HIS QUEEN novel Chapter 17

Shouts erupted at the table. A few slammed their hands on the table in disbelief. I heard things like: a halfbreed for queen? Others called me a common slave. Thane raised his palm and the table quietened.

"That is unacceptable" a man with white hair shouted. All eyes were on me. Some with happiness, some with hate and some expressionless. Thane wiped his mouth gently with a napkin.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Not at all my king."

"Then seat Anstice." The elderly man begrudgingly sat. The meal continued in silence after that. I felt a few people glare at me but I didn't look up. I focused on my plate ignoring them and yet unable to stomach anything.

"Eat" I looked at him and back at the plate immediately. I managed spoonfuls and quietly excused myself from the table.

As I lay in bed trying to fall asleep, Thane lifted me and took me to his room. He lay in bed behind me silently.

"The people don't approve of me do they?"

"It doesn't matter what they think" Doesn't it?

"You'll be seen as a weak" he didn't reply.

The next morning, I walked down the hallway nervously. People were obviously talking about me but nobody approached me or pointed fingers because of the intimidating figure beside me. I felt the lingering stares at my back. We had breakfast without any incident. Jairus wasn't at the table.

Thane leaned into me. "I have business to attend to. Finish your meal and meet me in my study" I nodded. He left the table and I continued eating. People began leaving the table one by one until I was the last person at the table.

I breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. I didn't want to leave when the table was still full. I couldn't stand the stares so I ate slowly until they all left.

I strolled to the infirmary. The pack was training so I followed a track road. I helped out in the children's ward until noon. I saw Kyros just as I was about to leave. He was at the reception talking with a she wolf.

"Esme" he smiled as he saw me. "How have you been?"

"Very well. How have you been?"

"Just fine. You were greatly missed by the children" I blushed. "And Lily too"

"I haven't seen her today"

"I gave her the day off. She works too hard"