Tasting

246–Shameless Bitch

Nora:

I hadn’t been able to go to school, and no one had asked me to. I heard everyone was freaking out about the monsters being free once again. However, something was different that day when a maid informed me that I was to attend breakfast with the rest of the family.

I hoped before leaving my bedroom that they had forgiven me. I missed the attention and the love I had been receiving. Why did everything have to change?

Slipping into a white shirt and black skirt, I walked downstairs and then to the garden where they were feasting that day. I saw Natalya before I could even reach them, and my heart started pounding loudly in my chest. Never in a million years did I think that just the sight of someone I used to call my friend would scare me so much.

“Good morning,” Lord Atwood greeted me, making me feel noticed. I was about to slip into my chair and make sure nobody noticed me.

“Morning,” I said, sitting down.

“I think it is important that we have this conversation. Ever since that ball, things have only worsened in the pack. But I do hope things will get better in our home from now on. Whatever happened between you two girls should not be discussed again. Nora is apologetic for what she has done and–” The rest of his sentences faded away. All I could wonder was when I had admitted to my fault? When had I apologized?

“Right, Nora?” I didn’t even know what they were talking about now.

246–Shameless thich

11

I hastily lifted my head and noticed eyes on me, so I knew I had to respond. “Yes! I think we should put our pasts behind us and–”

I saw frowns creasing everyone’s foreheads and instantly fell silent. Did I say something wrong?

“Dad wants to know

if you would like to have some strawberry pancakes with syrup,” Cain adjusted his posture in his seat, letting me know what they were talking about.

I looked down at my plate and saw food on it. How long had I been distracted by the other conversation?

“Oh! Yes, please!” I smiled widely, probably looking like a fool since. they all watched my face with their mouths open.

“Are you okay?” Ryker asked me in his deep, husky voice.

I nodded and started eating. I had no clue why they thought I wasn’t okay. I was smiling, after all.

“Thank you so much, Uncle Atwood, for taking care of me,” Natalya didn’t want to stay behind, so she grabbed attention when she spoke to Lord Atwood. So they had created enough of a bond to talk so freely?

“I’m glad you’re here too. And you don’t need to do so much. First, you changed my bedroom’s setting, and then my library,” Lord Atwood smiled.

“All I do is boss around the omegas. They’re the ones doing the job,” she giggled.

“Yeah, but you’re the one whose ideas are being used,” Lord Atwood looked at her with so much adoration that I couldn’t look away.

246 Shameless Bach

Was I being like a child who gets jealous when her father gives attention to someone else?

“I don’t mind, though. I liked that smile on your face when you saw your library and bedroom. At that moment, I told myself that all the effort was worth it for that cute smile,” she was so good at buttering him up.

I lowered my head even more, trying to recall if I had ever done. something like that for Lord Atwood.

No, I hadn’t. I had come here expecting everything to be mine, without showing gratitude. No wonder it was taken away from me. Selfish and ungrateful people like me don’t deserve this much love and affection.

anyway.

After breakfast was over, I decided to help the maid and do something to show my gratitude. I didn’t want to be someone who took everything for granted.

As I began clearing the dishes, I noticed the omegas watching me with their mouths open.

“There you go,” I said to Galinda, giving her a smile. She looked around and then at me before she muttered under her breath, “Shameless bitch. Ruined my daughter’s funeral to get attention.”

I was in shock as she snatched the plates out of my hands and went into the kitchen. I stood at the entrance, feeling lost.