Once A Princess, Now A Slave

15- The Unexpected News

Kelsie's POV

We are sitting at the dining table. My lips almost drop when their servers started putting down the dishes that they made especially for us.

My eyes lands on the sizzling steak in front of me. Its side dishes are buttered corn and an appetizing mashed potato. We also have here nachos topped with melted cheese and lettuce, also add the flavored crispy fries!

I stopped myself from shoving down the steak served in front of me. The meat looks fresh and appetizing, but I do not want to look hungry in front of Nox. Connor, on the other hand, already started eating. Did he not eat before going here? He made me wait for about an hour!

I thought these are all the foods that they are going to serve. I was about to reach for my utensils to start eating, however, three Omegas (I assume), wearing dark blue dresses with white aprons hanging on around their waists. One of them is carrying a bowl of soup. Based on its smell, I am guessing it's crab soup. The other Omega has a bowl of salad in her hands, and the last Omega is holding a roasted turkey leg.

Turkey leg?! But we already have a steak!

"You shouldn't have prepared this much. It was already past lunchtime and we were late. I apologize for that," I said.

"Ohh, I already told our cook to not cook much because I am guessing you already ate lunch at your pack house before going here since it is almost two in the afternoon. This is our normal serving here in the alpha's house," he explained.

My brows unconsciously raise. I mean, we also eat steak in our pack house even without occasion, but their dining is on the next level.

"So you are serving two kinds of meats every meal?" I curiously asked.

"Actually, I told them to cook steak and turkey leg. I do not know what you prefer. I'm kind of nervous you might like our service so I decided to always have a backup," he explained.

I wave my hand in front and chuckled. "Oh, come on. I am not a picky eater," I said.

In the sides of my eyes, I saw Connor pausing from slicing his steak and throwing his eyes at me. I did not look back at him and focused my eyes on Nox with a wide smile plastered on my face. Connor chuckled a little and shakes his head before returning his attention to his food. Good thing I manage to not reply to his mocks!

"I just want to give my best service to my visitors," Nox shrugged and ate a slice of his steak. "Also, I do not want to disappoint the Princess of the strongest pack in the neighbor," he said after swallowing the piece of meat and reaching for the glass of water. He slightly raised the glass to me before taking a sip.

A smile is forcing its way down to my lips. I silently clear my throat and tuck my hair behind my ears. "I also do not want to put pressure on the second-strongest pack in the neighbor," I replied.

Connor briefed me about the Midnight Walker Pack on our way here. He told me that they are one of the strongest packs in the neighborhood. I asked him if this pack have can put up a fight with us, and he bluntly answered 'yes'. Knowing Connor, he is prideful. He won't accept that there are strong packs in the neighbor if he knows we can defeat them. But now that he was the one who told me that this pack is one of the strongest, then it's probably true! Maybe better than us? They look well-organized here.

"It's actually nice to hear the strongest pack in the area has a strong relationship. It can intimidate other packs," he smiled.

I replied with a wider smile. "I like that idea. That way, we can avoid being at war with them since they won't want to fight with us."

I nod at him, agreeing with what he said. I reach out for my fork and knife and started eating my meal.

'What are you doing?'

I almost jump on my seat when suddenly, Connor's voice pops into my head.

'How did you get inside my head?!' I hiss.

I look at Nox. Gladly, he did not notice anything.

As we are all busy eating, I roam my eyes around. The interior of their pack house is also in a modern style. With a color palette of midnight blue, black, gray, and white, the whole house looks elegant and classy. Add the glass chandelier hanging above us which I know probably costs thousands!

"Who designed this Alpha's house? It looks... fancy," I shrug. I do not know if I worded it correctly.

Nox chuckled. "This is not the Alpha's house."

I looked at him, confused and at the same time, amazed. Really? But this one is huge! Before we enter, I traveled my eyes on its exterior. If I saw it correctly, this has three floors!

"This is just our receiving area. This is where we meet our visitors."

My lips form an 'o' shape. If this is only the receiving area, then what does their Alpha house look like? D*mn! This is the dream pack of every mate!

'Don't be too obvious that you were amazed. Our pack will look inferior.'

'Tss. Get out of my head. I'm having a conversation with my future mate.'

I can sense him pausing. He is only sitting beside me so I can easily feel what he is doing. I already rejected him and we both accepted it. We are no longer mates so it is okay for me to find a new mate. Also, I really feel like Nox is going to be my mate.

"So, who designed this?" I roam my eyes around and pointed my finger at the whole interior. "I might want to hire him or her," I added.

"Then you should hire me," he answered. My eyes immediately landed on him.

The grin on his face grew wider when he saw my eyes getting wider.

"You're a designer?!" I exclaimed. Seriously? What else he cannot do?

"Architect, to be exact," he answered.

My jaw dropped. I've been in our pack for too long that I forget other packs have different kinds of living.

"So, you were attending schools? With humans?"

He nods. "Yeah. It's actually great to socialize with humans," he said while nodding.

The thought of having humans around excites me. Since when I was born, I've never interacted with humans. Maybe the reason why I don't feel belonged in our pack is that I am bound to socialize with humans. What if the moon goddess is showing me signs since then?

Nox is sitting on the chair placed in the center of the table. He is on my left side, while Connor is sitting beside me on my right.

