Chapter 8 - The Attempt.

He was seated in one of the chairs, waiting.

As the hall door opened, he looked up. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth while she led her way in.

“Finally. Look at her.” He gestured to Thalia who was seated with him at the table. As before, she was still mad that he didn't tell her about this lady. “I don't know what else to say to you, Thalia. I am sorry I forgot to mention it to you—” A sigh escaped his mouth. “Let's discuss it later, mm?”

“Of course, Zevran.” She scoffed.

The Alpha smiled.

Besides Bastian, only Thalia had the right to refer to him by his name. She was his first mate, a woman he loved to an extent. But to live, he had to do what was needed by rejecting the bond.

And they still did everything mates normally do.

Except for acceptance.

“Your meal is ready—”

“Did you bring some for my lady?”

“You didn't tell me I will add her platter to—”

“Are you saying there's not more in the pot, maid?” Zevran ignored his wolf's growling and concentrated on criticizing her although it wasn't her fault. “Go get whatever is left for my lady.” He glanced at the tray and looked back at Nyssa. “What the fuck is your name? I want it now.”

“Emilia.” She answered.

“Emilia.” He repeated. “I'd be waiting for you. Get on with it and be as fast as you can.” He looked at Thalia who had a look he recognized. When the maid was out of his sight, he explained. “She's harmless. Just has a big mouth.” He looked at the door before facing her again. “Do to her anything you want, what is mine is yours after all.”

Thalia's face lit up.

It was like she was waiting for this moment.

“Of course, my lord.” She blew him a kiss and relaxed her back. “What's yours is mine.”

Ignoring the food tray, the two talked.

And when the door opened again, Emilia walked in. She was holding a pot, approaching the table after bowing to the man at the main entrance. Why didn't she bow to him? The Alpha wondered for a moment, and he didn't care the next time.

“Good. Now serve the lady.”

For the first time, Zevran took the lid off the plate. A nice aroma filled the room. “Who assisted you with this cooking?” He asked Emilia who busied herself with serving Thalia. “Get them for me.”

“No one helped me.” Emilia answered.

“Are you certain?”

“I made the meal from start to finish, my lord.” She took the pot with her and waited for them to taste.

“Good. Now you'll taste it before us.”

Her eyes opened. “What?”

“Yes, pick up a spoon and don't waste our time. Go with my lady's before you do the same with mine.” He ordered Emilia who caught up with Thalia, and she picked up a spoon and a fork from the small rack. As she picked a yam with the fork, she used the spoon to scoop the sauce.

The same thing happened with the Alpha who nodded and waited.

“It tastes good.” Zevran could not deny.

“Thank you.”

“I am your lord. Address me as one.”

“Yes, my lord.” She answered him.

“That's all. For now.”

Bowing as he wanted, Nyssa was on her way to the main entrance when he stopped her. “Where are you going? Did I ask you to leave?”

She stopped in her tracks and turned around. “You asked me to leave, I assumed that was what you meant when you said that's all for now, my lord.” She walked back to the spot and bowed again.

“You're to stand behind and watch me eat. Unless I ask you to leave, you shouldn't leave.”

Nyssa nodded.

“Do you understand me, Emilia?”

Again, she nodded. “Yes, my lord.” She mouthed, moved farther from the table, and watched. She watched the woman he was with, even, and could tell by the look on her face that she didn't like her.

Nyssa didn't like her either.

“So, where are you from?” Someone asked. It was Thalia, instead of the Alpha whom she worked for.

“What, my lady?”

“Where are you from?” The question came again. “Or do you not know where you come from?”

“Yes—” She didn't hesitate before answering.

Thalia glanced at the Alpha. “Did you hear that, Zevran? She doesn't know where she's from, you can imagine how strange and funny that sounds.” A sigh escaped her mouth as she put a chunk of meat in it. “What do you mean you don't know where the hell you're from, Emilia?” Glancing at Nyssa again, she asked with a wicked smile.

“I don't know where I'm from, my lady.”

“Explain what you mean to us.” Alpha Zevran commanded. He adjusted his chair and continued to eat while listening to the words she spoke.

“I was taken away from home when I was young.” Nyssa started. “My parents, I don't know them. I'm not sure I have siblings and if I do, I don't know. They turned me into their slave and made me do things a slave would - until I decided to escape.”

“Hmm. Are you telling the truth?” Thalia asked.

Nyssa nodded. “Of course, my lady. This is the truth. There's nothing to hide from you.”

“How do we confirm that? Who are they?”

“We never found out, my lord.” Nyssa mouthed. “The name of the Pack or place remained unknown. They never mentioned and they spoke in a language I never understood, but English whenever they wanted to speak with the other slaves and me. I never understood the language.”

“Must be one of the ones I know.” Zevran nodded. “It's no wonder you cook so well. I should have known you'd be a handful of assistance to me.” He looked at Thalia. “And Thalia who you will be serving too. Attend to all her needs, mm?”

“Wh—what did you say?”

“Did he stutter?” Thalia got up, the plate in her hand. “You attend to me just as you attend to him. What's his is mine, including you.” She kissed Zevran before facing Nyssa. “Ask for directions to my chamber when you finish with my lord. There's so much you must do before the day ends.”

“I'm your personal maid. Not hers.” Nyssa moved closer to the table when Thalia was gone. “What's personal about sharing a maid?”

“She's my woman. You attend to her too.”

“Why?”

“Why?” He faced her. “Did you just challenge my orders, Emilia?” He got up and faced her. “You shall never question me and what I say, do you understand me?” He moved even closer. “You should clear the table and finish whatever is left to do in my chamber before attending to Thalia.”

Nyssa shifted.

“Did you hear what I said?!”

“Yes, my lord!” Her tone was firm too. “I heard everything you said, Alpha Zevran.” She picked up the plates and pot, arranging them in a tray before leaving his sight - after bowing, of course.

The Alpha sighed.

He settled again in his seat and thought: it'd take a while to bend her to his own rules. She still challenged him and he hated that - it was something he didn't want Thalia to notice, even. What would be her reaction to another woman speaking to him in ways even she hasn't done?

“My lord.” Someone called.

He snapped out of his thoughts and looked to his side. “Good morning, Bastian. How was the hunt?”

“Fine, my lord. Good morning.” He bowed before taking a seat. “How was the meal?” He looked at the plate and faced him again. “Did she deliver?”

“Of course.”

“Good. That's what I thought.” He got up again and moved. “I shall take a bath and join you later.”

While they parted ways, Zevran got up.

He was on his way out when he felt it.

Something he couldn't explain, but he knew it was not right. Halting, he listened to his thoughts and looked around the hall.

Instantly, he moved again.

A few steps and he caught up with the route leading to the back of the Pack.

He didn't know what he was doing, but he knew what he felt. Zevran continued to walk, and he stopped when he reached the grounds with a secret door that led to the underground.

The door looked shifted.

Someone tampered with it.

Who was it?

Instead of going down that door, Zevran took another route. A quicker one that'll lead him to the same place the door would lead anyone.

Upon reaching the spot, he sighted her.

“Unbelievable—” Zevran stuttered. How the hell did she get here and where did she think that door would lead her to? He caught up with the main door and let out a sigh, watching her stranded ass.

“And what the hell do you think you're doing?”