Chapter 23: A BITTER MEAL

Chapter 23: A BITTER MEAL
LEONA
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I wheeled myself into the kitchen, the clattering of pots and pans filling the air. It was bustling with activity as usual. The maids, busy with their tasks, barely glanced in my direction as I made my way to the back, where the cooking station was. Liora was standing near the stove, stirring a pot with a disinterested look on her face.
"Leona," she called with a snide tone, her lips curling into a half-smile. "I see you're still here. I was wondering how long that would last."
I ignored her remark, focusing on the task at hand. I didn't have time to engage with her or anyone else. Alpha Zane had asked for his meal, and I had to make sure it was perfect. His orders had to be obeyed, no matter how I felt about the situation.
I wheeled closer to one of the younger maids, who was in charge of the dishes for the day. "I need you to prepare Alpha Zane's meal," I said, politely. "He requested it to be served as soon as possible."
The maid, who was still facing away from me, nodded without a word. She quickly set the meal up, gathering the ingredients and placing them in a dish. She moved efficiently, but I could tell she was trying to avoid conversation, likely because of the awkwardness my presence had caused. I could feel Liora's eyes on me, but I ignored her, focusing on the task ahead.
When the food was finally ready, the maid turned and handed me the dish. But before I could take it, Liora moved toward me and snatched it from the maid's hand. "I'll give it to her," Liora said, her smile far too sweet, almost mocking. She handed it to me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
I took the plate from her, but I didn't respond. There was no point in making this more difficult than it already was. I simply nodded and wheeled away from the kitchen, trying to keep my thoughts in check. I wasn't sure what game Liora was playing, but I wouldn't let her provoke me.
When I finally arrived at Alpha Zane's chambers, I took a deep breath before pushing the door open. The sight of him made my heart skip a beat. He was dressed now, his clothes fitting him perfectly, accentuating his strong build. He was lounging at his desk, flipping through some papers, his posture relaxed but commanding.
I wheeled into the room, pushing the plate of food toward the small dining table on the far side of the room. I placed it down carefully, then turned to leave, eager to put the interaction behind me.
"Leona," Alpha Zane's voice stopped me. It was deep, and commanding, and it sent a shiver down my spine. "Stay."
I turned back to face him, surprised. "Stay, Alpha?" I asked, confused.
He nodded, his eyes locking onto mine. "Yes. Stay in case I need something. I may have further orders."
I nodded quickly, trying to conceal the nervousness creeping up inside me. "Yes, Alpha. I'll stay."
I wheeled myself to a corner of the room and stood quietly, watching him as he stood from his desk and walked toward the food. I couldn't help but notice how his presence seemed to fill the entire room, how everything seemed to stop when he moved. I felt small in his presence, but I was determined to remain professional.
He sat at the table, taking a bite of the food without hesitation. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched him, waiting for his reaction. His expression remained neutral for a moment, but then his face twisted in disgust.
"What is this?" he spat, pushing the plate away from him. "This food is far too salty! What nonsense is this?"
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. "I'm—I'm sorry, Alpha," I stammered, immediately moving closer. "I will make another one right away."
His eyes narrowed, and I could feel the tension building in the room. He was furious, his anger radiating off of him. "This is unacceptable," he growled. "What kind of servant are you to serve me food like this?"
I flinched at his words, feeling humiliated. My mind raced as I tried to figure out what had gone wrong. Liora's smug face flashed in my mind, and I felt a surge of anger rise within me. She had given me the wrong food, hadn't she? She was behind this, making sure I would fail.
"I'm so sorry, Alpha," I said again, trying to mask my fury. "I'll make a new one. I swear it will be perfect this time."
He stared at me coldly, his eyes not leaving mine. "See that it is," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
I turned to leave, my hands clenched tightly on the wheelchair handles as I fought to control my emotions. As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I could feel the anger boiling inside me. I wheeled myself quickly back to the kitchen, my heart pounding in my chest.
When I entered the kitchen, I was met with Liora's mocking smile. She was standing near the stove, watching me with a smug expression as I wheeled in, my hands shaking with frustration.
"I see you've failed already," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "How typical."
Something inside me snapped. I was tired of her insults, tired of the way she was making my life more difficult. Without thinking, I grabbed the plate of food I had brought back from Alpha Zane's room and threw it directly at her. The dish crashed against her chest, splattering her clothes with the food. The force of it sent her stumbling back, her face twisted in shock and anger.
"I'm not your punching bag, Liora," I spat, my voice low and dangerous.
The old training I had as an assassin, the discipline I had once mastered, surged through me. If I could stand, if I could fight, I would make her regret this. But my wheelchair kept me grounded, unable to retaliate in the way I once would have.
Liora's face turned red with fury. Without a word, she stormed toward me, grabbing my wheelchair and jerking it violently. I gasped as the chair tipped over, sending me crashing to the floor. Pain shot through my side as I hit the ground, and I could hear Liora laughing cruelly from above me.