When Love hurts

Kael's POV

I sat at the head of the long dining table, forcing a polite smile as Marcus Drake kept going on and on about pack politics. The food was good; I'd give them that. But the company was testing my patience.

"Alpha Kael," Seraphina said for what felt like the hundredth time tonight. She leaned forward, her dress cut low enough to reveal her cleavage. "I've heard so much about your victories in the northern territories. You must be so brave."

"Just doing my duty," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

Her hand touched my arm, fingers trailing slowly. I resisted the urge to pull away. I agreed to have dinner with them because it was a political necessity. Beta councilman Marcus Drake controlled a significant portion of the southern routes, and maintaining good relations with him was important for my pack.

Even if it meant enduring his daughter's obvious attempts at seduction.

"You're too modest," she said, batting her eyelashes. "A strong Alpha like you deserves to be celebrated."

I took a sip of wine, trying not to let my annoyance show. She was pretty enough, I supposed. But there was something about her that set my teeth on edge.

"Tell me, Alpha," Marcus said. "Have you given any thought to taking a mate?”

"I haven't found the right match yet," I said carefully.

Seraphina's smile widened. "Perhaps you just haven't been looking in the right places."

Before I could respond, the servants entered carrying trays of food. They moved quietly, keeping their heads down as they'd been trained.

That's when I noticed her.

She was at the back of the line, carrying a tray that looked too heavy. She wore an oversized dress that hung off her body like a sack. The fabric was stained and looked old, completely out of place compared to the neat uniforms the other servants wore.

But even in that horrible dress, I could see her shape. She was thick and curvy in all the right places. The dress couldn't hide the swell of her hips or the way her body moved as she walked.

My wolf stirred inside me, suddenly alert.

She approached the table, her head bent so low I couldn't see her face. She placed the plate in front of me carefully, her hands steady.

"Thank you," I said, curious to see if she'd look up.

She didn't. Just nodded once and quickly walked back to stand against the wall with the other servants.

I watched her go, my eyes following the curve of her body. Who was she? Why was she dressed so differently from the others?

"Alpha Kael?" Seraphina's voice pulled my attention back. "Is the food to your liking?"

"It's excellent," I said.

But my mind wasn't on the food. My eyes kept drifting back to the girl standing in the corner. She had long blonde hair pulled back in a simple braid. Her head was still down, but I could see the delicate line of her jaw.

She was beautiful. Even from here, even in that awful dress, I could see it.

Seraphina followed my gaze, her smile tightening. "Is something wrong, Alpha?"

"Not at all," I said smoothly.

She didn't look convinced, but she let it go; she started talking about some party she'd attended. I nodded at every word she said, but honestly I wasn't really listening.

My wolf was pacing inside me now, restless.

Then the girl lifted her head, just slightly. Just enough for me to catch a glimpse of her face.

My breath caught.

Perfect amber eyes that shone as bright as an emerald stared back at me; she didn't look happy, but even with the sadness in her eyes, she was stunning. Her features were delicate, her skin smooth despite the tiredness I could see in her posture.

She looked at me for just a second before quickly looking away, her cheeks flushing pink.

My wolf growled softly. Mine.

I frowned. That was odd. My wolf had never reacted to anyone like this before.

I forced myself to focus on the conversation, but my eyes kept wandering back to her. She stood so still, so quiet, like she was trying to disappear into the wall.

Why was she dressed like that? The other servants looked clean and presentable. But her dress was filthy and too big, and it smelled. Even from here, I could catch the awful scent.

Something wasn't right.

"Dessert will be served shortly," Marcus announced.

The head servant nodded and gestured to one of the maids to bring it over.

"Wait," I said, the word coming out before I could stop it.

Everyone looked at me.

I pointed to the girl in the corner. "I want her to serve me."

Seraphina's face went pale, then red with anger. "Alpha Kael, I'm afraid that's not appropriate. Her dress is filthy and smelly. She might infect you. Let me have one of the other servants—"

"I insist," I said firmly.

Marcus cleared his throat. "Seraphina, the Alpha has made his request. Let her serve him."

Seraphina's jaw clenched so hard. But she didn't argue. She just glared at the girl with pure hatred.

The girl walked toward me slowly, her hands shaking as she picked up the dessert tray. She kept her head down, her blonde braid swinging slightly with each step.

She placed the plate in front of me carefully. The smell of her dress was stronger now, but underneath it, I caught something else. Something sweet and warm, like honey.

My wolf stirred again, more stern this time.

"Thank you," I said.

She nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait," I said again. "What's your name?"

She froze, her shoulders tensing. Slowly, she turned back to face me, still keeping her eyes down. I could see Seraphina glaring at her from across the table.

"Zara," she said quietly. "My name is Zara."

Zara. The name fit her perfectly.

"Zara," I repeated, liking how it sounded.

She bowed her head and turned to leave, but her foot caught on the hem of her oversized dress. She stumbled forward and was about to hit the ground.

Instinct took over. I moved faster than I'd ever moved before, catching her before she hit the ground. My hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her upright.

She gasped, her hands grabbing onto my arms for balance. And then she looked up.

Our eyes met, and the world stopped.

Amber eyes stared back at me, wide with shock. My wolf surged forward, stronger than ever before. And then I felt it. The connection. The bond that every wolf dreams of finding.

Mate.

My wolf pushed to the surface. She was our mate. This beautiful, broken girl in the filthy dress was ours.

Her eyes widened further, and I knew she felt it too.

Neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke. We just stood there, staring at each other.

"I'm sorry," she finally whispered, pulling away from me. "I'm so sorry, Alpha."

"It's fine," I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

"It's not fine!" Seraphina's voice cut through the room. She stood up, her face red with anger. "She rubbed her filthy smell all over you! This is unacceptable!"

Zara bowed, her whole body trembling. "I apologize, young mistress. I didn't mean to—"

"Don't yell at her," I said, my voice sharp.

Seraphina's mouth fell open. "But Alpha—"

"I said don't yell at her," I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Seraphina sat down slowly, her face a mixture of shock and fury.

Zara bowed again and quickly returned to her place against the wall. But I couldn't stop looking at her.

I forced myself to stay seated.

The dinner continued, but I barely tasted the food. My eyes kept drifting to Zara, watching the way she stood so still, so careful not to draw attention to herself.

Every time Seraphina spoke to me, I had to force myself to respond. All I wanted was to talk to Zara. To hear her voice again.

"Alpha Kael," Marcus said, pulling my attention back. "I hope you've enjoyed your evening with us."

"I have," I said politely.

"Good, good." He leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "If there's anything you need, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask. You can take whatever you want."

"Can I take her too?" I asked, pointing at Zara.

The room went silent.

Marcus stared at me, his mouth open. Seraphina looked like she'd been punched in the face. Even the servants froze, their eyes wide with shock.

Zara's head snapped up, her amber eyes meeting mine. Fear and confusion swirled in them.

The silence stretched on.

“I said I want to take her,” I said again.