Bound to My Lycan King

Chapter 5

Ayora quickly showered and changed into clean clothes, relishing the feeling of being able to choose her meal for once. As she waited for Kayden to return, she felt a flicker of excitement at the prospect of a fresh, hot meal made just for her. The thought alone was a luxury she never thought she would experience in the Black Hearts pack.

Denied the privilege of dining with the rest of the pack, Ayora's meals were strictly regulated by Doma. Often served leftovers, some days old or even spoiled, she had grown up subsisting on wild fruits and fish as a child as hunting was never an option because of her lack of a wolf, though she could not bring herself to kill another animal nor did she have the power to do it.

"Hey, Ayora, the food's ready!" Kayden's voice from the other side of the door brought Ayora out of her thoughts. Ayora's heart warmed at the kindness and affection in his voice but quickly reminded herself what her previous mate had done to her and what trusting people had cost her and adjusted her expression accordingly. She quickly stood up from bed and opened the door to reveal a smiling Kayden. Despite the smile she wore, she had no intention of ever opening her heart to anyone, especially this man. He had a dangerous air about him, the kind that made her feel so safe, it scared her.

Kayden, on the other hand, was fully aware of the conflict going on inside her head but kept his smile as he knew the battle to win her heart was not going to be an easy one.

"Shall we head down together then?"Kayden proposed, extending his hand towards hers. Hoping for her acceptance but prepared for rejection, he was relieved she did not refuse his hand.

Hand in hand, they made their way to the dining room, each moment a joy for Ayora. The fluttering sparks of being with one's mate were akin to butterflies in the stomach—delightful and invigorating. Their hands remained intertwined until they reached the dining table where Ayora was surprised to discover that they would not be dining alone.

"Well, Well, Well! What do we have here" Carl said with a grin.

Ayora quickly withdrew her hand from Kayden's and said shyly, "It's good to see you guys again." "Even though you completely forgot about us? Quite rude of you if I do say so myself" Carl said with a lazy smile. He was enjoying teasing her and she knew it.

The table in the dining room was round and accommodated about 30 people. The four heads, John, Chris, Lionel, and Carl accommodated the seats closest to the head of the table as that was where the king sat. The rest of the. seats were used for other pack heads and members as well as dignitaries who stayed alongside him or sometimes visited during events.

"Leave her alone Carl, if you want to keep your head that is," John said as a matter of fact. "I know, I know. I apologize Ayora" Carl said though he wasn't looking the least a bit sorry. "It's fine, I do intend to get back at you. of course," Ayora said with a smile.

Kaden, who was watching the whole exchange was pleased with the interaction between his men and his mate. Though he admitted that he was jealous at how freely she spoke with them, he was happy all the same. At least, it wasn't too bad for her first day there. "Enough with your bickering already." he said sternly though he was still wearing a smile. "Ayora, you sit here today."He said as he sat her to the left of the head seat."Normally, you'd sit to my right but I hope you bear with it for today"Kayden said with a smile.

The gesture greatly warmed her heart as she'd never been. treated with such care before. She couldn't help but smile as she said, "Sure, Don't worry about it. After all, it's just a seat". This made Kayden and the rest of the four men at the table frown deeply.

"Who the hell told you that?"Chris asked sternly. 'I thought he hated me' Ayora thought to herself. "Well in my former pack, I wasn't allowed to sit at the table with the rest of the pack as I was lower than an Omega and would have dirtied the table."

The five men were stunned. Kayden knew she did not have an easy life where she came from but he never expected them to have abused her. "What about your mate? Surely he tried to stop them right?"Carl asked unable to understand why such would happen to her. "He never really cared for me to begin with so I didn't bother with him." Ayora said quietly as she bowed her head. She began to wonder what part of Leo ever made her think he'd accept her. Whenever Doma blamed her for an incident he never really stopped her(Doma) from punishing or hitting her(Ayora) or even defending her when he knew she was right. She looked back on her past and wondered why she expected anything from him to begin with.

"Well, let's not spoil our stomachs with bad memories. It's in the past now so it's over besides, I have no intention of going back to him or that pack." She said determinedly. "Yeah, you should stay with us," Lionel said.

"No, I couldn't. I don't what to impose." Ayora said quickly. "It's fine you won't be imposing and in any case, you're my mate so you're supposed to stay with me and I won't take no for an answer. Tomorrow, you'll go shopping for clothes with Carl. I won't take any rejections." Kayden said. "Thank you, I'm grateful," Ayora said as she felt tears preparing to fall. "It's the bare minimum. You don't need to thank me. Let's eat." Kayden said with a smile.