Dear Alpha

Nine

DENI’S POV

Deni watched as the way the kitchen workers carried the trays of food out of the kitchen and into the large dinning hall.

Sure enough Alaric was seated at the head of the table, while his men were standing at attention behind himself

She looked at them very oddly.

The staff dropped the trays of foods and fruits on the table right before him.

He was seated like he was the head of the house, like he was the king of the house.

She had to compose herself, she was not going to let his presence get to her.

She had always done this. She was the one heading the chores and house work in the house.

Not even Genevieve did any of that.

She had been the one to head the serving of Barons Dukes, Earls, even the King’s cousin had come to their home.

This was not going to be any different. She could do this.

“If you would have your meal.” She said to him.

Then she looked at his men.

“Would your men not seat for their meal?” She asked.

“They are showing me their respect by standing for me.” He said.

“This is York. We rarely have any crimes or whatever you think would possibly happen to you.” She said. “I assure you there is no harm coming to you.”

Alaric looked at her and then he waved their hands at them and spoke in Gaelic telling them to sit.

They hesitated at first, but then they eventually took their seats on the table to their meal.

Deni oversaw the servants serving them wine.

“Where is the ale?” He asked her.

She stiffened. “We do not have that here.”

“Well I want ale.” He said.

“And we do not have that.” Deni said through gritted teeth.

He was driving her nuts.

She took in a heavy sigh.

“English people do not know what enjoyment is.” Alaric said in Gaelic to his men.

“No ale, no life.” Another of his men said.

“Another bloody night on English soil.” Alaric swore. “I miss my motherland already.”

Deni maintained her composure.

She usually stood and waited for whoever the guests were to enjoy their meal. To see if they needed anything.

But she was not going to stay here any longer.

She stormed out of the hall and then she heard the men laughing behind her.

She could not tell if they were laughing at her or not.

She bumped right into her father on the way.

“What happened?” He asked her.

She shook her head and felt a tear drop out of her eyes. She quickly looked away so that her father would not see the tears.

“Nothing papa.” She said.

“Pray child, speak to me.” He said.

“It is all it this.” She said. “Everything. I wish not to leave home. I wish to be with you and everyone else. But every single time I try to consider that I would marry this man.”

She shivered.

“It sends chills down my spine.” She said.

“Now Deni I know you better than that.” He said. “You are the strongest of all my children.”

She said nothing.

“You are my favourite.” He said. “Do not tell your siblings I said that.”

She laughed at his joke.

“It breaks my heart seeing you leave.” He said. “I had honestly hoped you would not be chosen and at the same time, I had hoped and prayed that neither of my daughters would leave. If any of your sisters were chosen, it would have been a certain disaster.”

“But you, you are the back bone of this family.” He said. “You are the reason why this family still stands the way it does. You leaving I have no idea how I would manage.”

Deni felt her heart break. Her head had been wrapped in thought about her father from the moment she had been chosen.

“Papa I can not leave you.” She expressed.

He smiled. “Do not worry. I would manage fine. Your sisters would have no other choice than to take after you. It is high time Genevieve took her womanly duties more seriously.”

“I have brought heavy shame upon this family and for that you my child have to pay. If I could, I would.” He said becoming serious again. “But you need not worry, I know that you would handle it all well. You are a brave girl. That is why you stand out from everyone else.”

“I may not be the perfect father, but you are the perfect daughter.” He said. “I could not have asked God for anything more.”

He touched her cheek gently and she felt it, before taking his hands and kissing it.

“I would never forget you papa. You will visit will you not?” She asked him.

He smiled. “I most certainly would.”

They heard noises in the hall and then a servant rushed to her.

“My lady, my lord.” The servant greeted. Then she turned to Deni. “The guests my lady, they have finished their meal. They wish to retire.”

Deni turned, but her father was already gone.

She looked onward at the task ahead of her.

“Alright.” She said.