Chapter 10
1121 Words
_Katherine's POV_
A loud knock on the door pulled me from sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and I groaned softly. I was not ready to leave the warmth of the blankets.
“Katherine,” Lucian’s deep voice called from the other side of the door. “Wake up. It’s time for breakfast.”
I blinked a few times, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. My body still ached, but at least my foot wasn’t throbbing as badly as last night.
Slowly, I pushed the covers off and sat up. My muscles protested, but I ignored them. I carefully swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing as I placed weight on my injured foot. I had to move slowly, making sure not to put too much pressure on it.
I limped to the door and gripped the wooden frame for support before pulling it open. Lucian stood there, arms crossed, a small smirk playing on his lips. His golden eyes flickered with amusement. “Took you long enough.”
I huffed. “I’m injured, remember?”
He chuckled. “Right. You have an excuse… for now.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.
Lucian gestured for me to follow him. “Come on. You need to eat.”
I stepped into the hallway, taking careful steps as I followed him. The packhouse was quiet in the early morning, the air filled with the scent of fresh bread and something sweet—honey, maybe.
We made our way downstairs to the main hall, where breakfast was already in full swing. The large wooden tables were filled with pack members talking and laughing as they ate. The atmosphere was warm and lively, completely different from what I was used to.
The table was covered with all kinds of food. There were fluffy pancakes stacked high, golden-brown waffles drizzled with syrup, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and warm bread with butter. A large pitcher of fresh juice sat in the center, along with a pot of coffee and a teapot.
I stared at the spread in surprise. Back in my former pack, meals weren’t like this—especially for omegas. They ate last, and usually, there wasn’t much food left for them.
Here, everyone seemed equal. Even omegas sat at the same table as the Alpha. No one looked afraid. No one seemed to be waiting for permission to eat.
Lucian pulled out a plate and handed it to me. “Take whatever you want.”
I hesitated for a second before reaching for some food. I took a couple of pancakes, some strawberries, and a slice of buttered toast. Lucian, on the other hand, filled his plate with eggs, bacon, and a large helping of what looked like roasted potatoes.
I took a small bite of my pancake, and the sweetness of the syrup melted on my tongue. It was delicious—warm and comforting.
I was about to sit next to a small girl who had been eyeing me curiously, but Lucian caught my wrist gently. “Sit with me.”
I blinked up at him. “Oh… okay.”
He led me to the seat beside him at the head of the table. I hesitated for a second before sitting down. I wasn’t sure why he wanted me to sit next to him, but I wasn’t about to argue.
As I ate, I glanced around at the pack members. They were happy, talking freely, enjoying their meal. It was so different from my old pack. There, omegas barely spoke unless spoken to. They always kept their heads down, afraid of drawing attention.
Here, it was nothing like that. Everyone seemed equal. It was strange… but nice.
Lucian leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against my ear. “You’re staring.”
I jumped slightly, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. “I was just… observing.”
He smirked. “You like what you see?”
I frowned at him, though my face was still burning. “I just think your pack is… different.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Different how?”
I glanced around again. “They’re happy.”
Lucian’s gaze softened. “Of course they are. A pack is supposed to be a family, not a prison.”
I lowered my eyes, feeling an ache in my chest. That wasn’t how my old pack had been. But maybe… maybe things could be different here.
Lucian suddenly reached over and picked a strawberry off my plate. He popped it into his mouth, chewing slowly.
I gaped at him. “Did you just steal my strawberry?”
He grinned. “Yes.”
I scowled. “I was going to eat that.”
He shrugged. “Too slow.”
I huffed, grabbing another strawberry and popping it into my mouth before he could steal it.
Lucian chuckled, watching me with amusement. “You’re cute when you’re grumpy.”
I nearly choked on my fruit. “Excuse me?”
He leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. “I said you’re cute when you’re grumpy.”
I shook my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
He smirked. “You like it.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile from forming. He was frustrating, but he had a way of making me feel… comfortable. It was strange, considering I had only been here for a short time.
Lucian’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before he spoke again. “How is your foot?”
I glanced down at my bandaged foot. “It still hurts, but it’s better than last night.”
He nodded. “Good. Rest as much as you need. You don’t have to rush anything.”
I studied him for a moment. He had been nothing but kind to me since I arrived. He didn’t treat me like a burden. He didn’t demand anything from me.
Maybe I could trust him.
Maybe.
Lucian suddenly reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You think too much.”
I stiffened at the sudden touch, my heart skipping a beat. “I—”
He smirked. “Eat, Katherine. You’ll need your strength.”
I stared at him for a second before turning my attention back to my food. I wasn’t sure what to make of Lucian. He was charming, flirty, and surprisingly kind.
But part of me still wondered… why?
Why was he treating me this way? Was he just being nice because I was injured? Because I was alone?
Or was there another reason?
I didn’t know.
But I intended to find out.
- Writer
