Tensions at the Table

Elena’s hands felt weak and useless by the time she got back to her room. Her body reeked with the scent of cleaning solution, and it stung every small cut or scratch she had suffered as she worked.

The room felt a lot smaller than it had been that morning, with the seemingly walls pressing in as if sharing in the quiet cruelty she had been dealt with all day. She slumped directly onto the bed, not even bothering to remove her shoes.

The tears were dangerously close to bursting out, but she didn't want to cry…not because she was scared of looking weak, but because it would mean that Nyla and Lucia had been successful in getting to her. But as she stayed on in the silence, their cruelty kept playing over and over again in her head.

Nyla’s fake sweet smile as she dismissed the staff, and then the smug look from Lucia as she handed her the mop like a servant.

Her eyes blurred with the stinging tears, and the sob she had been holding back finally broke free. Elena buried her face in her pillow, her shoulders trembling with each quiet gasp.

Her muffled crying was interrupted by a sharp knock however, and she quickly wiped her face, and tried to steady her voice.

“Yes?”

The door opened slowly, and a young maid came in timidly. She was one of the younger ones in the house, and Elena had barely seen her all day. The girl kept her eyes on the ground, as if she was trying not to get caught in whatever battle seemed to be going on between the Alpha's mates.

“Alpha Damon requests your presence at the dinner table,” the maid murmured.

Dinner? Elena thought in surprise. Dinner with all of them. She wanted to say no, wanted to pretend that she was sick, but the idea died before it could even be formed fully. Refusing Damon's summons could only invite more problems for her at the moment, and she was too tired for it.

“Kindly inform him that I would be there shortly,”she said quietly.

The maid nodded quickly, and then slipped out just as silently as she had arrived.

Elena washed her face, but it did very little to hide the sign of redness all around her eyes. Her hair was completely messed up, but she managed to pack it into some form of order, and then changed into a different outfit. It was a simple look, just something to keep Nyla and Lucia from potentially making fun of her.

The dining table was already buzzing with chatter when she made her entrance. Damon was at the head of the table, and he looked up briefly as she approached, then returned his attention to the glass of wine in his hand. But that one look at Elena was enough to make Nyla frown immediately.

‘Elena,” Damon said in a tone that was so calm it almost felt rehearsed. "You’re late."

She gasped in surprise. “I…”

“Sit.” He said, pointing to the chair at his right, and leaving no room for explanation.

Elena took her seat quietly, aware of Nyla’s eyes burning into her from across the table, and of Lucia’s hidden grin that promised trouble.

The first course was soon served by servants…delicious creamy soup. Nyla leaned forward, casually resting her chin on her hand in a posture that appeared innocent, except for the deliberate way her blouse slid up just enough to reveal more skin.

“You wouldn’t believe what happened while you were out today,” Nyla said sweetly to Damon.

Damon only nodded absently, focusing instead on the food in front of him. But every few minutes, his eyes would glance sideways…but never long enough for the others to see if they were not paying attention. But unfortunately for Elena, they were all paying attention.

Nyla held her spoon a little bit tighter after Damon took one of those quick looks, and soon she turned directly to Elena.

“You must be very tired after such a hardworking day, aren't you, Elena?” She asked sweetly, although the sarcasm and disdain in her voice was very obvious.

The question came out of nowhere and settled like an explosive between them. Damon turned his head slightly as if to see better, but his face showed no signs of any emotions.

“I'm fine," Elena replied softly, refusing to look Nyla in the eyes. “I managed quite alright.”

Lucia’s laugh was low and deliberate. "Managed? I suppose that’s one way to put it."

“That's enough,” Damon said quietly, his voice carrying so much command and authority that even the wind seemed to obey. Nyla and Lucia quickly went quiet, but the hostility in them could still be seen in their eyes.

Dinner continued in a strained and quiet manner, and as usual, Damon never asked Elena anything or even offered her a conversation. Yet every time she shifted in her seat or reached for her glass, she could feel his eyes constantly on her. It wasn’t possessive, nor openly curious…it was more like he was trying to add something together without giving himself away.

There was so much tension around the table with each passing moment, and Nyla and Lucia, realizing their attempts at charm were falling flat, began competing with each other instead…laughing too loudly, making little jabs disguised as jokes, and trying to outshine one another.

But Damon looked like someone who was miles away. The only time he seemed to be interested in something at the table was the few times he spent stealing glances at Elena and covering up his tracks.

By the time dessert was served, the air felt heavy enough to choke on. Elena kept her eyes down, grateful when the meal finally ended and Damon dismissed everyone with a curt nod.

As she rose from the table, she felt Nyla brush past her, whispering just loud enough for her to hear: "Enjoy it while you can. He always loses interest eventually.”

Elena didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. Damon’s eyes followed her until she left the hall, a silent acknowledgment that whatever games Nyla and Lucia were playing, he was already seeing more than they wanted him to.