~six~

Soraya's POV

 

“Isn't this girl the whore Darius brought home? Why is she having dinner with us?”

 

I froze where I stood, my hand trembling in mid-air. The voice came from the girl with long blonde hair and brown eyes, her expression twisted in disgust as she looked at me like I was filth. 

 

My chest tightened, and my feet refused to move forward.

 

Before I could gather the courage to sit down, the woman who seemed to be in her forties spoke up.

 

“Emily, don’t say things like that. Why would you say such a thing? She’s Darius’ guest, probably.”

 

But the sting of the insult still clung to my skin. My throat burned, and I tried to keep my gaze fixed on the table, as though ignoring them would make me invisible.

 

Then the man who I recognized spoke.

“She’s not Darius’’ guest, Aunt. She’s his mate.”

 

Emily’s eyes widened in shock as she turned her glare back to me, almost as if she couldn’t believe what she’d heard.

 

“His mate? What? His mate is a whore?”

 

“That’s enough,” Darius snapped, his tone final.

 

The silence that followed felt heavier than the insult itself. I dared a glance at Darius, who was staring at me from his seat. 

 

“Have a seat.” He said, still looking at me.

 

I swallowed hard and then lowered myself slowly into the chair, and tried to breathe. I had just been insulted in a way I could never have imagined, and though I forced myself to sit, inside, I felt uneasy.

 

I picked up the fork nervously, my hand trembling so much I didn’t even know how to hold it properly. 

 

My palms were sweaty, and every sound of cutlery clinking around the long table made me feel smaller and more out of place.

 

I had never used such sophisticated cutlery before. A fork and this knife? The orphanage never had these. It was either we ate with our hands, or just simple spoons.

 

Darius’’ deep voice broke the silence. “You don’t have to use the cutlery. You can just use the spoon.”

 

Relief washed over me for a moment, until I caught Emily scoff. My stomach knotted. Miss Opaline shot her a warning look, but Emily only cleared her throat and continued eating as though nothing happened. 

 

My face burned. I quickly set the fork down and picked up the spoon instead, hoping to disappear into the meal.

 

The embarrassment began to fade as soon as I took my first bite. The beef melted against my tongue. It was tender, full of flavor, though spicier than I expected.

 

I hummed softly…mmm. Another bite, and another. For a few blissful seconds, I forgot where I was, just lost in how delicious the food tasted.

 

But then the text thing, a bite slid down the wrong way in my throat. My eyes widened—I couldn’t breathe. I choked, coughing so violently I could barely see. 

 

My chest heaved as I clutched at the spoon, my eyes already watering.

 

One of the maids standing behind me rushed forward and picked up a glass of water. “Please, have some water.”

 

I snatched it up and gulped it down, quickly. My throat burned, my eyes stung, and my cheeks were hot with humiliation.

 

I heard the girl—Emily laugh mockingly at me. “What the hell was that?” 

 

“Dear, are you okay?” Miss Opaline looked at me softly.

 

My throat was raw, but I forced a shaky smile. “Thank you very much… I’m full.” My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get out of there.

 

I pushed back my chair, the sound scraping against the floor, and rose quickly.

 

Without looking at anyone, I walked out of the hall. I heard the soft steps of the two maids following behind me, but I kept my gaze forward, swallowing the sting of tears.

 

“Miss, are you okay?” one of them asked.

 

I spun around, glaring before I even thought about it. “Why are you two following me?”

 

But then I sighed, my anger melting away almost instantly. These two had been the only ones who treated me like a person since I was dragged into this place.

 

They hadn’t sneered or called me names. They hadn’t wronged me. If anything, they were the closest thing to allies.

 

“I’m fine,” I muttered.

 

The younger-looking maid stepped forward, her eyes soft. “We’re sorry about how Miss Emily acted. She’s the Alpha’s younger cousin. She gets like that sometimes, but she’s not a bad person.”

 

I almost laughed at that. Yeah, right. If what I’d just witnessed wasn’t “bad,” then I couldn’t imagine what was.

 

The older maid spoke next. “And forgive us…we forgot to introduce ourselves properly. I’m Chantelle, and this is Irene.”

 

I blinked. “…I’m Soraya,” I said softly, almost like admitting my own name here was dangerous.

 

Both of them smiled warmly. “That is such a nice name,” Irene said.

 

I didn’t reply. I just looked away, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

 

“You haven’t eaten,” Irene continued hesitantly. “Should we bring your food to you instead? Since… you might not want to go back.”

 

I wanted to say no, to keep what little pride I had left, but I was starving and my stomach protested with a growl. The hunger twisted deep in my belly until I couldn’t ignore it. Slowly, I nodded.

 

Just as Irene was about to walk out, the sound of footsteps approaching, filled my ears. My head snapped up, and there he was.

 

Darius.

 

He stood tall, his presence swallowing the entire corridor. His gaze moved to the maids. “Excuse us,” he said.

 

They bowed quickly, their eyes downcast, and hurried away.

 

I glared at him, my fingers curling into fists at my sides.

 

He stared back at me, his expression calm but probing.

“Why did you leave your food? You weren’t done eating,” he asked.

 

My jaw clenched. “Why did your little cousin have to make fun of me?”

 

His eyes softened slightly, but his voice wasn't exactly soft. “I already cautioned her. And besides, she doesn’t like the fact that you are from a brothel. That’s why she acted up.”

 

My stomach twisted, not from hunger this time but from the weight of his words. 

 

From a brothel. Was that all he saw when he looked at me? Did he really think I was a whore? Because I was found there, did he think I’d sold myself?

 

I couldn’t even bring myself to answer. I just glared at him. “I’m not hungry,” I muttered finally.

 

Darius’s gaze dropped to my stomach. “That’s a lie. I can hear your stomach growl.”

 

Heat rushed to my cheeks, a mix of shame and fury.

 

“Why did you even bring me here?” My voice cracked. My eyes burned into him. “You kidnapped me.”

 

Darius only tilted his head, his lips curving into that infuriating smirk of his. 

 

“Other girls would be dying to be in your position.” His tone was arrogant, dripping with pride as though he had given me some great privilege. “Would you rather be in that filthy brothel than here?”

 

My fists clenched. “I’d rather be in that brothel, satisfying clients, than being here with you. With your rude cousin. Among werewolves that could kill me at any time, thank you very much.”

 

The words left my tongue, but deep inside, I knew it was a lie. I’d rather be anywhere but that filthy brothel, but right now, I wanted nothing more than to strip him of that smug arrogance.

 

He studied me with those piercing eyes, his expression unbothered, as though my anger was nothing but a small amusement. 

 

Then he leaned closer. “Well, your wish cannot come true. You are stuck here.”

 

“Why?” I snapped, my chest rising and falling too quickly.

 

His gaze hardened. “Because you are my mate. And you will be here with me.”