Chapter 10

Several servants suddenly entered the room before Kieran could snarl or even at least growl another word at his brother. In their hands were large gold platters filled with delicious food, and they placed them on the tables in front of us before quickly leaving. I looked across at all the gold platters, and my eyes hungrily took in the vast amount of king prawns, cooked whole chickens, racks of ribs, grilled salmon fillets, mounds upon mounds of flavoured sausages, and joints of sizzling pork. There were huge blocks of cheese and fresh fruits, alongside huge joints of cold meat. Baskets filled with freshly baked bread lay in the middle of the tables, surrounded by bowls of freshly churned butter.

The servants all returned, yet again carrying more gold trays filled with roasted vegetables and large jacket potatoes and mixed salads before leaving again. My eyes opened wide in shock. I had never seen so much food, and my stomach rumbled appreciatively. The servants entered one last time, bringing in many red, white and rose wines bottles before placing a selection of each wine on all of the tables. I noticed that the girls didn't get any of the wine, only water or fruit juice and that the wine was given to the important guests. I felt Kieran gently nudge me in the back with his hand, who pointed lazily towards the food.

"Elena, eat," he whispered. "You look almost half-starved. You need a decent meal in you."

"But I don't eat a lot," I replied quietly. "And nothing this good either. Just bread and beets are my menu of choice normally."

"Well, knock yourself out," Kieran smirked gently while caressing the small of my back with his fingers, leaving my skin burning under his touch. "Just eat as much as you can."

"What was that all about with your brother?" I asked quietly while helping myself to a small plate of delicious food, ignoring all the glares from the women below me. "Is something bothering you. What is going to happen in 28 days?"

"It doesn't matter!" Kieran suddenly snapped as his face darkened, making me cringe in fear. "It doesn't concern you!" Just eat your food and shut up!"

Gulping nervously, I kept my head down and nibbled at my food. A thousand and one questions raced through my head, but nothing made sense. One minute, the Prince was lovely to me; the next, he bites my head off. He says that I mean something to him, but he says horrible things to me. It was like walking on eggshells around the Prince, and I didn't know if I was coming or going with him. I felt safe and secure when I was around him, and my wolf was at her happiest too. It felt like she was trying to tell me something, but I had blocked her out for that long; I grew accustomed to not hearing her needs. One thing I knew was that I didn't want to end up dead.

A loud drum roll made me look up as the doors to the ballroom burst open. A large crowd of female dancers in silver bodysuits came running into the middle of the room. They began dancing to a merry tune while men in tight-fitting suits came running in after them. They started a breathtaking fire breathing display while the girls performed gymnastics to the crowd's oohs and ahhs. The performance finished with several mini jets of fire circling the dancers before the dancers bowed and left the room in a round of loud applause. Carlton clapped lazily and grinned evilly as he pushed himself in his chair away from the table, causing everyone to look up.

"Ah, the entertainment gets better every year, doesn't it, brother?" Carlton rasped softly. "But I'm bored now. Maybe your bed maiden would like to come over here and show me what her pretty little mouth can do?"

"Do you want me to rip you limb from limb?" snarled Kieran angrily, holding on to me tightly. "You're pushing your luck!"

"Chill, man, it's just a joke," smirked Carlton. "I've got my girls, as you said. Esme, get over here now!"

A small black-haired girl suddenly stood up and faced Carlton while shivering uncontrollably. Her face was deathly white and full of fear as she looked around pleadingly at the rest of the girls, who only bowed their heads helplessly.

"Well? What are you waiting for bitch?" yelled Carlton impatiently. "Get over here and entertain our guests."

Esme thew a look of horror on her face as she realised what was required of her. Hurriedly, she walked towards the top table and stopped in front of Carlton, who was beadily eyeing the young girl.

"Well, get on with it. We haven't got all day!" while stroking himself gently, Carlton taunted before moving his hand to reveal a rather large bulge under his trousers.

"Please, Sir," Esme pleaded feebly. "I don't want to do it. I don't know how. I'm sorry!"

"Carlton, you don't have to do this to the poor maid," Kieran interrupted. "Save it for in private, will you?"

Carlton smirked before laughing softly. Before anyone could stop him, he lunged forward and grabbed the poor girl by her hair and dragged her down to the floor, who shrieked in pain. The room was filled with the noise made by the girl uncontrollably sobbing while choking and struggling to breathe. Suddenly, it was all over as Carlton pushed the sobbing girl away from him.

"Guards, take her away to the dungeons! I'll deal with her later! She is pathetic," Carlton snarled while looking happy with himself. "Is there any other girl willing to take her place up here"

A tall brown-haired girl from Carlton's harem stood up and smiled coyly before walking towards him. She quickly got on her hands and knees and crawled out of sight under the table, to which Carlton responded by pulling his chair back in.

"That's more like it," Carlton grinned as he settled back in his chair, and the classical music resumed once more.

"What will happen to Esme?" I asked in shock as I looked at Kieran. "Your brother is an animal!"

"I know. Hopefully, when the kingdom is officially mine, I'll be able to get rid of him for good," murmured Kieran thoughtfully. "I don't know what he will do to her, but I know that she won't be alive by the morning."

"I thought you was Alpha. Isn't the kingdom already yours?" I asked hesitantly, studying his weary face.

"It's a long story. Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime, yeah?" Kieran whispered, smiling at me softly. "Don't go worrying your pretty little head. Everything will work out okay."

I nodded and turned my attention to the centre of the room where sword flingers and swallowers were now performing death-defying stunts to much joy of the audience. I felt rather full from the delicious food I had been nibbling on while all the drama was unfolding. Kieran had been sneaking me tiny sips of wine, and now a warm fuzzy feeling enveloped me like a cloak.

"I don't think I can eat or drink much more," I murmured. "I'm feeling a little woozy."

"Yes, I agree. You've had enough wine," chuckled Kieran gently. "It's time to go to the garden now anyway, where we just chill and talk and unwind. The servants will bring out hot chocolate and coffee, which will sober you up. Come. Let's leave now and get a comfy spot."

The Alpha prince stood up and gently took my hand once more, leading me towards the double doors, pausing to beckon the rest of his girls to follow.

"I don't know about you," Kieran murmured, "But I think those girls have to go!"