Chapter 13 Exempted from Dinner

Chapter 13 Exempted from Dinner
The emotions had been high just a minute ago, guiding us both to actions that we couldn't explain. But once the heat settled, once the grief of my brother's death and the mate bond that I couldn't fulfill went to the back of my mind, I found myself slowly moving out of Alpha Eros's embrace.

His hands stayed around me, and I took a step back, pushing the boundaries of his hug. He was still my main suspect. He was still the man who had the biggest access to my brother and the one who could have easily killed him.

He finally leaned away, his hands dropping to his sides, his eyes slightly wide, like he couldn't quite quite believe what had just happened. Like he couldn't understand it, just like me.

"I am sorry," I said, pushing my hands to my back pockets. "You shouldn't have come. I did not need comfort."

There was silence, and I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his. I expected them to be cold. Maybe a little hurt. I was being mean on purpose, and I knew exactly why he had come in here and the pull between us.

What I didn't expect to see was calmness. He looked extremely calm. Like he had been expecting it. Like he appreciated it.

Without a word, he turned and walked away, closing the door behind him, like, in the end, he had somehow won with that one embrace.

I stood there for a while, trying to wrap my mind around what had just happened, but just like with Valerian's death, there were no answers.

I took a slow shower in the bathroom, taking note of how everything seemed to be exactly how Valerian liked it. Unscented soaps, vanilla shampoo. It felt like Alpha eros had made a cave just for Valerian. Like he had found home. But then why would he kill him?

I quickly slipped back into my oversized men clothes, then fixed my hair. I had just finished putting back the contacts when the bell for dinner suddenly rang.

There was still lunch sitting right on the floor where Alpha Eros had left it, and I simply took it out. 

He was nowhere to be seen, and I dropped the untouched plate on the large dining table, then walked out of the room. 

As expected, the hallways were total chaos as the students ran down to the dining hall, and I immediately joined, hoping to be able to catch Knox. 

Sure enough, he was by the doe of the dining, and he seemed to be looking for me too.

"Kian!" He said, waving his hand.

I quickly made it down to him, my chest heaving from breathlessness. "Sorry I ran late, I..."

"I understand you were probably not hungry. I saw Alpha Eros's chefs cook up something a few hours ago. Was he kind enough to give you some?"

I swallowed hard. "He... he was, but I didn't want it."

Knox's brows furrowed. "You didn't want the food? Are you kidding, Kian? You are living the dream."

"I want nothing from him," I said with a shrug, just as a lull fell on the crowd.

I turned, and sure enough, Eugene Sanders entered the dining hall through the private door. 

I turned away for a brief moment, but my wolf was much stronger, and I found myself turning back to the door just as Alpha Eros's scent hit me.

He was with Kyran, who was walking beside him, his eyes cold, his stance protective.

Alpha Eros looked up, and his eyes suddenly met mine. It was brief, and he turned to look at Kian before he turned away, like we were insects in his path.

"Let's go," Knox said, leading me to table 216. 

Once we sat, all the others vacated the table, leaving us alone once more.

"Until when will they warm up to me?"

Knox laughed. "Don't mind them. The school is tough enough. You don't need to worry about them too."

I let out a small sigh, my eyes darting around the dining hall. I wondered if Valerian's experience had been any different. If Valerian had found acceptance.

I leaned towards Knox, my lips parting as we waited for our turn to be served. "Was it how it was with that guy you said I reminded you of?"

He raised a brow, then laughed. "Oh no. For some reason, he was very well liked. Not always though. But later. Maybe they will warm up to you too."

I nodded, needing to know more, but knowing I have to keep up the facade.

My eyes darted across to Alpha Eros. He had his back to me, but he was unmistakeable. I immediately looked away, my chest heaving.

Skylar, no. He isn't your mate. He is your enemy. A killer. Your brother's killer.

"Let's go," Knox finally said, pulling me by my arm.

I immediately followed, grabbing a steel plate to go up to the servers.

"Table number?" The healer server asked, looking between us, her eyes bored.

"Since when did you ask for table numbers to serve food?" Knox asked, genuine confusion filtering into his voice.

She shrugged. "If you won't tell, move."

Knox looked at me, as if to confirm that I could see what was happening, before he turned to her again. "216."

She gave a sigh. "You are exempted from dinner tonight. Please move."

My brows furrowed, and without thinking, I moved forward, my hands going to my waist. "What the fuck do you mean exempted from dinner? It's not like there is no food... you are just... not goving it to us?"

My stomach growled loudly, as if to back me up.

The server gave an annoyed sigh, then looked me dead in the eye. "Yes. There is food, but I am instructed to not give it to both of you. If you want to protest, go to the board."

I was about to say something when Knox pulled me away, letting the next step come up for their food.

"Did you do something to Alpha Eros?" He asked, his voice low.

My brows furrowed. "No, I..."

My voice trailed off as I remembered the untouched plate of roast and potatoes he might have seen on his way out here.

I looked up, and sure enough, he had turned his back now, so he was staring directly at me, his entire face frozen in ice, his eyes thin, yet holding a glint of evil.

"That fucker," I whispered, my jaws clenched.

He broke into a dark, one sided smile before he turned away, leaving me and Knox to deal with it.