Chapter two.

Selina's POV.

I placed the last plate into the rack and exhaled deeply in relief as I cleaned my hand and prepared to leave; it's been three days here and I couldn't help but agree with the house mistress, it was totally easier working here.

I turned around to leave the kitchen and head home when the Chief maid, Mrs Turner walked in.

“I’m done with the rest of the chores for the night ma'am, I'll be heading home now,”

She paused and gave me a look that made me uneasy. “Unfortunately, you can’t leave yet.”

My stomach sank. “Why?”

“Alpha Malik just came in late,” she replied. “and he needs to have dinner.”

I bit back a sigh, so much for resting my feet tonight. But then again… I didn’t mind as much as I should have, he had stepped in and saved me from Chloe earlier. If he hadn’t, I would probably be nursing bloody palms right now.

“Alright,” I murmured, trying not to sound reluctant.

Mrs. Turner was already pulling plates from the cupboard, arranging the food with the kind of precision that told me the Alpha’s meals were treated like sacred offerings.

She handed the tray to me after she was done. “Be careful. And remember, don’t linger in his presence unless you’re spoken to.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I balanced the tray and made my way toward the dining hall.

Alpha Malik was already seated at the head, one arm resting lazily against the armrest, and his gaze… oh, his gaze.

I stopped a few feet from him, lowering my head in respect. “Good evening, Alpha."

He didn’t speak... just gave a short nod. But his eyes never left mine. It wasn’t a passing glance, either. It was piercing and steady on me. I felt it deep in my skin, and my mind began to race. Have I done something wrong? Or have Chloe gone to him with more lies about me?

Pushing the haunting thoughts to the back of my head, I set the plate before him. “Your dinner, Alpha,” I murmured, bowing slightly before turning to leave.

“Have you eaten tonight?”

I froze, my hand still resting on the edge of the table. Slowly, I looked back at him. “No, Alpha… but I’ll eat when I get home.”

“Sit. Join me.”

My heart skipped... no, raced like it was trying to escape my ribcage. I shook my head quickly. “I can’t, Alpha. I’m not hungry.”

His gaze deepened. “It’s not a request, Selina, It’s an order.”

The way he said my name… it was like the air in the room shifted. My fingers tightened around the tray for a moment before I placed it down on the sideboard and pulled out the chair nearest to him. My legs felt strangely heavy as I sat, my back stiff, every nerve aware of the man beside me.

I reached for the cutlery tray in the middle of the table and grabbed a spoon. I took only a small serving from the platter, not wanting to seem greedy, I ate slowly, careful not to spill anything or make noise.

And still… I could feel it.

His gaze.

I tried to focus on the food, but every time I looked up, his eyes were there... steady on me, like he was studying me. My mind wouldn’t stop running in circles, wondering if he heard something about me.

I suddenly heard footsteps towards us, quickly, I turned only to see Mrs. Turner entering. Her eyes landed on me, then widened in disbelief.

“What are you doing?” she gritted.

I opened my mouth, but nothing seemed to be coming forth.

"I told her to eat with me.” Alpha Malik quickly chirped in.

Mrs. Turner’s mouth shut instantly. "Oh.. uhm.. that's alright Alpha,” she said, bowing her head before retreating just as quickly as she’d come.

I stared after her, my pulse still quick. What is going on? Why did he jump to my rescue? This isn't supposed to be normal right? This wasn’t anything like the warnings I’d been given about the cold Alpha Malik.

When the food was finally finished, he set his spoon down. I followed suit, placing mine neatly on the plate. “Thank you for the meal,” I said softly.

He didn’t reply... just nodded, his gaze still locked on me.

I reached for his plate, only for his hand to move at the same moment. Our skin touched.

It was supposed to be a simple touch, but a jolt of warmth shot through me, spreading from my fingertips all the way to my chest. My breath hitched, and I knew... deep in my bones, that I’d felt this before. I had dreamed of it. I had longed for it without knowing why.

This strong pull could only draw me to one person... My mate.

The realization hit me so hard and panic bubbled beneath the rush of warm emotions.

I pulled my hand back quickly, but not before I saw the slight change in his eyes. He seemed to have realized something as well.

He held the spoon out to me. I took it, forcing my face into calmness even though my heart was pounding. Please, I prayed silently, let him not have figured it out. Not yet.

We weren’t in the same class. He was Alpha. I was… nothing. The last thing I needed was to hope for something that could never be mine.

Gathering the plates, I carried them back to the kitchen to wash them.

Mrs. Turner appeared again, closing the door behind her, suspicion evident in her eyes. “What’s going on between you and the Alpha?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly, but my racing heart wasn't helping matters. “He just asked if I’d eaten and told me to join him. That’s all.”

She furrowed her brows at me. “You better stay clear of his path if you want peace here. Chloe is very protective of him. If she catches you anywhere near Alpha Malik, she’ll make your stay here a nightmare.”

I nodded slowly, not trusting my voice.

If only she knew... staying away from him was going to be a lot harder than possible.