Chapter Four: Unwelcome Guests
I woke up feeling like someone had punched me in the chest all night. The events from yesterday crashed down on me like cold water. That prick, what was his name again…Michael?….Marcus? Yes Marcus! I recalled his rejection and everyone staring at me with pity.
My stomach twisted just thinking about facing people today.
A soft knock came at my door. "Miss Chloe? Are you awake?"
"Come in, Roslyn," I said, pulling my blanket up to my chin.
She peeked inside, her face full of worry. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I want to hide under this blanket forever."
Roslyn came over and sat on the edge of my bed. "Your parents are asking about you. They're worried sick."
I sighed. "I just... I can't face everyone right now. All those stares and all those whispers."
"I understand." Roslyn's voice was gentle. "But there's something you should know."
Something in her tone made me sit up. "What?"
"Shadow Pack isn't leaving today."
My heart did something strange. A flutter that I didn't want to feel. "They're not?"
"Alpha Marcus told your father they need to stay longer for... negotiations." Roslyn made a face. "Though nobody believes that's the real reason."
I fell back against my pillows. Mixed feelings crashed through me like waves. Part of me was relieved Marcus wasn't disappearing from my life just yet while the other part wanted him gone so I could stop feeling so confused.
"How long are they staying?" I asked.
"Nobody knows. Your father is not happy about it."
I could imagine Dad's face. He probably looked ready to tear someone apart. Thinking about that gave me some comfort.
"The whole pack is talking," Roslyn continued. "Some people think it's romantic that he can't stay away from you."
"Romantic?" I laughed, but it came out bitter. "He rejected me in front of everyone."
"I know, but..." Roslyn bit her lip. "Maybe he regrets it?"
I shook my head. "Don't. Please don't give me hope when there isn't any."
We sat in silence for a moment. Then my stomach growled loudly.
Roslyn smiled. "You need to eat something."
"I can't go to the dining hall. Everyone will stare."
"Then I'll bring something here."
"No." I forced myself to sit up properly. "I can't hide forever. I won't let him make me a prisoner in my own home."
Roslyn's eyes lit up with pride. "That's my brave Miss Chloe."
But I didn't feel brave. I felt like my legs might give out any second.
---
The walk to the dining hall felt like walking to my execution. Every step made my heart beat faster. My palms were sweaty, and I kept touching my temple without meaning to.
"You can do this," I whispered to myself.
The moment I stepped into the dining hall, conversations stopped. Not all at once, but like a wave. People turned to look at me, then quickly looked away.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
"Chloe!" Mom's voice cut through the awkward silence. She rushed over to me, her green eyes full of concern. "Sweetheart, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," I lied, letting her hug me.
"You're not fine," she whispered in my ear. "But you're strong. Stronger than you know."
Dad appeared at my side, his face like a thundercloud. "That arrogant bastard had the nerve to ask for extended hospitality." His voice was low, but I could hear the anger underneath.
"David," Mom warned softly.
"I should throw them out," Dad continued, his hands clenched into fists. "The disrespect to our daughter and to our pack..."
"But you won't," I said quietly. "Because that would cause problems with the pack alliances."
Dad's face softened when he looked at me. "Politics shouldn't matter more than family."
"But they do. And we all know it."
The sad truth in my words made us all go quiet.
"Come," Mom said, taking my arm. "Let's get you some food."
As we walked toward our family table, I couldn't help but notice the Shadow Pack members sitting at the far end of the hall. My eyes found Marcus without meaning to.
He was staring right at me.
Our eyes met for a split second, and something flickered across his face again like yesterday but I couldn't tell. I quickly looked away, my heart hammering.
"Don't look at him," Fiona's voice came from behind me. She appeared at my other side, linking her arm through mine. "He doesn't deserve even a glance from you."
I was grateful for her support, at least I have a sister who was on my side.
We sat down at our table, and immediately pack members started approaching to check on me. Their kindness helped, but I noticed something strange happening around the hall.
The women kept stealing glances at Marcus. I watched Sarah, one of our younger pack members, practically swoon when he looked in her direction. Even some married women were whispering and giggling while looking at his table.
"Unbelievable," muttered Jake, one of our warriors, loud enough for half the hall to hear. "Acting like he's some kind of god just because he looks good."
"Right?" another warrior agreed. "Arrogant Shadow Pack thinking they can come here and disrespect our…..future Alpha."
But the women didn't seem to share that opinion.
"He's so handsome though," I heard Emma whisper to her friend. "Those beautiful grey eyes..."
"And did you see his shoulders? He's built like a mountain."
My chest tightened with something that felt suspiciously like jealousy. Which was ridiculous. I didn't want Marcus. I couldn't want him not after what he did to me.
So why did it bother me when other women looked at him like that?
"The whole pack is divided," Fiona said, following my gaze around the room. "The men want to challenge him to prove he's not as tough as he thinks. The women want to... well, you can see what they want."
I stabbed my eggs harder than necessary. "They can have him."
"Good," Fiona said firmly. "Because his brother is much nicer anyway. Lucian actually has manners."
I glanced over at the Shadow Pack table again. Lucian was indeed sitting quietly, eating his breakfast and not causing any drama. He looked up and caught me watching. Unlike his brother, he gave me a small, gentle smile.
I found myself smiling back.
A low growl came from Marcus's direction.
When I looked at him, his face was dark with anger. His grey eyes were fixed on his brother with something that looked like a warning.
My stomach fluttered again. Was he... jealous that I smiled at Lucian?
"See how possessive he is?" Fiona said, noticing the same thing. "Even after rejecting you, he doesn't want anyone else to have you. How selfish is that?"
She was right. It was selfish. But something about Marcus's reaction made me feel... wanted. Even if he didn't want to mate with me, some part of him still saw me as his.
I hated that the thought made me feel warm inside.
"Chloe." Dad's voice was serious. "I want you to stay close to the castle today. Don't go wandering alone."
"Why?"
"Because I don't trust our guests," he said, glaring in Marcus's direction. "Especially not the Alpha."
I started to protest, but Dad held up his hand.
"Please. Just until they leave. I won't have you hurt again."
The worry in his eyes made me nod. "Okay, Dad."
But even as I agreed, I found my eyes drifting back to Marcus. He was still watching me, his face unreadable now.
For just a moment, I saw something different in his expression. Something that reminded me of the man from my dreams. That gentle and caring look. Like he wanted to come over and make sure I was okay.
Then Fiona said something sharp about him under her breath, and the moment was gone. Marcus's face hardened again, and he turned away.
I was left wondering if I'd imagined the whole thing.
Mom reached over and squeezed my hand. "This too shall pass, sweetheart."
I hoped she was right. Because living in the same castle as Marcus, feeling this weird constant pull toward him while remembering his cruel words, was already tearing me apart.
And they'd only been here one day.
How was I supposed to survive however long they planned to stay?