to,” he said coldly. “I want you to wait for your death in fear, knowing it could come at any time. That’s what you deserve. Your kind deserves to live in fear.”

He crouched down until his eyes were level with mine.

“Don’t provoke me again. Next time you disobey me, I won’t hesitate to kill you. Do you understand?”

Tears brimmed in my eyes not out of fear but for Aurora’s pain that I couldn’t suppress.

“Do you understand?!” Lucien shouted.

My body didn’t flinch but I felt my heart drop. With tears pooling in my eyes, I nodded. “Yes, Alpha Lucien,”