Chapter 2

I had just sat down in a corner of the banquet hall when Ethan walked over with a silver tray.

He placed the tray in front of me, his eyes quickly scanning the direction of the head table. His voice was low, barely audible, “Eat more. Maybe next time when you submit your application, the Elders will approve it if they see you’re in better health.”

I had just picked up my fork when Zoe suddenly dashed over and snatched the silver tray from me.

“Ethan!” Her voice was thick with unmasked grievance and dissatisfaction. “Isn’t this the honey-roasted meat you specifically had the kitchen prepare for me yesterday? Why are you giving it to her?”

Ethan froze for a moment. “I’ll have the kitchen make another one for you. This one—”

“No!” Zoe snapped, shoving the roasted meat onto her own plate. “The kitchen only makes one every day! Why should she get it, she’s not even part of the Pack!”

I gripped the cold fork tightly, silently enduring the weight of the surrounding gazes that pricked at my skin like needles.

An Elder at the head table cleared his throat and spoke slowly, “Ethan, as Alpha of the Pack, you need to set a decent example. Don’t let people gossip about us.”

Another Elder quickly added, “That’s right. Zoe’s been doted since she was a child. Don’t make things too difficult for her.”

I kept my head lowered, the fork scraping against the empty plate with a loud screech.

Ethan glanced between me and the red-eyed Zoe, his Adam’s apple moving as his tone softened. “Alright, Zoe, don’t be upset. I’ll have the kitchen make ten servings for you. If that’s not enough, just ask.”

Zoe smiled in satisfaction, tightly looping her arm around his. “I knew Ethan cared me most!”

Ethan reached out as if to pat my shoulder but pulled his hand back. “Lila, next time… next time I’ll have the kitchen reserve a serving for you.”

“No need.” I raised my head, my voice calm. “Whether I eat this or not, it doesn’t matter.”

“Then don’t eat it!” Zoe chewing her meat, mumbled with an indistinct tone. “If she gets into the family registry, I’ll have to move to the outer circle. You’ll have to worry about taking care of me. How troublesome.”

Ethan didn’t respond, allowing Zoe to drag him to the head table.

As they passed by me, he glanced back at me, his gaze complex and unreadable.

A young Warrior beside me whispered, “Don’t take it to heart. Zoe was picked up by Ethan when they were kids. He’s always protected her, and the Elders favor her. Your registration… it’s tough.”

I forced a smile and said nothing.

Whether it’s tough or not, I already knew.

When they finished eating, Zoe walked over to me with a silk handkerchief in her hand. “Your outer circle cabin is getting renovated next month, so you’ll have to move to a temporary shack. The shack doesn’t have glass, and the wind is harsh in the winter, so you should dress warmly.”

“Whether I move or not is my business, don’t worry about.” I stood up, took my empty plate, and walked toward the kitchen.

“I’m just kindly reminding you!” Zoe laughed behind me. “If you’re smart, you’ll move to the forest. That way, you won’t suffer.”

As I reached the kitchen door, I handed the empty plate to the worker and turned to leave.

No matter how cold the outer circle cabin is, it’s better than this hypocritical inner circle. I’d rather go back to gnawing on dry, hard black bread.