By the time she reached her room, she was exhausted, not physically, but mentally. She refused Zari's offer of tea and curled up in bed, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't train. She couldn't leave the fortress. She was stuck.
By evening, Zari returned.
"The Alpha requests your presence in the dining hall."
Ava groaned. "In his quarters?"
"No. Here."
That was new. With great reluctance, she dragged herself up and changed. When she arrived, she found Lucas seated with the other concubines, looking as if this was a normal occurrence.
"Shall we eat?"
Ava narrowed her eyes. Since arriving, she had never seen him eat with them. She scowled at her plate. She still wasn't hungry.
"I have no appetite," she said, pushing her plate away. "I'll just head back to my room."
"Sit down."
The warning in his voice was unmistakable.
Oh, for the love of—what was he going to do, force-feed her?
She reluctantly sat back down.
