Mirabelle's aunt's eyes widened in horror as she took in the sight before her. The tension in her features shifted, morphing into anger as her gaze fixed on Caspian's grip on Mirabelle's collar.
Her heart raced, and the realization hit: the Alpha prince must be furious.
"Mirabelle! What are you doing outside?!" Her aunt's voice cracked, the words dripping with frustration. "Didn't I tell you to stay up there?"
Mirabelle kept shaking her head, unable to explain herself, her thoughts a swirl of confusion and dread. She had no idea how to fix this.
Sally, standing nearby, plastered on a fake, sweet smile. "Why did you come outside, Mirabelle? To jeopardize my luck?" she asked, her voice dripping with false meekness, but there was a dangerous edge lurking beneath it.
Mirabelle didn't respond. How could she?
The weight of her aunt's disapproval, and Sally's calculated words, made her stomach twist.
Her uncle, never one for subtlety, barked out his command, "Go back inside now! Do not spoil this for your sister. This is our chance."
"I apologize, Alpha Prince," her aunt quickly corrected herself, a soft edge creeping into her voice as she spoke to Caspian. "She will go inside now."
But Caspian's voice, commanding and unwavering, cut through the chaos like a blade. "No."
The room went deathly silent.
Sally, who had been trying to maintain her poised composure, screeched in disbelief. "What?"
Caspian released Mirabelle's collar, his movements swift and decisive. He took a few steps back, settling down in one of the chairs with an air of authority. "I want her to stay," he said firmly. "Bring dinner for her."
His words shocked everyone, especially Mirabelle, whose stomach growled in response to the food laid out on the table.
"Alpha Prince!" Sally's voice was high-pitched, filled with shock and frustration. "But—"
Caspian cut her off with a sharp bark. "Move! She's hungry. Bring her food."
The family scrambled in a haze of fear and confusion, but before they could get their bearings, Caspian's voice echoed again.
"Never mind," he said, his tone now colder, more final. "She'll eat this." His gaze swept over the meal they had prepared for him, his lips curving slightly at the irony.
His red eyes then turned back to Mirabelle, softening ever so slightly. The intensity in his gaze made her heart race, unsure of what to think, what to do.
"Come here," he invited her, his voice calm yet commanding.
Mirabelle stood rooted to the spot, the weight of the shock and anger on her family's faces like a heavy chain.
What could she do? The Alpha prince was powerful, and her family… ruthless. If she angered them any further, the consequences could be severe.
But there, in the midst of her fear and uncertainty, she couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him.
What was she supposed to do now?
"Don't make me force you," Caspian growled, his voice low and dangerous, cutting through Mirabelle's hesitation like a knife. She froze, her mind racing.
Her family exchanged knowing glances, misreading his tone entirely.
To them, this was proof that he didn't truly like Mirabelle—just another ploy to humiliate her. Slowly, smug smiles crept onto their faces as they sat back to watch.
Mirabelle swallowed hard and finally approached the table, her movements hesitant. She chose a chair two seats away from Caspian, avoiding his intense gaze as she dragged the plate of food toward her new spot.
A low, throaty growl rumbled from Caspian, making her freeze mid-movement. Her wide eyes darted toward him as he tilted his head, his disapproval clear.
"Sit here," he ordered softly, patting the chair right next to him. His tone was gentler, but no less commanding.
Her breath hitched.
He'd heard her stomach grumbling earlier—small, persistent sounds that even she had tried to ignore. Caspian, however, had noticed every one of them.
She glanced nervously at her family. Her aunt's face twisted with barely concealed irritation, while Sally stared daggers at her, disbelief written all over her features.
Slowly, reluctantly, Mirabelle moved to the seat beside him. She missed the small, satisfied smile that curved Caspian's lips as she settled down.
"Eat," he said simply, his voice firm but not unkind.
Mirabelle stared at the food in front of her, her appetite warring with her confusion. This was her family's chance at glory—Sally's moment, not hers.
And yet, here she was, sitting beside the Alpha prince with a plate of food meant for him.
She picked up a fork, her hand trembling slightly. Caspian's gaze stayed fixed on her, sharp and curious, as if she were the most fascinating thing he'd seen all evening.
When Mirabelle hesitated again, Caspian leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. "It's not poisoned, don't worry. They wouldn't dare poison me."
His words seemed to spark something in her aunt and uncle, who immediately stiffened in their seats.
The aunt's eyes darted toward the plate in Mirabelle's hands, her face twisting into an awkward smile.
"I-I should bring her dinner separately," the aunt stammered, standing abruptly. "Alpha prince, how about you have your own instead? It's… fresher."
Caspian raised a brow, his red eyes gleaming with mild amusement. "I already said no. Not to worry. I want my sneaky bunny to eat mine."
The couple paled, exchanging a quick, silent look that seemed to communicate volumes.
Then, just as suddenly, they both sat down again, plastering strained smiles on their faces.
"Of course, Alpha prince," they said in unison, their voices overly agreeable.
Mirabelle frowned, her mind swirling with confusion.
Why the sudden shift? What were they hiding?
Her gaze darted between her aunt and uncle, who avoided meeting her eyes, and Sally, who sat pouting like a child denied a treat.
Caspian turned back to her, his tone soft but commanding. "Eat, bunny. Or do you want me to feed you myself?"
Mirabelle's cheeks flushed as she glared at him, finally picking up the spoon with a huff. Her hair, once tied into a loose bun, had come undone during her attempted escape.
The soft, brown strands now framed her face messily, spilling over her shoulders as she scooped a hesitant bite of soup into her mouth.
Everyone at the table watched her intently, their own meals forgotten. The tension was palpable, the room filled with the sound of her spoon scraping against the bowl.
Caspian, still watching her with an almost possessive interest, reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a pristine napkin.
He held it out to her, but when Mirabelle only stared at him in confusion, he leaned forward and began gathering her hair himself.
The room froze.
The aunt gasped audibly, the uncle choked on his drink, and Sally's fork clattered to the table.
Mirabelle, her breath catching, barely dared to move. His large hands brushed against her hair as he carefully pulled it back, tying it loosely with the napkin.
"What… what is the Alpha prince doing?" Claudine finally whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Sally reddened with anger. He should be doing that for her! Not the attic girl.
Caspian ignored them all, his attention solely on Mirabelle. "There," he said, sitting back with a satisfied smirk. "Now you can eat properly."
Mirabelle's spoon hovered mid-air, her heart racing as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
Who was this man?
And why was he treating her—of all people—like this?
Mirabelle took a small bite, her mind swirling with questions she didn't dare ask. What was happening?
Why her? And why did Caspian seem so… pleased?