Chapter 17 017
~LYKA~
I walked down the long hallway alongside the maids who had come to accompany me to the dining hall. My steps slowed unconsciously as my eyes wandered around the massive structure, and I gasped softly in awe.
The interior of the pack house was breathtaking.
The walls were carved with intricate designs, the chandeliers hanging above us glittered softly, and every corner of the place screamed wealth, power, and history. The floors gleamed beneath my feet, polished to perfection, and even the air smelled expensive....clean, sharp, and commanding.
It was no exaggeration when people said the Alpha Demon’s pack was one of the most influential packs in the country.
Seeing it with my own eyes, I couldn’t deny it.
“This is it, ma’am,” one of the maids said gently, opening the tall doors to the dining hall.
I stepped inside....and immediately felt uneasy.
The dining hall was massive, far too large for the few people seated inside. The long table stretched endlessly, yet only three women occupied it. My eyes scanned their faces until I spotted the only familiar one.
Amanda.
I hissed quietly.
So today definitely wasn’t going to be memorable for me....in a good way, at least.
Before I could even process the tense atmosphere in the room, a blonde girl rushed toward me with surprising enthusiasm.
“Hi! Are you the new girl in the building?” she chirped, her voice overly bright and suspiciously cheerful.
I blinked, startled.
Was she… being friendly?
Before I could answer, she grabbed my hand without permission and dragged me toward the far end of the table. My brows furrowed as she pulled me closer to an extravagant golden chair that stood out distinctly from the others.
Something about it made my skin prickle.
“Sit here,” the blonde woman said, smiling widely.
Alarm bells rang in my head.
Her hospitality felt forced.... too eager, too deliberate. I opened my mouth to decline, but the way everyone else in the room stared made me hesitate. Slowly, I sat down, and the moment I did, I noticed subtle nods and exchanged glances among the women.
That was when I knew.
Something was wrong.
My body tensed, and I immediately stood up, panic flaring as ridiculous thoughts crossed my mind....What if they put gum on the chair? Or something worse? But when nothing happened, I relaxed slightly, though the unease refused to leave my chest.
Since Derrick hadn’t arrived yet, everyone remained seated. I eyed the food longingly, my stomach rumbling in protest. I was tempted to dig in and ignore everyone else, but suddenly....
A cold aura washed over the room.
I stiffened.
I hissed quietly.
Of course.
Only one person carried an aura that heavy, that suffocating.
Derrick entered the hall, his presence commanding instant silence. A man I assumed was his Beta walked beside him. The moment Derrick’s eyes landed on me, they turned blood-red with fury.
His handsome face twisted in pure rage.
I froze.
Why did the sight of me anger him so much?
“How dare you sit on that seat!” he roared, charging toward me.
Fear jolted through me, and I leaped to my feet immediately.
“I....I’m sorry, I didn’t know....” I started, my voice trembling.
But before I could finish, the blonde woman spoke up eagerly, as though she had been waiting for this moment.
“I warned her not to sit there,” she said loudly. “That seat belongs to the Luna. Only the former Luna is permitted to sit on it.”
My breath hitched.
Former Luna?
What former Luna?
Was this a setup?
“Did you really sit there despite the warning?” Derrick’s voice cut through the room, dangerously calm.
I shivered.
“I didn’t know....” I tried again, desperation creeping into my voice.
“Maybe she wanted to fit into that chair,” Zuri interjected smoothly. “Even I don’t think she could be that covetous.”
I clenched my fists.
That was it.
“What!” I snapped. “Do you think I’m coveting being your Luna? Luna to this shitty pack? Don’t be delusional!”
The words barely left my mouth before his hand closed around my neck.
The room spun.
I struggled, clawing at his wrist as air refused to enter my lungs.
“Shitty pack?” he growled. “You dare disrespect me like that in front of everyone?”
My vision blurred.
“Alpha, let her go! She can’t breathe!” someone shouted.
Suddenly, his grip loosened.
I collapsed to the floor, gasping desperately for air, my chest burning as I sucked in oxygen.
His voice rang through the hall like a death sentence.
“As of today, you are banned from eating in this hall,” he declared coldly. “And for your improper use of words, don’t blame me for my brutality later.”
Then he stormed out.
I lay there shaking with rage and humiliation.
He was feebleminded....blindly believing lies without listening to me.
As if I wanted to eat with him anyway.
“That was quite a show,” Zuri said mockingly. “Too bad it was cut short.”
The blonde woman chuckled, and it finally clicked.
They were in this together.
Vile creatures.
“I always thought I was petty,” I said calmly, standing up. “But meeting you all has been eye-opening. There are people far shittier than me.”
Zuri slammed her fist on the table and stalked toward me.
“You’re feisty, Rogue,” she sneered. “But I warned you to leave quietly. Don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
She patted my shoulder condescendingly.
My teeth clenched in fury.
“And what do you think you’re doing to my friend?” a sharp voice cut in.
I turned....and relief flooded me.
Amanda.
I had never been so happy to see her.
“And who might you be?” Zuri scoffed.
Amanda stepped forward boldly.
“I’m one of the rogue bitches you’ll have to get through before laying a hand on my friend,” she said coldly. “Try this again, and you’ll regret it.”
She brushed past Zuri dismissively.
“It’s demeaning,” Amanda added. “She’s not your friend.”
Zuri’s face darkened.
“Looks like there are more pests to deal with,” she muttered. “I’ll need more pesticide.”
She stormed off.
Amanda turned to me. “Are you just going to let them win?”
I sighed.
“They’re not worth it,” I muttered.
“Are they your mate’s…?” Amanda trailed off.
I shook my head, though my heart twisted.
“I don’t care,” I said quietly.
But as I touched the bruise on my neck, anger surged.
No one bullies me and walks away unscathed.
“Oh?” Amanda smirked. “If they want a fight…”
I smiled slowly.
“Then we stand on ceremony.”