A Second Chance Mate

Chapter 8: Breakfast

-Isabella-

It was a soft knock that woke me, but I still sat up startled as I realized what had happened. I had fallen asleep!

F*ck. F*ck. F*ck!

The bed had been so inviting, and I couldn’t help myself. I had only closed my eyes for a second, hoping it would help me come up with an idea, but the truth was, I wasn’t a very good assassin, and that was evident in this moment. I looked around the room, my heart racing with anger toward myself. But before I could curse my stupidity, another soft knock came.

I quickly got out of bed, but as I approached the door, I slowed down. My hand carefully reached for the handle, and I slowly pushed it down. I opened the door halfway and was met by a sweet-looking woman with auburn hair—tall and lean. She wore a warm smile, and cradled the orange cat from yesterday in her arms. The cat raised its head as I came into view, narrowed its eyes, and hissed.

“So sorry,” the woman said, setting the cat down. The animal walked away, almost looking offended. “She isn’t the biggest fan of women. She’s even had her share of fights with Octavia, the queen. They’re friends now, but she really is a little diva, hence the name I gave her—Little Diva.”

I looked curiously at the woman, trying to figure out why she seemed different. Then her scent hit me. This woman was a human! I couldn’t believe my eyes or my nose. A human! Here? Why? How? Then I noticed the mark on her shoulder.

She wore a low-cut white blouse that perfectly complemented her figure, along with grey slacks. She was stunning, but I was surprised to see her here. My father had left my mom, his mate, because she was human, yet this woman was clearly mated to one of the men here.

“I’m Lily,” she said, extending her hand.

I was a bit taken aback at first. Even humans usually kept their distance from me. Some seemed to sense I was different, or maybe it was my homeless appearance that frightened them.

“Isabella,” I said, shaking her hand.

“I hope you don’t mind that I came by,” she replied with a sweet, soft voice. “I remember what it was like being brought here for the first time. Even though everyone is incredibly nice, it can be overwhelming. I know you’re familiar with this world, considering you’re half-wolf, but it can still be frightening. So, I wanted to check on you while the men have their ‘meeting’ and see if you’d like some breakfast.”

This woman was good. I had to give her that, but I didn’t want to waste any time or risk being seen through. I needed to plan how I was going to get to Damian. Just as I was about to tell her I was fine and wanted to be left alone, my stomach let out an embarrassing growl, preventing me from saying I wasn’t hungry.

“I think that answers my question,” she giggled, nodding to the side and gesturing for me to follow her.

I sighed but couldn’t say no now. I followed the beautiful woman as she suddenly turned and smiled at me.

“You don’t have to walk behind me,” she teased.

I looked at her, feeling surprised. I was so used to staying in the shadows and not being seen that I hadn’t even realized I was doing the same thing now.

“Sorry,” I said, moving up to walk beside her.

She nodded in satisfaction and continued walking. It didn’t take long to reach the kitchen, and my stomach growled even louder as we entered. It was enormous. A whole dinner party could practically sit at the kitchen island.

“Go take a seat. I’ll make you something,” she instructed before heading to the fridge.

“You don’t have to.” What if she was trying to poison me?

“It’s all right. I don’t mind. Besides, I promised Octavia I’d make her some breakfast as well.”

Hmm… she really is a good actor, I thought. The whole sweet and saint-like persona could easily convince anyone. But if she lived with Damian and the king, I knew she was just as dangerous as they were.

I watched her as I sat at the island on a high stool. She hummed a little tune while cracking some eggs, and I noticed she had taken out some bacon as well. I could already taste it. It had been so long since I’d had a decent meal. But what if she slipped something into it? No, she had no reason to doubt my intentions. She wouldn’t hurt me, would she?

“I see you got the half-blood out of the room,” a voice suddenly came from the kitchen door.

I turned to see the tallest woman I had ever laid eyes on. She was intimidating as hell, muscular and clad entirely in black clothes and dark pants. It was clear she carried weapons, and I swallowed hard, fearing she might see through my act.

“Don’t worry. Octavia doesn’t bite,” Lily joked, but it did nothing to calm my nerves.

The queen was genuinely frightening. I had imagined someone sweet-looking or graceful, but the way she walked resembled a predator stalking its paralyzed prey.

I was taken aback when the queen approached and sat beside me. Her striking silver eyes locked onto mine, and it felt as if she could see right through me. My palms grew sweaty, and I could feel my heartbeat quickening.

“Relax, little one. Lily is right. I don’t bite,” she teased, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

I wasn’t entirely convinced. She looked like someone who would bite. Hard. With someone like her in the house, how was I ever going to get close to Damian?

“Here you two go,” Lily said, placing breakfast in front of us before starting on her own plate.

Octavia was right behind her, happily digging into her food.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Lily suddenly asked, pointing at the untouched food on my plate.

I looked down at it. I was hungry—so f*cking hungry. I glanced at the two women, who were already enjoying their meals. Maybe it was safe.

I slowly picked up the fork beside me, stabbed it into some eggs, and lifted it to my mouth. My God, this was heaven! How could something taste so unbelievably good?

“You like it?” Lily asked.

I couldn’t talk. I just nodded with a smile.

“I think she does,” the queen laughed.