"I don’t like it either."
His surprise was evident now as if he had never truly considered my preferences before. Meeting his gaze, I calmly took a napkin, wiping my mouth before adding, "I don’t like anything you said."
There was a brief, stunned silence at the table before Leila spoke up, her voice laced with feigned concern. "Aeliana, are you angry? Why don’t you eat this plate of shrimp? Please don’t be angry with Alpha Haynes."
Leila's timid gaze pierced through the tense atmosphere, casting me as the villain. Her innocent act never failed to sway the room. But I wasn’t about to let that narrative take hold tonight.
“How could I be angry?” I forced a calm smile, my voice was soft yet firm. “Please, enjoy your meal. I just remembered some unfinished work for the full moon ceremony next month. I’ll take my leave.”
As I stood, preparing to go, Beta Ark’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Come on, Luna Aeliana, are you still upset about Alpha Haynes setting off a grand banquet for Leila?”