Aria
I rolled my eyes as they finally landed on Sheila. She was dressed in a red dress and her lips were painted blood-red. She looked like a vixen ready for war and of course, she had on a shawl similar to mine. I almost laughed at the irony.
“Just because you're Lyall's mistress doesn't mean you get to do whatever you want. You're nothing but an outsider. Once a slave, always a slave,” She spat and I bristled inside.

I wasn't in the mood for her taunts and I ignored her, dishing my meal onto a plate instead.
“So now, you're going to ignore me? You stupid bitch. I'm talking to you. Are you deaf?”
“Give it a rest, Sheila.” Mason retorted smugly and Sheila turned to him, red-faced.
“I wasn't talking to you! Instead of interfering in other people's matters, why not take that time to figure out that you don't belong here? This place belongs to Lyall and it will never be yours.”
“Sheila!” Serene exclaimed as Mason clenched his fists in anger. “That was uncalled for!”
Sheila rounded on Serene. “And what would you know about that? You lying, cheating, conniving—”

“Enough!” Kendrick thundered at the same time Serene, Sheila and I flinched. Mason continued eating his food but his hands were still shaky. “We're at the dinner table. Show yourselves some respect and eat in peace.”
Sheila and Serene muttered apologies under their breath and I took the time to study Kendrick, Lyall's uncle. Handsome, black hair and brown eyes. Something was alluring about the man and at the same time, he commanded respect without uttering a word.
I had forgotten that I had been staring and he caught me in the act, raising an annoyed and slightly amused eyebrow. I flushed red, looking away instantly. Why did I get caught staring at everyone today?
The tension among everyone at the dining table failed to die down and everyone ate in silence. Sheila threw dirty looks my way now and then but I simply didn't care. After a few subtle jabs from her, the dinner finally ended with no one killing each other.

It wasn't hard to admit that Lyall's absence was deeply felt at the table. By myself anyway, I couldn't speak for everyone else. I kept glancing at his empty chair now and then and my heart sank each time.
I knew that he probably needed some space to clear his head but it has been hours! I missed him so much. It felt like a part of me was gone and my wolf surely didn't make things any better. She was irritated by his absence and craved Lyall greatly.
Once out of the dining room, I pulled Serene to a corner of the hall and she gasped in surprise.
“Aria? Are you alright? What’s going on?”
“Have you heard any news about Lyall yet?”
Her face turned sympathetic. “No, not yet.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “I'm worried about him. He's been out there for hours.”
Serene rested a warm hand on my shoulder. “Come on, Aria. He is the Alpha of all Alphas. I'm pretty sure he can take care of himself.” She gave me a reassuring smile and on some other day it might have relaxed me but at that moment, I was too frazzled for her relaxing smile to have any effect.
I forced a smile which must have looked like a grimace because Serene raised an amused brow.
“I really hope so.”
“I'll see you later, Aria. Don't worry too much, okay?”
I nodded and made my way down the hallway. Like hell, I won't. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to go find Lyall myself. I lifted my dress and rushed down the hallway, narrowly avoiding the glaring maidservants. What did I do to make everyone hate me so much anyway?
As I rounded a corner, I ran into someone and I staggered while the person fell.
“Daneesha!” My eyes widened as they landed on her. “Are you okay?” I asked, extending a hand to help her up.
“I'm fine.” She replied curtly, ignoring my outstretched hand and standing up on her own. She dusted her dress and gave me an icy glare.
My eyebrows furrowed with worry. “Neesha. I've been looking everywhere for you. Are you avoiding me?”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “No, I'm not avoiding you. I have other duties besides serving you, you know.” She said in a hard tone and my face fell.
“Oh, yeah you're right. I'm sorry. When will you be free, maybe we can catch up like old times.”
“Not everyone lays around with nothing to do Aria. Some of us do actual work around here and not just pose around as someone's mistress!” She yelled and I flinched. Ouch. That was a low blow. A look of hurt crossed my face as I listened to the hurtful words from my friend.
“Did I do something?” I asked in a small voice and Daneesha rolled her eyes.
“I don't know, Aria. You're so self-centred that you don't even realize that you're coming between a king and his queen. How would you feel if you were in Sheila's shoes huh? I told you to give The Alpha some space but you refused. You managed to turn him against Sheila and he ended up choking her! I hope you're happy with what you've done!”
Daneesha spat with so much venom in her voice and disgust in her eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes as I digested everything she said. I couldn't believe this was how my friend felt about me. I thought she was on my side and now she turned against me.
My lips wobbled as I managed to look her in the eyes. “That's not what—”
“Save it.” She sneered and stormed away.