Page 44 of The Lands Defying
A strange feeling fills me, almost glee that they show their respect to me, but also content that they accept me.
At least, I think they do.
Maverick stands at the end of the table closest to where Darius and his closest sit on the slightly raised stone. He nods his head to me, and then to Darius, a smile on his face.
I veer off to the side, seeing my pack seated at the table opposite Maverick’s. They smile at me as I sit, grabbing food on the platters in the center.
Darius goes to sit with his closest on the platform, taking a seat with them but I feel his eyes on me.
“Gods, it’s sooo good,” Sebastian says around a mouthful, and I huff a laugh as meat juice dribbles down his chin.
“Disgusting,” Taylor says, grimacing.
“Are you even an animal?” Seb replies, aghast.
“I could eat all the bread rolls here.” That comes from Colten who’s at the end with Hudson.
“Then you would give yourself a stomach ache,” Hudson replies.
Colten sighs, patting his belly. “Worth it.”
Hudson leans close to his ear. “That’s only because I would rub it and make it better, pup.”
Colten’s cheeks actually turn slightly red, and I raise a brow at Josh who sits across from me. He smiles, cutting up some meat as Anna sips her drink to also hide her smile.
The chatter around the room continues at a low hum, everyone eating and drinking, acting like everything is okay.
I know better though. They know Charles could find out about Maize being dead, and could be knocking on the keep gates at any moment.
Maverick catches my eyes as he stares at me, and I raise a brow. I don’t move my gaze from his, accepting the challenge.
He dips his head in respect in the next moment, and my eyes clash with another next to him.
This male doesn’t avert his eyes, and I tilt my head at him. He’s bulky, very short, dark hair with a scar running down the side of his cheek.
I don’t think he’s happy I am here.
I feel another set of eyes on me, and the rumbling, low tone in his voice makes my stomach flip.
“Rhea, with me.” Everyone in the room seems to pause at his low command, and my head turns toward Darius, seated in the center of his table.
“And why would I do that?”
He tilts his head, and I think the whole of the Elites hold their breath at my attitude, probably wondering what their Alpha will do.
But I’m also an Alpha.
Darius though, he just smirks, leaning back in his chair like he finds it cute.
Rubbing his fingers across his lips, eyes heated, he says, “Shall I come down there and show you exactly how I can make you compliant?”
I’m up and out of my seat in the next moment, a scowl on my face as I go to him even though my desire runs through me.
“Asshole,” I mutter, rounding the tables and standing before him.
He grabs me on a chuckle, and then I’m planted on his lap. “Sit.”
“Is this necessary?” I look at the Elites, and they try not to look up at what we are doing, but some are failing miserably.
