Chapter 7 What Happened?
- Nalya
- I took steps towards the high table. Ella and Nate smiled at me while the Prince's gaze was relentless. Next to him, Juliana was glaring at me. I could tell she disliked me. I didn't know the others, however, they were just as intimidating.
- "So, this is the rogue," A man said, the corner of his lips curling into a smile.
- "Keep your dirty claws away from her, Kendrick," Ella warned. Kendrick winked at me, and I gasped.
- "Why don't you eat with us," Ella said. Before I could reject her offer, Juliana did it for me.
- "No, Hellen, she's not one of us, and it's improper," she tried to sound calm, but the vein on her temple told me she wasn't.
- "No, Ella. Please excuse me," I bowed and left the room in haste, but it wasn't my day today. I tripped and almost fell but someone caught me. I slowly locked eyes with my savior. He was tall with brown hair and sharp features.
- "Hello, there," his voice was a breathless whisper.
- "I'm so sorry," I said, standing up straight.
- "It's alright," he caressed my cheek in comfort, seeing how panicked I was. A loud growl resounded from Prince Rhaegar that made me squeal and cover my ears. The stranger was almost holding me protectively now, and I felt a choking sensation with chest pains.
- "D- don't touch me," I stuttered. I struggled in his grasp, trying to pull away. When he released me, I stumbled and he caught me, this time by my wrist. He let me go slowly, all while observing my face.
- "I won't hurt you,"
- "Alpha Thorn, what are you doing in my pack?" Rhaegar approached us. Everyone stopped eating.
- "She's shaking. Why is she scared?" Alpha Thorn asked. The Alpha Prince spared me a glance, and I saw unknown emotions in his eyes.
- "Are you alright,"
- "Yes," I bowed my head and turned on my heels, almost running away from there.
- I ran straight to the garden, inhaling as much air as I could in my lungs. I had intense fear when that Alpha touched me.
- I was sweating despite the cool weather and feeling out of breath.
- "What's wrong with you?" a smooth voice asked. I turned around to see the Alpha prince. His expression was stoic, so I didn't know what to think.
- I walked paces from him.
- "I asked you a question," his voice was rough. I blinked several times, trying to exhale softly through my nose.
- "I'm sorry about what happened in the hall," I said.
- "You look unwell,"
- "Hmm, I'm not used to the environment and weather. Excuse me," I rushed back inside, going to the laundry room. I stayed there, folding clothes and ironing.
- Later, I went to the staff dining room. This one was smaller than the hall. I went to the buffet and picked what I wanted to eat. One of the ladies there said I was too skinny and needed meat on my flesh so she put so much food. I was grateful that she treated me with kindness. I stood around, looking for Azura, but I didn't spot her. She must have knocked off.
- "Hey!" Roman waved enthusiastically. I went to his table.
- "Hi, Roma," I sat in front of him. He removed his headphones from his ears and smiled.
- "What's up, Nalya,"
- I shook my head and started to eat.
- "I heard you caused a ruckus in the hall. What happened?"
- "I was ill," I answered.
- "Did you see a doctor?"
- "No,"
- "Oh, you should. The pack infirmary isn't far from here,"
- I continued to eat while he drank his smoothie.
- "I didn't know you were a staff member," I said.
- "Hm,"
- Roma told me all the cool things I should do or try while I'm here.
- "So, did you graduate high school? Rogues do have schools, right?" he asked casually.
- "Yes, but I was homeschooled,"
- "That must have sucked," he said,
- "It did," My stepmother was always yelling or calling me stupid.
- "I'm done eating. I'll go to my room," I stood up.
- "Don't you get bored in your room?"
- "There's nothing to do," I said.
- "Come to the basketball court with me. You can watch me practice,"
- I was hesitant, but he was right. There was nothing to do, so I agreed.
- Roman was seventeen years- old and a high school senior who loved rap music and basketball.
- "Do you practice every day?"
- "Yes, I want to play in the NBA," he told me. I didn't know much about basketball, but one could make money just by playing it. What a great sport.
- The pack house had a basketball court that doubled as a tennis court next to a pool.
- "Nalya, do you play any sports?" He asked, and I shook my head no.
- "We should find you one," he said.
- "Oh ok,"
- He gave me his headphones and phone to hold while he went to get changed. I found a spot to sit. Roma was back.
- "What time is your team coming?" I asked.
- "They are practicing in the public court. I didn't want to join them today," he shrugged.
- "Oh ok,"
- "You sure say that a lot," he laughed,
- "What?"
- "Oh ok," he imitated my low voice. He looked at me for a long before saying;
- "I feel like I've seen you before you came to this pack. I just don't know where," he said, deep in thought.
- "I doubt that," I said. " I've never left the rogue town before this,"
- "Maybe you have a doppelganger. How cool would that be?" he laughed.
- "Creepy," I scowled.
- Roma started his practice, I watched until I was bored, and he played music through his headphones.
- "I don't like any of it!" I shouted, hoping he'd hear me. He stopped and came to me, crouching to my level and removing the headphones.
- "You know I'm not wearing any headphones, right!" he shouted.
- "Oh- I thought you couldn't hear me because my music was loud!"
- he laughed and taught me how to change the music to the soft I wanted.
- It was already late when we left the court, and Roma was complaining about hunger.
- "I'm sure you will find some food,"
- "Aren't you eating?" he asked.
- "No, I'm still full,"
- We got into the house, and his peers whistled and cheered.
- "Behave, all of you. Nalya is just a friend," he said. I smiled.
- "Am I your friend, Roma?"
- "You have such a cute smile, so yeah, and smile often,"
- I nodded eagerly, happy that I had my first friend here. I gave him back his headphones and bid him good night.
- Reaching my room, I inhaled the strong fragrance lingering in the air. Did someone enter this room while I was away?
- Brushing it off, I got a towel and went to refresh. I got in warm covers and switched off the night lamp. Tomorrow morning I was to clean the Alpha Prince's room as it said on my timetable, then I'll be free for the entire afternoon till dinner time when I will have to serve again. I was dreading all that.