20. Athena
“Taste it first," Claudia said in a time I hadn't heard her use on me.
I stopped, turning my gaze toward her because of her sudden words.
Her smile was soft, almost comforting, but I couldn’t shake the edge of unease that had settled deep in my gut. "I didn’t mean you," she clarified, her voice gentle, almost like the way a mother would speak to her child.
Was she how she was or was all of this pretence? I mean… sigh.
"I meant the maid. She should taste the food before the Luna takes it, we have to be sure that the food is good for you, Luna. It’s our custom here. We need to ensure everything is safe for us, especially for Luna and the Alpha and their family."
I nodded, trying to smile back even though it felt awkward, forced. The way Claudia spoke—so kind and reassuring—
