Mated To My Bullies

Chapter 15:"The Alpha’s Table"

The dining room was massive, with a table that could seat thirty people. Already, pack members were taking their places, alphas and betas from allied families, high-ranking wolves from the Blackwood pack itself. Everyone who mattered in their political world.

And at the head of the table, in the seat that should have belonged to the alpha's mate, sat Seraphina. She looked like she'd been born for that chair, radiating confidence and authority. The brothers flanked her, Stephen to her right, his face carefully neutral, Karl to her left looking pleased, Nathan and Elijah across from her.

"Ah, there's our serving girl," Seraphina announced as I entered, her voice carrying across the room. "Maya, isn't it? She'll be helping with service tonight."

I felt every eye in the room turn to me, saw the recognition in some faces, the confusion in others. They knew who I was supposed to be – the brothers' mate, the one who'd been living in the castle. Seeing me in servant's clothing, relegated to waiting on their new alpha female, sent a clear message about how dramatically things had changed.

"Come along, dear," Seraphina called, patting the arm of her chair. "Stand right here where I can give you instructions."

I walked to her side on unsteady legs, hyperaware of every gaze following my movement. Up close, I could see the satisfied gleam in Seraphina's eyes, the way she was savoring every moment of my humiliation.

The dinner began, and with it, my torture. Seraphina kept me constantly moving – refilling her wine glass before it was half empty, adjusting her napkin, bringing her different bread rolls until she found one that met her standards. Each request was delivered with a sweet smile and a voice just loud enough for the nearby guests to hear.

"Maya, darling, could you fetch me some more butter? This bread is simply divine, isn't it, Stephen?"

"Maya, be a dear and tell the kitchen that the soup could use more salt."

"Maya, you're standing too close. Step back, please. We don't want you crowding our guests."

Through it all, the brothers said nothing. Stephen kept his eyes on his plate, his jaw tight with what might have been anger or embarrassment. Karl seemed genuinely pleased with the arrangement, nodding approvingly as Seraphina demonstrated her dominance. Nathan watched everything with calculating eyes, as if filing away every detail for future analysis. And Elijah...

Elijah looked at me once, just once, when Seraphina sent me to fetch her a different fork because the first one had water spots. Our eyes met across the crowded room, and I saw something there, guilt, maybe, or regret. But he looked away quickly, returning his attention to the alpha female at his brother's side.

The conversations flowed around me as I moved through the room, invisible in the way only servants could be. I heard discussions of pack politics, territory disputes, marriage alliances. Seraphina participated in all of it with the easy confidence of someone born to power, offering insights and opinions that were received with respect and consideration.

"The Northern Pack has been watching the eastern territories for months now," she was saying as I refilled her wine glass for the sixth time. "My father believes there will be conflicts over hunting rights before winter."

"What does he suggest?" Karl asked, leaning forward with interest.

"A show of strength. Joint patrols with allied packs. Make it clear that any aggression will be met with overwhelming force." Seraphina took a sip of wine, her eyes meeting mine over the rim. "Sometimes the threat of power is more effective than power itself."

I understood the message. She was showing me exactly how outclassed I was, how effortlessly she could fill the role I'd never been meant for. Where I brought chaos and violence, she brought strategy and alliances. Where I was a liability, she was an asset.

As the evening wore on, I felt myself growing weaker. The constant movement, the stress, the humiliation, it was taking its toll on my already failing body. I caught myself swaying as I stood behind Seraphina's chair, and had to grip the back of it to steady myself.

"Maya," Seraphina's voice was sharp with false concern. "Are you feeling alright? You look rather pale."

Every head turned toward me again, and I felt heat flood my cheeks. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Perhaps you should sit down for a moment." But even as she suggested it, I could see the cruel amusement in her eyes. She knew exactly what she was doing, drawing attention to my weakness, my unsuitability, my slow decline.

"I said I'm fine."

But as I spoke, I felt the familiar tickle in my throat, the metallic taste that always preceded the worst episodes. I pressed my hand to my mouth, trying to hold it back, but it was no use.

Blood splattered across my palm, droplets hitting the pristine white tablecloth beside Seraphina's plate. The dining room fell silent..