The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 30: Dine

The dining room felt suffocatingly quiet as I sat across from Nicholas, our silence echoing louder than words. The guard's escort had led me here. Two days have passed since my failed escape. And I was locked the whole time in a room within this foreboding estate.

That day, when I was dragged back to the castle, they treated my bruises first and wounds. The pack doctor asked how I managed to survive that fall to which I lied, claiming I possessed healing abilities even though I don't have a wolf. He seemed to buy my lies. And I am sure that the old man reported it to Nicholas.

Suddenly, he broke the silence as he put the glass of wine on the table, looking at me, “I hope you made a lot of reflection in two days of being locked up”

I gazed at Nicholas, frustration boiling beneath my skin like molten lava.

"You must understand," he continued, "Attempting another escape will only lead to more consequences."

My fists clenched as memories of the guards and Madam Barbara flooded my mind. I'd spent the past two days replaying his words over and over again. I just hope that I can have the chance to apologize to them. I didn't mean to cause harm to anyone, I just wanted to escape. But right now, in my grim situation, that would not be possible.

"Circumstances demand a certain course of action," he added in my silence.

I glared daggers at Nicholas, my frustration boiling over. "Why are you doing this to me? We should have rejected each other from the start!"

He stayed silent, which only made me angrier. "Say something!" I yelled, my voice getting louder.

"I have already told you the answer," he finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "You'll be leaving the castle. Gayle will escort you to a house far from here, away from the pack."

"Leaving?" I echoed.

"Yes. This castle was for a selected individual I deemed important and close to family"

I smiled bitterly, “And I’m not”

"Yes, after all, you are here as my mistress only" Nicholas's gaze bore into mine. "Gayle will ensure you're settled away from here."

His cold dismissal pierced through me like a shard of ice. His words cut deep, but I refused to let it show. I hid my hurt behind a mask of indifference, burying the pain deep down.

"Okay, that’s exactly what I want," I said to him and to myself as a silent mantra to calm the storm swirling inside me. I couldn't afford to show any pain, especially not in front of him.

I straightened my posture.

Nicholas's words felt like a knife twisting in my already wounded heart. The coldness in his tone, the detachment in his demeanor, made it crystal clear that whatever bond we had was absolutely nothing to him.

"I'll visit if I need your services," he stated with a cold finality.

His words pierced me, leaving behind a raw ache I struggled to hide. I battled to keep myself composed, swallowing the bitter taste.

"Sure," I managed to reply.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, shattering the tense moment. I glanced at the entrance, seeing Gayle stepping into the room. Well, it was good that it was Gayle who would escort me outside and not the Beta of this pack. I honestly don't want to see him.

Setting down my fork, I stood up. When I shifted my gaze back to the table, I noticed Nicholas lounging in his chair. He exuded an unsettling confidence, one arm casually draped over the chair's back, the other resting lightly on the table. His chin slightly lifted, a faint smirk gracing his lips.

"Thanks for the meal," I said sweetly.

With purposeful steps, I moved past Gayle, leaving the room behind. As the door closed, I clenched my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my skin.

Outside the room, I stayed quiet, my thoughts tangled in a mess. Gayle, sensing the heavy silence, tried to start a conversation.

"Nice weather today, ain't it?" she said, her tone trying to be cheerful.

I nodded but didn't say anything.

"You shouldn't have tried to escape, you know,"

I glanced at her, noticing the genuine worry etched on her face. "I had to try. I don't want to be here"

She sighed softly, her expression softening. "I get it, but it's risky. No one can escape our pack"

I nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. The consequences of my actions were clear.

“How are the guards?” I absentmindedly asked.

“They are fine. Do not put all the blame on yourself. They knew what was coming to them since they acted carelessly and unprofessional”

I shut my eyes, hiding the guilt reflecting in my eyes. When I didn't reply, Gayle continued.

"You'll be safe there. It's a quiet place, far from the packs and the castle. You can do anything with the house. Layla also ensures that you have all the things you need. If you need a supply of food or anything, you can come here to the castle and tell Layla. She will bring it to you"

I remained silent, simply listening. The fact that Nicholas made me stay far from his residence and other pack members says so much about his confidence that I cannot escape him or his pack. Or more like I wouldn't try for now.

And it pains me to admit that he was right about it.

We rode in the car, the silence stretching between us like an unspoken agreement. I sat quietly, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside. There were no words exchanged; none were needed. Eventually, the vehicle slowed to a halt. I peered outside and noticed a weathered-beaten cabin in the middle of the forest. Without a word, I stepped out of the car, taking in the surroundings.

"This is where you'll be staying," she said reluctantly. “Uhm…inside was a little messy”

“Does your Alpha asked you not to help me in cleaning?” I joked but expected nothing less.

When she avoided answering, it was my confirmation.

“There is a phone inside you can use it to call Layla” Then she throws the key toward me.

I easily caught it and looked at her expectantly.

“You can use the car to go to the castle or drive around”

“Thank you,” I said, smiling at her.

With a final nod, she gave me a faint smile before retreating towards the vehicle, leaving me alone. Taking a deep breath, I approached the cabin, feeling the crunch of dry leaves beneath my shoes.

The old cabin's door squeaked open, and I stepped inside, feeling the weight of its history in every creaky floorboard. Dust danced in the shafts of sunlight that filtered through the aged windows.

The kitchen greeted me first, a quaint space with worn countertops and faded cabinets. The sink had seen better days, sporting patches of rust. A small dining table sat in the corner, accompanied by mismatched chairs. Moving further in, I found myself in the living room, a cozy area adorned with a worn-out sofa and an armchair nestled by a crackling fireplace. Shelves lined the walls, adorned with knick-knacks, weathered books, and trinkets. As I explored deeper into the cabin, I stumbled upon the bedroom, a simple yet inviting space with a weathered but comfortable-looking bed. Sunlight filtered through the tattered curtains, casting a soft glow on the worn wooden floor.

I went back to the living room where piles of boxes were stacked in the corner. With a gentle tug, I opened the nearest one, revealing its contents. Inside lay an assortment of items — clothes neatly folded, others containing an assortment of foods, tools, and other decorations.

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of recent events pressing down on me like a crushing weight. With nowhere else to turn, I sank down onto the creaky wooden floor of the living room, feeling the rough surface against my palms.

The floodgates of emotion burst open, and tears welled up, tracing a path down my cheeks. I curled into myself, my silent sobs echoing in the empty cabin.

The memories of Nicholas's cold demeanor, his hurtful words, and the overwhelming sense of rejection washed over me. Each hurtful word, each indifferent glance replayed in my mind, intensifying the ache in my chest. My tears fell, and I allowed myself to cry silently.