Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Rhea
The letters have stopped, the nightmares are gone, and when I try to recall what it was like just a month before, that sensation becomes a distant memory, something hard to grasp. The familiar longing turns into a dull ache of emptiness.
But it’s what I wanted. I wanted not to know him and not feel anything.
This could be good.
It has to be.
The more days pass by, the easier it gets. The pain remains, but the feeling within weakens, and there are hardly days now where I wake up sweating, my stomach churning with nausea, or my chest aching.
Catelyn has taken over the entire household. She walks around with the Alpha’s mark on her neck, profusely displaying the superiority that stems from having Alpha Elias‘ claim on her.
I’m not sure what to think about.
Whenever she’s around, I walk the opposite way, away from her sight. For most days, I keep to myself, quiet and alone. I do what I’m meant to do and then go back home after getting a little training with Elisha.
Though, Catelyn doesn’t like that.
I’ve heard her express her feelings about training a runt on the training grounds in front of Elisha, some warriors, and a couple of other she–wolves. She does so with utmost clarity, letting everyone, and not the least me, know that her expectations from the future and safety of her pack require that everyone in the pack serves their very best, and for that to happen, no weakness is to be tolerated.
Especially not a runt.
Today, I find myself arranging dinner with Rachel. Most of the staff has taken half days as it’s the full moon tonight. The pack shall gather later this evening to run under the moonlight in the clearing outside the pack house and close to the woods.
A lot of people are already preparing for the run, so the dinner table is reasonably empty.
“That’s the last one. Should we go back to the kitchen?” Rachel asks me as we finish setting up the table.
“Yeah, we should.” I nod and follow her.
We are back inside the kitchen, cleaning up and sweeping the floors before we can go home.
Rachel tries to make a little conversation with me, but I don’t want to talk—not just to her but to everyone. She takes it as a sign and slows down her work until it completely comes to a halt.
“I can do this,” she says, picking up the empty bucket filled with hot water and a sponge. Why don’t you set the countertops, and then we can go home after that?”
I nod without meeting her gaze. She leaves me, carrying the bucket while I get on with the countertops. And just when I think it’s only me and Rachel left in the room, I feel a presence nearing and growing-
I look up and see her.
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23.03 FM, 11 Apr
Chapter 30
Catelyn
35%
She is dressed in a knee–length dark red dress that cascades flatteringly off her frame and wraps at the waist. The gold befr completes her outfit, and around her neck is an assortment of gold necklaces that hang. The mark of mating is at the nape of her neck, indicating her newly claimed status.
For the first time, I noticed that she was beautiful and had a remarkable figure. Despite my dislike for the woman, I can admit that
At my rising uncertainty, she offers a cordial yet faint smile to both of us and closes the distance between us
“Am I interrupting?”
Her sharp blue eyes cut into my nerves. There’s no particular hatred or abhorrence toward me, or perhaps it’s just well hidden within her face. Given her demeanor, it’s not like that’s hard for her to accomplish.
Even when faced with my own sense of apprehension, Rachel appears determined to display no hint of nervousness in the woman’s presence.
“No, we were finishing up our cleaning.” She informs her before proceeding to wash the pans.
Her eyes are upon Rachel for a fraction of a second, almost as though she is trying to perceive and understand the intent and language underneath the simple words of kindness. A mere nod indicates her understanding.
“Well, there’s a need for someone at the dining table–to ensure that everyone can find a place and seats,” She smiles at both of us before continuing. “And since we are short–staffed today, why don’t both of you come and serve us? Once dinner is over, you both can finish cleaning the kitchen.”
“Sure, we can do that,” Rachel, again, doesn’t hesitate, her voice even, never losing confidence for a moment.
With that, Catelyn walks away, and Rachel looks at me, mouthing the word ‘bitch‘ before following her out the door. I follow behind her and reach the dining room.
Most of the seats are filling, and the food is on the plates. Rachel and I stand by the room’s edges, filling up wine when needed and moving around to collect the empty plates.
Alpha Elias sits at the head of the table and stares at Catelyn next to him, who’s giggling softly at whatever he says. Something in me grows tight as I watch their interaction, but it’s not greed; it’s not even a feeling of being unloved. I try to stop watching them, but my eyes return each time, almost of their own accord.
It makes me think of Aron.
He would take another mate, wouldn’t he? Maybe he has already. Who knows?
My attention shifts when I see my little brother walking in and joining the dinner with Ezra by his side. Nausea twists up through my stomach.
What is Luke doing with him? Why are they talking together?
Luke glances at me, and his expression changes immediately. A hint of disgust flashes in his eyes. He quickly looks away and opts to talk to the man on his side.
Which makes me worry.
But all this time, someone else is watching me.
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