Chapter 24 Dinner With Alpha Reid

Chapter 24 Dinner With Alpha Reid
LYRA

“Don’t worry. I’ve got that.” I say, taking the bowl of salad from one of the maids and setting it on the table with the rest of the dishes.

The table is already full—meat, bread, fruits, warm dishes sending steam into the air.

“Thank you, little miss.” The maid says with a smile before hurrying back to the kitchen for more.

Talia stands nearby, watching everything with sharp eyes, making sure nothing is out of place.

Earlier today, Father sent word that the Alpha would be joining us for dinner. 

Even though Alpha Flame and Father are close friends, it’s rare for the Alpha to be the one visiting. Usually, others come to him.

Which means this dinner isn’t just friendly.

It’s important.

“Madame Talia,” another maid says, rushing in. “Miss Roxanna says she won’t be joining dinner tonight. She claims she’s sick.”

At Roxanna’s name, my hands slow. I listen more closely.

“That’s not possible,” Talia says at once, worry creeping into her voice. She shakes her head. “Lord Magnus made it clear that everyone must be present tonight. The Alpha is coming.” She exhales sharply. “Good heavens, she’ll bring Lord Magnus’ anger down on herself.”

Talia grips the maid’s arm gently. “Go get her. Don’t come back without her.”

The maid nods quickly and rushes out.

Talia sighs, rubbing her temples like this is already too much for one evening.

I go back to setting the table, not believing for a second that Roxanna is actually sick.

I mean, I know the truth enough to confidently tell that this is about what happened earlier in school.

About Hannah and the way she humiliated Roxanna in front of everyone.

I remember her face clearly. The way she tried to act bold, like nothing touched her, but I saw it. The fear and shame she tried so hard to hide.

And then came the second blow.

Reid.

Yes, I saw that too.

I admit, after the whole drama with Hannah, I’d followed her to be sure she was alright and somehow managed to eavesdrop on her conversation with Reid when she’d gone to him. 

I’d heard it all. Apparently, Roxanna had agreed to confess to Hannah that she was the one who sent those messages to Hannah’s boyfriend. Not me.

All because Reid asked her to do it. All because she thought it would make him date her.

Only for him to turn around and tell her she meant nothing to him.

As much as it disgusted me seeing how low she went, I still felt bad for her.

Why, I don’t even know. Maybe because karma hit her too hard. Or maybe because, despite everything, she’s still my sister.

Even though lately, it feels like I never really knew who she was at all.

And then there’s Reid.

I still don’t get him.

Why would he go that far for me? Why force Roxanna to confess, all supposedly for my sake?

Was it pity?

Does he see me as weak? As some helpless girl who can’t fight her own battles?

The thought makes something burn uncomfortably in my chest.

An irritated scoff slips out of me before I realize it, just as I finish arranging the last place setting on the table.

“Madame Talia.” The maid rushes back in a few minutes later, shaking her head as she stops in front of her.

“She’s refusing to come,” she says quietly. “She insists she’s staying in tonight.”

“Oh gods…” Talia mutters, pacing the kitchen with her hands pressed to her temples. Worry lines crease her face. “What do we do now? Lord Magnus will be furious if she’s absent tonight.”

“I’ll go get her.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

Both of them turn to stare at me.

I straighten, blinking once.

Shit. Did I really just say that?

Roxanna is selfish to the bone, and the last thing I want is her tantrum dragging Talia and the maids into trouble. Still, now that the words are out, I don’t have a choice.

I force a small, calm smile onto my face.

“I’ll go get her myself,” I say gently. “You just focus on the table and welcoming the guests.”

Before I can say another word, a familiar voice cuts in from behind us.

“Don’t bother.”

I turn.

Roxanna stands in the doorway, dragging her feet like every step pains her. Her face looks pale, her hair loose and messy. She’s dressed in baggy linen trousers and an oversized sweatshirt.

To anyone else, she looks sick. But to me, I know better.

The silence is broken by another maid rushing into the dining room, her voice hushed but urgent. 

“The Alpha is here.”

In a second, the maids finish setting the table and line up neatly along the wall. Roxanna and I step closer to the entrance, standing side by side.

“Greetings, Alpha Flame.” We say together, bowing and curtsying as he enters.

“Greetings, beautiful ladies,” Alpha Flame says warmly. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

We straighten, polite smiles fixed on our faces.

Mine freezes the moment I see who stands beside him, next to my Father

Dean.

Fuck. 

Of course, he’s the Alpha’s son. Why wouldn’t he be here? Why didn’t I even think of that?

The instant his eyes meet mine, I look away. Irritation and old anger rush through me like fire. If I had known he’d be here tonight, I would’ve been the one pretending to be sick.

After the greetings, we take our seats. And somehow, of all the cursed luck, I end up seated beside Dean.

Reid is nowhere to be seen. I notice it immediately and wonder if he hasn’t come home yet.

Then, dinner begins.

Father and Alpha Flame talk endlessly about pack affairs, upcoming festivals, borders, alliances, and all of that boring stuff.

Then they talk about that one topic I’ve been dreading. Dean and I.

“It seems our children will be finishing university sooner than we expect,” Alpha Flame says with a booming laugh, lifting his wine. “We should arrange their mating as soon as they’re done. I’m sure they’re just as eager.”

Father laughs in agreement. Dean smiles beside me.

My stomach twists into bitter knots.

I can never mate Dean. Never.

Maybe once, when I was naive, stupid, and blindly in love. But after catching him in bed with Roxanna, that door sealed itself forever.

And if that’s the truth, then I need to say it now. No matter the cost.

“Father. Alpha…”

I gently place my cutlery down, folding my hands in front of me. Anxiety burns through my chest, but I force myself to speak anyway.

“There’s something I need to announce.”