Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

Chapter 24 

Refusing to do Nadia’s bidding. I stood there feeling the crackling tension between us, as if the air itself was charged with electricity. The frustration was evident in her narrowed eyes and tightly pursed lips as she glared at me. Despite the pressure, I remained resolute, defiantly crossing my arms over my chest. 

“Why are you being so difficult, Maya?” Nadia’s demand was accompanied by a voice that dripped with thinly veiled contempt. “Lasked for your help, and I expect you to comply.” 

My jaw tightened as I resisted the urge to comply with her demands, determined to stand my ground. 

“I’m not your servant, Nadia,” With defiance in my voice, I shot back. “I have my own tasks to attend to, and I won’t drop everything just because you snap your fingers.” 

Anger surged through Nadia, causing her nostrils to flare and her hands to clench into tight fists. 

“You will do as I say,” she spat, her tone laced with venom. “Or there will be consequences.” 

Meeting her gaze head–on, I straightened my posture and steeled myself for the impending conversation. 

“I’m not afraid of you, Nadia,” I declared, my voice ringing with determination. “You may have the title of Future Luna, but that doesn’t give you the right to treat others like dirt beneath your feet.” 

Before Nadia could utter a word, the door creaked open, and in walked the same pup, the one that spoke to 

a me earlier. Her face was adorned with a curious expression, her eyes constantly shifting between Nadia and me. 

“What is it?” 

Irritation seeped into Nadia’s voice as she snapped. 

Before speaking, the pup hesitated, side–stepping uncertainly. 

“Alpha Zeke is calling for you. 

The mention of Zeke’s name caused Nadia’s face to instantly brighten with a joyful smile. Then, her eyes locked onto mine, filled with anger and annoyance, and she let out a quiet curse. 

“F*ck. Fine.” 

With a disgusted expression, she spat on the ground and swiftly stormed out of the room, leaving behind a tense 

silence. 

I couldn’t tear my eyes away as she walked away, a conflicting blend of relief and frustration consuming me. There was a part of me that yearned to follow her, to confront Zeke head–on and demand answers for the way he had treated me. However, a nagging feeling told me that my efforts would be in vain. Zeke had always been dismissive of people like me, after all. 

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to refocus on the task at hand, even though my anger and frustration still lingered. The reckoning could wait; my priority at that moment was to focus on the work that lay ahead. As I diligently scrubbed at the dirty floors of the shared bathroom, a feeling of contentment settled within me, as if my small act of deliance against Nadia had been worthwhile. 

“You’re welcome by the way.” 

The tension in the moment suddenly vanished as I snorted at their remark, releasing my nervousness with a laugh. I turned to look at the pup, who was now crouched down beside me, her curious eyes fixed on mine. 

“Thanks,” I replied, offering them a wry smile. “But did Zeke really call for her, or was that just a ploy to get her out of here?” 

11:22 AM 

With a nonchalant shrug, the child’s expression remained impenetrable. 

“Who knows?” she said with a shrug. “But hey, it’s about to be dinner time. You should take a break from all this work” 

It dawned on me that they were right, and a chuckle escaped my lips in response to their suggestion. I had been so preoccupied with my frustration towards Nadia that I completely disregarded the passing hours. 

“You’re right,” I conceded, setting down the scrub brush I had been wielding with such determination. “I could use a 

break 

Taking a moment to straighten up. I studied the child before me, admiring the curiosity in their eyes. With their small, wiry builds and mischievous glint in their eyes, it was clear that they had spent their lives challenging authority. 

“By the way,” I spoke up, breaking the silence that had settled between us, my words hanging in the air. “What’s your 

name?” 

As soon as I asked the question, the pup’s eyes lit up with delight, and they couldn’t help but smile proudly. 

“I’m Puffin!” Puffing out their chest with pride, she replied confidently. 

With a genuine smile, I reached out and playfully ruffled her hair. 

“Nice to meet you, Puffin.” 

With each step towards the mess hall, the weight of the day’s events bore down on my shoulders, making the walk with Puffin feel even more burdensome. Despite the momentary break from Nadia’s company, a lingering sense of frustration and anger consumed me. But as we approached the entrance to the dining hall, instead of turning towards the tables, I veered off and headed straight for the bustling kitchen. 

My thoughts were interrupted by Puffin’s voice, snapping me back to the present. 

“Hey, Maya, why are we going this way? The food’s over there.” 

She pointed towards the mess hall, indicating its location as she spoke. I glanced back at her, my lips curling into a 

small smile. 

“I’m heading to the kitchen.” In a weary tone, I replied, my voice filled with fatigue. “I’ve got some cooking to do with my roommate, Sammy.” 

Puffin furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of the perplexing situation. 

“But didn’t you just finish working?” 

With a nod, I felt my pace gradually decreasing. 

“Yeah, I did,” I admitted, my eyes refusing to meet anyone else’s as they remained fixed on the ground. “But that’s what I’m assigned to do here within the pack. In the same manner that they embraced me into the pack. I must repay their generosity.” 

Puffin’s expression transformed, her face now reflecting a deep sense of understanding. 

