Dinner With Kael

Elara's POV

"I think I'm in the wrong place," I mused thoughtfully to myself as I gazed at the long dining table, filled with different kinds of foods and drinks, the ones I've seen and the ones I have not, precisely their native delicacies.

"Cheers to our victory," Alpha Kael rose to a toast, and they all joined him with their glasses raised.

"Cheers!!!" They said simultaneously, and their glasses clinked together.

I sat silently, observing everyone from my position at the table; my worried gaze alone says it all. The whole scenario is strange, and I'm the odd one.

"What are they celebrating?" My mind began to play tricks on me, leaving me vulnerable amongst them.

"Let the food go round, Cara; let the new bird feast from our hands for the first time." Alpha Kael signaled to his maid.

She didn't hesitate; she moved the silver tray around, placing the plate gently in front of each person.

"Did they win a war, or is it their tradition to celebrate someone that almost died?" The rogue wolves almost killed for crying out loud.

Why am I here in the first place? Why did he ask Cara, his personal maid, to escort me here? It's not as if I didn't ask to leave their Shadowfang, but he refused.

"Elara, it's a great pleasure to see you alive and healthy." He turned his eyes towards me.

"Thanks!" I couldn't utter anything other than that single word, then buried my eyes in the plate before me.

"It's a great pleasure to have her," the rest also joined in unison, their gaze fixed directly at me.

From his right hand was Marcus, his best friend and Omega, enjoying his wine like water; seated beside him was Amelia, Kael's sister, and sitting very close to me, Maya, Alpha Kael's mate-to-be, in her royal attire gown.

Since I arrived, she seems to show hatred towards me. I know when I see one; it's the same eyes I see on many faces back at the Silver Crest pack. I was wolfishly useless.

"She's useless to us, Kael," she whispered, thinking I didn't hear or using that to pester me.

But Alpha Kael didn't blink for once.

"Elara, I want you to tell this gathering how you ended up in our territory," Kael's question sends a shiver down my spine.

I remained speechless. I can't let him know my background; he shouldn't know the life I escaped from, the family and friends I left behind.

"Elara!" He called again, jolting me out of my deep thoughts.

"Forgive me, your highness, I'd like to..." I began, but my explanation ended very fast.

"Let her enjoy the feast tonight; after all, she's still here with us." Amelia spoke on my behalf.

It's as if she can read minds; her intervention helped out. What could I have told them? That my father is the great Alpha Darius, and that I'm his wolfless princess myself?

"Elara, enjoy your food and drinks tonight; tomorrow I'll show you around," she reassured me.

It's a sign I've found myself a friend, but I can't say the same for Maya, with her strange stares at me.

"Oh my manners!" he teased. "You are absolutely right, Amelia; let her stew at home, but my curiosity has heightened." Alpha Kael doesn't look like someone who gives up easily.

They all laughed, except Maya, who continued eating, her hand tracing Alpha Kael's hand on the table. I managed to take a few bites myself; his curiosity has gotten my appetite switched off.

I have no choice but to pretend to believe everything here, even if it's a lie, while secretly planning to use Alpha Kael as leverage against my wolfless life.

*****

Every second, every minute counts. Since I got here, they mustn't know my identity. I don't want the same occurrence to occur again.

"I'll try and gain Alpha Kael's trust," I thought inwardly.

As I rolled sideways on the soft bed, my eyes felt tired yet unable to sleep. I missed the old me, the comfort zone.

Shadowfang is definitely different from the cozy corner of my room in Silver Crest, the chandelier light.

"Celestial," Even with your betrayal, our bond is never broken.

"I'm sure Adrian forced you to be his mate." I find it hard to get the thoughts from my mind for hours.

"Elara! Elara! Elara!"

I could hear my name escaping from behind the door. The soft, low voice sounds familiar but uncertain.

"Is that Princess Amelia?" My curiosity piqued.

I quickly lifted myself from the bed towards the door. "Who's there?" I asked,

My eyes widened in fear, but I've been through more threats than this; I swiftly grabbed the doorknob.

"I want no trouble; I'll leave when you all want it." I summoned my inner courage, even though it's not as strong as other wolves.

"It's me, Miss Elara." The voice is certainly a female one, being careful not to be heard by anyone. "Please, open the door," she requested softly.

"You who?" I demanded to know her name.

"Cara!" She said in a low tone.

"Cara, Cara!" I repeated again,

"It's me; I have something important to inform you."

I pressed the door handle; it creaked open. If any harm could come, it won't be from a mere maid. I may be wolfless, but I'm not that stupid or weak.

She checked the hall thoroughly before she slowly stepped inside. I closed the door behind her and folded my arms to hear what she had to say.

"I'm here to give you a very important message. I want..."

"About what, Cara?" I asked confidently,

Hadn't I had my wolf, I wouldn't have been able to sense the danger around her.

"I know you don't know me enough to trust me, but I can help you." She spoke sternly, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"I don't get you!" I replied.

"I can help you escape Shadowfang without being detected." She dropped it like a bomb.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime, but why is she helping me? Is this another trap to be betrayed? Was she sent by Alpha Kael or Maya, his mate?

"Alpha Kael received a SECRET LETTER tonight, and I'm sure it was meant for him to end your life."