The dinner

Leah's POV 

“I’m warning you, Aria,” he stated, his voice rising. “When next you dare to challenge me like this, I won’t be so lenient. You’re lucky today, Leah,” he added, turning back to me. “But don’t mistake this for mercy. If you ever step out of line again, I won’t use anyone else as an excuse to release you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Alpha,” I replied softly, my voice shaking.

“Good,” he said, leaning back in his chair as if the matter were settled.

I turned to leave, desperate to get out of that suffocating room, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Leah,” he barked.

I stopped in my tack, my back to him, my heart racing in my chest. Slowly, I turned around, keeping my eyes lowered.

“Have you forgotten how to show gratitude?” he asked, his tone dripping with mockery.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Thank you, Alpha,” I said, my voice barely audible.

His lips twisted into a sister grin. “Louder,” he demanded.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I repeated, louder this time.

He scoffed, leaning forward slightly. “That’s the best you can do? You sound as if you were forced to say it. Do you want me remind you what happens to those who don’t appreciate my 

kindness.”

“No, Alpha,” I said quickly, my voice quaking. “Thank you, Alpha. I appreciate your kindness.”

He laughed coldly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Kindness?” he said, his tone mocking. “You think this is kindness? You have no idea what real punishment looks like.”

“Keal, that’s enough,” Marcus interrupted suddenly, his voice firm but careful. “She’s learned her lesson. Let her go.”

Keal’s eyes shifted to Marcus, his expression darkening. “Stay out of this, Marcus. I don’t need your advice.”

“Maybe not,” Marcus replied calmly. “But you’re wrong about her.”

“Wrong?” Keal repeated, his tone sharp. “You think you know better than I do?”

“I think you’re letting your anger cloud your judgment,” Marcus replied evenly. “Leah has done nothing to deserve this. She’s been loyal and dedicated, even when she didn’t have to be. Punishing her like this only makes you look—”

“Say it,” Keal interrupted, his voice dangerously low. “Go on. Speak your mind.”

Marcus hesitated, his jaw tightening. “It makes you look cruel,” he said finally.

The room went deathly silent.

Keal’s gare burned like fire, and for a moment, I thought he might actually attack Marcus. But instead, his attention shifted back to me.

“You’re lucky I’m in a generous mood,” he stated coldly. “But don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten your stubbornness. It’ll land you in my trouble again soon enough, and when it does…” He leaned closer, his eyes locking onto mine. “…what I’ll do to you will be worse than what I did to the cooks. Do you understand?”

I nodded quickly, my throat too constricted to say anything.

“Good,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Now get out of my sight.”

I didn’t wait for him to repeat himself. My legs felt like they might give out beneath me as I turned and hurried out of the room, my heart racing in my ears.

 I had almost made it out of the room when Alpha Keal’s voice boomed behind me.

“Leah!”

I froze, my hand lingering over the door handle. My heart dropped, knowing what he was about to say wouldn’t be good. Slowly, I turned around to face him, keeping my eyes low.

“Don’t think you’re off the hook yet,” he said, his tone sharp and unforgiving. “Stand there and wait for us to finish our meal. So that you can clean up after we’re done. I’m not soft-hearted enough to let you off so easily.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from groaning aloud. My legs ached, and every nerve in my body begged for rest, but I knew better than to argue. Instead, I nodded and stepped aside, pressing myself against the wall like an invisible servant.

Across the table, Liam was attacking his food like he hadn’t eaten for some days. His movements were wild, shoveling meat and bread into his mouth without any manners. The chewing noises alone made my stomach churn.

Aria snapped her head toward him, her expression one of showing how disgusting he was. “Liam, what the hell is wrong with you? Stop behaving  like a starving dog!”

Liam barely looked up, his mouth stuffed full. “What’s your problem, Aria? Can’t I eat in peace?”

“In peace?” Aria repeated, her voice rising. “You’re embarrassing yourself—and the rest of us! How can you sit there and eat like a pig while someone is standing there being punished for no reason?”

Liam smirked, reaching for another piece of bread. “Maybe it's because I’m hungry and don’t care about drama? You should give it a try, Aria. You might be less cranky.”

“Cranky?!” Aria’s chair screeched as she stood up, slamming her hands on the table. “You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you? I swear, Liam, your stupidity knows no bounds.”

“Watch it,  little sister,” Liam replied, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. “You might be younger than me, but you sure have a big mouth for someone who’s barely an adult.”

“Barely an adult?!” Aria’s face turned red, her voice shaking with rage. “You’re older than me by what, three years? And you act like a toddler!”

“Better a toddler than a nagging old woman,” Liam shot back, stuffing another bite of food into his mouth.

Aria grabbed her fork, pointing it at him like a weapon. “Keep talking, Liam. I swear I’ll shove this fork down your throat if you don’t stop.”

Before Aria could launch her fork—Alpha Keal’s voice cut through the chaos.

“Enough!” he roared, slamming his fist on the table.

Both Aria and Liam froze, their heads snapping toward him. The air in the room grew heavy, the weight of his authority pressing down on all of us.

Keal’s gaze  shifted to Liam, who was still chewing but at least had the decency to look slightly 

guilty. “Liam,” Keal said, his voice dangerously low, “what on earth is wrong with you?”

“What?” Liam replied defensively, his mouth still full. “I’m just eating.”

“Eating like a complete fool,” Keal shot back. “Do you have no shame? No self-control?”

Liam shrugged, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I was hungry.”

Keal’s eyes narrowed, and his tone turned spiteful. “You’re not just stupid, Liam. You’re pathetic. I’ve given you chance after chance to prove yourself, and you continue to disappoint me. You’re supposed to be my beta, but how can I trust someone who can’t even behave like a normal adult?”

Liam’s expression darkened, and he remained silent, shoving another piece of bread into his mouth as if to annoy him more.

Keal leaned forward, his eyes burning with anger. “You think this is funny? Do you think I enjoy cleaning up after your messes? Because I don’t. And if you keep testing my patience, Liam, I will not hesitate to remind you of your place.”

Aria crossed her arms, a smirk dancing on her lips. “Finally, someone said it.”

“Aria,” Keal barked, directing his glare on her. “Don’t think you’re off the hook either. You’re just as unbearable with your endless nagging. Sit down and eat, or leave. I don’t care which.”

Aria huffed but sat down, glaring at Liam from across the table. Liam, continued eating as if nothing had happened, ignoring both of them entirely.

I stood quietly by the door, wishing more than anything that I could just disappear. The tension in the room was suffocating, and my presence only seemed to make it worse.

Keal’s voice jolted me out of my thoughts. “Leah,” he said, his tone sharp.

I straightened immediately, my heart racing. “Yes, Alpha?”

“Don’t just stand there looking useless,” he said, gesturing toward the table. “Pay attention. When we’re done, I expect you to clean up quickly. I don’t have all day to wait for you to move around like an old woman.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I replied quietly, my hands shaking. 

Keal’s glare lingered on me for a moment before he turned his attention back to Liam, who was still chewing loud.

“Liam,” Keal growled, his patience clearly wearing thin. “If you don’t stop that nonsense, I swear I’ll—”

And that was where the shouting began again.