“Oh, I see,” she said quietly. “Well, I’m going to help you then,” 

I was taken aback by her unexpected offer, causing me to blink in surprise. 

“You don’t have to do that, Puffin-” 

Puffin’s response was a nonchalant shrug, but her eyes betrayed a fierce determination, shining brightly. 

“Nah, it’s no big deal.” Insisting with a bright smile, she made her point clear. “Besides, I want to help out. It’s the least. 

11:22 AM 

I can do.” 

Puffin’s kindness and eagerness to assist left me feeling immensely grateful, touched by her selflessness. I pushed open the door and stepped into the kitchen, greeted by the sound of sizzling bacon and the warmth of the stove. The kitchen greeted me with its familiar sights and smells, creating a soothing atmosphere amidst the busyness of the day. 

As I began gathering ingredients and preparing to cook, Puffin eagerly joined in, her sharp senses guiding her movements with remarkable speed and precision. As we worked together, the air around us became alive with the sounds of chopping and sizzling, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Even though my heart felt heavy, a comforting sense of camaraderie filled the air between us. 

As the aroma of food permeated the kitchen, a comforting sense of satisfaction washed over me, alleviating the lingering tension and frustration. A way to channel my emotions and find solace in the simple act of creating something with my own hands, cooking had always been a source of comfort for me. The sound of chopping vegetables and the warmth of the oven made me feel at peace. 

While I stirred a pot of simmering soup, I caught Puffin’s gaze, her innocent eyes sparkling with curiosity. 

“Hey, Maya, why is Nadia so mean to you?” Her voice, tinged with genuine concern, asked the question. “Just seems weird is all.” 

In that moment, I paused, weighing her question carefully in my mind before formulating a response. I could never quite decipher Nadia’s behavior towards me; it remained an enigma. There was a time when we were inseparable, but now it felt like she held a deep–seated resentment towards me, creating a rift in our once close bond. 

“I don’t know, Pullin,” Shaking my head, I replied honestly, unable to hide my disappointment. “We used to be good friends, but things changed, and now she’s… different 

Puffin’s brow furrowed in thought, her expression betraying her deep concentration. 

“But how did you become friends in the first place?” she wondered aloud, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Because she looks like she really hates yo 

now.” 

Involuntarily, a soft sigh escaped me, as the heaviness of the past made its presence known once again. It was a question that had haunted my thoughts, its answer cluding me at every turn. What caused the drastic shift in our relationship, turning Nadia and me from the closest of friends into foes consumed by animosity? It was a puzzle, its pieces scattered before me, waiting to be deciphered. 

“I’m not sure, Puffin,” I admitted, my voice tinged with sadness. “We just… clicked, I guess. But things change, people change, and sometimes friendships fall apart.” 

And well, sometimes best friends can betray you by stealing your boyfriends. 

Puffin nodded, but her eyes told a different story confusion still present beneath the surface. Recognizing my hesitation, she wisely chose not to probe any further into the topic. Her movements were quick and efficient as she turned her attention back to the task at hand, the sharp scent of freshly chopped vegetables filling the room. 

As Puffin and I finished cooking, the irresistible scent of the food wafted through the kitchen, causing my growl in eager anticipation. Taking our time, we arranged the trays with precision, making sure each dish looked 

stomach to visually appealing and the steam rising from them added to the anticipation of a delicious meal. Despite her evident exhaustion, Sammy joined us with weary eyes, yet she didn’t hesitate to grab a tray and lend a hand in serving the 

food. 

When we stepped into the mess hall, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the bustling room. The air was filled with the sounds of packmates chatting and laughing, their voices merging into a joyful cacophony. Glancing around, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me, knowing that I would have to serve at the tables, confronting the very individuals I had been attempting to steer clear of. 

Balancing the tray in my hands, I navigated through the bustling hall, aware of their curious stares and the murmurs 

11 22 AMD 

that followed in my wake. I attempted to brush off the stares and concentrate on what I needed to do, yet an uneasy sensation persisted, unsettling my insides. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

With a mix of relief and anticipation, I finally arrived at the table where Nadia was seated. Her inscrutable expression hinted at a hidden emotion as she tracked my every move. Despite my inner turmoil, I managed to force a smile, concealing the racing of my heart in her presence. 

“Here vi 

you go,” I said, my voice coming out forced as I placed a plate in front of her. “Enjoy your meal.” 

With a look of thinly veiled contempt, Nadia surveyed me, her eyes narrowing and her lips curling into a smirk, making it clear she held no regard for me. As I stood there, I could feel the crackling tension between us filling the air, suffocating and thick. 

Just as I was about to depart, my foot clumsily collided with an object, causing me to lose my footing and the tray to plummet to the floor with a loud crash. The room erupted in laughter as food splattered, leaving a mess on my clothes that I would have to clean up later. 

As I fought to steady myself, embarrassment flooded my cheeks, and the laughter of my packmates seemed to intensify. I stole a glance upward, my cheeks burning with embarrassment, only to be met with Nadia’s face twisted into a self–satisfied smirk. 

She had tripped me. 

A smile dances across her lips as she whispers softly. 

“Now that you see the consequences, do you regret not listening to me?” 

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