CHAPTER 13. NOT WELCOMED 2

NATALIE.

"Um, good morning," I say into the intimidating silence. "I uh, I came to return the plates."

Nobody says anything in response to that. Even the man who had brought me in had abandoned me.

Great. Just great.

I stand there, fidgeting on my own, feeling the hostile stares burrowing deep into my skin for what feels like hours until someone, blessedly signals to me.

"Over here," a woman calls from the far back.

I hurry over to her, plates outstretched when I suddenly crash to the floor, the tray falling with me and causing the ceramic plates to crash.

I was tripped.

I look over to see a group of people, three girls, and four boys, giggling at my debacle.

"Oh, I am so sorry," one of the boys speaks up. "I really didn't see you there."

The statement causes the entire group to break up into raucous laughter.

What the hell is so funny about this?

I am confused now, he did apologize but from their behavior, it seems intentional.

What… What is going on?

Damn that witch.

I have had no social interaction with anyone, so I don't even know how to react in a situation like this.

With a put-out sigh, I get to my knees and begin picking up the shards.

"It is okay I guess," I say. "Not everyone can boast of 20/20 eyesight."

The group goes silent at my words, making me smile inwardly.

I might be a noob but that doesn't mean anyone can step on me.

I have handled the lunacies of a witch for the entirety of my life, I can handle a bunch of immature brats.

"What did you say to me?" the boy asks, standing up.

I quickly get to my feet, no way I will let him catch me in a disadvantaged position- and turn to him with wide, innocent eyes.

I know they are innocent because I have practiced them a lot.

"I don't understand," I start. "You said you didn't see me there. Or… did you?"

"What?" the boy asks in confused anger.

"Are you saying you intentionally tripped me? I don't even know you nor do you know me. Why-" my voice breaks at this part, wobbling. "Why would you do that?"

I am just about to turn on the waterworks when a voice interrupts us.

"What is going on here?" the voice sounds above the din of the room.

I look over to see Luxas walking our way, his face screwed into a scowl. He takes one look at my watered eyes and raises an eyebrow in quiet amusement.

Turning to the boy, he demands, "Pan, what is the meaning of this?"

"Beta," the boy greets with a bowed head before turning to me and pointing. "This girl just insulted me."

"Did she now? What did she say?"

"Um, she said… she said my eyes were bad."

"Actually," I interrupt. "What I said was 'Not everyone can boast of 20/20 eyesight." I clarify.

"See," the boy exclaims as he turns back to Lucas. "She insulted me."

Lucas turns to me and with a raised eyebrow, asks. "And why did you say that to him?"

"Well, you see, I was passing by and tripped on his foot. He said he didn't see me there, while he and his group were laughing, I might add. So, I told him it is okay, that not everyone can boast of 20/20 vision. Did I say something wrong?"

Lucas sighs as he pinches his nose.

"Beta! You can't-"

"Pan, for goddess's sake, go sit down and stop making a nuisance of yourself," he snaps.

The boy -Pan- looks shocked at being snapped at.

"But-"

"Now!"

"Yes Beta," he says as he returns to his seat, but not before sending a dark look my way.

Oh, great. Another enemy.

"Listen up," Lucas says, his voice projecting across the room. "This is Natalie, an honored guest of the Alpha. She will be treated with the utmost and revered respect. Failure to do so, will be considered as an insult to the Alpha, got it?"

There is a murmur of assent in response that doesn't satisfy him.

"I didn't hear that!"

"Yes Beta!" they all chorus.

He nods before turning to me, "Come with me," he orders.

"Uh, the plates?" I ask as I hurry after him.

*Someone will get it."

I follow after him out the hall, right on his heels, and up to my room.

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask.

He sighs before stopping at the door and turns to me.

"Not necessarily."

"What does that even mean?"

"You have to understand. Yesterday the whole pack was in a buzz with excitement with the Alpha getting mated with Maya. That was disrupted by your arrival and not only that, the very next day, Maya left. People have imaginations and those imaginations paint you as the culprit."

"Right, my fault. Don't worry though, I plan on leaving as soon as possible. I will be out of you guys' hair as soon as possible."

"What do you mean?" he asks in confusion.

"I mean, I am planning on leaving. Soon, I hope."

"But- but why? Damien is your mate! Why would you leave him?"

"Oh, isn't that lovely? You finally admit that I am his mate."

"You have to understand. It was strange, you coming up here claiming to be his mate. It was suspicious."

"I understand that. What I can't comprehend is the hostility. Not from the pack but from Damien himself. I have spent my whole life being caged. I am not about to get into something like that again, just because of a mate."

"What do you mean by that?! Damien will never cage you!" he exclaims.

"But that is exactly what he is doing. I said I wanted to leave but he demanded I stay here. I am not here by my own will."

"But haven't you been searching for him all this time?"

"I have and I am disappointed. There is no point discussing this, I know when and where I am not wanted. I will leave and you all will be able to go back to your normal lives."

"This… this is a lot. Does Damien know what you think?"

"Honestly, I couldn't care less," I say as I push the door open and walk in, closing it in his shocked face.