Chapter 5 You Don't Even Know Basic Table Manners

Eden's POV

I woke up with a bad headache. For a second, I didn't know where I was. Then I remembered everything—being kidnapped, put in a cage, and sold at an auction.

My heart raced as I thought about those twin men who said I was their "mate." One of them even turned into a huge silver-white wolf right in front of me.

Something heavy lay on my waist—a man's arm. When I turned my head, I saw Maxim sleeping beside me.

I looked around and my eyes met Adrian's icy blue ones. He sat in a chair by the bed, watching me. I froze.

I tried to shrink back, but Maxim's arm tightened around me. My throat felt dry as I stared at Adrian, not knowing what to do.

"You're awake," Adrian said coolly. "Stay here. I'll get your dinner."

He stood up—tall and scary even in regular clothes—and left the room without saying anything else.

As soon as the door closed, Maxim's eyes opened. He smiled and pulled me closer, kissing my forehead.

"Awake, little wolf?" he asked softly.

I tensed up, keeping my eyes down. Everything inside me said not to make eye contact, to look harmless.

Maxim laughed softly. "Don't be nervous. I don't bite..." He paused, then added with a smile, "Well, sometimes I do, but only a little. It's how I show I like someone."

I didn't know how to respond to his flirting. My body stayed stiff even though my cheeks got warm.

He looked at me for a moment. "Want a shower? Looks like you could use one to relax."

After thinking for a second, I nodded. I did feel gross and tired.

His eyes lit up right away. "Want me to help? I could wash your back." He started to sit up like he was really going to follow me.

My eyes got wide with panic, and I pushed myself backward toward the edge of the bed.

The door opened, and Adrian came back with a food tray. He frowned at Maxim. "Stop scaring her, Maxim. She needs time to get used to all this."

He put the tray down on the nightstand, and I took my chance to escape.

I locked the bathroom door. The bathroom was bigger than my room at the orphanage, with marble floors and a huge shower.

In the mirror, I barely recognized myself. Pale skin, dark circles under my eyes, and messy short curls.

I turned on the shower hot. Under the water, I finally let myself cry silently, biting my lip to stay quiet.

How did I end up here? One minute buying a birthday cake, the next claimed as a "mate" by werewolf brothers who bought me.

It sounded crazy, but I'd seen Adrian turn into a wolf. I'd heard his thoughts in my head. They said that proved I was a "halfblood" werewolf too.

Would I be their servant? Their sex slave? I couldn't even finish the thought.

After showering, I put on a huge bathrobe that hung past my fingers. I stood at the door gathering courage, then walked back into the bedroom.

They both looked at me, and I immediately looked down at the floor, my heart beating fast.

"Wow, my robe looks like a tent on you," Maxim said loudly.

Adrian stared at me. His forehead wrinkled a little.

"Dinner," Adrian ordered in a tone that meant business. "Back to the bed."

I nodded quickly as I hurried back to the bed. The huge sleeves of the bathrobe covered my hands as I climbed onto the mattress, making me feel even smaller.

Adrian lifted the cover from the plate and put it on my lap. I stared at the perfect steak dinner, with roasted vegetables and some kind of fancy sauce. The silverware was shiny in the soft light, and I hesitated, not sure how to use such fancy utensils.

I awkwardly picked up the knife and fork. Adrian noticed right away, frowning more.

"The knife is held like this," he said, reaching over to fix my grip.

My hand shook a little under his touch as I tried to copy him. I tried to cut the steak, but only managed to push it around the plate.

Adrian sighed impatiently, "Have you never eaten a real steak at a restaurant?" He took the utensils from my hand. "You don't even know basic table manners."

I felt my shoulders hunch forward as I tried to make myself smaller, feeling ashamed.

"Leave her alone, brother," Maxim jumped in. "He's crazy about table manners," he explained to me with a smile. "I drive him nuts by eating with my hands all the time."

He winked at me. "Eat however you want, little wolf."

Adrian shook his head but cut the steak into small pieces for me. "We are civilized werewolves, not wild animals."

I watched them talk back and forth, feeling confused but relieved as I carefully started eating the pre-cut steak with just my fork.

"What do you know about werewolves?" Adrian asked after I'd eaten a few bites.

I kept my head down, shaking it slightly. "Nothing except that you can transform," I answered quietly.

Maxim perked up right away. "We're not just shapeshifters! We're super strong and our senses are crazy good!" He leaned closer to me, looking excited. "Like right now, I can smell how nervous you are, and I can even hear your heart beating faster!"

Adrian frowned and cut Maxim off. "I think she needs to know more important stuff." His tone was serious. "Werewolf society has strict rules. We organize ourselves into packs, each led by an Alpha—like Maxim and me. We control territory and take care of our pack members."

"So... you're leaders of a... pack?" I asked nervously, my eyes wide.

Adrian nodded. "Yes, we lead the Silver Fang Pack. Werewolves used to be one united group, but after the Moon Goddess died decades ago, we split into three major packs. After the Great War sixteen years ago, only our Silver Fang Pack and the Shadow Claw Pack are left."

I thought about the auction house and wondered, "Do you live in the city too?"

"We look human to blend in," Adrian explained. "We have businesses and political connections in the human world. But werewolves prefer nature—we spend most of our time in our territory in the forest."

I got brave enough to ask the question that was bothering me. "What does Luna mean?" My voice was very quiet.

Maxim's eyes lit up. "A Luna is the Alpha's mate!" he said. "That's you! You'll be the most important female werewolf in the Silver Fang Pack, second only to us!"

My hand shook, making my fork hit the plate. I was human—at least I'd always thought I was. How could I be some kind of wolf queen?

The next week passed in a blur. My life became simple: wake up, eat, rest. I stayed in the suite, with the twins taking turns watching me.

They made sure I ate regularly. They didn't force me to have sex, but there was always touching each night.

Maxim stole kisses whenever he could, his fingers exploring my body. Adrian was more controlled.

I won't refuse, it's better than I expected. At least they didn't immediately engage in sexual relations with me. For them, perhaps this is the greatest tolerance toward me. If I were to resist further, I am afraid it would anger them.

Seven days later, I sat on the sofa reading about werewolf history while Maxim played with my hair.

Adrian walked in and frowned at my oversized bathrobe and basic clothes.

He walked silently to the closet, pulled out a T-shirt and shorts, and tossed them to me.

"Change into these, we're heading out."