CHAPTER 6: First Dinner

Hunger eventually overruled my pride. Three hours after hiding in my quarters, I forced myself down to the communal dining room. I’d been there a hundred times as a caterer, but entering as a "member" felt like walking onto a stage under a burning spotlight.

The room was a map of pack hierarchy: elites at the front, lower ranks at the back. As I moved through the line, conversations died. Every eye held a judgment. I grabbed a tray and looked for a seat, but the middle tables suddenly became "occupied" the moment I approached. My face burned with humiliation. "Lila! Over here!” Vera waved from a table near the middle. She sat with two other healers I recognized vaguely.

"Omega."

Sienna blocked my path, her voice cutting through the room. "Lost? The servants’ table is in the corner. That’s where you belong, not with the ranked wolves."

"The Alpha said I eat here," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

"He didn't say you could sit with us," she sneered. "That mark doesn't change what you are. You’ll never be good enough for Beta Darius."

The room leaned in, waiting for me to break. But Kyle’s words echoed in my head: Darius respects strength. I looked Sienna in the eye. "You know what's interesting? The Moon Goddess chose me, not you. You’ve been throwing yourself at him for years without a second glance." I tilted my head, exposing the silver crescent on my neck. "That must really sting."

I brushed past a speechless Sienna and sat with Vera, my hands shaking so hard I nearly dropped my fork.

"That," Vera whispered, grinning, "was amazing."

I forced myself to eat, though the food tasted like ash. Halfway through, the room went silent again. Darius stood in the doorway. His cold gray eyes swept the room and locked onto mine. The mate bond flared, a physical tug in my chest, but I stayed frozen. He sat at the head table alone, ignoring me with a precision that felt intentional.

I finished quickly and bolted for the exit, but his voice stopped me at the door.

"Omega."

Darius approached with the controlled grace of a predator. He stopped three feet away, close enough for me to feel his heat. "We need to talk. Tonight."

"I have nothing to say to you."

His jaw tightened. "Alpha’s orders. We talk."

"The Alpha can order me to move into the pack house," I snapped, the day's suppressed rage finally breaking through. "He can't order me to have conversations with you. You made it clear I was a mistake in front of everyone. You don't get to demand my time now."

Something flickered in his eyes, surprise. He wasn't used to being challenged. "My quarters. Nine o'clock," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Do not make me come find you."

At 8:55 PM, the bond finally dragged me to his door. His quarters were like him: sterile and functional. No decorations, no personality, just a barracks for a man who lived for war.

"You wanted to talk," I said, staying near the door.

"Alpha Marcus informed me of the consequences," Darius said, leaning against the doorframe. "If we do not accept the bond, we go feral."

"So we have a problem. Great." I paced the small room. "Let's be real, you looked at me like I ruined your life last night."

"I do not hate you, Lila. But this bond complicates a life that was simple before."

"Then blame the Goddess, not me! I didn't ask for this either." I crossed my arms, mirroring his defensive posture. "You humiliated me. You could have rejected me in private, but you chose to show the whole pack I wasn't worthy."

Darius went quiet, his gaze heavy. "I did not intend to humiliate you."

"Well, you did. Congratulations."

We glared at each other, the bond between us humming like a live wire. Finally, he spoke. “We need to find a solution. "We spend time together. Let the bond develop naturally so it doesn't feel like a prison sentence."

"That's your plan? Forced proximity?"

"Do you have a better idea?"

I didn't. "Fine. But I have conditions. You treat me like a person, not a problem. And we are equals in this. I might be an Omega, but the Goddess made us partners. Accept it, or go feral on your own."

A ghost of a smirk touched his lips. "You are not what I expected."

"Good. Get used to disappointment, because I am not changing for you."

"Seven AM. Breakfast," he said,

" That is early."

“I run the pack’s training program. Early is late for me.” He opened the door.

“Do not be late.”

As I walked out, I paused. "Darius? If we’re doing this, actually try, Don't just go through the motions. We’re stuck together, we might as well not be miserable."

He studied me for a long beat. "I will try."

I walked back to my quarters, the mark on my neck throbbing with heat. It wasn't a fix, but it was a start.

Tomorrow, I would have to sit across from the male who rejected me and pretend we could make this work. Failure meant losing my sanity and my life.

No pressure.