Nox reached out for the turkey leg and sliced a portion of it and put it on my plate. I lift my head and looked at him but he only winked at me. I chuckled.

"You're going to make me fat!" I exclaimed.

"It doesn't matter. You will still be beautiful like your mother," he answers.

My smile faded. He noticed it and shifts uncomfortably on his chair. He straightens his back and formally sits.

"Sorry about that. I just remember when your mother visited us, I was enticed by her beauty right away. She is also sitting right at that chair of yours while I am sitting across her, staring at her face," he shakes her head. The smile on his face indicates how she reminisces the portion of his memory with my late mother. "I was so young, yet Alpha Audig, your father, teased me to her. He said I have a crush on his Luna. I remember how the table was filled with laughter at that moment," he added.

I do not know how to react. I never had a conversation about my late mother since she died. My father tried to talk about it with me to help me move on, but I refuse to listen. Anything about my late mom makes me uncomfortable, but this time, I realized it's actually refreshing to hear that there are people who remember her.

"He also told me that I cannot have a crush on his Luna so he said I should wait for you," he chuckled.

This time, I smiled. I played with my fork with the steak in front of me while playing the scene of my father teasing Nox on my head.

"By the way, how is Alpha Audig? I don't hear from him this much lately. Before, I always hear your name and your pack with back-to-back victories with the rogues and other packs. What is he up to now?" he asked. He eats a spoonful of his meal while looking at me, waiting for my response.

I glance at Connor who was silent the whole time. He is also looking at me, non-verbally saying to not spit it.

I understand. Nox may have been an important family friend to us, but we cannot just disclose such confidential news.

"He's doing great. He's just busy with the pack. Plus, my stepsister's 18th birthday is coming so he has to do lots of work," I said.

This is the first time I mentioned my stepsister to other people. At least, I made it with good intentions.

"Oh, right! You did have a stepsister. I hope I can meet her soon too," he commented.

I frowned. Why would he? Tss...

"Yeah, but she''' probably find her mate in our pack. She's eyeing someone," I replied and give a meaningful look to Connor who suddenly stopped eating and throw a quick glare at me.

I smirk.

Nox looked at Connor and me alternatingly. "Ohhh, so her sister wants you?" Nox asked curiously to Connor.

Connor shakes his head. "Nah. We're good friends. Also, I already have a mate," he answered. This time, he was the one who smirked.

I gulp. What the f*ck is he doing?!

"Really? May I know who's the lucky girl?" Nox asked with a smile on his face.

I narrowed my eyes at Connor. The smirk on his face makes my heart want to jump out of its ribcage.

'Don't you dare ruin my plan--'

My thoughts were halted when I suddenly saw his smirk fading. His mocking expression is now replaced by an emotionless face.

'Are you listening? Do you really think you can get me with your intimidating eyes--'

'We need to go,' he seriously said in my head.

I haven't replied yet when he stands in his seat.

"It's nice meeting you, Alpha. But we need to go," he formally said and lend a hand.

Even Nox was surprised by his sudden action. But in the end, he also stands in his seat and accepted Connor's request to hand shake.

"It's nice meeting you too. But, may I know what's the reason why you guys are suddenly leaving? Do you not want me to ask about your mate?" Nox chuckled, trying to make the atmosphere light.

But then, Connor did not even smile. Nox understood and he went back to his formal stance.

"Alright, I'll hope to see you both next time." Nox faced me. "You are always welcome here, Princess," he said and smiled.

"Thank you," Connor answered.

I am still in my seat, still contemplating what the hell is happening. I was just enjoying my meal here and suddenly. Connor wants to leave!

Connor did not wait for me to respond. Instead, he pull me by my elbow and dragged me out of the pack's house.

We are now outside. I forcefully free myself from him.

Ugh! Seriously? My feet hurt! Why the hell did he drag me out?!

"What are you doing--"

Connor raised his hand while looking in front. I traced his line of sight and saw one of our pack members with a black car. I am guessing he is a scout.

"What is the scout doing here?" I asked.

"We have to go back. There's an emergency in the pack house."

My heart started hammering. I still haven't heard what the news is, but I am certain that it isn't good.

"W-what is it?" I asked nervously.

Connor looked at me in a serious manner. I hate it when he does it. I prefer him smirking at me with his mocking eyes.

He did not move his lips and stared at me, probably thinking about whether to tell me or not. His silence is frustrating me until I couldn't help it anymore.

"WHAT IS IT CONNOR?!" I yelled.

He sighed. He reach for me and wrapped his arms around my waist for support. On other occasions, I will remove his arms around me, but now, all I am thinking about is the news that he was about to say.

"Your father had heart failure. The Salutary wolves tried to save him, but..." he looked at me with pure concern in his eyes. He doesn't have to continue what he is about to say. even my ears haven't heard it, my heart already knows.

"He died seven minutes ago," he revealed.

Without a warning, my eyes started shedding tears. My stomach formed a hollow feeling and the lump in my throat made it hard for me to speak out my thoughts. I want to cry out loud, but I do not know how.

At this moment, I realized how important Connor's arm on my waist is. Without it, I'm probably already wailing on the floor.

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Unedited. English is not my first language. My apologies for the grammar, sentence construction, and wrong spelling.

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Once A Princess, Now A Slave

By: Joanne Cristel

©2023