RISE OF THE LYCANS - SHADOWS AND SECRETS

Chapter 7 - Cabin

Maeve

We arrived at the mansion in a blink of an eye. I glance up at the stairs leading to the kitchen back doors, apprehension prickling along my neck.

"Are you sure you can't come with me?" I nearly beg Brianna.

"Sorry, the Alpha King didn't ask for me."

The kitchen was teeming with food being prepared and plated for dinner. I inhaled the delicious aroma of crown-roasted lamb, vegetables, and spices. Shifters loved their meat, and five crown roasts were decorated with paper frills and being garnished by Nan. It was a feast fit for a king, and I wanted nothing more than to roll my sleeves up and help in the kitchen—to disappear in all the noise and shuffling and avoid my summons by the Alpha King.

"You'll be fine," Brianna assured me. "Maybe he wants to talk to you about your first shift tonight?"

"Or thank me for the work I do at the Library," I gave her a weak smile and waved hello to my Nan.

"Dinner's about to be served," Nan urged me. "Don't keep the Alpha King waiting."

"Good luck," Brianna said rushing me out of the kitchen and into the hall.

As I move closer to the family dining room, where the royals often dine, a feeling of unease settles in my stomach. The large wooden door swings open, and Rex steps out. His incredible blue eyes meet mine, and a shiver skates down my spine. He's so handsome, so strong, and there's an air of authority that can't be ignored.

I can't stop looking at him, and words fail me. It's like he's sucked all the air out of the room. I swallow hard, looking at his full lips—remembering the bruising way he kissed me. Goddess, that mouth of his. I suddenly realize he's moving closer to me, sniffing the air.

"Did you bathe?" He asks in a low voice.

I blink, taken aback by his question. "Yes, of course."

"You still smell like me. Did anyone notice?" He lets out a frustrated sigh.

"I told Nan that you hugged me to wish me a happy birthday."

"Good, stick to that story," he nodded. "You'll sit between Persephone and me at the table so no one picks up the scent."

I dipped my head down and sniffed but couldn't smell anything. Clearing my throat, I asked in a whisper, "Do you know why your father summoned me?"

"You'll see in a moment," he replies, and my stomach turns. He hasn't touched me and seems to be keeping his distance. "Let's go," he turns his back to me, and I follow.

"Umm, about last night..."

"It never happened," he snaps. His voice was void of emotion, but it sliced right through my heart.

I should have known.

I should have seen this coming.

I did see this coming.

He was probably looking for any female to use last night, and I was the only one stupid enough to violate curfew during a new moon. The only one desperate enough to let myself keep getting hurt by him. They say past behavior is the best predictor of the future, and I'm sickened by my foolishness.

"Stupid, silly, Maeve," I scolded myself internally and swallowed the lump in my throat before I entered the dining room behind him.

Shite!

The room was full, and I tried to mask the shock and humiliation bubbling inside.

"Haggis!" Flaym greeted me.