*Danika*
Alfred seemed very delighted with my plans, he went on to tell me. He added a few notches to seal the plan to perfection. So an hour later when I came down for breakfast, I was literally twirling on my feet in exhilaration. The person would be caught once and for all and it would be by my effort!
I sat down at my normal spot, missing Alfred who said he won’t be present for breakfast since he still had to train with the other wolves. There is this fascination in him always wanting to train with the warriors that I don’t seem to get. It’s not like they’re all supposed to have a set skill that they are all required to train together to perfect. Everyone had their abilities which they practiced to maneuver, master, and control. I don’t why he would insist on being there to train with them.
After filling my plate with sausage, 2 eggs, and bacon, I started eating when Theresa cleared her throat and quizzed, “Danika, how are you doing this morning?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” I said through a fluffed mouth, marveling at why she would ask in the first place until she uttered her next words.
“Paisley told me what happened to you last night… I felt awful that such atrocious acts would be your ordeal in this little moment you get to share with us…” She tapped her hands holding on to two slices of bread and took a smooth bite before resuming her empathic scrutiny of me.
I beamed while chewing, learning she demands a response. “I am fine now. I believe the King has everything in control. Thanks for your kindness,” I finished off, flaring my eyes at Paisley in irritation. What does she aim to achieve by telling the Queen Mother? Perhaps it’s her form of remaining anonymous in her act. Very funny because I’ve seen through it!
“I hope he does… He just had to, I mean what manner of King is comfortable knowing delinquents no longer fear his presence in sneaking into the PALACE?!” she sneered, shook her head, and dropped the bread with venom laced in her visage. “I’m certainly disappointed in-”
“Forgive me for interrupting you, Theresa, I-I don’t think it’s the King’s fault it happened. I feel the culprit is in this house and can be fish-”
“Exactly my point! The hooligan, the hootsnipe dwells amongst us without any fear and yet, he doesn’t know the person! That’s my problem!” she surged, as if not hearing a word I said.
“Mother-”
“What would your dear friend say when he comes home to find out you allowed all these-”
“Mother, stop being dramatic!” Alonso growled lowly, earning my interest in him. His jawbones were clenched tight, his eyes flashing daggers as he glowered at his mother. I was afraid he might want to use his Alpha aura to subdue her which I know he had only used once when he was this angry.
Paisley touched him and he flinched back, snatching his hand away from her while eyeing her disgustingly. “I think we should all eat in peace now,” he concluded, taking a small bite into his bread. It looks like every other person was eating pretty while I engorged myself with plenty of food at once.
“If you say so, son…” Theresa drawled, still not willing to let the matter go easily without a fight. With a woman like that, I could understand why the late King was missing from our table. She might have nagged him to his early graves. Oh, Gad. I sneaked a look at Alonso and almost lost my wit when I saw his eyes pinned on me, glaring hard.
He heard me!
I blushed crimson and flung down my face, but that was after I noticed another pair of eyes observing us. How long can we carry on like this? If they don’t know by now, conceivably, because they’re pretending not to or simply stupid! Alonso makes it so glaring that something is going on between us!
I stood abruptly, garnering their attention. I pointed out in reticence. “I have to-work!” Pretending not to see Theresa’s mouth move to say something, I dashed out of the dining room to my room to prepare.
Mary was still laying down on my bed deep in sleep when I entered, so I silently changed to the new gear from the infirmary, brushed my hair, and left, not wanting to wake her.
Work that day was not as rowdy and hectic as other days. One of the Omegas said it’s because of wolves constantly at home as a result of the weather, and so causing the downslide of infirmary attendance. By the coming month, so many births would take place again, and the full moon would cause so many weak wolves to fall sick. I don’t anticipate seeing weak wolves brought to the hospital at all. It would be very traumatizing.
During lunch, I left my new office which I hardly stayed in unless I wanted to check the internet for new things or just lay my head down to rest. If only Alonso knows the privileges I’m enjoying here. Though, I doubt he would be mad anymore. I would like to think that these few moments we have shared meant something to him. He wouldn’t want to subject me to abject physical suffering and going through several emotional trauma with him.
