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Well, it was Nash, the top athlete with the perfect genes.

“I hope you're not causing trouble for my father. Because anything that affects him affects me. And I'm not really in the mood for trouble.”

And yes, he was Nash Copeland. A conceited, rich jerk.

“Why does it sound like you are the Alpha?” I laughed.

“Because soon, I will be,” he replied dryly, finally walking past me, down the stairs, and turning right into a hallway until he disappeared from view.

What a nice encounter. The guy really seemed to think he was the king himself.

I shook my head and followed him down the stairs.

He was probably on his way to dinner too.

Each step took me past more paintings of hunters killing their prey.

What beautiful decor.

It wasn't ugly, it just wasn't my taste. A mansion, after all...

Impromptu No. 1 in C Minor for Piano

Nicholas Britell

The hallway led me to a dining room lit by candles and dim lamps, which looked inviting, albeit a bit posh, and I was – unfortunately – the last person everyone seemed to be waiting for.

All those eyes on me threatened to make my nervousness get the better of me, until I met Alarik’s gaze.

There was this familiar feeling inside me that calmed me down, even though it had a tinge of other emotions that lay hidden beneath a veil, making it impossible for me to truly grasp or name them.

He was the only person who wanted me here, and I felt less like a stranger. That had to be it.

I gave the Alpha a quick nod and then snuck around the table to the last empty chair between Emely and Alarik.

The fact that no one said anything didn't make it any better.

Everyone else was already eating, so I just helped myself to some potatoes.

Nervously, I looked around.

Everyone was eating meat. And not as a side dish...

Uneasiness spread through my body.

Hesitantly, I reached for a chicken leg in front of me but then remembered that I was really hungry and took another one.

No one seemed to find it odd... or rude...

When I tried the potatoes, I tasted a delicate hint of butter with parsley and the pleasantly seasoned, tender chicken.

My, the food was fantastic.

“Who's that girl?” someone asked, and I looked up from my plate.

A woman with blonde curls smiled at me curiously, and I recognized her from the ball, where she had been talking to Emely.

She was beautiful. Especially the many freckles in combination with those ice-blue eyes.