Chapter 5 The Weight of an Alpha
802 Words
Chapter Five
A Glance That Lingered
I couldn’t stop thinking about his eyes.
Even as I folded tablecloths in the kitchens, polished silverware, and carried trays through the crowded halls, the memory lingered.
Golden.
They weren’t cruel.
They weren’t warm, either.
They were guarded, as though he had spent years building walls around his heart.
I shook my head.
What was I doing?
He was Alpha Kael Blackthorn.
One of the most respected Alphas in the kingdom.
I was Elara McCain.
An omega no one even looked at.
Our worlds would never cross again.
“Elara!”
Lady Vivienne’s voice snapped me back to reality.
I hurried into the grand ballroom where she stood in the center, surrounded by maids adjusting the sparkling silver gown she’d chosen for the evening. Her dark hair had been braided with tiny white flowers, and jewels glittered around her neck.
She looked every bit the Alpha’s daughter.
She caught me staring.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, Lady Vivienne.”
“It was made especially for me.”
“It suits you.”
She smiled, pleased for only a moment before her expression hardened.
“Then why are you standing there? Bring the refreshments to the guests.”
“Yes, Lady Vivienne.”
As I turned to leave, she called after me.
“And remember…”
I looked back.
“Stay out of sight.”
Her friends laughed.
I lowered my head and walked away.
Those words shouldn’t have hurt anymore.
Yet somehow… they always did.
The ballroom filled quickly.
Powerful Alphas, Betas, and warriors laughed together while musicians played lively melodies. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the polished marble floor, and servants weaved silently through the crowd with trays of food and wine.
I kept my eyes lowered as I carried a tray of sparkling drinks between the guests.
No one noticed me.
Exactly as they preferred.
Across the room, I caught sight of Alpha Kael.
He stood beside Alpha Rowan, speaking with several visiting Alphas. His posture was straight, his expression unreadable.
He barely moved.
He barely smiled.
Yet somehow, everyone listened whenever he spoke.
“He became Alpha at fourteen.”
Willow’s words echoed in my mind.
How lonely must that have been?
To carry an entire pack on your shoulders before you were even grown.
As if sensing my gaze, Kael suddenly looked in my direction.
My breath caught.
Our eyes met for the second time that day.
Just for an instant.
Then I quickly looked away and hurried into the kitchens.
My heart wouldn’t slow down.
Why did it feel like every time he looked at me, something inside me woke up?
Kael watched the young servant disappear through the kitchen doors.
“The same girl?” Finn asked quietly.
Kael frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“The one from the hallway.”
“I simply recognized her.”
Finn smirked.
“You recognized an omega servant?”
Kael gave him a flat look.
“I recognize everyone.”
“No,” Finn replied with a grin. “You usually don’t.”
Kael ignored him and took a sip of wine.
Still…
There was something familiar about her scent.
He couldn’t place it.
And that irritated him.
The evening continued without incident until Alpha Rowan raised his glass.
“My friends,” he announced proudly, “before we begin the dancing, I would like to thank each of you for honoring my daughter’s birthday with your presence.”
Applause filled the ballroom.
Vivienne smiled brightly.
“I hope tonight will be remembered for years to come.”
As the musicians struck the first notes of a graceful melody, couples stepped onto the dance floor.
Vivienne’s eyes searched the room.
Then they settled on Kael.
With practiced elegance, she crossed the ballroom and stopped before him.
“Alpha Kael,” she said with a dazzling smile. “Would you honor me with the first dance?”
The room fell silent.
Everyone watched.
Finn quietly muttered, “This should be interesting.”
Kael looked at Vivienne for a long moment before offering a respectful nod.
“It would be my pleasure.”
A murmur of approval spread through the guests.
The music swelled as Kael escorted Vivienne onto the dance floor.
From the kitchen doorway, I watched them.
They looked… perfect.
A powerful Alpha.
A beautiful Alpha’s daughter.
People whispered about how well they suited each other.
I lowered my eyes.
Of course they did.
People like them belonged together.
People like me existed only to serve them.
I turned away before anyone could see the ache in my eyes.
As I disappeared back into the kitchen, I didn’t notice Kael glance toward the doorway once during the dance…
…only to find that I was already gone.
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