No, he can’t.
I entered the cafeteria and the first person my eyes latched on was Roland- reminding me of my quest to see him today. I went to take my food and retraced my step to his table.
His eyeballs expanded at seeing me, oozing with shock. “Hy, Danika.” He smiled, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. I forbid myself to think of what Theo told me about him crushing on me. Never!
I returned his smile. “Hy, Dr. Roland…”
He pfft, dropped his burger to wave. “Just Roland.”
My smile broadened as I picked up my burger and started eating. “How have you been Roland?”
Something flit passed his face before he quickly masked it up. “I’ve been doing okay.”
I nodded, dropped my burger on my plate, and appraised him intently. “You know, you don’t have to grind if you don’t want to. Life is hard enough. We grab happiness when we see a little of it!”
He seemed to consider my words but he didn’t respond, instead, he said, “Congrats on your new position.” He eyed my dress.
I eyed followed his eyes movement. “Thanks.”
“You know you are doing so well with the pups. They love you!” He took a large bite as averse to someone I know who likes taking small bites. I blushed when I conceded the channel of my thoughts and covered it up by opening my juice and pouring in a tumbler, which I gulped down before responding.
“Thanks. I don’t do much.”
He snorted playfully. “You do a lot, I must tell you. Before you came, the Omegas hardly contained them. By this time you see them running amok all over the surroundings wrecking hell on us with their rambunctious behavior. However, all that changed since you started working there.”
I shrugged, partially agreeing with him. I am glad for the little improvement that I had instilled, which wasn’t only my efforts though. Everyone contributed. I only gave them an idea that I thought would help to keep the pups so busy that by the time they’re through, they would be so worn out that wreaking havoc would be the last thing on their minds.
“So, what made you change your mind? I heard you didn’t like pups.” He dusted his hands and placed them under the table, quietly studying me. I studied him too. He has dusty brown locks and sharp jawlines that make his face look angular. His nose was aquiline and his eyes a very dull shade of brown. As for height, he could pass for 5ft7. So generally, he was a handsome man. The kind of man Mary needs.
“I just changed my mind,” I answered his question, bobbing my shoulders. “I got to stay with them and realized they weren’t as bad as I had thought. Just needed some loving to comply.” I giggled and went on eating.
“Uhm…”
Having buttered him up and getting him to relax around me, I decided to go straight to the point. “So I was wondering, Roland, have you found your mate?”
His countenance fell at once and he looked down at his unfinished juice. “I haven’t,” he lied.
I smiled. “Why does it smell like you are lying?” I let out impish chuckles and continued, “I need you to be honest with me because I have come to consider you a good friend, Roland. Friends don’t lie to each other. But if you don’t want to tell, there’s no problem.”
“Why asking?” He eyed me.
“Well, for starters I am getting to know you better as a friend, so I figured why don’t you ask your friend some personal questions to get to know him better!” I giggled nervously, clapping minuscule specks of flour off my hands.
After a long time of silence. “Well, I did but–I rejected her,” he said with so much air of nonchalance that for once I wondered if it was still the Roland I was chattering with that was so free some minutes ago.
“Roland that is–” I searched for a word to use that won’t come off too strong, “outrageous! Why would you reject someone the goddess gave to you to love and cherish?” I hushed so no one would hear me.
“Because she’s way beneath my class! She’s an Omega!” he blurted rashly, ignoring my quest for privacy.
I looked around us, pleased nobody cared enough about us to listen in. “That’s not fair, Roland. You don’t judge people, because you are not the goddess and you have no right to hint at people’s weakness! She was sent to you for a reason that if only you had accepted her, you would have found out! Now, are you happy that you are making both of you suffer?”
His eyes twitched and he shook his head, brushed his fingers through them, and stood abruptly. “I have to go,” he said and unceremoniously walked away in hurried steps, looking very guilty. I watched after him hoping by Goddess he changed his mind. I don’t want my dear friend to suffer from this mishap. She’s too sweet for that.
After my lunch, I went back to work anticipating the close of today’s obligations as excitement bubbled inside me, envisioning the plan I made with Alfred. We are carrying it out tonight!
…