007. The Main Reason
1170 Words
Alexa
I was just a few meters away from the dining table where an array of food was spread out to perfection.
I inhaled deeply, the smell of delicacies filling the atmosphere.
I could see the beast seated, staring at me, as if he could see my deepest, darkest secrets.
I glanced at Rose and Nana before holding the hem of the blue gown and stepping into the dining room.
I sat at the far end of the seat, away from Kendell.
He smirked a bit before allowing someone who looked to be in her mid-thirties to serve his food.
After serving him, she came to dish out some for me.
The dining table was filled with a lot of delicacies—from different brands of wine, assorted fruits, rice —you name it. Also, Ciara's favorite tea drink was there.
I crumbled my fist under the table as I remembered my sister—the main reason I am here—revenge.
The air was mixed with the scent of each dish, some of which I had only tasted when my parents were alive... A sense of nostalgia washed over me.
"Your Majesty, what would you like me to dish out?" the woman asked.
"I'm not hungry," I responded almost immediately, despite the fact that my tummy made rumbling sounds like it had experienced the Third World War.
The woman stepped back a bit and looked in Kendell’s direction as he ate his meal.
"Elora," he called out.
"Yes, Your Majesty," she bowed slightly, her uniform rising above her knees a bit.
"I want another dish prepared—as many as possible—until you prepare one that suits my mate's taste," Kendell announced as he looked at me.
Elora was mute for a moment before she bowed to carry out his orders.
"I said I am not hungry!" I retorted, my voice louder than usual.
Kendell dropped the golden knife he was using to separate dragon wings noisily onto the plate, making me flinch back a bit.
"Keep cooking until she finally feels hungry," he retorted, his golden eyes slightly red.
"Well, that might be in a million years," I shot back.
"Then a million years it is," he replied.
Elora stood rooted in place, facing the ground, hearing our exchange.
"Get cooking!" he ordered, dismissing her.
Maybe this was how they lured their victims—poisoning them before killing them.
The thought of Ciara crossed my mind immediately. Was she also poisoned? Or abused?
My stomach twisted as I watched Elora hesitate, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, waiting for perhaps another command like a prisoner awaiting sentencing.
"Stop!" The words left my lips before I could second-guess them. "Ma'am Elora, I will have what is here," I responded, my voice firm, though my pulse raced inside.
She looked at Kendell, waiting for permission, and he only nodded.
I gritted my teeth at the sight of her. Does she also need his permission before leaving?
I watched as she left the hall.
I stared at the meals before me, not touching any.
"Do you want me to call her back?" he asked, his face filled with mischief.
How could someone so good-looking be this evil?
I picked up one of the silver spoons, my fingers threatening to let go of the spoon as I brought it to my lips.
"Well, here goes nothing," I muttered beneath my breath before taking a sip...
I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I finished the soup within minutes. Kendell seemed pleased.
"Alexa, I have something I would like to discuss with you. Good news and bad news."
Kendell paused a bit, his eyes preying on me as they diverted to my marked neck, making me self-conscious.
"Well, I guess anything coming out of the beast's mouth has to be bad news."
I gulped unconsciously as I adjusted myself on the chair, my breath hitching.
What he meant to say was, "Bad news and less bad news."
I rolled my eyes as I positioned my hands defensively against my chest.
"I'm all ears," I responded, like I was the one in power.
Kendell gave a light chuckle as he left his seat, drew out a chair closest to me, and sat.
He snapped his fingers, and all the guards left the room.
The room, which once felt chilly, was now hot due to the proximity we shared.
He traced his fingers on the scar he had given me—my supposed mark sign.
I closed my eyes as he drew me closer, whispering something into my ear.
"Which would you like to hear first?" he said, breathing lightly against my skin.
"What?" I asked, snapping my eyes open.
"Good or bad?!" he exclaimed, his grin wide.
For a moment, I forgot what we were talking about.
"Any," I replied disinterestedly, turning my face in the opposite direction.
Kendell cleared his throat as he adjusted his silvery hair of his face.
"Well, you must be aware that a sacrifice is carried out every decade..."
His voice trailed off as if expecting my reply, but I kept mute.
"I would like to announce to you that three days ago marked the end of that. No more sacrifices," he said, throwing me a glance.
"Face me, Alexa," he retorted.
My jaw tightened as my name rolled off his tongue. The way he said it—like he had always owned it—made my stomach twist with disgust.
"I may be your mate, but I am still your Alpha," he said as he forcefully yanked my face to look at him.
"AND I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY DISRESPECT!" he spelled the words out.
"You have done nothing to deserve my respect, Alpha Kendell," I called his name to further intensify his feelings.
Was he expecting me to clap for him because the sacrifice that had been going on for ages was finally called off?
"Alexa, you are now Luna of the Silver Wolves. Queen to all Alphas. So please act in accordance with your role," he spoke, his voice laced with an edge of annoyance.
"A role I didn't choose," I paused, my voice stuck.
"I didn’t ask for you to be my mate, Kendell!" I called his name again, my voice lacking any ounce of respect.
"I would rather be mated to the devil than to be your mate."
He let out a little chuckle, before saying a word.
"I guess the Moon Goddess was nice enough to grant your request," he retorted.
"Now, Alexa," he said as he relaxed back in his seat, "The bad news is this..."
There was a reasonable amount of silence, and my heart began to beat out of proportion in my chest.
What bad news does he have to say? I thought as I anticipated his response.
"I know your past, Alexa," he dropped.
My heart stopped for a split second, before beating frantically.
What does he mean by, “...he knows my past?”
- Writer
