Elara's POV
My gaze has been focused outside through the window in this room.
I'm too focused, staring at nothing in particular, not sure why I'm doing this. Something has called my attention, but it's like I can't remember what that is.
Is it the spicy scent of cloves and peppermint that doesn't feel like a meal? But why would that have piqued my interest?
The frame of the net is imprinted on my face because I'm pressing too close to it. But this scent makes me want to do so. I shouldn't feel calm for no reason I can name. It's as if it's massaging my nerves, throwing my doubts and fears through this window.
I think I feel alive. Or I shouldn't rush to accept it?
It might simply be because I'm alone by myself and that Velora is out, but that's weird.
I withdraw from the window and I can almost tell that this scent is intoxicating. It's making me want to go out, but where?
Just go out, you don't need to have a location, my mind is telling me.
I get to the door, and my right hand is resting on the knob. No matter how I feel like going out, I'm still hesitating. I know I can't escape. Everyone is watching me like a hawk. But what if they find me outside? What would happen?
Who cares? There's no worse fate than mine. What worse can happen?
I take in a deep breath. In the count of one… two… three…
I push it open.
And no one is standing outside… not even the gammas.
Now, I decide the gammas always leave at a particular time—a time when the sun is almost setting down.
"Elara." A maid who is passing by calls me.
My breath hitches, another eye on me?
But she smiles instead. "Hi, if you've decided to have a meal, I can get that for you."
I shake my head.
She pouts her lips, acting all friendly and taking on a childlike voice. "But you haven't eaten."
What is this all about?
Doesn't she know that I am not supposed to leave the room? That I am trapped in here for Alpha's purpose?
She takes my hand in hers. "See, come, the chef made special dishes and wanted to see how a human like you would find them. You know… we are all werewolves, and another tongue to help taste our dishes would help." She steps back staring at my skin. "A human like you."
Wait. I am still inside the room, dreaming? This shouldn't be real, right?
"What about Velora?"
"Velora… She's out."
Before I can settle my mind with this strange event, she is already taking me along with her, expanding the smile on her face.
I just have to go without stopping her. Although I feel it could be a trap, what more is there to fear than my current situation?
I decide there is nothing.
"By the way." She stops at the entrance to a hall. "I'm Sabrina."
"Oh, okay." I force a smile on my lips, but she would notice it is awkward.
If I put Sabrina's presence aside, that smell of spices is slowly coming strong to my nose. And if Sabrina isn't keeping occupied with this creepiness, I would have lost focus on my thoughts to be running towards it by now.
We arrive at another part of the building.
"Here's the kitchen." Sabrina announces.
It is warm here, and the scent of the food comes to me. My stomach growls. That is when I realize I've been hungry. My gaze rises to be on a woman who wears a white apron on top of her black gown. She must be one of the chefs in this kitchen.
She waves at me, then puts up the same Sabrina does with me.
"Hi," she says. "You will have an evening meal."
I do not nod, just look at her, suddenly realizing none of these are acceptable. I am not such a person to be lousy to such an extent. I know I shouldn't be accepted by werewolves, and I have seen all the proof that nothing good can come to me from them.
Nothing. Not even something as trivial as food.
All these people I can see in this palace, gammas, maids, a chef, and Velora, are all werewolves.
I am in their camp. It isn't safe.
What else would have made Kael keep my identity a secret?
"Elara," Sabrina calls, looking directly into my eyes with her smile still alive. "You need something extra?"
I shake my head.
She holds a tray containing different kinds of food—stocked fish, dried red meat, dried white meat, lobsters, a plate of rice, and a pepper soup meal.
"You see." She winks. "You would love these."
A few steps from the kitchen is the dining room.
Sabrina places the tray on the table, and gestures to me to have a seat.
"No," I blurt out. "I shouldn't."
A slight frown appears on her face. "Why?"
I step back from the table, ignoring my body's urges. Just a spoonful, just a sip, and just a bite. Of course I can't obey.
"I don't want to."
Sabrina takes a full spoon of the soup into her mouth, a full spoon from the plate of rice, and a bite from the white meat.
"No poison in them."
"That wouldn't make me eat."
She nods. "I'm just a maid. I can't force you to do what you don't want to."
I start walking away from her to a destination I don't know of, but not towards my room.
"We could talk some other time." Sabrina's voice is loud enough for me to hear.
I don't turn to look at her, just head forward with my feet. My empty belly is trying to draw me back to the dining table, but I am not going to submit. As of this insane point in my life, food barely brings any appeal to me.
When I turn to look back, I realize I have walked far from the kitchen, and have lost the smell of food.
But I still perceive that sweet scent… the same scent that has led me outside my room.
"What's this about?" I mutter to myself, looking at my palms, and walking forward.
My legs still move when I think it is good I stop, and it's like I am losing control over myself?
I wouldn't believe that, but not until I hear my name. First it is so faint that I doubt I hear anything.
"Elara…"
I freeze.
Someone called my name?
It's not Velora's calling me, but the voice… it's in sync with the scent.
I got to the door, and my hand, my mind, all parts of me can't wait to open it. I should be careful, I struggle to remind myself. But I'm not listening to that.
I turn the knob.
"Cassian…" I mutter, my breath on edge.
It has been his scent leading me to the door, like he's been calling me but not with my ears, but with my nose.
"Elara… came inside."