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.