CHAPTER 51: 51- SEBI

Phoenix:

I was wrong. It was not his attention.

It was his undivided attention.

They must be fuming by now.

Right now, they might be smiling, but the way their jaws were clenched, I could tell they wanted to eat me alive.

"So," King Sebastian said in that warm voice that made my throat dry, "How long have you been training?"

The question didn’t feel like he was trying to probe. His eyes didn’t flicker, not even for a second, as if...

As if no one else in the room existed. His gaze kept wandering to my face like he had all the time in the world.

Damn! Why didn’t I notice earlier? He had a fine tattoo curling out from under his shirt, reaching up his neck.

His golden eyes were looking at me with such intensity that it made my stomach tighten.

My brain tried to register his question, and then I tried to respond, but my mouth felt like it belonged to someone else.

It just didn’t want to open up.

"Uh... I... since... two years back..." I mumbled, my hands clutching the folds of my gown in nervousness, "The training... my trainer Nicholson... along with others... he trained me... I mean..." I cleared my throat, thinking now he would crack up any time, but nah, he was patient, "I mean... I mostly train with pack warriors..."

Uh-huh. I no longer knew what trash I was uttering, and the man didn’t even flinch. The way he kept looking into my eyes and kept nodding his head...

He tilted his face slightly, amused like he was enjoying my company.

Come on, Phoenix. Stop being stupid.

"So... what’s your current role... tell me about your main duties, Phoenix."

I took in a long breath and asked the Moon Goddess secretly for help.

"I... I guard the borders, sir... mostly..."

"Stop calling me sir," he said gently.

"Yeah... sorry... sir..." I flinched again, and he chuckled.

"Umm. Sometimes I train juniors... and I mean sometimes I volunteer too."

One of his brows cocked up in mock surprise, "Huh? You volunteer as a warrior?"

I shook my head wildly, "No, sir... sorry... I mean... I’m also a healer... I heal things when the Moon Goddess wants me to... It’s not always there..." I raised my hands, "But that’s rare.... I hardly get time for that," I rambled without knowing why my back and neck were this stiff.

He placed his fist under his chin and let out a soft chuckle, "You can breathe, Phoenix," his other hand raised, and he touched my forehead softly, "Relax. You’re not on trial."

I quickly looked towards Raya and Kiara, who were whispering to each other, throwing those mean glances at me.

Beta Brian and Alpha Blake were busy talking to Beta Hunter.

This time, I let out a shaky laugh, "Sorry... I’m not used to this..." I gestured vaguely, and he supplied helpfully.

"Interrogation?"

"Yeah..." I nodded and then shook my head, "N-no..."

"Loosen up, Phoenix. Talk freely. I’m not here to harm you."

"Yeah. Sorry, Your Highness," I tried to smile, and he must have noticed the crinkles around my eyes.

Just then, I realized he was leaning towards me, studying my face closely.

Goddess. Kiara might kill me by throwing all those additional duties at me.

"Why did you choose to become a warrior, Phoenix, when you were a slave in your former pack?" The question made me catch my breath in my throat.

Because, Your Highness, my family and your family took advantage of my innocence. They not only scarred my face but also scarred my soul.

I was tempted to rub my nose several times so that Jai could come and save me. But how long would I rely on him?

I stared at King’s face and realized he had become more handsome and more gorgeous in the last two years.

We didn’t realize, but we were too busy staring at each other.

Before I could say something, we heard a light clinking of glass and straightened. Kiara was walking towards us, swaying her hips as she gave us a casual smile that was not casual at all.

"Your majesty," She said sweetly with a bow of her head, "Would you prefer a quieter corner? It looks crowded here."

Before King Sebastian could respond, out of nowhere, Luna Tamia and Tina also joined us. Tina was grinning from ear to ear, "Oh, Sebi, they had some very interesting stalls and I wished you could join us," her gaze then traveled to me and she frowned a little, "You’re the healer. Right? You are sitting in my chair, dear."

Oh, shit. That was definitely out of line.

"I’m sorry!" I tried standing up from the chair, hoping to escape the spot, but a strong arm was instantly on my lap, stopping me from moving.

I could feel its heat through my gown on my skin.

"There are several chairs, Tina," he didn’t even glance her way when he spoke calmly, "Perhaps find another one."

I blinked and looked down, not able to meet anyone’s eyes.

In the midst of all this, I couldn’t ignore the sensations I was feeling on my lap, where his arm was still there.

Gathering all my courage, I looked up, only to find Tina’s face going bright red. Kiara’s smirk had faltered.

Kiara cleared he throat with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Your Highness," she bowed a little, "Would you like to go for your first dance? Everyone just can’t wait to see you enjoying yourself."

Tina quickly nodded, likely hoping to get what was stolen from her, "That’s a great idea! Sebi, let’s open the dance floor."

Sebastian didn’t miss a beat. He slowly turned towards me and offered me his hand, "Phoenix, will you honor me with a dance?" he asked me silkily.

I was taken aback by this unexpected request; my breath caught in my throat as my gaze locked with his golden eyes that had a storm swirling behind those orbs.

They could make anyone’s world go blurry.

For a minute, I forgot where I was.

Being in a trance, I slowly nodded my head, "Yes, I would, Sebi!"